Entering Wushi, Zhang Ruyi headed straight to the central auction house.

The spirit-level inferior martial arts were not something ordinary shops could handle. Only by bringing them to the central auction house and selling them to those major families, could the true value of the martial arts be maximized.

As Zhang Ruyi entered the auction house, a neatly dressed and charming maid greeted him. Upon seeing Zhang Ruyi's mysterious attire, she showed no surprise and politely asked, "Sir, how may I assist you?"

"I wish to see the chief steward of your central auction house!" Zhang Ruyi slightly altered his voice, sounding deep and mature, like a man in his thirties or forties.

Who exactly was this person? Demanding to see the chief steward right away indicated significant influence.

"The servant will report to the chief steward now. However, the chief steward is usually very busy entertaining important guests and may not have time to see you. Please wait for a moment!" The maid then immediately went through a large door to inform the chief steward.

Zhang Ruyi remained calm, standing in the hall, quietly waiting.

Before long, the maid led a plump old man dressed in luxurious robes toward Zhang Ruyi and said, "Chief Steward, that's the man."

Glancing at Zhang Ruyi from a distance, the chief steward's gaze fixed on Zhang Ruyi's feet, where he wore "Qilin-Embroidered Golden Boots," a footwear exclusive to the royal palace.

Intentionally revealing his boots, Zhang Ruyi knew that with his current level of martial cultivation, he couldn't protect a spirit-level inferior sword technique. However, if people knew he was a prominent figure in the palace, few would dare covet his possessions.

In a situation where his strength was not formidable enough, pretending to be powerful was necessary to intimidate others.

"Not an ordinary background!" The chief steward thought to himself as he observed Zhang Ruyi's boots.

The chief steward's attitude toward Zhang Ruyi immediately became respectful, treating him as a dignitary from the palace and leading him forward, saying softly, "Sir, this way please."

"Naturally." To impose his authority, Zhang Ruyi stood with hands behind his back, nodding gently.

Observing the chief steward's deferential behavior, the warriors in the hall speculated secretly that a remarkable figure had arrived at the central auction house.

Upon reaching the third floor of the auction house, Zhang Ruyi sat steadily at the top, accepting a teacup handed over by a maid and spoke in a commanding tone, "I have an item to consign to the central auction house for sale. Please summon your top appraiser to appraise it for me."

Witnessing Zhang Ruyi's demeanor, the chief steward was even more convinced that he was a significant figure from the royal palace and immediately sent someone to summon the appraiser.

After a brief moment, an elderly man with white hair walked in. Despite looking seven or eight decades old, his eyes gleamed brightly. After glimpsing Zhang Ruyi, he was astonished to find that he couldn't discern Zhang Ruyi's level of cultivation.

The appraiser immediately bowed respectfully and said, "I am the chief appraiser of the central auction house. Sir, where is the item you want to auction?"

Not being able to gauge Zhang Ruyi's level of cultivation could only mean three things: firstly, the other party's martial cultivation exceeded his own; secondly, the other party's cultivation technique far surpassed his own; and lastly, the other party possessed a hidden treasure that concealed his cultivation.

The second and third situations were not common, so the elderly appraiser instinctively assumed it was the first scenario - that Zhang Ruyi's cultivation surpassed his own, hence he immediately paid his respects.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

It was common knowledge that Zhang Ruyi cultivated the "Nine Heavens Divine Emperor Scripture," an incredibly profound technique. Unless he deliberately displayed his meridians, few in the entire Yunwu County would be able to gauge his level of cultivation.

Furthermore, considering Zhang Ruyi's past life as a powerhouse at the peak level, his understanding of martial arts and his spiritual essence were no different from a peak-level martial artist. To discern his level of cultivation, the other party's martial realm had to surpass the peak level.

Reaching into his sleeve and touching the spatio-temporal crystal, Zhang Ruyi delved into its internal space, retrieved the oral formula of the "Heavenly Heart Sword Technique," and handed it to the elderly appraiser. "I intend to auction this scroll of the spirit-level inferior sword technique," he stated calmly.

Upon receiving the oral formula of the "Heavenly Heart Sword Technique," the chief appraiser was slightly taken aback upon hearing Zhang Ruyi's words. Auctioning a spirit-level inferior sword technique!

