"The Primordial Ancient Mine has endured since time immemorial. No one knows what age it originated in-it is unimaginably ancient, and an uncanny evil lurks everywhere within it," Xu Tianheng said gravely.
His expression was solemn. Clearly, he harbored a deep wariness of this ancient mining region.
Xi Yue nodded. She knew that the Primordial Ancient Mine contained a mysterious Ancient Burial Zone where countless creatures lay buried. Deep within it was even a passage through which a Dark Immortal King could return.
Not only that, it even contained the opening form of the Six Paths of Reincarnation Heavenly Art, as well as a Longevity Medicine!
"Come, let's take a look too." Xu Tianheng looked at Xi Yue and Qing Shuang and made his decision. After all, these were divine materials from the Primordial Ancient Mine. Even he could not help feeling a flicker of interest.
Xi Yue was also rather excited. Her Little Pagoda was a genuine treasure-sniffing rat, and now was the perfect chance for him to shine. Perhaps she could even pick up a hidden bargain.
The Heaven-Rending Treasure Pavilion was Lintian City's largest auction house, jointly controlled by several of the city's major races.
The pavilion was enormous, with sprawling clusters of magnificent golden halls and towers that glittered beneath the daylight.
"There are so many people," Qing Shuang remarked from beside her.
Crowds clustered at the pavilion's entrance, clearly drawn by the divine materials excavated from the Primordial Ancient Mine.
Normally, there would never have been so many visitors. Even some mighty clans had sent representatives.
The Primordial Ancient Mine's fame rang far and wide. Though everyone knew it was riddled with dangers, people still scrambled to explore it.
After all, the Nine Phoenix Furnace, hailed as Boundless Heaven's foremost treasure, was said to have been excavated from the Primordial Ancient Mine.
Some even claimed to have glimpsed a Longevity Medicine from afar within the Primordial Ancient Mine!
When that news first spread, it had sent shock waves through the world.
Countless experts had ventured into the Primordial Ancient Mine to explore it. A full ninety percent had perished inside, and scarcely any had returned alive.
The Heaven-Rending Treasure Pavilion's entrance was imposing beyond compare. Refined from an ancient star, it was inscribed with countless runic patterns that formed an ancient formation, making it all but impossible to breach.
Two auspicious beasts crouched at the entrance. They looked utterly docile, yet both were in the Heavenly God Realm-and were actually being used as ornamental displays.
Xi Yue grumbled inwardly. What extravagant spending. It was far too lavish.
Naturally, none of them wanted to obediently queue up to enter. That would have been far too slow.
Xu Tianheng, a mighty cultivator, released a trace of his aura. It instantly awed the attendant, who then respectfully ushered them inside.
"This is a private suite for honored guests. Please come in." The attendant bowed and even thoughtfully opened the door for them. Her service was beyond reproach.
The suite was naturally just as magnificent, scarcely inferior to a palace.
Warm jade covered the floor, shimmering with a soft, precious glow. The walls were fashioned from azure jade, giving them a crystalline brilliance.
The wall before them was a transparent barrier, with swathes of runes flowing across it and flecks of golden light shimmering within. Through it, they could clearly see everything on the auction stage.
"Rest assured, honored guests. The Heaven-Rending Treasure Pavilion keeps all customer information confidential. We will never disclose even the slightest detail," the attendant assured them.
The room's interior was equally luxurious. A clear jade table stood before them, adorned with ornaments crafted from rare divine materials. Spirit fruits, spirit wine, and other refreshments had also been thoughtfully provided.
Utterly unconcerned with his dignity, Xu Tianheng immediately sat down with his legs spread wide, lifted a wine jug, and began drinking like a fish.
Xi Yue covered her face. The sight of her third great-uncle was simply unbearable. He looked every inch a drunkard.
The auction soon began. Several extraordinarily precious artifacts and divine treasures were brought out one after another, each fetching an astronomical price.
