Chapter 48: The Auction
Chapter 48: The Auction
Ye Fan and Ye Xinyi were both at the Soul Martial Realm, but Cheng Lingyu couldn’t determine who was stronger compared to Caiyun.
“How many children does the Leader of the Xuanhuo Sect have?”
“Three sons and two daughters. Ye Fan and Ye Xinyi are the most outstanding, both currently in the late stages of the Soul Martial Realm. Ye Fan is at the Soul Martial Sixth Realm, while Ye Xinyi is at the Soul Martial Fifth Realm.”
Caiyun answered casually, which made Cheng Lingyu curious.
“What’s your current cultivation level, Senior Sister?”
“I’m at the Soul Martial Seventh Realm Spirit Communication. It shouldn’t be long before I attempt to break through to the Blood Martial Realm.”
Caiyun’s strength surprised Cheng Lingyu. Though Yunyang City had many Soul Martial Realm cultivators, most were below the third stage.
For someone so young to reach the peak of the Soul Martial Realm—surpassing even the Xuanhuo Sect’s young master and lady—was no ordinary feat.
The Xuanhuo Sect experts had barely arrived when the Shenhuo Sect’s group appeared.
“Look! Shenhuo Sect’s vice-leader Zhao Daba is here too. The young man and woman beside him must be Young Master Song Chenguang and Third Lady Song Xuejiao.”
“Indeed. These siblings are prominent figures like the earlier pair. Song Xuejiao’s one of Yunyang’s top ten beauties—that famous divine doctor.”
As Geng Qiuhua escorted Ye Fan and Ye Xinyi to the third floor, Zhao Daba entered with Song Chenguang and Song Xuejiao.
Song Chenguang, Shenhuo Sect’s young master, appeared twenty-five or twenty-six—tall and handsome with a mild smile. Unlike Ye Fan’s domineering air, he carried scholarly refinement.
Song Xuejiao wore white clothing, pure and flawless. Her features were delicate and refined, radiating gentle charm rather than overt allure.
Known as Yunyang’s divine doctor, she was celebrated for her kindness and medical skills. Combined with Shenhuo Sect’s art of alchemy, she’d healed countless people, earning widespread fame.
The trio quickly ascended to the third floor, leaving admirers’ gazes behind.
Caiyun glanced at Cheng Lingyu, laughing. “Well? Doesn’t she seem more tender than Ye Xinyi?”
Cheng Lingyu grinned. “Tenderness doesn’t concern me. You’re still the best, Senior Sister.”
“Your tongue’s grown smoother. Keep it that way.”
Caiyun’s mesmerizing laugh showed her ease in handling interactions between men and women—far surpassing Cheng Lingyu’s experience.
Over time, more cultivators arrived at Jubao Studio—all notable figures.
“The Jiang family’s here! That’s Jiang Hongguang!”
“The Lu family’s head, Lu Fang, came too! Jubao Studio must’ve prepared thoroughly.”
“Even the Situ family’s second elder Situ Yunhao and the Nangong family’s Nangong Feiying are present—rare sightings!”
Soon, all four great families had gathered on the second floor in private boxes.
Yunyang’s five major gangs followed: Lièyáng Sect, Broken Blade Hall, Flying Dragon Gang, Baifo Sect, and Mingyue Gate sent their higher-ups—proof this auction differed from past events.
Cheng Lingyu observed closely as Caiyun explained, providing him a basic understanding of Yunyang’s elites.
Suddenly, a figure drew his eye. His calm expression twisted with excitement and hatred.
Cheng Zhaolong had arrived, accompanied by a sixteen or seventeen-year-old beauty—Xuanhuo Sect’s second daughter Ye Xiaoyun.
Though her looks, demeanor, and cultivation were nowhere near Ye Xinyi’s, Ye Xiaoyun remained strikingly attractive.
Cheng Zhaolong’s cultivation level wasn’t impressive. Though accompanied by Ye Xiaoyun, he wasn’t qualified to ascend to the second floor and settled in a first-floor corner.
“You know him?”
Caiyun noticed Cheng Lingyu’s strange demeanor, her voice tinged with surprise.
Cheng Lingyu gave a bitter smile, knowing he couldn’t conceal things from Caiyun yet unwilling to explain fully.
“I came to Yunyang City to kill him.”
The blunt statement made Caiyun comprehend instantly.
“He’s at the River Stage now – higher cultivation level than yours. With Ye Xiaoyun beside him, he’s clearly a Xuanhuo Sect disciple. Killing him won’t be easy. Should this Senior Sister eliminate him secretly for you?”
Cheng Lingyu ground his teeth. “I must kill him personally.”
Caiyun’s brows knitted. “Then we need solid plans. Tell me the details later – I’ll help devise a strategy.”
