The Auction House felt more solemn than it had during the previous three auctions. As guests entered, the starry patterns on the dome gradually lit up, making every expression in the room clear. Ning Fengzhi sat in the front row, unconsciously rubbing the resource list tucked into his sleeve. After half a month of gathering resources, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had amassed 180,000 Points—enough to bid on high-value Auction Items;
Tang Xiao sat on the other side. Behind him, an Elder of the Clear Sky Sect held a blackwood box containing three Clear Sky Divine Iron Shards, recently retrieved from the sect's secret treasury. According to the system's assessment, they were worth 120,000 Points. Most eye-catching was the newly added seat, covered in dark purple velvet. A man in a black robe stood behind it, faint traces of beastly Soul Qi circling him. He was Di Tian, sent by the Star Dou Soul Beast Clan.
Lin Yue walked slowly onto the Auction Platform and tapped the table with his fingertips. A system projection immediately appeared in the center. Onscreen, an egg about the size of a fist floated within an icy blue glow. Fine frost patterns covered its shell, and pale blue energy could be seen swirling faintly inside. It was the star lot of the auction: a Thousand Year Ice Jade Scorpion Soul Beast Egg.
"Everyone, our first Auction Item today is this Thousand Year Ice Jade Scorpion Soul Beast Egg." Lin Yue's voice carried clearly through the system's speakers. "The system has examined it and found no hidden risks. Once hatched, it will yield a pure ice-attribute Thousand Year Soul Beast. It can form a perfect bond with a Tool Martial Soul Master, serving not only as a battle companion but also nourishing its partner's Tool Martial Soul as it grows and improving its quality."
A low murmur immediately spread through the audience. Tool Martial Soul Masters had always struggled to find suitable Soul Beast companions, and this egg had struck a nerve with the major factions. A gleam flashed in Tang Xiao's eyes. The Clear Sky Sect centered its teachings on the Clear Sky Hammer. If its young disciples could bond with an Ice Jade Scorpion, they would not only grow stronger in battle but also enhance the hammer's ice-attribute attacks. It was practically made for the sect.
Di Tian straightened slightly, his fingers curling beneath his black robe. When Gu Yuena had given him his orders, she had stressed that the number of ice-attribute Soul Beasts in the Star Dou Great Forest had declined sharply in recent years. If he could win this Thousand Year Ice Jade Scorpion Soul Beast Egg, it would not only strengthen the clan but also allow them to study its hatching and improve the Soul Beast Clan's breeding conditions.
"Thousand Year Ice Jade Scorpion Soul Beast Egg. Starting Price: 50,000 Points. Each bid must increase by at least 10,000 Points." Lin Yue finished, and the auction began.
"50,000 Points!" Tang Xiao raised his bidding paddle first, his voice steady and firm. "The Clear Sky Sect offers one Clear Sky Divine Iron Shard, along with fifty stalks of Thousand Year Spirit Grass." The System Panel immediately displayed its assessment: the Clear Sky Divine Iron Shard was worth 80,000 Points, and the Thousand Year Spirit Grass came to 70,000 Points in total, bringing the offer to exactly 150,000.
Di Tian followed right after, his voice tinged with coldness. "60,000 Points. The Star Dou Soul Beast Clan offers five Ten Thousand Year Soul Beast Inner Cores." Ten Thousand Year Soul Beast Inner Cores were a core resource of the Soul Beast Clan. Each one was worth 20,000 Points, so the five came to 100,000. Adding the rare spirit herbs he had brought, his offer totaled 160,000 Points, immediately surpassing the Clear Sky Sect's.
Tang Xiao furrowed his brows and exchanged a glance with the Elder behind him. The Clear Sky Divine Iron Shards were a sect treasure and not something he could spend lightly. After a moment's thought, he raised his paddle again. "80,000 Points! I'll add two pieces of Mysterious Iron Essence and a Level Eight Soul Tool Forging Blueprint." Mysterious Iron Essence was a primary material for crafting high-grade Soul Tools, and the blueprint was priceless. Together, they were worth 30,000 Points, bringing the total offer to 80,000.
Ning Fengzhi shook his head lightly from below the stage and did not join the bidding. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect specialized in the Support Type, so an ice-attribute Soul Beast Egg would be of little use to them. He would rather save his Points for any support-oriented treasures that might appear later.
