All eyes were fixed on the purple-gold auction platform up front, filled with fiery anticipation.
"All of you are either the rising stars of our Eastern Profound Domain or its most renowned masters. Your presence here today is a testament to your trust in the Ninth Trading House’s reputation and strength. I assure you, the Ninth Trading House will not disappoint. Countless precious Magical Artifacts, pills, Spells, and Heavenly and Earthly Treasures will be presented before you one by one. As long as you can meet the price, you can take them home. Alright, I’ve said enough. I don’t want to be a bore." On the auction stage, a woman of graceful bearing smiled radiantly at the sea of faces before her. Her gaze swept discreetly over the second and third floors before she spoke to the crowd.
The woman’s bright eyes seemed capable of bewitching the soul. Combined with her simple, direct opening, everyone couldn’t help but nod in approval.
"I am Xiao Xin, and I will be your host for this grand auction held by the Ninth Trading House. I will do my utmost to ensure your satisfaction," the woman said with a charming smile, then announced softly, "I now declare this auction officially open!"
As the woman’s enchanting voice rang out, the auction hall was suddenly flooded with a dazzling, multi-colored light that seemed to blur everyone’s vision.
As the brilliant, multi-colored light faded, a fiery red radiance suddenly burst forth from the Purple Gold Auction Platform.
The entire Purple Gold Auction Platform looked as if it were being consumed by raging flames. At the heart of the fire, a fist-sized stone appeared.
The first auction item had been revealed.
"This is a Flame Stone. Its surface is perpetually covered in an incredibly hot flame, and it is typically found hidden deep within volcanic lava. It’s an exceptional material for refining Magical Artifacts, especially for experts who have comprehended the Fire Dao. I believe that integrating this Flame Stone into a Magical Artifact will elevate it by more than just a single grade. In a moment of crisis, it could play a crucial role." As Primordial Qi flowed from her palm, she slowly lifted the stone from the flames. Holding it up for all to see, she said with a beaming smile, "The starting bid for this Flame Stone is ten Top-Grade Primordial Stones. Let the bidding begin!"
’A Flame Stone?’ Wen Qingye’s heart stirred as he watched the flickering flame on Xiao Xin’s palm. His Mountain River Atlas had advanced considerably since obtaining one of the Eight Treasures, but it still urgently needed several other Heavenly and Earthly Treasures to be upgraded. This Flame Stone was one of the required items.
At its peak, the Mountain River Atlas was the deadliest among Immortal-Grade Spiritual Artifacts, its power so immense it could startle gods, frighten ghosts, and shake the very heavens and earth. Its future potential was extraordinary, and it had already displayed incredible might in Wen Qingye’s hands. He was determined to obtain this Flame Stone.
Wen Qingye was not the only one interested; many others were as well. A Flame Stone could be used to re-refine a weapon, raising its quality by a significant margin.
"I bid twenty Top-Grade Primordial Stones..."
"Thirty Top-Grade Primordial Stones..."
...
Even though it was only the first item, dozens of people immediately started bidding, and the atmosphere quickly heated up.
But as the price continued to climb, the number of bidders dwindled.
Seeing the bidding die down, Xiao Xin couldn’t help but call out, "Thirty top-grade Primordial Stones! Is there a higher bid? If not, then this Flame Stone will belong to this gentleman right here!"
The crowd exchanged glances in silence. The value of this Flame Stone had already reached the threshold of what most were willing to pay.
"Fifty top-grade Primordial Stones."
Suddenly, a calm voice drifted down from one of the third-floor VIP rooms.
Hearing the voice come from the third floor, everyone’s Heart Spirit jolted. They all turned to look at the room, but it seemed to be shrouded in a hazy aura, blocking both their vision and their spiritual senses.
Xiao Xin glanced toward the room before turning her gaze back to the crowd. "Fifty top-grade Primordial Stones!" she announced clearly. "Are there any other bids?"
"Fifty-one top-grade Primordial Stones!" a gaunt-looking man shouted, gritting his teeth.
He was incredibly tempted by the Flame Stone. Although he knew that anyone in a third-floor VIP room was no ordinary person, he still wanted to test the waters.
When the crowd heard the man’s bid, they all subconsciously looked up at the VIP room that had spoken earlier.
But just as their gazes shifted, the indifferent voice from within the room once again reached their ears.
"One hundred top-grade Primordial Stones!"
The voice was as calm and placid as an old well, clear yet distant.
One hundred top-grade Primordial Stones!
Everyone exchanged glances. This price had far exceeded the Flame Stone’s actual worth. Ordinarily, one hundred top-grade Primordial Stones would be enough to buy two of them.
’Who on earth is this person?’
The crowd looked at the room, their eyes filled with confusion.
The next moment, a resonant voice boomed out.
"Wen Qingye of the Celestial Profound Sect! I’ve heard so much about you. Since you’re here, why be so secretive?"
Everyone looked over to see Hai Ning leap to his feet in an adjacent VIP room, his burning gaze fixed on Wen Qingye’s location.
Wen Qingye!?
Hearing Hai Ning’s voice, everyone was first startled, then came to a sudden realization.
Representatives from several Super Sects had already arrived and revealed their identities, but no one from the Celestial Profound Sect had shown themselves. ’So,’ they thought, ’the person in that room must be Wen Qingye.’
Everyone turned to look at Wen Qingye’s room, a sense of anticipation building within them.
The moment the Celestial Profound Sect and Taiyi Pavilion were both present, the air crackled with tension, like an army with swords drawn and crossbows aimed.
Wen Qingye chuckled softly. "You can’t see the mountain’s true face when you’re standing on it," he said slowly. "To call this ’being secretive’ is a bit of an exaggeration, don’t you think?"
Hai Ning’s brow furrowed at Wen Qingye’s reply. He suppressed his excitement and fell silent.
"Since there are no more bids, this Flame Stone belongs to the guest in VIP room Jia-37," Xiao Xin’s voice rang out again.
This time, no one else made a bid. Perhaps they were deterred by the Celestial Profound Sect’s prestige, or perhaps the price had simply gone far beyond the item’s worth.
In the end, Wen Qingye won the Flame Stone for one hundred top-grade Primordial Stones.
After such a successful start, the rest of the auction proceeded smoothly. Countless treasures were brought out one after another—Magical Artifacts, Martial Arts manuals, and more. Everyone bid fiercely, making for an exceptionally lively and explosive atmosphere.
DING!
Another crisp chime reached the crowd’s ears.
Suddenly, four Martial Artists appeared on the Purple Gold Auction Platform. They were carrying a dais adorned with fresh flowers, and upon it sat a bewitching woman.
The woman wore a light veil, and beneath her white gauze robes, her fair, rosy skin was faintly visible. Though her face was obscured, her exquisite figure and soul-stirring gaze were enough to make one’s blood boil with an irresistible passion.
"The starting bid is one hundred top-grade Primordial Stones!" Xiao Xin announced directly to the crowd.
UPROAR!
The eyes of many Martial Artists burned with desire. Without any further words from Xiao Xin, their passions were already ignited.
"Two hundred top-grade Primordial Stones!"
"I’ll bid five hundred top-grade Primordial Stones!"
...