"One million five hundred thousand!"
"Two million!"
"Two million five hundred thousand!"
"Three million!"
...
The bidding for the seven-rank Medium Grade Dao Artifact, the Heaven Suppressing Seal, quickly entered a heated phase, soon surpassing the previous bid for the Heaven Burning Dao Sword, breaking through five million High-Grade Spirit Stones in one fell swoop.
"VIP Room 8 bids five million High-Grade Spirit Stones, any more bids?"
Wan Tiancheng's voice echoed through the Auction hall, carrying a hint of barely concealed excitement.
This time, the hall fell into complete silence. Five million High-Grade Spirit Stones was no small sum for any force, enough to make most people retreat.
Wan Tiancheng scanned the surroundings, and seeing no one else bidding, he timely announced, "VIP Room 8 bids: five million High-Grade Spirit Stones, last 10 breaths, 9 breaths, ..."
"Five million eight hundred thousand, congratulations to VIP Room 3 for successfully winning the Heaven Suppressing Seal!"
At the last breath, Wan Tiancheng confirmed the Auction result and announced with delight.
"Who!"
In VIP Room 8, Xuanxiao Sect's Sect Master, Xin Tiansen, was furious. His powerful Divine Thought surged towards VIP Room 3, attempting to break through the Divine Thought seal set by Wanbao Pavilion. However, Wanbao Pavilion's defensive Formation instantly activated, like an invisible barrier, firmly blocking Xin Tiansen's Divine Thought. His face turned ashen, feeling the powerlessness and frustration of his Divine Thought, and the anger in his heart intensified.
He almost won the Heaven Suppressing Seal, but unexpectedly, at the last moment, all his efforts were in vain.
In VIP Room 5, Nether Sect's Sect Master, Gao Hong, also had a face full of regret. At the last moment, he bid five million five hundred thousand, but he was still a step too slow, and the mysterious VIP Room 3 snatched the Heaven Suppressing Seal with a higher price. His eyes flickered, and he secretly pondered who this VIP Room 3 was, to be able to so easily produce such a huge amount of Spirit Stones.
Noticing this situation, Wan Tiancheng quickly comforted everyone: "Seniors, please do not be angry. Treasures are obtained by those who are fated. There are still three Dao Artifacts yet to be auctioned, no less inferior to the Heaven Suppressing Seal. Seniors still have a chance."
Wan Tiancheng cleared his throat, and the commotion in the hall gradually subsided. Everyone's gaze once again focused on him. He smiled, his eyes gleaming with confidence and anticipation for the Spirit Objects about to be auctioned.
"Next, what we will be auctioning is a ten-thousand-year-old seven-rank Spirit Medicine, a ten-thousand-year-old medicine king spirit ginseng!"
As Wan Tiancheng's words fell, a transmission Formation light flashed on the Auction stage, and a jade box was transmitted over.
As Wan Tiancheng opened the jade box, a fresh and rich medicinal fragrance instantly permeated the entire hall, invigorating everyone.
The medicine king spirit ginseng lay quietly in the jade box. It was crystal clear throughout, as if carved from the purest jade. Its form was slender, with distinct roots, each emitting a faint glow. Most astonishingly, its surface was entwined with wisps of spiritual power, which flowed slowly around the medicine king spirit ginseng like living things, forming mysterious patterns.
"This medicine king spirit ginseng has a medicinal age of ten thousand years. It is only one Opportunity away from transforming and undergoing the True Spirit Thunder Tribulation of plants and trees. Its preciousness needs no further explanation from me."
Wan Tiancheng smiled as he scanned the Void Refining Cultivators below the stage, introducing it.
"A medicine king ginseng that is only one step away from transformation! Such a Spirit Medicine is a rarity even in the entire Spirit Realm, its value is immeasurable!" an old, white-haired Cultivator said excitedly.
"If one can obtain this Spirit Medicine, not only will their cultivation advance by leaps and bounds, but they will also have the Opportunity to comprehend the Dao of plants and trees, which will be of immense benefit to Alchemy, Artifact Refining, and even the Dao of Formation!" Another Void Refining female Cultivator's eyes sparkled, her words full of longing for taking this Spirit Medicine.
"A ten-thousand-year medicinal age is indeed rare, but I'm afraid the price will be extremely high. Xu is willing but unable!"
...
With the appearance of the medicine king spirit ginseng, the attention of the Cultivators shifted to it, and discussions continued.
"This medicine king spirit ginseng, whether used for Alchemy or consumed directly, can bring astonishing effects. Fellow Daoists, Seniors, treasures are obtained by those who are fated. Now, it's up to everyone's Opportunity and strength." Wan Tiancheng was very satisfied with everyone's reaction, smiled slightly, and continued to announce: "The starting bid for the medicine king spirit ginseng: two hundred thousand High-Grade Spirit Stones, with each increment of ten thousand High-Grade Spirit Stones, time limit: one hundred breaths. Bidding officially begins now."
Immediately after, the bidding data changed continuously. Each number represented a Cultivator's desire and pursuit of the medicine king spirit ginseng. The price soared like a wild horse, far exceeding the initial expectations.
