"One million supreme-grade spirit stones!"
This sky-falling quote was like ice water poured into boiling oil, instantly causing the tumultuous auction site to fall into silence. Countless gazes, of doubt, scrutiny, greed, wariness, all shot toward that mysterious rogue cultivator hidden in the corner shadow, wearing a hat, aura only Foundation Establishment middle-stage.
One million supreme-grade spirit stones! This was absolutely not an amount a ordinary rogue cultivator, even a normal medium sect, could easily! This person was either a representative of some major force, or a rich person who did not know to hide. Either way, meant trouble.
Brief silence after, the auction stage's one-eyed man flashed extreme joy in his eyes, then replaced by deeper caution. He hoarsely said, gaze sweeping: "This friend offered one million supreme-grade spirit stones! Any higher?"
Murmurs throughout the site, but no one immediately followed. This price already exceeded many people's psychological bottom line and financial capacity.
However, just when Xiao Qi thought victory was assured, a cold, carrying metallic friction-like texture voice, sounded from another unremarkable corner:
"One million two hundred thousand."
The bidder was also concealing their figure, wearing a wide black cloak, face hidden in hood shadow, can only judge from voice and slightly tall frame should be male. When bidding, he did not even look toward Xiao Qi's direction, as if casually announcing a number, carrying undeniable.
Xiao Qi slightly frowned, barely perceptibly. His spiritual sense was sharp. The moment this person bid, he caught an extremely obscure yet pure abnormal demonic aura fluctuation! This demonic aura was not the external type but internalized, deep, carrying an ancient and cold quality, completely different from Shadow Snake Pavilion demonic cultivators he had contacted before!
More shocking his heart, beside this person sat two others, also concealing themselves, but their surrounding energy field actually produced an extremely faint resonance with the ancient seal fragment on the auction stage! That was attraction from same-source formation Dao!
Skilled in formations and refining. pure ancient demonic aura. determined to get the seal fragment.
Several keywords instantly connected in Xiao Qi's mind. A name almost buried in dust leaped out—Situ Clan!
According to Qingxu Temple and Alliance ancient records, the Situ family was an extremely ancient hidden family. Their ancestors were not pure demonic cultivators but had extremely high in formations and refining, had participated in multiple ancient period sealings against powerful demons, including the demonic entity's initial sealing! However, at some point, this clan gradually disappeared. Rumors said due to long-term contact with demonic aura and seals, their hearts were influenced, gradually falling to demonic path, studying how to utilize demonic aura, becoming ambiguous, extremely dangerous existences.
Their ancestors participated in sealing, naturally understood the seal's structure, weaknesses, even core components! If they joined the demonic entity, this fragment suspected from "Yinming Demon-Suppressing Stele" was significant to them! Very likely used to research Azure Lotus seal's weaknesses, even as a key to pry the seal!
"So it was them!" Xiao Qi's heart was solemn. Aunt Su's warning was correct. These ancient snakes truly emerged, and target directly the seal core!
"One million three hundred thousand." Xiao Qi suppressed heart's turbulence, calmly bid again, gaze like sharpest blade shadow, landing on that Situ family representative.
The black-cloaked person seemed to slightly move. Hood's shadow turned toward Xiao Qi's direction. Though could not see face, Xiao Qi could feel cold, piercing gaze on himself.
"One million five hundred thousand." The black-cloaked person's voice still yet carried undeniable meaning, as if declaring the item's ownership.
This price was staggeringly high. Other bidders had already given up, becoming pure spectators, gazes moving between the black-cloaked person and Xiao Qi, full of curiosity and schadenfreude. Everyone could see the two were confronting each other.
Xiao Qi calculated in his heart rapidly. His spirit stones were abundant but most stayed at Qingxu Temple or used for daily cultivation. Spirit stones he carried were just over one million supreme-grade. The other party was clearly financially strong and determined. Hard competing spirit stones was not the best strategy.
But he absolutely could not let this fragment fall into Situ's hands!
Just as he considered countermeasures, the Situ family's black-cloaked person seemed impatient, spoke again, voice carrying cold threat: "This friend, this item has fate with my clan. I hope you yield. Some things, are not for you to."
Barely concealed threat! In this black market, strength was the rule!
Xiao Qi coldly smiled in his heart, was about to speak, the auction stage's one-eyed man preempted, obviously more concerned about price, rubbing hands smiled: "Both friends, high bidder wins, black market rule. This black-cloaked friend offered one million five hundred thousand. This hat-wearing friend, what do you think."
Everyone's gazes again focused on Xiao Qi.
Xiao Qi was silent for a moment,. Just when the one-eyed man thought he would give up, he slowly raised his head. In the shadow beneath his hat, two lights seemed to flash.
He did not raise price but flipped his wrist. A jade box appeared. When the box opened, a concentrated extreme life aura and pure wood spirit power, making the entire cave seem to revive! Inside the jade box lay a dragon's eye-sized, entirely emerald green fruit with natural cloud patterns—precisely one of the few "Yi Wood Spirit Source Fruits" he obtained after saving that spirit plant in the Southern Border sacred land with World-Purifying Ling Yan! This fruit contained pure Yi Wood origin, had miraculous effects for wood-attribute cultivation, healing wounds and extending life, even nourishing souls. Its value was impossible to estimate in spirit stones!
"This item, equals two million supreme-grade spirit stones. Sufficient?" Xiao Qi's voice still hoarse yet carried undeniable.
"Yi Wood Spirit Source Fruit?!" Those recognizing it instantly exclaimed! Such heaven-earth treasure, rarely encountered, its value truly exceeded two million stones!
The one-eyed man's eyes were wide, breathing, nodding repeatedly: "Sufficient! Sufficient! Absolutely sufficient!"
The Situ family's black-cloaked person aura suddenly, cold killing intent almost! He obviously did not expect the other could such heaven-earth treasure! This already exceeded financial category, involving higher-level resource competition!
He stared at Xiao Qi, hood shadow seeming to. After a long while, he from between his teeth: ".Good! Very good!"
He did not bid again. Not that he could not equivalent items but continuing would not make sense, would rather completely expose identity and purpose. This fragment, seems cannot be obtained through normal means.
But his cold gaze had firmly locked onto Xiao Qi. Black market rules only effective inside auction. Outside that door, it was survival of the fittest!
Finally, amid the one-eyed man's almost sycophantic announcement, that ancient seal fragment was brought to Xiao Qi's hand. Touch was cold. That ancient sealing Dao rhythm and obscure demonic aura were even clearer.
Xiao Qi quickly stored the fragment, paid the Yi Wood Spirit Source Fruit, did not linger, turned and walked toward the mine exit.
He could clearly feel, from behind, those three cold gazes from the Situ clan, like venomous snakes, firmly nailed to his back.
Auction ended, but the real contest just began. Situ clan would never let it go. And he could, follow the vine to find the melon!