The Rise of the Fallen Prodigy

"The Allen family is indeed wealthy. Our Wheeler family withdraws from this bidding," the old man with the surname Wheeler said resentfully.

"Elder Wheeler is joking. Thank you, Elder Wheeler, for your concession," Devon Allen said politely.

Although in the eyes of the Allen family, the Wheeler family was just a small family, they still needed to put on an act at this moment.

In fact, Devon Allen was extremely dissatisfied with the old man with the surname Wheeler in his heart. Now, it was still uncertain who would get the Soul-Gathering Elixir, but the Wheeler family had directly put a flattering label on the Allen family.

It seemed as if the Wheeler family was doing the Allen family a favor, which made Devon Allen very unhappy. At the same time, he secretly lamented that the old man with the surname Wheeler was cunning.

"Brother Devon, it seems that your Allen family is determined to get this Soul-Gathering Elixir," Quentin Wilson smiled and said. "It seems that our Wilson family has to give your Allen family some face and withdraw from this bidding."

Devon Allen knew that Quentin Wilson was joking. Others might not know, but as a pupil of one of the three great families, he knew it very well.

Since Liam Smith was no longer in the picture, Quentin Wilson had leaped to become the top genius in Silvermoon Valley. His cultivation had always firmly suppressed the pupils of the other two families. How could he let go of this Soul-Gathering Elixir now?

However, the meaning in his words at this moment seemed not to be false. Presumably, the Wilson family already had a Soul-Gathering Elixir, and Quentin Wilson's words now were undoubtedly to make the Allen family owe the Wilson family a favor, so that he could use this as a reason to ask the Allen family to agree to some other conditions of his.

Devon Allen wanted to see what Quentin Wilson was up to.

So, he followed Quentin Wilson's words and said, "Since Brother Wilson has said so, then I, Devon, will thank you in advance."

Sure enough, Quentin Wilson immediately revealed his true intentions and said, "Brother Devon, wait a moment. It's no problem for the Wilson family to withdraw from this bidding, but I hope Brother Devon will also promise me one thing."

"Oh?" A trace of a smile crossed Devon Allen's lips, and he said, "Please go ahead, Brother Wilson."

"For the following auctions, the Allen family must give up the bidding for one item as we request," Quentin Wilson said frankly.

"Brother Wilson has high hopes, but I can clearly tell you that our Allen family will not give up any item that we think is useful," Devon Allen said.

"In that case, there's nothing more to say," Quentin Wilson said coldly. "The Wilson family bids 3,550 Soul crystals."

"The Smith family bids 3,600 Soul crystals."

Nathaniel Smith seemed unexpectedly happy to see that Devon Allen and Quentin Wilson had failed to reach an agreement.

"3,800 Soul crystals." After a moment of silence, the Three Clouds Ghosts gritted their teeth and continued to bid.

"4,000 Soul crystals." Alistair's voice, like a loud bell, rang out in the auction hall.

This time, not only did everyone on the first floor cast their eyes over, but also several other VIP rooms directed their gazes.

Everyone else was increasing the bid by 50 Soul crystals or 100 Soul crystals at a time. Unexpectedly, this mysterious old man who suddenly appeared was increasing the bid by 200 Soul crystals at once.

And from his tone, it seemed that he was also determined to get the Soul-Gathering Elixir.

The situation on the field had some subtle changes.

"4,000 Soul crystals. That's too much. It seems that the third brother has no chance to break through," the words of the Three Clouds Ghosts undoubtedly indicated that they were also withdrawing from this bidding.

"The Nelson family bids 4,100 Soul crystals," a middle-aged man frowned and said. "This is the final price of our Nelson family. If anyone offers a higher price, then the Nelson family will also withdraw from the bidding for this Soul-Gathering Elixir."

Obviously, the three great families would not let him down.

"The Wilson family bids 4,150 Soul crystals," Quentin Wilson said expressionlessly.

Quentin Wilson's words undoubtedly announced that the final owner of this Soul-Gathering Elixir could only be one of the three great families or that mysterious old man whose origin was unknown, that is, Alistair.

But things are unpredictable.

Another voice came from a VIP room: "I bid 4,200 Soul crystals."

"Who is the person making the bid? Is there really someone in Silvermoon Valley who dares to go against the three great families?"

"I don't know. Presumably, it's also a tough character."

"Hehe, the three great families have met a tough opponent this time."

"..."

While everyone was talking about it, Easton White, who had been standing on the auction stage with a smile on his face, now had a complicated expression. He looked up towards the VIP room where the voice came from, his eyes full of confusion.

The people from the three great families and Liam Smith were also equally puzzled.

"Why is it him?" This was the common thought in the hearts of the pupils of the three great families at this moment.

The three great families knew this person very well, but his sudden bid was unexpected by everyone.

And Liam Smith was stunned, feeling shocked yet a bit joyful.

He was all too familiar with this voice. It was the voice of his grandfather, Theodore Smith.

"Grandpa is back?" Liam Smith said excitedly.

The last time his grandfather left, he said it would take three months, but now he was back early. There must have been some unexpected situation. But for Liam Smith, it was good news. As long as his grandfather was safe, everything else didn't matter.

"Predecessor Smith, I, Quentin Wilson, offer my respects," Quentin Wilson said.

"Predecessor Smith, I, Devon Allen, offer my respects," Devon Allen said.

The two were key-cultivated individuals of their respective families. Although they were arrogant and overbearing on ordinary days, they still showed a certain amount of respect for the elders of the three great families. This was also an unwritten rule of the three great families and a manifestation of the principle of respecting martial strength in Liberty Divine Land.

