On the day of the auction, many people from the Kyushu Chamber of Commerce came, and even the business of the surrounding inns and restaurants doubled.
The former steward of the Kyushu Chamber of Commerce, now demoted to deputy steward, stood by the entrance of the company's headquarters, welcoming guests.
Despite his new title, he believed that his authority as a deputy steward was significantly greater than before. The newly appointed steward had left a positive impression on him, making him believe that following such a leader would undoubtedly lead to a bright future.
During a prior meeting, the seating arrangement had been established: the first floor was reserved for those below the Earth Martial Realm, the second floor for those with an Earth Martial Realm sitting in, the third floor for those with a Heavenly Martial Realm or True Martial Realm. Floors above the third floor remained temporarily inaccessible.
"City Lord Liu, second floor, please."
"Lord Murong, third floor, please."
Steward Zhang welcomed the guests, his face beaming with smiles. He was acquainted with many of the attendees.
"Guests from the Azure Cloud Imperial Family, please."
Zhang's gaze fell upon a luxurious carriage with an accompanying imperial guard. A young man, followed by a purple-robed eunuch, stood before the carriage. Although the young man was likely a prince, Zhang wasn't adept enough to recognize his identity.
"Xiao Cui, guide the guests to the private room on the third floor."
While Steward Zhang was courteous to the imperial entourage, there was little reverence in his tone. Their allegiance belonged solely to the Su family.
The young man nodded, and accompanied by the purple-robed eunuch, he smiled and followed Xiao Cui's lead, departing the scene.
This auction was promising indeed, attracting not only local attendees but also individuals from neighboring nations.
Shen Wansan stood on the sixth floor, gazing below. The sixth floor was the highest accessible level, reserved solely for high-ranking personnel within the Kyushu Chamber of Commerce. The second through fifth floors were designated as Yellow, Profound, Earth, and Heaven-tier private rooms, respectively.
"Miss, Wansan is overseeing the auction now."
"Thank you for your efforts, sir."
Shen Wansan descended to the lower floors. The auction had been organized hastily, without acquiring an auctioneer who satisfied his standards. While potential candidates had presented themselves, none had met his expectations. For an auction of this caliber, his personal participation was essential.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please settle down," Shen Wansan's voice resonated, a peak Heavenly Martial Realm presence seeping into the surroundings. The once noisy crowd fell silent, their eyes now focused on the slightly overweight middle-aged man at the center of the auction stage.
"A peak Heavenly Martial Realm expert," murmured the crowd, sensing the aura Shen Wansan emanated.
Even the elderly eunuch who had stood behind the Third Prince and the Third Prince himself were astonished. After all, in the Azure Cloud Kingdom, their monarch was a peak Heavenly Martial Realm cultivator, and here it was merely a steward within the Kyushu Chamber of Commerce.
This indicated the company's considerable power – an entity not to be underestimated.
Wasn't this also an opportunity for the Third Prince? A scheming glint flashed within his eyes, unnoticed even by the nearby eunuch.
"I am Shen Wansan, manager of the Kyushu Chamber of Commerce present in this location. Today, I extend my gratitude to all for attending. I am confident that we will not disappoint you."
Shen Wansan greeted the surrounding guests with a bow, deliberately downplaying his position.
"Without further ado, let us proceed with the auction of the first item."
However, those in attendance gleaned much information from his brief introduction. 'This location' – it seemed that the Kyushu Chamber of Commerce was likely an external force, perhaps even a hidden power.
"The first auction item is a Lower Earth Tier martial technique – the Raging Bull Fist.
"This technique comprises nine stages, each stage adding one punch's worth of power, increasing in might with every advancement. Upon reaching the ninth stage, its force rivals that of an Upper Earth Tier martial technique.
"Bidding starts at one million Lower Grade Spirit Stones, and each subsequent bid must not be lower than ten thousand Lower Grade Spirit Stones. Let the bidding commence."
As Shen Wansan finished speaking, the atmosphere surged with excitement. The first auction item was an Earth Tier martial technique – what an impressive way to kick things off!
Each appearance of an Earth Tier martial technique was marked by fierce competition. After all, such treasures were invaluable; they were as far from commonplace as one could imagine. Even within the royal family, they possessed merely one such technique. Moreover, it was exclusively practiced by royal descendants.
"One million two hundred thousand."
"One million three hundred thousand."
"One million three hundred and fifty thousand."
The smaller factions hardly stood a chance, and even some forces with Earth Martial Realm experts found it challenging to compete. Clearly, only those backed by Heavenly Martial Realm or True Martial Realm experts stood a chance.
"Two million seven hundred thousand," a voice, emanating from a force led by a True Martial Realm expert, doubled the current bid in an instant. It became apparent that this bidder hailed from the neighboring kingdom of Kun An, a prominent martial sect known as the Dragon Ascension Sect, which excelled in physical techniques.
"Six million three hundred thousand."
"Seven million four hundred thousand."
One by one, forces with True Martial Realm experts joined in the bidding. On this day, nearly ten True Martial Realm forces participated, and at least seven such forces hailed from the Azure Cloud Kingdom itself.
"Nine million," Jiang Ze bid once again. Though the imperial family already possessed an Earth Tier martial technique and didn't prioritize physical techniques, the value of such a treasure was undeniable. Even if he couldn't personally cultivate it, keeping it as a heritage of the kingdom was not a bad idea.
However, his bid was quickly drowned out.
"Twelve million," the representative of the Dragon Ascension Sect fiercely increased the price by an additional three million.
Jiang Ze shook his head. He had no intention of continuing the contest. It wasn't worth it; the cost outweighed the benefits. It would be wiser to preserve his resources for bidding on the grand finale.
Sure enough, this bold move frightened off many others.
The few that remained also bid a couple of times but didn't raise it further. In the end, the martial technique was sold for the price of 16.7 million.
Shen Wansan shook his head, feeling it fell a bit short of his expectations, but it should suffice in these areas. After all, the conditions for generating spirit stone veins were quite stringent. The spiritual energy here was already thin, and there weren't any large veins to begin with. Even so, the ownership of these spirit stone veins was controlled by powers like the Azure Cloud Kingdom's royal family.
Reaching this price was already an impressive start, and this auction primarily focused on reputation.
"Now, we're auctioning the second item: Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill.
"The Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill can purify one's impurities, enhance their innate talent, and the younger the user, the greater the enhancement. The cultivation must be at least in the Elemental Martial Realm, as one can't withstand the pill's purification power below that.
Starting price is five hundred thousand Low-grade Spirit Stones, with each subsequent bid not less than ten thousand Low-grade Spirit Stones."
As Shen Wansan finished, the audience gasped collectively.
After all, they had never heard of something that could enhance innate talent. Usually, such things were rare treasures among treasures. Who would've thought that this inconspicuous little black pill could improve talent? How could they not be thrilled? Although there were cultivation restrictions, who didn't have younger generations in their families?