As they stepped into the auction hall, a distinctive scent mingling luxurious spices, fine timber, and faint fluctuations of Soul Power greeted them. The interior was even grander than it looked from outside, its circular structure rising through several tiers. The lowest level held spacious general seating, already seventy to eighty percent full, with a lively hum of conversation. Above were individual private boxes, screened by one-way crystal or special curtains that proclaimed their occupants' exalted status and wealth. Countless crystals emitting soft white light were set into the dome overhead, illuminating the entire hall as brightly as day without the slightest glare.
The invitation in Lin Yan's hand had been obtained by Master Ma Xiunuo through his Spirit Hall connections. Their seats were fairly good, in the front rows of the general seating with an unobstructed view. Lei En and his three companions had received their invitations from Soto Academy, and their seats were adjacent, so the five sat down in a row.
"What a magnificent auction house!" Ling Ren could not help murmuring in admiration. He came from an ordinary background, and this was his first time seeing a venue on such a scale.
Ji Qiu swept a sharp gaze over the private boxes and said quietly, "Looks like quite a few important people came tonight. Those boxes probably hold either powerful local figures, senior members of Spirit Hall, or imperial nobles."
Su Yun nodded gently, a trace of caution in her eyes. "We need to stay within our means when bidding and avoid making enemies lightly."
Lei En was more easygoing. "Don't worry. The things we want might not catch those important people's eyes. We just need to stick to the plan."
Lin Yan said nothing, merely observing his surroundings in silence. His spiritual power had grown sharper after he comprehended withering and flourishing intent, and he could faintly sense formidable fluctuations of Soul Power coming from the boxes and certain corners of the hall. A few even made his heart tremble slightly. This strengthened his resolve to keep a low profile.
After a wait of roughly an incense stick's worth of time, the lighting in the hall shifted slightly, focusing on the circular auction platform directly ahead. A middle-aged man in a well-tailored black formal robe walked slowly onto the stage, his hair immaculately combed and a professional smile on his face. Four burly guards with steady, imposing presences followed behind him, clearly there to ensure the auction items' safety.
"Good evening, honored guests." The middle-aged man's voice carried clearly to every corner of the hall through a special Amplifying Soul Tool, its magnetic quality both soothing hearts and stirring desire. "Welcome to this quarterly auction, organized by the Heaven Dou Auction House and hosted by the Fasinuo Auction House. I am tonight's auctioneer. You may call me Luo Su."
After his brief opening remarks, Luo Su wasted no more words and went straight to the point. "I'm sure you're all eager to begin. Then let us bring out our first item!"
A tall, beautiful maid walked onto the stage carrying a tray covered in red silk. Luo Su lifted the silk, revealing a pair of short blades shimmering with a pale blue glow.
"Our first item, the Gale Twin Blades. Forged from refined wind-patterned iron, they naturally generate faint wind pressure when swung, increasing attack speed. For agility-attack-type Soul Masters, particularly those at the Soul Grandmaster level, these are exceptional weapons rarely found. Bidding starts at five hundred Gold Soul Coins, with each increase no lower than fifty Gold Soul Coins!"
The atmosphere heated up rapidly as soon as the auction began. The Gale Twin Blades were of good quality, and their starting price was relatively affordable, immediately prompting many Soul Masters in the general seating to bid against one another.
"Five hundred and fifty!"
"Six hundred!"
"Seven hundred!" ...
Ultimately, a thin Soul Master secured the Gale Twin Blades for nine hundred Gold Soul Coins.
After that successful opening, auction items were presented one after another. There were Soul Tool bracers that enhanced strength, a cloak that could briefly conceal one's presence, scrolls recording low-level Soul Skills, and medicinal herbs of respectable age and rare metal ores. Bids rose and fell throughout the hall in a heated atmosphere.
Lin Yan, Lei En, and the others were in no hurry to bid. Their targets were all coming later. Lin Yan carefully leafed through the auction catalog in his hands, checking it against the key items he remembered while observing the final sale prices of the various lots to better gauge market conditions and the rhythm of bidding.
