Chapter 12: The Auction [Part-1]

The auction hall buzzed with restless anticipation. Cultivators from all over had gathered, hoping to obtain treasures that could elevate their strength before the upcoming Dragon Martial Competition.

On the grand stage, Qin Xuan, dressed in a flowing silk robe embroidered with golden phoenix patterns, exuded an elegance that made men's hearts waver. Her long black hair cascaded down her back, her crimson lips curving into a knowing smile. However, today, there was an unusual formality in her voice as she cupped her hands toward the audience.

"Esteemed guests, I must apologize. A last-minute addition has been made to the auction list."

Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Some cultivators frowned in irritation at the sudden change, while others raised their brows in curiosity.

"Hmph, an unexpected item? Probably something unimpressive."

"What could be important enough to change the schedule?"

"Unless… it's something valuable?"

Qin Xuan's teasing smile deepened as she let the suspense linger for a moment longer before her voice rang through the hall.

"It is none other than the Second-Grade Marrow Cleansing Pill."

The air exploded with excitement.

"Marrow Cleansing Pill?! Right before the competition?!"

"A second-grade pill that strengthens the foundation and helps breakthrough to the Qi Refinement Realm!"

"This is an absolute treasure!"

Many cultivators stood up, their gazes burning with desire. The Marrow Cleansing Pill was an invaluable resource, capable of purifying one's blood and marrow, drastically increasing the chances of breaking through bottlenecks. For those who had been stuck at the peak of Body Tempering, this was a lifeline.

Qin Xuan gracefully extended her hand, signaling for the auction to commence.

The first items brought out were lesser treasures, though still valuable in their own right. Two scantily dressed attendants stepped forward, their movements slow and deliberate, their sheer silk robes fluttering as they approached with golden trays in their hands. The robes were crafted in an ancient yet revealing style, exposing smooth shoulders and slender legs, the fabric clinging to their curves in a way that made many men in the audience swallow subconsciously. Their gazes flickered between the treasures and the attendants, unable to decide which was more mesmerizing.

The first item was the Scarlet Jade Profound Needle, a refined acupuncture tool that could stimulate meridians and heal internal injuries.

Next was the Blackwood Spirit Fan, a weapon forged from ancient blackwood imbued with wind essence, capable of unleashing blade-like gusts with a flick.

Following that was the Tiger Bone Essence Elixir, a tonic for body refiners, known to strengthen bones and muscles beyond their natural limits.

Each item sparked brief but fierce bidding wars, yet one figure outshined the rest—Tang Zijie.

From his private booth, the young master of the Tang Family bid generously, his tone casual, as if the spirit stones meant nothing to him.

"Fifty spirit stones."

"Seventy."

"Take it up to eighty."

Many cultivators clenched their fists at the sheer arrogance in his voice.

"Another spoiled young master throwing his wealth around…"

"But we can't afford to offend him. The Tang Family is powerful."

Although a few dared to challenge his bids, they were quickly outmatched. However, it was clear that his true goal wasn't these items—this was simply his way of showing off in front of Qin Xuan.

Finally, after these warm-up rounds, the main event arrived.

A jade bottle was placed on the stage. Even before it was opened, a faint golden glow seeped through the edges, and an intoxicating medicinal fragrance spread through the hall.

"The bidding for the first Marrow Cleansing Pill starts at 200 spirit stones."

Tang Zijie leaned back in his seat, smirking. "Three hundred."

Silence.

No one immediately followed. The amount was too high for most, and many hesitated. Tang Zijie laughed to himself, relishing in their silence.

Then, a deep, rough voice rang out from another private booth.

"Don't you think that's enough, Young Master Tang?"

The room turned toward the source of the voice. Inside the booth sat four figures, their presence wild and oppressive—the Iron-Clad Tiger Sect.

The older man, his short hair mostly grey, had deep scars carved into his weathered face. His loose robe bore tiger-skin patterns, and beneath it, his exposed arms were thick with corded muscle. Beside him sat two middle-aged warriors, both similarly scarred, their robes slightly tattered from years of battle.

At the center of the booth, however, sat a young man.

His body was like tempered steel, thick veins bulging along his arms, his sharp yellow eyes eerily resembling a predator's gaze. Even seated, his presence felt like a beast ready to strike at any moment. This was the chief disciple of the Iron-Clad Tiger Sect.

Tang Zijie's face twitched. "You lot again? If you want a pill, just bid instead of whining."

The older man let out a low chuckle. "Very well."

"Three hundred and twenty spirit stones."

Tang Zijie sneered. "Three-fifty!"

"Three-sixty!"

"Three-eighty!"

The Iron-Clad Tiger Sect was unrelenting, each bid striking like a war drum. The atmosphere in the hall grew tense, the sheer weight of spirit stones being thrown around suffocating the weaker cultivators.

By the time the fifth pill was sold, Tang Zijie's expression darkened, his fingers tapping against his chair in frustration.

The next four pills all went to the Iron-Clad Tiger Sect.

Then, other factions entered the fray.

The Silver Moon Academy, known for their sword arts, secured one.

The Emerald Cloud Clan, famed for their wood-element cultivation, took another.

Renowned families and sects all fought bitterly for their share, and in the end, only four of the twenty pills landed in the hands of lesser sects, smaller families, and lone cultivators.

Tianming, watching from his private booth, smirked.

All this wealth… would soon belong to him.

Just as he was basking in his silent triumph, a sudden chill swept through the auction hall.

Qin Xuan raised her hand, her tone calm yet tinged with intrigue. "For our final item, we present something… unique."

The room's temperature plummeted. A frosty mist spread from the stage, and an ominous cold seeped into the bones of everyone present.

Two of the beautiful attendants, despite their daringly revealing outfits, visibly shivered as they carefully carried a massive ice crystal onto the stage.

It was a translucent blue, yet unfathomably deep. The moment it arrived, the very air hummed with chilling Yin Qi, so potent that frost began to creep along the floor.

"What… is that?" someone whispered.

Even the most composed cultivators felt their hearts tremble.

And inside Tianming's soul monument, something stirred.

The essence of the Seven-Colored Herb Spirit Deer suddenly awakened, reacting violently to the presence of the ice crystal.

Tianming's pupils contracted.

Something about this wasn't right.