Chapter 30: Chapter 30: I Must Get My Hands on This Item
The Treasure Auction had three floors. Ordinary Martial Artists stayed on the first floor, those with some status could go to the second, and honored guests could enter the third.
The third floor had dedicated Maids in attendance, each one young and beautiful. Only the rich and powerful could make it here.
The auction was set to begin in the time it takes for one incense stick to burn.
Ning Jiang, Ning Yu’an, and Zheng Zhiyuan were in a private room on the third floor.
’Looks like I’ll have to find time to visit the Demon Mist Mountain Range,’
Ning Jiang mused. The piece of Red Jade in Yan Shuangying’s possession was something called Molten Rock Jade, which contained a violent Fire Poison Power.
Molten Rock Jade only formed occasionally deep underground near magma. It was created when ordinary jade was eroded by the Fire Poison of subterranean magma for over a thousand years.
For an ordinary person, Molten Rock Jade was useless. The Fire Poison Power within it was completely unabsorbable.
But for Ning Jiang, this Molten Rock Jade was exactly what he needed for his Body Refining.
His Great Sun Glazed Golden Body required this very item.
According to Yan Shuangying, this piece of Molten Rock Jade had been a gift from another Martial Artist who had stumbled upon it in the Demon Mist Mountain Range.
Others might not know, but Ning Jiang was certain that Molten Rock Jade wouldn’t exist as a single small piece. If his luck was good, he might even discover a whole vein of it.
’I need to increase my strength before heading to the Demon Mist Mountain Range.’ Ning Jiang quickly dismissed the thought.
By now, over a thousand people had arrived at the auction, filling all three floors. The first floor was the most crowded, a sea of heads packed into rows of chairs.
The second floor held several hundred people.
As for the third floor, it only had a dozen or so private rooms.
Ning Jiang had been granted guest status because of the Fiery Fire Qi Exposure Technique. This Secret Technique was going to be one of the final items up for auction, and as its provider, he was given special consideration by the Treasure Auction.
At that moment, in the room next to Ning Jiang’s, a young man of about twenty sat in the center. He wore purple and gold robes, and his thick eyebrows were as sharp as swords.
He had a tall, slender build, and his legs were a few inches longer than average. He sat with a commanding presence, emanating an incredibly powerful aura.
Behind him stood four stern, solemn-faced middle-aged men, all of whom were at the Postnatal Late Stage of cultivation.
"It seems I didn’t come here for nothing today. No matter what, I must win that Profound Level Middle Grade Secret Technique!"
The young man’s voice was deep and resonant. A Maid from the auction house had just informed him that a Secret Technique had been added to the list of finale items.
It wasn’t just him; Maids had notified all the private rooms on the third floor.
"If the Young Master wants it, I’m sure the others will show you some deference," one of the guards behind him said flatly.
Hearing this, a proud smirk appeared on the young man’s lips.
Indeed, he had that confidence. Because his surname was Wang!
He was Wang Tao, the third-ranked figure of the younger generation in the Wang Family, one of Luoyang City’s current first-class noble houses.
The Wang Family had produced two of the Ten Greats in this generation. Although Wang Tao was only ranked third, his cultivation had long since reached the Peak of Postnatal, just one step away from the Innate Realm.
"The annual gathering is approaching. This Secret Technique is mine for the taking. Anyone who dares to compete with me is simply courting death," Wang Tao declared, his eyes flashing with cold intent.
「Meanwhile, in another private room.」
A woman in a snow-white dress sat there. She was tall and slender with beautiful features and hair that cascaded down like a waterfall. The only slight imperfection was her cold and proud demeanor, like an iceberg that kept everyone at a distance.
This was one of Luoyang’s Four Great Beauties, Wei Yanran.
"Senior Sister, with the Primordial Stones we’ve prepared, we shouldn’t have any trouble buying that Pill Formula."
The young man beside Wei Yanran spoke. This was Sun Yan, a disciple of Du Wanqing.
Wei Yanran was also Du Wanqing’s disciple, but even among disciples, there were different ranks. Wei Yanran was the sole Direct Disciple, a noble status, and was highly regarded by Du Wanqing.
In comparison, Sun Yan was not even a tenth as important as Wei Yanran.
Wei Yanran nodded without saying much.
Sun Yan gave a wry smile. He knew this was just her personality, so he said no more, lest he disturb the tranquility of this Iceberg Beauty and earn her displeasure.
