The pride of Kunyun City, Wu Shaoqian, had been crippled! Not only had he fallen from the clouds to the mud overnight, but his soul had also been dispersing, on the verge of death.
Feeling em...
Chapter 155 Auction 1
Zhong Cai silently twitched the corner of her mouth.
Although I knew that as long as the publicity was done well, many powerful cultivators would come to bid, I still couldn't help but feel a little nervous when I actually saw so many powerful people.
·
The collision of numerous oppressive forces caused many flying magical artifacts to vibrate.
Especially among some powerful individuals who were already at odds, even without a full-blown fight, there was still a clash of their auras.
Neither side would yield, and their clashing auras created a series of terrifying waves, producing muffled "bang" sounds!
Such a powerful collision could not be considered an attack, but the residual force it generated turned many lower-level ships into cannon fodder. Some smaller flying boats even flipped over and rolled several times in the air – if it weren't for the cultivators on board controlling them properly, they would have crashed down along with their ships!
At that point, at best they'll lose face, at worst they'll die!
Even so, the flying boats that are thrown out will collide with other flying artifacts. If they are heading towards powerful ships, they will be bounced back. If they encounter similar or weaker ships, there will be quite a commotion.
Fortunately, this display of power was short-lived; after threatening each other slightly, the stronger party backed down.
After all, there are too many flying magical artifacts, and if too many are startled and overturned, it won't have a good impact.
·
Seeing the chaotic scene, Zhong Cai felt secretly relieved.
Originally, he and Lao Wu had planned for two puppets to come and oversee the entire auction with level-eight defensive array plates. However, during the preparation period, they discussed it and decided that, just in case, they needed to think things through more thoroughly and make more preparations.
then……
The two originally intended to place the level nine mid-grade defensive array plate in the ancient city and entrust it to a puppet to protect the auction venue and further restrict some domineering Nirvana Realm experts—especially lone cultivators or those who practice evil methods.
Just like those exceptionally arrogant powerhouses from earlier, besides those who couldn't tolerate each other's animosity, there were also quite a few who thrived on chaos. If it weren't for the presence of some upright and principled powerhouses who maintained order, they probably wouldn't have held back at all and would have directly started a chaotic battle in the air!
There is also a mid-grade level 8 teleportation array plate—although it is of a relatively low grade, Nirvana cultivators cannot interfere with its teleportation, nor can they intercept it halfway using some secret technique.
The main plate had already been placed in a safe location chosen by the puppet itself, so even if something went wrong with the puppet, the large amount of Xuan Stones it acquired could be sent there in time. Afterwards, Dao soldiers would naturally go to collect it and then transfer it to him and Old Wu through the teleportation array plate.
Looking back now, these preparations were absolutely necessary.
Especially that level nine defensive array, it's designed to guard against those who don't follow the rules.
·
Zhong Cai looked at Wu Shaogan.
Wu Shaogan also looked over, his eyes gentle.
Clearly, they were both thinking the same thing and were in a good mood.
and……
The two also made slight modifications to the items arranged for auction.
The level nine remains unchanged.
The number of level eight items has increased from five to seven, and all of them are of excellent quality.
For level seven items, the number of items has increased from twenty to twenty-five, with the addition of higher quality items.
The number of levels 5 and 6 was selectively added, including some less common ones.
This makes the entire auction more attractive—as long as the original number of items is not reduced, it is normal to add items before the auction, and the guests participating in the auction are usually more pleased.
·
Numerous flying magical artifacts hovered throughout the city.
With a Nirvana cultivator in charge, the large ship slowly moved forward, heading first to the auction venue.
The other ships followed in succession, according to their respective ranks and the cultivation level of the cultivators stationed there.
Azure Dragon Academy is an eighth-level power, and the treasure ship that Zhong Cai and his group were on was also an eighth-level ship, so it was naturally among the first to arrive.
Sang Yunchu said softly, "Besides the forces from the Seventh State, I also saw the auras of my Fifteenth State, Twelfth State, and Ninth State... Among them, the aura of Nirvana is approximately..."