"Three hundred thousand!"
"Three hundred fifty thousand!"
"Four hundred thousand, I am determined to get this item!" A middle-aged Void Refining Cultivator in the main hall stood up, clearly with an urgent need for the medicine king spirit ginseng.
"We'll see if you have the ability, five hundred thousand!"
...
One hundred breaths passed in a flash, and Wan Tiancheng happily announced: "Congratulations to VIP Room 12, for successfully bidding seven hundred thousand High-Grade Spirit Stones for the medicine king spirit ginseng!"
At this time, in the main hall, the faces of the Void Refining Cultivators became extremely unsightly. Their financial resources were limited, and in this Auction, many rare Spirit Objects could only be watched as they flowed into the various VIP rooms, into the hands of those top forces and large Sects.
Wan Tiancheng keenly captured the subtle change in the atmosphere of the venue, knowing that the uneven distribution of resources often fueled the fighting spirit and desires of Cultivators.
So, Wan Tiancheng cleared his throat, breaking the brief silence with a louder and more magnetic voice: "Fellow Daoists, do not be discouraged. The path of cultivation is long and full of variables. Today's loss may be tomorrow's gain. The next item to be auctioned is also a rare treasure. It may bring new hope to everyone."
Before he finished speaking, Wan Tiancheng gently waved his sleeve, and the Auction stage's Formation light flashed and disappeared. On the Auction stage, a green armored round shield appeared, exuding a heavy aura.
"Everyone, please look. The next item to be auctioned is a six-rank High Grade defensive Spiritual Artifact - the 'Azure Underworld Black Tortoise Shield'. This shield is forged from ten-thousand-year-old deep-sea profound iron fused with the scales of the rare Spirit Beast, the Azure Underworld Black Tortoise. Not only is its material extremely hard, but it also contains the defensive Formation of the Black Tortoise Divine Beast. Once activated, it can form an incredibly sturdy protective shield, capable of withstanding a single blow from a Body Integration Realm expert." Wan Tiancheng introduced in detail.
"May I ask, Manager Wan, who refined this artifact? Is it the work of Great Master Li?"
As soon as Wan Tiancheng finished his introduction, a Void Refining Cultivator from the hall below asked with concern.
"Uh! No, this artifact is the work of our Pavilion's Artifact Refining Guest Elder, Grandmaster Chen. Although his Artifact Refining skills are not as renowned as Great Master Li's, he has unique insights and extraordinary accomplishments in the forging of defensive Spiritual Artifacts. Grandmaster Chen deeply understands the essence of the Black Tortoise Divine Beast's defense and has integrated it into the 'Azure Underworld Black Tortoise Shield', making this shield reach the extreme of six-rank High Grade in defensive power." Wan Tiancheng quickly introduced.
Upon hearing this, the Void Refining Cultivators below the stage couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.
Great Master Li's Artifact Refining level was well-known. If this artifact were his work, then with its six-rank top-grade Spirit Treasure rank, it would be possible for it to advance to a seven-rank Dao Artifact in the future.
Since it wasn't Great Master Li's work, its value, in the eyes of the Cultivators, significantly decreased. However, Wan Tiancheng seemed to have noticed the Cultivators' reactions. He smiled slightly and continued: "Fellow Daoists, the Dao of Artifact Refining emphasizes Heart-Nature and creativity, not simply relying on the name of a Great Master. Although Grandmaster Chen is not as famous as Great Master Li, his unique understanding and exquisite skills in defensive Spiritual Artifacts are not to be ignored. Furthermore, the value of the 'Azure Underworld Black Tortoise Shield' lies not only in its refiner but also in the powerful defensive power it contains."
Wan Tiancheng paused, his gaze sweeping across the hall. Seeing the varied expressions of the crowd, he continued: "Imagine, in the crisis-ridden cultivation world, a defensive Spiritual Artifact capable of withstanding a single blow from a Body Integration Realm expert is an extremely precious life-saving item for any Cultivator. It may not determine the victory of a battle, but it can provide a glimmer of hope, or even be the key to turning the tide of the battle, for its wielder at a critical moment."
Wan Tiancheng's words made the previously somewhat disappointed Cultivators re-examine the 'Azure Underworld Black Tortoise Shield'.
"The starting bid for this artifact: two hundred thousand High-Grade Spirit Stones, with each increment of ten thousand High-Grade Spirit Stones, time limit: one hundred breaths. Bidding officially begins now." After the introduction was almost complete, Wan Tiancheng immediately announced.
"Two hundred eleven thousand!"
"Two hundred twenty thousand!"
...
The bidding voices rose and fell, though the pace was not as rapid as before, and the price jumps were not as large.
The Auction rolled forward, and one by one, rare Auction items were showcased and successfully changed hands under Wan Tiancheng's charming commentary.
However, among these numerous Auction items, only a few Dao Artifacts refined by Great Master Li became the dazzling pearls that attracted everyone's attention. They seemed to have their own halos, causing a considerable stir every time they appeared.