The time it took for an incense stick to burn passed quickly.
On the first floor, an old man walked up onto a high platform.
"Everyone, I will be hosting today’s auction. All items have been authenticated beforehand. If any issues arise, the Treasure Auction will provide ten times the compensation."
The old man had an extraordinary air about him. His face was clear and fair, free of age spots, and he was full of vigor.
"Elder Shen, let’s get started. We all trust the Treasure Auction’s reputation," someone from the second floor called out.
Elder Shen nodded. "I won’t waste time on unnecessary rules. All items go to the highest bidder. But let me be blunt: if you don’t have enough Primordial Stones, do not bid recklessly. Should such a thing happen, the auction house will not be merciful."
"The first item is a Low Grade Treasure Artifact, the Void-Breaking Sky Spear. The starting bid is eight hundred Primordial Stones."
As the elder spoke, a Maid brought a long spear onto the stage.
Auctions like this proceeded in stages, moving from ordinary items to more valuable ones. Otherwise, if every item were priceless, how could the average person afford anything?
After more than a dozen bids, the Void-Breaking Sky Spear was finally sold for one thousand three hundred and sixty Primordial Stones.
After that, several more items were auctioned off, including Cultivation Techniques, Martial Techniques, and Elixirs.
The people on the second and third floors remained indifferent. The initial items were mainly targeted at the Martial Artists on the first floor.
Only the later items would be interesting enough for them to make a bid.
When the tenth item came up, someone from the second floor finally made a move.
It was a piece of Low Grade Treasure Armor.
Among Treasure Artifacts of the same grade, Treasure Armor was several times more expensive than other artifacts, its value second only to Pill Cauldrons.
This piece of Low Grade Treasure Armor had a starting bid of three thousand Primordial Stones.
After a fierce bidding war, the Treasure Armor was sold for four thousand one hundred Primordial Stones to a Postnatal Realm Martial Artist on the second floor.
This price was already comparable to that of a Middle Grade Treasure Artifact, which typically sold for only four or five thousand Primordial Stones.
"Sister An, if you see anything you want, just tell me. I’ll buy it for you," Ning Jiang said from their private room.
"I don’t need anything. You should just focus on buying things for yourself," Ning Yu’an said with a smile. Her gentle nature meant she was always thinking of Ning Jiang, worried he wouldn’t have enough Primordial Stones left if she bought something.
Next, item after item was brought out, each sparking a new round of competitive bidding.
Ning Jiang remained unmoved, as nothing had yet appeared that caught his interest.
Finally, when the thirtieth item was presented, Ning Jiang made his move.
The thirtieth auction item was a Golden Summit Silver Snake Grass, with a starting bid of eight thousand Primordial Stones.
The Golden Summit Silver Snake Grass stood over a foot tall and was as thick as a finger. Its entire stalk was covered in silver scales, resembling a snake, while the scales at its very tip were a distinctive gold.
"Nine thousand Primordial Stones."
The moment Ning Jiang spoke, he immediately raised the bid by a thousand Primordial Stones, a display of extravagance.
"Nine thousand one hundred Primordial Stones," someone else bid.
"Ten thousand Primordial Stones," Ning Jiang said calmly.
"Ten thousand five hundred."
"Twelve thousand," Ning Jiang added.
Anyone could tell from his bidding that Ning Jiang was determined to win it.
At this, those who had been considering the Golden Summit Silver Snake Grass all shook their heads and gave up on bidding.
The main reason was that the Golden Summit Silver Snake Grass wasn’t a necessity for them, so there was no point in fighting for it.
"I’ll count to three. If there are no more bids, the Golden Summit Silver Snake Grass will belong to this gentleman."
"Three."
"Two."
"One."
"Congratulations to this gentleman." Elder Shen nodded in satisfaction. The Golden Summit Silver Snake Grass typically sold for around ten thousand, so selling it for twelve thousand was a pleasant surprise.
Soon, a Maid delivered the Golden Summit Silver Snake Grass to the private room, and Ning Jiang paid the twelve thousand Primordial Stones on the spot.
"Thank you, Young Master. I will repay you these twelve thousand Primordial Stones," Zheng Zhiyuan said, his expression filled with excitement.
"There’s no need. Since you’ve pledged your life to me, I’m not worried about a mere twelve thousand," Ning Jiang said dismissively.
