Chapter 62: Sacred Bone
Chapter 62: Sacred Bone
“The Lanling Holy Palace was shrouded in mystery. After that incident, it vanished abruptly. Some speculated the Holy Palace kept moving constantly, and its recent discovery had been pure coincidence. Once the time limit passed, it relocated elsewhere, leaving no trace.”
“How many treasures did those experts bring out?”
“Only five survived. One mysteriously disappeared while the other four all died from curses. It’s said the Holy Palace carries terrible curses. Those five retrieved fifteen treasures in total. The three carried by the vanished person remain missing. Of the remaining twelve, half ended up with the three major auction houses, while the other six flowed into the ghost market.”
The auctioneer’s words stirred suspicion. Was this truly the whole story?
Could there be hidden details? For instance, why would six treasures be divided among three auction houses instead of a single one?
“The first item is a piece of scale armor emitting terrifying sharpness.”
When the auctioneer opened the wooden box, a devastating killing capability swept outward, causing many cultivators to vomit blood and collapse injured, their faces pale with terror.
Inside lay a palm-sized scale armor covered in spiritual patterns. Golden light shimmered across its surface as peculiar light waves darted rapidly over the scales.
“Its origins remain unidentified, but this intact piece rivals spirit artifacts. Starting bid: two hundred thousand.”
“Two hundred twenty thousand!”
Someone shouted immediately after the announcement.
“Two hundred fifty thousand!”
The bidding grew fierce as major Forces vied relentlessly.
Cheng Lingyu studied the scale armor, sensing something strange. It seemed connected to an ancient divine beast, exuding an eerie aura.
Caiyun frowned. “This powerful weapon’s beyond ordinary people’s reach. After this auction, Yunyang City will face turmoil. Anything from Lanling Holy Palace sparks storms.”
Cheng Lingyu murmured, “I wonder who’ll secure these six treasures?”
“Just wait and see.”
Caiyun smiled faintly, pleased she’d confirmed the Sun and Moon Divine Bow’s origins.
“Eight hundred fifty thousand!”
“Nine hundred thousand!”
“One million!”
Prices soared, overwhelming bidders like Ouyang Lie.
Though called Yunyang City’s greatest talent, his wealth couldn’t compete with the Two Sects, Four Families, or Five Major Gangs.
Outside mysterious Forces also bid recklessly, drawn by the scale armor’s extraordinary nature.
The earlier human skin fragment might’ve been more valuable, but its incomplete state made this intact armor more practical despite being less rare.
“One million three hundred thousand!”
City Lord Yun Ao’s bid silenced the crowd.
“One million three hundred fifty thousand!”
An outsider countered stubbornly.
“One million five hundred thousand.”
Yun Ao’s steady voice left no room for debate—he wouldn’t back down this time.
The mysterious Forces in the crowd deliberated before ceasing their bids, allowing the scale armor to be acquired by City Lord Yun Ao.
Then came the auctioneer from Qibao Pavilion, carrying a box onto the stage.
“This treasure also hails from Lanling Holy Palace—a red lily embroidered with an orchid blossom. Initial appraisal confirms it as a mid-grade spirit artifact in pristine condition.”
Upon opening the box, swirling Red Clouds revealed a fiery red lily coiled like a fire dragon within, radiating powerful energy.
“What tier of spirit artifact?”
“Mid-grade, flawless and undamaged. Bidding starts at two hundred thousand.”
Spirit artifacts were divided into four tiers: low-grade, mid-grade, high-grade, and exceptional-grade. Exceptional-grade stood as the mightiest, though exceedingly rare.
“Three hundred thousand!”
The opening bid surged by a hundred thousand, signaling fierce competition.
“Three hundred fifty thousand.”
Early bids merely set the floor—all knew the true contest lay ahead.
Cheng Lingyu paid little mind to the rising figures, his gaze fixed on the red lily—his first encounter with an immaculate mid-grade spirit artifact.
The scarlet fabric shimmered with flowing light, its embroidered orchid appearing lifelike beneath holy radiance.
“Fine mid-grade artifact. The three major auction houses clearly secure better treasures than those reaching the ghost market.”
Caiyun shook her head. “Appearances deceive. Though dazzling, both this and the scale armor reveal their edges too plainly—what’s too rigid breaks easily. True mastery appears unrefined; great treasures don’t flaunt themselves. Had these reached the ghost market, they’d have been claimed instantly. The overlooked items there likely seemed too ordinary.”
