The room fell into silence once again, the cultivators eagerly awaiting the next move. Elara and the Grand Elder maintained their unwavering stance, resolute in their decision. Thorn, on the other hand, wore a smug expression, confident in his bid and the opportunity it presented.
As the moments stretched on, the tension in the room mounted. The fate of the 23rd item and the dynamics between the factions hung in the balance. Each cultivator braced themselves for what would come next, knowing that this bidding war was just a glimpse of the battles to come in their pursuit of the ultimate treasures.
In the end, it was Thorn who emerged victorious, successfully securing the 23rd item. Despite his attempt to provoke the alliance between the Radiant Holy Lands and the Heavenly Sword Sect to spend their soul coins, Thorn found himself on the receiving end. It was Thorn who had to part with his soul coins to claim the item.
While the 23rd item was indeed a valuable acquisition, Thorn knew that his ultimate goal lay in winning the final 7-star treasure. As such, his victory in this round only served as a stepping stone towards his ultimate objective.
------------
The auctioneer, observing the intensity in the room, cleared his throat and gestured toward the 24th item—a magnificent celestial sword engraved with ancient runes.
"Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed cultivators, the 24th item is a celestial sword of unparalleled craftsmanship. Its intricate design and the power it holds make it a coveted treasure for any cultivator seeking to enhance their martial prowess," the auctioneer announced.
The bidding for the celestial sword began, and the atmosphere grew electric once again. This time, the first-grade forces, renowned for their formidable strength, stepped forward to assert their dominance.
The Azure Flame Sect, known for their mastery of fire cultivation techniques, initiated the bidding with an offer of 30,000 soul coins. Their bid sent a ripple of excitement through the room, as they were widely regarded as one of the top forces in the Azure Kingdom.
Not to be outdone, the Moonshadow Pavilion, experts in stealth and illusion techniques, swiftly counterbid with 35,000 soul coins. Their bid was met with murmurs of admiration, recognizing their expertise in covert operations.
The Earthbreakers Clan, famous for their earth-based cultivation arts, entered the fray with a confident bid of 37,000 soul coins. Their presence commanded respect, as their disciples possessed incredible physical strength and the ability to manipulate the very ground beneath their feet.
The bidding continued, with each first-grade force attempting to outdo the others. As the price climbed to 40,000 soul coins, a mysterious lone cultivator stepped forward, capturing everyone's attention.
Clad in a dark cloak, his identity concealed, the lone cultivator exuded an air of enigma. His bid of 50,000 soul coins surprised the room, as no one had expected such a significant jump.
The first-grade forces exchanged curious glances, their competitive spirits ignited by the presence of this mysterious bidder. Sensing an opportunity to secure the celestial sword, the Azure Flame Sect increased their bid to 51,000 soul coins.
Undeterred, the Moonshadow Pavilion responded with a bid of 52,000 soul coins, determined to claim the treasure for themselves.
The Earthbreakers Clan, recognizing the mounting competition, boldly raised the bid to 53,000 soul coins, their intent clear in their unwavering gaze.
Meanwhile, the mysterious lone cultivator, shrouded in secrecy, calmly countered with a bid of 55,000 soul coins.
The room erupted with whispers and speculation. Who was this mysterious cultivator with such deep pockets and an unwavering determination to obtain the celestial sword? The first-grade forces exchanged puzzled glances, their curiosity piqued.
"Have you ever seen this cultivator before?" whispered one disciple of the Azure Flame Sect to his comrade.
"No, I haven't," replied the other, shaking his head. "He seem to be well-versed in the art of concealment. I can't even catch a glimpse of his face."
The Moonshadow Pavilion's disciples, renowned for their sharp perception, also exchanged hushed speculations.
"Do you think they belong to a hidden sect?" one whispered.
"It's possible," the other responded. "His aura is unfamiliar, and they must have considerable resources at their disposal."
The Earthbreakers Clan, known for their straightforward approach, couldn't help but be intrigued by the mystery cultivator.
"He certainly not one to be underestimated," muttered a disciple. "His bidding suggests they have confidence in their abilities. I wonder what techniques they specialize in."
The auctioneer, amused by the intrigue surrounding the mysterious cultivator, continued the bidding. "The bid stands at 55,000 soul coins. Do I hear any higher bids?" he announced, her voice carrying a hint of excitement.
The room fell into a momentary silence, as the first-grade forces deliberated their next move. The Azure Flame Sect, Moonshadow Pavilion, and Earthbreakers Clan exchanged glances, contemplating their options.
Finally, the Azure Flame Sect's representative spoke up, a determined look in his eyes. "We bid 56,000 soul coins," he declared, his voice filled with resolve.
The Moonshadow Pavilion's disciple smirked, ready to challenge their rival. "We raise the bid to 57,000 soul coins," he proclaimed confidently.