To Xi Yue and her companions, these items were nothing special and hardly worth much attention.
Only a few elicited faint reactions from Little Pagoda. They were not particularly strong, but she casually bid for those items anyway.
At last, the auction drew to a close, and the grand finale-the source stone from the Primordial Ancient Mine-finally appeared.
It was a dark azure divine stone no larger than a palm. Chaotic mist wreathed its surface, while brilliant divine light shone from it with a metallic luster.
Runes flickered in Xi Yue's eyes as she opened her Embryonic Martial Dao Heavenly Eye. However, shrouded as the stone was in chaotic energy, she could not see through it. She could only discern the extraordinary energy contained within.
If her Martial Dao Heavenly Eye were fully formed, perhaps she would truly be able to pierce through all illusions.
Within her sea of consciousness, however, Little Pagoda trembled incessantly, seemingly filled with an intense yearning for it.
She understood at once. There really was something extraordinary inside this divine stone!
"This divine stone comes from the Primordial Ancient Mine. A supreme sect master brought it out from the Ancient Burial Zone deep within. I imagine many of those present have come specifically for it."
"According to a mighty cultivator's assessment, it may contain a Life Stone, whose value is immeasurable. Thus, there will be no starting bid. The highest bidder wins!"
As the auctioneer's words fell, the crowd erupted, bidding one after another. Even some mighty clans joined in. They had come precisely for this, and the competition was fierce.
Before long, the bidding for this Life Stone had climbed to a staggering price.
"Five pieces of Lunar Jade Marrow!" a middle-aged man from the Yin-Yang Sect bid.
"Hmph, think bigger. I offer ten!" The speaker was the sect master of the True Hou Clan.
"Ten portions of Solar Fire Essence!"
The crowd clamored, bids rising one after another. No one was willing to yield. Such divine stones were exceedingly rare-treasures that money alone could not buy-and no one could remain unmoved.
By this point, only a handful of people were still bidding. Most had already withdrawn from the competition.
The divine stone's price had already reached astronomical heights. Even if many of them poured in their entire fortunes, they would have had no hope of competing. They could only shrink back at the sight.
Watching all this, Xi Yue was in no hurry to bid. Unless something unexpected happened, someone would surely leap out next and try to use their influence to crush the others.
Sure enough, someone could no longer sit still.
"Everyone, let's end this here. The Yun Clan will take this divine stone!" A middle-aged man spoke, and he was unmistakably a sect master.
"The Yun Clan? They came too!" someone exclaimed in surprise.
This was a great clan based tens of millions of li from Lintian City, yet even they had come upon hearing the news.
In fact, besides the Yun Clan, quite a few ancient clans were also present. They simply had yet to show themselves.
"Heh, the Yun Clan? How very overbearing. The highest bidder wins. Are you going to be the first to break the rules?" A clear female voice rang out with a cold laugh.
Then several other major figures joined in, the Yun Clan
This move-the powers behind them were equally formidable, and they had no fear of the Yun Clan.
Some factions with grudges against the Yun Clan even chimed in from the sidelines, angrily condemning their conduct.
However, none of them revealed their true appearances. With the auction house's laws shielding them, they were certain their identities would not be exposed.
While everyone argued endlessly, an exceptionally clear young girl's voice rang out, throwing their thoughts into disarray.
"Five Divine Medicines!"
Everyone froze at those words. This price was far too high. Even they would feel the sting.
Yet no one spoke up to provoke her. Not a single person present was a fool.
Judging by her voice, she was clearly a young girl, exceedingly young at that. For her to name such an astonishing price, she surely came from an extraordinary background!
"Which faction is she from? She offered five Divine Medicines as casually as breathing," someone murmured.
"No idea, but one thing is certain: her origins must be astonishing."
"Heh, do you think those clans will join forces to pressure that girl? After all, they came specifically for this divine stone," someone said, a hint of amusement in his tone.