The moment the Silver Moon Mushroom appeared upon the stage—
the atmosphere inside the auction hall changed once again.
A wave of ancient frost energy spread throughout the enormous chamber.
The silver-colored mushroom rested quietly within its crystal box.
Moon-like patterns flowed across its surface.
Thin streams of icy mist circled around it endlessly.
The temperature throughout the hall visibly dropped.
Many cultivators subconsciously shivered.
Several fire-attributed cultivators frowned slightly.
Meanwhile—
those who cultivated frost energy immediately felt the difference.
Their spiritual energy became more active.
Their meridians seemed clearer.
Their cultivation techniques circulated more smoothly.
Within the second seating section—
Han Qing Li's eyes brightened.
Xue Mei Yun straightened slightly.
Xue Han Yue's breathing grew heavier.
Han Lei Jun and Han Xue Long both stared toward the stage.
The treasure was clearly affecting them.
Even from such a distance.
Han Xue Long couldn't help asking through spiritual transmission.
"Brother Shuan Hao..."
"Is this treasure yours as well?"
Lin Shuan nodded casually.
"Yes."
"A few mushrooms like that are still lying around with my other herbs."
Silence.
Everyone stared at him.
A few?
Still lying around?
For ordinary cultivators—
obtaining even one such treasure could change their fate.
Yet Lin Shuan spoke as though he were discussing ordinary vegetables.
Han Xue Long swallowed.
Then quickly sent another spiritual message.
"Brother Shuan Hao..."
"If possible..."
"Could you sell some to us after the auction?"
"We can offer a fair price."
Lin Shuan smiled beneath his mask.
"Of course."
"After the auction, remind me."
The group immediately became delighted.
For frost cultivators—
this was wonderful news.
Meanwhile—
none of their conversation could be heard by outsiders.
The spiritual transmission remained completely isolated.
Upon the stage—
Yun Ruoshi stood gracefully.
A gentle smile rested upon her beautiful face.
"Silver Moon Mushroom."
"Estimated age..."
She paused deliberately.
Then her voice echoed throughout the hall.
"Five thousand years."
BOOOOOOM!
The crowd instantly erupted.
Many cultivators nearly stood from their seats.
Five thousand years.
That number alone carried tremendous weight.
Yun Ruoshi continued calmly.
"This ancient frost treasure can nourish meridians."
"Improve compatibility with frost energy."
"Strengthen cultivation foundations."
"And increase breakthrough success rates."
"Starting bid..."
"Eight million gold coins."
The moment her words fell—
something unexpected happened.
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Nobody spoke.
Nobody raised a bid.
The enormous auction hall suddenly became strangely quiet.
Many cultivators exchanged puzzled looks.
Normally—
a treasure of this level would immediately trigger fierce competition.
Yet now—
everyone remained silent.
Because everyone understood the same thing.
This treasure possessed an extremely specialized attribute.
Frost.
Among all the major factions present—
only two truly specialized in frost cultivation.
Xuan Yun Sect.
And LinJian Sect.
For everyone else—
the value decreased significantly.
A treasure was only truly valuable when it suited its owner.
Otherwise—
it was merely an expensive decoration.
Inside Xuan Yun Sect's seating area—
the Sect Leader's eyes never left the mushroom.
Excitement flashed across his usually calm face.
Beside him—
Mo Xiao Lan's breathing had become noticeably heavier.
As a frost cultivator—
he could clearly sense the terrifying cold energy contained within the treasure.
His Frost Domain Art was practically resonating with it.
The Sect Leader spoke softly.
"We must obtain it."
Mo Xiao Lan nodded immediately.
"I understand."
Meanwhile—
within LinJian Sect—
the white-haired elder calmly observed the mushroom.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
The disciples behind him immediately understood.
Their Sect Leader was interested.
Very interested.
Several moments passed.
Then—
a calm voice shattered the silence.
"Ten million."
The bid came from Xuan Yun Sect.
Instantly—
countless gazes turned toward them.
The battle had begun.
The LinJian Sect elder smiled faintly.
"Eleven million."
His tone was relaxed.
As though chatting with an old friend.
The Xuan Yun Sect Leader immediately responded.
"Twelve million."
"Thirteen million."
The competition continued.
Neither side showed any intention of retreating.
Both wanted the treasure.
The atmosphere gradually became exciting.
Although—
it lacked the chaotic intensity of the Golden Spirit Orchid battle—
it carried a different type of pressure.
A duel.
A battle between frost cultivators.
