Chapter 1 The Beginning
The first auction item had already reached a staggering five million eight hundred thousand, making some cultivators with insufficient spiritual crystals feel uneasy. This auction seemed to be exceptionally competitive.
"Next, we have the second auction item," the woman in red waved her hand, and ten treasure bottles appeared on the auction stage.
"Earth Heart Saliva, ten portions in total, with one portion of Earth Heart Saliva in each treasure bottle. The ten bottles of Earth Heart Saliva will be auctioned separately, with a starting bid of one million spiritual crystals per portion."
"I presume I don't need to introduce the effects of Earth Heart Saliva to everyone? Since that's the case, let's begin."
"One million and five!" a Golden Core realm cultivator shouted. He had sold a spiritual treasure to prepare over a million spiritual crystals, all for the Earth Heart Saliva. One portion of Earth Heart Saliva would be enough to allow him to cultivate to the peak of the Golden Core realm.
After his bid, no one else followed. In the end, the Golden Core realm cultivator successfully bid for it at the price of one million and five.
While Earth Heart Saliva was precious, its effect on cultivators above the Golden Core realm was not significant. Furthermore, with ten portions being auctioned and a starting bid of one million, the price was already considered quite high, making it difficult to fetch a higher price. The remaining nine portions of Earth Heart Saliva were all sold at prices close to the starting bid. During this time, Zhang Fan also bid and acquired one portion.
After acquiring one portion of Earth Heart Saliva, although there were many other treasures that caught his eye, he did not bid. After all, he did not have an abundance of spiritual crystals.
After the auction of dozens of treasures, it was finally time for the item Zhang Fan had been eagerly awaiting...
"The next item to be auctioned is something I believe everyone has been looking forward to. Hong Yi will not waste any more time." The woman in red waved her long sleeves, and a black, withered branch, like that of a dead tree, appeared on the auction stage. Its appearance immediately captured the attention of everyone present. Although it was just a withered branch resembling rotten wood, it seemed to possess a unique magical charm that stirred the soul.
"This is a withered branch of the Du'e Tree. The starting bid is eight million spiritual crystals," the woman in red announced in a clear and resonant voice that spread throughout the hall. This starting bid was far below the market price, yet for a moment, no one bid. The withered branch of the Du'e Tree was indeed extremely precious, but its price made most of those present unable to afford it.
"Ten million!" A young man sitting in the front row bid, his demeanor quite imposing. With his opening bid, he increased the price by two million. "This person is Li Ruhuan, the young master of the Li family in Wuning City. He has overcome the third Heavenly Tribulation before the age of a hundred and is quite renowned in Wuning City." "Looking at his posture, he might become a strong competitor to fellow Daoist Haotian," Shangguan Jing said with a smile when she saw Zhang Fan cast a glance at the young man. Zhang Fan remained noncommittal and did not speak.
"Eleven million!" Another voice rang out, adding one million. "Patriarch Wang, if you're interested, why not bid a little more generously?" The young master of the Li family glanced at the person bidding, and upon seeing it was the old fellow Wang Juetian, he couldn't help but mock, "Fifteen million!"
"Hmph!" Being mocked by a junior, Wang Juetian's old face looked displeased. However, the Li family's strength was not inferior to their Wang family, and perhaps even stronger. He was helpless.
"Sixteen million!" Wang Juetian bid another million. The young master of the Li family and Wang Juetian engaged in a bidding war, while other cultivators were happy to watch, no one interfering.
"I must have this withered branch of the Du'e Tree. Eighteen million." The young master of the Li family seemed to have full confidence, increasing the bid by no less than two million each time, even issuing a defiant challenge to Wang Juetian. At this price, Wang Juetian could only shake his head in resignation and give up. Seeing that Wang Juetian no longer bid, the young master of the Li family revealed a triumphant smile. However, a cold voice suddenly dropped, causing his face to stiffen slightly.
"Twenty million!" Zhang Fan followed the sound and saw a short middle-aged man. Li Ruhuan also looked at the short middle-aged man and frowned slightly. He had never seen this man before, so he was likely a cultivator from another city. Li Ruhuan had been so confident earlier because he knew Wang Juetian's bottom line was eighteen million spiritual crystals. Beyond that, he would definitely not bid again. Therefore, he had not prepared many spiritual crystals this time. This short man's bid of twenty million spiritual crystals was approaching his limit.
Just as Li Ruhuan hesitated, a voice completely dispelled his idea of continuing to bid.
"Twenty-one million!" Seeing that the time was almost right, Zhang Fan finally spoke. His bid immediately attracted the attention of the entire hall. Wang Juetian even lowered his gaze to look at Zhang Fan, clearly recognizing him as the culprit who had crippled his son.
"Twenty-two million!" The short man also glanced at Zhang Fan and bid one million.
"Twenty-five million!" Zhang Fan didn't even lift his eyelids, directly increasing the bid by three million, which surprised all the cultivators present. Such generosity was probably unmatched by few in Wuning City. Facing such an astronomical price, the short man's eyes flickered several times before he finally fell silent. However, Zhang Fan's face was deeply imprinted in his heart, and a killing intent gradually rose within him.
In the end, Zhang Fan acquired this withered branch of the Du'e Tree for the sky-high price of twenty-five million, a price comparable to a low-grade Heavenly Treasure for a mere withered branch. Luo Xiaoxiao, standing beside him, stared at her master with wide eyes. She had never expected her master to be so wealthy. Although she had become Zhang Fan's disciple, she knew nothing about his strength or his background. When the gavel fell, Zhang Fan couldn't help but heave a sigh of relief. The last main material for refining the Blood Refinement Divine Weapon had finally been gathered.
"Fellow Daoist Haotian is as extravagant as ever!" Shangguan Jing also sighed. The Black Sand Cave Heaven's bounty of fifty million spiritual crystals to assassinate Zhang Fan was truly looking down on him. After all, the treasures Zhang Fan possessed now were worth far more than fifty million.
Zhang Fan was not interested in the subsequent auction items. After the auction ended, a server approached Zhang Fan and led him and Luo Xiaoxiao into a luxuriously decorated private room.
"Sir, this is the Du'e Tree withered branch and the portion of Earth Heart Saliva you bid for this time." The woman in red personally received Zhang Fan, placing a jade bottle and the withered branch on the table.
"A total of twenty-six million one hundred thousand spiritual crystals, correct?" Zhang Fan asked, looking at the woman in red.
"Sir, the price for the Du'e Tree withered branch you bid for this time far exceeded the previous auction prices. This portion of Earth Heart Saliva is complimentary for you," the woman in red said with a smile. Zhang Fan nodded and did not stand on ceremony. He threw a storage bag to the woman in red, then waved his hand to collect the withered branch of the Du'e Tree and the portion of Earth Heart Saliva on the table.
"Sir, you don't seem like a cultivator from Wuning City?" After confirming the spiritual crystal count, the woman in red's charming face revealed a smile as she looked at Zhang Fan and asked. Zhang Fan looked at the woman in red, not answering her question. He said, "I have some matters to attend to, so I will take my leave now." With that, he left the Mo Xiang Tower with Luo Xiaoxiao. Watching Zhang Fan's receding figure, the woman in red's lips curved slightly, her eyes gradually deepening, her thoughts unknown.
...