The chief appraiser immediately unfurled the rolled-up paper, observing it closely.

The chief steward, also a martial expert, quickly appraised the item and nodded in agreement.

"This is indeed the oral formula of a spirit-level inferior sword technique. I wonder, sir, how many sword techniques do you possess from this set?" the chief steward inquired.

The oral formula must be accompanied by corresponding sword techniques to unleash the true power of the spirit-level inferior sword technique. Even if the chief steward and the chief appraiser forcibly transcribed the "Heavenly Heart Sword Technique," without the matching sword techniques, the transcribed oral formula would be useless.

"I have the complete set, totaling twelve sword techniques. The original sword techniques were already lost. What I hold, the 'Heavenly Heart Sword Technique,' comprises the illustrated sword maneuverings personally drawn by a powerhouse at the peak level, and there is no difference compared to the original sword techniques," Zhang Ruyi explained.

The chief appraiser pondered for a moment and set the starting price for the "Heavenly Heart Sword Technique" at two hundred thousand silver coins. However, there was a condition: after the auction, the buyer must examine the sword techniques and oral formula of the "Heavenly Heart Sword Technique." If it was found not to be a spirit-level inferior sword technique, the auction result would be invalidated.

Zhang Ruyi nodded in agreement, stating, "Everything shall abide by the rules of the auction house."

The auction of the "Heavenly Heart Sword Technique" became the centerpiece of the evening's auction at the central auction house.

Before the auction began, the central auction house immediately spread the news to the major families in the royal city.

Key figures from various major families rushed to Wushi, hoping to acquire the complete set of the spirit-level inferior sword technique.

Zhang Ruyi was indifferent to the auction process but focused solely on the outcome. Approximately two hours later, the auction concluded, and the results were announced.

In the midst of fierce competition among the major families, the price of the "Heavenly Heart Sword Technique" soared to one million two hundred and forty thousand silver coins, ultimately being acquired by the Lin family's patriarch.

"To think it's the Lin family!" Zhang Ruyi was slightly surprised upon hearing the outcome.

Not long after, led by the chief steward, the patriarch of the Lin family, Lin Fengxian, a family elder, Lin De, and one of the four young beauties of Yunwu County, Lin Ningshan, entered the room.

"Lin Patriarch, this gentleman is the owner of the 'Heavenly Heart Sword Technique,'" the chief steward said with a smile, gesturing toward Zhang Ruyi, who was seated at the top.

Lin Fengxian's gaze paused briefly on Zhang Ruyi's "Qilin-Embroidered Golden Boots." He nodded lightly and courteously bowed, introducing himself, "I am Lin Fengxian, the patriarch of the Lin family. May I know how to address you?"

Before entering, Lin Fengxian had been briefed by the chief steward about this mysterious individual, knowing that he was likely a significant figure from the royal palace. Hence, upon entering, Lin Fengxian proactively displayed humility as the patriarch of the Lin family.

Upon seeing Lin Fengxian and Lin Ningshan, Zhang Ruyi became even more cautious to avoid being recognized.

Zhang Ruyi cleared his throat and spoke in a deeper tone, "You need not know my name. Here are the oral formula and illustrated sword maneuvers of the 'Heavenly Heart Sword Technique.' Please examine them, Lin Patriarch."

As he spoke, Zhang Ruyi took out the oral formula and sword maneuver illustrations from his sleeve and placed them on the table.

Lin Fengxian did not scrutinize the oral formula of the "Heavenly Heart Sword Technique." He believed that the central auction house had already appraised it before the auction. Unfurling the illustrated sword maneuvers, he saw twelve depictions of figures wielding long swords.

To the untrained eye, the depictions seemed ordinary, but when Lin Fengxian's gaze fell upon the paper, the twelve figures appeared to come to life, performing the sword techniques on the paper.

Each sword technique was exceptionally exquisite, containing profound martial art conceptions. Just mastering one of them would yield boundless benefits.

"This set of sword techniques undoubtedly ranks among the top in spirit-level inferior martial arts. It's truly a worthwhile acquisition!" Lin Fengxian exclaimed, deeply moved.

(End of Chapter)