CHAPTER 219: ROUND FACE AND BARKING TECHNIQUES

Dozens of small floating platforms filled the vast hall, suspended in the air.

Each was veiled in curtains of spiritual light that shimmered faintly.

Below, on the main floor, rows of cultivators sat eagerly, their eyes gleaming with equal parts greed and desire.

At the center stood a grand stage beneath an enormous crystal dome.

The dome refracted the glow of spirit lanterns into prismatic colors that danced across the floor. Standing upon the stage was the auctioneer — a veiled woman in silver robes whose voice was calm yet carried effortlessly through the entire chamber.

Yu Xuan gave a low chuckle.

"Well... at least their architecture lives up to the name."

The auctioneer raised a slender hand, and a sword appeared before her, floating atop a formation disk. Its blade reflected twin hues — one half gleaming with warm sunlight, the other bathed in pale moonlight.

"This sword," she said, her tone soft but commanding, "is the Sun and Moon Sword. Forged under alternating using lunar and solar essence, it balances Yin and Yang in perfect harmony. Bidding begins at thirty thousand sect points."

Almost immediately, the air filled with shouts.

"Thirty-five thousand!"

"Forty thousand!"

"Fifty thousand!"

"Fellow Daoist, this sword is fated with me, please, let me have it! Sixty thousand!"

"Shameless! Using ’fate’ to raise the price? Seventy thousand!"

The argument rolled through the hall, each bidder trying to outshout the last. The VIP rooms, however, remained silent, clearly, none of the VIP’s were interested in such a ’small’ treasure.

Finally, the auctioneer’s elegant voice cut through the noise.

"Sold to Daoist Sunflower for one hundred and twenty thousand sect points. Congratulations."

All eyes turned to a man in the crowd whose face glowed, literally.

His skin radiated a faint yellow light, dotted with dark freckles that resembled seeds. Despite the odd appearance, his smug grin made him strangely charismatic.

Daoist Sunflower spoke proudly.

"Haha! You see? The heavens have confirmed it, the sword was fated with me!"

Someone nearby scoffed.

"Don’t get too full of yourself. The auction’s just begun."

"Yeah don’t get cocky this is just the beginning phase."

"Let’s see how much funds you have left now."

Daoist Sunflower snorted but said nothing, instead stroking his chin while already plotting how to brag later.

Moments later, another object descended in the central.

The auctioneer made a graceful motion with her hand, and the silk curtain concealing the item dissolved into glittering motes of light.

Gasps rippled through the hall.

The auctioneer smiled.

"Our next treasure is something quite... unique."

It was just a gourd.

The crowd went silent for a moment.

Daoist Sunflower blinked.

"Is that... an immortal weapon?"

Someone coughed.

"Looks more like my wine jar."

The auctioneer’s smile didn’t falter.

"This is the Gourd of Thousand Brews. Said to contain the lingering essence of hundred thousand year old spirit wine. Starting bid is ten thousand sect points."

Suddenly, half the crowd sat up straight.

"Ten thousand!"

"Eleven!"

"Twelve thousand and a promise not to tell my future wife!"

Yu Xuan chuckled softly.

"Now that’s what I call true motivation."

Ming Tianmei snorted.

"Men and their priorities."

Even Lingluo sighed, amused.

"At least this time, it’s not about fate."

But then — "Hundred thousand sect points!"

The voice came from one of the upper VIP rooms. The crowd froze.

Before anyone could react, a drunken voice echoed from below.

"Hiccup! How presumptuous! Today, I, Daoist Alcoholy, must have this! One hundred and fifty thousand!"

The crowd erupted.

"Daoist Alcoholy’s at it again!"

"Does he even have that much money?"

"Maybe he’ll sell his dignity next!"

Daoist Alcoholy stood proudly, swaying slightly, clutching a wine gourd of his own.

Then came the calm, crisp reply from the same VIP room:

"Two hundred thousand sect points."

Daoist Alcoholy’s expression twitched. He hiccupped again.

"Two hundred and ten thousand!"

"Two hundred and fifty thousand."

The crowd went wild. Some even started cheering for no reason.

Daoist Alcoholy froze mid-hiccup, then sighed dramatically.

"Damn it... seems my old wine is still my favorite."

He plopped down, clutching his gourd like a heartbroken lover.

The auctioneer’s voice rang out clearly, barely hiding her amusement.

"Sold! To the guest in VIP Room Three."

Murmurs spread through the crowd.

"Two hundred and fifty thousand... for leftover wine essence?"

"Either he’s rich, or drunker than Daoist Alcoholy."

The auctioneer coughed politely.

"Now then... our next item."

