Lin Yan did not bid on any of the next few items, until the auctioneer brought out a small crystal vial. Inside were only about three drops of milky-white liquid, seemingly wreathed in swirling mist.
"Spirit-clearing spring! A substance condensed from a spiritual vein at the bottom of a thousand-year cold pool, with wondrous effects. A single drop can clear the mind and sharpen the eyes, nourishing the spiritual origin. It works wonders for comprehending Soul Skills, breaking through bottlenecks, and even treating spiritual injuries! This vial contains three drops in total. The starting price is three thousand Gold Soul Coins, with each increase no lower than two hundred Gold Soul Coins!"
Treasures that nourished the spirit had always been scarce, and the appearance of the spirit-clearing spring immediately stirred an even more fervent response than the soul-warming jade. Not only did those in the ordinary seats scramble to bid, but bids also rang out one after another from the private boxes on the second floor.
The price soared, quickly passing five thousand and heading toward six thousand Gold Soul Coins.
Lin Yan knew he could wait no longer. The spirit-clearing spring would greatly help him comprehend withering and flourishing intent, and he had to secure it. Seizing a lull, he called out his bid directly. "Six thousand Gold Soul Coins!"
That price made quite a few competitors lower their banners and still their drums. But soon, another private box offered "six thousand five hundred."
"Seven thousand." Lin Yan's expression did not change. He had calculated that the market price of three drops of spirit-clearing spring was around eight thousand Gold Soul Coins. As long as it did not exceed nine thousand, it was within his acceptable range.
"Seven thousand five hundred." That private box followed again.
"Eight thousand." Lin Yan did not hesitate. He displayed a decisive presence, as though money were merely numbers to him.
The hall fell quiet for a moment. Eight thousand was already no small price, and Lin Yan's air of determination to secure it made quite a few people begin weighing their options.
The auctioneer, Luo Su, seized the moment to stir the atmosphere. "Eight thousand, going once! This gentleman has offered eight thousand Gold Soul Coins! Three drops of spirit-clearing spring-a treasure found by chance, not by searching. Miss it, and you may have to wait several more years! Eight thousand, going twice..."
"Eight thousand five hundred." The same effeminate voice that had competed with Lin Yan for the soul-warming jade rang out again, from the very same private box!
Lin Yan's gaze sharpened, and a trace of anger rose within him. Was the other party deliberately targeting him? But he quickly calmed down. Now was not the time to act on impulse. He remained silent for a moment, then raised his paddle again just as Luo Su was about to call it for the third time. "Nine thousand."
This was the upper limit he had set for himself.
Everyone's attention focused on Lin Yan and that private box. The effeminate voice fell silent for a moment, seemingly weighing the matter, and ultimately said nothing more.
"Nine thousand Gold Soul Coins, going three times! Sold! Congratulations to this gentleman!" Luo Su brought down his hammer, sealing the sale.
Lin Yan inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. He had finally secured the spirit-clearing spring.
The spirit-clearing spring was good stuff. Had there been a larger quantity, the price could certainly have climbed higher. But there were only three drops, so its effects were indeed limited, and it was not worth those important figures bidding on it. That had also allowed Lin Yan to win it.
Lei En and the others cast congratulatory looks his way, while also feeling somewhat surprised by his financial resources. Nine thousand Gold Soul Coins was already an enormous sum for academy students like them.
The auction continued, reaching one peak after another. During it, a flame saber crafted with an inset bone from a five-hundred-year soul beast sparked a frenzy of bidding, ultimately selling for the high price of fifteen thousand Gold Soul Coins. An incomplete Class 5 Defensive Soul Tool also fetched over ten thousand Gold Soul Coins.
Lin Yan did not bid again. He was waiting for his final target-the thousand-year blood ginseng.
Finally, as the auction entered its latter half, one of the grand finale treasures was brought out.
