Morning soon arrived, and to Shi Ruo's surprise, Li Tian, who was usually lazy, had for once woken up early and was already prepared to go. She quickly got ready herself, and when she came out, Li Tian was momentarily dazzled. Her piercing blue eyes seemed to have the ability to look into one's soul, and they stared at him with a questioning look. Li Tian snapped back to reality.
"Uhmm, uh... let's go," Li Tian stammered. "This girl's attractiveness seems to have only increased in recent days. Could it be because of the transformations happening within her?" Li Tian wondered skeptically. That was the only reasonable explanation he could come up with.
He was interrupted by Shi Ruo's voice at that moment. "Sir, the auction is going to start at exactly 10 am. It would be good if we could get there before that time. So we need to hurry."
Shi Ruo was very anxious because they were cutting it too close. The journey to the auction house would likely take them about an hour, which meant they would be arriving with only a few minutes to spare.
They entered the transport method arranged by her the previous day, and an hour quickly went by. Soon, they found themselves standing in front of an auction house. The sign above the entryway read "Bell Auction House." This organization was incredibly powerful and the sole entity responsible for carrying out auctions throughout the world. Over the centuries, it had faced some competition, but they were mercilessly eradicated one way or another. On the surface, they appeared to be kind businessmen who wouldn't hurt a fly. However, only the enlightened knew that behind their smiles lay a terrifying power that had controlled the trade market for centuries.
Everyone knew that offending them would be disastrous, even for the ancient families. This allowed the Bell Auction House to carry out fair trades and auctions without fear of repercussions. As long as you had the means, you could purchase anything you wanted from their auction house, and they would guarantee your safety while with them. However, what happened to you after you left was of no concern to them.
Walking into the auction house, Shi Ruo took out the tickets to show the guards, who were also mesmerized by her beauty. They were quite enthusiastic in showing Li Tian and Shi Ruo to their private room located on the second floor, with a wide window overlooking the podium. There were ten other rooms that shared the same description as Li Tian's. Below them on the first floor was a hall with about two hundred people eagerly awaiting the start of the auction.
The lights suddenly dimmed, with only the one at the center stage shining brightly, immediately capturing the attention of everyone present. A beautiful woman soon walked up to the stage. She looked seductive, and every action she took seemed to tug at the heartstrings of the individuals in the room.
Noticing that she had everyone's attention, she began to speak. "Welcome, everyone. I am Xiao Lin'er, and I will be your host. In today's auction, we have twenty items, and only bids with spirit stones will be allowed. There shall be no threats during the auction. I will not say too much; you all know the rules. Whoever has the highest bid wins. Now, without any delay, let's get to it."
"If you see something you want, feel free to bid for it," Li Tian turned and said to Shi Ruo. He had come for a specific item and didn't think the rest would be of interest to him, but they might be useful to her. She nodded gratefully and turned her attention back to the stage, filled with excitement. Who would've thought she would be here, with the ability to bid for things she had never even heard of?
"The first item today is the Foundation Building Pill. I believe you are all aware of its effects. The one in my hand is a high-grade Foundation Building Pill with over 70% purity," the hostess announced. As her words ended, she observed the crowd for their reaction, and as expected, there was a small commotion. Most pills of this nature had a purity of 50%, and it was quite lucky to come across one with higher purity.
"There are ten of them in this bottle, and they will be auctioned together. The starting price will be 2000 spirit stones, and every increase should not be less than 100 spirit stones."
Without any delay, the bidding began. "2000." "2200." "2500." "3000." As the price reached 3600 spirit stones, the bidding slowed down and eventually, the pills were sold at that price.
Observing the atmosphere in the auction room, Li Tian couldn't help but feel a sense of melancholy. Memories of his past flooded his mind, and he couldn't help but compare his previous life with the one he was currently living.
"Are you okay?" Shi Ruo asked, noticing the change in Li Tian's expression.
Li Tian shook his head and smiled. "I'm fine. Just lost in thought for a moment."
