In the corner of his eyes, the system started analyzing all three bids again, giving him a more detailed analysis regarding each bid. Still, the choice was going to be made by him. It was only a tool. Not the arbiter and final decision maker.

[Liu Clan Bid Analysis: The 'Storm Ascension Ground' creates a centralized hub for high-level advancement, directly addressing the bottleneck crisis identified by Goddess Xingxing. It decentralizes the benefit of the artifact, turning a private asset into a public utility for the store's ecosystem. The military pledge solidifies the store's hard power projection.]

[Southern Wu Kingdom Bid Analysis: Strong economic incentives, but the infrastructure is limited to the kingdom's borders. The Honorary Duke title is a shackle of mortal politics. While powerful, it centralizes influence rather than distributing it.]

[White Ember Sect Bid Analysis: The labor offer is valuable for the Professional's Foundry, but lacks the strategic weight of the other two. They are better suited as a primary partner for the Foundry rather than the owner of a strategic artifact.]

Sure enough, the system also knew which should be the better choice among the three. Still, he'd let this simmer for a while. There were two more artifacts and six bidders. He would announce the winners altogether.

In the meantime, those who haven't gotten their turn yet should have started reconsidering their planned pledges. To make it more interesting.

The spirit stones remained secondary and while it was imperative to promise their aid in the defense against the realm, Lin Mo, and perhaps the system too, were looking for who could utilize the artifacts better.

"Thank you for your generous offers," Lin Mo said and waved his hand, and the pedestal holding the Everlasting Spirit Fountain descended back into the table, though its light seemed to linger in the greedy eyes of the participants. "Your pledges have been noted. The decision will be announced at the conclusion of the auction. Now, let us proceed."

The tension in the room, already taut as a bowstring, tightened further. The leaders of the Azure Gale Sect, Crimson Vale Sect, and Red Lotus Academy straightened in their seats.

They had just witnessed the Liu Clan offer their very blood and future. The bar had been set impossibly high.

"The second item," Lin Mo announced as the second pedestal rose, revealing the swirling, multicolored sphere. "[The Heavenly Mirage Illusion Orb]. An artifact capable of simulating reality itself. Infinite battles, endless scenarios, perfect training with zero risk. The eligible bidders are the Red Lotus Academy, the Azure Gale Sect and the Crimson Vale Sect."

He looked at the three leaders. "Who will begin?"

Sect Master Yan Tianfeng of the Azure Gale Sect was the first to stand. He was a proud man, his wind-swept robes fluttering even in the stillness of the arena.

"The Azure Gale Sect bids six million high-grade spirit stones," Yan Tianfeng declared. It was a massive sum, pushing the limits of his sect's liquidity. "As for our pledge… we have seen the effectiveness of the store's intelligence network. However, information is useless without speed. We pledge the Azure Gale Sect's speed. We will establish a dedicated courier and scouting group, the 'Gale Riders'. Every message, every small package, every urgent delivery within the Eastern Abyssal Domain will be carried by our fastest disciples. We will reduce the logistical lag of the store's operations to zero."

He paused, glancing at his brother. "Furthermore, we will use the Orb to train not just our disciples, but a specialized rapid-response force. A force trained specifically to counter the chaotic formations of the Outer Realm entities. We will share these combat data logs freely on the Bulletin Board."

[Bid Evaluated. Convenience Rating: High. Logistical Synergy: Excellent. Note: A dedicated courier network solves the 'last mile' problem for remote deliveries not covered by the shuttle.]

It was a solid, practical offer. Lin Mo nodded appreciatively. Speed was indeed a form of convenience. He could already see the potential of having that courier service. Like the modern-day solution of shopping through the internet, patrons could just hire someone to buy for them and deliver it to their doorstep. Although there were Celestial Shuttle Network hubs at every Anchor and Tower, not everyone was close to them. Having someone with a top-tier movement technique like the Azure Gale Steps would make it convenient.

On top of that, the scouting that they offered was certainly needed. If they could scour the whole realm, not just the Eastern Abyssal Domain, finding undiscovered towers and anchors would be quicker.