The auction continued for some time. A few artifacts caught the trio’s attention, but nothing worth their points — at least, not yet.

Yu Xuan, however, kept his [Immortal’s Gaze] active the entire time, scanning each item like a professional treasure detector.

And sure enough, he wasn’t disappointed. No matter how small the auction, there was always a hidden treasure.

’Is this... the Law of the Cultivation World?’ Yu Xuan thought deeply, fanning himself like a philosopher on vacation.

Then came the announcement.

"This item," the auctioneer paused dramatically, her eyes gleaming,

"is the Golden Pill! Capable of reforming facial structure naturally and enhancing one’s attractiveness! Bidding starts at fifty thousand sect points!"

Instantly, the air heated up.

Dozens of female cultivators, regardless of race and species, had the same burning gaze — one part greed, one part vanity.

Yu Xuan’s expression slightly darkened.

’Shit. Hidden gem in disguise. This thing’s clearly extraordinary, but because of this particular introduction, the price will definitely skyrocket...’

He groaned internally.

’Why can’t it ever be a normal black rock?’

Then he said, "I’m definitely buying this."

Ming Tianmei and Lingluo both turned to him slowly.

He met their stares.

"What? I can see what you’re thinking. It’s not for me. That pill has another effect. I can feel it."

Lingluo nodded, though suspicion still lingered in her eyes.

"Sure... we believe you."

The bidding began.

"Seventy thousand!"

"Eighty thousand! Ladies, no more! I have a wife to gift it to!"

"Shut up, ugly bastard! One hundred thousand sect points!"

"What did you say, you old woman? One hundred and thirty thousand!"

The auction hall was on the verge of a civil war before the auctioneer’s gentle smile turned menacing.

"Esteemed guests, this is a reputable establishment. Please behave."

Her spiritual pressure briefly silenced the crowd.

Then — "Two hundred thousand sect points."

All eyes turned toward Daoist Sunflower, his yellow, glowing face practically pulsing with confidence.

A snort followed from the other side.

"Your face is too round. How about I sell you a few barking techniques instead? Two hundred and ten thousand sect points."

The speaker was a dog-headed cultivator, his jawline sharp enough to slice fruit. His tongue rested perfectly against the roof of his mouth, giving his face an uncanny, model-like structure.

Yu Xuan’s eyes twitched at the sight, recalling those ridiculous tutorial videos he had stumbled upon online — videos claiming one could literally reshape, just their facial genetics by barking and following some tips.

He shuddered.

’No way... those techniques actually exist?!’

Clearing his throat unnaturally, he said in a deep, commanding tone,

"Three hundred thousand sect points."

"..."

The crowd below went silent, eyes darting toward the VIP room from which the voice had come. But of course, there were always oddballs.

"Three hundred and twenty thousand sect points," called a woman with purple hair and a slightly muscular frame.

"Four hundred thousand sect points," another voice rang from a different VIP room.

Yu Xuan glanced their way, but as expected, the VIP rooms kept the cultivators identities anonymous, only silhouettes could be seen. He remained quiet, observing.

"So, there are no more bids then—" the auctioneer began, only to be cut off mid sentence by Yu Xuan’s voice:

"Six hundred thousand sect points."

Silence fell over the crowd, then chatter broke out, tinged with amusement and incredulity.

"Just how rich is that VIP?"

"I can’t help but wonder what they look like..."

"Wealth really does make one attractive, I guess."

Yu Xuan’s expression twitched slightly at the comments, though he refrained from reacting.

’They are all beneath this young master to handle personally,’ he thought, exuding all the airs of a true young master.

"Then... sold to the guest in VIP Room Seven," the auctioneer announced.

The auction continued.

Yu Xuan remained calm, Lingluo lounged with mild boredom, and Ming Tianmei purchased a pair of elegant hairpins. The twenty-percent discount Huan had offered seemed almost wasted.

’Hehe... I will definitely buy the most expensive item,’ Lingluo thought, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

As the auction neared its end, the other VIPs were fully engaged, and even the crowd below buzzed with anticipation. The atmosphere thickened with the thrill of the final reveal.

"Now, thank you all for attending tonight’s auction," the auctioneer’s voice rang clearly, cutting through the murmurs.

"The last item is... quite special. I believe many of you will find it... irresistible. Now, let us unveil it."

A single floating platform drifted forward, curtains of spiritual light shimmering around it. The audience leaned in as the auctioneer slowly pulled the veil away. A hush fell over the room.

The trio exchanged curious glances. Even Yu Xuan’s eyes gleamed with interest. Whatever lay beneath the veil, it was clear this item was meant to be the highlight of the auction.