The man had barely finished speaking when he abruptly jolted awake, his face turning deathly pale in an instant, his eyes filled with sheer terror.
“Oh, so it’s Fellow Daoist Cha from the Stone Chrysalis Clan. How rare for you to take a fancy to this humble woman. Why not stay behind after the auction and keep me company for a few days? Perhaps you’ll find it to your liking.” The alluring woman, upon recognizing the middle-aged man’s face, trembled slightly and let out a soft laugh, exuding boundless allure, though a trace of coldness flickered in her eyes.
“Fairy Hu must be joking. My words were merely in jest. How could I dare entertain improper thoughts about you?” Faced with the woman’s dazzling smile, the middle-aged man forced out a couple of awkward laughs as if he had just seen a venomous scorpion, then hastily returned to his seat, behaving with utmost meekness.
“Just a jest! Since Fellow Daoist has no real intention of forming a partnership with me, it would be best to choose your words carefully. This time, I’ll let it slide. But if anyone dares to flirt with me again in the future, don’t blame me for turning ruthless.” The woman’s smile vanished abruptly, her entire demeanor turning icy and aloof.
The middle-aged man’s expression grew increasingly grim, but he dared not utter another word.
The others in the plaza, witnessing this exchange, all felt a chill in their hearts and refrained from casting brazen glances at Hu Yushuang.
“Enough, little girl. You’ve wasted enough time. We didn’t come here just to watch a farce. Hurry up and bring out the auction items.” From one of the silver flying pavilions, an exceptionally aged voice rang out, tinged with faint displeasure.
“Yes, this junior got carried away. I’ll begin the auction immediately with the first item.” Hearing the voice from the flying pavilion, Hu Yushuang straightened her expression and bowed slightly.
With a swift hand seal, she pointed at the stone platform beneath her.
A resonant hum arose from the light array, and a translucent white jade table materialized before her.
On the table lay three wooden boxes of varying sizes, each covered by a shimmering white light barrier.
“The first treasure of this auction is not from the Wind Yuan Continent but a small vial of Golden Thunder Lion marrow painstakingly obtained by our merchant alliance from the Thunder Continent.” As she spoke, Hu Yushuang pointed a jade-like finger at one of the light barriers and summoned a wooden box into her hand.
“Golden Thunder Lion marrow?”
“Really? The Golden Thunder Lion’s reputation is known even to those of us who’ve never been to the Thunder Continent.”
“This auction is truly extraordinary, starting with such an astonishing item.”
…
The hall buzzed with excitement as the exotic races present reacted to the woman’s words, many fixing their gazes on the small wooden box in her hand.
With a bewitching smile, the woman lightly tapped the box.
With a soft “pop,” the lid flipped open, revealing a palm-sized purple vial sealed with a pale silver talisman emitting a faint spiritual glow.
“The Golden Thunder Lion is hailed as one of the three sacred beasts of the Thunder Continent. In adulthood, its strength rivals that of a Mahayana cultivator, and it possesses an innate ability to manipulate lightning from birth. Thus, the Thunder Marrow Pills refined from its marrow can temporarily grant the user resistance to lightning strikes. However, refining these pills is no easy feat—even an entire vial of marrow doesn’t guarantee success. But just one pill can mean the difference for someone facing a heavenly tribulation. I needn’t elaborate further.” Holding the vial solemnly, the woman explained before tapping the air a few times. Several golden runes materialized and embedded themselves into the silver talisman.
With a muffled sound, the silver talisman trembled and detached from the vial.
Crackling noises erupted!
As soon as the talisman lifted, purple lightning threads emerged from the vial, weaving into a shimmering net of electricity.
Some of the onlookers gasped in awe, while others’ eyes burned with fervent desire.
The mere display of the Golden Thunder Lion marrow’s power, even before its full reveal, lent credence to the rumors of its efficacy against heavenly tribulations.
Many attendees who had come with other objectives promptly changed their plans.
Even some of the Mahayana elders in the silver pavilions felt a stir of interest.
“I didn’t expect the merchant alliance to present such a treasure right at the start. Since it aids in resisting tribulations, doesn’t Senior plan to bid for it?” Xue Po, her eyes gleaming, glanced at the vial in the woman’s hand before turning to Han Li.
“Thunder Marrow Pills, though wondrous, only marginally enhance the body’s resistance to tribulation lightning. For Mahayana cultivators, the effect is negligible. My physique is already tempered to rival ancient true spirits, making this boost practically nonexistent. There’s no point in bidding for it.” Han Li replied indifferently, showing no interest.
“So, Thunder Marrow Pills aren’t a must-have for Mahayana cultivators? In that case, I might have a chance.” Xue Po’s face brightened with hope.
“Oh? You’re interested in this?” Han Li asked.
“Senior must find this amusing. Though I don’t know my original body’s exact whereabouts, its situation is surely dire. Its cultivation likely hasn’t improved, nor has it gathered tribulation-resisting treasures. Thus, I must prepare on its behalf.” Xue Po smiled wryly.
“If you want it, bid freely. Should you lack spirit stones, I can lend you some.” Han Li said calmly.
“Many thanks, Senior!” Xue Po beamed with gratitude.
Han Li smiled faintly and turned his gaze back to the auction plaza.
The alluring woman now held the vial upside down.
With a soft “plop,” a drop of golden liquid flowed out, transforming into a radiant sphere of golden lightning upon contact with the air.
The size of a human head, it crackled thunderously. Witnessing this, even the skeptics were convinced, and all began calculating their bids.
Hu Yushuang’s eyes swept the plaza, gauging the crowd’s reactions. With a light chuckle, she flicked the vial, releasing a silver mist that sucked the golden lightning back inside. “One vial of Golden Thunder Lion marrow. Starting bid: ten million spirit stones, payable only in top-grade spirit stones. Bidding begins now.”
She waved her sleeve, and five beams of light shot up from the array, merging into a massive screen displaying an image of the purple vial.
“Twenty million!”
A deep voice from the plaza’s edge doubled the opening bid, startling many.
The screen updated, showing the bid alongside a circular symbol marking the bidder’s number.
“Twenty-one million!”
“Twenty-three million!”
A flurry of bids erupted across the plaza.
The numbers on the screen skyrocketed, soon surpassing thirty million, then thirty-five, pausing briefly at forty million.
Such a staggering sum for an uncertain elixir ingredient was indeed astronomical.
Even the wealthy attendees winced, reconsidering their resolve.
“Forty-five million.”
A languid male voice rang out from a silver pavilion—a Mahayana elder had entered the fray.
The plaza fell silent as most dared not challenge a Mahayana.
“Forty-six million.”
After a long pause, a tentative bid emerged.
“Forty-seven million.”
Another Mahayana countered.
The plaza hushed completely.
“Since Fellow Daoist is determined, I shall concede.” The second Mahayana’s gender-neutral voice withdrew gracefully.
“Heh, much obliged.” The first Mahayana chuckled.
“Forty-eight million.”
A melodious voice from a third pavilion broke the silence.
After a pause, a bid of “fifty million” followed.
“Fifty-one million.”
Inside the third pavilion, Xue Po manipulated a disk with focused intensity.
Han Li watched amusedly from his chair.
“Fifty-two million. This marrow is crucial for a junior of mine. Should Fellow Daoist yield, I shall express my gratitude afterward.” The first Mahayana, now uneasy, made a conciliatory offer.
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