Li Mu had clearly become the biggest beneficiary of this Auction. However, all of this came from the Auction of Dao Artifacts, Spirit Pills, and Spirit Medicine. There were not many opportunities for him to pick up bargains in this Auction.
Although he had already taken away many High Grade Spirit Objects from the Wanbao Pavilion warehouse in advance, among the Spirit Objects submitted by other participants in the Auction, only a handful of High Grade Spirit Objects truly touched his heartstrings. This made Li Mu somewhat dissatisfied.
In VIP Box 1, Li Mu's brows revealed a faint thoughtfulness as he watched the Auction proceed, hoping for a special treasure to appear.
Just then, Wan Tiancheng's voice rang out again, breaking the silence in the hall, with an unprecedented excitement in his tone, announcing: "Next, the item I am about to introduce will be one of the highlight items of this Auction, a Dao Rank Legacy."
"What!"
"How is this possible! Someone is willing to put a Dao Rank Legacy up for Auction?"
"What Legacy, Manager Wan, stop keeping us in suspense!"
...
As soon as Wan Tiancheng uttered these words, the Auction hall instantly erupted, the clamor surging like a tide, almost overturning the roof. The faces of the Void Refining Cultivators were filled with shock, doubt, desire, and they eagerly questioned him one after another.
A Dao Rank Legacy is not merely a stack of texts and diagrams; it is the crystallization of the wisdom and experience of countless predecessors and sages, a key to the supreme Dao, and even the crucial factor determining the rise and fall of a Sect or a noble family. The appearance of every Dao Rank Legacy can cause shifts in the landscape of top forces, enough to make countless powerful individuals flock to it, even at all costs, to claim it as their own.
"Everyone, please calm down. Please allow me to first present the Auction item." Wan Tiancheng smiled, raising his hand to gently quell the commotion in the hall.
Upon hearing this, the Void Refining Cultivators all quieted down, waiting for what came next.
They saw a flash of Formation light on the Auction stage, and a tray covered with a red cloth revealed itself.
However, when Wan Tiancheng slowly unveiled the red cloth, revealing the so-called "Dao Rank Legacy," the atmosphere in the entire hall suddenly became subtle. It was not the magnificent classic that everyone imagined, nor was it a radiant treasure, but rather an ancient, tattered scroll. On its cover, the words "Insect Scripture" were written in ancient seal script, its edges worn, appearing to have endured the vicissitudes of time.
"This... is this really the highlight Dao Rank Legacy?" A Void Refining Cultivator exclaimed in astonishment, his tone filled with disbelief.
"Manager Wan, are you perhaps joking? A fragmented 'Insect Scripture,' how can it be called a Dao Rank Legacy?" Another person questioned even more directly, and the hall immediately buzzed with discussions, questions and disappointment interwoven.
Facing the Cultivators' doubts, Wan Tiancheng smiled faintly, without any hint of embarrassment. He took a deep breath and said in a deep voice: "Fellow Daoists, please calm down and listen to me explain in detail. Although this Legacy, the 'Insect Scripture,' is incomplete, what it records is the essence of ancient insect-controlling techniques. This technique is no small matter; if one can comprehend even a little of it, they can walk alone in the cultivation world, and even in certain specific environments, unleash power beyond their Realm."
"However," Wan Tiancheng changed his tone, with a hint of helplessness, "the degree of incompleteness of this 'Insect Scripture' is extremely high, and many crucial parts have been lost. It is not easy to restore it. It is precisely because of this that it is considered a 'chicken rib' – something that makes people yearn for it, yet also makes them hesitate. Otherwise, a complete Dao Rank Legacy would not appear in this Auction hall."
As soon as these words were spoken, the clamor in the hall gradually subsided, and the Cultivators' faces showed complex expressions. They were both attracted by the mystery and potential of the "Insect Scripture" and disappointed and helpless by its incomplete state.
However, what Wan Tiancheng said was not without reason. The value of a Dao Rank Legacy was far beyond their reach. Every complete Dao Rank Legacy represented the crystallization of wisdom of one or several top experts, their summary and Legacy of profound understanding of the Laws of Heaven and Earth and natural Laws, and it was the foundation of a top Sect.
Looking at the thoughtful Cultivators below, Wan Tiancheng continued: "Perhaps you might think this incomplete 'Insect Scripture' has limited value, but in my opinion, it is a hidden path to a higher Realm. This incomplete volume is precisely a touchstone for testing our Cultivators' wisdom and perseverance. If someone can, by their own ability and Opportunity, thoroughly comprehend its essence, or even complete the missing parts, then the achievements and power they gain will be far beyond what a complete Dao Rank Legacy can compare to."
As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the hall changed again. A sense of determination and anticipation appeared in the Cultivators' eyes. They began to re-examine this seemingly useless incomplete "Insect Scripture," secretly pondering whether to attempt to challenge this unknown and possibility.
In Box 1, Li Mu's heart was even more turbulent, his gaze fervent, determined to obtain this Insect Scripture. (End of Chapter)
