Chapter 251: One Million Spirit Stones

Chapter 251: One Million Spirit Stones

"Ten thousand spirit stones for the first bid!"

Luo Hanxiang interjected promptly, "No fellow cultivator has yet offered a higher price."

"This is the first time the Nine-Petal Golden Core Herb has appeared at an auction in thirty years. If you miss this chance today, you might have to wait another thirty years."

Her words tightened the hearts of several cultivators.

"I bid eleven thousand spirit stones!"

The same voice from earlier rang out again. This time, everyone heard clearly—the bid came from Vip Room B12.

Two elite guests from the second floor had set their sights on this Spirit Herb, and a solitary cultivator in the lower section immediately abandoned his intention to bid.

Sure enough, before the auctioneer could call for bids, a new price erupted from Vip Room B24.

"Fifteen thousand spirit stones!"

Xiao Chen followed up without hesitation, raising the bid by the starting increment. This astonishing move instantly set the entire auction hall ablaze.

"Good heavens! It’s already fifteen thousand spirit stones?"

"If I recall correctly, the most expensive Nine-Petal Golden Core Herb ever sold was for fourteen thousand spirit stones. That was when the Tian Gang Sect’s chief disciple urgently needed it for a Golden Core Stage breakthrough secret technique, which justified the sky-high price."

"If that’s the case, this auction is about to break records. We’re witnessing history!"

"Pity we don’t know which sect’s celestial genius is behind this."

...

Inside Vip Room B12, Kaiyue Sage, the current senior sect brother of the Tian Gang Sect, furrowed his brows. He had intended to follow his predecessors’ strategies.

But faced with such an outrageous bid increase, he hesitated.

"Fifteen thousand spirit stones—fellow cultivator indeed has a discerning eye. Will anyone offer a higher price?"

As Luo Hanxiang urged, Kaiyue Sage wrestled internally.

Under normal circumstances, he would have withdrawn. Letting it wait a few years wouldn’t matter.

Yet in recent years, with hidden sect lineages emerging one after another and disasters striking frequently, the Mercy Sea Domain was on the brink of stormy times.

Now was the time to prepare urgently and attempt to break through to Golden Core.

"180,000 spirit stones!"

Gritting his teeth, Kaiyue Sage raised the bid once more—the highest he could allocate. Though he carried more spirit stones, and the Nine-Petal Golden Core Herb held immense significance for him, the costs of Nascent Soul Formation were astronomical. He couldn’t waste resources here.

"200,000 spirit stones!"

Without the slightest hesitation, Xiao Chen’s bid followed immediately, the two offers nearly merging.

The Nine-Petal Golden Core Herb was one of the essential Spirit Herbs for the Nursing Infant Altar. Even if the price doubled, he wouldn’t waver.

Cultivation realm was the foundation of everything. Spirit stones were merely external possessions.

At this price, Kaiyue Sage was forced to abandon the competition, and others had long since been priced out.

Even the auctioneer Luo Hanxiang refrained from further calls. After a brief pause with no new bids, she swiftly completed the three-call process and finalized the sale.

By now, not only the solitary cultivators below but even Luo Hanxiang herself felt both astonished and curious.

She was thrilled because, as an auctioneer, she earned a share of the profits from items exceeding expected prices.

Curious because, after two centuries as an auctioneer, she’d never seen anyone doubling the starting bid increment.

Today truly opened her eyes.

"Next is a Flowing Gold Xuan Jade Pearl, which is..."

The auction continued, and it was Xiao Chen’s turn to bid on an item, which eventually sold for six thousand spirit stones.

However, after securing the Nine-Petal Golden Core Herb, he fell silent and ceased bidding.

This made Kaiyue Sage suspect—could the occupant of Room Yi Er Shi Si be deliberately targeting him?

Had the opponent come here solely to delay his Golden Core breakthrough?

Such a despicable tactic! Which faction was so shameless?

He hadn’t offended many. Could it be those meddling monks from Pudu Temple he’d encountered in the forbidden realm last time?

"Next, we present a unique Spirit Herb."

After another round of Spirit Herbs, Luo Hanxiang spoke mysteriously, "Normally, Spirit Herbs grow in warm, pleasant climates..."

"However, this one has thrived in ice and snow year-round, hence its name: Four Seasons Frostfruit."

