Treasures in Hand

Before Yan Yun arrived, the Jiang family and the Yan family had been chatting animatedly. With the sudden insertion of a “stranger,” however, conversations between the two families instantly dwindled, or rather, they found themselves unable to converse with their previous uninhibited ease.

As for Yan Yun, she feigned composure, though in reality, she felt as if she were sitting on pins and needles.

Her attention remained fixed on her surroundings and the newly arrived guests, particularly those ascending to the third floor.

They were exclusively sect cultivators, and around Qifeng City, besides the formidable Yunhua Sect, there existed several second and third-tier sects.

While these sects might not rival the Yunhua Sect, each boasted the presence of either Divine Venerable Realm (TL Note: Divine Venerable Realm is a cultivation stage.) cultivators or those in the Divine Soul Realm, making them considerably stronger than most worldly powers.

Only the Lin family possessed the strength to contend with them.

“Haha, I hadn’t expected the Lin family to also attend our auction here in the Southern Border Commandery; that’s quite rare,” remarked an elder from a second-tier sect, recognizing members of the Lin family.

Upon seeing the greeting, Lin Yuan immediately rose and politely offered a bow.

“Oh, it’s Senior Wu of the Azure Nether Sect. Senior Wu, we happened to be in Qifeng City on business and heard that Qianjin Pavilion (TL Note: Qianjin Pavilion is a famous auction house.) in Qifeng City had some excellent items at this auction, so we came to take a look.”

The Azure Nether Sect stood as the Southern Border Commandery’s second-largest sect, surpassed only by the Yunhua Sect.

This elder, surnamed Wu, was Wu Ming, the Third Elder of the Azure Nether Sect.

His arrival prompted representatives from all major powers on the second floor, including the Yan family and the Jiang family, to rise and offer their greetings.

Though it was merely the second-largest sect in the Southern Border Commandery, in the eyes of other powers, it was barely distinguishable from the Yunhua Sect in terms of influence.

Wu Ming and the guests on the third floor exchanged pleasantries, after which he deliberately cast a glance towards the Yan and Jiang families on the second floor.

“You must be Family Head Yan and Family Head Jiang, correct? Alas! It’s truly a pity; the Yunhua Sect seems to snatch up all the good fortune.

If only our Azure Nether Sect were closer to Qifeng City,” Wu Ming said with a wry smile.

These words left Yan Long and Jiang Yuan at a loss for how to respond, prompting both families to offer only awkward smiles.

However, after uttering those words, Wu Ming’s gaze drifted, seemingly unintentionally, to Yan Yun, who sat between them.

He found it rather peculiar that, despite his Divine Venerable Realm cultivation, he couldn’t see through Yan Yun at all.

During her lifetime, Yan Lingyun had already achieved Great Perfection in the Divine Venerable Realm, and few cultivators in the entire Jiang Kingdom possessed spiritual sense as formidable as hers.

“The Azure Nether Sect? I can’t believe it’s still around after more than a thousand years.

Young one, you must be cautious of this Azure Nether Sect; they attacked me a millennium ago,” Yan Lingyun warned.

These words caused Yan Yun’s entire body to stiffen, making her even more hesitant to make any significant movements.

With the arrival of the Azure Nether Sect, the auction was finally poised to begin.

Suddenly, all the lights in the main hall extinguished.

“Welcome, esteemed guests, to the Qifeng City Qianjin Pavilion branch auction.

I, your humble servant, Jin Meng, will be presiding over this event.”

A clear, highly enchanting female voice reverberated through the hall.

Immediately afterward, the auction hall’s lights converged on the auction stage, where a beautiful woman, adorned in a pale gold gown, made her appearance.

This Jin Meng was none other than the Pavilion Master of Qianjin Pavilion, a cultivator of the Divine Soul Realm.

After greeting everyone, she promptly commenced the day’s auction.

Typically, the items presented at an auction gain in value as the event progresses, with the initial offerings usually being quite ordinary.

For instance, the first item up for bid was a bottle containing ten pills called Qi Sea Condensing Spirit Pills (TL Note: A type of medicinal pill.).

These pills could enhance the cultivation speed of Cavern Heaven Realm (TL Note: Cavern Heaven Realm is a cultivation stage.) cultivators and simultaneously accelerate the formation of their cavern heavens.

However, the effect of ten Qi Sea Condensing Spirit Pills was merely moderate, primarily beneficial to cultivators whose cavern heavens were nearing completion.

Such pills typically did not circulate in the mundane world’s medicinal markets, making them unobtainable for worldly powers.

Many vied for these pills, yet it was only the ordinary guests who contended for them; scarcely a soul on the second or third floors uttered a bid.

Each pill held a market value of approximately two thousand spirit stones (TL Note: Spirit stones are a form of currency used in cultivation.), making ten pills worth ten thousand.

However, items at auction typically fetched a higher price.

Yan Yun watched patiently, certain she wouldn’t waste money on an auction item unless it possessed exceptional value.

Her poison cultivation was distinct from conventional powers, requiring specialized cultivation techniques, pills, and treasures.

Even more interestingly, around the twelfth auction item, Yan Yun experienced a slight surprise: the item brought onto the stage was, in fact, the poison pill she had sold to Qianjin Pavilion.

