Chapter 98: The Auction Concludes!

“Next, we present the second item up for auction this session!” Zhu Qingyi deftly adjusted the plate holding the auction item, lifted the red cloth, revealing a glossy green core that shimmered before the crowd.

“Is that a demonic core?” someone in the audience immediately recognized it at first glance.

Glancing at the four prominent Xuan families present, he shook his head, knowing there was no chance for himself.

“That’s right. The second item in this auction is a third-tier magical beast’s Emerald Oil Snake Demonic Core! An indispensable item for alchemists!” Zhu Qingyi announced loudly.

“Starting bid is 200,000 gold coins, with each subsequent bid no less than 10,000! Let the bidding begin!”

“Bang!” Zhu Qingyi banged down the wooden gavel.

“Brother Hu, are you interested in this?” Dongyang whispered through a sound-transmitting stone.

Resting with his eyes closed, Xihu slightly opened his sharp eyes, took out a sound-transmitting stone from his ring, and replied, “The item I want is still coming later. If you like the demonic core, it’s yours.”

Their conversation was low and private, as the Eastern and Western Xuan families had long enjoyed good relations.

“I was just asking if you were interested. I have no use for it,” Dongyang shook his head.

“Big brother, do you want to bid on this demonic core?” Ernan from the Southern Xuan family asked Nantian, pointing to the glowing core above.

“A third-tier Emerald Oil Snake is about the value of a high-level Xuan-grade combat skill. Not very competitive. If no one else wants it, I’ll take it. If there’s interest, forget it,” Nantian said, unaware of the core’s true value since he was not an alchemist.

“I see,” Ernan nodded.

“Family, what’s your opinion?” the elder from the Northern Xuan family asked.

“This item clearly lacks competition and isn’t particularly useful. If no one bids, I’ll take it. It’s good for the family’s alchemy practice,” Beilong said, glancing at the other three Xuan families who showed no reaction.

“As you wish,” the elder nodded.

Hmm… Is this item really so unpopular? Zhu Qingyi mused, looking at the green-glowing core on stage, feeling somewhat disappointed. But as long as someone buys it, it’s fine.

“200,000 once!”

“200,000 twice!”

“200,000 thr—”

Before Zhu Qingyi could shout the third time, a clear, mid-aged male voice called out, “500,000!”

The voice was unmistakably familiar—it was the Hall Master! Zhu Qingyi’s hand froze mid-air as he looked toward the VIP room above.

“Who is that?” Nantian asked.

“Who?” Beilong echoed.

“Who?” Dongyang repeated.

Xihu, who had been resting, suddenly opened his eyes sharply—this voice came from the VIP room.

The clan leaders of the four great Xuan families all looked up at the VIP room, but couldn’t see inside due to the transparent one-way glass.

“Is that voice coming from the VIP room?” The crowd whispered, knowing only important figures could enter the Zhu Da Auction’s VIP quarters.

“Who could it be?” murmurs spread.

“That voice sounds young. Elder Xi, can you help identify it?” Xihu asked the elder beside him.

“Yes, family head,” the elder replied and left to investigate.

“500,000 once!”

“500,000 twice!”

“500,000 thrice! Sold!”

“Congratulations to the honored guest for winning the third-tier demonic core!” Zhu Qingyi said, ordering his assistants to deliver the core to Qian Mo immediately. The assistants nodded and carefully brought the core to Qian Mo’s room.

Hall Master, what use is a third-tier demonic core? Could there be some hidden secret inside? Zhu Qingyi wondered, then shook his head to dismiss the thought.

Next, Zhu Qingyi unveiled the third auction item, removing the red cloth to reveal a golden-glowing parchment scroll.

“What is this?” the crowd asked.

“You must be wondering what this is. When I first saw it, I was baffled too. After much analysis, it appears to be a fragment of an Earth-grade cultivation technique!” Zhu Qingyi explained.

“What? Earth-grade technique?”

“An Earth-grade technique?”

“If it’s Earth-grade, even a fragment is a great opportunity!” The crowd exclaimed excitedly, as few had ever seen such high-level techniques.

“An Earth-grade technique fragment?” The four clan leaders narrowed their eyes and frowned.

Xihu thought carefully. Though he wanted it, he restrained himself as the item he desired was still to come. Smirking, he figured: Let them bid it out. If they run out of money, there’ll be no competition for the last item. Indeed, his goal was the final auction item.

“Though a fragment, if cultivated to mastery, it’s still powerful. The Earth-grade technique fragment, First Palm of Sky Covering, starting bid 500,000 gold coins, minimum raise 50,000! Let the bidding begin!”

With Zhu Qingyi’s announcement, fierce competition erupted again, driving the price upward.

Meanwhile, in the VIP room, the assistants had already delivered the third-tier Emerald Oil Snake demonic core to Qian Mo.