"This fruit has matured over four centuries. The starting bid is 100,000 spirit stones!"

Even as she introduced it, cultivators had already guessed the item.

One shouted immediately, "I bid 120,000 spirit stones!"

"145,000 spirit stones!"

"150,000!"

As the lower section competed, a voice from the second floor echoed, "200,000!"

Hmm?

Recognizing the familiar tone, everyone looked toward Room B24.

The once-boisterous hall fell silent.

Many cultivators abandoned their bidding intentions, convinced Xiao Chen hailed from a major faction they couldn’t rival. They might as well focus on other items.

"Fellow cultivator is truly generous. My respects!"

A similarly youthful voice suddenly called from Room Yi Liu, "But this fruit is mine. I bid 200,000 and one hundred!"

First engaging in banter, then raising the bid by the minimum increment—it was clearly a provocation.

The lower-section cultivators buzzed with excitement. A spectacle seemed imminent.

Of course, Qing Luan Zhenren, sipping tea in Room Yi Liu, wasn’t so idle.

This was merely a test of Xiao Chen’s identity.

Thunderbolt Spear beside him warned, "Mind your limits. Don’t overdo it."

Qing Luan Zhenren nodded, "Senior sect brother, rest assured. I’m just gauging his strength."

"Besides, my ice cultivation has hit a bottleneck, and I urgently need a Spirit Herb to break through."

"If he doesn’t follow, buying it won’t be a loss."

Yet as he finished, a new bid arrived.

"300,000 spirit stones!"

Xiao Chen directly raised the bid by 100,000. To pressure effectively, he’d see how much the opponent dared to offer.

"Goodness! Who’s inside that room? They’re throwing spirit stones around like they’re worthless!"

"Indeed! At smaller auctions, you rarely see such aggressive bidding unless it’s the final item."

"Hmph! Just another rich kid squandering family treasures without a care."

Cultivators grew envious, wishing their pockets held 300,000 spirit stones.

Yet Qing Luan Zhenren was stunned. He’d just declared the fruit his—if he backed down now, it’d be humiliating.

But if he continued, and Xiao Chen withdrew, he’d waste tens of thousands of spirit stones.

Though a direct disciple, he was still cultivating within the sect, with no personal assets. Such a massive expenditure pained him.

Outside, Luo Hanxiang was already calling the bids.

After hesitation, Qing Luan Zhenren chose silence.

Forget it. Better not provoke the untouchable.

...

"Let us congratulate the fellow cultivator from Vip Room B24 for securing the Four Seasons Frostfruit!"

"Next, please direct your attention here..."

The auction continued, but many cultivators’ focus remained on Xiao Chen.

Hearing the 300,000 bid, Kaiyue Sage realized the opponent wasn’t targeting him but was genuinely unfazed by wealth.

This puzzled him.

The voice sounded young, yet possessed such wealth—only a handful of names came to mind.

Yet spending so recklessly now—did he not plan to compete for the upcoming Nascent Soul Formation Spirit Herbs?

Thunderbolt Spear and others shared similar thoughts. They’d come with insider knowledge, targeting those Nascent Soul Formation Spirit Herbs.

Xiao Chen’s actions baffled them.

Next, several foundational Spirit Herbs appeared—mainly for forging and formation purposes.

Including Xiao Chen’s bids on Moonlight Frost, Silver Thread Spirit Soil, and Dragon Turtle Moon-Embracing Jade, which sold for 12,000, 40,000, and 230,000 spirit stones respectively.

These prices aligned with Kuang Ruihong’s estimates, proving his expertise.

"Many cultivators here today have surely established their own families."

Luo Hanxiang raised a white jade box, "This treasure can help secure your family’s future."

"With it, you gain a money tree..."

"Indeed, this is a complete Dual-Origin Spirit Earth!"

"The starting bid is 300,000 spirit stones!"

As she introduced it, many cultivators eagerly anticipated.

Especially elder cultivators who’d abandoned hopes of breakthroughs and now focused on their families.

But the fiercest competition came from the second-floor rooms.

Several sect masters and elders nearby were already scheming.

Spirit Earth held limited value for individuals—Golden Core cultivators could cultivate high-grade Spirit Medicines only once or twice in their lifetimes.

But for ancient sects, it could be reused repeatedly.

Thus, they became the fiercest contenders.

"350,000 spirit stones!"

