The auction continued.

When the second round of magic tools was being auctioned, Zhang Xian even saw items he had previously sold to the Cloud Raiment Pavilion.

One fetched six thousand mid-grade spirit stones, and another defensive magic tool sold for a high price of twelve thousand!

What absolute profiteers! Zhang Xian slapped his thigh. He had wholesaled them to Yun Qi at four thousand each. No wonder that kid Yun Qi was so eager; he had made a killing.

It seemed the Cloud Raiment Pavilion and the Treasure Azure Workshop weren’t just competitors; their connections were quite tight. The magic tools he sold just a few days ago were already appearing at this auction.

Finally, it was time for the finale of rare treasures, and the atmosphere in the venue gradually built to a climax.

An entrance key to an unknown pocket realm sold for fifty thousand mid-grade spirit stones.

A damaged spiritual treasure fragment awaiting repair also fetched a high price of sixty thousand mid-grade spirit stones.

The most terrifying item was a golden accessory suspected to contain the insights of an ancient Soul Formation cultivator. After dozens of rounds of bidding, it was won by a mysterious big shot on the third floor for the astronomical price of eight hundred thousand mid-grade spirit stones, shocking the entire hall.

The Southern Region hadn’t seen a Soul Formation cultivator for thousands of years; it was said even the grand elders of several sects were only at the mid-to-late Nascent Soul stage. Everyone sighed in amazement that a mere possibility of insights could command such an astronomical price. The purchasing power of top-tier big shots was truly terrifying.

Finally, it was time for the final lot: the Immortal Ascension Grass.

“This item originates from an ancient secret realm.” The hostess, Zi Xiao, lightly waved her fair hand, and a phantom image of an ethereal blue spirit herb appeared, its leaves densely covered with star-like patterns. “Immortal Ascension Grass. Ancient texts record that it has a chance to improve Spirit Root quality. It is also the main ingredient for refining the Immortal Ascension Pill, though the pill formula is said to be lost. Enough digression. The starting bid is five thousand mid-grade spirit stones!”

The bidding instantly went wild!

“Ten thousand!”

“Thirty thousand!”

“Fifty thousand!”

“Two hundred thousand.” Zhang Xian’s voice drifted lazily yet clearly from his private box.

“Holy crap, this guy’s making a move again.”

“Two hundred thousand!! Unbelievably rich!”

“Who knows which top-tier family it is? Just for a chance at improving quality, and they dare bid like this.”

After Zhang Xian’s bid, the hall fell silent for a moment. No one continued bidding, as if stunned.

Hostess Zi Xiao quickly tried to stir up the atmosphere. “The guest in Box Jia-Seventeen bids two hundred thousand! Any further bids? Such heaven-and-earth treasures that can improve Spirit Root quality are once-in-a-millennium finds! The last time something like this appeared, it was a damaged Marrow Cleansing Fruit. This time, it’s a complete Immortal Ascension Grass!”

According to ancient texts, the Marrow Cleansing Fruit’s effect surpassed that of the Immortal Ascension Grass. However, last time it was a damaged fruit that sold for four hundred thousand mid-grade spirit stones at auction. It was hard to say which was more valuable compared to this complete Immortal Ascension Grass.

The hostess’s hint was clear: there was still room to go higher.

“Two hundred and fifty thousand.” Box Jia-Four made a move.

“Three hundred thousand.” Zhang Xian continued.

“Four hundred thousand!” Box Jia-Four paused briefly before following.

“Four hundred thousand! Are there any fellow Daoists willing to go higher?” Zi Xiao’s pretty face flushed with excitement.

“That’s about it. Same price as last time’s damaged Marrow Cleansing Fruit.”

“Last time it took dozens of rounds to reach four hundred thousand; this time it hit that mark so fast.”

“These people are way too rich. I’m so jealous!!”

“Five hundred thousand.” Zhang Xian didn’t hesitate and directly followed up.

“Holy shit!! He’s starting again!!”

“Five hundred thousand! Fellow Daoist in Box Jia-Seventeen bids five hundred thousand!” Zi Xiao waved her hand and shouted; she was already satisfied with this price.

“Five hundred and fifty thousand.” A voice came from the second-floor open seating area.

“There’s another expert.”

“What lurking bastard? How can they still add more?”

Zhang Xian glanced over casually. Oh? It was that figure next to 【Long Zhi】 again.