The auction continued, and various items were brought up on the stage. There were rare artifacts, mystical treasures, and even some ancient cultivation techniques. Li Tian observed the crowd, noticing their eagerness and determination to obtain these items. It was a stark contrast to his own feelings. He had lost interest in material possessions a long time ago. Now, his main goal was to cultivate and become stronger.
In fact, one of the last things he did before his death was attending an auction where he purchased a map that led to the treasure he had died for. He had come to realize his mistake and was determined not to be weak again in this life. No one would have power over him. However, since his transmigration, he had been unable to remember the specific details of that treasure. All he knew was that it was instrumental in allowing him to cast the spell that facilitated his reincarnation.
If only he could remember, he thought, perhaps he would find clues about the nature of the treasure and the location of his previous world. Lost in his thoughts, he failed to notice that three items had already been auctioned off, and now they were on the fifth item.
In front of the auctioneer lay a sword, which she presented as one of the best items of the day—a grade-5 spirit treasure with water properties and a corresponding battle skill. She invited anyone interested to come forward and examine it. Some individuals initially showed interest but hesitated, likely influenced by the trust they had in the auction house and its hostess.
Noting that no one came forward, the auctioneer expressed her gratitude for the attendees' trust. She admitted that she would have bought the sword herself if it weren't against the rules. Her words were delivered with a hint of sadness, though some astute individuals recognized it as a sales tactic, while others fell for it, their desire for the weapon growing. Undeniably, the sword was an impressive piece, wrapped in cloth and emitting a gentle aqua blue light, accompanied by a manual.
"The bidding for this sword will start at 10,000 spirit stones, with increments of no less than 500," the auctioneer declared.
As soon as she finished speaking, a round of bidding commenced. The numbers climbed steadily—10,500, 12,000, 12,700—limited to those in the main hall. It reached 15,000 before the pace slowed. At that moment, Shi Ruo glanced at Li Tian, seeking confirmation to make a bid.
He nodded, and she smiled. Li Tian couldn't help but wonder if he had given her the right place in his life, as her captivating smile momentarily captivated him. However, his attention quickly returned to the auction.
Shi Ruo promptly announced her bid of 16,000. The attendees were momentarily mesmerized by her enchanting voice, but they soon recognized that someone from the VIP room must hold considerable status.
For the first time, someone from the second floor had made a bid, and no one dared to challenge it. The auctioneer confirmed, "The guest in VIP room 2 bids 16,000. Any other bids?"
She waited a moment before counting down, "16,000 going once, twice..." Suddenly, another bid of 20,000 spirit stones emerged from VIP room 6. The voice sounded like that of a young man, although the design of the VIP rooms prevented anyone from seeing the bidder's face unless they chose to reveal their identity.
The bidding continued—21,000—as Shi Ruo placed another bid. She had considered giving up due to the high price, but Li Tian insisted that she acquire the sword since she lacked a good weapon. The man in room 6 matched her bid each time, and it seemed as though the auction had become a contest between the two of them.
With each bid, their determination was evident. The price soared well beyond what the onlookers considered reasonable. To them, accumulating such wealth would take years, and the value of the spirit stones for their training was immeasurable.
"35,000 spirit stones," Shi Ruo bid again, leaving the hall dumbfounded. Such wealth was the epitome of opulence.
The auctioneer announced, "35,000 spirit stones going once, going twice... Sold!"
As the hammer fell, the auctioneer's excitement was evident. The final selling price had far exceeded her initial estimate. The auction proceeded, but Li Tian found himself growing bored until they reached the fifteenth item—a peculiar flower presented before the attendees.
The flower alternated between pitch-black darkness, dazzling white light, and a mysterious combination of both. Its presence felt ephemeral, shifting between reality and illusion. Captivated by this unique flower, Li Tian knew that this was what he had come for. He sat up straight, eagerly awaiting the start of the bidding. He was determined to obtain this item at all costs, recognizing the rarity of yin-yang items. Finding this one was fortunate, as who knew when he would encounter another if he let this opportunity slip away. He must obtain it.