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...

Third Master Hao’s expression made Lin Hao suspicious.

They had what could be called a blood feud, so even with the Soul-Chasing Order in play, he shouldn’t be wearing such an expression.

There was one phrase to describe that look—a guilty conscience.

Watching Third Master Hao’s figure disappear, Lin Hao was about to follow, but then he had a second thought and dismissed the idea.

Third Master Hao looked like a frightened bird that would bolt at the slightest rustle of grass. Any sudden movement might alert him, and the gain wouldn’t be worth the loss.

’I’ll just tell Sect Leader Mo about it later and have him keep an eye on things.’

With this thought in mind, Lin Hao returned to the VIP seats of the Wind and Cloud Platform.

Lin Hao took his seat, glanced to his side, and also felt a little guilty.

Because Su Molixi had returned at some point without him noticing.

But Lin Hao quickly relaxed, as Su Molixi didn’t seem to have noticed him at all.

Letting out a sigh of relief, Lin Hao turned his gaze toward the Wind and Cloud Platform.

At that moment, Shan Dan’s figure appeared once again on the Wind and Cloud Platform.

"Everyone, this will be the final pill our sect is presenting at this sect assembly," Shan Dan announced, his gaze sweeping across the entire audience.

An elder stood to one side, holding a jade box.

Flanking this elder were two other elders—the Cao brothers.

It seemed they were there to ensure the pill’s absolute security.

Such a lineup showed just how much importance the Danling Sect placed on this pill.

For a moment, the area around the Wind and Cloud Platform fell so silent you could hear a pin drop.

Everyone’s eyes were fixed on the Wind and Cloud Platform, hoping to be the first to see what kind of pill was inside the jade box.

Shan Dan remained silent, masterfully building the suspense.

The surroundings were no longer quiet, as murmurs of discussion broke out.

"What do you think is in the jade box?"

"The Danling Sect brought out a Harmonization Pill this morning. Since this is the grand finale, it must also be a pill that was lost to the continent."

"Do you think the Danling Sect found a secret realm? How else could they produce two different lost pills?"

Someone with a wild imagination guessed.

"It’s possible, and highly likely. Only a secret realm would contain lost pill formulas and hand seals. After all, the Danling Sect’s Alchemy Skill is top-tier, not just in the Southern Border Prefecture, but in the entire Cangnan Empire."

"That’s right. If they can’t manage the Refining of a pill, I doubt anyone in the Cangnan Empire can. Only a secret realm could create such a miracle."

"Now that you mention it, I’m getting even more excited. Why haven’t they opened it yet?" someone said, itching with curiosity.

Just then, Shan Dan spoke again from the Wind and Cloud Platform.

"As the final item, this pill cannot be valued in Gold. The starting bid is 100,000 Chiyun Cold Irons or an equivalent value in Crystal Stones or refined irons of the same grade. The auction begins now!"

BOOM!

The moment Shan Dan’s words fell, the area around the Wind and Cloud Platform erupted in an uproar.

Chiyun Cold Iron was incredibly precious. Forget 100,000 pieces; just ten were worth millions in Gold. The price was simply astronomical.

Moreover, even now, Shan Dan was still keeping the pill hidden.

Daring to start the bidding at 100,000 Chiyun Cold Irons without even revealing the pill was an absolutely insane move.

Countless people sneered, believing only a fool would make a bid.

However, a scene that stunned them all unfolded.

Ruan Jinhong of the Zhengyang Sect was the first to raise his wooden plaque, bidding 110,000 Chiyun Cold Irons.

"No wonder the Zhengyang Sect was buying up all sorts of Crystal Stones and refined irons everywhere the other day. It turns out they got the news in advance," someone said in sudden realization.

"The major sects of the Southern Border Prefecture must have all been informed. No matter how heaven-defying that pill is, it’s not for the likes of us," someone else lamented, unwilling to accept it.

And that was indeed the case.

This move was Lin Hao’s idea.

He had leaked the news in advance, not revealing the pill’s name but only hinting at its effects. This both stirred the ambitions of countless sects and maintained an air of mystery.