“Wise words, Senior Sister.”
Though clever, Cheng Lingyu lacked experience. Such subtle lessons would broaden his perspective.
Bidding for the red lily grew frenzied, surpassing a million before the Situ family secured it for one million four hundred fifty thousand.
Next came Jubao Studio’s auctioneer bearing a jade vial adorned with spiritual patterns.
“Another relic from Lanling Holy Palace—the fabled Ruyi Treasure Vial. Among mid-grade spirit artifacts, it excels at containing heaven-earth energies, neutralizing toxins, and storing sacred water for alchemy and spiritual refinement.”
He displayed the vial emitting Buddhist radiance and serene energy.
“A premium spirit artifact starting at three hundred thousand.”
Bids rocketed—three hundred fifty, four hundred thousand, climbing steadily.
Caiyun’s lips curled into a strange smile. “A replica. The true Ruyi Treasure Vial wouldn’t be mere mid-grade.”
“How can you tell, Senior Sister?”
“Authentic ones would be exceptional-grade.”
Cheng Lingyu nodded. “This round’s all spirit artifacts. Perhaps the finale holds surprises?”
“Uncertain. Lanling Holy Palace—rumored as Orchid Saintess’s tomb complex—holds multiple decoy vaults, all filled with treasures. Given their lowest-tier relics are spirit artifacts, even divine weapons appearing wouldn’t shock me.”
The competition for the Ruyi Treasure Vial was fierce, more tempting than the scale armor and red lily. It finally sold for a staggering 1.65 million, secured by the Shenhuo Sect.
Many sighed in disappointment, but lacking the financial power to rival the Shenhuo Sect, they reluctantly withdrew.
When the seventh round concluded, all three treasures had fetched astronomical prices, far exceeding the intensity of previous auctions.
To prevent complications, the three treasures and the earlier human skin were immediately handed over after the seventh round, completing the transaction publicly.
The eighth round commenced swiftly, the Tianbao Building auctioneer reclaiming everyone’s attention.
“This is Tianbao Building’s final auction item today. As you’ve guessed, it originates from Lanling Holy Palace.”
The auctioneer paused, scanning the crowd as a black-draped wooden table materialized in his hands, heightening curiosity.
Setting down the table, he lifted the cloth to reveal a bloodstained chest bone in jade basin. Its overwhelming aura made breaths hitch – many couldn’t endure its pressure.
The bone radiated terrifying blood energy, emitting waves of power like a God King surveying the heavens.
“This Sacred Bone retains untainted holy blood and can merge with human bodies. But be warned – those with inadequate cultivation risk catastrophe. For Blood Martial Realm experts, its worth surpasses even high-grade spirit artifacts.”
The announcement caused instant uproar. Blood Martial Realm experts widened their eyes, itching to claim it.
“Starting bid: 800,000. Miss this, and it’s gone forever.”
The highest opening price today.
“850,000!”
“1 million!”
“1.2 million!”
Bidding frenzy erupted. City Lord Yun Ao, Shenhuo Sect Leader, Xuanhuo Sect Leader, four family heads, and five gang leaders all plunged into the fray. Mysterious outsiders joined, voices growing hoarse from shouting bids.
Cheng Lingyu studied the bone through his Magic Eyes, glimpsing ancient patterns containing heavenly secrets – a saint’s priceless legacy.
Caiyun’s eyes shone. Any cultivator would covet this vibrant Sacred Bone, though most lacked the standing to contend.
“Senior Sister, what could perfect merging achieve?”
“Become a saint,” Caiyun responded gravely.
Cheng Lingyu paled, grasping the bone’s true value.
“2 million!”
“2.2 million!”
“2.6 million!”
Prices soared horrifically.
“3 million!”
A monotone voice silenced the hall.
The bidder stood expressionless – a man in his twenties yet somehow insubstantial. Hadn’t they seen him earlier, none would suspect his presence.
The colossal sum stunned even Xuanhuo Sect into submission.
The unnamed man claimed the bone. Though disappointed, others calculated alternatives – failed bidders could still seize it by force.
Here, strength ruled, not laws.
The jungle’s law prevailed – rules served the powerful.
As gasps of regret filled the hall, Qibao Pavilion’s auctioneer mounted the stage, quelling chatter with a gesture.