The auctioneer was overjoyed and excitedly packed up the spirit stones.

There's a rule in auction houses: the higher the price of the competing items auctioned by the auctioneer, the more benefits (spirit stones) they receive. There are also many indirect benefits, such as increased reputation and fame.

In no time, the auctioneer had gathered up the spirit stones and said with a bright smile, "Next up is today's grand finale. Ladies and gentlemen, don't miss it, or you'll regret it!"

"What? There's a final item up for auction? I thought the Purple Light Sword was it, but this is the real trump card!" one customer exclaimed in surprise.

The auction hall was instantly bustling with activity as everyone began to discuss the event.

"Wow, this auctioneer is really good at keeping people in suspense."

"I wonder what the last treasure will be today?"

"Needless to say, it's definitely on par with the Purple Light Sword from before, and might even be more valuable than that sword."

"Since it's the grand finale, it must be incredibly valuable."

Not to mention them, even Gu Changqing was very curious about what this final item in the auction was.

…………

"Please be quiet for a moment, so I can give you all a detailed introduction," the auctioneer said loudly. The crowd gradually quieted down, and the scene calmed down.

"Next up for auction is a set of martial arts manuals," the auctioneer said calmly.

"What's so rare about martial arts manuals? I have countless of them at home. What kind of grand finale is this? Are you kidding me?" A customer interrupted the auctioneer, speaking dismissively.

"Sir, please be patient and let me explain slowly. This secret manual is no ordinary item. It is a treasure left over from the ancient times. It is said that if you learn this technique, the spiritual energy in the world will be easy to obtain. To put it simply, it is possible to obtain spiritual energy ten times, a hundred times, or even a thousand times or ten thousand times more easily than others. The multiplier depends on each person's ability," the auctioneer said calmly.

"For example, in the same environment, if someone else absorbs one part of spiritual energy, you can absorb a thousand parts; if someone else absorbs one hundred parts, you can absorb ten thousand parts; if someone else absorbs one thousand parts, you can absorb hundreds of thousands of parts, or even more—it all depends on your individual ability. So, who dares to say their cultivation technique is more powerful than this? With this technique in hand, improving your cultivation level is a piece of cake, a real pain in the neck," the auctioneer explained in detail.

"Wow, this is a treasure! It's incredibly helpful for improving cultivation. With this, my cultivation will skyrocket!"

"Indeed, such a treasure is extremely rare, even surpassing the Purple Light Sword from before."

"It's not just better, it's incomparable. I'm definitely going to buy it."

"I want one too, but I don't know if I have the financial resources to support it."

...

Upon hearing this, the auction hall erupted in noise once again, with everyone discussing the item animatedly and showing great interest in it, eager to acquire it.

Gu Changqing thought to himself: If the auctioneer is telling the truth, then this cultivation manual is indeed a treasure, like a walking spiritual energy absorber, it couldn't be better.

"I forgot to mention, this cultivation manual is called the Primordial Spirit Immortal Manual. Just from the name, you can tell it's a rare item," the auctioneer added.

"My goodness, stop dawdling! Hurry up and bring the treasure up so everyone can take a look and see it!" a middle-aged man in brocade robes urged impatiently.

"That's right, hurry up and bring it out! We've been waiting forever!" the other guests chimed in.

"Please wait a moment, sir, it will be here shortly," the auctioneer said with a smile.

"Husband, is this final item really as amazing as he said? I can't wait!" Jiang Qingcheng asked with a curious expression.

"I don't know either, but don't worry, we'll find out soon," Gu Changqing said calmly.

As they were talking, the auctioneer had already placed the item on the auction stage.

The item was contained in an exquisitely crafted black box made of fine wood, with strange and mysterious symbols carved on it.

Everyone held their breath, their eyes fixed intently on the black box, eager to find out what it was all about and see its true form.

The auctioneer took in the eager looks from the crowd, smiled slightly, and revealed a smug look in his eyes.

Then, under the watchful eyes of all the guests, the auctioneer slowly opened the black box.

The moment the black box was opened, everyone felt a dazzling light burst forth, so bright it was blinding.

Just by looking at its appearance, you can tell it's a rare treasure.

After the light of the cultivation manual slowly faded, the actual object was finally seen. It looked almost identical to an ordinary cultivation manual.

Unlike other cultivation techniques and secret manuals, it has remained perfectly preserved after millions of years, and even faintly reveals a trace of its aura, which is completely undetectable to cultivators with lower cultivation levels.

But Gu Changqing immediately sensed the magic of this martial arts manual.

Ordinary martial arts manuals are hard to preserve intact for so long, but this one did.

Ordinary cultivation manuals have no aura at all; they're just books. But this one is different.

This is enough to prove that this martial arts manual is by no means an ordinary thing; it is undoubtedly a treasure, absolutely genuine, and there is no need to doubt it.

"The auction begins now, the highest bidder wins." Seeing everyone eagerly anticipating the auction, the auctioneer's smug expression was evident as he began the bidding.

"I'll offer 500 million top-grade spirit stones."

Wow, so many right off the bat! That immediately turned away most of the customers. They all shook their heads, their faces showing disappointment. It was hopeless again.

"I'll offer 900 million top-grade spirit stones."

"I'll offer 1.5 billion top-grade spirit stones."

"I'll offer two billion top-grade spirit stones."

"I'll offer 2.5 billion top-grade spirit stones."

"I'll offer 2.8 billion top-grade spirit stones."

In no time at all, this cultivation manual was auctioned off for a staggering 2.8 billion top-grade spirit stones.

More and more customers were forced to withdraw from the competition, having no choice but to give up, though they were extremely reluctant, because they didn't have enough money in their pockets.

Even if I sold everything I owned, I still couldn't scrape together that many top-grade spirit stones!

It seems we're destined to be apart!

Meanwhile, Gu Changqing was quite relaxed, seemingly indifferent to the situation.