Soon, a maid respectfully carried the jade vial containing the Millennium Stone Stalactite into the Box Heaven Number Number Three.
Xie Zhaolin inspected it, confirming the seal was intact and the Stone Stalactite was brimming with spiritual energy, clearly top-grade. Eight thousand top-grade spirit stones was a bit steep, but the item was solid, and she was satisfied.
The transaction was completed swiftly, with the cost deducted directly from her Green Star Card.
The auction continued.
Among the next few items, several clearly piqued the interest of Yu Xiaotang.
Every time Yu Xiaotang placed a bid, Xie Zhaolin would casually raise it by one or two increments. Her increases were neither too small nor too large, enough to make Yu Xiaotang pay a little extra without seeming like she was deliberately targeting her.
For instance, a spirit-condensing herb beneficial for alchemy—Yu Xiaotang bid five thousand, and Xie Zhaolin nudged it to five thousand five hundred.
Yu Xiaotang hesitated, then went to five thousand eight hundred, at which point Xie Zhaolin stopped.
Then there was a fine piece of Qingxin Jade, a prime material for crafting musical artifacts. Yu Xiaotang seemed to want it for Senior Brother Yu Mingxi and bid seven thousand.
Xie Zhaolin raised it to seven thousand five hundred. Yu Xiaotang countered at eight thousand, and Xie Zhaolin let it go.
She played the part of a wealthy but not desperate competitor perfectly.
Inside the Box Earth Number Number Three, Yu Xiaotang's expression darkened. Each time, the Box Heaven Number Three raised the price. Though she still secured the items, it cost more than expected.
"Senior Brother Yu, do you think… that Third Heaven-section bidder is doing this on purpose?" she asked Yu Mingxi beside her.
Yu Mingxi frowned, thinking. "Hard to say. Judging by how they raise, it doesn't feel targeted, more like… they've got money to burn and are just doing as they please. Could just be coincidence."
Yu Xiaotang still had doubts, but her system's earlier scan and the bidder's behavior made her push them aside.
Maybe… it really was just a coincidence.
On the auction stage, Lao Ge observed everything, a barely noticeable smile in his eyes. The higher the price, the bigger the cut the auction took—he was naturally pleased. And… he confirmed some of his suspicions about the possible grudge between the cloaked female bidder and Yu Xiaotang.
Soon, it was time for another item Xie Zhaolin had her eyes on—the Netherworld Mystic Iron. Its use was specialized, so there weren't many bidders. She secured it smoothly for seven thousand top-grade spirit stones.
The maid delivered it again, and after inspection, Xie Zhaolin added it to her collection.
Lao Ge then introduced the next item.
"Daoyou, this next lot is a bit special," he said, holding up a simple jade slip. "It's a fragmentary manual on crafting. By research, it's ancient, possibly from the Primordial Era. It records some… rather peculiar methods of crafting puppets."
He paused, adding, "However, I must warn you, the manual is heavily damaged, and parts of it… are obscure, possibly even conflicting with current mainstream crafting theory. Studying it carries both risk and opportunity. Starting bid—three thousand top-grade spirit stones!"
Inside the Box Heaven Number Three, You You hovered midair, curiously studying the jade slip.
As Lao Ge opened it and projected faint characters and diagrams, her semi-transparent face twisted into a bizarre expression. It was a mix of surprise, confusion, and… something indescribable.
Xie Zhaolin noticed immediately.
"You You, what's wrong?" she whispered.
You You turned her face, expression vivid, pointing at the projection below. Her voice trembled with disbelief.
"Master… that… that manual… it looks like… maybe… it's mine!"
"What?" Xie Zhaolin blinked in surprise.
You You scratched her head, trying to recall. "Look at how the characters are outlined, and those small symbols beside them… those were my marks back then! The content's fuzzy, but it feels… really like some notes I jotted down on crafting years ago…"
She hesitated, her expression more complex. "But… Master, I should warn you, back then I was… well… carefree.
There's some useful stuff in there, but there's also… mistakes!" she admitted, a little embarrassed. "I liked to write down the traps I fell into, my failed ideas… and usually I didn't bother marking them as wrong.
If anyone actually tried crafting puppets strictly following this manual…" You You shrank her neck, "…it'd never succeed. Most likely, they'd end up with scrap metal or… blow up the furnace."
Xie Zhaolin froze, unsure how to react.
What… was this?
A Pitfall Guide?
Just as she wanted to ask more, Lao Ge announced the bidding had begun!
"Three thousand five hundred!" a voice shouted immediately.
"Four thousand!" another box responded.
Then—
"Six thousand!" a crisp female voice rang out, jumping two thousand at once!
It was Yu Xiaotang from the Box Earth Number Three.
"System! Is that crafting manual real?" Yu Xiaotang asked in her mind.
[Ding! Scan complete.]
[Target item confirmed as a fragmentary manual.]
[Energy signature comparison shows it originates from You Ji Shàngrén, Puppet Master line.]
[Tip: Spend 3800 points to fully restore via system.]
Yu Xiaotang's heart jolted, then surged with excitement.
You Ji!
The legendary Puppet Master!
Their puppets were said to possess godlike abilities. Even partial inheritance would be invaluable. In today's Cultivation Realm, the puppet arts still survive, but many core techniques are lost. Puppets crafted now lack the power and spirit of old. If she could get this manual and restore it with her system…
Even learning just some lost techniques would let her make breakthroughs in puppetry. Her puppets would surpass peers easily. Her status within the Hehuan Sect would strengthen, letting her forge alliances with stronger figures and gain more resources.
Though 3,800 points was hefty, the long-term value far outweighed it.
Decision made in an instant, Yu Xiaotang raised the bid by two thousand top-grade spirit stones, aiming to secure the manual outright.
As expected, the bids below had briefly stalled after her six thousand offer. For a heavily damaged, risky manual, that price was already high.
Lao Ge stood on the stage, announcing loudly, "Box Earth Number Three bids six thousand top-grade spirit stones! Any higher?"
Just as he was about to start the countdown, the Box Heaven Number Three spoke again.