Inside the auction hall in the Land of Water, dozens of gilded chandeliers hung from the dome.
Daimyos and nobles from various countries sat on velvet sofa chairs, with exquisite silver tea sets and fresh fruit laid out on the tables.
The auctioneer, holding a gilded microphone, announced, "Esteemed guests, I presume some of you still have doubts about the effects of the Water of Life. To allow everyone to witness this miracle that transcends time with their own eyes, we propose inviting a guest to the stage to try a Low-rank Water of Life and verify its miraculous efficacy on the spot."
As soon as he finished speaking, the entire hall instantly fell silent.
The Daimyo of the Land of Wind, nearing sixty, yearned for youth but was unwilling to risk his body. If the Water of Life had side effects, the consequences would be unimaginable.
After a moment of contemplation, he turned to look at the Finance Minister beside him and said in an unquestionable tone, "You go. Carefully observe every change in your body and report back to me, word for word."
The Finance Minister was sixty-two years old this year, with most of his temples gray.
Upon hearing this, his body trembled, but he dared not disobey in the slightest.
He could only bow his head and say, "Your subject obeys."
He slowly stood up, straightened his slightly wrinkled brocade robe, and, under the curious gazes of the crowd, slowly walked onto the auction stage, one step at a time.
The auctioneer, with a gentle smile, handed over the Low-rank Water of Life with both hands.
"Please rest assured. We have completed experiments on a hundred volunteers. Its safety has been repeatedly verified, and there are absolutely no side effects. You only need to drink it all, and you will feel the nourishment of life energy."
The Finance Minister took the crystal bottle, and the cool bottle slightly eased his tense nerves.
He took a deep breath, pulled out the stopper, and a sweet, fresh scent of herbs wafted towards him.
He tilted his head back and drank the liquid in the bottle in one gulp. The liquid was slightly cool upon entering his mouth and slid down his throat into his stomach.
Initially, he only felt a warmth in his abdomen. A warm current suddenly spread from his belly, flowing slowly through his limbs and bones like a spring stream.
He could clearly feel his once stiff joints gradually becoming flexible, his sore muscles feeling as if they were being gently massaged by soft hands, and his cloudy eyes beginning to show a clear luster.
The gazes of everyone below the stage were fixed on his face, and even their breathing became cautious. They watched as the white hair at his temples visibly faded, gradually turning a glossy black.
Like a withered tree revitalized in spring, his entire physique became more upright.
In just over ten seconds, the decrepit Finance Minister transformed into a thirty-year-old youth with a rosy complexion and an upright posture.
"Oh my god! He really became younger! This is simply a miracle!"
A gasp of astonishment instantly erupted from below the stage.
The Daimyo of the Land of Earth suddenly leaned forward, resting his hands on the table. His eyes were burning, as if he wanted to see through the Finance Minister on the stage.
The Lightning Daimyo next to him clenched his fists, and his breathing became rapid.
The auctioneer, at the opportune moment, held up a slender, silver needle, its tip gleaming coldly.
He said with a smile, "Esteemed guests, please observe closely. During the effective period of the Water of Life, the user's body will continuously receive nourishment from life energy. Even if external injuries are sustained, they will heal at a speed far exceeding that of ordinary people."
He slowly walked to the Finance Minister, bowed slightly, and said, "Sir, to allow the esteemed guests to experience the effect more directly, may I borrow your arm?"
The Finance Minister looked at his hands, which had become young and strong, and his heart was filled with shock.
He immediately nodded and extended his left arm.
The auctioneer, holding the silver needle, gently pricked his forearm under the watchful eyes of the crowd.
The needle tip pierced the skin, and a few drops of bright red blood immediately seeped out, slowly sliding down his arm.
But before the blood could even drip onto the velvet cushion on the stage, the skin at the wound healed at an astonishing speed, quickly disappearing.
"It's incredible! The effect is even more powerful than the legends!"
The Lightning Daimyo could no longer suppress the longing in his heart and strode onto the stage.
"Auctioneer, I just bid on the Advanced Water of Life. I want to try and see how capable this treasure, which can maintain youth for eight years, truly is."
He was sixty-six years old this year, with stiff joints and failing eyesight.
After witnessing the transformation of the Finance Minister of the Land of Wind, his desire for youth had long been burning like a raging fire.
The auctioneer smiled and turned sideways. "Lightning Daimyo-sama, your courage is truly extraordinary. The life energy contained in the Advanced Water of Life is far richer than that of Intermediate and Low-rank versions. Not only is the recovery speed faster, but it can also repair deep-seated old injuries, and its effect can last for eight years."
The Lightning Daimyo took the crystal bottle, and with a flick of his wrist, he pulled out the stopper. A rich fragrance instantly permeated the air.
He tilted his head back without hesitation and drank the purple liquid in the bottle in one gulp.
A warm current, far more potent than that of the Low-rank Water of Life, instantly swept through his entire body, as if countless gentle yet powerful hands were softly smoothing out every old injury in his body.
He could clearly feel his shoulders, once stiff from old injuries, gradually relaxing, and his aching knees becoming flexible. Even his blurry vision became clear. He could see the patterns on the white jade pillars dozens of meters away with perfect clarity.
He looked down at his hands. The calloused skin on his palms had become smooth and firm, and even his fingernails were plump and lustrous.
He slowly raised his head. Everyone below the stage held their breath, watching the astonishing changes occurring on his face.
In just a moment, the Lightning Daimyo transformed from a weathered old man into a vibrant, robust man in his thirties.
"Hahahaha! Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful!"
He couldn't help but burst into loud laughter, his voice as resonant as a bell.
He moved his limbs, feeling the powerful strength emanating from his arms. Then, he performed several swift kicks and punches on the stage. Each movement was quick and powerful, a stark contrast to his earlier aged appearance.
The auctioneer, with a smile, playfully remarked, "Your Highness, as far as we know, you have many wives and concubines in your residence. You should exercise more restraint in your daily life. After all, excessive indulgence can deplete life energy, leading to a shortened effective period for the Water of Life, which would be a great pity."
At these words, the entire hall immediately erupted in laughter.
The Lightning Daimyo was not annoyed. He slapped his thigh and laughed. "Thank you for the reminder, auctioneer. As long as I can maintain this youthful vitality, a few years of restraint are nothing. When I've enjoyed enough, I'll just bid on a few more bottles of Advanced Water of Life."
The laughter gradually subsided, but the fervor in everyone's hearts grew even stronger. Their gazes were fixed on the remaining Water of Life on the stage, their eyes filled with longing.
The auctioneer, at the opportune moment, raised his microphone, and his voice became solemn once again. "Esteemed guests, the effects of the Water of Life are clear for all to see. Now, we continue with the bidding. First up is the Low-rank Water of Life, with a starting bid of 300 tons of gold, and each increment must be no less than 20 tons of gold! Please raise your paddles to bid, esteemed guests!"
"320 tons!"
As soon as the words fell, a noble from a small country seated on the right immediately raised his paddle, his voice tinged with eagerness.
"350 tons!" Another noble followed closely, his eyes fixed on the Low-rank Water of Life on the stage.
...
The bidding instantly rose and fell, the silver paddles constantly raised under the lights, and the price soared.
Ultimately, the Low-rank Water of Life was acquired by the Lightning Daimyo for 720 tons of gold.
He raised his paddle without hesitation, clearly intending to stock up on a few more bottles for unforeseen needs.