A clash between two sects walking similar paths.
Inside Sword River Sect—
Jian Xue Ning watched silently.
Her sword-like eyes remained calm.
She had no intention of participating.
The mushroom was valuable.
But not valuable enough.
Elsewhere—
Golden Jade Pavilion also remained silent.
Jin Yu Chen slowly waved his jade fan.
A smile appeared.
"Interesting."
"A frost war."
The elderly steward behind him asked quietly.
"Young Master."
"Should we interfere?"
Jin Yu Chen chuckled.
"No."
"Merchants earn money."
"We do not throw it away."
The steward immediately understood.
The bidding continued.
"Fifteen million."
"Sixteen million."
"Seventeen million."
The price steadily rose.
Yet—
no third party entered.
The entire auction hall had effectively become a battlefield belonging only to Xuan Yun Sect and LinJian Sect.
Then—
Mo Xiao Lan suddenly stood.
His gaze remained fixed upon the mushroom.
For the first time—
he personally spoke.
"Twenty million."
BOOOOM!
The hall exploded.
A direct increase of three million.
Countless cultivators gasped.
Mo Xiao Lan's expression remained calm.
Yet everyone could feel his determination.
The LinJian Sect elder looked toward him.
For a brief moment—
their eyes met.
Then—
the elder smiled.
"Young friend."
"It seems you truly desire this treasure."
Mo Xiao Lan respectfully cupped his fists.
"Yes."
The elder laughed.
Then leaned back into his seat.
The entire hall became confused.
Was he retreating?
Several moments later—
he spoke calmly.
"Then LinJian Sect withdraws."
The crowd instantly erupted into discussion.
Nobody had expected this outcome.
The elder continued.
"Frost treasures belong to those whose destiny is connected to them."
"Our sect does not lack such resources."
Mo Xiao Lan's eyes brightened slightly.
He immediately bowed.
"Thank you, Senior."
The elder merely smiled.
Yet—
his gaze briefly drifted toward Lin Shuan.
As though the Silver Moon Mushroom had never truly been his objective.
Yun Ruoshi raised her golden hammer.
"Twenty million."
"First call."
Silence.
"Second call."
No response.
"Third call."
BANG!
"The Silver Moon Mushroom is sold to Xuan Yun Sect!"
Thunderous applause erupted.
For the first time tonight—
a major sect had successfully acquired one of the featured treasures.
Mo Xiao Lan finally released a breath of relief.
Beside him—
the Sect Leader nodded with satisfaction.
The treasure was theirs.
However—
the auction continued.
One treasure after another appeared.
A thousand-year Scarlet Spirit Wine.
Obtained by LinJian Sect.
Ancient demon cores.
Rare formation materials.
Precious ores excavated from deep spiritual mines.
At one point—
a vial of Rank Seven Ancient Demonic Beast Blood appeared.
The blood possessed an ominous crimson glow.
Violent energy continuously surged within it.
Immediately—
many demonic cultivators became interested.
The competition was fierce.
In the end—
the mysterious black-robed figure purchased it.
Not a single faction dared challenge him beyond a certain point.
The shadow-like individual simply raised a finger.
The auction ended.
Victory belonged to him once more.
Time continued passing.
Hours slipped away.
Treasure after treasure changed owners.
Gold coins flowed like rivers.
Entire clan fortunes vanished.
Merchant groups earned unimaginable wealth.
The excitement never diminished.
Meanwhile—
within the second seating section—
Lin Shuan remained surprisingly calm.
Most treasures failed to attract him.
The Primordial Garden had unknowingly raised his standards too high.
Far too high.
Han Qing Li finally asked.
"Still nothing you want?"
Lin Shuan shook his head.
"No."
Yan Feng Luo sighed deeply.
"Monsters truly have different standards."
Everyone laughed.
Then—
everything changed.
A new crystal platform slowly emerged from backstage.
The moment it appeared—
Lin Shuan's eyes narrowed.
For the first time in hours—
he showed genuine interest.
Inside the crystal box—
rested a pale blue flower.
It looked as though it had been carved from pure ice.
Ancient frost energy flowed around it continuously.
The entire hall became noticeably colder.
Lin Shuan immediately recognized it.
"Frost Heart Blossom."
Han Qing Li turned toward him in surprise.
"You know it?"
Lin Shuan didn't answer immediately.
Inside the Dragon Pendant—
Tian Wuchen's voice echoed.
"You foolish brat."
"This is a Frost Heart Blossom."
"A precious treasure for frost cultivators."
