CHAPTER 274: CHAPTER 273: BLUE SPIRIT FRUIT_1

When the price reached 500,000 taels of Gold, the elderly man shook his head. The price of this Black Cloud Gold had clearly exceeded his limit. Although this Black Cloud Gold was rare, it was not particularly useful. After a while, the attendant delivered the Black Cloud Gold to him. Five hundred thousand taels of Gold, while no small sum, was an excellent value for a material used in crafting top-level puppets. After Ling Chen won the bid for the Black Cloud Gold, the first round of the Treasure Appraisal Meeting came to an end.

After a brief rest, the second round of the Treasure Appraisal Meeting began.

"Ladies and gentlemen, next is the bartering session," Steward Xie announced. "Our Treasure appraisal master will evaluate the items to determine if their values are equivalent. Of course, in this second round, the principle of the highest bid winning still applies. As long as you can offer something of greater value, the auctioned treasure is yours."

"The first treasure, named Star Soul Armor, is extremely tough, impervious to blades and spears, and is a renowned item in the Jianghu." Steward Xie lifted the red cloth from the platter, announcing loudly.

When the red cloth was lifted, a dazzling silver light radiated out, like myriad stars.

This Star Soul Armor is, at least, a mid-grade renowned treasure.

Ling Chen’s eyes lit up slightly. This Star Soul Armor, like the previously mentioned Blood Slayer, was a well-known Jianghu treasure. However, its grade was clearly higher than the Blood Slayer’s.

These renowned Jianghu treasures that had achieved a grade could usually defend against True Qi attacks. Wearing the Star Soul Armor, even Martial Artist-level experts would find it extremely difficult to breach its defenses. Even attacks from Great Master Level Powerhouses would have their force diminished by a third, making it incredibly useful.

While Ling Chen was deep in thought, the price for the Star Soul Armor kept rising, and within a short time, it broke the one million taels mark. This price was more than twice that of the Blood Slayer. Understandably, life-saving items had always been precious, especially when fighting Exotic Beasts. Having an Armor for protection was undoubtedly an important safeguard.

This price was merely a reference point. In other words, the final bidder for this Star Soul Armor would have to offer a treasure of equivalent value in exchange.

Ling Chen mused for a moment and finally decided against bidding.

Although the Star Soul Armor offers good defense, it’s too cumbersome. Wearing it would inevitably reduce my speed and flexibility. For me, the drawbacks outweigh the benefits.

Ultimately, the Star Soul Armor was acquired by a Great Master Level Powerhouse, who exchanged a Heavenly Martial Arts Secret Manual for it.

"The second auctioned treasure is known as the Starry Sky Formula," Steward Xie announced, lifting the red cloth from another item. "It is said to absorb the essence of the sun and moon, aiding in one’s own Cultivation. This is a Lower-grade Heaven Level Cultivation Technique, with a starting price of 500,000 taels of Gold."

What appeared before everyone’s eyes was indeed a secret manual.

As his voice fell, a stir went through the crowd.

A Lower-grade Heaven Level Cultivation Technique was undoubtedly far more appealing than a Lower-grade Heaven Level Martial Art. If one were to compare Martial Arts to a large tree, then the Cultivation Technique would be its roots, while Martial Arts themselves would be the trunk, or perhaps merely branches. If the roots died, the entire tree would wither.

For a moment, numerous bids were called out, mainly from Martial Artists. At the Grand Master level, one could typically join a faction and learn a Heaven-level Cultivation Technique. However, some were not so fortunate.

In the end, this Starry Sky Formula sold for a high price exceeding 2 million taels of Gold, acquired by a Great Master Level Powerhouse in exchange for materials from a Third Grade Demonic Beast.

As more items were auctioned, the treasures became increasingly numerous and valuable. There were even medium-grade Heaven Level Cultivation Techniques and Martial Arts. However, none of these held much interest for Ling Chen.

After several more treasures were presented, Ling Chen finally saw something he wanted.

Steward Xie held a platter, upon which rested a blue fruit. This fruit had an irregular shape, somewhat resembling an eggplant or a pineapple. The key difference was the energy it exuded—it was exceptionally pure and refined.

"This blue fruit is known as the Blue Spirit Fruit," Steward Xie introduced with a grin. "It can help Martial Artist experts who are at the Martial Artist Seventh Realm or higher, yet below the Grand Master Realm, to break through their current cultivation Realm."

As soon as his voice fell, the entire Golden Jade Pavilion erupted in excitement.

Many experts whose Cultivation had stagnated at the Martial Master Realm had their eyes light up with eagerness. They knew well that for them, advancing further was extremely difficult. However, a Blue Spirit Fruit could undoubtedly help them make great strides, bringing them one step closer to the Grand Master Realm.

"This is great! The Blue Spirit Fruit can enhance my Martial Arts Cultivation. I must get it!"

In the VIP seats of the Golden Jade Pavilion, a young man in blue looked elated. He obviously hadn’t expected a Blue Spirit Fruit to be auctioned at this Treasure Appraisal Meeting.

"Indeed, it’s a rare opportunity, Young Master. We can’t let it slip. Currently, you rank eleventh on the Heavenly List. If you obtain this fruit and refine it, you might be able to make a concerted push and even break into the top five," the black-clad old man beside him said, beaming.

This black-clad old man was actually a Great Master Level Powerhouse at the Third Level.

These two individuals hailed from a second-rate sect in Aqua Country called the Dragon-Tiger Sect, and the young man in blue was indeed the Young Master of the Dragon-Tiger Sect.

On the platform, Steward Xie was clearly very pleased with the fiery atmosphere in the Golden Jade Pavilion. He spoke again, "The starting price for this Blue Spirit Fruit is 600,000 taels of Gold. Each bid increment must be no less than 100,000 taels of Gold."

"Seven hundred thousand taels of Gold!"

"Eight hundred thousand taels of Gold!"

Even though the starting price was set very high, it did nothing to diminish the crowd’s enthusiasm for the Blue Spirit Fruit. The price was quickly driven up.

With such rapid increases, the price quickly reached the 2 million taels of Gold mark.

Once the price hit this level, the bidding became sparse. Even in the Golden Jade Pavilion at this moment, those who possessed such financial means were clearly few and far between.

"Two million one hundred thousand taels of Gold!" the young man in blue called out, his expression one of determination.

"Damn it, I’ll go for it! I probably won’t have any hope in this life otherwise. Barring any unexpected developments, it will take at least five years to reach the Ninth-level Martial Master Realm!"

In the crowd, a low-profile Martial artist of the eight realms raised his hand and shouted, "Two million two hundred thousand taels of Gold!"

"Forget it, I give up. I’d better just cultivate diligently," sighed one.

"Yeah, I can’t produce a treasure worth two million two hundred thousand taels of Gold," echoed another.

Most of the bidders sat down dejectedly, their hearts filled with both relief and a touch of regret. They were relieved to have protected their wealth but disappointed to have missed out on the Blue Spirit Fruit.

"Two million three hundred thousand taels of Gold."

At this moment, Ling Chen finally called out a bid.

By now, very few people were left who had the capability to continue bidding.

"Ling Chen, I truly underestimated you," Lin Ya said, looking at Ling Chen with some vexation. His wealth far exceeded her expectations.