Qian Mo eyed the glowing green core on the table, narrowed his eyes, and licked his lips. “There’s something valuable inside.”

With his keen sight, he peered deeply into the core, uncovering an extraordinary secret. He murmured, “Good stuff.”

“230,000!” Suddenly a voice called from below. Seeing no bids from the major clans, a bidder happily raised the price.

Others from smaller factions quickly followed.

“250,000!”

“270,000!”

“280,000!”

“300,000!”

The bidding stopped at 300,000, as the four major clans showed no interest. One alchemist seized the chance. Others ceased bidding; 300,000 was a lot, and the core might not suit them. Simply put, it was of little use.

Could it be that rare? Hmph, their judgment is poor. Zhu Qingyi, displeased by the low bids, thought to himself. But at least someone bought it.

“300,000 once.”

“300,000 twice.”

“300,000 thr—”

Just as Zhu Qingyi prepared to call the third time, the clear voice rang out: “500,000!” It was Qian Mo again.

Zhu Qingyi’s hand froze in mid-air once more. That voice was unmistakably the Hall Master’s. He looked toward the VIP room.

“Hmm? Who’s that?” Nantian asked.

“Who?” Beilong questioned.

“Who?” Dongyang repeated.

Xihu, resting with eyes closed, suddenly opened them sharply as the voice came from the VIP room.

All four clan leaders glanced upward but couldn’t see inside due to the one-way glass.

“Is that voice from the VIP room?” The crowd murmured. Everyone here knew that only important figures could enter the Zhu Da Auction’s VIP room.

“Who could it be?” whispers circulated.

“That voice sounds young. Elder Xi, please investigate,” Xihu requested the elder.

“Yes, family head,” the elder replied and left.

“500,000 once.”

“500,000 twice.”

“500,000 thrice! Sold!”

“Congratulations to the honored guest for winning the third-tier demonic core!” Zhu Qingyi announced, instructing his aides to carefully deliver the core to Qian Mo.

Qian Mo examined the glowing green core, a faint smile on his lips. After a thorough inspection, he discovered it concealed a trace of the Emperor’s Origin—also known as the “Imperial Source,” the key to ascending to the Emperor rank on Dou Qi Continent.

Currently, no new Emperors are born because the Imperial Source has long been depleted, consumed by ancient Emperors in prehistoric times. Only upon the birth of a new Emperor can a channel to the Imperial Source briefly reopen, but in very limited quantities.

Qian Mo realized this core contained a trace of the Imperial Source—enough for a peak nine-star Dou Saint to advance to Emperor rank, possibly even enough for two with some luck.

“Haha, buying a demonic core with Imperial Source for 500,000 gold coins—if the ancient eight clans hear this, they’d be furious,” he chuckled.

Pressing his hand gently on the core, he infused it with energy. The outer layer slowly dissipated, revealing a faint green glow floating in mid-air—the Imperial Source itself.

“This is the Imperial Source,” Qian Mo whispered as he stored it away. “If I’m not mistaken, this core isn’t from a third-tier Emerald Oil Snake but a tenth-tier one. It must have belonged to a powerful figure who killed the beast and hid the core, which lost its original luster over time. The current third-tier core looks similar, so it was mistaken for such. Fortunately, I’m the discerning buyer; otherwise, it might have been wasted by some fool.”

He spoke leisurely, picking up some fruit from the plate to chew, pleased with his windfall.

Watching the fierce bidding below, Qian Mo grabbed the auction sample and flipped to the fourth page. The fourth item was a fifth-grade pill called the Rock Pill.

Reading the description: The Rock Pill permanently grants the user an extremely hard body.

“Judging by the name, that makes sense. There are really all kinds of strange pills,” Qian Mo muttered.

Skipping to the last item, his eyes narrowed slightly. Since it was a sixth-grade pill, the only known alchemist in the Gamadi Empire who could craft it was Gu He from the Yunlan Sect.

“Sixth-grade pill, King Breaking Pill,” Qian Mo murmured.

He knew that this pill was not easy to refine. It was nearly a half-step seventh-grade pill. Gu He’s luck was questionable. Wait—who said it had to be Gu He? Maybe it was an outsider or someone who found it, already surpassing the Dou King rank and auctioning it off.

King Breaking Pill: When consumed by a nine-star Dou King nearing Dou Emperor rank, it greatly increases the chance of breakthrough.

“Forget it, I’m not interested in the rest. I’ll just enjoy my fruit and watch the show,” Qian Mo said, reclining on the sofa.

Below, the bidding for the Earth-grade technique fragment grew intense until the Southern Xuan family secured it for two million gold coins.

“Big brother, our family’s funds are nearly depleted—less than 300,000 left,” Ernan whispered to Nantian.

“No problem. It’s enough. Even a fragment of Earth-grade technique is invaluable for survival. Besides, money can be earned back,” Nantian replied, rubbing his ear.

“You’re right, big brother,” Ernan laughed.

Next, the fourth item was brought to the stage. Zhu Qingyi removed the red cloth to reveal a box emitting blue light.

“A pill!” the crowd exclaimed.

“Indeed. The fourth item is the fifth-grade Rock Pill!” Zhu Qingyi declared, then added, “As named, anyone who swallows the Rock Pill becomes impervious to blades and spears. Starting bid is 350,000 gold coins, minimum increments of 10,000! Let bidding commence!”

With Zhu Qingyi’s announcement, fierce bidding erupted again.

“500,000!” Dongyang, leader of the Eastern Xuan family, called out loudly.

“700,000!” an elderly voice responded.

Dongyang frowned, displeased that someone dared to challenge the Eastern Xuan family.

The Southern and Northern Xuan leaders were also curious about the challenger.

“800,000!” Dongyang continued bidding.

The elderly voice did not respond again.

“Heh, just bluffing,” many thought.

“800,000 once.”

“800,000 twice.”

“800,000 thrice! Sold!”

Bang!

After the fourth item, the crowd grew excited, anticipating the final and best auction item.

Xihu smiled slightly. “Finally, it’s here? I was getting impatient.”

“All right! ——————————————————”

Zhu Qingyi called out, then continued, “Now, we come to the last item of this auction—our grand finale and the finest item!”

The item was carefully brought forward.

Zhu Qingyi lifted the cloth to reveal a blue-purple box.

“Don’t tell me it’s another pill?” someone whispered, suspecting.

“This grand finale item is a sixth-grade pill!”

Zhu Qingyi shouted, taking a deep breath before continuing, “The King Breaking Pill!”

“Sixth-grade pill, King Breaking Pill?!” The clan leaders of the Southern, Northern, and Eastern Xuan families stood up in shock.

“Since it’s the King Breaking Pill...” murmurs spread.

“We must obtain this pill!” Beilong declared.

“I understand,” he muttered.

“Family head, what do you understand?” the elder beside him asked.

Beilong inhaled deeply and sat down. “No wonder Xihu hasn’t bid on earlier items—he must have already known about the King Breaking Pill’s presence here.”

“Indeed, no wonder,” the elder reflected.

“We’ve been played like fools, damn it!” Nantian angrily clenched his fist, realizing the truth.

“Brother Hu, did you know about this pill all along?” Dongyang asked through a sound-transmitting stone, his brow furrowed in hesitation.

Xihu took the stone, a slight smile playing on his lips. His voice was heavy: “As long as I get the King Breaking Pill, your daughter will marry my son. From then on, we’ll be family. Together, we’ll control the East, West, South, and North. You understand, don’t you?”

Dongyang’s anger flared at the threat, clutching the stone tightly, his voice sharp: “We’ve had good relations for generations. Don’t lie to me!”

Xihu responded casually, “Don’t worry, Brother Dong. You should know me by now. Once I make a promise, I keep it. Since I promised, I will deliver.”

“With your word, I’m at ease!” Dongyang laughed heartily.

“Then I won’t keep you. I’ll take my leave now. Next time, I’ll personally host a banquet to celebrate your breakthrough to Dou Emperor!” Dongyang bowed.

“All right!” Xihu laughed.

———

Zhu Qingyi returned to his room, checked the ledger, and saw he had earned nearly eight million gold coins from the five items.

Slapping his forehead, he remembered the Hall Master had asked to see him after the auction. Flustered, Zhu Qingyi hurriedly tidied up and rushed toward the VIP room.

Knock knock—

“Come in,” Qian Mo said.

Zhu Qingyi pushed open the door and closed it behind.

“Hall Master!” he greeted respectfully.

“Hmm, you’re now a member of the Reincarnation Hall. It’s time you see the main hall,” Qian Mo nodded.

“Main hall?” Zhu Qingyi stammered.

“You’ll know when you enter,” Qian Mo said, waving his hand. A portal appeared before Zhu Qingyi’s eyes.

“Step inside,” Qian Mo led the way.

Zhu Qingyi followed.

The scene shifted, revealing a grand palace with the words “Reincarnation Hall” emblazoned prominently, each character emanating thick brown energy.

Suddenly, a flash of light struck Zhu Qingyi’s head, causing excruciating pain.

“Aaah! It hurts!” Zhu Qingyi clutched his head and knelt, crying out.

“Reincarnation… ritual? Time barrier… one day outside equals one year inside?!” Zhu Qingyi groaned, overwhelmed by memories not his own flooding his mind. His voice trembled as he involuntarily spoke the strange information.

(End of chapter)