Chapter 124: Chapter 124: The Auction Begins

A stunning woman appeared on the stage, her every smile and expression exuding charm. She drew a wave of cheers from the Martial Artists below, and whistles filled the air.

"Greetings, esteemed guests. I am Huo Wu, the chief auctioneer of the Celestial Martial Auction House. I hope you will all lend me your generous support!" With that, Huo Wu bowed deeply to the crowd.

"It is my honor to be collaborating with Black Wind Stronghold for this event. All items today have been provided by them. I’m sure you are all aware of the treasures in store, so this humble lady won’t waste any more of your time. Now, let the auction officially begin! Bring out our first item: the Nine Dragon Whip!" Huo Wu waved a hand behind her, and two maids carried out a long whip.

"The Nine Dragon Whip is a Middle Level Spiritual Artifact, forged from..." As Huo Wu began her introduction, Shen Haoran sat upright in the private room, his eyes slightly closed, completely unconcerned with the auction below.

’Elder Yan, can you see how many Spirit Aspect Powerhouses have come?’ Shen Haoran asked inwardly.

"You got it!" Elder Yan replied. A moment later, a terrifying tide of Spiritual Thought surged from Shen Haoran’s body, silently blanketing the entire auction hall.

"Eleven Spirit Aspects!" Before long, Elder Yan reported the number to Shen Haoran.

Shen Haoran’s brow furrowed at the number. Eleven. That was quite a lot. Spirit Aspect Powerhouses were at least at the level of a sect’s Elder and rarely made public appearances. ’It seems the allure of this Bodhi Pill is immense.’ Shen Haoran couldn’t help but worry. ’Will the twenty million Gold Coins Elder Yan gave me even be enough?’

’Sigh, I can only take this one step at a time. When I get back, I’m definitely going to squeeze Elder Huo for all he’s worth!’ Shen Haoran thought to himself.

The auction continued, the ceaseless calls of bids from below creating a lively atmosphere.

"Not planning to bid on anything, Elder Shen?" Luo Tian couldn’t help but ask, seeing Shen Haoran sitting with his eyes closed in meditation.

"Of course I am. But the main event is yet to come. This is all just an appetizer," Shen Haoran said with a smile.

"It seems you’re also here for the Thousand Illusions Spirit Potion and the Secret Realm Map, Elder Shen," Luo Tian said with understanding.

"That’s right."

...

Below, items were sold one after another. The lots brought out grew progressively more valuable, signaling that the auction was nearing its end.

"Our next item is an Elixir coveted by every Spirit Aspect Powerhouse: the Bodhi Pill! This humble lady need not elaborate on its effects, as you all know its value. The starting bid is ten million, with a minimum increment of one hundred thousand. Let the bidding begin!" Huo Wu shouted, looking out at the fiery gazes in the crowd.

"Eleven million!" The moment Huo Wu’s voice faded, someone placed a bid, raising the price by a full million right away. ’As expected of a Sixth Grade Elixir,’ the crowd marveled.

"Eleven million, five hundred thousand!"

...

"Fifteen million!" The bids were infrequent, but each came from a private room, and the price climbed relentlessly, leaving the Martial Artists below breathless.

"That must be Canglan Sect’s Third Elder bidding again. It seems he’s determined to get this Bodhi Pill!"

"I’m not so sure. Look, that Vulture Elder isn’t backing down either!" someone said, pointing to a bald old man with an aquiline nose.

Sure enough, the moment he finished speaking, the bald elder called out a bid: "Fifteen million, five hundred thousand!"

In another private room, an old man in a light blue robe frowned deeply. This was none other than the Third Elder of Canglan Sect.

"Elder, should we bid again?" the attendant behind him asked.

"Bid! Sixteen million!" the old man shouted through gritted teeth, glaring in the direction of the Vulture Elder.

"But Elder, we still need to bid on the Thousand Illusions Spirit Potion for the Young Sect Leader. Isn’t sixteen million a bit over budget?" the attendant asked cautiously.

"I’ll cover the difference! Make the bid!" the old man boomed. A faint pressure erupted from his body, frightening the attendant into shouting out the bid immediately.

"Sixteen million, five hundred thousand!" The instant the bid from Canglan Sect’s Third Elder was called, the Vulture Elder immediately added another five hundred thousand, as if deliberately antagonizing him.

"Vulture, are you doing this just to spite me?" the Elder in the private room finally snapped, shouting at the Vulture Elder.

"What do you mean, ’spite you’? Who doesn’t want a Bodhi Pill? This is fair competition. Are you saying no one else is allowed to bid?" the Vulture Elder retorted, shooting the Third Elder a dismissive glance.

"You..."

"Twenty million. I’ll take this Bodhi Pill." Just as Canglan Sect’s Third Elder was about to say more, a young voice cut in. Everyone was stunned by the sound, and all eyes turned toward the private room where Shen Haoran was.

That’s right—the bid had come from Shen Haoran. Luo Tian was also staring at Shen Haoran in utter shock. He never imagined that someone who was only a Tier Nine Spirit Pupil would dare compete for the Bodhi Pill. This was an open offense to the Spirit Aspect Powerhouses. Even if Shen Haoran won the bid, he likely wouldn’t be able to leave with the Bodhi Pill safely. Those eleven Spirit Aspects were all coveting it!

"Hm?" Both the Canglan Sect’s Third Elder and the Vulture Elder were taken aback. However, after sensing Shen Haoran’s level of strength, they began scheming.

"Little one, you’re merely a Martial Artist at the Spirit Pupil Tier. What use do you have for a Bodhi Pill? Why not give it to this old man? I’ll even take you as my disciple. What do you say?" the Vulture Elder said with a sly smile.

"No need. I already have a master," Shen Haoran replied coolly. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"Oh...?" The Vulture Elder studied Shen Haoran for a moment, then suddenly broke into a laugh. "Elder Lan, I’m out. You two can fight over the Bodhi Pill. I’ll just enjoy the show!" With that, he actually sat back down.

The Third Elder of Canglan Sect glanced at the Vulture Elder, then back at Shen Haoran, and let out a cold snort. "Hmph! This old man doesn’t want it either!" Then, to the astonishment of the crowd, he also sat down.

"Er... very well, then! The Bodhi Pill has been sold to the distinguished guest in the Celestial Private Room!" Huo Wu’s professionalism was commendable; she recovered instantly and announced the winner.

Inside the private room, Long Mo glanced at Shen Haoran’s nonchalant expression, and a mechanical voice spoke: "You’re in trouble."

"I know." Shen Haoran massaged his forehead with a wry smile. ’The final glances from Canglan Sect’s Third Elder and the Vulture Elder were like predators eyeing their prey. I’ve become their target!’

’But I had to win this Bodhi Pill. In my hands, there’s at least a sliver of hope I can protect it. If it fell into the hands of those Spirit Aspects, I’d never get it back!’

"What a headache," Shen Haoran said with a sigh. ’Now I have to figure out how to get out of here in one piece...’

"Next up is our grand finale item, the long-awaited Treasure Level Spirit Medicine—the Thousand Illusions Spirit Potion! Bring out the item!"

The moment Huo Wu finished speaking, two maids walked out. With their appearance, a faint, refreshing fragrance spread throughout the entire auction hall, jolting everyone’s Heart Spirit and drawing all eyes to the stage.

"Is that the Thousand Illusions Spirit Potion?"