The Earthbreakers Clan's disciple, unyielding in their pursuit, increased the bid to 58,000 soul coins.
The mysterious cultivator, unperturbed by the escalating bids, calmly raised his hand once more. "I bid 60,000 soul coins," he stated, his voice carrying an air of determination.
Gasps of astonishment filled the room. The bid from the enigmatic cultivator had far surpassed the expectations of the first-grade forces. Whispers and speculation filled the air as they struggled to decipher the cultivator's motives and background.
"Who is this person? How can he afford such a high bid?" murmured a disciple of the Azure Flame Sect.
"I've never encountered a lone cultivator with such deep pockets. His resources must be substantial," remarked a Moonshadow Pavilion disciple.
The auctioneer, sensing the intrigue and anticipation, couldn't help but add fuel to the fire. "Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed cultivators, it seems we have an unknown contender vying for the celestial sword. Who could this mysterious cultivator be? What techniques and abilities do they possess?"
The atmosphere grew charged with excitement and curiosity, as the cultivators eagerly awaited the next move from the first-grade forces. The bidding war had taken an unexpected turn, with the mysterious cultivator making waves and leaving everyone wondering about his true identity and intentions.
The Azure Flame Sect's representative hesitated for a moment, contemplating their options. After a brief exchange of glances with his fellow disciples, he spoke up, determination evident in his voice. "We... we concede. We will not raise the bid any further," he announced, his tone tinged with a hint of disappointment.
With the concession of the Azure Flame Sect, a mixture of surprise and intrigue swept through the crowd. The Moonshadow Pavilion and the Earthbreakers Clan exchanged knowing glances, acknowledging the mysterious cultivator's formidable presence.
The auctioneer, delighted by the unexpected turn of events, couldn't resist adding a touch of drama to the moment. "Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed cultivators, it seems that the celestial sword has found its rightful owner. Going once, going twice..."
Before the auctioneer could finish his sentence, the gavel came crashing down. "Sold to the mysterious cultivator for 60,000 soul coins!" she declared, his voice resounding with finality.
A round of applause broke out, filled with a mix of admiration, curiosity, and respect. The unknown cultivator had managed to claim the celestial sword, outbidding the first-grade forces and capturing the attention of all present.
The auctioneer, swiftly moved on to present the 25th item—a set of ancient talismans imbued with mystical powers. She gestured toward the artifacts and addressed the eager crowd.
"Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed cultivators, I present to you the 25th item—a set of ancient talismans passed down through generations. These talismans possess extraordinary abilities, capable of enhancing one's spiritual energy and unlocking hidden potential."
The cultivators' eyes widened, intrigued by the prospect of acquiring such potent artifacts. The first-grade forces, momentarily distracted from their curiosity about the mysterious bidder, refocused their attention on the newly revealed treasure.
Elara, Thorn, and the Grand Elder of the Headvenly Sword, couldn't help but feel a surge of temptation upon hearing the description of the ancient talismans. The power they could potentially bestow was undeniable, but they quickly reminded themselves of their purpose and the need to preserve their soul coins for the final item.
With a shared understanding, they restrained themselves from joining the bidding for the talismans. Instead, they observed as the first-grade forces once again stepped forward to assert their dominance and vie for the powerful artifacts.
The Azure Flame Sect, seeking to add to their arsenal of fire cultivation techniques, initiated the bidding with a bold offer of 40,000 soul coins. Their bid reflected their determination to expand their mastery of the element that defined them.
The Moonshadow Pavilion, masters of stealth and illusion, swiftly countered with 41,000 soul coins. Their disciples recognized the value of the talismans in enhancing their covert operations and ensuring their dominance in the shadows.
Not to be outdone, the Earthbreakers Clan, renowned for their earth-based cultivation arts, entered the fray with a confident bid of 42,000 soul coins. Their disciples envisioned the talismans as a means to further solidify their connection to the earth and amplify their already formidable physical prowess.
This time, however, Elara, Thorn, and the Grand Elder resisted the urge to bid, knowing the importance of the Heaven's Heart Crystal that awaited them. They watched with a mixture of curiosity and admiration as the first-grade forces battled it out, their competitive spirits burning bright.
The Azure Flame Sect, unwilling to back down, raised the bid to 45,000 soul coins, displaying their unwavering determination to acquire the ancient talismans.
The Moonshadow Pavilion's disciples, shrewd in their calculations, responded with a bid of 46,000 soul coins.
The mysterious cultivator, seemingly unphased by the fierce competition, raised his hand once again. "I bid 50,000 soul coins," he stated, his voice steady and resolute.
Gasps filled the room once more. The bid from the mysterious cultivator had surpassed the expectations of the first-grade forces yet again. Whispers and murmurs filled the air as the cultivators tried to unravel the mystery surrounding him.
Th𝗲 most uptodate novels are published on free(w)ebnov(e)l.𝒄𝒐𝙢