Mysterious Spirit Tool (Part 1)

Ling Yun led the few people to a secluded corner and began to survey the venue.

It had to be said, there were quite a few people at this auction, and it was almost fully occupied wherever his gaze landed.

Among them were representatives from various major powers. A quick scan revealed four or five martial halls alone!

Ling Yun even spotted the Black Tiger Martial Hall's emblem not far from them.

Ma Ruhu was clearly among them, currently speaking in a low voice to an elder beside him with a look of reverence.

The elder was dressed in a black robe and had a sinister expression. He looked somewhat familiar.

After a brief recollection, Ling Yun quickly recognized him as the master of the Black Tiger Martial Hall.

He recalled that after their first meeting on the day he entered the martial hall, this guy had disappeared for several months. He hadn't expected to see him here now.

He figured the elder must also be here for that spirit tool.

At this moment, the elder seemed to sense something. He suddenly frowned and swept his sharp gaze around, but found nothing.

The strange gaze from before had vanished without a trace, like a fish entering the sea.

"Master, what's wrong?" Ma Ruhu also noticed his anomaly and asked with some confusion.

"It's nothing. Perhaps I was mistaken."

The elder pondered for a moment, shook his head, and indicated he was fine, though he secretly became somewhat vigilant.

"As expected of a veteran Spirit Conduit Realm martial artist."

Ling Yun withdrew his gaze, unable to help but admire the elder's keen senses.

If he hadn't reacted quickly just now, he might have been discovered by this old fellow.

Zhang Mu, sitting beside him, unaware of what had just happened, leaned over and whispered.

"Master Ling, the spirit tool you want will likely be the final item, the grand finale."

"Judging by the situation here, people from various factions are likely here for that item. We need to be prepared in advance."

Ling Yun nodded, agreeing with his assessment.

Throughout the entire auction, it was likely only that mysterious spirit tool that could draw so many factions here, like sharks smelling blood.

This also showed the strength of the Demon Suppression Division; a mere spirit tool could stir up such a storm.

Ling Yun shook his head, no longer dwelling on it, and turned his attention back to the auction.

The items being auctioned were no longer the porcelain bottles from before, but had been replaced by an ancient painting, seemingly by a master.

However, no matter how Ling Yun looked at it, he couldn't discern any mystery in it. He felt it would be too rough even to wipe his backside with.

Yet, for such a painting, the bidding continued unabated. In just a short while, the price had already jumped to several hundred taels.

Finally, it was bought by a somewhat portly merchant for a high price of seven hundred taels.

Ling Yun could only sigh, thinking these people truly had too much money to spend.

The subsequent auction items were also mostly antiques, calligraphy, paintings, spirit herbs, and elixirs.

Although the spirit herbs and elixirs had good effects, they no longer held any appeal for him in his current state.

No matter how flowery the descriptions were, Ling Yun remained uninterested. After watching for a while, he simply closed his eyes out of boredom.

His companions behind him, however, were still enjoying themselves. Zhang Mu, after receiving his permission, even bid on a uniquely designed jade hairpin.

Judging by the smile on the young man's face, Ling Yun wondered which fair lady it was intended for.

Thus, as one item after another was sold, the auction gradually approached its end.

Just as everyone was eagerly anticipating the final highlight, the beautiful auctioneer who had been hosting suddenly bowed apologetically and retired from the stage with a hoarse voice.

As the lights brightened again, an elder with a ruddy complexion appeared on stage.

Simultaneously, twelve robust men stood scattered around, their faces filled with vigilance as they scanned their surroundings.

Judging by their auras, they were all Intent Conduit Realm martial artists!

Especially the elder. Although he was thin and didn't look particularly remarkable, his aura was far more powerful than that of the burly men beside him!

In front of the elder, a mysterious item covered by a white cloth lay quietly. It was undoubtedly the main event of this auction.

Seeing the numerous fervent gazes around him, the elder coughed lightly, and an invisible pressure spread out, quickly enveloping the entire venue!

Instantly, the entire hall fell silent.

The ordinary people were fine, at most feeling a slight tightness in their chests.

But for the martial artists who possessed blood energy, it was as if they were carrying a massive boulder, and even the circulation of their blood energy became sluggish.

Ling Yun's expression remained calm, unaffected. Instead, he observed the elder with keen interest.

This man was likely the strongest martial artist he had encountered so far.

Judging by his aura, he was only one step away from breaking through to the Bloodforging Realm.

It was a pity, though. Despite his strong blood energy, it carried a hint of decay, making a breakthrough seem unlikely.

He then glanced at Zhang Mu and the others behind him, whose faces were flushed red. Ling Yun's body trembled slightly as he dispelled the pressure that had been enveloping them.

The others finally breathed a sigh of relief, looking at his retreating figure with eyes full of gratitude and reverence.

Meanwhile, the elder on the stage, seeing the solemn expressions of those around him, nodded slightly and withdrew his oppressive aura.

His gaze swept subtly over several areas that had not been affected by him just now; these were places worthy of special attention.

Among them was Ling Yun's location.

Seeing that the effect had been achieved, the elder smiled and said, "First, I thank everyone for taking time out of your busy schedules to grace our auction house with your presence."

"My name is Ge Xu, and I am specifically in charge of the auction of this final item."

"I won't waste any more time with pleasantries; I'm sure everyone is eager."

"So, without further ado, please behold the highlight of this auction, the Low-Grade Spirit Tool - Thousand Machines!"

As the elder's voice fell, the white cloth in front of him was slowly pulled away, revealing the true appearance of the covered item.

"This is..."

However, when everyone saw the so-called Spirit Tool clearly, they were all stunned.

What was displayed on the tray was not a weapon, nor armor, but an egg, the size of a chicken egg...

That's right, it was an egg!

In terms of shape and color, it looked exactly like the eggs they ate every day!

After a brief silence, the entire venue erupted with countless doubts.

"This junk can be called a Spirit Tool? I could pick up a rock by the roadside and it would be better than this!"

"Heh, are you auctioneers trying to fool us?"

"Ge Xu, I hope your establishment can provide a proper explanation."

"Damn it, give us our money back!"

At this moment, Ling Yun looked at the "egg" with a hint of bewilderment.

He had never expected the Spirit Tool he had been anticipating for so long to be something like this.

Setting aside whether this thing was actually a Spirit Tool, even if it were, he couldn't possibly smash people with this egg, could he?

However, seeing the elder on stage still composed, Ling Yun's heart stirred, and he calmed himself down again.

It seemed this egg held some hidden secret.