The commotion in the Silverwind Auction Hall continued to escalate as Elder Zhang of the Azure Blade Sect stood unwavering, his powerful aura pressing down on the auctioneer.
"Deceiving powerful sects with cursed items," Elder Zhang's voice carried an icy edge. "Do you think we are fools?"
The auctioneer, now drenched in cold sweat, hurriedly bowed. "Elder Zhang, I assure you, this was not intentional! The Nebula Dewdrop must have been tampered with before it reached us. We will refund the buyer immediately!"
The young master from the Moonshadow Clan glared at the auctioneer, his pride visibly wounded. "You dare sell me something like this? My clan will hear about this disgrace!"
The murmurs in the hall grew louder.
---
Lin Tianyu's Calm Observation
Sitting among the crowd, Lin Tianyu watched the chaos unfold. His System spoke in its usual nonchalant tone:
[Notice: Host has encountered a significant event. This is an excellent opportunity to build connections or gain resources. Would you like me to analyze the situation further?]
"Not yet," Tianyu muttered under his breath, his eyes gleaming with interest. "Let's see how things play out."
Lin Jie, sitting beside him, leaned closer. "Father, should we leave? If this Elder Zhang loses his temper, the whole hall might be destroyed."
Tianyu smirked. "And miss an opportunity? No. Sit tight and watch."
---
A Mysterious Figure Speaks
As the auctioneer tried to appease both Elder Zhang and the Moonshadow Clan's young master, a faint chuckle echoed from one of the upper-tier seats.
Everyone turned to see a man cloaked in black, his face obscured by a hood. His aura was subtle, yet it carried a pressure that made even Elder Zhang pause.
"What an amusing display," the man said. "Arguing over a cursed trinket like children fighting for scraps. If neither of you wants it, I'll take the Nebula Dewdrop off your hands."
The room fell silent. Who dared speak to an Elder of the Azure Blade Sect so casually?
Elder Zhang's eyes narrowed. "And who are you to interfere?"
The man chuckled again. "Just a traveler. But if you're too afraid to touch a little curse, I'm more than happy to claim it."
---
System Alert
Tianyu's System buzzed urgently in his mind.
[Warning: Unknown figure detected. Cultivation: Nascent Soul Realm. Approach with caution.]
Tianyu's heart skipped a beat. A Nascent Soul cultivator was leagues above anyone else in the room, including Elder Zhang. He kept his expression calm, but inwardly, he was already reevaluating his next steps.
"What's his motive?" Tianyu asked the System quietly.
[Analysis inconclusive. However, his interest in a cursed item suggests knowledge beyond the surface. Recommend maintaining a low profile.]
---
A Bold Decision
Despite the tension, the auctioneer seized the opportunity to regain control. "Honored guests, if no one wishes to challenge this gentleman's claim, we will award the Nebula Dewdrop to him for the original bid of 2,000 spirit stones."
Elder Zhang, though clearly displeased, didn't press further. The Moonshadow Clan's young master also chose to stay silent, his earlier anger now tempered by caution.
The hooded man nodded and flicked a jade token toward the auctioneer, who caught it with trembling hands. "A wise decision," the man said before returning to his seat.
Tianyu's System spoke again:
[Opportunity detected: The cursed Nebula Dewdrop may hold hidden value. Do you wish to attempt acquiring it?]
Tianyu frowned. "He already bought it. How am I supposed to get it now?"
[Suggestion: Approach the buyer after the auction. Offer a trade or strike a deal. Cursed items often have unintended uses.]
---
The Auction Continues
With the crisis averted, the auction resumed. Several high-value items were presented, including:
1. Blazing Thunder Spear (Mid-Grade Weapon): A spear capable of unleashing lightning strikes.
Winning Bid: 3,500 spirit stones.
2. Verdant Spirit Pill (High-Grade Pill): A pill that enhances Qi circulation, increasing cultivation speed for Foundation Building cultivators.
Winning Bid: 5,000 spirit stones.
3. Frostbound Manual (Earth-Grade Technique): A rare cultivation manual specializing in ice-based Qi techniques.
Winning Bid: 12,000 spirit stones.
Tianyu refrained from bidding, his focus instead on observing the major players and their strategies.
---
Unexpected Opportunity
As the auction neared its end, a sudden announcement caught everyone off guard.
"For our final item," the auctioneer said with a grin, "we have something truly special: the Celestial Soul Lotus, an artifact said to enhance spiritual awareness and accelerate breakthroughs in the Foundation Building Realm."
Gasps filled the hall. The Celestial Soul Lotus was a treasure that could make or break a cultivator's path.
"The starting bid is 10,000 spirit stones!"
---
Tianyu Takes a Chance
Lin Jie's eyes widened. "Father, that lotus… it could help you stabilize your Foundation Building Realm cultivation!"
Tianyu hesitated. The Lin Clan's funds were limited, and competing against the wealthier clans seemed foolish.
The System chimed in:
[Host currently possesses 1,200 System Points. Would you like to exchange them for bidding resources?]
Tianyu raised an eyebrow. "What kind of resources?"
[Option 1: Spirit Stones (1,000 points = 10,000 spirit stones).
Option 2: Illusion Stone (1,200 points = Creates a fake bid appearance).]
He smirked. "Option 2."
---
A Clever Play
As the bids for the Celestial Soul Lotus soared, Tianyu activated the Illusion Stone.
"15,000 spirit stones!" he called out confidently.
The crowd turned to look at him, and murmurs broke out.
"Who is that? A small clan dares to bid on such a treasure?"
The Moonshadow Clan's young master sneered. "16,000!"
Tianyu raised his hand again. "17,000!"
The illusion worked perfectly, making it appear as though the Lin Clan had the resources to compete. This emboldened the wealthier bidders to drive the price even higher.
"20,000!"
"22,000!"
Finally, the Celestial Soul Lotus was sold to a representative of the Frostpeak Kingdom for 25,000 spirit stones.
Tianyu leaned back, satisfied. Not only had he avoided spending a single coin, but he had also identified the Frostpeak Kingdom's weakness—they valued breakthroughs above all else.
---
After the Auction
As the crowd began to disperse, Tianyu's attention turned back to the hooded man who had purchased the cursed Nebula Dewdrop.
The System spoke again:
[New Quest Unlocked: Investigate the Hooded Man. Rewards: 500 System Points.]
Tianyu smiled faintly. "Let's see what secrets you're hiding."