Junzilou finally sold six Nine-Thunder Ghost-Faced Ant eggs for a whopping one million yuan, and the second treasure was placed on the display.
The second treasure was obviously not as valuable as the Nine-Thunder Ghost-Faced Ant. After all, Junzilou was just a trading company in Fengxian City, one of countless businesses under the jurisdiction of Bailingtan Prefecture. It wasn't anything special.
This treasure was a top-grade spiritual artifact, but its uniqueness lay in the fact that a powerful individual had imbued it with two innate magical powers through a formation. This was the key reason it was included in the Junzilou auction.
Not long after, this top-grade spiritual artifact was purchased by an innate cultivator for 150,000 yuan, who immediately departed.
The next few treasures were all rare materials and herbs, none of which had anything to do with suppressing demonic energy. Ming Qi gradually grew disappointed. It seemed that he wouldn't be able to find anything useful in Junzilou.
However, the next treasure caught Ming Qi's attention.
As Zhuiyue peeled back the red cloth, Ming Qi saw a seemingly unremarkable mirror on a tray on the display stand.
Rather than being round, this mirror had hexagonal edges, framed by a dark green, unknown metal. The surface wasn't even clear, and the material seemed to be some rare jade.
"This mirror, um," Zhuiyue considered his words before continuing, "was accidentally found on a deserted island by a master while training overseas. After being appraised by a professional treasure appraiser, it's confirmed to be an ancient relic. So far, its effects have been found to be calming and nourishing."
Calming and nourishing?
Ming Qi's mind shifted. These simple, crude effects could probably be achieved by a piece of jade from a relatively old age. If this peculiarly shaped mirror was simply for calming and nourishing the soul, there would be no need to go to such lengths to create it.
Of course, if Ming Qi could think of this, the professional treasure appraisers at Junzilou would surely have thought of it as well. Therefore, the only reason they were putting this mirror up for auction right now was because they couldn't determine its true function, couldn't determine its true nature.
A treasure whose function is unknown is no different from a piece of junk. It seemed Junzilou didn't hold out much hope, as evidenced by the starting price.
This mirror, which Junzilou had named the Ancient Spiritual Mirror, had a starting price of 10,000 crystals.
The reaction was exactly as Ming Qi had expected: a lukewarm reception, with almost no bids. After a few rare bids, the price only rose to 12,500.
Clearly, no one was interested in an item with no effect.
"Fifteen thousand."
Ming Qi finally made his bid.
Ming Qi's primary concern with this mirror was its calming effect, but he also valued its unknown nature.
In his view, the more unknown something is, the greater its potential for development.
Having experienced the high-tech era, Ming Qi naturally believed this.
"Ancient Spiritual Mirror, this customer has already offered 15,000. Is there a higher price?"
The young man holding the auction hammer asked.
"20,000!"
Huh?
Ming Qi had initially thought no one was interested in the mirror, but as soon as he made his bid, someone else immediately placed a higher bid.
He glanced around, but unfortunately, due to the crowd, he couldn't locate the bidder.
"Ancient Spiritual Mirror, someone has offered 20,000. Is there a higher price?"
"30,000."
Ming Qi made the offer without hesitation. He really wanted to study this mirror carefully, and even a few hundred thousand Yuan Crystals wouldn't be a burden for him.
"100,000."
The voice immediately offered another bid, almost immediately following Ming Qi's.
"200,000."
Ming Qi pondered for a moment, then made the offer without hesitation.
It was clear that the other party, like him, had developed a strong interest in the mirror. At this point, neither side would easily let go; it became a pure test of financial strength. So Ming Qi raised the bid without hesitation, to the tune of 100,000.
"Ah, someone's already offered 200,000 for the Spiritual Mirror. Is there anyone who can raise it higher?"
The young man at the booth was already beaming. Even if no one bid higher, the fact that this useless mirror fetched 200,000 was already a pleasant surprise.
After Ming Qi's 200,000 bid, the man remained silent for a moment before finally naming his price.
"250,000."
"300,000!"
Ming Qi followed suit expressionlessly.
"310,000."
A slight smile curled Ming Qi's lips, realizing the man had reached his limit, and he immediately offered again.
"320,000."
A long silence fell this time. Finally, after the young man's hammer struck three times, Ming Qi secured the Spiritual Mirror. Afterward, a dedicated waiter brought the tray containing the Ancient Spiritual Mirror directly from the platform to Ming Qi.
