The atmosphere in the enormous auction hall was exceptionally complex, a mixture of tension, oppression, and excitement. The auction stage, under the watchful eyes of everyone, was filled with a solemn atmosphere, making people hesitant to approach.
It's no wonder the auction house is so heavily guarded; the value of this High Intent Grade Dou Technique is simply too precious. After all, below the Saint Class, the High Intent Grade is the most powerful, and such Cultivation Methods and Combat Skills haven't been seen on the continent for a long time. As for the Saint Class, that's even more of a pipe dream. Now that this High Intent Grade Dou Technique has appeared, it's inevitable that some unscrupulous people will be attracted. The auction house's actions are merely to protect its own interests.
"Hehe, please excuse my rudeness. The item to be auctioned next is a bit strange, but it is also the highlight of this auction: a High Intent Grade Dou Technique of the Intent Rank. I believe many of you have come here specifically for it."
With a smile on his face, Xiao Kuo slowly surveyed everyone present. Then, he placed his palm against the stone platform in front of him once more. With a thought, a suction force surged from his palm, and all eyes turned to him. Inside the private room, Xiao Yan and the others also stared intently at the point where his palm met the stone platform. The moment the old man slowly raised his palm, a stream of light was grasped in his hand.
As soon as the light appeared in his hand, countless eyes in the room converged like spotlights. On the auction stage, Xiao Kuo, with a smile on his face, slowly released the item in his hand and tossed it into the air.
Everyone looked over and saw a seemingly ordinary stone pillar, with nothing unusual about it. Immediately, some people frowned and looked at the stone pillar with suspicion, while others turned their gaze to Xiao Kuo on the platform.
Seeing this, Xiao Kuo smiled faintly and said:
"Hehe, as you can all see, this is the highlight of this auction, and the reason why many people have come here—it is..."
As he spoke, Xiao Kuo slowly raised his hand, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, his smile growing ever stronger. Then, as he uttered those deep words, he lightly flicked his fingers against the stone pillar.
"Bang!"
The stone pillar shattered, and immediately afterward, an Old Gu and weathered aura quickly spread out, revealing a scroll that had been sealed inside the stone pillar for countless years to the air, coming into view of everyone present.
" High Intent Grade Dou Technique of the Intent Rank, Thousand Seal Ruler!"
The deep voice was like a bombshell, instantly exploding throughout the enormous auction hall. An invisible storm swept through the vast space, countless gasps of surprise rang out, and greedy, burning gazes shot towards the scroll. Countless people were staring intently at the ancient scroll on the auction stage, including those from powerful forces in the VIP boxes at the front of the stands.
Sensing the sudden chaos and commotion in the auction hall, the array masters dressed in golden robes around the auction stage tensed slightly. They simultaneously changed their hand seals, and then, beams of light shot skyward from their bodies. The astonishing light, combined with the powerful aura emanating from the array, sent a chill down the spines of those nearby, instantly clearing their minds.
"Buzz!"
Just then, a powerful aura suddenly surged out from Xiao Kuo's body on the auction stage. A pair of deep eyes slowly swept across the auction hall, and as his gaze swept across, the auction hall, which was just a moment ago in a state of chaos and excitement, suddenly cooled down as if it had fallen into a cold ice cellar. The people in the hall also quickly quieted down.
Countless subtle gazes converged on the stage, their eyes fixed on the scroll in front of Xiao Kuo. The impulse in their hearts was forcibly suppressed. No one present dared to ignore the pressure from a Yuan Zun expert.
Meanwhile, inside the private room where Xiao Yan was, he stood in front of his seat, his gaze, like that of many people outside, fixed on the scroll floating in mid-air on the stage. His usually indifferent face now couldn't help but show a hint of excitement.
"Tsk tsk, High Intent Grade, that's quite a generous offer. My Ouyang Clan would never be willing to put Dou Technique of this rank up for auction. But unfortunately, although the rank is high, this type of Dou Technique is too niche and doesn't appeal to me. But... Brother Xiao, I wonder how confident you are in acquiring it?"
