The auction, still under the eager anticipation of countless people, slowly proceeded. After that mysterious and tattered image, several more treasures appeared, which stirred the atmosphere of the entire venue. The Three-Striped Qing Ling Pill from Xiao Yan brought about the most spectacular climax. As a top-tier Qing Ling Pill, even in the Black-Corner Region, very few had seen a true three-striped pill. After all, the condition of requiring three different types of flames for its refinement was rather stringent. Thus, when the Three-Striped Qing Ling Pill was displayed, even the formidable forces like the Blood Sect, Heavenly Serpent Mansion, and the Black Skeleton Tomb showed expressions of surprise. Surprisingly, the final owner of the “Three-Striped Qing Ling” was not the wealthy young master of the Blood Sect, but someone from the Heavenly Serpent Mansion. The staggering price of one million five hundred thousand, quoted by the Elder Qing, left everyone in awe. In the face of such an enormous sum, the young master of the Blood Sect, Fan Ling, could only clench his teeth and finally give up, defeated by the overwhelming presence of Elder Qing.
Seeing Elder Qing return to her seat with a smile, Xiao Yan couldn’t help but shake his head, muttering in his heart, “Truly a terrifying woman. She doesn’t strike unless she can deliver a decisive blow, leaving no room for others to retaliate. She is like the fearsome Mandrake Sand Snake in the desert.”
After the peak excitement caused by the Three-Striped Qing Ling Pill gradually subsided, Xiao Yan, who had been idly lounging in his chair, was suddenly attracted by a medicinal herb presented by the auctioneer on a small silver tray.
This herb was entirely blood-red, as if bathed in fresh blood, about the size of a palm, and looked like a lingzhi mushroom. As soon as it appeared, a faint fragrance spread, invigorating those nearby.
“This is… the Earth Core Fire Ginseng? Tsk, tsk, my little fellow, you really have good luck. You can even encounter such a rare and peculiar medicine. This auction is indeed worth it,” exclaimed Pharmacist Elder in astonishment, his voice tinged with amazement, resonating in Xiao Yan’s mind.
“Earth Core Fire Ginseng?” Hearing this, Xiao Yan was taken aback, his face lighting up with unmistakable joy, “Is this the Earth Core Fire Ginseng, one of the four essential ingredients for refining the Earth Spirit Pill, that Teacher mentioned?”
“Yes, the Earth Core Fire Ginseng only grows at the bottom of volcanoes, absorbing volcanic energy and the core fire. It is extremely difficult for ordinary people to gather. Even some Battle Emperor experts and Battle Sect would not dare to enter such places lightly,” explained Pharmacist Elder with a smile.
Xiao Yan nodded slightly, then muttered, “I cannot let this slip. I want to see if that guy will try to outbid me again.”
While Xiao Yan and Pharmacist Elder conversed, the auctioneer on the crystal stage also elaborated on the properties and origins of the Earth Core Fire Ginseng. The crowd’s response was positive, indicating a keen interest in the herb.
“Hehe, according to the appraisal, the starting bid for this Earth Core Fire Ginseng is set at seven hundred thousand. Gentlemen, let’s begin,” announced the white-haired auctioneer, smiling at the audience.
With the high starting bid, many who had been interested became disheartened. Although they could afford seven hundred thousand, the price might easily double in a bidding war, and they were not willing to risk it.
“Seven hundred and twenty thousand.”
Of course, despite some intending to withdraw, there were still many who wished to secure the herb.
“Seven hundred and forty thousand.”
“…”
Xiao Yan sat quietly, listening to the bids rise without rushing to compete. As time passed, the bidders dwindled due to the increasing price. In the end, only two remained, pushing the price to around one million and seventy thousand.
“One million two hundred thousand!”
As the bids stalled, a lazy voice rang out. All eyes followed the sound, finally landing on the figure in black robes standing up slowly. The sudden jump in price made the others turn in surprise, and Fan Ling, recognizing the black-robed bidder, frowned once more.
The price of one million two hundred thousand instantly overwhelmed the remaining bidders. Feeling the gazes, Xiao Yan ignored them, turning his head slightly, his gaze from under the black robe meeting Fan Ling’s, with a hint of provocation.
Sensing the challenge in Xiao Yan’s gaze, Fan Ling sneered. The Earth Core Fire Ginseng, while precious, was useless to him. Additionally, he had learned his lesson from previously overpaying for a broken item and would not act rashly again.
Lifting his eyes, Fan Ling glanced indifferently at Xiao Yan before lazily turning away, avoiding further entanglement.
“Hmph…” Under the black robe, Xiao Yan grimaced, raising his gaze to the crystal stage, “Can you hammer it down now?”
At Xiao Yan’s reminder, the auctioneer quickly nodded, confirming the bid thrice before hammering it down.
“Phew…” Seeing the hammer fall, Xiao Yan breathed a long sigh of relief, slowly sitting back.
After the Earth Core Fire Ginseng, the auction seemed to near its end. Various treasures, techniques, and recipes began to appear, causing a flurry of excited bidding. At one point, two factions in the back rows nearly came to blows over a Xuan rank technique, with one even drawing a knife. However, a mysterious black arrow suddenly shot down, piercing the floor in front of the man, causing both sides to retreat.
Shaking off the disturbance, Xiao Yan’s gaze followed the arrow’s trajectory, tracing it to a dark spot on the second floor. The black arrow, which even gave him a chill, had come from there.
“The Eight Gates Clan has the guts to hold this auction, so they must have a solid foundation,” Xiao Yan mused, not having participated in the previous bids. Due to the ‘Flame Resolution,’ he found ordinary techniques uninteresting and only bought a cauldron named ‘Eight Extremes Collapse’ for four hundred thousand.
The deafening bidding noise echoed in the massive hall, almost tearing through the ceiling. Finally, a truly heavy-weight item appeared: a scroll of movement-type martial technique called “Three Thousand Thundering Movements.”
“Three Thousand Thundering Movements, a movement-type martial technique, ranked at the low level of Earth Rank.”
The auctioneer’s words instantly hushed the crowd, with many red-eyed gazes fixated on the silver scroll. The rapid, labored breathing sounded like bellows.
“An Earth Rank technique…” Xiao Yan drew a deep, cold breath. His heart raced, his eyes filled with shock. An Earth Rank technique… Someone actually put such a high-level technique up for auction. This was… truly extravagant.
“Such a technique, even the top powers on the continent would safeguard carefully. But here, someone dared to put it up for sale,” said Pharmacist Elder.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan realized, “I understand. In the Black-Corner Region, many items are black market goods, obtained through illicit means. The owners are afraid to practice them, so they bring them here for auction.”
“Yes, these are often black market goods. The ‘Three Thousand Thundering Movements’ is a high-level movement technique from the Wind Lightning Pavilion. Once mastered, one’s speed is lightning-fast, even a Great Dou Shi can stand against a Dou Ling expert. I wonder how the Wind Lightning Pavilion feels about losing their prized possession,” said Pharmacist Elder with a smile.
Xiao Yan nodded, looking at the other factions with gleaming eyes, “Though I’m interested, it’s clear I can’t compete for it.”
“True, they won’t let go of such a treasure,” replied Pharmacist Elder, adding, “I’m curious. If this is the second-to-last item, what could be the real pièce de résistance?”
Xiao Yan was startled, a wave of shock and awe rising in his heart. Something even more valuable and rare than an Earth Rank technique? What could it be?
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