Cheng Lingyu acknowledged with a nod, melancholy clouding his features.
The auction commenced shortly after.
A fiftyish man appeared on the platform, beginning with introductions.
“This old man Zhu Hongguang, chief auctioneer of Jubao Studio, feels deeply honored by today’s gathering.”
His gaze swept the crowd as he continued, “For this Dragon Boat Festival auction, Jubao Studio prepared twelve premium items over three months. May they satisfy all your needs.”
The first auction item materialized after brief formalities.
“A fire-attribute monster core from Green Island. Excellent for weapon-forging and alchemy, consumable directly with effects rivaling low-grade spiritual herbs. Starting bid: ten thousand Tianyang Pills. Minimum bid increment: five hundred.”
Tianyang Pills – Xuan-grade essentials for cultivators – boosted cultivation levels, advanced Realms, and assisted in healing wounds.
Though astonished by Jubao Studio’s opening offering, Cheng Lingyu found the price prohibitive.
“Ten thousand!”
“Ten thousand five hundred!”
“Eleven thousand!”
The monster core’s allure sparked fervent bidding.
From his second-floor private booth, Cheng Lingyu observed the core’s fire-attribute energy shimmering through crimson patterns. A cultivation-boosting treasure he could only eye helplessly.
Caiyun lounged casually, veteran of many auctions knowing prime items came later.
“Fifteen thousand!”
Chen Jiuyu of Lièyáng Sect’s sharp bid deflated first-floor bidders. The sect’s determination to claim the core made opposition unwise.
“Sixteen thousand.”
Baifo Sect’s Second Master Li Yuetian countered fiercely.
“Seventeen thousand!”
Chen Jiuyu’s raised bid carried distinct fury.
Li Yuetian sneered, “Eighteen thousand pills.”
Chen Jiuyu growled furiously, “Twenty thousand pills.”
Li Yuetian paused briefly before coldly countering, “Twenty-one thousand.”
Chen Jiuyu seethed, debating whether to withdraw.
Spending twenty thousand Tianyang Pills for a monster core seemed unreasonable.
The Baifo Sect ultimately claimed the monster core for twenty-one thousand pills, giving Jubao Studio a strong opening.
“The second item is a high-quality treasure artifact – the Yunhua Umbrella. Its defenses can block full-powered strikes from Soul Martial Seventh Realm Spirit Communication experts. Starting bid: fifteen thousand Tianyang Pills. Minimum increment: one thousand.”
Though merely defensive, this high-quality treasure artifact held great value.
Cheng Lingyu gaped, shocked that an artifact cost more than a monster core.
Caiyun chuckled, reading his thoughts. “Treasure artifacts last forever. That’s why they’re pricey.”
Bidding for the umbrella proved tamer than the monster core’s frenzy.
The Flying Dragon Gang secured it for twenty-four thousand pills.
“Our next item will interest many,” Zhu Hongguang announced, pausing dramatically until all eyes focused on him. “The third lot: a half-spirit artifact…”
Before he finished, gasps erupted from the first floor.
A dark metal chunk appeared, shimmering with odd light and vein-like patterns resembling an embryonic axe, radiating raw power.
“An unfinished axe-shaped spirit artifact. Once completed, its Power becomes unmatched. Starting bid: fifty thousand pills. Minimum raise: five thousand.”
The crowd buzzed at the staggering price.
“The Xuanhuo Sect claims this artifact! Fifty-five thousand!” Geng Qiuhua’s voice boomed from the third floor – the first VIP bid.
“Spirit artifacts are rare,” drawled Shenhuo Sect’s Deputy Leader Zhao Daba. “We bid sixty thousand.”
“Sixty-five.”
“Seventy.”
“Seventy-five.”
“Eighty.”
The rivals clashed while others watched silently. Xuanhuo and Shenhuo sects, Yunyang City’s feuding titans, constantly butted heads.
“Eighty-five!” Geng Qiuhua snapped coldly.
“Ninety,” Zhao Daba yawned.
“ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND!” Geng Qiuhua roared.
The hall froze. Though expecting high bids, none predicted this ten-thousand leap.
Zhao Daba chuckled. “Want it that badly? Take it.” His mocking tone reeked of mischief.
Many later realized Shenhuo had baited their rivals into overpaying.
Geng Qiuhua’s angry laughter echoed. Trapped but defiant, Xuanhuo couldn’t back down.
“Congratulations, Xuanhuo Sect! Half-spirit artifact sold for 100,000! Next: Xuan Yang Pills, Top-grade Xuan-level pills. Starting bid: two thousand.”
Cheng Lingyu blinked. Tianyang Pills ranked two tiers lower as low-grade Xuan-level, yet the price gap seemed absurdly wide.