Chapter 8 Auction(2)

"1,200 essence stones," shouted the patriarch of a mid-grade family in the hall.

"1,500 essence stones," an elder from a high-grade family called out.

"1,800 essence stones," another old man immediately countered.

"2,000 essence stones."

"2,500 essence stones."

"2,800 essence stones."

Voices clamored one after another, leaving the patriarch from the mid-grade family who had initially tested the waters tongue-tied.

"3,000 essence stones," came a commanding voice from private room number 50.

“3,500 essence stones,” echoed from private room number 60, raising the stakes.

“5,000 essence stones,” rang out a charming voice from private room number 100, silencing those who were about to place their bids.

“Sigh, forget it. The price is already beyond my limit. This item isn’t my main goal at this auction anyway. I should save my essence stones for that item,” an old man in private room number 70 softly exclaimed.

The bidder in private room number 100 was naturally Chu Lanlan and Xiao Xing’er.

For the sake of acquiring a treasure that could help Xiao Yan, these two young ladies were even willing to spend 5,000 essence stones.

Most of the Cultivators in the auction recognized them, which made many young generation Cultivators couldn’t help but envy Xiao Yan’s dog shit luck.

Shuang’er's expression changed noticeably. She had planned to capitalize on the opportunity to dramatically raise the bidding price and deter many potential bidders. However, to her surprise, the occupants of private room number 100 employed this strategy even faster than she could, by a mere minute.

She was certainly well-educated and came from a good family background, but it wasn't at the level of a high-grade family. Despite her well education, she was still relatively inexperienced in such matters.

In contrast, Chu Lanlan and Xiao Xing’er both hailed from families of supreme backgrounds, with ample experience and resources. This was an area where Shuang’er fell short in comparison.

Shangguan Yi had long anticipated this situation, and he could only sigh in disappointment as it unfolded.

With 100,000 Cultivators present, it was only natural that many would be interested in this item.

Shangguan Yi also understood why Chu Lanlan and Xiao Xing’er would compete for this item: it was related to Xiao Yan.

But it couldn't be helped. The flame crystal was crucial for upgrading his cultivation technique, and he couldn't afford to miss this opportunity. Who knew how long it would be before he found another?

Among the six materials needed to upgrade his cultivation technique, the flame crystal was the rarest to find. If possible, Shangguan Yi wouldn't let this item go easily.

He exchanged a glance with Old Wang, who nodded in understanding.

"My limit is 10,000 essence stones," he stated plainly.

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Shuang’er, who was beside him, nodded in immediate understanding.

With the bidding stalled at 5,000 essence stones, a temporary hush fell over the auction hall.

Observing the lack of further bids, Lin Tao began his count, "5,000 going once."

"5,000 going twice."

“5,000 going th…”

"7,000 essence stones," Shuang'er's soft voice resounded, decisively increasing the bid by 2,000 essence stones.

Shuang'er's bid of 7,000 essence stones stirred immediate commotion in the crowd.

"7,000? That's three years of savings for my family."

"The guests in the private rooms must be incredibly wealthy."

"We're too poor for this kind of auction."

"7,000? That's a steep price for just one flame crystal."

There were laments, sighs, and tongue-tied murmurs throughout the audience.

Inside private room number 100, Chu Lanlan's expression shifted noticeably. She also considered the price exceedingly high. Despite being the cherished daughter of a City Lord, she couldn't justify paying such a steep price anymore.

Xiao Xing’er, seated beside Chu Lanlan, wore an unpleasant expression. She hadn't anticipated anyone challenging their bid for this item.

They had initially deemed 5,000 essence stones a high price for a single high-grade flame crystal, confident it would secure the item for them. However, the sudden skyrocketing of the price caught them off guard.

They were prepared to engage in a bidding war if the increment was in the range of 100 to 500 essence stones, but a sudden increase of 2,000 was beyond their expectations. This revelation gave them a sense of pressure, as it seemed the other party was determined to acquire the item at any cost.

The bid of 7,000 essence stones brought a moment of hushed silence to the auction hall.

Chu Lanlan and Xiao Xing’er exchanged glances, both deep in thought as they contemplated their next move.

"While this flame crystal might complement Big Brother Xiao’s cultivation technique, we can’t be certain it will truly benefit him," Chu Lanlan expressed thoughtfully.

