Immortal Sword Master

Chapter 514: Chapter 510: Malicious Price Hiking, Taiyin Divine Water

”Taiyang Divine Crystal. Starting bid, three million Upper Grade Spirit Stones,” Gu Huaying announced clearly.

The starting bid for this Taiyang Divine Crystal was even higher than the previous Top Grade Spiritual Artifact. This was because this Taiyang Divine Crystal was exceptionally large, about the size of a water tank.

A Taiyang Divine Crystal like this was a rare sight, seen only once in a thousand years.

For instance, the Taiyang Divine Crystal Ning Jiang had found at the bottom of the lava back then was only the size of a human head, not even a tenth of the size of this one.

”Three million Upper Grade Spirit Stones.”

Someone immediately placed a bid.

For many who cultivated Fire Attribute Techniques, an item like the Taiyang Divine Crystal was an incredibly rare treasure.

”Four million.”

”Five million.”

”Six million.”

The appearance of the Taiyang Divine Crystal instantly ignited the entire venue. The price shot up, climbing rapidly in increments of one million.

Bidding climbed faster for this item than for any other so far.

Ning Jiang didn’t bid for now. He was waiting for the right moment. For him, this item was a must-have.

”Ten million!”

When this price was called, the room fell silent for a moment.

’Ten million... That price is too high. I’d better wait for the other auction items.’

Over ninety percent of the people instantly gave up bidding, leaving only a few still raising the price. However, their bids weren’t as extravagant as before; they were only increasing by increments of one hundred thousand.

After all, no one’s Spirit Stones just grew on trees.

Ning Jiang didn’t rush to join the fray. He waited quietly until the few remaining bidders had pushed the price to eleven million, then finally spoke up: ”Thirteen million!”

The sudden two-million jump in Upper Grade Spirit Stones made the few competing bidders pause. After some consideration, they all dropped out of the bidding.

A price of thirteen million had already exceeded the Taiyang Divine Crystal’s intrinsic value. At ten million, it was still worth the cost, but for thirteen million, it would be better to save the money for other auction items.

”If there are no further bids, the Taiyang Divine Crystal will be sold for thirteen million. Going once, going twice...”

Just as Gu Huaying began the countdown, a voice suddenly rang out:

”Fourteen million.”

All eyes turned to see that the bidder was, surprisingly, Ao Lie of the Flood Dragon Clan.

Ning Jiang’s gaze hardened as he looked at Ao Lie. He saw that Ao Lie was also looking at him, his eyes filled with provocation.

’He’s deliberately driving up the price, is he?’

Ning Jiang murmured. The Flood Dragon Clan had no use for the Taiyang Divine Crystal even if they got it. Ao Lie had probably seen how determined he was to get the crystal and was now maliciously raising the price.

”Fifteen million,” Ning Jiang said coldly.

”Heh, it’s all yours.”

Ao Lie gave a mocking smile. He didn’t continue bidding. Forcing Ning Jiang to spend an extra two million Upper Grade Spirit Stones was already a small victory. Besides, he was afraid Ning Jiang might suddenly back out, which would cause him to suffer a significant loss.

”Three, two, one... Fifteen million. Sold.”

On the auction stage, Gu Huaying’s gavel fell, sealing the deal.

’With the Taiyang Divine Crystal, I can cultivate the Taiyang Divine Fire,’ Ning Jiang mused. ’I wonder if a Taiyin Divine Crystal will show up later. If I can cultivate the Taiyin Divine Water as well, the power of my Sun and Moon Divine Eye will increase dramatically.’

Taiyang Divine Fire and Taiyin Divine Water were two completely different types of Power.

Taiyang Divine Fire was incomparably scorching, capable of incinerating everything. Taiyin Divine Water, on the other hand, was incomparably frigid, able to freeze the very world.

One hot, one cold—this was the difference in the Sun and Moon Power.

’Ao Lie, you maliciously drove up the price on me. Later, I’ll make you spit it back out several times over.’