“Esteemed guests, this twelfth auction item comes from a mysterious poison alchemist.

This pill, named Exploding Blood Pill (TL Note: A type of medicinal pill that stimulates the body with poison to unleash greater power.), can stimulate the body through toxins to unleash its potential, allowing one to exert even greater strength.

It is a second-tier pill, with a total of ten pieces.

The starting bid is three thousand spirit stones, and each subsequent bid must not be less than five hundred spirit stones,” Jin Meng introduced to the crowd.

Upon hearing the price, Yan Yun couldn’t help but inwardly curse Qianjin Pavilion for their greed, as they had only acquired it for a thousand spirit stones, yet were now selling it for several times that amount at auction.

Naturally, this was the way of merchants: acquire low, sell high.

“A poison pill, how intriguing.

It’s a pity the grade is rather low, but it might be worth acquiring for study,” commented some cultivators knowledgeable in alchemy, showing considerable interest.

Even a few sect cultivators on the third floor found it quite captivating.

In the cultivation world, poison alchemists were far fewer in number than regular alchemists.

Although poison alchemists were considered a branch of alchemists, the arts of refining medicine and refining poison were distinct.

A poison alchemist could also be an alchemist, but an alchemist would not necessarily be skilled in poison alchemy.

While poison pills invariably carried side effects, their efficacy, when compared to similar conventional pills, was significantly more potent, making them especially suitable for life-or-death battles.

Ultimately, these ten Exploding Blood Pills were purchased by a sect elder on the third floor for fifty thousand spirit stones.

The higher the auction price for her own pills climbed, the more displeased Yan Yun became.

After an hour of anticipation, the item Yan Yun desired finally appeared: the Thousand Illusions Necklace was brought onto the stage.

It was an exquisitely crafted necklace, adorned with a single, shimmering amethyst.

“Esteemed guests, this item is a special magical artifact, known as the Thousand Illusions Necklace.

Its purpose is for physical disguise and it also possesses the effect of obscuring spiritual sense perception, rendering it undetectable by cultivators below the Divine Venerable Realm.

This item is absolutely essential for cultivators needing to conceal their identity while traveling.

The starting price is one million spirit stones, and each subsequent bid must not be less than two hundred thousand spirit stones.

Those interested may now begin,” Jin Meng announced.

How best to describe this item? Powerful cultivators had no need for it, yet they often had juniors whose cultivation was not high and who frequently ventured out for trials.

If such a treasure were carried, their chances of survival would significantly increase, thus attracting considerable interest.

Concurrently, this price effectively deterred all lower-tier guests.

“One million two hundred thousand,” Yan Yun declared, unable to contain her eagerness.

However, her bid was instantly surpassed.

“One million four hundred thousand,” a patriarch from an unknown family on the second floor countered.

Yan Yun frowned, then, without a moment’s hesitation, added another two hundred thousand.

The family patriarch did not follow up, but suddenly, someone on the third floor spoke.

“One million six hundred thousand.”

Yan Yun immediately looked over, only to discover that it was Lin Yuan from the Lin family who had spoken.

This instantly displeased Yan Yun.

‘A Lin family member? Insane.

What do you need this for? You don’t require a disguise.

Could it be that beneath that façade, you’re also a woman?’ Yan Yun inwardly fumed.

With no other choice, she could only raise the bid again.

Initially, several cultivators placed bids, but once the price reached two million six hundred thousand, it was essentially just the Lin family and Yan Yun left in contention.

Seeing a young woman on the second floor persistently follow his bids, Lin Yuan’s expression instantly darkened.

Many of those around them were also bewildered.

“Who is that young woman? She has quite the nerve, daring to compete with the Lin family for an item.”

“Indeed, the Lin family clearly has their eyes on this.

If that young woman continues to contend, I doubt she’ll leave Qifeng City alive.

The Lin family is notoriously overbearing.”

As the saying goes, the enemy of my enemy is my friend.

Although the Jiang family and the Yan family were unaware of why Yan Yun was clashing with the Lin family, they still offered Yan Yun a kind reminder.

“Young lady, perhaps it’s best to give up.

Bidding higher will only offend them.

You might not know, but that man is from the Lin family of the Royal Capital,” Yan Long kindly advised.

Yan Yun merely cast a faint glance at Yan Long, then

“Hey! What kind of attitude is that? My father was kindly reminding you,” Yan Kun couldn’t help but retort upon seeing Yan Yun’s expression.

Yan Yun ignored them and continued to raise her bid.

The price quickly ascended to three million.

The Lin family members on the third floor all turned ashen, for this item was one Lin Yuan intended to present to a distinguished personage of Lin Mo’s.

They had not expected an unknown, headstrong young woman to persistently increase the bid.

The maximum value of this item was approximately three million; bidding higher would result in a significant loss.

Lin Yuan took a deep breath, glaring fiercely at Yan Yun, his eyes conveying a clear message: ‘Don’t you dare leave after school.’

Yan Yun, utterly unfazed, let out a cold snort.

Ultimately, Yan Yun secured the item for a price of three million spirit stones.