As the old man took the stage, many in the crowd who recognized him began to whisper among themselves.
"I never expected Elder Cai to preside personally. It seems this auction will feature some truly extraordinary items."
"Indeed. Elder Cai is at the peak of the Soul Formation stage, a half-step Body Integration expert. To think he would come out of seclusion just to oversee this."
"You must not have heard yet. This session is unlike any previous one. With the Abyss Secret Realm ruined, everyone's focus has shifted entirely to Spirit Medicine Valley and the Sword Tomb. People will be sparing no expense to secure their spots this time. Naturally, the Immortal Dao Merchant Association brought out exceptional treasures, so Elder Cai's presence is required to keep the peace."
Well-informed patrons in the main hall explained the situation to those around them.
Qin Xiao had already learned from Ling Ruoxue that this man was Cai Mu, the manager of the Pure Yang City branch of the Immortal Dao Merchant Association, and that he would be hosting the event personally.
"Young Mistress, just how many treasures have you prepared today? Can't you give me a hint?"
Qin Xiao felt a spark of curiosity. Having a peak Soul Formation expert preside over the event guaranteed that remarkable items were on the table.
"There are no hints. You can simply watch for yourself."
Ling Ruoxue flatly refused. The truth was that she did not know all the details herself. Although she was the young mistress, not every matter was reported to her, and each branch possessed a certain degree of autonomy. Having chosen not to interfere excessively in this auction, she did not know exactly what had been prepared.
For a standard auction, a catalog would usually be circulated beforehand so participants could prepare enough Spirit Stones. This time, however, with numerous powerful factions guaranteed to bid, no catalog had been published.
The intention was deliberately to keep everyone guessing about how many Spirit Stones they needed to bring, forcing them to bring as many as possible. With the Abyss Secret Realm out of commission, the focus of every major power had converged here, and the Immortal Dao Merchant Association intended to capitalize fully on the opportunity.
"I know you didn't come to hear an old man ramble, so let's begin. Our first lot is the Flowing Cloud Sword, a Middle-Grade Dharma Treasure entrusted to us by a senior. I can't reveal any more than that. Bidding starts at three million Spirit Stones, with minimum increments of one hundred thousand."
Cai Mu wasted no time with pleasantries, offering a brief introduction before announcing the opening bid.
"A Middle-Grade Dharma Treasure, and a sword, too. Those are always in demand. People will fight over it. They're opening with something big!"
Seeing that the first lot was a Middle-Grade Dharma Treasure, Qin Xiao knew the Immortal Dao Merchant Association was about to make a fortune.
"My disciples, does anyone need this?"
Qin Xiao turned directly to the group.
"Who is your disciple? Our wager hasn't even begun, and you are destined to lose anyway."
Annoyed at being lumped into Qin Xiao's group, Luo Yunshuang quickly retorted.
"Very well, then. Disciples, does either of you want it?"
Unfazed by the retort, Qin Xiao turned his attention to Yun Man and Lin Shimeng.
"I do not need it. The sect already possesses a Middle-Grade Dharma Treasure reserved for me, which they will bestow once I break through to the Soul Formation stage."
Although Lin Shimeng felt tempted, her father had already brought a Middle-Grade Dharma Treasure sword specifically for her upcoming matches, rendering another one unnecessary for now.
"Master, I want it."
Yun Man did not stand on ceremony. Her Low-Grade Dharma Treasure was already a good weapon, but who would turn down a Middle-Grade one?
"Very well. This sword belongs to you, then."
Without hesitation, Qin Xiao assigned the sword directly to Yun Man.
"Brother Qin, the bidding has barely started and you've already decided who gets the sword?"
Luo Yunshuang said, utterly speechless.
Normally, such a sword might command a few million Spirit Stones, perhaps topping out around ten million. Today, however, smaller factions would fight over it like madmen, and major powers would refuse to let it slip away, likely driving the price to absurd heights. Yet Qin Xiao had settled its destination without a second thought.
"Just watch."
Qin Xiao offered no further explanation.
"Three million five hundred thousand."
"Three million seven hundred thousand."
"Four million."
In the span of just three bids, the price soared to four million.
Yet everyone in attendance knew this was merely the prelude; the true spectacle had yet to begin.
"Four million five hundred thousand."
Bidding commenced from the second-floor viewing rooms as well.
"Five million."
"Five million five hundred thousand."
"Six million."
Once the price reached six million, the bidders in the main hall fell silent. Anyone who could afford more would not have been sitting there in the first place.
