Chapter 376: 213, Spending a fortune to fight against the Song Knife_2.
A few cultivators managed to snatch some bargains.
「Half an hour later.」
Treasures were auctioned off one by one, and it was finally time for the auction of the grand finale items. The cultivators present roused themselves, their attention keenly fixed on the three items on the auction stage, each veiled by a red cloth. Although no one knew what these three treasures were, they reasoned that anything chosen by Hundred Treasures Pavilion as grand finale items must be first-rate, invaluable treasures.
"The auction ninety years ago... its three grand finale treasures were my Cold Sword Gang Aura Vein, the Dark Gold Stone, and an Ancient Sword Cultivation Inheritance that allowed cultivation up to the Nascent Soul Realm..."
Xu Xing recalled the lists from Hundred Treasures Pavilion’s past auctions. He looked towards the auction stage, a flicker of anticipation in his eyes.
The Dark Gold Stone could be refined into a Blood Treasure. Its power was far superior to ordinary Artifacts, and it wouldn’t negatively impact one’s Cultivation. As for the Ancient Sword Cultivation Inheritance, although it lacked the teachings for the Primordial Spirit Realm, it was evident that most people lacked the aptitude to reach that stage. Thus, this inheritance was definitely more than sufficient. Among the Ten Major Sects, it was considered a high-grade inheritance. Sword Cultivators were vastly more powerful than ordinary Daoist Cultivators, not just by a small margin.
I hope my preparations this time are sufficient.
Xu Xing subconsciously touched the several Storage Bags hanging at his waist. Six cross-state trade ventures had helped him amass approximately twelve million Spirit Shells. The final prices for grand finale items at past Hundred Treasures Pavilion auctions usually fluctuated around ten million Spirit Shells. The funds he had prepared should be enough.
"This auction’s item is... a Substitute Puppet!"
In the hall, Yu Zhu lifted the red cloth from the wooden stand on the auction stage, her voice suddenly growing more resonant.
WHOOSH!
The cloth was whisked away. Beneath it, a seven-inch, silver-colored wooden puppet was revealed. Its smooth surface was adorned with depictions of peculiar meridians and major acupressure points, all drawn with a Vermilion Brush. It had a somewhat unsettling, almost eerie appearance.
"A Substitute Puppet?"
"The signature treasure of the Ancient Puppet Sect?"
The cultivators in the hall instantly grew fervent, their discussions buzzing. Some members of the Younger Generation, who had accompanied their Sect Seniors and were unaware of the Substitute Puppet’s function, were about to ask.
At this moment, Yu Zhu began to speak, explaining its purpose. "The Substitute Puppet is a signature treasure of the Ancient Puppet Sect. This Puppet, when fed with Essence Blood, can die in its master’s stead once when they face a fatal blow."
"However, our Hundred Treasures Pavilion’s appraisal has confirmed that this Substitute Puppet is flawed; its Dao Principles are incomplete. Therefore, it can only substitute a death for cultivators below the Nascent Soul Realm..."
As her words faded, the cultivators at the scene immediately showed considerably less enthusiasm. The legendary Substitute Puppet of the Puppet Sect was said to grow alongside its master, potentially even reaching the Primordial Spirit Realm. However, the one Hundred Treasures Pavilion was auctioning Today could only substitute death for cultivators below the Nascent Soul Realm. Its effectiveness was significantly inferior.
For cultivators below the Nascent Soul Realm, there were many life-saving trump cards available; this particular Substitute Puppet was not an indispensable one. One could imagine that this Substitute Puppet would only be bid on by sects deeply engrossed in researching puppet Golems or by extraordinarily wealthy cultivators who didn’t mind spending lavishly. Everyone else would likely ignore it.
"The Substitute Puppet embodies the pinnacle of the Ancient Puppet Sect’s Golem-crafting artistry..."
"And rumor has it that all Puppets from the Puppet Sect can be repaired using metaphysical matter..."
Seeing that the cultivators at the scene had lost considerable interest in the Substitute Puppet, Yu Zhu quickly added a few words to salvage the situation, attempting to rekindle their interest. Disclosing the Substitute Puppet’s flaws wasn’t a sign of her losing her wits; it was a long-standing principle of Hundred Treasures Pavilion. For a Business Association, reputation was more important than any single grand finale treasure.
"If any of you were to obtain the Puppet Sect’s Secret Technique for repairing Puppets, the value of this Substitute Puppet... would undoubtedly multiply severalfold," Yu Zhu added.
At this moment, her words were not aimed at Freelance Cultivators but at the ancient Sects and Families with profound legacies. Freelance Cultivators didn’t prioritize long-term gains. However, Sects and Families valued such prospects, sometimes even more than immediate benefits. These major powers could absorb certain losses.
"Lady Yu, time is nearly up. You should announce the base price of this treasure," a deep voice from a private Box interrupted the Mermaid Race’s Beautiful Woman Yu Zhu’s introduction of the Substitute Puppet.
"Very well, very well, esteemed Guest, please don’t be anxious," Yu Zhu replied, a slight smile playing on her lips. She wasn’t angered, and her words were meant to soothe the Guest in the private Box. "The auction for this Substitute Puppet will begin immediately."
She understood. This person was clearly interested in the Substitute Puppet; otherwise, he wouldn’t be so impatient. Cultivators commonly spent long periods in secluded meditation; it was rare for them to become angry over a slight delay. His intention in asking her to cut her speech short was to prevent too many others from noticing the Substitute Puppet’s true value, which could trigger a bidding war. However, since this person was already interested, it was evident that other cultivators had also become interested. Therefore, there was little point in elaborating further at this Moment.
"The starting bid for this Substitute Puppet is six million five hundred thousand Spirit Shells!" Yu Zhu announced, striking the Long Table with a Wooden Hammer and officially beginning the auction for this grand finale treasure.
"Ten Million Spirit Shells!" Xu Xing wasted no words. Before anyone else could react, he raised his placard and declared his bid.
During the bidding for treasures, cultivators often lost their composure and drove up the item’s price. Since he was determined to obtain this Substitute Puppet, rather than waiting for others to inflate the price before making his move, he decided to make a decisive bid at once.
"A staggering opening bid of Ten Million Spirit Shells..."
"It seems this True Monarch is absolutely determined to acquire it."