"I’ll add another 50,000!"

"470,000 spirit stones! If anyone bids higher, I’ll yield."

"Thank you for yielding. I bid 480,000!"

"Hmph! I’ll offer 500,000 spirit stones!"

...

Bidding escalated, pushing the price to the auction’s highest yet.

Ultimately, it sold for 567,600 spirit stones to Room Yi Er.

Judging by the room number, the buyer was among the earliest to receive invitations—possibly even gifted one by the Feiye Merchant Guild.

Truthfully, this price surprised Xiao Chen.

Nearly double Kuang Ruihong’s original estimate.

But auctions worked this way.

The value of items varied drastically among cultivators. Once bidding wars began, sky-high prices were inevitable.

For Xiao Chen, this was fortunate—a massive influx of spirit stones.

After this peak, Luo Hanxiang introduced over ten more second-tier Spirit Herbs.

The auction hall buzzed with excitement as Foundation Building cultivators felt a sense of participation. The atmosphere was electric, with many solitary cultivators grinning from ear to ear, eagerly anticipating the upcoming grand finale. Strategically, this approach would also boost the auction house's reputation, drawing crowds of solitary cultivators next time.

"Clang!" A gong rang. Luo Hanxiang, now clad in a revealing jade-green qipao, glided onto the stage. "Some fellow cultivators must be growing impatient", she teased with a coy smile. "Shall we skip the pleasantries? Presenting now the ten rarest treasures of tonight's auction—the most anticipated segment!"

"Starting now, all bids must increase by no less than one thousand spirit stones." Her words electrified the crowd. Though most could only spectate, the promise of witnessing history—of bragging rights for months or years—had everyone on edge. Who would claim the ultimate treasure? Which factions would clash in bidding wars? Who would dare the highest price?

The first item—a Heaven-Tier cultivation manual leading directly to Golden Core—soared to seventy thousand spirit stones. Xiao Chen, unimpressed, watched idly. Next, a spiritual artifact requiring three hundred true mana to activate fetched fifty thousand. "That's pricier than expected", he mused, recalling his own Ghost-Faced Mystic Light Shield. "Yellow Spring Path truly spoils its disciples. Even a fallen giant towers over ordinary men."

"Many of you anticipated this", Luo Hanxiang announced, cradling a jade tray holding a three-inch white jade ring. "This replica of the Treasure Artifact White Jade Vajra Bracelet, authenticated by our vice-president, is a fifth-tier talismanic treasure—half the potency of the original!" The starting bid: forty thousand spirit stones.

The item's leak had drawn cultivators like moths. Bidding erupted instantly. "Fifty thousand!" from Suite 11B. "Sixty thousand!" from Suite 4B. Recognition sparked tension. "Venerable Huiming!" sneered Suite 4B. "Is Pudu Temple so destitute that their Abbot bids mere fifty thousand?" "Amitabha", Huiming countered. "Worry not for my cultivation. Better you guard against pride becoming a heart demon."

Their war escalated, prices climbing to 780,000 spirit stones. Xiao Chen hesitated—until Luo Hanxiang revealed the kicker: one sacrificial activation, capable of blocking a Golden Core beast for hours. "Eight hundred thousand!" he roared, visions of survival dancing in his mind. Four such treasures could buy a day's grace against death itself.

"Nine hundred thousand!" Xiao Chen countered Suite 4B's spiteful 930,000. When the bid hit one million, the hall erupted. "A million? Who's this prodigal prince?" gasped onlookers. Suite 4B, drained, slumped in defeat. Victory secured, Xiao Chen smirked. Better to be alive and extravagant than dead and frugal.

Next emerged a jade vial. "Fourth Stage Yuanqing Life Extension Pill!" Luo Hanxiang declared. "Six years for Golden Core disciples, thirty for elders!" Starting at sixty thousand. A hoarse cough from Suite 7A: "One million!" Recognition spread—Yi Clan's Ancestral Founder, 1,200 years old. "Let the elder have it", conceded Yunfeng True Sovereign, 800 years young. "He slew a Golden Core sea beast twenty years past!" whispered admirers.

"Wait!" A chilling voice interrupted. "Add a thousand!" The crowd froze. Even titans hesitated to challenge immortality's price. Luo Hanxiang paused the gavel. The game of life and death continued. (End of Chapter)

Chapter end