The Rise of the Fallen Prodigy

Liam Smith was lost in thought when the voice of someone increasing the bid rang out again on the scene.

Quentin Wilson was the first to speak: "Predecessor Smith, I respect you as a senior and an outstanding person. Originally, I should have withdrawn from this bidding. But this Soul-Gathering Elixir is very important to everyone, and I believe you understand this, Predecessor."

"Of course, I naturally know that. You don't have to care about me. You should bid when you need to. The auction house emphasizes fairness," Theodore Smith said calmly.

"Predecessor Smith is right. Fairness is the most important thing," Quentin Wilson said with a somewhat sheepish expression.

Compared to Quentin Wilson's embarrassment, Devon Allen seemed to show more respect for Theodore Smith.

Devon Allen raised his voice a bit and said, "Predecessor Smith, I will only make one last bid. If I can get it, it will be thanks to the favor you show me. If I can't, it will be a sign of my respect for you, Predecessor."

After a pause, Devon Allen announced the final price of the Allen family: "4,300 Soul crystals."

"Good. The lad named Devon is indeed straightforward. I will remember this," Theodore Smith said, expressing his satisfaction with Devon Allen's actions.

Seeing that Devon Allen had won Theodore Smith's approval and gained a favor, Quentin Wilson was not to be outdone.

He immediately changed his tune and said, "Predecessor Smith, I suddenly feel that our Wilson family really shouldn't continue to compete with you for this Soul-Gathering Elixir. So, our Wilson family withdraws. I wish you, Predecessor, can get this Soul-Gathering Elixir as you wish."

Although he scoffed at Quentin Wilson's actions, Theodore Smith still let out a faint "hmm" as a sign of gratitude.

Thus, the final contenders for this Soul-Gathering Elixir became Nathaniel Smith representing the Smith family, Theodore Smith, and "Fane Davis" whom Liam Smith was pretending to be.

What everyone didn't know was that this auction had completely become an auction among three people from the Smith family. It was hard to imagine what people would think if they knew the truth. Anyway, the Smith family would lose a great deal of face.

Alistair, who was standing by and speaking without feeling the pain, sneered, "Hehe, after living for so many years, I'm seeing three people from the same family competing for an auction item. I'm afraid this is a unique case in the world."

"Master, you're still saying sarcastic things?" Liam Smith said somewhat unhappily. "Hurry up and help me come up with a solution."

"What solution?" Alistair said indifferently. "Don't you know your grandfather? Now we can only wait and see how things develop. Anyway, either you or your grandfather will end up feeling miserable."

"Why am I so unlucky?" Liam Smith complained. "Why do all these things happen to me?"

Alistair just smiled indifferently and said, "Kid, only those who can endure hardships can become outstanding."

"The hardships don't matter, but this situation is completely making me feel at a loss," Liam Smith said.

"Stay calm. We should wait and take action according to the situation," Alistair said in a deep voice.

Liam Smith had no other ideas at the moment and naturally didn't object. He said somewhat helplessly, "I guess there's no other choice."

Just then, Nathaniel Smith spoke up: "Third Elder, since you're not representing the family, and I, Nathaniel Smith, bear the great hopes of the family, I have no choice but to offend you."

"I've already said that I don't care. Just do as you please," Theodore Smith said coldly.

"In that case, I can only continue to make a bid," Nathaniel Smith said indifferently. "The Smith family bids 4,350 Soul crystals."

Nathaniel Smith deliberately emphasized the words "Smith family" heavily. Presumably, it was to warn Theodore Smith not to act willfully. He also had a general understanding of Theodore Smith's financial situation.

Theodore Smith obviously didn't hesitate at all and said in a deep voice, "4,400 Soul crystals."

It was evident that Theodore Smith was determined to go all out. The price of 4,400 Soul crystals was no small amount. Even an elder of the family couldn't come up with it easily, let alone considering Theodore Smith's difficult situation.

This time, the amount of Soul crystals he misappropriated from the family far exceeded the sum of all previous times, and the punishment he would receive probably wouldn't be lenient.

In fact, Nathaniel Smith's feelings were also quite complicated. For him, it would be satisfying to see Theodore Smith punished. However, if Theodore Smith was punished, it meant that Liam Smith might advance in his cultivation.

As the saying goes, one can't have both the fish and the bear's paw. Nathaniel Smith could only take things one step at a time. If Theodore Smith really intended to risk everything and the price far exceeded the budget, then he might give up.

"4,450 Soul crystals," Nathaniel Smith continued to increase the bid.

The competition between the two of them seemed rather ridiculous to the onlookers.

"Haha, I didn't expect to see such an interesting scene at this auction meeting. It's really worth coming," someone said.

"It seems that the three great families aren't as united as they appear on the surface," another person commented.

"Nathaniel Smith doesn't seem to have the slightest spirit of respecting his elders. They're all from the Smith family. Why make things so embarrassing? Is he sacrificing himself to please the public? Hehe," someone sneered.

"..."

Some people who were just watching the show started to mock them.

However, there were still a few people who knew more and saw the problem more deeply.

"It seems that Liam Smith really has broken through. Otherwise, Theodore Smith wouldn't be so desperate," one person said.

"I wonder if he's still the genius he was five years later," another person mused.

"I don't think so. Even if he has regained his talent now, he probably won't be able to meet the requirements of the Smith family's trials in a short time. It's only a matter of time before he's kicked out of the Smith family. I think the Third Elder Smith is just making a last-ditch effort," someone else said.

"You're right. It's really a pity about Liam Smith, that genius. If he hadn't suddenly lost his talent five years ago, he might be close to the Condensate Realm by now," another person agreed.

