bayedsolid Chapter 190 The Beginning of the Immortal Auction: Xiao Yao Enters the Scene
Chapter 190 The Beginning of the Immortal Auction: Xiao Yao Enters the Scene
The golden invitation felt cool to the touch, with a delicate texture. The five large characters "Immortal Realm Auction House" written on it in a flamboyant style seemed to possess some kind of magic, drawing me into the door carved with intricate patterns.
Stepping in feels like entering another world.
The magnificent hall, with stars swirling above the dome, resembled a vast starry sky.
A faint, ethereal aura permeated the air, refreshing and soothing.
Those coming and going were all elegantly dressed, otherworldly cultivators. The powerful aura emanating from them made it almost impossible for me to breathe.
I subconsciously touched my simple clothes, and a feeling of incongruity arose within me.
Once, I was a revered immortal, but now, in front of these true giants of the immortal realm, I am like a country girl just entering the world for the first time.
The cultivators around me cast scrutinizing glances my way from time to time. Their eyes were like sharp knives, scraping over me inch by inch, making me feel like I had thorns in my back.
I tried to straighten my back and remain calm, but my clenched palms were already soaked with sweat.
Linglong led me into a luxuriously decorated VIP room and said softly, "Immortal Venerable Xiao Yao, please wait a moment, the auction is about to begin."
I nodded, sat down in the soft chair, and tried to relax.
Through the one-way crystal window of the VIP room, I could see the bustling crowd in the lobby. Their laughter and bidding noises mingled together, flooding my ears like a tide, making me even more agitated.
I glanced casually at the storage bag of a wealthy merchant named Ouyang next to me. The bulging bag seemed to mock my own poverty.
I sighed inwardly. All my savings were nothing compared to these celestial giants.
The treasure I want to bid on...
Is it really possible to get it?
An unprecedented unease, like vines, coiled around my heart, almost suffocating me.
Suddenly, the lights in the hall dimmed, and a man dressed in magnificent robes walked onto the auction stage. He cleared his throat and announced in a loud voice, "Welcome, distinguished guests, to the Immortal Realm Auction House..."
My heart skipped a beat...
The auctioneer's voice was like a booming bell, reverberating throughout the hall and resonating in my heart.
He held a jade pendant that emitted a soft white light in his hand and introduced it: "This item is called 'Mind-Concentrating Jade,' which can help cultivators concentrate their minds and improve their cultivation speed. The starting bid is 10,000 immortal stones!"
As soon as I finished speaking, the hall erupted in a frenzy of bidding, with prices soaring and quickly exceeding my entire fortune.
I gripped the invitation tightly in my hand, my knuckles turning white, my heart filled with helplessness.
Ten thousand immortal stones is an astronomical figure for me.
I could only watch helplessly as the price of Concentration Jade soared, and there was nothing I could do about it.
Sitting next to me, the wealthy businessman Ouyang held up his sign with a smug look on his face, each time he raised the price with a hint of showing off.
His voice was loud and clear, as if he were afraid others wouldn't hear him: "Twenty thousand immortal stones!"
He turned to look at me, a mocking smile playing on his lips. I could feel the contempt in his eyes, and a surge of anger burned within me, almost bursting forth.
I bit my lip tightly, trying hard to control myself and not lose my composure in front of him.
The air around them seemed to freeze, filled with an awkward and tense atmosphere.
I took a deep breath and told myself to calm down.
I cannot let him provoke me, nor can I let him look down on me.
Although I don't have enough immortal stones right now, it doesn't mean I'll never get what I want.
I will definitely find a way to improve my strength and earn more immortal stones.
“Fifty thousand immortal stones!” Ouyang the wealthy merchant’s voice rang out again, tinged with a hint of smugness and provocation.
I closed my eyes, trying to calm the turmoil in my heart.
The bidding around me grew increasingly fierce, and the prices rose higher and higher, but I couldn't hear anything anymore.
Only one thought occupied my mind: I must become stronger!
Suddenly, a deep and magnetic voice rang out: "Ten thousand immortal stones!"
The sound, like a thunderclap, instantly stunned the entire audience.
All eyes were drawn to the source of the sound, a handsome man dressed in a black robe.
He sat quietly in the VIP room, exuding a mysterious and powerful aura.
A thought struck me, and I involuntarily looked towards the auction stage.
A look of surprise appeared on the auctioneer's face.
He paused, then slowly said, "One hundred thousand immortal stones per time..."
His voice trembled slightly, almost imperceptibly.
My heart started racing, and a strange premonition welled up inside me...
"This fellow Daoist has offered 100,000 immortal stones," he paused, his gaze sweeping across the room, "Is there anyone offering a higher bid?"
