The auction began

Although Qiao Bufan had a notorious reputation and was not a good person, he was still a cultivator at the Return to Simplicity Realm. However, Lu Yuling killed him in one move, and no one present could even see what method Lu Yuling used. This move caused everyone present to change their expressions.

"This woman definitely has the strength to be ranked on the Dragon Phoenix Ranking. Judging from her appearance, she's only in her early twenties..." The Sarira Skeleton Yin Gu, its eyes fixed on Lu Yuling, spoke.

Yin Gu's words truly resonated with many. Lu Yuling's ability to instantly kill Qiao Bufan demonstrated strength sufficient to qualify for the Dragon Phoenix Ranking, and even achieve a very good ranking. Yet, she didn't participate. Could it be that the Asura Sect has far more geniuses than those who demonstrate talent?

"Alright, the troublesome fellow has been dealt with. Now, let's look at the first item for auction," Lu Yuling said after glancing at the Asura Sect Disciples and dragging away the crippled Qiao Bufan, who was either dead or already disabled.

The strength she displayed has made it impossible for anyone to harbor any malicious thoughts towards her.

As Lu Yuling finished speaking, a female disciple, carrying a brocade box, slowly walked up and opened the box. Inside, a pale purple mirror could be seen.

Judging from the appearance of this mirror, it seems to be very old, full of an antique feel, and there are many cracks on it, but it does not conceal the powerful aura contained within it.

"With the Dragon Phoenix Ranking about to begin, our Asura Sect has put up nine auction items. The first item is the Thorn Mirror, Mystical Treasure Artifact. Although this Treasure Artifact is badly damaged, its value is still immense. The person wearing this Thorn Mirror has one chance per day to defend against one attack. Moreover, this mirror itself possesses strong defensive capabilities."

Nine items for auction—the number is indeed small, but their quality is truly exceptional. The very first item presented was Treasure Artifact weapon of the highest level; naturally, the value of the subsequent items would increase exponentially.

"Alright, the starting price for this Thorn Mirror is twenty mid-grade Spirit Stone. Now, everyone can begin bidding," said Lu Yuling, her beautiful eyes scanning the room to make sure everyone understood the value of the Thorn Mirror.

Twenty-one.

Twenty-two.

Twenty-five...

As Lu Yuling finished speaking, bids poured in, clearly indicating that many people were interested in this magical Treasure Artifact, the Thorn Mirror. However, Zhuge Xiang did not place a bid. Although the Thorn Mirror was a good item, it seemed somewhat useless to Zhuge Xiang.

Soon, the Thorn Mirror was sold to Yin Gu for thirty-five mid-grade Spirit Stone. Next, the second item up for auction was a Pill that could temporarily increase attack power. Zhuge didn't make a move either, but Zhang Kuang bought it for forty mid-grade Spirit Stone.

After that, one item after another was auctioned off, but Zhuge Xiang did not make a move, quietly waiting for the so-called Shennong Drink to appear.

"Alright, next up is a precious medicinal herb, a Ginseng that is two thousand years old." Then, when Lu Yuling announced the seventh item for auction, Zhuge Xiang's eyes lit up slightly.

Ginseng is a well-known tonic and a major ingredient in most Pill. The older the ginseng, the stronger its medicinal effects. A two-thousand-year-old Ginseng can be considered a top-grade product.

To this day, Zhuge Xiang has never seen a Thousand Year Ginseng, let alone a two-thousand-year-old Ginseng. Such a top-grade Ginseng, he believes, could grant immense power simply by consuming it.

Of course, what Zhuge Xiang cared about even more was the recipe for the Sun Water, with Ginseng being the most important ingredient.

Sun Water Recipe (Potion Recipe): Requires a beginner rank 8 Pill Alchemist. Required materials: 1 Thousand Year Ginseng, 1 Heavenly Dragon Water, 2 Heavenly Immortal Herb, 1 Spirit Fat. Effects: Instantly increases HP and MP by 500 points. Cooldown time: 60 seconds.

The Sun Water Recipe has been in Zhuge Xiang's hands for a long time, but Zhuge Xiang has never actually refined it. Ultimately, the main ingredient, Thousand Year Ginseng, is too hard to find.

Now, a two-thousand-year-old Ginseng has appeared at this Auction? Using it as a material, the effects of the Pill Sun Water will definitely be greatly enhanced. It can restore both HP and Qi Energy at the same time, and the cooldown time of the medicine is only 60 seconds. It can definitely play a great role in battle.

"Alright, this 2,000-year-old Ginseng has a starting price of sixty mid-grade Spirit Stone. Everyone can place their bids now." A 2,000-year-old Ginseng —just hearing its name tells you its value. Lu Yuling didn't need to explain further; the bidding quickly began.

Sixty mid-grade Spirit Stone? Although a two-thousand-year-old Ginseng is a valuable item, this price slowly cooled the desire in many people's eyes. This price was enough to make many people give up.

Most people backed down when faced with difficulties, while a few cautiously looked around, trying to understand the situation and see who else was capable of bidding against them.

"One hundred!" But at that moment, Zhuge Xiang suddenly spoke up.

