Auction

Time flew like a shuttle. Less than half a month remained until the Spirit Sealing Grotto-Heaven ruins opened.

Shen Yi had chosen to remain in secluded cultivation and had now reached the third layer of the Qi Condensation Realm.

"Begin simulation."

Simulation in progress. Remaining simulations this month: 0.

First year: The Spirit Sealing Grotto-Heaven ruins opened. You entered alongside your fellow disciples but encountered Space Turbulence. Separated from your companions, you explored alone.

Second year: You were pursued by an enemy but managed to escape. After enduring a series of trials, you returned safely.

Third year: You fell into an enemy's trap, was imprisoned, tortured, and died.

Simulation ended. Reward obtained: Foundation Establishment Attack Jade Slip (single use only).

The simulation complete, a jade slip appeared in Shen Yi's hand. He then laid out a map and a half-missing Stone Key before him.

"These three items are the gains from the past three months of simulations. The map's use goes without saying, and the jade slip can serve as a life-saving measure. As for this key—its purpose remains unclear for now."

Today happened to be Ningzhou City's annual auction. The auction house had long since sent an invitation, requesting Shen Yi's attendance.

"After so long in secluded cultivation, it's time to relax a little."

With that thought, Shen Yi picked up the invitation on the table and headed toward the auction house.

Though it was still early, the auction house was already packed to overflowing. Many people raised their Cosmic Bags, hoping to gain entry through sheer wealth, but were all stopped by the guards.

"Kid, get lost! Take a piss and look at your own sorry reflection—you think you can join tonight's auction?"

Shen Yi had barely steadied himself when he felt a hand grab his shoulder with force, trying to shove him aside. A flicker of anger rose in him—he hadn't expected someone to bully him outright. He turned sharply and saw a man wrapped in layers of fat, his rotund body stuffed into lavish robes. Clearly, he was some rich family's spoiled brat.

Seeing that he couldn't budge Shen Yi at all, the man grew furious and was about to call his attendants to join in. Shen Yi channeled his spiritual power, gave a slight shrug of his shoulder, and sent the fat man flying, crashing into his own servants.

Without looking back, Shen Yi walked straight to the guard and presented his invitation.

"Shen Yi!"

The guard, who had been wearing an expression of eager amusement, suddenly turned respectful. He courteously invited Shen Yi inside, leaving the fat man stunned, nearly in tears. He scrambled to his feet and fled, no longer having any thought of entering the auction, let alone seeking revenge.

Inside the auction house, a female attendant greeted Shen Yi as soon as he entered, handing him a mask to conceal his identity.

"Tonight is the final auction of Myriad Gold Auction House. Please rest here for a while, Young Master Shen. The auction will begin shortly." The attendant served him a cup of tea and then stepped aside.

Standing at the entrance of his private booth, Shen Yi looked down at the main hall below, already packed with people. A wave of noise surged upward, filling his ears. Every attendee wore a mask, their auras concealed.

The bright surroundings suddenly dimmed, and the center of the auction floor lit up. A Thousand-Year Night Pearl radiated a soft glow, illuminating the entire auction stage.

Then, a spirited old man appeared before the crowd. The audience below rose to their feet and bowed to him.

"Young Master may not know, but that man is the Chief Elder of Myriad Gold Auction House, Jin Wánliǎng. He has already reached the Golden Core Stage."

Listening to the attendant's explanation, Shen Yi felt a flicker of surprise and grew even more eager for the night's offerings.

Jin Wánliǎng waved his hand, and five boxes of identical size floated into the air—the five auction items of the night. Unfortunately, they were all sealed in jade boxes, their contents hidden from view.

"Ladies and gentlemen, these are tonight's five items. Same rules as always—blind auction!"

The hall erupted into lively chatter as everyone speculated about the contents of the boxes, excitement written on their faces. Watching the scene, Shen Yi felt a bit dazed. Blind boxes were this popular in this world too?

"Young Master need not worry. These five items are no ordinary goods. Whether they are worth the price depends entirely on your luck."

"The first item: starting bid, five thousand Spirit Stones. Each raise must be no less than one thousand Spirit Stones."

Before Jin Wánliǎng had even finished speaking, bids rang out from the crowd.

"Ten thousand Spirit Stones!"

"Twenty thousand Spirit Stones!" Another bid followed close behind.

The price climbed rapidly, reaching fifty thousand Spirit Stones in no time.

Shen Yi felt a surge of excitement but did not bid. The first item had already exceeded his expectations.

The bidding continued for a while longer before finally dying down. Then, a voice came from the booth to Shen Yi's right: "Seventy thousand!"

As soon as the bid was placed, the hall fell silent.

Seeing no further bids, Jin Wánliǎng struck his gavel, then opened the first jade box. A wave of heat swept through the hall.

"Congratulations to this fellow cultivator for acquiring a Thousand-Year Vermilion Bird Fruit!"

Many faces showed regret, but their eyes quickly turned eagerly to the second item.

"The second item also starts at five thousand Spirit Stones, with each raise no less than two thousand Spirit Stones."

Again, before he could finish, bids erupted from the crowd.

"Seven thousand Spirit Stones!"

"I bid nine thousand!"

"This old man offers fifteen thousand Spirit Stones. I ask my fellow cultivators to show some courtesy!"

"Your courtesy is yours, but mine is mine! Thirty thousand Spirit Stones!"

In this tense atmosphere, the price of the second item had already neared sixty thousand Spirit Stones. At the current pace, it would soon climb to seventy thousand. Shen Yi's fingers tapped lightly on his Cosmic Ring, as if weighing a decision.

"Eighty thousand!"

Shen Yi calmly called out the price, and the hall immediately fell into dead silence. The sudden jump to eighty thousand Spirit Stones caught many off guard. Everyone inwardly calculated, considering whether to raise the bid again, but in the end, they gave up.

"Eighty thousand Spirit Stones, going once!"

"Eighty thousand Spirit Stones, going twice!"

"Eighty thousand Spirit Stones, going three times!"

With a thump, Jin Wánliǎng struck the copper hammer. "Sold! Congratulations to this fellow cultivator for winning the second lot at eighty thousand Spirit Stones!"

Shen Yi breathed a sigh of relief—he had finally secured it. Eighty thousand Spirit Stones was his absolute limit, and fortunately, his gamble had paid off. Now he looked forward even more to seeing what this second lot actually was.

"This second lot is a Stone Casket!"

Jin Wánliǎng opened the jade box and drew out a stone casket about a zhang in length. The casket was carved with patterns, but the center was recessed—clearly the mechanism for opening it.

"Ah, so it's a Stone Casket that can't be opened. What a pity, what a pity."

"Even if there's a treasure inside, if you can't open it, it's like wearing brocade in the dark. This fellow cultivator has taken a loss."

At the sight, the crowd began to speak up, some mocking, others relieved. Only Shen Yi's eyes flashed with a sharp gleam—the recess on the Stone Casket seemed somewhat similar to the broken half of the Stone Key in his hand.