Jiang Chongguang added from the side, "Thirty or fifty, I guess."
Zhong Cai's eyes widened immediately.
Thirty or fifty—?!
That's way too much!
Wu Shaogan understood Zhong Cai and smiled as he communicated telepathically.
[Our fifteen states now boast forty-one Nirvana Realm experts, and the other states are roughly on par with them.]
[The seventh state will likely send more, but if each of the other states sends just a few, we can easily reach this number.]
Zhong Cai thought about it and felt it made a lot of sense.
That's true. At first glance, it sounds like a lot, but if you think about it carefully, maybe the Seventh State alone could have twenty or thirty.
Especially those who reach the later stages of Nirvana can separate from the original body and carry out their own affairs even when the original body is in seclusion. This requires the original body to imbue the clone with soul thoughts and replicate the original body's thinking. When the clone acts, all its thoughts and actions are exactly the same as the original body.
Once they return, the original body will naturally know everything that the clone experienced.
So... there must be quite a few people who travel in pairs.
·
Soon, Jiang Chongguang's treasure ship arrived in front of the auction venue.
With a flash, the group landed on the ground, while the treasure ship in the sky transformed into a streak of light and disappeared into Jiang Chongguang's hands.
Jiang Chongguang strode forward, clearing a path for the people behind him.
Then, several high-level martial arts cultivators surrounded the alchemists and juniors, protecting them in the middle.
They filed in.
·
The auction venue, located in the fifth city in the southwest, was originally somewhat inadequate in terms of scale, but since Senior Nirvana wanted to rent this place to hold an extremely high-quality auction, it certainly could not be taken lightly.
The owners of the auction venues all wanted to make a name for themselves, so they quickly expanded and organized their territories, waiting for Nirvana to choose them.
Finally, the largest auction venue was the most impressive, having set up an extended array inside, along with a considerable number of well-trained maids and servants to serve and receive the guests.
The two Nirvana beings who rented this place paid a hefty price for it.
However, this was just an ordinary city, and no matter how carefully the site was renovated, it was still far from as magnificent as those in larger cities.
Therefore, when many powerful cultivators entered this place, the first thing they noticed was not the various features of the venue itself, but the array defense power that they could quickly perceive, which was as strong as the ninth level.
The powerful figures all knew what was going on—this array alone was enough to demonstrate the extraordinary resources of the person behind the auction.
Therefore, their attitude was quite amiable.
·
The auction hall was spacious, with private rooms on the top floor, private seating areas on the second and third floors, and the main hall on the first floor, all arranged in an arc shape.
The auction platform was located on the curved opening, quite high, a small platform.
Once guests enter the auction house, Nirvana Realm experts (eighth rank) go to the private rooms, and then the private rooms from top to bottom belong to Spirit Transformation (seventh rank) and Palace Building (sixth rank), while Suspended Illumination (fourth rank) and Fusion (fifth rank) are at the bottom.
However, Zhong Cai, Wu Shaogan and their group were also led into a private room on the top floor.
The reason is simple: Zhong Cai's master, Sang Yunchu, is an eighth-level Pill King, whose status is similar to that of a Nirvana cultivator. If he could become an eighth-level Pill Emperor, then even Nirvana cultivators would have to show him more respect.
The same applies to array masters, weapon masters, and talisman masters.
The other members of the Azure Dragon Clan all benefited from Sang Yunchu's influence.
Zhong Cai took Wu Shaogan's hand and gently kneaded it.
Wu Shaogan smiled and intertwined his fingers with his own A-Cai's.
Zhong Cai became obedient.
·
The private rooms are furnished with various comfortable soft chairs, couches, and more.
Naturally, the elders took their seats first, and then Zhong Cai and Wu Shaogan chose a spacious, comfortable soft chair with thick cushions and squeezed in together.
When they were with their masters, the two of them were always very casual.
Sang Yunchu and Jiang Chongguang were used to it.
The senior disciples didn't care at all, and the people in the Mei Family Mountain Range had even less to say; they just thought the two were really in love.