During this time, Lei En bid once, winning a piece of "thick earth crystal" that could slightly increase the condensation speed of earth-attribute Soul Power for twelve hundred Gold Soul Coins. It was quite beneficial to a defense-type Battle Soul Master like him. Su Yun, meanwhile, took a fancy to a stalk of "calming heart grass," which could soothe the heart, still the mind, and aid spiritual power cultivation. After several rounds of bidding, she secured it for eight hundred Gold Soul Coins. Ling Ren and Ji Qiu had yet to see anything particularly suitable for them.
As time passed, the quality of the items gradually improved, and the bidding grew increasingly fierce. Even the distinguished guests in several private boxes began bidding, often driving the price straight to a lofty figure the moment they spoke, making many bidders in the general seating shrink back.
"This next item is a blessing for our Soul Master friends who need to strengthen their foundations and gently nourish their meridians." Auctioneer Luo Su's voice carried a hint of incitement as a maid brought up a jade box. Once opened, it revealed a palm-sized jade pendant, warm and lustrous throughout, emitting a faint, warm white glow.
"Soul-warming jade! It comes from deep within the Far North, formed through years of alternating nourishment from ice, snow, and geothermal heat. Worn on the body, it can gradually nourish a Soul Master's meridians. For Soul Masters below rank thirty in particular, it has remarkable effects in strengthening their foundations, nurturing their vitality, and increasing the efficiency of Soul Power condensation. Bidding starts at two thousand Gold Soul Coins, with each increase no lower than one hundred Gold Soul Coins!"
Lin Yan's spirits lifted. His first target had appeared.
"Two thousand one hundred!" Someone immediately bid.
"Two thousand three hundred!"
"Two thousand five hundred!"
The effects of soul-warming jade were indeed practical, and competition was quite fierce. Its price soon broke through three thousand Gold Soul Coins.
Lin Yan did not rush to join in. He was waiting for the right moment. When the price reached thirty-five hundred Gold Soul Coins and the bidding began to slow, he raised the numbered paddle in his hand.
"Thirty-seven hundred Gold Soul Coins." Lin Yan's voice was calm.
His bid drew a few looks but caused no great stir. Someone else raised it to thirty-nine hundred.
"Four thousand." Lin Yan raised his paddle again, directly increasing the price by one hundred. This price was already slightly above the usual market value of soul-warming jade, demonstrating his determination to obtain it.
Auctioneer Luo Su surveyed the hall. "This gentleman bids four thousand Gold Soul Coins! Do we have a higher bid? Four thousand going once... four thousand going twice..."
Just as Luo Su was about to bring down the hammer, a somewhat effeminate voice came from a private box on the second level. "Forty-five hundred Gold Soul Coins."
The crowd erupted. A distinguished guest in a private box had made a move! And with an increase of five hundred Gold Soul Coins at once, they were flaunting deep pockets.
Lin Yan frowned slightly and looked up at the box. Curtains screened it, making it impossible to see the person inside clearly. He deliberated for a second, then raised his paddle again. "Forty-seven hundred Gold Soul Coins."
"Five thousand." The voice in the box did not hesitate, carrying a hint of unquestionable finality.
Beside him, Lei En said quietly, "Lin Shuo, let it go. Soul-warming jade is good, but five thousand Gold Soul Coins is too high. There's still spirit-clearing spring and blood ginseng later."
Lin Yan took a deep breath, suppressing his slight reluctance. Though his funds were ample, he could not squander them blindly. This soul-warming jade was not irreplaceable, and the other party was determined to obtain it. Continuing to clash head-on would cost more than it was worth. He gave Lei En a slight nod, indicating that he would give up.
Ultimately, the mysterious figure in the private box won the piece of soul-warming jade for five thousand Gold Soul Coins.
Though his first venture had gone poorly, Lin Yan quickly adjusted his mindset. That was how auctions worked. It was impossible to get everything that caught his eye.