As Xiao Kuo finished speaking, the huge auction hall fell into an unusual silence. Countless eyes were fixed on the ancient scroll on the auction stage. Although there was greed in their eyes, most people obediently sat back down after thinking about the amazing lineup of people in the auction hall and the astonishing price offered by Xiao Kuo. Instead, they turned their attention to the front row of seats and the few private boxes.
By this point, everyone present understood that given the rarity of this Dou Technique scroll, ordinary people were simply not qualified to participate in the auction, let alone have any chance of obtaining it. The only ones present with the qualifications and strength to seize it were the powerful forces sitting in the front row and the guests in the private rooms.
At this moment, the VIP seats in the front row were also completely silent. Even those who harbored desires waited calmly, their eyes constantly scanning back and forth, carefully observing the movements of the other forces.
Faced with the unusual silence on the field, Xiao Kuo remained expressionless, a warm smile already on his face, his gaze slowly sweeping across the field.
Everyone knew that now that the auction had reached this point, it was time to make a stunning move. Once someone made the first bid, the atmosphere in the entire auction hall would be ignited to its peak in an instant, and the auction process would turn into a war without bloodshed!
This silence lasted for about five minutes, until finally a hoarse voice rang out from one of the VIP seats somewhere in the room.
"Ten High-Grade Spirit Stone."
The hoarse voice echoed slowly in the silent auction hall like a tolling bell, finally breaking the almost frozen atmosphere. Many people on the stage breathed a sigh of relief.
Xiao Yan followed the direction of the sound and saw a figure shrouded in a black robe slowly rising from his seat at the front of the stands. The words he spoke unsurprisingly attracted the attention of everyone present.
Ten High-Grade Spirit Stone — Xiao Yan did have some, given to him by Xiao Yuheng after he entered the Xiao Clan. However, he intended to use these Spirit Stone to improve Bai Hua and Lian'er's cultivation, not for this purpose. Besides, given the current situation, the High-Grade Spirit Stone in his possession were of no use whatsoever.
On the auction stage, Xiao Kuo smiled slightly at the man in black robes, then looked around and said:
"Is there anyone who has offered a higher price?"
"Twenty High-Grade Spirit Stone!"
Immediately afterwards, a deep voice came from one of the private boxes, which completely broke the deadlock in the game.
As soon as the first bid was made, a chain reaction ensued in the auction hall. Bids came one after another from the front row of the stands and the surrounding boxes. The bids rose higher and higher, and in just a few minutes, the price of this Dou Technique scroll was quickly raised to nearly a hundred High-Grade Spirit Stone. This price was clearly the highest price ever seen at this auction.
Even so, the auction frenzy surrounding this scroll of Dou Technique has yet to end.
One hundred and fifty High-Grade Spirit Stone!
In the private room where Xiao Yan and the others were, An Nan, who had rarely made a move throughout the auction, finally spoke up. His voice caused an uproar throughout the room, and countless astonished gazes turned to the private room. In an instant, the price was raised by more than fifty Spirit Stone. Judging from his methods, he clearly intended to take it all in one fell swoop!
On the auction stage, upon hearing such a large number of Spirit Stone, Xiao Kuo's smile deepened. His gaze quickly swept across the entire hall before settling on the Zhao Clan family's private box, where he murmured:
"Gentlemen, one hundred and fifty High-Grade Spirit Stone, is there anyone willing to offer a higher price?"
Silence reigned all around, no one uttered a sound. Xiao Kuo narrowed his eyes and glanced at the stands again. The powerful figures who had been sitting in the front row had all shrunk back, looking around erratically, and no longer taking any action.
One hundred and fifty Spirit Stone was, fundamentally speaking, beyond their limits; at this point, these people were no longer able to compete with them.
After several breaths, the scene remained silent, as if no one would bid against him anymore. Even Xiao Kuo on the stage couldn't help but frown, then quickly looked around the entire scene, his gaze constantly drifting towards the private room where the Zhao Clan family members were, his heart filled with suspicion.
At this moment, An Nan was extremely nervous. Now that things had come to this, if he could wait a little longer and Zhao Jin remained silent, he would be able to successfully obtain the Thousand Seal Ruler. He could only hope that the worst outcome would not occur.
At this moment, Xiao Yan was also tense. The Thousand Seal Ruler was already within reach, and everything would be decided once Xiao Kuo brought down the hammer.
On the field, Xiao Kuo finally frowned and spoke. Time was up, and even he couldn't deliberately delay the bidding.
"Gentlemen, since no one has made a bid, then this high-level Dou Technique of the High Intent Grade Rank shall..."
Inside the private room, Xiao Yan and the others stared intently at Xiao Kuo in the arena, their eyes gleaming with growing intensity. The Thousand Seal Ruler was finally within their grasp!
However, just as Xiao Kuo was about to finish speaking, a shout containing a cold laugh suddenly rang out in the auction hall.
"I'll offer two hundred High-Grade Spirit Stone!"
The words were like a thunderclap, abruptly cutting off Xiao Kuo's words that were already on the tip of his tongue. Inside the private room, the expressions on Xiao Yan and the others' faces also instantly froze. All eyes in the room instantly focused on a private room, which was located opposite Xiao Yan and the others. The person who made the bid was none other than Zhao Jin!
"Hateful!"
Xiao Yan's face immediately darkened, and Ouyang Miao and the others beside him also frowned. Zhao Jin's behavior was truly hateful.
On the auction stage, Xiao Kuo, seeing this, couldn't help but show a hint of displeasure on his old face. Zhao Jin's actions were unbearable, not only for Xiao Yan and the others, but even for him. However, after careful consideration, he took a deep breath, composed himself, and put on a smile again. His gaze swept across the room, and he spoke once more:
"Two hundred High-Grade Spirit Stone, is there anyone willing to offer a higher price?"
"Elder Xiao Kuo, what you're doing seems rather inappropriate. My previous bid has already been set; how can I allow others to bid again now?"
Inside the private box, An Nan hesitated for a long time before finally gritting his teeth and shouting. Instantly, many people in the auction house turned their gazes to Xiao Kuo. He wasn't the only one who thought this way; many people present felt it was unfair. It was already a settled matter, so how could they go back on their word? Wouldn't that break the rules of the auction house?
Under the scrutiny of An Nan and the many other gazes, Xiao Kuo frowned, glanced at Zhao Jin's location, then at the ancient scroll floating before him, his gaze sweeping across the entire room before settling on the private room. Through the light screen, he met An Nan's eyes and said:
"Distinguished guest, I never take back what I've said, and my previous words were no exception. However, please understand that in an auction, before my gavel falls, everyone has the right to continue bidding... Do you have any further questions?"
Upon hearing this, An Nan's body trembled violently, and he immediately sat back down, quickly avoiding Xiao Kuo's gaze. Cold sweat poured down his forehead, and he was momentarily unable to calm himself down.
Seeing this, Xiao Yan's gloomy face became even uglier. Before he could make a move, Ouyang Miao suddenly pressed him down and said comforting words.
"Sit still and let me do it."