If he was still somewhat doubtful when it was first introduced, after seeing the finished product, Qin Xiao was certain.
The incomplete Heart-Protecting Turtle Shell was on his own body, and this Body-Protecting Turtle Armor was the other part.
"Although this item is classified as a Middle Grade Dharma Treasure, the starting bid is twenty million, with each increment not less than one million. If you are fated to complete it, this item will certainly be extraordinary, perhaps reaching High Grade Dharma Treasure level or even beyond."
After stating the starting price, Cai Mu didn't forget to add this remark.
This item was originally meant to be the finale, but seeing that everyone's enthusiasm wasn't particularly high, he brought it forward early to stir up the atmosphere first.
"Miss Ling, this item wouldn't be something you specially prepared to trick me, would it?"
Qin Xiao felt things couldn't possibly be this coincidental. Last time he had successfully bid for the Heart-Protecting Turtle Shell, and this time the main body of the Body-Protecting Turtle Armor appeared right away. Could it be that Ling Ruoxue, seeing he had money, planned to fleece him properly?
"What are you saying, Young Master Qin? When I saw this auction item, I was also startled. If our Immortal Dao Merchant Association had the complete set all along, do you think we would separate them for auction? Wouldn't auctioning the finished product bring higher profits? This should be something Elder Cai recently obtained."
Ling Ruoxue's reaction to the auction item was the same as Qin Xiao's-both were startled.
After all, it was she who had auctioned off the Heart-Protecting Turtle Shell. This item had been in the treasure vault for a long time, never finding its matching piece. Taking advantage of her training journey, she had brought it out as her trump card for her first hosting event. She never expected it would be completed here.
"You saying that does seem reasonable. I overthought things."
Qin Xiao also realized-others aren't stupid, why would they separate them to sell? It seems encountering this here is his own fated chance. He must obtain it, no matter the cost.
Actually, after seeing this item, those equally surprised included Pure Yang Sect's Second Elder, Mysterious Yin Sect's Grand Elder, and Fang Xiuxian.
Because this item's shape greatly resembled the legendary Top Grade Dharma Treasure Black Tortoise Armor. Whether it was a replica or not, they had to obtain it.
However, the twenty million starting price also destined that not too many people would participate. The first to speak was still Fang Xiuxian from the second floor.
As Chen Shunyi's most favored disciple, he could access many materials from the imperial court. He had also seen records of the Black Tortoise Armor.
"Twenty-five million."
Fang Xiuxian directly added five million, which could directly eliminate some who wanted to muddy the waters.
"Thirty million."
Mysterious Yin Sect's Grand Elder Wei Jian also followed closely, adding five million.
"Forty million."
Pure Yang Sect's Second Elder Han Mingyuan directly added ten million. He was determined to obtain this item.
"Fifty million."
Seeing two parties bidding, and both adding so aggressively, Fang Xiuxian also stopped holding back. He had gotten quite a few Spirit Stones from his master Chen Shunyi, and he also had many treasures. By exchanging some, he could gather over one hundred million Spirit Stones.
"Three parties competing? Besides Pure Yang Sect, do others also recognize this item?"
Wei Jian hesitated somewhat. Although he brought quite a few Spirit Stones from his sect this time, he also lacked some confidence, not knowing if two hundred million would be enough.
"Sixty million."
Although hesitating, Wei Jian still added ten million. Since three parties recognized its value, these few tens of millions were merely appetizers.
"Seventy million."
Pure Yang Sect's Second Elder Han Mingyuan also unhesitatingly added ten million.
He had come prepared. For this auction, he had prepared five hundred million Spirit Stones. Pure Yang Sect's financial power naturally wasn't something others could compare to.
However, these two sects actually had credit limits at Immortal Dao Merchant Association, allowing them to bid beyond their immediate funds. With sect backing, naturally there was no worry about defaulting, though the limit was only one billion as an upper bound.
"One hundred million."
Fang Xiuxian directly shouted all he had on him.
Once one hundred million was announced, everyone erupted. This was the first time breaking one hundred million. Even those watching the excitement perked up.
After shouting one hundred million, Fang Xiuxian summoned an attendant, revealed his identity, and requested an overdraft limit.
