บท 9: Chapter 9 Auction (3)
"The next item in the auction is a supreme-grade Flame Dragon Fruit. I'm sure you all know its benefits. The starting price is 10,000 essence stones, with a minimum bid increment of 1,000 essence stones," Lin Tao announced.
"Dragon Fruit! It's really a Dragon Fruit!"
"A flame type at that! This auction is getting more and more interesting."
Most of the cultivators present were knowledgeable individuals who immediately recognized the fruit. Some were excited, some surprised, some contemplative, and others lamented their inability to obtain such a treasure. Some merely shook their heads in disappointment, knowing it was beyond their reach.
"It's really a Flame Dragon Fruit! This item might be able to help Big Brother Xiao," Xiao Xing'er exclaimed in excitement.
Chu Lanlan nodded from the other side, "We must get this item!"
Meanwhile, Shangguan Yi delved into his system, and information about the Flame Dragon Pill surfaced in his mind. He discovered that the primary ingredient for refining it was a Flame Dragon Fruit.
The Flame Dragon Fruit was a supreme-grade item, every single fruit was produced as such. This natural treasure significantly aided cultivation, especially for those practicing flame-type techniques. Consuming a Flame Dragon Fruit negated the need to absorb world essence for three months due to its abundant natural essence. In a three month time, a talented cultivator could potentially break through one level at the least.
Its greatest value, however, lay in refining it into the Flame Dragon Pill. This process multiplied its nutritional benefits and accelerated cultivation. When given to a talented individual, the pill could assuredly help them improve by two levels.
Shangguan Yi, though a level 1 Foundation Establishment Cultivator and not exceptionally talented, would be guaranteed to improve by one level within three months if he managed to obtain the Flame Dragon Pill.
Despite its potency, the Flame Dragon Fruit was only beneficial to those cultivating flame-type techniques. For others, its effects would dramatically decrease, potentially even slowing their progress.
Nonetheless, a supreme-grade item was sacred, rarer even than a low-grade level 3 item. Therefore, when a supreme-grade item appeared, the competition for it was invariably intense.
Many cultivators began bidding, the atmosphere growing increasingly intense as shouts of higher offers echoed through the hall. Those in the main hall quickly found themselves outmatched, losing the qualification to compete.
Chu Lanlan's and Xiao Xing'er's voices could also be heard from time to time. These two young ladies were truly determined to acquire this item, causing even elders from the Great Sects and Great Families to start giving up.
After all, spending too many resources on a single item was not worth it. While this item might help their young prodigies, there were many such talents in each of their forces. One single item couldn't satisfy all of them, so when the price exceeded what they could accept, they naturally gave up on it.
"Sigh, the price is already 70,000 essence stones. Forget it, my Hong Family will withdraw from this bidding," an old man in private room number 9 said, shaking his head.
After that, other great families and the three great sects also withdrew their bids.
Only the Liu Family and the private room number 100, where Chu Lanlan and Xiao Xing'er were located, continued bidding for it.
"Liu Family is really targeting my Xiao Family. They would obstruct my Xiao Family in every way. Do they think my Xiao Family is easily bullied?" Xiao Xing'er snorted.
She then increased the price, "80,000 essence stones!"
"Xiao Xing'er is really determined to acquire this item for Xiao Yan. What a lavish expenditure!" In the private room of the Liu Family, Liu Bu shook his head, expressing envy. As one of the Young Masters of the Liu Family, he himself didn't possess that many essence stones.
Seeing Xiao Xing'er spending that many essence stones for a man, he couldn't help but feel envious of Xiao Yan for having a girl like her by his side. And he wasn't alone; many young geniuses also expressed their envy.
"The price has reached such a high point that my Liu Family will withdraw at 90,000 essence stones," Old Liu also showed signs of retreat.
"Sister Chu, my limit is 90,000 essence stones. If the Liu Family continues to persist, I'll have to borrow from you," Xiao Xing'er said.
"Sister Xiao, there's no need to be so courteous. We'll bid together," Chu Lanlan replied. At the same time, she glanced at Xiao Xing'er profoundly, realizing that Xiao Xing'er was much wealthier than she had thought.