Several maids and servants standing nearby came over and respectfully obeyed their orders. Although they were not very strong, they had similar appearances and their demeanor was different from that of ordinary servants. Upon closer inspection, it could be discovered that they were actually children of the same clan.
Serving in a private room was originally a lucrative job, and that's probably why family members would come.
However, Sang Yunchu and the others were knowledgeable and simply told these people to wait aside without giving any further instructions.
Sang Yunchu smiled and said, "Cai'er, stop. If you see someone you like, just say so."
Zhong Cai and Wu Shaogan exchanged a glance and both smiled as they replied, "Thank you, Master!"
Jiang Chongguang readily agreed, "If Master Sang gives, I'll give too! You two don't need to be so polite!"
Zhong Cai and Wu Shaogan agreed again.
Although these things were brought out by the two of them, and anything that was particularly needed had already been picked out, we should still accept the kindness of our masters.
It doesn't matter if they don't have anything to offer but still want to bid; after all, they came here to broaden their horizons.
The other cultivators also smiled.
This time, if they come here and find something they like, they will bid against it.
Before they came, they brought all their savings with them.
·
Before long, all the guests had found their places.
After all, there are too many strong individuals, and even if there are checks and balances among them, we cannot afford to wear down their patience.
So in an instant, two tall figures appeared on the auction stage.
They were all ordinary-looking men.
But the moment "they" appeared, a Nirvana cultivator in the private room let out a faint sound of surprise and doubt.
—A puppet?!
They were actually two level-eight puppets!
Moreover, the strength of each puppet should be comparable to that of a late-stage Nirvana Realm cultivator.
Such puppets are extremely rare; only a very few major powers can barely create them by consuming countless refining materials.
In an instant, many speculations arose in the minds of the Nirvana Realm experts.
Who exactly is the organizer of this auction? What is their background?
Because the auction was of a very high standard, many Nirvana Realm experts had already intended to inquire about it when they received the news, but after being rebuffed, they quickly withdrew their attempts.
At that moment, another thought suddenly arose in their minds, but they ultimately suppressed it.
Who exactly they are will eventually come to light; for now, let's wait and see who they are at the auction.
·
The two puppets were just like real people, and the aura they exuded was no different from that of Nirvana cultivators.
Therefore, besides most Nirvana cultivators, only a few Spirit Transformation cultivators truly discovered their identities.
Take Jiang Chongguang for example.
However, for Jiang Chongguang, it didn't matter who the auctioneer was; he was just there to attend an auction and buy some things on the side.
Sang Yunchu's minor cultivation level was relatively low, so he didn't notice it immediately.
However, with his keen senses, the alchemist still sensed something amiss...
·
The two puppets didn't waste any words.
Those who can see through their identities naturally understand that this is because puppets are not good at talking; those who cannot see through their identities find it even more natural, after all, which Nirvana predecessor would be so enthusiastic when hosting an auction?
Then, the puppet on the right stepped forward, took out a box, and placed it on the auction table.
The puppet on the left walked over and opened the box.
In an instant, a terrifying pressure spread out!
Someone exclaimed in a low voice, "Level 7!"
Many high-level cultivators also turned their gazes in that direction.
·
Inside the box was the carcass of a silver mantis, about a foot long.
Although it was no longer moving, its body was intact and its aura was quite powerful, possessing a strong deterrent force.
Upon closer inspection, it can be determined that even among the seventh rank, it is at a relatively high level.
·
The puppet opened its mouth to introduce itself, briefly and directly: "Silver Armored Mantis, a seventh-tier, third-stage savage beast. Its shell is an excellent material for defensive crafting, its mantis blade is a natural seventh-level treasure blade, its beast core can be used as medicine, and it has several other uses."
Puppet Master Two's bid: "Starting price: 50,000 mid-grade Xuan Stones. Bidding increments are flexible. Please place your bid."
The air seemed to freeze for a moment as their voices fell silent.
The next moment, more than a dozen voices rang out in quick succession:
"Fifty-five thousand!"
"Fifty-six thousand!"
"Fifty-seven thousand!"
"Sixty thousand!"
...
"110,000!"
"113,000..."
