After settling the matter of the medicinal materials, Ling Xiao decided to auction off the items he no longer needed.
Yun Ya took him to the place where auction items were received and reminded him of the rules there.
Under normal circumstances, the lowest-grade treasures accepted had to be immortal-grade precious artefacts, and the lowest-grade pills had to be mid-tier yellow-rank. Anything below that standard would not be accepted.
Ling Xiao thought for a moment. The several treasured swords he had previously owned could now be sold. As his cultivation and swordsmanship realm had advanced, the weapons that had once helped him overcome countless difficulties and defeat numerous enemies had reached the point where they needed to be replaced.
What he required now was a flexible sword of divine-grade precious artefact level.
Therefore, apart from the Golden Crow Sword, which still held unsolved mysteries, the others, Purple Lightning Sword, Thunder Shadow Sword, Furious Gale Sword, Rain-Covering Sword, Mist Sword, and Snow Feather Sword, could all be put up for auction.
In addition, he had two sets of martial arts secret manuals suitable for Celestial realm martial artists to cultivate. They were of no use to him now, so it would be better to auction them and exchange them for spirit stones to bid on more useful items.
Since the visitor had been brought by Yun Ya, the people at Black Wind Tower treated him with great importance. When they saw the treasured swords and the two martial arts manuals Ling Xiao produced, their eyes lit up even more.
Although immortal-grade precious artefacts were no longer particularly rare these days, every one of Ling Xiao’s swords had formations fused into them, making them far more powerful than ordinary immortal-grade precious artefacts.
Naturally, they would be even more sought-after.
As for the two martial arts manuals, there was no need to even mention them. Cultivation manuals suitable for Celestial realm martial artists were definitely items countless people would scramble for.
“There is no problem with the items, but today’s auction list has already been finalised, so I’m afraid we cannot add them. If the young sir does not mind, would tomorrow be acceptable?”
The person in charge of receiving auction items at Black Wind Tower was an old man with a full beard, around sixty or seventy years old. He clearly held a high position and had sharp judgement.
Everyone at Black Wind Tower called him “Big Beard”.
Big Beard registered the items, issued Ling Xiao a certificate, and explained the situation.
“No problem. I’ll be staying in Sin City for a few more days anyway.”
Ling Xiao nodded.
“Very good. Young sir, rest assured. Once the items are auctioned, you only need to bring this certificate to collect the spirit stones. However, we do charge a twenty-percent commission. I trust the young sir has no objection?”
Big Beard asked.
“No objection.”
It was the standard rule anyway, so there was nothing for him to complain about. It wasn’t as if they were targeting him specifically.
“Excellent. Safe travels, young sir. The auction is about to begin. Best of luck.”
Big Beard’s attitude was extremely respectful.
It was unclear whether he was showing face to Yun Ya or to the quality of Ling Xiao’s items.
After entrusting the items to Black Wind Tower, Ling Xiao returned to the VIP box.
The auction was about to start, so Yun Ya needed to prepare and did not accompany him.
He was already familiar with the place, so it was no trouble.
After they had drunk a cup of tea in the box and waited a short while, the auction finally began.
The VIP boxes were positioned high up, with a huge sheet of glass embedded in front. From inside, one could see out clearly, but no one outside could see in.
Through this glass, Ling Xiao noticed that Yun Ya had already appeared on the auction floor in full regalia.
She looked just as she had back at the Tianlong Auction House, wearing a highly alluring gauze dress.
Every movement she made radiated powerful charm.
“Like what you see?”
Yue Nü suddenly asked with a smile.
“No way, Sister Yue Nü. Are you jealous?”
Ling Xiao stuck out his tongue and laughed.
“That’s right. I am jealous. What are you going to do about it?”
Yue Nü lifted her chin defiantly.
Leng Mei watched the scene in astonishment. She had never seen Yue Nü display such an adorable side while they were outside. This expression made her look just like a lively young girl.
“Nothing much. I’m actually pretty happy about it.”
Ling Xiao laughed heartily.
Princess Yun Ya was indeed remarkable, and he had entertained a few improper thoughts about her. But which man didn’t?
Still, whenever he thought of Yue Nü beside him, those random thoughts vanished.
A man could be fickle sometimes, but he also needed to know when he had enough. To have such an outstanding woman as Yue Nü willingly stay by his side was the greatest fortune of his life. Did he really need to keep eyeing the flowers by the roadside?
At that moment, a voice suddenly came from the neighbouring box, instantly souring half of Ling Xiao’s good mood.
The occupants of the next box were none other than Life-Severing Sword Mo Shaoyou and several disciples from Blue Wave Island.
“Senior Brother Mo, I’ve heard you’ve fancied this Yun Ya for ages. Why not just take her by force? If you ask me, you’re being far too much of a gentleman.”
“Silence! The Tianlong Trading Company is not something we can afford to provoke. Still, this Yun Ya really is enchanting. She haunts my dreams. If there’s no other way, I’ll just have to ask my master to propose marriage on my behalf.”
Mo Shaoyou was quite straightforward.
“And if she refuses?”
“Refuses? Then I’ll have no choice but to take her by force.”
Mo Shaoyou’s voice turned icy. “We can’t openly provoke the Tianlong Trading Company, but as long as they never find out, it’ll be fine.”
“Shh, Senior Brother Mo, careful. Walls have ears.”
A girl’s voice hurriedly warned.
“What’s there to fear? If anyone dares spread gossip, I’ll cripple him!”
The cold, domineering voice was clearly directed at the boxes on both sides.
Hearing this, Ling Xiao let out a cold laugh.
Putting aside the fact that Yun Ya was his business partner who had helped him greatly in the past, even if they had no connection at all, now that he knew of Mo Shaoyou’s filthy intentions, he would never let the man succeed.
Beautiful women were meant to be cherished, not ruined.
“Hahaha, Senior Brother Mo is as domineering as ever. If you manage to obtain the Shadow Sword this time and bring the beauty home as well, Blue Wave Island will be greatly honoured.”
“What’s mine is mine. No one can take it from me!”
Mo Shaoyou sneered.
Ling Xiao found the man utterly ridiculous. In a place like Sin City, filled with all kinds of experts and tycoons, how could he be so confident?
Was he relying solely on Blue Wave Island’s influence?
Ling Xiao gave a contemptuous smile. Back then, Pixiu Island had been just as arrogant, yet now not even ashes remained.
Although the overall strength of these islands was comparable to the Black Crow Empire and the Divine Phoenix Empire, their territories were small and resources scarce, so the Seven Martial Sect Islands were actually somewhat inferior to the two great empires.
Otherwise, they would not content themselves with staying on their islands.
Take the Five Immortal Islands, for example. They directly controlled other nations and islands through sheer power.
Perhaps because the auction had begun, the neighbouring box fell silent, and Ling Xiao turned his attention to the items being presented.
There were twenty items in total at today’s auction.
From the very first piece, people fought fiercely, bidding frantically and driving the atmosphere to fever pitch.
Yet Ling Xiao never placed a single bid. To him, those items were nothing special, just some martial arts manuals and pills.
