The Auction
Outside the door, it was as if another world had opened up. Six-story buildings rose up around the central platform, and the private rooms upstairs were completely hidden by thick curtains, making it impossible to see what was inside.
As soon as Sang Ying entered, a maid in a white dress came to greet her. After examining Sang Ying's jade pendant, the maid led her directly to a private room on the third floor.
The private room wasn't the best location, but it was still pretty good. And once Sang Ying entered the room, she realized that although the thick curtains prevented anyone from seeing in from the outside, anyone from the inside could see clearly out.
The private room was quite spacious, with tables, chairs, and even a small couch.
Even the spirit fruit tea on the table was no ordinary item. It was clear that the host was no ordinary person.
"I won't disturb you any longer, Fairy. If you need anything, you can ring the bell to call me." The maid's cultivation level was not much lower than Sang Ying's, but she was humble and polite when facing Sang Ying.
Sang Ying nodded. "May I ask how to address you, elder sister?"
Perhaps because she was rarely addressed that way by guests, the maid smiled and said, "Just call me Xiao Lan."
After presenting her with another auction catalog, Xiao Lan immediately withdrew.
After Xiao Lan left, Sang Ying casually flipped through the booklet she had left behind. The items in it were not much different from those in Sang Ying's post, except for the three final items.
In this catalog, the three items were labeled with the words "increase cultivation level", "extend lifespan", and "become an immortal" respectively.
The first two are easy to understand, but the last one is quite intriguing.
No problem, they'll soon find out what items are up for auction.
Sang Ying didn't have to wait long before the auction began. A handsome young man took the stage, his smile radiating a refreshing and pleasant aura.
Although Jiang Zhuoxue often smiled, compared to that person, his smile seemed very insincere.
"We are delighted that fellow Daoists have graced us with their presence at the auction of the All Under Heaven Pavilion. I, Jimo Huan, will be hosting today's auction." After exchanging a few pleasantries, the young man announced the official start of the auction.
"Next up is the first item in this auction— the Thousand-Year Ice Lotus!"
Jimo Huan beckoned, and a maidservant took out the Ice Lotus that was quietly placed in the jade box.
Feeling the chilling aura, gasps of cold air could be heard throughout the auction hall.
Even Sang Ying was astonished by the host's extravagance. The opening was Thousand-Year Ice Lotus; how precious must the items that followed be to make it the grand finale?
Sang Ying couldn't imagine it.
"I remember you also Ice Spirit Root, right? Do you want to bid on this? It's not exactly one of a kind, but it's still quite rare. If you want it, you can tell me." Jiang Zhuoxue had somehow managed to break free from Sang Ying's wrist and climb back onto her shoulder.
With a cold face, Sang Ying pushed the small snake away from her ear and said without giving any face, "Thank you for your trouble, senior. However, although I don't have much ability, I do have a few Ice Lotus."
Gu Shu, sitting on the table, couldn't help but chuckle, not daring to look at Jiang Zhuoxue's dark, snake-like face.
Jiang Zhuoxue wasn't angry. Instead, she said, "If you don't like this, you'll find something you like. If you come across something you want, just ask. After all, what's mine is yours."
At this moment, Gu Shu was only impressed by Jiang Zhuoxue's shamelessness.
However, Sang Ying remained unmoved. "Senior, you should speak less. This private room isn't soundproof."
Jiang Zhuoxue:... Tsk, she's so stubborn. How can someone with such a cold personality cook such delicious food?
He suddenly didn't understand.
Sang Ying and her companion weren't interested in the other items up for auction, but many people were fiercely competing for this Ice Lotus.
Finally, the Ice Lotus was quickly auctioned off at a high price.
After the Ice Lotus, dozens more treasures were auctioned off. Sang Ying not only witnessed the Jimo Household's terrifying ability to amass wealth, but also the rich fortunes of those high-level cultivators.
During the auction, there were instances of people fighting over the treasures, but Jimo Huan on stage didn't even flinch. The two cultivators were quickly "invited" out of the auction without delaying the auction's progress in the slightest.
After drinking countless cups of tea, it was finally time for the three grand finale items to make their appearance.
Jiang Zhuoxue, who had been munching on a spirit fruit on the table, immediately stopped, and the entire snake became serious.
"I'm sure many of you have come here specifically for these last three items. I, Jimo Huan, guarantee with the reputation of the Jimo Household that these last three items will absolutely not disappoint you!"
He clapped his hands, and a maid came forward carrying a tray covered with a red cloth.
"The first item is a Grade Nine Spirit Explosion Pill, which can enhance a cultivator's cultivation level!"
A ninth-grade elixir?!
The red cloth was lifted, and everyone instantly saw the nine shimmering patterns on the elixir.
A wondrous fragrance of elixir instantly filled the air, and every cultivator who smelled it was captivated by it.
However, Sang Ying couldn't help but frown. For some reason, she felt that there was a hint of blood in the fragrance of the elixir.
"You really know how to make the most of things, you humans are so clever at fixing your brains." Jiang Zhuoxue's words were pointed, and they didn't sound like a compliment at all.
Sang Ying asked him, "I don't know what you mean, senior. Perhaps you could enlighten me, given my limited understanding?"
"It's nothing." He glanced at Sang Ying, and seeing that Sang Ying didn't seem to like the scent of the pill either, his attitude softened slightly. "I just wanted to tell you that this pill is not a good thing. If someone were to eat it recklessly, they might even suffer Qi Deviation!"
He laughed again, his tone full of schadenfreude.
Sang Ying thought to herself, "As expected." Just hearing the name "Spirit Explosion Pill," Sang Ying felt that it was probably not a good thing.
"After taking this pill, regardless of your current cultivation level, you will immediately advance to a minor rank!" Jimo Huan explained.
As he was speaking, a male cultivator suddenly walked up from backstage. Sang Ying couldn't tell his cultivation level, but according to Jiang Zhuoxue, he was already in the Nascent Soul Middle Stage.
Jimo Huan pulled out an identical pill from his pocket. "Please take a look, everyone!"
He gave the pill to the male cultivator, who swallowed it without saying a word.
Everyone felt the Spiritual Qi around them instantly drain away. The male cultivator on the platform took a deep breath, and his robes fluttered without wind. After the strange wind subsided, everyone was shocked when they looked at the male cultivator's cultivation level.
"He is now in the Nascent Soul Late Stage Spirit Transformation Stage," Jiang Zhuoxue said.
The atmosphere at the auction instantly became lively. Before Jimo Huan could even announce the starting price, bids were already pouring in from all around.
It started at 100,000 Supreme-Grade Spirit Stone and eventually skyrocketed to a million Supreme-Grade Spirit Stone.
Finally, the Spirit Explosion Pill was auctioned off for the astronomical price of ten thousand Spirit Crystal. Following it, the Ten-Thousand -Ten-Thousand-Year Lifespan Fruit, which could extend one's lifespan by five hundred years, also received enthusiastic pursuit.
After the first two items found their owners, the third item finally appeared.