All the bidding units were mid-grade Xuan Stones, and such a seventh-tier savage beast could usually sell for at least 50,000 mid-grade Xuan Stones, which was just right to be used as the reserve price.
·
In the private room.
Li Yishui couldn't help but say, "The owner of this auction house can even get his hands on a Silver Armored Mantis, so his strength must be at least in the mid-to-late stage of Nirvana."
The other Spirit Transformation cultivators all agreed.
Another person couldn't help but look at Jiang Chongguang with a questioning gaze.
Jiang Chongguang frankly stated, "I may not be able to catch up with it."
·
The Silver-Armored Mantis is a treasure trove, but it probably has an innate instinct to hide, so its size never changes, always maintaining its current length, which makes it easy for it to conceal itself and remain undetected.
It is precisely because it is so small and fast that it not only doesn't make a sound, but it is also difficult to catch its movements and figure out its trajectory!
Normally, cultivators at the same level cannot catch up with it at all, and they may even lose sight of its aura very quickly. Only cultivators at a higher level can hunt it down using their own movement techniques.
—In the history of Azure Dragon Academy, there was once an instructor who led a group of disciples to observe the weaknesses of savage beasts in the wild. After he keenly discovered the Silver-Armored Mantis, he led his disciples in a pursuit at top speed. But even so, the disciples only managed to chase after it for a few hundred miles with their instructor, vaguely catching a glimpse of the silver-armored mantis before it disappeared in the blink of an eye.
In addition, the two mantis blades of the silver-armored mantis are also incredibly sharp. The wounds inflicted by it are prevented from healing by a strange energy, and the wounds will grow larger and larger. Ordinary precious medicines or pills for repairing the body are almost impossible to restore them. The real antidote is the essence blood in the mantis's own body.
Such a seventh-tier mantis is extremely difficult to kill.
Moreover, the carapace must be intact, and almost all of its vital energy must remain intact...
The auction house owner is indeed quite impressive to be able to acquire such an item.
Now, placing it as the first item to liven things up is perfectly fitting; the Silver Armored Mantis is a suitable choice.
Sure enough, as soon as the price was announced, so many people started competing.
·
Zhong Cai leaned against Wu Shaogan, her feelings a complex mix.
What do you mean by "at least mid-stage Nirvana"... it's actually just two Suspended Illuminations!
It was obtained entirely through gacha pulls.
Wu Shaogan put his arm around Zhong Cai and said with a smile, "The price is very high."
The others in the private room also heard it, but they didn't think anything was wrong, assuming it was just two juniors lamenting how fast prices were rising.
Zhong Cai, however, understood what her master, Lao Wu, truly wanted to say.
They made a fortune from just this one deal!
That's at least tens of thousands of mid-grade Xuan Stones, which is more than ten million low-grade Xuan Stones!
At that moment, he seemed to hear the crisp sound of countless black stones colliding.
It's so beautiful!
·
"Fifty-two thousand!"
"150,000...3,000!"
"155,000!"
"fifteen……"
In the short time it took to exchange a few words in the private room, the price continued to soar.
However, the Xuan Stones didn't come easily. The bidding slowed down as time went on, and when only two or three people were bidding, the competition was almost entirely for a hundred or even a few dozen Xuan Stones.
Zhong Cai listened intently to the price quote, her eyes growing brighter and brighter.
His old man's Sun-Shooting Bow has now been upgraded to level six, costing approximately 400,000 low-grade Xuan Stones; however, if he wants to completely restore it to the top-tier Heaven-grade level, without adding any other materials, it will require 5 million high-grade Xuan Stones, which is 500 million mid-grade Xuan Stones...
etc.
Five hundred million.
Five hundred million?!
So what's there to be happy about when it's only sold for a little over 100,000? It's just a drop in the ocean!
I wonder if the two of them will be able to gather enough Xuan Stones by the time this auction is completely over.
In an instant, Zhong Cai became listless.
Wu Shaogan guessed what he was thinking, and gently brushed his stray hairs aside. Although it was not appropriate to make any overly intimate gestures, he still quietly touched his face, as if to sweep away all his worries.
And that was indeed the case.