The strong always deserve respect.

The two's salutations from a distance puzzled everyone in the entire auction hall.

They didn't understand why the two young masters, who were usually arrogant and looked down on others, showed so much respect for this old man who made the bid. This made everyone eager to know who this person was.

"Nathaniel Smith greets the Third Elder," Nathaniel Smith said.

Nathaniel Smith's words instantly solved everyone's doubts.

The only person who could make Nathaniel Smith address him as the Third Elder was probably Theodore Smith of the Smith family.

"So it's him."

"Why is he here? Shouldn't he be helping the Smith family?"

"I'm not sure, but this is really a slap in the face for the Smith family."

"Hehe, this is going to be interesting."

"You're right. Why worry so much? Let's just watch the show."

"..."

"I wonder what Elder Smith means by this?" Quentin Wilson asked calmly.

"You can continue your bidding. I'm not representing the Smith family this time, but myself," Theodore Smith said.

"Representing yourself?" Everyone was a bit confused at first.

After all, Theodore Smith was already a master in the Condensate Realm, and this Soul-Gathering Elixir had no effect on him. There was no need for him to risk causing friction with his own family to participate in the auction.

However, soon, most people thought of Liam Smith. Only Liam Smith was likely to need this Soul-Gathering Elixir. The only person in the whole Silvermoon Valley that Theodore Smith cared so much about and was willing to offend his own family for was Liam Smith.

"Could it be that Liam Smith has already broken through the Refined gas Realm?"

A voice exclaimed. As everyone knew, the Soul-Gathering Elixir could only be taken by warriors in the Refined gas Realm. But it was said that Liam Smith had been stuck in the Innate Realm for five years. Could it be that he had already broken through?

The more everyone thought about it, the more likely it seemed.

At the same time, Quentin Wilson and Devon Allen also started to think.

"Did that useless fellow really break through?" There was a hint of disbelief in Quentin Wilson's eyes.

"Has his talent returned?" Devon Allen's face looked a bit solemn.

On the other side, Nathaniel Smith clenched his fists, and a trace of coldness flashed in his eyes.

Nathaniel Smith knew about Liam Smith's breakthrough, and it was a thorn in his heart. He had originally thought that Liam Smith's era was long gone, but now, with his breakthrough, the family seemed to be paying attention to him again recently.

There was a possibility that one day he himself would be stepped on again, which was something Nathaniel Smith couldn't tolerate the most at the moment.

Now he also understood why Theodore Smith had participated in the bidding. He must have come for Liam Smith.

If Liam Smith really got the Soul-Gathering Elixir, and if Liam Smith's cultivation caught up, it would be a big problem.

After some thought, Nathaniel Smith had an idea.

But he still turned his gaze to the elder of his own faction in the VIP room, ready to seek his opinion.

The elder naturally understood the meaning behind it and also knew what Nathaniel Smith was thinking at the moment. Without saying a word, he just nodded slightly to show his agreement with Nathaniel Smith's approach.

With the elder's support, a sinister smile flashed across Nathaniel Smith's face.

At this moment, Liam Smith's eyes were already red, and the veins on his hands were bulging. He was quite emotional. If it weren't for Alistair's earnest persuasion by his side, he might have rushed to the VIP room where Theodore Smith was.

Liam Smith knew that his grandfather was doing all this for him. What touched him even more was that he knew that his grandfather was probably the poorest elder in the Smith family, without exception.

A few years ago, because of his own matters, his grandfather had almost spent all his wealth and even owed a lot of Soul crystals to other elders in the family. This time, when participating in the auction of the Soul-Gathering Elixir, he was probably misappropriating the family's Soul crystals privately. If he really bought it, he would surely have a hard time when he returned to the family.

After all, in the Smith family, the punishment for privately using cultivation resources was quite severe. Even though Theodore Smith was the Third Elder, he couldn't escape the strict family rules of the Smith family.

Alistair also seemed to be touched. He said in a deep voice, "I didn't expect your grandfather to care about you so much. Presumably, he came directly to the auction house without even going back to the family, otherwise he wouldn't have the Soul crystals to bid."

Liam Smith didn't need Alistair to tell him this. He also understood that this was not the first time he knew about his grandfather misappropriating the family's Soul crystals. There were no less than five such occasions, but every time he only found out later. And seeing his grandfather acting so calm in front of him, he couldn't bear to bring it up.

But this time, the thing happened right in front of his eyes. Liam Smith couldn't think of any words to describe his current feelings. He was truly filled with mixed emotions and was on the verge of tears.

Forcing his eyes open and trying hard not to let the tears fall, Liam Smith whispered, "Grandpa."

"Kid, do you think we should make another bid later?" Alistair understood Liam Smith's current mood and asked tentatively.

Alistair's words immediately made Liam Smith fall into deep thought.

If he continued to bid and even managed to buy the Soul-Gathering Elixir in the end, it would be a good thing for Liam Smith. After all, his grandfather wouldn't be punished for misappropriating the family's Soul crystals.

But for his grandfather, it seemed to be a bad thing. Because for him, Liam Smith's cultivation advancement was the most important thing.

If Liam Smith didn't get the Soul-Gathering Elixir, his grandfather probably wouldn't be happy for a long time. He would feel extremely guilty towards Liam Smith and might even become several years older because of it.

And he couldn't tell his grandfather everything at the moment.

Liam Smith suddenly felt caught in a dilemma.