"Six million one hundred thousand."
Feeling the financial pressure at six million, the bidders on the second floor began raising their offers in increments of one hundred thousand.
"Seven million."
An authoritative voice rang directly from the third-floor private rooms.
"Could that be Young Master Yu?"
Glancing toward the private rooms, Ling Ruoxue guessed the voice belonged to Yu Shaoqing.
The occupant of that room was indeed Yu Shaoqing. Finding the sword entirely to his liking, he had raised the bid straight to seven million.
Since the City Lord had chosen not to attend and had not given him the VIP membership card, Yu Shaoqing had been forced to use his own purple card to secure a third-floor private room.
"Seven million five hundred thousand."
Someone on the second floor clearly had deeper pockets than expected: the next bid went up by another five hundred thousand.
"Eight million."
Yu Shaoqing had no intention of backing down, particularly against an opponent residing on the second floor. If he failed to outbid them, he would lose all his prestige.
"Eight million five hundred thousand."
The second-floor room countered immediately, matching the five-hundred-thousand increment with an air of absolute determination.
"Nine million."
Gritting his teeth, Yu Shaoqing raised the bid by another five hundred thousand.
"Ten million."
The second-floor occupant immediately raised the stakes to ten million, leaving Yu Shaoqing no room to retreat.
"When did such a ruthless competitor arrive on the second floor?"
Curiosity piqued, Qin Xiao glanced across toward the opposite private room.
"Although that person wears a cloak and presented an ordinary gold card, they could hardly conceal their identity from me. The occupant of that room is none other than Fang Xiuxian, who is leading the delegation from Tianyi City this time."
Noticing Qin Xiao's interest, Ling Ruoxue provided the explanation.
"So he's Grand Commander Chen Shunyi's disciple. No wonder he has so much money."
Armed with Ling Ruoxue's explanation, Qin Xiao understood the situation entirely—and realized the man was his enemy.
"Do you know him, Brother Qin?"
Luo Yunshuang asked, her curiosity stirred.
"No, but I know his master. That old bastard is no good, and neither is his disciple. The whole lot of them are rotten. A nest of vermin!"
At the mere mention of Chen Shunyi, Qin Xiao gritted his teeth in irritation.
"Ah... pretend I asked nothing."
Sensing that Qin Xiao harbored a deep grudge against an opponent whose master served as a Grand Commander, Luo Yunshuang wisely decided to stay out of the matter.
"Eleven million."
Unable to retreat now, Yu Shaoqing gritted his teeth and pushed the bid to eleven million. He silently prayed for someone else to step in and rescue him, as his pride was beginning to crack under the strain.
"Twelve million."
Fang Xiuxian continued to raise the price with effortless indifference. Twelve million remained well within his tolerance.
"It appears Young Master Yu is reaching his limit. It is time for me to make a move."
When Yu Shaoqing's room fell silent, Qin Xiao knew the City Lord's son had reached his limit.
"Fifteen million."
Qin Xiao increased the bid without a second's hesitation. To be frank, Spirit Stones were little more than numbers to him now; so long as Yun Man desired the weapon, any price was justified.
With Qin Xiao's bid of fifteen million echoing across the venue, Yu Shaoqing finally expelled a breath of relief. Since someone from the fourth floor had entered the fray, he could withdraw without losing face.
Fang Xiuxian had hardly anticipated that anyone would bid fifteen million for a mere Middle-Grade Dharma Treasure. Was the bidder genuinely enamored with the sword, or were they deliberately targeting him?
"Sixteen million."
He added another million to test the waters.
"Twenty million."
Qin Xiao drove the price up again. They were only Spirit Stones; he would keep bidding until Fang Xiuxian gave up. The man would not get a single thing he wanted today. Tomorrow, Qin Xiao would give him a good beating, too.
This was pure spite-driven bidding, but Qin Xiao cared little for prudence. Depriving his enemy of satisfaction was reward enough in itself.
"Have you lost your mind? Who bids in increments like that?"
Luo Yunshuang was stunned by the way Qin Xiao raised his bids by millions at a time. These were Spirit Stones, not rocks by the roadside. Even millions of ordinary rocks would be a lot!
"I'm perfectly sane. It's a Middle-Grade Dharma Treasure. Is twenty million so much? Besides, my disciple wants it. As her master, of course I have to get it for her."
Qin Xiao sounded utterly unconcerned. It was only twenty million. That was nothing yet.