Next rose Sect Master Hong Ying of the Crimson Vale Sect. Her crimson aura was subdued, but her eyes burned with a quiet, intense fire. She did not have the financial depth of the Azure Gale Sect, nor the political clout of the Liu Clan. But she had something else.

"Four million high-grade spirit stones," She stated bluntly. It was a lower bid, and she knew it. "And three thousand 'Blood-Forged' disciples."

The room went silent. Blood-Forging was a brutal, dangerous technique unique to the Crimson Vale, creating warriors who felt no pain and fought with berserker fury. Not even Core Disciples would dare to undergo that procedure. Still, there wasn't a lack of volunteers among those disciples with insufficient talent yet wanted to surpass their limits.

That's why producing them wasn't even going to be a problem for the sect.

"We do not have the speed of the wind," Sect Master Hong Ying continued. "We have endurance and ferocity. We pledge to be the store's vanguard in the most hostile environments. When an Anchor breaches in a place where others fear to tread, the Crimson Vale will go. We will use the Illusion Orb to temper our bloodlust, to turn our berserkers into disciplined soldiers. We will create a manual, the 'Controlled Fury Arts', and teach it to any patron who wishes to walk the path of the body cultivator. We offer the store a shield that does not break."

[Bid Evaluated. Convenience Rating: High. Military Synergy: High. Note: A disciplined force of berserkers is a valuable asset for high-threat environments.]

Lin Mo rubbed his chin. It was a tempting offer. A reliable tank force was always needed.

Finally, Headmaster Feng Haoran of the Red Lotus Academy stood up. He looked frail compared to the martial sect masters, but his eyes held the wisdom of a scholar who had seen empires rise and fall. Beside him, Grandmaster Lian watched with bated breath.

"Five million high-grade spirit stones," The Headmaster said softly. "And the future of the realm."

He gestured to the Orb. "The sects see this as a weapon sharpener. A way to make better killers. The Red Lotus Academy sees it as a classroom. We pledge to integrate the Heavenly Mirage Illusion Orb into the heart of our curriculum just like the Celestial Duel Platform. We will not keep it for ourselves."

He looked around the table, meeting the gazes of the other leaders. "We propose the creation of the 'Divine Simulation Exchange'. We will use the Orb to create standardized, repeatable training scenarios based on the store's intelligence. How to dismantle a Vindicator formation. How to survive a Highland corruption zone. How to counter an insectoid swarm. How to efficiently complete the challenges in Conduit Towers. We will record these simulations and upload them to the Bulletin Board. Any patron with a Viewing Jade will be able to access a 'mental projection' of these lessons."

He paused for effect. "Furthermore, we pledge our faculty. Our formation masters, our scholars, our tacticians. We will analyze every battle, every raid led by the store, and produce detailed tactical breakdowns for the community. We will turn the store's battles into lessons, ensuring that every mistake is made only once. Through education, an army of educated, adaptable cultivators will be born."

[Bid Evaluated. Convenience Rating: Maximum. Educational Synergy: Absolute. Note: Democratizing combat experience via simulation recordings aligns perfectly with the store's mission. This turns the Orb from a local training tool into a realm-wide educational resource.]

Lin Mo suppressed a smile. The old Headmaster had hit the nail on the head. He was offering a way to upgrade the quality of every single patron. It was the 'teach a man to fish' philosophy applied to warfare. It's also in line with what the Liu Clan proposed.

"A profound proposal, Headmaster," Lin Mo said. "All bids are… compelling. The second item is concluded."

The pedestal descended. The tension in the room ratcheted up another notch. Only one item remained. The one that the most dangerous and unpredictable factions were vying for.

"[The Boundless Knowledge Jade]," Lin Mo announced as the final pedestal rose. The simple jade slip seemed to radiate with a terrifying potential. "Instant mastery. Infinite knowledge. A library of lost eras. Eligible bidders: Verdant Sky Pavilion, Cerulean Cloud Sword Sect, Poison Demon Cult."

Before any of the three eligible bidders could stand up, Liu Xiaoyu sprang up to her feet and whispered to Lin Mo.

"Boss, there's a situation. Those exploring the Anchor at the Sunken Caverns retreated. They encountered a strong enemy in the last area. A long-eared entity with a fearsome ability to control not only the green-skinned Decrint Tribe but also the cultivators…"