"What a broken and tattered picture, just trying to deceive people?"
After a brief silence in the auction hall, it suddenly erupted with boos all around.
Cough cough "This ancient relic, although it's unclear what secrets it holds, it is from antiquity after all. People always like to gamble a bit. If someone gets the complete map, with some good luck, who knows what hidden treasures might shake the entire continent."
On the crystal platform, Yuan Mu enthusiastically described the mysterious nature of the tattered map, trying to raise its value. Unfortunately, it seemed to have little effect. Under his impatient introduction, some people in the audience had already started to show signs of impatience, and some hot-tempered individuals even started to curse aloud.
Amid the discontent murmurs from below, Yuan Mu could only shake his head helplessly, clearing his dry throat with a gulp of saliva before saying with a bitter smile, "So, as per the arrangement, the starting price for this tattered map is one hundred thousand gold coins. Now, let the auction begin."
The massive auction hall fell silent. Some people glanced at the platform as if looking at a fool. Who would spend one hundred thousand gold coins on something so broken and whose authenticity was even in doubt? Even if one had money, it wouldn't be spent so recklessly, right?
"At a time like this, Xiao Yan isn't here?"
Yun Tianming didn't rush to make a move. Instead, he discreetly released his Soul Power to scan the entire venue.
After nearly ten minutes of silence in the auction hall, Yuan Mu finally sighed and was about to declare the map unsold.
"One hundred thousand, I'll take it."
The voice was calm and unruffled, giving the impression of casual indifference without any hint of excitement. Instinctively, everyone turned their gaze towards the VIP seat where a seemingly young man was seated.
"Where did this rich young lord come from, spending a hundred thousand on a broken map?"
"Rich people are indeed different."
The crowd murmured and complained.
"I bid one hundred and twenty thousand!"
Calling out was none other than Fan Ling, the junior sect master of the Blood Sect.
"Junior Sect Master, are you sure?"
His subordinate looked puzzled.
"Hmph! Less talk, I just dislike him!"
Fan Ling's gloomy gaze fixed tightly on Yun Tianming's direction. The Qi Method of the Blood Sect was extremely cold and naturally wary of powerful fire attributes, hence his innate hostility towards Yun Tianming.
"Tsk tsk, what a guy asking for trouble."
Yun Tianming glanced at him with a gaze that seemed to predict his demise. He couldn't be bothered to compete with him; it would be easier to take care of him later.
"Hehe, anyone else willing to bid higher?"
Seeing Yun Tianming showing no intention to bid, Yuan Mu had no choice but to look towards others.
"Congratulations to the junior sect master of the Blood Sect for acquiring the tattered map at one hundred and twenty thousand."
"You..."
Despite successfully winning the bid for the tattered map, Fan Ling wasn't particularly pleased. His participation had solely been to spite Yun Tianming and drive up the price, but unexpectedly, Yun Tianming didn't engage at all, making Fan Ling feel like a fool!
"Next up is the pill. This is from the new owner of Feng City, oh no, now renamed Yan Cheng, a Fourth Grade peak pill crafted by that mysterious alchemist: the Three Lines Green Spirit Pill!"
Yuan Mu opened the wooden box in his hand, releasing a strong fragrance of medicine.
"It's actually the Three Lines Green Spirit Pill?!"
As one of the top-grade Green Spirit Pills, it was extremely rare even in the Black-Corner Region. After all, its requirements for three different types of flames in its crafting process were quite stringent. Therefore, when the Three Lines Green Spirit Pill appeared, even powerful forces like the Blood Sect, Heavenly Snake Mansion, and the Black Skeleton Tomb in the Black-Corner Region showed strong interest.
However, Yun Tianming's focus wasn't on the Three Lines Green Spirit Pill. His brow slightly furrowed: "The new owner of Feng City? no it's Yan city now... And this Three Lines Green Spirit Pill."
Yun Tianming enveloped the pill with his Soul Power, faintly sensing a trace of residual Heavenly Flame within.
"It really is Xiao Yan. He didn't go to Jia Nan Academy, how did he end up in the Black-Corner Region? And he's even rooted in Feng City, is he laying the groundwork to establish a faction?"
Deviation from the original plotline surprised Yun Tianming, but he could understand it. After all, under his influence, Xiao Yan's life path had drastically shifted from its original trajectory.
"Congratulations to the Elder Qing of Heavenly Snake Mansion who won the Three Lines Green Spirit Pill for one million five hundred thousand."
Yuan Mu grinned broadly. Indeed, this pill was the most profitable deal.
Yun Tianming couldn't help but sigh. Prices for pills were indeed exorbitant in the Black-Corner Region, often more than double those in the Jia Ma Empire for pills of the same grade.
Next up for auction was a high-level medicinal herb. On the jade plate, this herb was entirely fiery red, as if bathed in fresh blood, roughly the size of a palm. At first glance, it seemed alive, emitting a faint fragrance that refreshed those nearby the crystal platform.
"This is the Flame Core Ganoderma, said to be used in refining certain Sixth Grade Pills. Starting price is seven hundred thousand!"
"Seven hundred and twenty thousand!"
"Seven hundred and thirty thousand!"
In the end, Yun Tianming won it with a bid of one million two hundred thousand. This herb was extremely precious as it was a primary ingredient for refining the Ground Spirit Pill.
"Hmph! Is this kid an alchemist?"
Fan Ling's expression turned cold. Due to the earlier trap of "buying a broken map at a high price," he refrained from bidding this time. After all, the price of the Flame Core Ganoderma was steep. If he had really won it, his wallet would have taken a serious hit.
As the auction approached its final moments, finally, an item of true weight appeared.
"Earth Rank Low Level Body Movement Dou Technique: Three Thousand Lightning Movements!"
"This Dou Technique's significance, I believe there's no need for me to explain."
Yuan Mu's voice echoed, instantly quieting the bustling auction hall once more. Countless fiery gazes eagerly focused on the silver scroll on the crystal platform. Rapid breaths sounded like bellows, making a whooshing noise.
"Three Thousand Lightning Movements. It can serve as a superior replacement for Bursting Void Steps!"
Yun Tianming's eyes revealed strong interest.
This Dou Technique originated from the Wind Lightning Pavilion in the Central Plains. It was said to have been stolen by an insider and brought to the Black-Corner Region for sale in the shadows. Once the Wind Lightning Pavilion discovered that outsiders were practicing Three Thousand Lightning Movements, it would surely lead to pursuit and extermination. However, Yun Tianming wasn't one to fear such consequences.
Various major forces in the arena engaged in fierce bidding.
"Congratulations to Elder Luo of the Black Skeleton Tomb, who won this Dou Technique for 10.2 million."
As the final price settled, the entire venue fell silent.
"Hmph! Let's see you hold onto that Dou Technique for now!"
Fan Ling's eyes were cold, a flash of grim smile and murderous intent passing through.
"Winning the bid is one thing, being able to leave alive with it is another."
Yun Tianming's gaze remained indifferent. After all, killing and seizing goods were everyday occurrences in the Black-Corner Region.
"Next up will be the final treasure of this auction."
"Seventh Grade Pill: Yin-Yang Mysterious Dragon Pill!"
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