Ouyang, the wealthy merchant, froze on his face; the price of 100,000 immortal stones had clearly exceeded his expectations.
He glared at me fiercely, as if blaming me for stealing his thunder.
I had no time to consider his feelings; all my attention was focused on the mysterious man.
Who is he?
Why pay such a high price?
The auctioneer looked around and, seeing no one else bidding, announced loudly, "100,000 immortal stones twice! 100,000 immortal stones three times! Sold!"
With that final decision, my heart finally settled.
Although I didn't manage to bid on the Mind-Concentrating Jade, this bidding process showed me the cruelty and intensity of auctions in the Celestial Realm.
For the next few items, I didn't participate in the bidding; I simply observed the other bidders quietly and learned their bidding techniques.
The auctioneer was a charming man. When he introduced the treasures, his gaze would occasionally linger on me, with a hint of barely perceptible appreciation.
I noticed his gaze, and my heart started pounding, my cheeks flushing slightly.
I quickly lowered my head, pretending to be focused on studying the auction catalog in my hands, to hide my panic.
Finally, a treasure I had longed for appeared—a "Purifying Heart Pearl" that could enhance spiritual awareness.
The starting bid is 1,000 immortal stones, which is exactly what I can afford.
As soon as the bidding started, the price soared and quickly reached five thousand immortal stones.
I took a deep breath and prepared to make an offer.
Just then, I noticed a tiny crack on the Mind-Clearing Pearl. The crack was almost imperceptible, but my divine sense clearly detected its existence.
A thought struck me, and I said loudly, "Fellow Daoists, although this Mind-Clearing Pearl is precious, upon closer inspection, there is a fine crack on it, which will affect its efficacy. I offer five thousand five hundred immortal stones."
My words were like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples.
The bidders began to re-examine the Qingxin Pearl, and the originally fierce bidding gradually subsided.
In the end, I successfully bid for the Heart-Clearing Pearl for 5,500 Immortal Stones.
I was secretly delighted. Although this Tranquil Heart Pearl had its flaws, it was enough for me.
Holding the Heart-Cleansing Pearl, my heart was filled with joy.
At this moment, a maid walked up to me and said respectfully, "Immortal Venerable Xiao Yao, Venerable Xuanfeng invites you to his VIP room for a chat."
My heart skipped a beat… Venerable Xuanfeng? What does he want with me?
I followed the maid through the long corridor, my heart filled with unease.
Venerable Xuanfeng, this name is legendary. He is a very famous figure in the immortal realm. I never thought I would have any interaction with him.
Why did he contact me?
The maid led me to a more luxurious VIP room and gently knocked on the door.
"Come in." A deep voice came from inside.
I took a deep breath and pushed the door open.
Inside the room, a man dressed in a long black robe stood with his back to me by the window. He was tall and slender, with a noble air, and exuded an aura of majesty that made people afraid to look directly at him.
"Venerable Xuanfeng." I bowed respectfully.
He slowly turned around, revealing an incomparably handsome face.
His eyes were as deep as the sea, as if they could see through everything.
"You are Xiao Yao?" His voice was deep and magnetic, with a hint of scrutiny that was barely perceptible.
I nodded, feeling even more uneasy.
"You're quite good," he said casually, a meaningful smile playing on his lips. "I admire your taste."
His words left me somewhat confused.
I merely photographed a flawed Qingxin Pearl; what is there for him to appreciate about that?
"You were able to spot the flaw in the Mind-Clearing Pearl, which shows that your spiritual sense is very strong." He seemed to see through my doubts and explained, "Although this Mind-Clearing Pearl has flaws, the energy it contains is far beyond the ordinary. You got a great deal by bidding for it at a low price."
His words delighted me. It seems my judgment was indeed correct.
“You have great potential,” he continued. “I hope you will continue to work hard and you will surely achieve great things in the future.”
His praise made me feel both excited and a little pressured.
I never imagined that I would gain the appreciation of Venerable Xuanfeng.
After leaving Venerable Xuanfeng's VIP room, I noticed that the way the cultivators around me were looking at me had changed.
They no longer showed the same contempt and disdain as before, but rather a sense of awe and curiosity.
I became the center of attention, which felt strange but also made me a little uneasy.
For the next few items, I simply observed them quietly and did not participate in the bidding.
My funds are limited, so I must use the magic stones wisely.
The key treasure I've been longing for hasn't appeared yet...
Suddenly, the lights in the hall dimmed again, and the auctioneer's voice rang out once more, tinged with excitement: "Next, we will be auctioning the grand finale of this auction—..."