Accompanying the beautiful waiter was Zhui Yue.
"Congratulations on owning this magical ancient mirror."
Zhui Yue, with a charming smile on her face, took the tray from the waiter and held it before Ming Qi.
Ming Qi wasn't shy. With a wave of his hand, a burst of Yuan Qi swept across, placing the Ancient Spiritual Mirror into his black ring. At the same time, over thirty high-grade Yuan Crystals appeared in his hand.
"I'll pay with this."
With that, Ming Qi placed thirty-two high-grade Yuan Crystals on the tray. The Yuan Crystals, each with a different attribute, shone brightly, immediately attracting the attention of many.
"You..."
Zhui Yue observed Ming Qi's reckless actions, seeming to be on the verge of saying something, but ultimately, she remained silent. After a few pleasantries, she returned to the booth with the waiter.
Ming Qi naturally observed Zhui Yue's behavior, clearly a kind reminder to avoid showing off one's wealth. However, Ming Qi had no time to dwell on it.
Just as he grasped the Ancient Spiritual Mirror, he was surprised to discover that the Supreme Mountain and Sea Map, hidden deep within his mind, was once again pulsing!
This ancient mirror must be extraordinary!
Ming Qi immediately made his judgment, but it was impossible to study it here, so he could only suppress his curiosity and sit there quietly.
Putting the matter of the ancient mirror aside, Ming Qi spread his aura and noticed a number of subtle gazes on him. Clearly, a cultivator like him, who was so generous yet only sat in an ordinary seat, was being considered a good target.
Despite the subtle gazes, Ming Qi ignored them and continued to watch the auction.
Soon, a new person appeared beside Ming Qi. This person was also an innate cultivator, but his aura was chilling. His appearance immediately caused many cultivators to quietly move away.
"Little brother, will you please give me that mirror?"
The man had a gloomy expression, a hooked nose, a pointed chin, and high cheekbones, resembling the foreigners Ming Qi had often encountered.
Ming Qi chuckled but remained silent.
"I can offer you something else in exchange."
"I like this mirror, too," Ming Qi said without hesitation.
If he hadn't encountered the Ancient Spiritual Mirror, he might have agreed. But now, that was impossible. A mirror capable of causing fluctuations in the Supreme Mountain and Sea Map must be something truly extraordinary.
Seeing that Ming Qi had no room to budge, the man stopped talking. He simply glared fiercely at Ming Qi a few times before turning and walking away.
It was a minor incident, and Ming Qi didn't pay much attention to it. The auction proceeded smoothly, and most of those who had purchased treasures quickly departed.
Around 10:00 PM, the auction was drawing to a close, signaling the release of another incredibly valuable treasure. Ming Qi perked up, eager to see what Junzilou's grand finale would reveal.
However, before the final piece was released, Ming Qi's status changed.
His stay at Junzilou had reached VIP status, allowing him to stay in the VIP rooms.
He followed the waiter up to the second floor, who politely offered Ming Qi a VIP room.
"Room 89," he said.
The waiter agreed, as it was clear that room 89 was empty.
The VIP room's amenities were naturally exceptional. It was a beautifully decorated room with comfortable armchairs and complimentary high-end snacks and drinks from Junzilou.
Directly across from the auction hall downstairs, the VIP room held a clear, glass-like jade wall. Through it, one could clearly see the auction booth. Ming Qi knew this magical jade was incredibly clear from the inside out, yet completely invisible from the outside looking in. This allowed him to keep the identity of the person in the VIP room a secret.
Ming Qi sat in a soft chair, a glass of fine wine in hand, gazing at the obsidian display with great comfort.
The final treasure had been placed on the display.
What intrigued Ming Qi was that this final piece was so enormous that it barely even fit on the spacious obsidian display. Fortunately, an even larger red cloth covered the treasure, making it impossible to discern its true nature from the outside.
"I'm sure everyone wants to know what this treasure is."
Zhuiyue's voice, like a yellow oriole, echoed throughout the vast hall. Although everyone knew it was pure nonsense, many people still joined in the shouting.
"Before I unveil this treasure, I would like to ask you a question."
Zhuiyue stood beside the obsidian display, her snow-white arms resting on the red cloth, her eyes fixed on the crowd.
The crowd erupted in cheers again.
Undoubtedly, Zhuiyue's single question immediately captured everyone's attention.