The auction hall of Black Wind City was vast. To prepare for this event, the city lord’s mansion had made thorough arrangements, deploying the majority of its forces to the auction site to maintain order.
Among them were countless hidden experts.
The nominal host of the Jun Zang auction wasn’t Peng Du, but an unremarkable middle-aged man.
However, Lin Xiao and his group knew full well that this so-called host was likely just a figurehead arranged by Peng Du.
Otherwise, with Peng Du’s strength, why wouldn’t he seek the Jun Zang himself instead of putting it up for auction? That alone would raise everyone’s suspicions.
In Black Wind City, Lin Xiao had gained some fame, which allowed him to bring thirty-odd people into one of the mere dozen private booths available.
Outside the booths stretched a massive auction hall, resembling a plaza, already packed with a sea of people, over ten thousand strong.
“The allure of this Jun Zang is indeed impressive, drawing such a crowd,” Lin Xiao couldn’t help but click his tongue. Even seated in the private booth, he could feel the restless heat of the throng.
“Hm? The Mo Alliance?” Amidst the crowd ahead, Lin Xiao spotted a group of people seated in the common hall, evidently unable to secure a booth.
Leading the Mo Alliance were only Mo Xuan and Mo Chang; Mo Yi was nowhere to be seen, likely still nursing serious injuries.
“The Mo Alliance dares to show their faces!” Seeing them, Ling Hu’s voice turned cold.
“The Mo Alliance is no longer a threat. When the chance arises, we’ll wipe them out,” Lin Xiao said dismissively, waving his hand. As his gaze swept the room, he also noticed the Snake Valley contingent.
The Snake Valley group wasn’t mingling with the Mo Alliance, likely wary of Tianmen and unwilling to associate with the Mo Alliance any further.
“The occupants of these dozen booths must all be formidable. If chaos breaks out, they should be able to keep Peng Du and that Spirit Controller occupied,” Qing Yun whispered at Lin Xiao’s side.
Lin Xiao nodded.
Time passed slowly. Amid the crowd’s clamour, an elderly figure stepped onto the ornate stone platform at the front.
The old man had white hair at his temples and a slightly hunched back, but his eyes gleamed with sharp clarity, as if he could appraise any treasure under the heavens. His cultivation had reached the ninth level of Heavenly Martial.
As he took the stage, the scene gradually quieted, all eyes turning expectantly towards him.
Everyone knew the main event was about to begin.
“Greetings, everyone. This old man is Fen Nan, the overseer of the Spirit Pavilion Auction House. You may call me Elder Fen,” the old man, Fen Nan, introduced himself simply, sparking a wave of hushed whispers below.
Many in attendance didn’t recognise his name, but locals of Black Wind City knew him well. Fen Nan had a reputation for his keen eye in appraising treasures, earning him some renown in the city.
“I presume you’ve all come for a single purpose, haven’t you? I imagine some of you are growing impatient,” Fen Nan’s slow voice rang out. “To meet your expectations, today, the Spirit Pavilion Auction House will auction only one item.”
*Whoa!*
The moment Fen Nan finished speaking, the auction hall erupted into excitement.
Typically, auction houses would use a high-profile item to draw attention, then sprinkle in other items throughout to boost profits.
After all, only one person could claim the prized item.
Moreover, those drawn by a significant treasure were often wealthy and bold, willing to bid up even minor items, a common tactic to maximise gains.
Yet, the Spirit Pavilion Auction House in Black Wind City was taking a direct approach, starting with the Jun Zang map and key. This caught everyone off guard.
It seemed the auction house was just as eager as the bidders.
Still, most understood that the Jun Zang map and key were the true highlight. Compared to that, whether other items were auctioned hardly mattered.
Getting straight to the point suited them perfectly.
At that moment, a stunningly beautiful woman carried up an exquisite, special box and placed it before Fen Nan’s lavish table.
Several strands of divine sense immediately probed towards the box, only to be rebuffed.
Crafted from a unique material, the box blocked divine sense entirely.
Fen Nan remained unfazed, as if he’d anticipated this. He gazed calmly ahead and said, “I’m sure you all know what this item is, so I won’t waste time explaining its purpose.”
“This Martial Lord tomb map and key were stumbled upon by a junior. As you all know, possessing such a treasure without sufficient strength isn’t exactly a blessing.”
“Thus, he’s decided to auction off this hot potato, take his earnings, and leave without revealing any further details.”
“Those of you bold enough to bid likely have the confidence to back it up,” Fen Nan said, scanning the room before continuing directly, “No more idle talk. The Jun Zang map and key auction begins now, no reserve price.”
This surprised some in the crowd. They’d been wondering what kind of starting bid the owner would set for such a valuable item.
But on reflection, it made sense. With so many eyes on the Jun Zang map and key, the price would never be low; setting a reserve was pointless.
“Ten Martial King primal pills,” someone called out the moment Fen Nan finished speaking.
The bid drew gasps from the hall. Martial King primal pills weren’t trivial items.
Ten Martial King primal pills, if exchanged purely for spirit cores, would require a hundred third-tier advanced spirit cores, equivalent to slaying a hundred third-tier advanced spirit beasts.
Or five hundred third-tier intermediate spirit beasts.
Or ten fourth-tier beginner spirit beasts.
The exchange rate for spirit beasts was five-to-one within the same tier across levels, and ten-to-one across tiers.
Such a price wasn’t something just anyone could afford. Even a ninth-level Heavenly Martial expert hunting spirit beasts full-time for a year or two might fall short.
Lin Xiao was mildly taken aback. The Jun Zang map and key were indeed a magnet, casually opening with ten Martial King primal pills.
He only had four on him. If he tried to bid, he wouldn’t even meet the starting call.
Even pooling all of Tianmen’s Martial King primal pills might not suffice.
But this was the Jun Zang map and key; ten Martial King primal pills likely wouldn’t cut it.
“Fifteen Martial King primal pills,” a young man’s voice rang out from one of the booths. “I’m Huang Yuan, the young valley master of Kongyuan Valley. I hope everyone will give me some face.”
*Whoa!*
The crowd erupted again. To throw his weight around with the opening bid, wasn’t that a bit too domineering?
Yet, upon hearing Huang Yuan’s name, wary murmurs began to ripple through the room.
