Hearing the auctioneer’s words about the alluring Orb of Divination, both Liang and Kai’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
"We must acquire this artifact," Kai stated with determination.
Liang furrowed his brow slightly, his mind filled with caution. "We still don’t know the full capabilities of the Orb, nor the extent of its protection."
Ever bold and undeterred, Kai grinned and swiftly placed his hand on the translucent wall. Upon contact, the wall seamlessly vanished, revealing the auctioneer on the other side.
"Mistress Auctioneer, please tell us more about the Orb!" Liang’s voice, though not raised, resonated throughout the hall, capturing the attention of the extraordinary experts present.
The auctioneer’s eyes narrowed slightly as her gaze fell upon Liang’s chamber. After a moment of contemplation, she nodded in agreement.
"If our esteemed guests are curious to know more, then I shall indulge you," she responded with a seductive laugh that sent shivers down the spines of many in the audience.
"The Orb of Divination, when combined with a Divination Path technique, possesses the remarkable ability to shield its wielder from any Divination attempts below the esteemed Void Return Realm," she explained in a voice filled with intrigue.
Her words fell upon the hall like a weighty silence, followed by an eruption of intense exclamations. The crowd was astounded by the potential power and protection that the orb could offer.
Suddenly, a voice resonated from one of the chambers on the second floor, similar to Liang’s chamber. "What about the Divination Path technique? Do you have it?"
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The auctioneer’s smile grew wider upon hearing the question. "Of course, we have it. There isn’t anything that our esteemed Commercial Chamber cannot acquire," she responded confidently.
Her eyes glided over to a weathered leather-bound tome carefully placed on a pedestal, captivating the attention of the eager crowd. "And now, ladies and gentlemen, we unveil yet another extraordinary ancient artifact - a fabled Soul Path treasure known as The Million Soul Grimoire," she announced, leveraging the electrifying atmosphere in the hall.
Anticipation and ambition permeated the auction hall as every eye fixated on the remarkable artifact before them.
A broader smile brightened the auctioneer’s face as she projected her voice. "This ancient grimoire possesses the extraordinary power to seal up to one million cultivator souls."
Casting a sweeping gaze across the audience, the auctioneer continued, "These three remarkable artifacts represent the opening stage of our auction. For any of these treasures, the starting bid must exceed thirty thousand elemental crystals, with each subsequent bid requiring a difference of at least one hundred elemental crystals."
A murmur of agreement swept through the crowd. The pricing was deemed fair.
Raising her hand gracefully, the auctioneer declared, "Let the bidding commence, beginning with the highly sought-after Luna’s Embrace Pendant."
On the first floor of the auction hall, a fierce competition erupted among multiple bidders vying for the Luna’s Embrace Pendant.
A middle-aged man with a refined aura raised his hand, his voice cutting through the murmurs in the hall. "I start the bidding at thirty-two thousand elemental crystals!" he announced, his voice filled with authority.
Immediately, a young woman in a flowing robe, her eyes gleaming with determination, raised her hand slightly higher. "Thirty-three thousand!" she exclaimed confidently.
One after another, the bids continued to soar, each bidder trying to outdo the others. The atmosphere crackled with tension as the bidding battle intensified.
Liang and Kai exchanged glances. The spectacle unfolding before them was unlike anything they had ever witnessed.
Suddenly, a thunderous voice dominated the hall, putting an immediate halt to the bidding war. "Fifty thousand elemental crystals!" a burly cultivator bellowed, his voice resounding with unquestionable dominance.
The entire hall fell silent, shocked by the exorbitant bid. All eyes turned towards the source of the booming voice, where a behemoth of a man stood, emanating an aura of unparalleled strength.
Even the auctioneer appeared momentarily surprised, her gaze fixed on the hulking cultivator. With a composed smile, she acknowledged his bid. "Fifty thousand elemental crystals, going once," she announced.
Anticipation hung heavy in the air as the bidders contemplated their next move. Some mumbled amongst themselves, calculating their financial capabilities and their eagerness to possess the pendant.
Just as the auctioneer was about to sell the Luna’s Embrace Pendant to the burly cultivator, a melodious female voice broke through the silence. "Seventy thousand elemental crystals," a woman declared, her concise and confident tone leaving no room for doubt.
All eyes turned towards a private chamber located on the second floor, where the source of the bid was emerging. It was a stunning woman with long flowing hair, clad in a vibrant crimson robe that seemed to radiate power.
