On the following night, the stars shone brilliantly in the sky. The birds that usually fluttered about were now sound asleep on the branches around the town.
Previously, news of a Heavenly Venerable expert had been the talk of the continent. Now, another piece of news spread like wildfire — the auction at the Liuyao Pavilion.
Although Liuyao Pavilion was not counted among the upper-tier forces, rumors claimed they would auction off a fragment of an Immortal artifact. The weight of the word "Immortal" alone was enough to shake the Tianxian Continent. Countless experts would undoubtedly fight for it, and even some upper-tier forces were expected to attend this auction.
And tonight, the entire town seemed to hold its breath — the auction was about to begin.
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Liuyao Pavilion stood proudly at the very heart of the town. Its building towered high, supported by ancient pillars carved with dragons and phoenixes. The walls were adorned with sapphire-blue crystal lamps, twinkling like stars. Inside, the auction hall stretched vast like an endless sea, already packed with thousands of people. The glossy black floor gleamed like a mirror, reflecting the light of the crystal chandeliers hanging from the lofty ceiling, while the central stage rose like the eye of a storm, the focus of every gaze.
The seats on the lower floor were packed with merchants, minor nobles, and low-level cultivators who had come just to witness the grandeur of the event. They squeezed together, eyes burning with hunger as they stared at the stage, even though they knew their purses could never hope to compete for the treasures soon to be offered.
Meanwhile, on the upper floor, the VIP rooms stood in an elegant row, veiled by dark silk curtains that allowed only the faintest silhouettes of their occupants to be seen. Behind those curtains sat the true figures of power — nobles of great clans, elders of ancient sects, and young prodigies whose names already shook the land.
When the event finally began, the sound of an ancient bell tolled three times, its deep chime reverberating through the air. A beautiful woman in a flowing green robe, cut just enough to reveal her graceful form, appeared on the stage. Her black hair was tied up in an elegant bun, her face graced with a soft smile, yet her gaze radiated an authority that silenced the entire hall. She was the host and auctioneer of Liuyao Pavilion.
"Honored guests, welcome to the Liuyao Pavilion auction. Tonight, we present to you a selection of treasures gathered from every corner of the continent. Each one holds extraordinary value — whoever claims them may very well change the course of their fate."
A murmur of excitement rippled through the lower audience.
The first item was soon brought forth — a silver-hued pill that released a sweet fragrance the moment its jade container was opened.
"This pill is known as the Steel Bone Pill. It strengthens the body to an extraordinary degree. For cultivators in their early stages, a strengthened physique can serve as the foundation to break through to higher realms. Starting bid, one hundred thousand Heavenly Stones."
"One hundred and fifty thousand!"
"Two hundred thousand!"
"Three hundred thousand!"
The price quickly climbed, drawing gasps of awe from the spectators below.
Heavenly Stones were gleaming violet crystals, far more valuable than mere gold coins. Without a strong background, they were almost impossible to obtain.
The second item was a long sword, its dark silver blade exuding a cold aura and humming softly, as though the sword itself had a soul.
"This sword is forged from star-iron. Though not a high-tier weapon, its edge can pierce ordinary steel without the slightest resistance. Starting bid, five hundred thousand Heavenly Stones."
"Five hundred thousand!"
"Six hundred thousand!"
"Seven hundred thousand!"
Two young nobles began a fierce bidding war, their faces flushed red, fists clenched as though losing here would be a blow to their pride. In the end, the sword went to one of them for more than seven hundred thousand Heavenly Stones.
One by one, other treasures were brought forth — ancient technique scrolls, rare healing elixirs, even a blue spirit gem that radiated a tranquil glow. Each time an item was lifted, the hall erupted with shouts of new bids.
But everyone knew — this was only the warm-up. Those sitting in the VIP rooms merely offered faint smiles, clearly waiting for the true highlight of the night.
As the final rounds approached, the auctioneer smiled, then gracefully lifted a black jade box sealed tight. A wave of chilling air swept through the hall before the box was even opened.
"Honored guests, the next item is the blood essence of an ancient era, believed to have belonged to a Heavenly Emperor. The energy within it is strong enough to shake the soul of anyone who approaches. For cultivators, this is a rare chance to break through their limits — perhaps even to rewrite their destiny."
In an instant, the entire hall fell silent. The only sound that could be heard was the rapid beating of their own hearts.
When the black jade box was opened, a surge of golden-red light erupted like a volcanic storm, coiling into the shapes of dragons and phoenixes before vanishing into the air.
The ancient aura was so overwhelming that many of the ordinary spectators could no longer bear it. Some staggered, some trembled at the knees, and a few dropped straight to the ground, pale-faced and gasping.
In the VIP rooms, the atmosphere turned razor-sharp. Nobles and sect elders exchanged calculating glances, their eyes burning with intensity. A formless pressure filled the air, weighing down on the hall as though the very heavens were collapsing.
The crowd tensed. Whispers broke out like cracks in ice.
"Impossible… that's Heavenly Emperor blood essence!"
"Even in the Central Region, something like this is rarely put up for auction!"
"Has Liuyao Pavilion gone mad?"
"Starting bid, one million Heavenly Stones. Minimum increase per bid — one million." The auctioneer's calm voice broke the silence.
Gasps rose from the audience below. For them, a single million Heavenly Stones was an unimaginable fortune — enough to rival the wealth of generations.
"One million, I'll take it!" A young man in royal robes from a kingdom's imperial clan called out, laughing loudly as he glanced challengingly toward another VIP room across the hall.
But immediately after, a cold, commanding voice resounded from another VIP room.
"Two million."
It was the voice of a sect elder — deep and authoritative, making the spectators below shiver as though they had heard a decree from heaven.
"Four million!"
"Six million!"
The price soared wildly, far beyond what the common crowd could even dream of. And this was not even the final item of the night, yet the numbers had already reached a staggering height.
Tension thickened, Each new bid struck the hall like a war drum, shaking the hearts of everyone present. Some nobles' faces turned grim with defeat, while some sect elders sat back, seething with silent fury, yet restraining themselves.
Inside VIP room No. 1, Yifan sat casually, holding a piece of fruit between his fingers as though nothing of importance was happening.
Beside him stood Yao Yue, who had been serving them personally since earlier that evening. It was she who had guided Yifan and the others to VIP room No. 1, an honor reserved only for the most prestigious guests. Yao Yue still remembered the words of her pavilion ancestors the previous night. Her gaze occasionally swept across the other VIP rooms, assessing the strength of those present. Though her face remained calm, her heart was beating faster — she knew tonight was no mere auction. Tonight was a hidden battlefield, a clash of giants that could shape the future.
Cheers, pressure, and killing intent crossed paths in the air, and all waited to see who would claim the Heavenly Emperor's blood essence.