Just as Tang Xiao Qi thought the auction was ending, preparing to leave with that ancient seal fragment and respond to Situ clan's inevitable follow-up measures, the auction stage's one-eyed man did not announce dispersal. Instead his face revealed an even more mysterious, even somewhat smile.
"Everyone, please remain calm!" He raised his voice, pressing down the from the heated bidding: "That seal fragment, though treasure, is ultimately only a fragment with unclear use. And what comes next. is this auction's true finale treasure, also this Sand Scorpion Gang's valuable item obtained from an extremely dangerous place at tremendous cost!"
This statement, the somewhat relaxed site atmosphere. Even those staring at Xiao Qi with killing intent, the Situ family's three, also sharply redirected attention to the auction stage. Clearly, their true target this trip, perhaps was not that fragment but this upcoming "treasure"!
Xiao Qi also stopped walking. Heart alarm bell rang. Could there be something even more key than that seal fragment?
The one-eyed man took a deep breath, expression becoming extremely solemn. He personally took from his embrace a hand-long, entirely dark purple metal long box. Box surface was smooth without talisman decorations yet naturally emanated heavy, solemn, aura.
He carefully opened the lid.
No treasure light shooting up, no.
Inside lay quietly a seven-inch long, entirely dark gold, nail-shaped yet not quite nail item. It was not straight but with a natural curve containing profound Dao rhythm. The nail body was covered with fine as stars yet dim ancient talisman characters. These characters were somewhat similar yet more complex and profound than those on the fragment Xiao Qi obtained. The nail tip seemed damaged, slightly blunt. The nail end had a small like a lockhole.
The entire nail looked simple yet worn, even somewhat, yet the moment it appeared, the space in the entire cave seemed to slightly sink. An invisible, suppressing all evil, stabilizing earth vein mountains and rivers, rippled outward like water waves! Even the slight demonic aura and yin evil in the air quietly, retreated under this aura!
"This item, named—Demon-Suppressing Nail!" The one-eyed man's voice carried a tremble, full of reverence: "Not a replica, but true ancient relic! One of the key tools used by ancient great powers when setting 'Zhou Tian Star Demon-Suppressing Formation' to nail down earth vein demonic caves, stabilize core formation nodes! Legend says, when nine Demon-Suppressing Nails appear together, can seal heaven and lock earth, true demons!"
He pointed at the slightly blunt nail tip and lockhole: "Though this nail is slightly damaged from long years and unknown great war, spiritual nature lost, its origin is not destroyed, Dao rhythm remains! If method to repair can be found, or other matching parts found, its might is incalculable! Even now, using this nail as core, can greatly strengthen earth vein seals, stabilize one region's landscape, has extremely strong suppression and purification effect on demonic energy!"
"Boom!"
The entire site! If the previous fragment made people somewhat puzzled, this "Demon-Suppressing Nail" was directly pointing to the northwestern demonic disaster's core! It could strengthen earth vein seals! What did that mean? If obtained, perhaps could fundamentally solve northwestern earth vein demonic energy leak! Even, possibly had miraculous effect on strengthening the Azure Lotus sealed demonic entity's main body!
This was priceless to the Alliance suffering demonic disaster! Dream treasure for any force or person intending to resist demons!
And for Situ clan, skilled in formations, and clearly with sinister intentions, this Demon-Suppressing Nail's meaning was completely opposite! It was both huge threat—if the Alliance obtained it, using to strengthen seals, their plan would greatly increase in difficulty—and also huge opportunity—if they could this nail, perhaps could find methods to reverse, even control seals!
Xiao Qi's heart. He finally understood! Situ clan, and Shadow Snake Pavilion remnants behind them, made such huge disturbance with northwestern demonic disaster, their ultimate target was probably not merely but this possibly appearing "Demon-Suppressing Nail"! They were searching for all ancient seal-related items, whether for destruction or control!
This nail must not fall into their hands!
Almost the moment the one-eyed man announced "starting price eight hundred thousand supreme-grade spirit stones, or equivalent," the Situ clan's black-cloaked person spoke, voice carrying determination to win:
"One million five hundred thousand!"
Directly doubled! Determination to win!
Other originally bidders, seeing Situ clan's manner, also feeling that black-cloaked person's dangerous aura, mostly gave up, not daring to compete.
Just as the one-eyed man showed joy, about to drop the hammer—
"Two million."
A calm voice sounded, again from that mysterious hat-wearing cultivator.
All gazes! Him again!
The Situ clan's black-cloaked person sharply turned. Hood shadow, cold killing intent almost Xiao Qi! He did not expect, this guy who previously grabbed the seal fragment, dared again compete for the Demon-Suppressing Nail!
"Two million five hundred thousand!" The black-cloaked person bid.
"Three million." Xiao Qi's voice still had no fluctuation, as if merely stating a fact. His spirit stones perhaps insufficient, but he had other heaven-earth treasures! For this nail possibly, he must compete!
"You!" The black-cloaked person erupted powerful aura, Golden Core middle-stage spiritual pressure mixed with pure demonic aura, like storm sweeping toward Xiao Qi! "Courting death!"
"Hmph!" Xiao Qi snorted coldly, did not release all cultivation but the Azure Lotus Golden Core, a centrist, peaceful yet carrying supreme purification meaning aura quietly, like spring wind nourishing rain, silently dispelled that sweeping demonic pressure.
His casual move made the black-cloaked person aura, eyes showing. The other clearly appeared only Foundation Establishment middle-stage, how could so easily dispel his pressure?
"Auction site rules, high bidder wins. Unless Sand Scorpion Gang's rules are?" Xiao Qi turned to the one-eyed man, said hoarsely.
The one-eyed man snapped from shock, though wary of Situ clan, could not resist the sky-high price! He quickly smoothed things over: "This friend is right! High bidder wins! Black-cloaked friend offered two million five hundred thousand, hat-wearing friend offered three million! Any higher?"
The black-cloaked person Xiao Qi, chest, obviously angry to the extreme. But he seemed to have, did not immediately act, did not bid again. Three million supreme-grade spirit stones, even for Situ clan, was huge expenditure, and the other seemed financially.
Finally, amid the black-cloaked person's eyes almost, that "Demon-Suppressing Nail" was brought to Xiao Qi's hand.
Touch was heavy and cold. That suppressing demons, stabilizing earth veins Dao rhythm was even clearer. Xiao Qi could feel, this nail and that seal fragment seemed to have some connection.
He quickly paid equivalent three rare spirit grasses (one of which value the Yi Wood Spirit Source Fruit), stored the Demon-Suppressing Nail.
This time, he did not linger, did not look at those three almost gazes from Situ clan. His figure flickered, extremely fast toward the mine exit.
Behind, three cold black shadows, like, closely followed, killing intent!
two ancient seal critical items in one breath, Tang Xiao Qi knew he had become Situ clan's. But he had no choice.
One item might be key to breaking seals (fragment), one item was tool to strengthen seals (Demon-Suppressing Nail). Neither could fall into demonic hands!
And now, what he needed to do was, under Situ clan's pursuit, protect these two items, and. see if from these "locals" he could find more clues about their conspiracy!
Crisis was also opportunity.