Liu Yu opened his eyes and made a rough count. At least five hundred cultivators were already seated, though most of the seats remained empty. Most of those present were in the Foundation Establishment Realm, with only a small minority in the Qi Refining Period.
As for whether any Golden Core Stage cultivators were hiding among them, he had no way of knowing.
If a Golden Core Stage cultivator deliberately concealed their presence, he would not be able to detect them even with a sweep of his divine sense.
As more people arrived, acquaintances inevitably ran into one another, exchanging greetings and a few pleasantries. The hall gradually grew noisy.
Dong-dong!
Two deep, resonant tolls rang through the hall, echoing within the vast, open space. They instantly drowned out every other sound, bringing tranquility to the minds of those who heard them.
After the two tolls, the hall immediately quieted. Conversations dropped to murmurs; everyone knew the auction was officially beginning.
At some point, a thin old man had appeared on the central, red-carpeted platform. His eyes shone brightly, and he wore a loose brocade robe of white trimmed with gold.
He looked utterly unremarkable, like an ordinary mortal in his seventies or eighties, yet his powerful aura left no room for anyone to underestimate him. His cultivation had actually reached the foundation establishment late stage!
Liu Yu inwardly stiffened. This auction house really does have formidable backing. Even its auction host is in the foundation establishment late stage.
"Chi Yunxing? Hasn't that old fellow gone decades without personally hosting an auction?"
Someone seated beside Liu Yu murmured a few words, recognizing the thin old man. He seemed to enjoy quite a reputation.
"Your presence brings splendor to our humble auction house, fellow Daoists. We are deeply honored!"
"For this