"Who says no? Thinking about the Third Elder Smith's life, it's really tragic. His son and daughter-in-law passed away early, and his only grandson was extremely talented. He thought he could finally feel proud, but then his martial cultivation suddenly stopped increasing. If it were someone else, they might not have been able to hold on," someone added.

"..."

"I bid 4,500 Soul crystals," at Liam Smith's signal, Alistair's voice rang out again.

"4,500 Soul crystals?" Theodore Smith murmured a few times. It seemed that this had reached his limit.

After thinking for a while, he resolutely increased the bid: "4,550 Soul crystals."

After making the bid, Theodore Smith cupped his hands in the direction of the VIP room where Liam Smith was and asked, "I am Theodore Smith from the Smith family. May I ask who you are?"

Alistair smiled faintly and said, "I've long heard of the great reputation of the Third Elder of the Smith family. I'm just an unknown person. You can just call me Mr. Davis, Third Elder Smith."

"Mr. Davis?" As soon as Alistair said this, everyone in the auction hall started to search their minds for information about Mr. Davis, but they were all disappointed.

Theodore Smith also had no impression at all. However, this didn't prevent the two from communicating. "Mr. Davis, I have a favor to ask. I wonder if I should mention it," Theodore Smith said.

"Please go ahead, Third Elder Smith. If I can do it, I will definitely try my best," Alistair said firmly.

"Thank you, Mr. Davis," Theodore Smith said, somewhat happily, and continued, "I won't hide it from you, Mr. Davis. A junior named Liam is in urgent need of this Soul-Gathering Elixir. I hope you can show mercy. Liam will be extremely grateful."

Theodore Smith's words were sincere and earnest.

But to Liam Smith, these words were a bit harsh. If he could choose, he would rather have not come to the auction house today.

He forcefully suppressed the surging qi and blood in his body, clenched his teeth tightly on his lips, and tried hard to hold back the tears in his eyes from flowing out.

Perhaps because he was using too much force, without realizing it, Liam Smith had bitten his lips and a trace of blood was already seeping out along his lips.

This was the first time his grandfather had asked him for something. Although his grandfather didn't know that the person opposite him was his beloved grandson, how could Liam Smith bear to refuse his grandfather?

Alistair understood Liam Smith's thoughts and replied, "Since you say so, Third Elder Smith, I'm not in a position to insist. It's just a Soul-Gathering Elixir. It's no problem to let you have it, Third Elder Smith."

"Liam thanks you, Mr. Davis," Theodore Smith didn't expect that his tentative request would be agreed to. He was a bit overjoyed at the moment.

Before Theodore Smith could be happy for long, Nathaniel Smith's annoying voice sounded again: "The Smith family bids 4,600 Soul crystals."

"Nathaniel Smith, are you deliberately targeting me or Liam Smith?" Even with Theodore Smith's good temper, he couldn't help but feel annoyed at this moment.

When others had been persuaded by him, he didn't expect that the one who would disrupt the situation in the end would be someone from his own family. This was undoubtedly a slap in the face in public. The loss of face was secondary. The most important thing was that he might not be able to get the Soul-Gathering Elixir.

Others didn't know, but Theodore Smith himself knew that he only had about 4,500 Soul crystals on him this time. Nathaniel Smith's bid had already exceeded his limit, and it would be difficult for him to increase the bid further.

After all, he was well aware of the rules of the auction house. If he couldn't hand over the Soul crystals at that time, it would cause more than just ordinary trouble.

"Third Elder, you've misunderstood. If it were up to me, I would definitely offer the Soul-Gathering Elixir with both hands. But today, I'm here on the orders of the family head. I hope you can understand, Third Elder," Nathaniel Smith directly brought up the family head.

Theodore Smith didn't say anything. He was silent for a long time. Then he said something that shocked everyone.

"Nathaniel Smith, consider it a favor for me. Please give me some face."

A sound of people sucking in a breath of cold air rang out.

In Silvermoon Valley, everyone knew that Theodore Smith hadn't begged anyone for anything in decades. But today, he was actually begging a junior from the family for a small Soul-Gathering Elixir.

The people present could only feel deep regret.

And Liam Smith couldn't hold back the burning tears in his eyes any longer. The tears fell on his clenched fists, feeling so hot. The veins all over his body were bulging, his teeth were clenched tightly, and blood slowly trickled down from his lips.

Surprisingly, Nathaniel Smith still wouldn't let it go. He pretended to be in a difficult situation and said, "It's not that I don't want to agree, Third Elder. It's just that I'm under the orders of the family head and can't disobey."

Nathaniel Smith's words directly aroused the disgust of everyone present. Everyone knew that what he said was just an excuse. He was simply making a big deal out of a small matter.

Many people began to feel that it wasn't worth it for Theodore Smith.

Liam Smith was also slightly taken aback. He didn't expect that even at this point, Nathaniel Smith was still deliberately making things difficult for his grandfather.

A strong murderous intent shot out from his eyes, and he gritted his teeth and said word by word, "Nathaniel Smith."

Alistair believed that if Nathaniel Smith were standing in front of Liam Smith at this moment, Liam Smith would definitely not hesitate to kill him.

For Liam Smith, it was one thing for Nathaniel Smith to bully him on ordinary days, but now, Nathaniel Smith was deliberately making things difficult for his grandfather in front of everyone. Liam Smith simply couldn't forgive him.

He clenched his right fist and pounded it heavily on the table. With a "creak" sound, the wooden table was already wobbling.

At the same time, Nathaniel Smith suddenly felt a chill down his back. He looked around but didn't find anything unusual, so he calmed down a bit, thinking that he might have been overthinking.

Theodore Smith frowned tightly at this moment, his hands clenched into fists. The clear sound of his bones rubbing together echoed in the hall. However, he didn't say anything more. The entire auction hall fell into a deathly silence.

It was obvious that Theodore Smith had decided to give up continuing the auction.