Chapter 254: The Final Auction Item — A Peach?
As everyone realized what the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect planned next, unease rippled through the hall.
Even so, none of the major powers willing to compete for the Heaven-Gifted Soul Bone were ready to give up easily.
"The effects of this Heaven-Gifted Soul Bone have already been explained," Jiang Li announced. "The starting bid is five hundred million gold soul coins, with each increment no less than fifty million. The auction begins now."
He raised the gavel and struck it, officially starting the bid.
"Five hundred million gold soul coins!"
Ning Qitian of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect lifted his paddle almost instantly, his excitement palpable. From the moment the Pavilion confirmed the soul bone's function, he had been unable to sit still.
"Six hundred million!"
Xu Tiannan of the Sun Moon Empire immediately followed, unwilling to concede.
The great powers continued to bid in turn. The Clear Sky Sect, the Body Sect, Shrek Academy, and even the Holy Spirit Cult all joined in.
Even those who had little hope of winning refused to remain silent.
After all, this was a Heaven-Gifted Soul Bone—a once-in-a-lifetime divine relic. Who could resist taking a chance?
Minutes passed in a storm of shouting numbers.
Soon, the price surpassed fifty billion gold soul coins—and kept climbing.
The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the Sun Moon Empire, and the Clear Sky Sect continued to battle fiercely, none willing to back down.
"Sixty billion gold soul coins!"
This time, Ning Qitian's voice rang out, resolute and proud.
He raised the bid by ten billion in one go—a staggering leap that left the room stunned into silence.
Around him, the faces of other powerful leaders fell.
It was exactly what they expected. Only the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could casually throw out such astronomical sums without flinching.
The truth was that none of them could match it anymore.
The factions that had already secured treasures had depleted their resources, while those that had abstained lacked the capital to compete.
The room grew still.
Jiang Li looked over the assembled powers and saw no movement. It was exactly as he had foreseen.
From the very start, he had known the Heaven-Gifted Soul Bone would ultimately belong to the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
They were the only ones left with deep enough coffers to claim it.
"Sixty billion, once."
"Sixty billion, twice."
"Sixty billion, thrice!"
"No further bids," Jiang Li declared, striking the gavel with finality. "The Heaven-Gifted Soul Bone is sold to the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect for sixty billion gold soul coins!"
A murmur rippled across the audience as Ning Qitian exhaled, relief flooding through him.
They had done it.
The sect finally possessed what he believed would change their destiny forever.
He could already imagine it—his Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda evolving into a god-level martial soul, his eighth and ninth rings awakening, his power surging to unimaginable heights.
The desire to test its strength burned within him, but he forced himself to wait until the auction concluded. He would unleash its potential soon enough.
"Sect Master," one of the two middle-aged men beside him said gravely, "though we've acquired the soul bone, taking it home safely will not be easy."
These two were the sect's Title Douluo guardians, both at the ninety-fifth rank.
Ning Qitian nodded. "I know. We won't act rashly. No one would dare strike while inside the Pavilion, but once we leave… that's another matter. We'll consult Jiang Li afterward. If possible, I'll absorb the soul bone here before returning."
"When my martial soul evolves, my support abilities will also ascend. With my aid, both of you should be able to handle any danger that arises."
His tone was measured, but his excitement shone through.
The two elders exchanged a glance and relaxed slightly. Still, they knew the moment the auction ended, the biggest battle would begin.
They had to be ready.
As Ning Qitian's victory sank in, the other factions exchanged heavy looks.
Many wondered how long the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would be able to keep the Heaven-Gifted Soul Bone once the Pavilion's protection ended.
After all, treasures of this level drew envy like moths to flame.
But soon the chatter quieted again as the audience's attention turned back to the stage. Several rounds had already concluded. It was time for the final item.
What kind of miracle would close an auction like this?
Jiang Li smiled knowingly when he noticed the burning anticipation in the crowd's eyes. Then, with an elegant wave of his hand, the final auction piece materialized.
Floating gently in the air above the platform was—a peach.
Its skin was soft pink and glistened with dew, radiant under the light, almost inviting a bite.
For a moment, the hall was completely silent. Then came the murmurs.
"Wait… is that a peach?"
"That can't be right."
Dozens of doubtful voices echoed through the hall as everyone stared at the seemingly ordinary fruit.
There was no aura of soul power, no divine energy about it. Just an ordinary peach—or so it seemed.
"This peach," Jiang Li said with a mysterious smile, "is none other than the final item of today's auction. Don't be deceived by its appearance. Though it looks like any common fruit, its power will leave you utterly speechless."
The skeptical gazes softened slightly but remained filled with confusion.
"What power? It looks completely ordinary!" one man murmured.
"Who knows?" another replied. "This is the Starry Auction Pavilion. If they chose a peach as the grand finale, it must be extraordinary. Let's find out just how extraordinary soon enough."
Even the strongest figures on the continent—Mu En, Elder Xuan, Titan, and Xu Tiannan—leaned forward, their curiosity piqued.
Could this humble fruit really outshine all that had come before?
(END CHAPTER)
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