The Grand Commander's title was indeed useful. After final assessment, Fang Xiuxian also obtained a five hundred million limit. Of course, this was also the result of his communication via voice transmission with his master Chen Shunyi. Otherwise, he personally wouldn't have such a limit.
Qin Xiao wore a serious expression. He never expected this Body-Protecting Turtle Armor would break one hundred million in just a few bids. After all, when he originally bid for the Heart-Protecting Turtle Shell, it was only seven million. Of course, in terms of protective area and grade, the Heart-Protecting Turtle Shell indeed couldn't compare to this one. But breaking one hundred million so quickly indicated the final price would be terrifying.
"What? You also want to get involved? Our sect's Elder has already taken action. This time, just accept defeat."
Seeing Qin Xiao's serious expression, Luo Yunshuang spoke.
She acknowledged Qin Xiao was wealthy, but no matter how wealthy, that couldn't compare to a sect. And this so-called protective armor, already broken one hundred million, wasn't worth this price.
"Of course I want to get involved, but not now. Now three parties are bidding. I'll wait a bit more. After one drops out, I'll enter."
Qin Xiao immediately returned to his previous demeanor, saying with an indifferent expression.
"You're just putting on a brave front. I'll see how long you can hold out."
Seeing Qin Xiao's annoying expression, Luo Yunshuang said helplessly.
"I actually believe Young Master Qin. Merely one hundred million, that's all."
Ling Ruoxue quite believed in Qin Xiao. Last time when she exchanged two billion Spirit Stones, Qin Xiao didn't even blink. This price was completely nothing.
"He really has this many Spirit Stones?"
Luo Yunshuang might not believe in Qin Xiao's financial power, but she believed Ling Ruoxue. Even Ling Ruoxue said this-she couldn't quite believe it. Wasn't he just a disciple of Tianyuan Sect? How could he have so many Spirit Stones?
"Watch and you'll know."
Ling Ruoxue didn't explicitly say, but told her to continue watching.
Qin Xiao was also waiting, waiting for these people to show fatigue. He also didn't want to be taken advantage of, so he chose to enter later.
"One hundred ten million."
Wei Jian never expected someone would directly shout one hundred million, but it was still within his tolerance range, so he also added ten million.
"One hundred fifty million."
Han Mingyuan directly raised it to one hundred fifty million. Since all were knowledgeable people, no need to dawdle.
"Two hundred million."
Fang Xiuxian also understood the other's meaning, also directly adding fifty million.
"Three hundred million."
If they insist on playing this way, Wei Jian also got angry, directly using the sect's credit limit.
"Five hundred million."
Seeing everyone starting to test bottom lines, Han Mingyuan also directly shouted five hundred million. This should knock out one party.
"Six hundred million."
Fang Xiuxian directly shouted his bottom line.
After shouting, this meant he was about to be eliminated. No matter which of these two added, this auction item would have nothing to do with him.
He could only curse inwardly: two old things, relying on sect heritage, actually spending like this. It's a pity his preparation this time was insufficient. If only his master were here.
No choice-all were knowledgeable people. Perhaps initially everyone was still guessing whether it was a replica, but after these rounds of bidding, everyone also understood-this was the Black Tortoise Armor. Although incomplete, it was still something worth several billion or tens of billions. Everyone wanted to snatch a bargain, could only see who had more money.
"Seven hundred million."
Wei Jian still unhesitatingly added one hundred million, the price reaching seven hundred million.
"Eight hundred million."
Han Mingyuan naturally also unhesitatingly followed.
Once the eight hundred million price came out, after a moment's wait, Fang Xiuxian directly shouted his withdrawal.
Three parties entering the fray, actually reaching eight hundred million before one dropped out. Everyone also knew this item was absolutely not as simple as a Middle Grade Dharma Treasure, but they could only watch. This wasn't something they could get involved in. Being able to witness this once was already an honor.
Cai Mu was also stunned. Actually, regarding records of Black Tortoise Armor, Immortal Dao Merchant Association naturally also had them, but he had seen them long ago. When he obtained this item, he never even thought in that direction. Now looking at it, this thing was indeed a fragment of Black Tortoise Armor. Such an item actually wasn't reported-he was probably in for a scolding.
At this time, the fourth floor, which everyone had placed high hopes on, also placed a bid.
"One billion."
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