"Immortal Seed frost cultivators can increase their cultivation by nearly one star within fifteen to twenty days after refining it."
Lin Shuan's eyes widened slightly.
Such effects were extraordinary.
Then—
Tian Wuchen continued.
His tone became strange.
"More importantly..."
"You have such a beautiful woman sitting beside you."
"If you don't buy her a gift..."
"Then you're truly an idiot."
Lin Shuan's expression immediately darkened.
Tian Wuchen burst into laughter.
Yet—
after glancing toward Han Qing Li—
Lin Shuan quietly made a decision.
This flower—
he would obtain it.
No matter the cost.
Upon the stage—
Yun Ruoshi smiled.
"Frost Heart Blossom."
"Thirty-six hundred years old."
"It nourishes frost meridians."
"Accelerates cultivation."
"And possesses exceptional compatibility with frost-attributed practitioners."
"However..."
"It is only suitable for cultivators possessing frost elemental affinity."
Immediately—
Han Qing Li became interested.
She could clearly feel the extraordinary energy contained within the flower.
At the same time—
Xuan Yun Sect straightened.
LinJian Sect became serious.
Both frost factions clearly wanted it.
Yun Ruoshi raised one hand.
"The starting bid."
"Three million gold coins."
Instantly—
Xuan Yun Sect acted.
"Four million."
Another voice followed.
"Five million."
"Six million."
The bidding began climbing steadily.
Han Qing Li watched quietly.
Then—
a calm voice suddenly emerged beside her.
"Eight million."
The entire hall briefly became silent.
Many people turned.
The bidder—
was Lin Shuan.
Han Qing Li blinked.
"You..."
Lin Shuan remained calm.
"You like it."
Han Qing Li froze.
For a brief moment—
warmth spread through her heart.
She didn't know what to say.
Meanwhile—
the white-haired elder from LinJian Sect looked toward Lin Shuan.
For several seconds—
he remained silent.
Then—
unexpectedly—
he leaned back into his seat.
He no longer increased the bid.
Nobody understood why.
Even his own disciples appeared confused.
Elsewhere—
Xuan Yun Sect hesitated.
Then someone spoke.
"Eight and a half million."
Without hesitation—
Lin Shuan replied.
"Ten million."
BOOOOM!
The hall stirred once more.
Many competitors immediately withdrew.
Ten million.
That was already a significant amount.
When Xuan Yun Sect noticed that LinJian Sect had completely retreated—
they also became quiet.
After all—
they had already obtained the Silver Moon Mushroom.
There was no need to exhaust additional resources.
Several moments passed.
Silence.
No further bids appeared.
Yun Ruoshi smiled.
"Ten million."
"First call."
Silence.
"Second call."
Still silence.
"Third call."
BANG!
"The Frost Heart Blossom has been sold!"
Applause erupted.
Han Qing Li remained quiet for several moments.
Then softly said—
"Thank you."
Lin Shuan merely nodded.
"No need."
Immediately—
Yan Feng Luo leaned forward.
"Brother Shuan."
"When I find a fire treasure I like..."
"Will you spend ten million for me too?"
Lin Shuan looked at him.
Then calmly replied.
"No."
Yan Feng Luo froze.
Everyone burst into laughter.
Even Han Qing Li couldn't suppress her smile.
Time continued passing.
The auction grew increasingly intense.
More treasures appeared.
More fortunes changed hands.
Several merchant groups became rich overnight.
Several clans spent decades of savings.
Yet nobody regretted it.
Opportunities like this appeared only once every few years.
Eventually—
another hour passed.
The atmosphere gradually became quieter.
Not because the treasures had become worse.
But because—
everyone felt it.
An invisible anticipation.
An invisible pressure.
As though something enormous was approaching.
Even Yun Ruoshi's behavior had changed.
The attendants backstage became noticeably more cautious.
The major sects sat straighter.
Wealthy merchants became serious.
Even the mysterious black-robed figure focused entirely upon the stage.
Within Golden Jade Pavilion—
Jin Yu Chen slowly closed his fan.
Inside Sword River Sect—
Jian Xue Ning's eyes became sharper.
Within Xuan Yun Sect—
Mo Xiao Lan sat silently.
Beside him—
the Sect Leader appeared unusually serious.
Even the white-haired elder from LinJian Sect had stopped watching Lin Shuan.
His full attention remained fixed upon the stage.
All the great powers understood.
Everything until now—
had merely been appetizers before the feast.
The real storm...
was finally approaching.