Lin Hao had merely said a few words, and already countless sects were gathering Crystal Stones and refined irons for him.

And he was the one reaping all the benefits.

In other words, if Lin Hao wanted to, he had the ability to play these sects in the palm of his hand.

Unfortunately, no one knew this besides the Danling Sect.

And sure enough, right after the Zhengyang Sect raised their plaque, another power grew restless.

Not far from Ruan Jinhong, a middle-aged man raised his plaque.

"The Sanqing Sect bids one hundred and twenty thousand Chiyun Cold Irons."

The words had barely faded when a young master raised the plaque in his hand.

"Mingjian Manor, one hundred thousand Blood-Patterned Crystal Stones."

This young man was none other than Zuo Yi, the Young Manor Master of Mingjian Manor.

’Blood-Patterned Crystal Stones.’ Hearing this, Lin Hao’s eyes lit up.

Blood-Patterned Crystal Stones were crimson, named for the intersecting white patterns within them.

They were also a type of Refining Materials, and even more precious than Chiyun Cold Iron.

One hundred thousand Blood-Patterned Crystal Stones were equivalent to two hundred thousand Chiyun Cold Irons.

Zuo Yi’s voice was loud, and his eyes were fixed directly on Lin Hao.

Seeing that Lin Hao didn’t turn around, he spoke up directly, "Young Master Lin, why aren’t you joining the auction?"

It was true that Lin Hao was a VIP, but he came from the third-rate Heaven-Stepping Sect. Zuo Yi didn’t believe he could produce such a quantity of Crystal Stones and refined irons.

Moreover, this pill was clearly of great significance to the Danling Sect. He refused to believe they would let Lin Hao do as he pleased, like they did with the Harmonization Pill that morning.

Lin Hao had made him lose face completely. This was the perfect opportunity to strike back, and Zuo Yi had no intention of letting it go.

Lin Hao turned around, shrugged, and said nothing.

’Is he kidding? This pill is my tool for raking in Crystal Stones and refined irons. Only two types have been bid so far; I don’t want to cause any complications at this critical juncture.’

"Heh, so what if you’re famous throughout the Southern Border Prefecture? That doesn’t change the fact that the Heaven-Stepping Sect is a third-rate sect." Seeing Lin Hao remain silent, a smirk spread across Zuo Yi’s face.

This time, Lin Hao didn’t even turn his head, completely ignoring Zuo Yi’s words.

To Lin Hao, Zuo Yi’s behavior was childish and ridiculous. He was nothing but a clown.

Over there, the Zhengyang Sect bid again, offering two hundred and fifty thousand Chiyun Cold Irons.

"Two hundred thousand Blood-Patterned Crystal Stones!" Zuo Yi bid again. He wanted to make Lin Hao see the gap between a major sect like Mingjian Manor and the Heaven-Stepping Sect.

Lin Hao didn’t look back, but inwardly he was blooming with joy, silently cheering, ’Keep going, keep going.’

If Zuo Yi knew what Lin Hao was thinking, he would surely be angry enough to spit up blood.

But unfortunately for him, he didn’t.

And so, when the Sanqing Sect’s bid reached four hundred and fifty thousand Chiyun Cold Irons, Zuo Yi spoke up again, directly offering three hundred thousand Blood-Patterned Crystal Stones.

This time, even the Zhengyang Sect and the Sanqing Sect fell silent for a moment.

A smile appeared on Zuo Yi’s face; he felt utterly vindicated.

Then, he stared intently at the back of Lin Hao’s head.

Lin Hao still didn’t turn around, but the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

He knew there were still others who hadn’t made their move yet, and they surely held things more valuable than Blood-Patterned Crystal Stones.

"Three hundred and fifty thousand Jade Emperor Crystal Stones." And there it was. Zhu Hongcai raised his plaque.

Jade Emperor Crystal Stones were pure white all over, as noble as an emperor, and were on the same tier as Blood-Patterned Crystal Stones.