Whispers spread throughout the hall like wildfire, each person attempting to discern the identity of this mysterious bidder. Her extravagant bid had taken everyone by surprise, even the auctioneer herself seemed momentarily at a loss for words.
The woman sat elegantly in her chamber, a small smile playing upon her lips. She exuded an air of refined confidence, as if the bidding war was merely a trivial game to her.
The auctioneer quickly recovered her composure and addressed the woman. "Seventy thousand elemental crystals, going once," she announced, her voice carrying a hint of admiration.
The bidders in the hall exchanged glances, wondering if anyone would dare to challenge the formidable bid. The atmosphere grew tense as the seconds ticked by, anticipation building among the onlookers.
Just when it seemed like the woman in the crimson robe would be declared the winner, a voice resonated from another chamber on the second floor, piercing through the silence. "Seventy-five thousand elemental crystals!" a deep, resonant voice boomed.
All eyes turned towards the source of the bid, and gasps of astonishment filled the hall. A figure emerged from the chamber, adorned in a robe that emanated an aura of authority and power. The bidding war had reached unprecedented heights.
The auctioneer’s eyes widened in surprise, her lips curving into a delighted smile. "Seventy-five thousand elemental crystals, going once!" she announced, her voice betraying her excitement.
The woman in the crimson robe’s eyes narrowed slightly. It was clear that she had not anticipated such fierce competition for the Luna’s Embrace Pendant. Her expression remained serene, however, as if she had expected this turn of events.
Liang and Kai, who had been observing the bidding war with growing fascination, exchanged a knowing glance.
The pendant held immense value as it possessed extraordinary capabilities to expedite compensation speed, safeguard against backlashes, and provide a Qi Divination shield.
To Seventh-order Realm experts, where power and precision were paramount, such a pendant could be a game-changer. It could ensure that the experts maintained flawless control over their abilities, without the fear of any unexpected mishaps or disruptions.
Moreover, the pendant’s capability to prevent backlashes was of utmost importance. In the practice of manipulating Qi, one small error could lead to disastrous consequences, both physically and spiritually. The pendant acted as a safeguard, shielding its wearer from the harmful repercussions of mistakes, enabling them to push their limits with confidence.
Qi Deviation, a phenomenon where one’s Qi flow became erratic and unstable, was another issue faced by practitioners. It could throw off their balance and disrupt their progress. However, the pendant had the power to counteract Qi Deviation, providing a stable foundation for practitioners to build upon and ensuring the smooth flow of Qi within their bodies.
While there are several similar products available in the cultivation world, it’s noteworthy that many of them prove to be ineffective for Seventh-order Realm experts.
It was no wonder that Liang and Kai, along with many others, were captivated by the pendant and the possibilities it held.
The tension in the hall was palpable, as the bidders weighed their options and considered their next move. The auctioneer eagerly waited for the bidders to make their decisions, her eyes shining with anticipation.
After a brief moment, during which the bidders debated internally, the woman in the crimson robe finally raised her hand again. "Eighty thousand elemental crystals," she declared, her voice resolute.
The crowd erupted in murmurs of astonishment, shocked by the enormous bid. The woman’s determination and unwavering resolve were evident, making it clear that she was not one to be underestimated.
The hulking cultivator on the first floor glanced up towards the woman, his eyes gleaming with a mix of admiration and competitiveness. It was clear that the bidding war had taken an unexpectedly intense turn.
The auctioneer, her excitement uncontainable, acknowledged the bid with a gleeful smile. "Eighty thousand elemental crystals, going once!" she declared, her voice resounding throughout the hall.
Gathering herself, the auctioneer composed her smile. "Eighty thousand elemental crystals, going twice."
The bidders in the hall exchanged glances, the intensity of the competition evident in their eyes. It was clear that the Luna’s Embrace Pendant held immense value and appeal, leading to such a fierce bidding war.
After a moment of suspenseful silence, the auctioneer raised her gavel, her eyes fixed on the woman in the crimson robe. With a final flourish, she declared, "Eighty thousand elemental crystals, going thrice—"
Just as the auctioneer was about to finalize the sale, another voice echoed through the hall. "Eighty-five thousand elemental crystals!"
All eyes turned towards the source of the bid. It was Liang, a sly smirk playing at the corners of his lips. The hall fell into stunned silence once again, surprised by his unexpected entry into the bidding war.