A cold glint flashed in Ning Jiang’s eyes. His personality had always been this way: if someone showed him an inch of respect, he’d return a foot. But Ao Lie had now stepped on his head. How could he possibly tolerate that?

”Lot number one hundred and fifty: the Sea-Splitting Thunder Pearl. This is a one-time-use consumable. Upon detonation, its power is enough to threaten even a cultivator at the Earth Martial Realm Peak. A set of three, starting at one million.”

This item once again sparked fierce bidding. After all, something like this could be used as a life-saving trump card in a critical moment.

Soon, the price for the item reached five million.

”Six million.”

At that moment, Ning Jiang spoke up, raising the bid by a full million.

”Damn it, who is that guy? How does he have so many Spirit Stones?”

”Anyone in the VIP seating naturally has a large sum of Spirit Stones.”

Numerous gazes turned toward the pavilion where Ning Jiang was seated, all secretly astonished by his immense wealth.

”Six million one hundred thousand...”

In the end, after a few more bids, the item fell into Ning Jiang’s hands for a price of seven million Spirit Stones.

Ning Jiang didn’t bid for the next several dozen rounds, as nothing that interested him appeared.

”Lot number two hundred: a piece of Upper Grade Armor. When activated, it can form a barrier of light around the body, greatly enhancing defense. Starting bid, one million Upper Grade Spirit Stones.”

Just as Gu Huaying’s voice faded, Ning Jiang’s rang out directly: ”Four million!”

That price scared off many of the people present.

Although Upper Grade Armor was valuable, it was worth at most a quarter of a Top Grade Weapon. The Top Grade Weapon at the start had only sold for eight and a half million. Spending four million on a piece of Upper Grade Armor was clearly unwise.

”Five million.”

Suddenly, a voice called out. Ao Lie shot a provocative glance at Ning Jiang.

A mocking smile touched the corners of Ning Jiang’s lips. ”It’s all yours.”

”What!” Ao Lie’s pupils shrank fiercely. He understood at once. ”You tricked me!”

”That’s right. I didn’t think you’d be so stupid as to take the bait this easily.” ℴ

Ning Jiang’s retort was merciless. He had bid four million right away precisely to create the illusion that he was determined to win it. But with the strength of his physical body, he didn’t actually need Upper Grade Armor at all.

Likewise, the Armor was useless to Ao Lie. A Flood Dragon’s physical body was comparable to Upper Grade Armor.

Ao Lie had made a mistake from the very beginning by trying to maliciously drive up the price against him. As a former Venerable, how could a junior possibly compare to him in terms of scheming and cunning?

”Fine. You’re very good.”

Ao Lie could only swallow his anger. Even with his wealth, a loss of five million Spirit Stones was a painful sting.

Gu Huaying, meanwhile, gave Ning Jiang a helpless look. This incident had only deepened the enmity between the two. However, given Ning Jiang’s personality, he clearly didn’t care.

This Celestial Treasure Auction featured a total of five hundred items, with a major treasure appearing every one hundred lots.

The three hundredth auction item once again caught Ning Jiang’s attention!

It was actually a Taiyin Divine Crystal!

’The heavens are helping me! With this, I can finally refine the Taiyin Divine Water.’ A flash of excitement crossed Ning Jiang’s eyes.

The item’s starting price was the same as the Taiyang Divine Crystal’s—three million—and it rose just as rapidly. Not until the price reached ten million did Ning Jiang finally make his move.

”Twelve million.”

Once that price was announced, no one else bid.

After the lesson he had just learned, Ao Lie didn’t dare to maliciously drive up the price this time. After all, there was still an item he needed coming up later. If he wasted his Spirit Stones now, it would be a major disadvantage for him when bidding on that item.

The auction proceeded in an orderly fashion.

Round after round of bidding, the atmosphere in the venue grew incredibly intense, with various Kings bidding until they were red in the face.

Slowly, as the four hundredth item approached, the countless members of the Sea Demon Clan grew instantly excited.

”The four hundredth auction item: the Bloodline Evolution Technique!”