Hearing Zhu Hongcai’s bid, Zuo Yi’s expression changed, but he immediately raised his plaque again, bidding four hundred thousand Blood-Patterned Crystal Stones.

"Five hundred thousand Jade Emperor Crystal Stones." Zhu Hongcai refused to back down.

’The major sects of the Southern Border Prefecture are nothing to me.’

"Seven hundred thousand Blood-Patterned Crystal Stones."

"Nine hundred thousand Jade Emperor Crystal Stones."

...

The two went back and forth, and in no time, the price had soared to two million Crystal Stones, with the last bid coming from Zhu Hongcai.

Zuo Yi’s face was grim. This was already approaching Mingjian Manor’s limit.

And just then, he saw Lin Hao, who was in front of him, turn around and smile.

That expression was like a resounding slap across his face.

Zuo Yi felt a rush of blood to his head.

"Two million five hundred thousand Blood-Patterned Crystals!"

The moment the words left his mouth, he had announced the absolute limit Mingjian Manor could bear.

"Two million five hundred and ten thousand Jade Emperor Crystals." Zhu Hongcai raised his plaque again, unhurried.

Lin Hao turned around again, looked at Zuo Yi, and shook his head.

"PFFT—"

A mouthful of blood sprayed violently from Zuo Yi’s mouth.

But no one paid him any mind, because on the stage, Shan Dan had begun to speak.

"The Marquis of Xianyong County bids two million five hundred and ten thousand Jade Emperor Crystal Stones. Is there any price higher than this? As is customary, I will count to three. If there are no other bids, this pill will belong to the Marquis. I must also clarify that only one of these pills is available."

At Shan Dan’s words, many people showed strange expressions.

’Only one available? Did the Danling Sect only manage to refine a single one, or are they planning to hold back and sell more for a higher price later?’

"Master, we’ve come this far, please open the jade box." The more Shan Dan behaved this way, the more mysterious the pill seemed, and the more people itched with unbearable curiosity.

"Well..." Shan Dan hesitated, then, as if having made a great decision, he finally nodded.

Countless people craned their necks in anticipation.

Under the watchful eyes of the masses, the jade box slowly opened, but only by a crack.

Below, Lin Hao was smiling like a little fox.

This was all part of the act he had instructed Shan Dan to perform. He had originally been worried whether Shan Dan could play his part well,

but now it seemed his worries were for naught. Shan Dan was a skilled actor.

’Isn’t he just toying with us?!’

Someone was fuming, on the verge of erupting in anger.

But then, they smelled a peculiar, exotic fragrance, and felt their hearts instantly calm down.

At that moment, Shan Dan said, "Everyone, you have just witnessed one of its effects."

"Master, aren’t you just toying with us? When did we witness anything?" someone asked, confused.

But immediately, someone else provided the answer, "This pill can prevent a Martial Artist from suffering a cultivation deviation!"

Just now, they had merely smelled the exotic fragrance, and their agitated minds had instantly become tranquil. Its power was evident.

Shan Dan nodded. "Correct. One of this pill’s minor effects is preventing cultivation deviation, and it is effective for any stage before the Sealed Martial Realm."

BOOM!

Upon hearing this, everyone was shocked.

Due to unstable foundations or mistakes in their training, the probability of a Martial Artist suffering a cultivation deviation was extremely high, and this probability increased with their level of cultivation.

A cultivation deviation could lead to being crippled in a mild case, or death in a severe one.

Now, there was actually a pill that could prevent cultivation deviation from occurring. The more perceptive ones even caught the key phrase in Shan Dan’s words—"minor effect."

’If a minor effect is this heaven-defying, then wouldn’t its true effect be even more enticing?!’

"Master, can we pool our Crystal Stones to participate in the bidding?" someone asked eagerly.

Shan Dan smiled. "You could, but if you actually won it, I’m afraid you’d slaughter each other over it, and rivers of blood would flow."

The person who had spoken was stunned into silence, his face filled with unwillingness.

And he was not the only one who felt this way.

But Shan Dan’s next words would send them into a frenzy of joy...