Zhong rubbed his face against Wu Shaogan's palm and gave him a bright smile.
·
Puppet One and Puppet Two act without the slightest hesitation or delay.
When no one else submits a bid, make the decision immediately.
At this point, the bidder's offer was: 162,540 mid-grade Xuan stones.
It was located in a private room on the top floor.
The auction venue has its own teleportation array, specifically designed for trading with people in the private rooms.
As Kui Er activated the array patterns on the side of the auction table, a mustard seed bag appeared on the table. After Kui Er checked the number of mystic stones inside, he put it away, closed the box, and teleported the corpse of the Silver Armored Mantis to the corresponding private room.
Kui Er said, "The money and goods are settled."
The person in the private room responded.
Thus, the auction transaction was completed.
·
Kui took out the second item for auction.
Inside a rather large box, a beast's inner core was gleaming faintly.
Some cultivators in the main hall on the first floor began to stir:
"The beast core of the Ironhorned Crocodile..."
"Judging from that aura, he must be at the second stage of the fifth rank."
"It seems that it can be taken raw to reduce the coldness in the body."
"That would require either being affected by this foreign energy or having a flawed constitution..."
"Better safe than sorry. The secret realm I'm going to has exactly what I need!"
The visitors were buzzing with discussion, and many more recognized him.
Kuiyi also gave an explanation, and what he said was no different from what the guests were discussing.
After Kui Er finished his introduction, he said, "The starting price is ten thousand Xuanzhu, and bidding is open to all. Please proceed—"
As soon as he finished speaking, seven or eight more cultivators immediately offered their prices.
"Twelve thousand!"
"Thirteen thousand..."
"Fifteen thousand..."
The auction was very fast, taking only a dozen or so breaths to complete, and all the bids had already been submitted.
The final price is: 35,700 Xuanzhu.
Compared to the previous level seven resource, this is not even worth a fraction of it, but if we only consider level five resources, then this beast core has indeed fetched a very good price.
Since the guests are in the lobby, this transaction won't require the use of a teleportation array.
The customer counted out a sufficient amount of Xuanzhu (mysterious pearls) and put them into his mustard seed bag. Then, an extremely powerful force brought a box to him. He took out the box and put the mustard seed bag back in, and the transaction was completed.
·
Kuiyi moved very quickly and began introducing the third item for auction.
It is a high-grade, level-six healing pill.
The starting bid is 10,000 low-grade Xuan stones.
Because the pills are of high quality and commonly used, there are still many competitors, and each competitor is very generous with their bids, with the bidding rate increasing much faster than before.
In the end, the pill sold for 52,400 low-grade Xuan stones.
This is the price for the private room on the second floor. The puppet delivered the items there and then brought back the mustard seed bag filled with black stones.
·
The puppeteer then began introducing the fourth item up for auction.
It is the fetus of a sixth-tier rare beast, of excellent quality and full of vitality...
The starting bid is 5,000 low-grade Xuan stones.
This rare beast's embryo is of a high grade, but its potential is not great, so it is not particularly valuable.
However, there are still many cultivators who need rare beasts. This is definitely a sixth-tier rare beast, and representatives of some small and medium-sized forces are naturally in great demand, vying to raise prices...
The final transaction price was...
Next up is the fifth item...
The sixth item...
seventh……
·
Apart from the initial level 7 resources offered to warm up the crowd, almost all the subsequent resources were level 5 or 6, so basically no more cultivators in the top-floor private rooms made any bids.
At this point, it's time to release another high-level resource; we can't neglect those top experts.
So, Kuiyi solemnly took out a resource and showed it to everyone.
The first item it offered for auction was an eighth-level resource.
The flames blazed fiercely, and the phoenix feathers were magnificent.
This is an incomparably magnificent cloak, with a crimson base and colorful feathers as embellishments.
Ordinary cultivators would find it difficult to wear it well, but as a mid-grade eighth-level Xuan artifact, it is extremely powerful.
Especially for cultivators who practice fire attribute cultivation, the support is extremely strong!
Starting price: 10,000 high-grade Xuan stones!