Han Li remained seated for a full hour, during which a continuous stream of foreign beings flooded into the grand hall.
The seemingly vast three-tiered hall quickly became packed with a dense crowd of figures.
Even the rooms on the highest level were accessed by individuals who flew in directly on beams of light.
The foreign beings participating in this auction had cultivation levels no lower than the Nascent Soul stage, while the highest among them reached the Body Integration stage.
Just among those Han Li noticed, there were at least four or five at the peak of Body Integration.
Dantian and Qian Jizi were conspicuously among them. As for the others, they were likely high-ranking elders from various races.
By now, over sixty or seventy people had already entered the rooms on the third level.
Every single one of them was at least at the Body Integration stage. However, there was no sign of the colorful-robed woman, Cai Liuying. It was unclear whether she had already entered a room earlier or simply had no interest in attending the auction.
This realization left Han Li both astonished and inwardly sighing.
Though Yuncheng was a shared territory of thirteen races, along with some foreign beings not belonging to those races, the sheer number of Body Integration cultivators gathered here was staggering. In contrast, Tianyuan City, even when combining the Body Integration cultivators of both humans and demons, barely numbered over a dozen. And yet, this city was also considered the elite stronghold of both races.
After waiting a while longer, the hall was nearly filled to capacity.
Three clear, melodious chimes rang out, and amidst a shimmer of five-colored light, the grand hall’s doors slowly closed.
Once the doors sealed shut, the auction was finally about to begin.
At the front of the hall, as was typical for such events, a platform over ten zhang high had been erected.
The only difference was that at each corner of the platform stood a towering golden humanoid puppet, several zhang tall, each wielding a massive silver halberd.
Their designs were ancient, exuding an aura of chilling sharpness!
Though these puppets remained motionless, their presence was overwhelmingly intimidating, clearly indicating they were no ordinary constructs.
At the center of the platform was inscribed a blue formation, atop which rested a pale-red table. The table’s surface was also densely covered in mysterious runes, their purpose unknown.
The moment the hall doors closed, the blue formation shimmered with light, emitting a low hum.
As the runes across the formation flickered, a figure abruptly materialized behind the table.
This formation turned out to be a teleportation array.
The figure solidified into clarity—a refined middle-aged man in brocade robes, with a clean-shaven face, indistinguishable from an ordinary human.
But when Han Li extended his spiritual sense to probe, his heart chilled.
This man was a mid-stage Body Integration cultivator, and beyond that, his aura carried an undercurrent of something deeply sinister, amplifying his already formidable presence.
The man seemed quite renowned in Yuncheng, for as soon as he appeared, the murmurs in the hall instantly quieted.
Han Li noticed that many in the crowd regarded the man on the platform with thinly veiled fear.
After sweeping his gaze across the audience, the middle-aged man smiled and spoke: “I am Xiao Buyi. Many here likely recognize me, and some may have even dealt with me before. In that case, I’ll skip the introductions and get straight to the point. Since the Sand Race, to which I belong, is one of the four hosting races, I’ll be presiding over this auction. The rules are the same as any standard auction, so I won’t waste time explaining them—everyone here surely knows them already. However, I can offer a small preview of the finale item. This year’s grand finale is no less impressive than the last auction’s, and for some of you, it may even surpass the value of the supreme treasure from that event—the legendary ‘Creation Pill.’ Now, without further ado, let the Four Races Auction begin!”
Though Xiao Buyi’s voice wasn’t loud, it carried effortlessly to every corner of the hall, infused with spiritual energy. With just a few words, he had piqued the interest of the thousands in attendance, and the auction commenced.
The moment he paused, the blue formation hummed once more, and a dozen miniature arrays appeared side by side on the previously empty table.
With a flash of light, over a dozen boxes of varying sizes and a palm-sized jade token materialized.
The hall fell silent as nearly every gaze snapped toward the table.
Xiao Buyi stepped forward, first picking up the jade token and scanning it with his spiritual sense, absorbing its contents in an instant. Then, without expression, he selected one of the jade boxes, opened it, and lifted its contents into view.
“As with previous auctions, we’ll begin with raw materials. First up—this Phoenix Stone.” He waved the box, and a strange, multicolored rock shaped like a large bird floated out.
“Phoenix Stone, a rare material only found where True Phoenixes are born. Whether for artifact forging or alchemy, its value is immense. This piece weighs three jin and four liang, of flawless quality. Starting bid—two million spirit stones.”
Given the stone’s versatility and size, the starting price was surprisingly low. Even Han Li felt tempted—even if he had no immediate use for it, acquiring it now for future needs seemed wise.
But the ensuing bidding quickly dissuaded him.
The moment Xiao Buyi announced the starting price, shouts of “Two million!” “Two and a half million!” erupted from all corners of the hall.
“Three and a half million!”
“Four million!”
…
Without any further encouragement, the price soared past four million, doubling the initial bid.
Ultimately, the stone was claimed by a dark-green-skinned woman for over 5.2 million spirit stones, paid on the spot.
Even Han Li, no stranger to high-stakes auctions, couldn’t help but inhale sharply at the sum.
The item was undoubtedly valuable, but the price was staggering.
He shook his head, dismissing any thought of bidding.
Next, Xiao Buyi opened another box, revealing a golden flower the size of a human head, its petals seemingly forged from pure gold.
“Golden Monarch Blossom, six thousand years mature—an exceptional catalyst for rare elixirs. Starting bid: three million spirit stones.”
Unlike the Phoenix Stone, the hall fell silent. Many frowned, unfamiliar with the flower, and the auction seemed to stall.
This was understandable—most present had never heard of the “Golden Monarch Blossom,” yet its starting price exceeded the Phoenix Stone’s.
Han Li stroked his chin, equally puzzled, as he’d never encountered such a flower before.
Xiao Buyi stood calmly, exuding confidence.
Finally, a bid broke the silence: “Three million.”
The bidder was an emaciated elder with white horns, his race unidentifiable.
“Three point two million,” another voice countered.
“Four point five million!”
“Four point eight million!”
…
Though only about a dozen bidders participated, the competition was fierce, the price climbing relentlessly.
Clearly, these individuals knew the flower’s true worth and desperately needed it.
When the horned elder gritted his teeth and offered seven million, the others finally withdrew.
One by one, Xiao Buyi unveiled the treasures from the boxes. Given the hall’s concentration of high-level cultivators, most items were snapped up after only a brief description.
Once all the jade boxes were sold, the formation flashed again, replacing them with seven or eight jade bottles—this time containing rare spiritual liquids.
These were even more coveted, each bottle sparking frenzied bidding.
The first few bottles sold for three to four times their starting prices, sums that left many in the hall breathless.
Such was the nature of auctions—value was subjective, varying wildly between individuals.
Soon, only one milky-white vial remained.
Throughout the auction, Xiao Buyi had remained composed, but now, his gaze lingered on the final vial with unmistakable desire.
With a regretful sigh, he lifted it and announced solemnly: “Half a bottle of Glazed Heavenly Flame Liquid. Starting bid: eighteen million spirit stones.”
“What? Glazed Heavenly Flame Liquid? Is this real?”
“Only eighteen million for this? That’s absurdly low!”
“How is this not the finale item? It’s one of the Seven Great Spiritual Liquids of the Spirit Realm!”
The hall erupted in uproar, many exclaiming in disbelief, their eyes locked greedily on the vial.
Even from the third-floor rooms, surprised murmurs could be heard.
As for Han Li, seated in a corner, his expression shifted sharply at the name of the liquid.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage