Chapter 13 — Conflict

"Three hundred and fifty thousand taels of gold, first!" The auction hammer struck loudly, breaking the brief silence.

"Three hundred and fifty thousand taels of gold, second!" The tension in the air grew thicker, everyone waiting anxiously.

"Three hundred and fifty thousand taels of gold, third!"

The final strike of the hammer marked the end of the Ancient Spirit Stone auction.

Xuan Yi raised his hand, directing his gaze toward VIP Room No. 1 with a formal smile.

"Congratulations to the Third Prince for winning the Ancient Spirit Stone!"

The atmosphere settled, with satisfaction evident on the Third Prince's face, but the tension quickly returned. All eyes turned toward a long box carried by a servant.

"The next item is a sword," Xuan Yi's voice echoed through the hall, sparking curiosity.

"Our team discovered this sword in the ruins of an endless ancient battlefield," he continued, his voice carrying authority and intrigue.

The room fell silent, waiting for what would happen next. With graceful movements, Xuan Yi opened the long box, revealing a dull sword lying inside.

Its appearance was unimpressive—worn out, lacking any luster or emanating any aura. The attendees looked disappointed, many sighing in dismay, even those in the VIP rooms who had initially shown interest. However, the Sword Sect and Shen Yuxian were different—their eyes gleamed with keen interest in the sword.

Xuan Yi, with careful attention, announced the starting price for the sword:

"The bidding starts at fifty thousand taels of gold. Each increment must be no less than a thousand taels of gold."

Hearing this price, the cultivators and spectators could not hold back their laughter.

"Is this sword really worth such a high price?" they whispered among themselves, mocking the auction's decision.

However, the atmosphere of laughter was suddenly replaced with silence.

"One hundred thousand taels of gold!" A firm voice came from VIP Room No. 3, shaking the entire hall. The crowd fell silent, eyes wide in shock.

"Is he insane, bidding that high?" murmurs spread among the audience.

In the other VIP rooms, most people remained indifferent to the sword, but a few still showed lingering interest. However, a clear dispute arose from VIP Room No. 5.

"Is VIP Room No. 3 really trying to give face to the Sword Sect?" A young man from VIP Room No. 5 spoke in a low but challenging tone.

"Our sect needs that sword," he continued, his gaze sharp and full of determination.

Without shifting his gaze, Shen Yuxian, sitting leisurely, merely raised an eyebrow and smirked.

"If you have money, place a bid. If not, you should just go home," he said coldly.

His words struck like lightning in VIP Room No. 5. The room fell into silence, and soft chuckles could be heard from some cultivators in the general seating area who had overheard his remark.

The young man from the Sword Sect clenched his jaw in frustration, his teeth grinding together.

"Three hundred thousand taels of gold!" he shouted, trying to suppress his humiliation and burning rage.

Xuan Yi, with a subtle smile, asked, "Any higher bids?"

No one responded—until one voice, filled with confidence and power, cut through the silence.

"Five hundred thousand taels of gold!"

Shen Yuxian's declaration from VIP Room No. 3 sent a shockwave through the hall. The atmosphere turned rigid, and even the commoners and cultivators in the general seating area were stunned, speechless. The price had skyrocketed beyond all expectations.

The young man from the Sword Sect grew even more enraged, struggling to maintain his composure. His eyes darted to the money he had brought—clearly not enough to challenge Shen Yuxian's bid.

"Three hundred thousand taels of gold… that's all I have!" he muttered in frustration but forced himself to keep a firm expression.

Moments passed, and no further bids came. Xuan Yi, who had been observing the tension, finally spoke.

"Five hundred thousand taels of gold, first!" His voice was firm, ensuring everyone heard clearly.

"Five hundred thousand taels of gold, second!" The silence grew heavier, the tension more palpable.

"Five hundred thousand taels of gold, third!"

The auction hammer struck hard, marking the final decision.

"Congratulations to the esteemed guest in VIP Room No. 3, Shen Yuxian, for winning this sword!" Xuan Yi announced formally, though the underlying tension in his voice was evident.

The room's atmosphere grew even more intense, filled with curiosity. Everyone knew that this sword was no ordinary item. Shen Yuxian, now in possession of it, understood that this was a key piece in his grander purpose.

The auction hall remained filled with murmurs and hushed discussions after the intense bidding war. But the tension had not yet subsided.

Xuan Yi, with a charming yet subtle smile, stepped back to the center of the stage. Her red gown shimmered under the crystal lanterns, reflecting an elegant aura that commanded everyone's attention.

"Please, settle down," her clear and authoritative voice pierced through the murmuring crowd. Slowly, the hall quieted, filled with anticipation.

"We will now present the final item to conclude this auction."

Whispers of excitement quickly turned into a tense hush. The cultivators and nobles sharpened their focus, well aware that the last item was always the most valuable.

With a graceful gesture, two female attendants carried in a black wooden box engraved with ancient patterns. The box emitted a cold aura, making the air around the stage feel heavier.

"Our final item today is… an ancient scroll," Xuan Yi announced, her voice trembling slightly with seriousness, sending chills through the room.

"This scroll contains a Forbidden Cultivation Technique known as 'Hell's Shadow Step.'"

The crowd erupted in chaos. Cultivators whispered with trembling voices.

'Hell's Shadow Step' was no ordinary technique. Legends spoke of it as a method to fold space, allowing its user to move like lightning and attack without leaving a shadow. However, it was said to come at a terrible cost—draining the user's vitality with every use.

In the VIP rooms, tension spiked. The Third Prince stood up, his eyes burning with desire. The Holy Maiden of the Snow Blossom Sect clutched her fan tightly, concealing her sharp expression behind a calm façade. The Zhao Family envoy narrowed his gaze, signaling that they would not let this scroll fall into just anyone's hands.

Xuan Yi raised her hand, silencing the murmurs.

"The bidding starts at five hundred thousand taels of gold. Each increment must be no less than ten thousand taels of gold."

Silence shattered in an instant.

"Six hundred thousand taels of gold!" A cold yet composed voice came from VIP Room No. 2. The Holy Maiden's face remained neutral, but her eyes shone with determination.

"Seven hundred thousand taels of gold!" The Third Prince's voice thundered through the hall, exuding confidence as if victory was already his.

"Seven hundred and fifty thousand taels of gold!" The Zhao envoy joined in, his deep voice filled with pressure, making it clear they wouldn't back down easily.

The bidding war escalated. The spectators held their breath, watching the silent war unfold between the VIP rooms.

"Ten million taels of gold!"

The Third Prince stood proudly, his voice booming like a lightning strike. The room fell into complete silence—even the noble sect members were left speechless. This was no longer just an auction—it was a display of power.

But his confidence was soon shaken.

"Ten million five hundred thousand taels of gold," the Holy Maiden's soft voice drifted like a winter breeze, yet each word cut through the Third Prince's ego like a blade.

His eyes narrowed. He turned to his advisor. "How much money did we bring?"

The old man bowed and whispered, "Your Highness, we only brought ten million taels of gold. We cannot continue bidding."

The Third Prince clenched his fists, his face turning red with restrained fury. He glared at VIP Room No. 2 with a gaze full of threat.

"Eleven million taels of gold, first!"

"Eleven million taels of gold, second!"

"Eleven million taels of gold, third!"

The final strike of the hammer sealed the deal. "Congratulations to VIP Room No. 2, the Snow Blossom Sect, for winning the ancient scroll!"

But everyone knew—the real conflict was only just beginning.

The Third Prince gritted his teeth, glaring at VIP Room No. 2 with deep resentment. He turned to his subordinate, speaking in a low but menacing voice.

"Tsk! Damn it. Send an expert to follow the Snow Blossom Sect… If there's an opportunity, take that scroll. I don't care how you do it."

Those words carried the weight of a chilling command, hinting that the drama was far from over. The auction might have ended, but the real conflict was only just beginning.

All this time, Shen Yuxian had remained calm, sipping his tea in silence. He cast a fleeting glance at the scroll now in the possession of the Snow Blossom Sect. His sharp gaze hinted that he understood more than what met the eye. That scroll… might just be the key to an even greater chaos.