"Next is a rare medicinal herb! Thousand-year blood ginseng!" Luo Su's voice carried excitement. "This ginseng grew in a place of extreme yang, formed by absorbing the blood Qi of the earth veins, and is over a thousand years old! It is a supreme treasure for replenishing blood and Qi, strengthening one's foundation, and nourishing one's vitality! For those with weak constitutions, it can remold their bodies and bones; for Soul Masters with powerful physiques, it is likewise an excellent aid for tempering sinews and bones and breaking through bottlenecks! The starting price is eight thousand Gold Soul Coins, with each increase no lower than five hundred Gold Soul Coins!"
A medicinal herb shaped like an infant and blood-red all over appeared on the tray, giving off a rich ginseng fragrance that could even be smelled. The immense bloodline power it contained made the hearts of those near the stage tremble.
The appearance of the thousand-year blood ginseng pushed the auction to another peak. Such a heavenly material and earthly treasure held an irresistible attraction for any Soul Master, especially those who had been stuck at a bottleneck for years or were eager to improve their physical constitution.
The bidding reached a fever pitch from the very start.
"Nine thousand!"
"Ten thousand!"
"Eleven thousand!"
"Thirteen thousand!"...
The price shot up like a rocket. Almost everyone bidding was a distinguished guest in a second-floor private box, while those in the ordinary seats had long since become mere spectators. Lei En and the others watched, dumbstruck, only now realizing the gap in wealth between themselves and the truly rich and powerful.
Lin Yan's heart also tightened slightly. He had known the thousand-year blood ginseng would be expensive, but he had not expected such fierce competition. After purchasing the spirit-clearing spring, he had one hundred and eleven thousand Gold Soul Coins remaining. The price of this blood ginseng was already about to pass twenty thousand.
"Twenty-five thousand!" A booming voice came from the central private box.
"Twenty-eight thousand!" Another private box immediately followed.
"Thirty thousand!" The effeminate voice rang out again. It was precisely the person who had competed with Lin Yan earlier.
Only after the price passed thirty thousand did the bidding slow slightly, though it continued to rise steadily.
Lin Yan knew he could wait no longer. He had to show his resolve. Taking a deep breath, he raised his numbered paddle and called out clearly, "Forty thousand Gold Soul Coins!"
An increase of ten thousand in a single bid! The entire hall instantly fell quiet for a moment, and every gaze focused on Lin Yan once again. This young man sitting in the ordinary seats actually had such boldness and wealth?
The central private box fell silent for a moment before offering, "Forty-two thousand."
The effeminate voice said, "Forty-five thousand."
Lin Yan's expression remained unchanged. "Fifty thousand."
Hiss-a wave of sharp intakes of breath swept through the hall. Fifty thousand Gold Soul Coins for a single thousand-year blood ginseng! Precious as it was, this was absolutely an astronomical price.
The central private box gave up. The effeminate voice also seemed to hesitate for a long time, but ultimately did not raise the bid again.
"Fifty thousand Gold Soul Coins, going once! Fifty thousand Gold Soul Coins, going twice! Fifty thousand Gold Soul Coins, going three times! Sold!" Luo Su's voice carried excitement as he brought the hammer down heavily.
Lin Yan had successfully won the thousand-year blood ginseng, but at the cost of fifty thousand Gold Soul Coins, nearly half his remaining funds.
After the fierce contest over the thousand-year blood ginseng, the auction gradually approached its end. The final few grand finale items were even more precious. A Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone fragment from the core region of the Star Dou Great Forest drove the distinguished guests in the private boxes into a bidding frenzy, ultimately selling for an astronomical price of over one hundred and fifty thousand. An incomplete volume of Soul Power cultivation insights, suspected to have been left behind by a Titled Douluo, also fetched one hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins.
Lin Yan could only watch. His funds no longer allowed him to participate in competition at this level.
When the hammer fell on the final item and the auctioneer Luo Su announced the successful conclusion of the auction, Lin Yan let out a long breath. He had largely achieved his goals for this trip. Although there had been some twists and turns, and his spending had somewhat exceeded his expectations, securing the spirit-clearing spring and the thousand-year blood ginseng was enough to make the next stretch of his cultivation path much smoother.
He now needed to complete the settlement procedures, collect the items he had won, and leave this place of trouble as soon as possible. The owner of that effeminate voice, who had bid against him twice, left him with a faint sense of unease.