Xiao Xing’er hesitated and sighed reluctantly, "I know it would take more than this grade of item to help him."

"But it’ll be too easy for that auctioneer to get this high-grade item. Let me test the waters to see if she really wants it," Xiao Xing’er said, casting a hostile glance toward private room number 25.

Meanwhile, the old voice of Lin Tao rang out,

"7,000 going twice. Is there anyone bidding more?"

"7,000 going th—"

"7,100 essence stones," Xiao Xing'er's soft voice rang out from private room number 100.

The crowd was astonished upon hearing her voice. They naturally recognized the guest in private room number 100 and understood why she wanted the flame crystal.

"8,000!" Shuang’er immediately increased the price, displaying her confidence and making it clear she was determined to secure this item.

"8,100!" Xiao Xing’er probed further.

And the result was exactly the same: Shuang’er increased the price after a second, as if 1,000 essence stones were merely 1,000 gold coins.

“9,000!”

In the end, Xiao Xing’er didn’t probe further. While she hailed from a great background family, it didn't mean she had an endless supply of essence stones. She had to weigh each expenditure carefully.

In the end, the high-grade elite flame crystal was sold to private room number 20 for 9,000 essence stones. This price was exceptionally high, equivalent to the savings of a mid-grade family for several years.

Shangguan Yi remained silent as the high-grade flame crystal was delivered to the private room. He calmly paid the essence stones and accepted the item without a word.

Although it was a considerable expense, he knew he could replenish his wealth by simply refining more pills.

After the high-grade flame crystal was auctioned, a succession of high-grade artifacts, cultivation techniques, combat techniques, pills, talismans, and natural treasures followed suit. Gradually, the buzz in the main hall died down, while the private room guests engaged in fierce bidding wars over the items.

As two days flew by, the auction continued unabated, with countless high-grade items changing hands. Despite the passage of time, the atmosphere remained charged, and the indefatigable Lin Tao showed no signs of fatigue.

Shangguan Yi, having depleted his essence stones in the purchase of a flame crystal, assumed the role of observer during this period. However, thanks to the system's ability to record each item auctioned through his eyes, he remained vigilant and attentive throughout. Fortunately, having consumed a high-grade essence pill beforehand, he felt no fatigue whatsoever during his observations.

When it came to pills, he recognized all the high-grade ones in the auction; the system could refine them given enough ingredients.

On other aspects, he was new to them, but thanks to the system, he had brief information about all of them. And he could access them with just a single thought.

"The true excitement of the auction awaits as the supreme-grade items have yet to make their appearance," Old Wang suggested to Shangguan Yi from the sidelines.

Meanwhile, in private room number 100.

"Alas, since that flame crystal, there hasn't been a single item that could potentially aid Big Brother Xiao," Xiao Xing'er lamented from her seat, her brows furrowed in concern.

"It's not unusual for high-grade items to lack something truly precious. Our hopes lie in the supreme-grade ones," Chu Lanlan reassured, her tone steady and composed.

"Indeed, let's be patient," Xiao Xing’er nodded in agreement.

Xiao Xing’er, though a year younger than Chu Lanlan, held deep respect for her, both in character and in her affection for Xiao Yan.

Xiao Xing’er understood Chu Lanlan's deep affection for Xiao Yan, yet she harbored no envy. Instead, she felt joy in knowing that Xiao Yan was so deeply loved and cared for by someone.

At the same time, Chu Lanlan was among the few who knew that Xing’er was not a real member of the Xiao Family. Despite this, she also understood that Xing’er harbored deep affection for Xiao Yan, much like her own. Thus, there was no trace of envy between them.

Thus, they got along well, particularly when it came to matters concerning Xiao Yan. Both young ladies took such matters very seriously.

At this moment, the old voice of Lin Tao resonated throughout the hall, announcing, "The next item up for auction is of supreme-grade item."

The atmosphere grew even more electric as the true auction began.

———

Cultivation Realm:

-Body Refining Realm (mortals / practitioners)

-Foundation Establishment Realm ( genuine Cultivators)

-Core Formation Realm

Technique/Pill/Artifact/Array/Beast/Herb/Talisman Level

-Warrior (level 1)

-Elite (level 2)

-Master (level 3)