This was the art of managing subordinates: a mix of kindness and authority. Right now, he was showing kindness.
Hearing this, a look of gratitude filled Zheng Zhiyuan’s eyes. Twelve thousand Primordial Stones was the entire net worth of an Ordinary Innate Realm Martial Artist. No one would just throw away such a sum.
Ning Jiang’s magnanimity had completely won him over.
Every tenth item at the auction was a particularly valuable one. The fortieth item sparked a bidding war on the second floor.
After that, Ning Jiang did not bid again for some time.
"The fiftieth item is a piece of Middle Grade Treasure Armor! This armor is crafted from Ice Silkworm Silk, making it both flexible and form-fitting. The starting bid is twenty thousand Primordial Stones!"
The price of this Middle Grade Treasure Armor was already close to that of an ordinary Upper Grade Treasure Artifact.
But this price didn’t scare everyone off. On the contrary, it triggered a wave of competition.
Treasure Armor was always rare. An Upper Grade Treasure Armor would cost at least one hundred thousand Primordial Stones and was often unavailable for purchase even if one had the money. Therefore, Middle Grade Treasure Armor was always a hot commodity on the market.
"Twenty-one thousand."
"Twenty-two thousand."
"Twenty-four thousand."
The price of the Middle Grade Treasure Armor shot up, quickly breaking thirty thousand.
Once it passed thirty thousand, the number of bidders began to dwindle.
"Thirty-five thousand."
Just then, Ning Jiang made his move, raising the bid by five thousand Primordial Stones in one go.
He had a total of eighty-seven thousand Primordial Stones. After spending twelve thousand, he still had seventy-five thousand on hand.
"Judging by his voice, that person must be quite young. I wonder which family’s young master he is, to have so many Primordial Stones."
"Heh, some people are just born lucky. No point being envious."
The crowd murmured amongst themselves.
"Thirty-five thousand five hundred," someone bid, gritting their teeth.
"Thirty-eight thousand," Ning Jiang’s voice remained calm.
This time, the entire venue fell silent. No one else bid.
The armor was worth around thirty thousand, so paying that much wouldn’t be a loss. But thirty-eight thousand was simply too extravagant.
Soon, the Treasure Armor was delivered. After paying, Ning Jiang was left with thirty-seven thousand Primordial Stones.
"Sister An, this Treasure Armor is for you." After receiving the armor, Ning Jiang immediately handed it to Ning Yu’an.
Ning Yu’an’s expression changed. "No, you should wear this armor. It would be better used to protect you."
"Sister An, this armor is made of Ice Silkworm Silk, which is naturally suited for women to wear. Besides, you’ve done so much for me. What’s a mere piece of Treasure Armor in comparison?"
As he spoke, Ning Jiang’s expression grew serious. "Sister An, if you don’t accept it, I’ll actually get angry!"
Ning Yu’an opened her mouth but ultimately said nothing. A flicker of emotion crossed her beautiful eyes as she accepted the Treasure Armor.
Memories flooded her mind.
Back when Ning Jiang was afflicted with the Black Jade Fire Poison Curse, many people from the Ning Family had urged her to abandon him and leave him for dead.
At that time, everyone treated Ning Jiang like a walking plague.
But she insisted on staying by his side, never leaving him, remaining with him day and night.
Everyone had laughed at her, calling her a fool for wasting her time and allowing herself to be needlessly dragged down.
But now, how she wished she could shout to all those people that everything she did was worth it, that she hadn’t been wrong about Ning Jiang.
For her, Ning Jiang had challenged Zhou Wenhao to a life-and-death battle.
For her, Ning Jiang had shattered the Drunken Moon Painting Wall, forcing the Drunken Moon Pavilion to bow its head.
For her, Ning Jiang had obtained a Profound Level Top Grade Cultivation Technique, the Purple Qi Creation Technique.
For her, Ning Jiang had spent a fortune to buy this Treasure Armor.
Who else would do so much for her?
Who would dare call her a fool now?!
"The seventieth item is a Pill Formula! This Pill Formula was discovered inside a gourd." As the auction reached the seventieth item, a Maid brought a Pill Formula and a gourd to the stage.
Inside her private room on the third floor, the ever-silent Iceberg Beauty, Wei Yanran, finally had a spark of light in her beautiful eyes.
At the same time, a strange expression appeared for the first time on Ning Jiang’s eternally unflappable face.
’I must get my hands on this item!’