His words silenced the auction hall for a moment, then a roar of excitement erupted from the crowd. Bidding jumped from sixty mid-grade Spirit Stone to one hundred? This guy was truly determined to win!

Zhuge Xiang's offer surprised many people who knew him. They hadn't expected that he, who hadn't made a move until now, would be so attracted to this two-thousand-year-old Ginseng. Come to think of it, who wouldn't want such a treasure?

Lu Yuling glanced at Zhuge Xiang, then smiled radiantly. Her beauty momentarily overshadowed everything else, captivating almost all the men present.

Lu Yuling calmly said, "One hundred mid-grade Spirit Stone. Anyone else bidding? One hundred once, twice, three times... Alright, this two-thousand-year-old Ginseng will be awarded to this gentleman."

Lu Yuling's tone wasn't fast, but by the time everyone snapped out of their reverie, Lu Yuling had finished speaking.

One hundred mid-grade Spirit Stone are not cheap, and anyone would hesitate for a moment. Lu Yuling's beauty is even more mesmerizing. With these two approaches combined, the two-thousand-year-old Ginseng was actually bid on and sold after Zhuge Xiang made just one offer.

With a slight smile on his lips, Zhuge Xiang was still very grateful to Lu Yuling. Although he had shocked everyone by instantly raising the price to one hundred, causing them to hesitate for a moment at the high price, Lu Yuling's subtle maneuvering was the most important thing.

Indeed, one hundred mid-grade Spirit Stone is not a small amount, but if it is a two-thousand-year-old Ginseng, the price of one hundred mid-grade Spirit Stone is definitely worth more than its weight in gold.

As Lu Yuling finalized the price, many people secretly regretted not reacting faster when they heard it was one hundred mid-grade Spirit Stone.

"Alright, now let's look at the eighth item for auction." The curtain was lifted, revealing a set of Hidden Weapons: three sets of syringes for the Stormy Pear Blossom Needles, and three fist-sized objects resembling snake gallbladders.

"I believe everyone here has heard of the Peacock Plume and Rain of Pear Blossoms from Tang Family Fort in Shu, but few have actually seen them. The Stormy Pear Blossom Needles are specifically designed to break through Protective Qi Barrier. Under a group attack, I believe even hundreds or thousands of Qi Refining Stage Cultivator would be killed by the fine, hair-like Stormy Pear Blossom Needles."

"The Peacock Plume, known as the strongest single-target attack Hidden Weapons, can kill even Deity Transformation Stage Cultivator on the spot. That's right, what's placed in front of you now are three sets of Stormy Pear Blossom Needles and three Peacock Plume, for sale at a starting price of eighty mid-grade Spirit Stone."

Lu Yuling's words made everyone present breathe a little faster. With the powerful group attack of Stormy Pear Blossom Needles and the single-target attack of Peacock Plume, even Deity Transformation Cultivator would have to think twice. The deterrent effect of this thing far outweighs its practical use.

"One hundred and fifty mid-grade Spirit Stone." Perhaps having learned from Zhuge Xiang's earlier experience, someone quickly made an offer. The voice that spoke sounded somewhat familiar. Zhuge Xiang looked in the direction of the voice and saw a young girl—none other than Tian Lingshan.

One hundred and sixty.

One hundred and sixty-two.

Previously, Zhuge Xiang's sudden price increase had shocked everyone, causing them to miss out on the two-thousand-year-old Ginseng. Now, it wasn't just Tian Lingshan who had learned her lesson; as she spoke, subsequent bids came one after another.

"Three hundred!" The price soared to the next level. Then, Tian Lingshan shouted, silencing everyone present instantly. Three hundred mid-grade Spirit Stone —that was an astronomical price.

Zhuge Xiang clearly sensed that when Tian Lingshan mentioned the price of three hundred mid-grade Spirit Stone, her gaze was fixed on him, filled with intense hatred.

"Interesting. With these things, I should have more experience to defeat her, right?" Zhuge Xiang didn't care about the hatred in Tian Lingshan's eyes. Instead, he was full of anticipation. Zhuge Xiang had tried the Qi Breaking Blade, but Zhuge Xiang was even more curious about the famous Stormy Pear Blossom Needles.

Tian Lingshan, the daughter of the Tiandao Sect's Sect Master, came from an extraordinary background. Since she was determined to obtain the Stormy Pear Blossom Needles and the Peacock Plume, naturally no one could compete with her. In the end, Tian Lingshan did indeed acquire the three buckets of Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needles and the three Peacock Feathers for the price of three hundred mid-grade Spirit Stone.

"Alright! Finally, our ninth item for auction! Shennong Drink, I'm sure everyone has been waiting for this for a long time, right?" After confirming the fate of the Rainstorm Pear Blossom and the Peacock Plume, Lu Yuling spoke.

Her words caused everyone in the Auction hall to crane their necks and hold their breath. Shennong Drink, hailed as one of the Nine Great Immortal Treasures wines of the Great Qin Empire, possessed the power to bring the dead back to life and heal the wounded. As the final item up for auction, its value was evident...

ps:

Today was indeed busy; I only got home so late and now I have time to write for everyone. I won't say much more now; while I still have some energy, I'll rush to finish one more chapter and try to get it out before 10 pm.