Zhang Ergou nodded, the price having already soared to five hundred thousand.
These noble families and sects showed no intention of yielding. Hundreds of thousands of low-grade spirit stones were but a drop in the ocean to them.
"Five hundred and fifty thousand low-grade spirit stones," someone from the Eastern Region's Qi family bid again.
"Eight hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones. My Liuhai Sect wants this Divine Sun Finger." The middle-aged beautiful woman from Liuhai Sect spoke again.
She had increased the price by two hundred and fifty thousand in one go.
Some of the noble families and sects began to withdraw from the competition.
Spending nearly a million spirit stones for a Profound tier cultivation technique was truly not worth it.
In a private room, an elder from the Qi family had an extremely grim expression. Facing the powerful Liuhai Sect, he felt a sense of powerlessness.
"Since Fairy Hua of Liuhai Sect intends to obtain this cultivation technique, then this Qi shall reluctantly concede."
Despite his displeasure, the Qi family elder did not impulsively challenge Liuhai Sect. Offending the powerful Liuhai Sect at this moment would be an unwise choice.
"Liuhai Sect bids eight hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones. Does any fellow Daoist offer a higher price?"
Seeing the auction hall fall silent, Elder Yang stepped forward again to inquire.
He did not feel awkward at this silence.
"Very well, eight hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones for the first time."
"Eight hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones for the second time."
"Eight hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones for the third time."
*Crack!*
"Congratulations to Liuhai Sect for acquiring the Profound tier fire-elemental skill cultivation technique: Divine Sun Finger for eight hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones."
As Elder Yang's words fell, the highly anticipated Divine Sun Finger was secured by Liuhai Sect.
Next, a maidservant presented another tray, on which lay a jade slip.
"The second auction item is called Gale Step, a Profound tier wind-elemental skill cultivation technique. This technique also focuses on cultivation speed. When cultivated to perfection, it allows for instantaneous movement, covering a distance of ten zhang in the blink of an eye."
Elder Yang slowly explained, observing the eager crowd.
"Gale Step, a wind-elemental Profound tier skill cultivation technique, starting at thirty thousand low-grade spirit stones. Bids must increase by no less than five thousand low-grade spirit stones each time. Bidding begins."
It was clear that Elder Yang knew Gale Step was inferior to Divine Sun Finger. As a Profound tier technique, its starting price was a full twenty thousand lower.
Ultimately, Gale Step was purchased by a man in white for one hundred and eighty thousand low-grade spirit stones.
The auction continued with fierce competition.
The cultivators, far from finding it dull, were instead high-spirited due to the atmosphere, as if they had been injected with a dose of adrenaline.
Zhang Ergou and the others were also infected by this excitement, with Zi Lin even standing on her seat.
As one cultivation technique after another was presented, each one caused an uproar among the cultivators in the hall.
The auction reached one climax after another. Not only the rogue cultivators in the main hall, but even the major families and sects in the private rooms joined in the intense bidding.
Although the auction remained lively, most of the items were Profound tier cultivation techniques, and the highest price did not exceed five hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones.
Even so, the Black Xuan Pavilion, as the organizer, was making a fortune.
Elder Yang stood on the high platform with a smile, his heart filled with pride as he surveyed the fiery scene.
"What is about to be auctioned next is also the grand finale treasure of this stage. I believe many fellow Daoists present are here for it."
After concluding the auction of a Profound tier water-elemental skill cultivation technique, Elder Yang once again piqued everyone's interest.
As Elder Yang's voice faded, the auction hall fell into silence, followed by a burst of intense discussion.
"Is the legend true? Will there really be an Earth tier cultivation technique auctioned today?"
"Of course it's true. Don't forget who is holding the auction. While other sects and families hoard Earth tier cultivation techniques as treasures, the Black Xuan Pavilion, with its vast wealth, can naturally afford to auction one."
"No wonder all the noble families and sects are here today. Are they all here for this Earth tier cultivation technique?"
Fierce discussions erupted throughout the hall.
Zhang Ergou looked at the mysterious Elder Yang in surprise. Clearly, he too was hearing about an Earth tier cultivation technique being among the auction items for the first time today.
"Zi Lin, is what they're saying about an Earth tier cultivation technique true?"
"It should be. We just don't know which one it is. Black Xuan Pavilion had previously spread rumors about two major treasures being auctioned today, so this is likely one of them."
Zi Lin nodded and suddenly turned her head, her big eyes fixed on Zhang Ergou.
"You're not thinking of bidding for the Earth tier cultivation technique, are you?"
"Hehe!" Zhang Ergou revealed an embarrassed expression.
"I advise you to save your energy. Even if we sell all three of us, we might not be able to contend for that Earth tier cultivation technique," the chubby Xiong Bao interjected to dampen his spirits.
"Why?"
"You'll know soon enough."
Elder Yang on the high platform calmly observed the discussions in the hall. Once the chatter subsided, he cleared his throat and spoke.
"What all my fellow Daoists have said is correct. The item to be auctioned next is indeed an Earth tier cultivation technique."
"Hiss!"
Upon Elder Yang's confirmation, a collective gasp of cold air swept through the hall.
"This Earth tier cultivation technique was chanced upon by our Pavilion Master during his travels. After our Pavilion Master's appraisal, this Earth tier cultivation technique can also be advanced."
"What? An Earth tier cultivation technique that can be advanced?"
"Even if it means going bankrupt, we must fight for it!"
"Give it a rest. With your meager possessions, how can you compete with the major families and sects? Just watch the show."
The Black Xuan Pavilion Master was a legendary cultivator in the Nascent Soul stage. His appraisal further solidified everyone's desire to contend.
"This cultivation technique is named Divine Wood Ballad, an early-stage Earth tier wood-elemental cultivation technique. As you all know, wood-elemental cultivation techniques can not only be used for offense but also for healing."
"The strength of Divine Wood Ballad lies in its ability to heal any non-fatal injuries within an hour once cultivated to perfection."
"Its method of advancement will only reveal itself upon reaching perfection. I shall not elaborate further."
Hearing that Divine Wood Ballad possessed such powerful capabilities, everyone in the hall immediately descended into madness.
They eagerly awaited Elder Yang to announce the starting bid.
Having tantalized everyone's desires, even the noble families and sects in the private rooms were now nervously watching Elder Yang on the high platform.
"Divine Wood Ballad, an early-stage Earth tier wood-elemental cultivation technique. The starting bid is five hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones. Bids must increase by no less than one hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones each time."
"Bidding now begins."
Elder Yang's resonant voice spread to every corner of the hall.
"One million low-grade spirit stones." As soon as Elder Yang finished speaking, someone raised their paddle and bid.
"One million two hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones."
At the very beginning, the price of Divine Wood Ballad had already doubled. This was merely the bid from the rogue cultivators in the main hall.
The noble families and sects in the private rooms, acting in unison, remained silent for the moment.
They understood that bidding now would be meaningless, so everyone in the private rooms maintained their silence.
However, their eyes burned with fervor.
There was one exception amongst them: Shi Wuhen of the Beast Taming Peak of the Misty Sect, who was calmly sipping his tea.
Clearly, his target was not this Earth tier cultivation technique.