The moment Lao Ge finished speaking, a wave of gasps rippled through the hall, followed by a rush of excitement that quickly heated the air.
His introduction had been brief, but every cultivator who could enter this once-in-ten-years grand auction either had deep pockets or sharp eyes.
Many had already checked the jade slip for this auction lot and seen its detailed information.
This Liuguang Sword wasn't just made from premium materials with exquisite craftsmanship, the most important part was that it was personally forged by a senior elder from the Artifact Refining Sect.
The Artifact Refining Sect!
That name alone carried immense weight across the Cultivation Realm.
A Heaven-ranked sect known as the undisputed authority of the artifact craft, its elders' personally refined seventh-rank artifacts were guaranteed to be top quality. Even a lower-grade sword from their hands far outclassed those of other smiths at the same rank.
There was even the chance it hid some unique refining technique or enhancement effect.
For Golden Core cultivators eager to raise their battle strength, this was a treasure hard to resist.
"Two thousand one hundred spirit stones!" someone shouted.
"Two thousand two hundred!"
"Two thousand three hundred fifty!"
"Two thousand five hundred!"
Bids came one after another, prices climbing fast.
Even a few Earth-ranked rooms on the second floor started joining in.
Box Heaven Number Three, Xie Zhaolin watched the bidding calmly.
The sword's quality was indeed excellent, but she cultivated the Xuanyin Foundation Technique and mainly relied on baleful qi and puppets in combat. A traditional flying sword artifact wasn't something she really needed, especially since her main weapon was a ribbon, not a blade.
Besides, she needed to save her spirit stones for something far more important—like Soul Nurturing Wood.
Her gaze swept over the Earth-ranked rooms across from her, where Yu Xiaotang and that Tianyin Sect disciple, Yu Mingxi, were.
What had that system scan earlier shown? Had Yu Xiaotang believed her disguise?
The next few rounds of bidding might give her the answer. If Yu Xiaotang stopped targeting her and acted normally, it meant the disguise had probably worked.
But if she still showed abnormal attention or provocation…
Then it'd be time for another plan.
She leaned back slightly, mind composed, waiting patiently for her true target to appear.
In the end, the Liuguang Sword sold for three thousand three hundred high-grade spirit stones to a mid-Golden Core cultivator in the main hall.
Lao Ge kept his calm smile and immediately presented the next item.
The auction continued smoothly, item after item—pills, materials, cultivation manuals—all sparking fierce competition.
Xie Zhaolin kept waiting.
After more than ten items, Lao Ge cleared his throat and raised his voice.
"Next, this item is something that body cultivators or those who wish to temper their flesh and cleanse their marrow will find extremely valuable!"
A maid stepped forward holding a jade bottle.
"A bottle of Millennium Stalactite! Ten drops in total!" Lao Ge lifted the lid, and instantly a refreshing fragrance spread through the hall, clearing everyone's minds.
"I don't think I need to say much about its effects. Starting price, three thousand high-grade spirit stones! Each raise no less than one hundred!"
Xie Zhaolin's eyes instantly locked onto that jade bottle. Finally, her target had appeared.
But she didn't bid right away.
Experience told her that showing interest too early only invited unwanted attention and malicious price hikes.
Especially when Yu Xiaotang might still be watching her.
Sure enough, as soon as Lao Ge's voice fell, the bidding began.
"Three thousand one hundred!"
"Three thousand three hundred!"
"I'll give three thousand five hundred!"
Millennium Stalactite was indeed a rare treasure, useful to body cultivators and anyone looking to improve their physique.
Ten drops was enough for multiple uses—definitely worth fighting over.
The price soon rose to four thousand.
By then, most in the main hall had fallen silent, unable to keep up.
But voices started coming from the Earth-ranked rooms upstairs.
"Four thousand two hundred," a slightly hoarse voice called.
"Four thousand five hundred," another answered immediately.
Xie Zhaolin listened calmly, eyes still fixed on Yu Xiaotang's room.
That room had remained quiet the entire time.
Was she not interested in the stalactite? Or was she waiting for something?
The bidding slowed, and when the price reached five thousand, only two Earth-ranked rooms were still competing.
"Five thousand one hundred," the hoarse voice said again, sounding confident and determined.
"Five thousand three hundred," the other countered, equally firm.
Lao Ge smiled warmly on the stage. "Earth Room Seven bids five thousand three hundred. Any higher?"
A short silence fell.
That was already a pretty high price for ten drops of Millennium Stalactite.
Just as Lao Ge was about to start the countdown—
A clear, pleasant female voice rang out from Earth Room Three.
"Six thousand."
Yu Xiaotang!
She'd finally made her move. And she didn't just raise the bid—she jumped it by seven hundred in one go, showing both wealth and determination.
The entire hall went silent for a moment.
The previous bidders also fell quiet, clearly unwilling to go that high.
Inside Box Heaven Number Three, a faintly cold smile touched Xie Zhaolin's lips.
So she did make a move after all. Still, the way she raised her bid felt more like normal competition, not a deliberate provocation. After all, even for someone like her, the stalactite was useful.
Lao Ge called again, "Box Earth Number Three bids six thousand high-grade spirit stones! Any higher?"
Xie Zhaolin knew it was time. She pressed lightly on the bidding artifact before her, and her low, calm voice carried through the formation.
"Seven thousand."
A murmur of surprise rippled through the crowd.
Another direct jump by a thousand!
And this time, it came from a Box Heaven! Which big shot was that?
Inside Box Earth Number Three, Yu Xiaotang's brows furrowed slightly.
Box Heaven Number Three… that black-robed woman!
She wanted the stalactite too? Coincidence?
Or did she sense something and decide to bid on purpose?
Suspicion flashed through her mind, but the system's earlier scan results made her suppress it.
Maybe… the woman just needed it too. After a moment's thought, she bid again.
"Seven thousand five hundred."
"Eight thousand," came the calm voice from Heavenly Room Three, without the slightest hesitation.
Yu Xiaotang's face darkened. That bidding style… was way too aggressive. She wasn't short on spirit stones, but she also wasn't about to play the fool.
The stalactite was good, sure, but it had its limits. More importantly, she didn't want to start a fight right now with someone strong whose background she didn't know.
After a moment's hesitation, she gave up.
"Eight thousand high-grade spirit stones, once! Twice! Thrice!"
Bang!
Lao Ge struck the hammer. "Sold! Congratulations to the esteemed guest in Box Heaven Number Three!"
The first target item had fallen neatly into Xie Zhaolin's hands.