Thought he was a poor bastard; seems I misjudged him.

The bidder, Yang Poxiao, gave a sinisterly charming smile, curling his lips.

Heh. All those showing off earlier were just small fry. The real protagonist always appears last.

“Six hundred thousand!”

“Seven hundred thousand!”

“Eight hundred thousand!”

“Eight hundred and fifty thousand!”

“One million!” Zhang Xian’s bid directly broke through the million mark.

“No way… am I hallucinating? Someone slap me twice.”

“Wah… please stop adding more… Mommy, I’m scared.”

“One million! Holy crap! I wouldn’t even dare think about that.”

“Is that guy in Jia-Seventeen the Treasure Azure Workshop’s favorite son or something?!”

Yang Poxiao took a deep breath. Where did this big sucker come from? He’s way too damn rich! One million far exceeded his psychological expectation; he had originally thought he could secure it between four hundred and seven hundred thousand. He didn’t expect that guy on the third floor to bid so fast and fiercely; he couldn’t keep up anymore.

Long Zhi glanced at her disciple. She knew her disciple had excellent natural talent and was also an alchemy master; she hadn’t realized he was also so wealthy.

However, she was merely curious. Long Zhi was inherently aloof; her heart held only the Sword Dao.

Moreover, as his master, she couldn’t help much either. All her income was spent on nurturing her treasured sword. For sword cultivators, their treasured sword is their wife.

“If you can’t manage it, then forget it; your natural talent is already very good,” Long Zhi rarely spoke up.

Yang Poxiao’s face stiffened. The Immortal Ascension Grass was the main ingredient for him to refine the Immortal Ascension Pill; he absolutely had to have it. Moreover, his beloved master said he couldn’t do it—how could he tolerate that?

“One point one million!” Yang Poxiao shouted out loud.

“One point two million.” Zhang Xian followed in the next second.

“One point two five million.” Yang Poxiao gritted his teeth; this was almost his limit already.

“One point four million.” Zhang Xian clicked his tongue in annoyance, as if to say, ‘I have no “P” key on my keyboard to pass.’

Yang Poxiao wilted completely.

“One point four million! One point four million!” Zi Xiao’s voice cracked slightly with excitement as she shouted, “Fellow Daoist in Box Jia-Seventeen bids one point four million! Are there any fellow Daoists willing to bid higher?”

“If not… I’ll start counting down… Three—”

“Wait.” Yang Poxiao raised his hand, signaling. “I have items to pledge as collateral.”

Zi Xiao nodded and beckoned two senior elders from backstage forward as Yang Poxiao began listing out his treasured collection of pills for appraisal.

Zhang Xian yawned lazily. Indeed worthy of being near a Destiny Daughter with 92 points, always causing trouble somehow…

Yang Poxiao discussed with those two elders for quite some time, seemingly pledging many items, before shouting, “One point five million!!”

“It’s one point five million!”

Before the hostess finished speaking, Zhang Xian followed up immediately. “One point six million.”

“This bastard doesn’t hesitate for even one second when bidding!”

“Inhumanly rich! Inhumanly rich!”

“We’re witnessing history here! I’m going crazy!!”

“That friend on the second floor seems like he’s done for…”

“He called the hostess over again. Probably pledging something else…”

“This time he’s probably pawning his underwear, poor guy…”

Yang Poxiao’s face turned livid with rage. This time, the discussion with those two elders took even longer. He practically pledged everything valuable on him. He even exchanged some items from the system shop…

“One point seven five million!!” Yang Poxiao’s eyes were bloodshot. He went all-in…

“One point seven six million.” Seeing he was at the end of his rope, Zhang Xian decided not to waste resources and added just ten thousand to test the waters…

Yang Poxiao felt darkness before his eyes and slumped into his seat…

This script wasn’t what I imagined! Who the hell is brain-damaged enough to spend one point seven six million to buy one Immortal Ascension Grass?! He felt so frustrated he could vomit blood…

He almost cried as he looked towards his master beside him…

Long Zhi sighed lightly and flipped her fair hand, revealing only a few shiny spirit stones. “Master only has this much.”

Yang Poxiao despaired. He knew his master would never be willing to pledge her spiritual treasure away, and he didn’t dare mention it…

I never thought that even prepared so fully, I would still fail. Damn rich people!