Di Tian didn't hesitate. The aura beneath his black robe stirred slightly. "100,000 Points. The Star Dou Soul Beast Clan adds five more Ten Thousand Year Soul Beast Inner Cores." This time, he was offering ten Ten Thousand Year Soul Beast Inner Cores. The total value surged past 100,000, and the entire auction hall fell silent. No one had expected the Star Dou Soul Beast Clan to be willing to spend so lavishly on this egg.
Just then, Di Tian spoke again, his voice unwavering. "160,000 Points. The Star Dou Soul Beast Clan offers twenty Ten Thousand Year Soul Beast Inner Cores, plus one hundred-thousand-year Ice Soul Grass."
Twenty Ten Thousand Year Soul Beast Inner Cores! One hundred-thousand-year Ice Soul Grass! The crowd erupted. Ten Thousand Year Soul Beast Inner Cores were already rare resources, and twenty of them were enough to drive any faction wild. As for the hundred-thousand-year Ice Soul Grass, it was a priceless ingredient for refining high-grade pills. The Points on the System Panel flickered several times before settling at 260,000, far exceeding everyone's expectations.
Tang Xiao let out a long sigh and lowered his paddle. He knew the Clear Sky Sect could no longer keep bidding.
"160,000 Points, going once!" Lin Yue called, scanning the room. "160,000 Points, going twice!"
Di Tian's tense body relaxed slightly, and the corner of his mouth lifted beneath his black robe. He could imagine the light in Gu Yuena's eyes when she saw the egg.
"160,000 Points, going three times! Sold!" Lin Yue brought down the gavel, and the system instantly converted the resources into Points. The twenty Ten Thousand Year Soul Beast Inner Cores and the hundred-thousand-year Ice Soul Grass became streaks of light and entered the system's storage space. The Thousand Year Ice Jade Scorpion Soul Beast Egg floated toward Di Tian and settled into the velvet-lined box in his hands.
Di Tian carefully cradled the box, stood, and gave Lin Yue a slight nod before turning to leave the Auction House. His steps were quick, yet light. His mission had been a complete success. He had not only brought back an important resource for the Star Dou Soul Beast Clan but also gained more trust in the Auction House.
After Di Tian left, Tang Xiao walked over to Lin Yue, his voice tinged with regret. "Pavilion Master Lin, that Soul Beast Egg really would have been important to the Clear Sky Sect. What a shame..."
Lin Yue nodded calmly. "There's no need to regret it, Sect Master Tang. Other treasures suitable for the Clear Sky Sect will appear in future auctions. As long as you have enough Points, there will always be another chance."
A gleam flashed in Tang Xiao's eyes. "May I ask whether these 'other treasures' you mentioned include resources that can strengthen a Tool Martial Soul?"
"I can't reveal that just yet, but I can assure you Elder Tang won't be disappointed." Lin Yue didn't say more, but he gave Tang Xiao a clear signal.
Tang Xiao asked no more questions. After bowing, he left the Auction House with the Elder of the Clear Sky Sect. He had already made up his mind: as soon as he returned, he would organize the disciples and step up their resource gathering, making sure they had enough Points before the next auction.
Ning Fengzhi also came forward with a smile. "Pavilion Master Lin, the Star Dou Soul Beast Clan certainly spared no expense this time. It seems the Auction House's treasures have caught the Soul Beast Clan's attention."
"Whether they belong to human factions or the Soul Beast Clan, anyone who follows the Auction House's rules can find opportunities here." Lin Yue's tone was calm, though there was a deeper meaning behind his words. "Sect Master Ning, I heard you've recently been reaching out to the Clear Sky Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan?"
Ning Fengzhi was startled. He hadn't expected Lin Yue to know about this as well. Composing himself, he answered candidly, "That's right. It's difficult for any one sect to stand against Spirit Hall at auction. If we can form an alliance to share resources, it would benefit everyone."
"That's a good idea." Lin Yue nodded. "The system will soon release a 'Cross-Faction Resource Sharing' quest. The factions that complete it will receive a Points bonus. If you need help, the Auction House can offer some assistance."
Ning Fengzhi was overjoyed. "Thank you, Pavilion Master Lin! With the Auction House's support, the alliance will surely come together smoothly!"
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