As the daughter of a City Lord, even her wealth didn't amount to 90,000 essence stones.
[It seems her background is much deeper than I expected. Fortunately, she doesn't have any ill intentions towards Xiao Yan.] Chu Lanlan thought.
This left many wondering about the Xiao Family's foundation and the importance of Xiao Yan to the family.
But only the members of the Xiao Family in the private room had weird expressions. This was not their intention, but Xiao Xing'er's alone.
As the auction continued, the atmosphere in the hall became increasingly tense. The next item up for bidding was the Mountain and River Painting, a supreme-grade treasure known for its mysterious powers in manipulating landscapes. The starting price was set at 20,000 essence stones.
Immediately, the bidding war erupted. Cultivators from various factions shouted out their offers, each trying to outdo the other. The Genesis Sect, known for their affinity with natural elements, seemed particularly interested in this item. The 10th Elder known as Elder Zhou, a figure with piercing eyes, raised the bid to 50,000 essence stones without hesitation.
But the Hong Family, a formidable force with a history of martial prowess, was not to be outdone. Hong Junxiao, a burly man with a rugged appearance, matched the bid with a determined glare. The bidding continued to escalate as both factions refused to back down.
Meanwhile, in the private rooms, strategic discussions were taking place. Shangguan Yi observed the proceedings with keen interest, analyzing the tactics employed by each faction. He noted the Genesis Sect's focus on natural treasures and the Hong Family's emphasis on martial strength. It was a battle not just of wealth, but of intelligence and foresight.
As the bidding for the Mountain and River Painting reached its peak, it was ultimately won by the Genesis Sect, who secured the treasure for 110,000 essence stones.
"Forget it. This item is just a level 2 item. I should save my essence stones for that important item," Hong Junxiao remarked, not forgetting his goal. Acquiring a level 2 supreme-grade item is merely a supplement.
The auction was far from over. Next up was the Hellish Axe, a fearsome weapon said to possess the power of infernal flames. The starting price was set at 25,000 essence stones.
The Hong Family wasted no time in making their move, immediately placing a bid of 50,000 essence stones. Hong Junxiao's eyes gleamed with anticipation as he awaited the response from the other factions.
However, the bidding for the Hellish Axe soon turned into a fierce contest between the Hong Family and the Liu Family, a rival faction known for their strategic cunning. Back and forth the bids flew, each faction trying to gain the upper hand.
"Hmph! Does Liu Family think they can compete with my Hong Family? They can't even compete with a mere girl from the Xiao Family," Hong Junxiao snorted as he raised the price.
In the end, it was the Hong Family who emerged victorious, securing the Hellish Axe for 130,000 essence stones. Their triumph was met with cheers and applause from their supporters, who admired their strength and determination.
Next on the auction's items was the Thousand Miles Talisman, a coveted artifact said to grant its wielder instant transportation. The starting price was set at 30,000 essence stones.
This time, it was the City Lord Manor who made the first bid, eager to add the talisman to their collection of treasures. But they were soon challenged by ten great families and three big sects, who saw the talisman as a valuable asset in their quest for dominance.
The bidding war for the Thousand Miles Talisman was intense, with each of faction refusing to back down. In the end, it was the City Lord Manor who emerged victorious, securing the talisman for 300,000 essence stones.
Finally, it was time for the last item of the auction: the supreme-grade essence pill. Ten bottles, each containing ten pills, were up for grabs, with each bottle starting at 50,000 essence stones.
Every year, the supreme-grade essence pills were indeed secretly sold to ten families, three great sects, the city lord manor, and other special forces. However, this was never enough, as every time the supreme-grade essence pills appeared, the bidding war remained intense.
The competition for the essence pills was fierce, with every faction vying for the chance to obtain this rare and precious treasure. In the end, the essence pills were sold to the highest bidders among the remaining great families and sects, each eager to bolster their strength and enhance their cultivation.
"The next item in the auction is a mid-grade master item: the Core Essence Pill. I don't need to explain further about it. The starting price is 200,000 essence stones, with each minimum bid at 20,000 essence stones," Lin Tao announced.
"Finally!" Many elders from various forces brightened their eyes. This was exactly what they had come to the auction for.
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)
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