Ouyang Miao glanced at the scroll on the field with some surprise, clicking his tongue in admiration. His gaze then fell on Xiao Yan beside him. He had witnessed Heavy Xuan Ruler before; its wide-ranging, powerful strokes were extraordinary. This Thousand Seal Ruler scroll on the field was a ruler-based Dou Technique, tailor-made for Xiao Yan. Once he acquired this Dou Technique, Xiao Yan's combat power would undoubtedly reach a new level!
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan was slightly taken aback, then shook his head with a wry smile. Although the Thousand Seal Ruler in front of him was indeed quite tempting, he was short of money and feared he would have no chance to compete with the other powerful figures on the field.
After such a long auction, Xiao Yan had already handed over all seven seventh-grade pills he had left when the Creation Pill was auctioned. In the subsequent auction process, in order to compete with that person from the Pill Tower, he had also used up most of his Spirit Stone. At this point, he was even poorer than some of the people in the stands. How could he possibly have the resources to participate in the competition for the Thousand Seal Ruler?
"Well..."
Upon hearing Xiao Yan's words, even Ouyang Miao was stunned for a moment, and a strange expression appeared on his face. To participate in an auction of this level and run out of funds before the last moment of the auction, especially for someone like him who was an alchemist, was a bit too dramatic. If outsiders heard this, they would probably laugh at him.
Xiao Yan shrugged helplessly. Their original purpose for coming here was to obtain the Sumeru Grass. If it weren't for a sudden impulse, they wouldn't have gone to the auction house. Who could have imagined that they would encounter such a thing? The appearance of a high-level Dou Technique of the High Intent Grade was even more unpredictable, so how could they have made preparations in advance?
"Hehe, Mr. Xiao Yan, please don't worry. Just ask. Although my An Clan doesn't have the same foundation as the Xiao Yan Zhao Clan, we will do our best to help you if you need anything."
Just then, An Nan was sitting in the seat in front of him, suddenly turned around and smiled slightly at Xiao Yan, finally making his stance clear.
Although both the An and Zhao families are under the Xiao Clan's command, in the end, it's all for their own family interests. Just as the Zhao Clan attaches itself to the three major cabinets behind Xiao Tian, An Clan also needs its own backer within the Xiao Clan.
In recent years, since Zhao Jin's cultivation broke through to the Yuan Zun, the Zhao Clan has risen rapidly thanks to the status of its three leaders. The family's status has changed dramatically. Even some elders in charge of external affairs within the Xiao Clan have to give this outsider some face when they see him. The An Clan, on the other hand, is at odds with the Zhao family and is naturally in no better shape. In addition, with no one in the family to help them, their life under the Xiao Clan's rule is becoming increasingly tense. If this continues, it is feared that one day the Zhao Clan will swallow them up.
Now, in this vast clan, the young man before them, who appears rather thin, is able to stand shoulder to shoulder with the three powerful elders and even chat and laugh with the young master of the Ouyang Clan. Such spirit is hard to find even in the entire Central Region. As a result, Xiao Yan naturally became the reliable person An Nan had found for his clan.
Xiao Yan's appearance gave the An Clan a chance to turn their lives around, so since the latter needed it, the An Clan would definitely do their part without hesitation!
Everyone present was a discerning person; with just a few words from An Nan, they roughly understood the meaning behind his words. Ouyang Miao smiled faintly, turning his gaze to Xiao Yan, who also paused thoughtfully for a moment before looking up at An Nan and smiling:
"Then it's all up to the An Clan."
Upon hearing this, everyone present burst into laughter. They exchanged knowing glances, but Lian'er, who was pouting and muttering to herself, looked utterly adorable, though she seemed to understand only half of what was said.
"Hehe, because this measuring Dou Technique is of such a unique value, the auction house stipulates that only items of similar or equal value can be auctioned. If bidding is made in Spirit Stone, then they must be High-Grade Spirit Stone."
At this moment, Xiao Kuo spoke up again on the auction stage, and his words immediately drew the attention of Xiao Yan and the others who were chatting and laughing in the private room.
"Then... gentlemen, please make your bids!"