Heavenly Sword Saint
Chapter 54 — The Auction Begins
Jian Chen had only one reason for coming to the Treasure Hall today.
Gold Coins.
His next breakthrough required more than cultivation alone. He needed several resources to strengthen his body and support the opening of his meridians.
Fortunately, he had already found a way to obtain the money he needed.
The Dragon Gathering Palm Technique had been placed in today's auction.
If it sold for a good price, most of his immediate problems would disappear.
After that, he would purchase the resources he needed and leave.
Three days had passed since he secretly sold the technique.
During that time, rumors of a Low-Class Profound-Tier martial technique had spread throughout Moonriver City.
Naturally, the Treasure Hall's monthly auction had attracted far more attention than usual.
Jian Chen entered quietly.
He wore a loose black robe with the hood pulled low. A dark mask concealed most of his face, while his voice had been altered during the transaction.
No one would connect him to the mysterious seller.
That was exactly what he wanted.
The auction hall was already nearly full.
Representatives from wealthy merchant families occupied the front rows. Several familiar faces from the Jian Clan could also be seen, along with members of the Zhao Clan.
Then Jian Chen noticed the carriage belonging to the Lin Clan.
His expression remained unchanged.
He simply found a seat toward the back and sat down.
A short while later, Qiu Han stepped onto the platform.
"Welcome to the Treasure Hall's monthly auction."
His voice carried clearly throughout the hall.
"Today's auction includes medicinal pills, spirit herbs, spiritual fruits, weapons, cultivation resources, and several rare treasures."
The first few lots were brought out one after another.
Medicinal pills.
Spirit herbs.
A weapon.
Several cultivation resources.
The bidding proceeded smoothly.
Jian Chen didn't participate.
None of the early items were worth spending his Gold Coins on.
After several lots had been sold, Qiu Han's expression became slightly more serious.
An attendant brought a jade slip to the platform.
Qiu Han picked it up.
"This next item is different from the previous lots."
The murmuring in the hall gradually faded.
"It is a martial technique."
Several people immediately straightened.
Qiu Han continued,
"Low-Class Profound-Tier."
The atmosphere changed instantly.
A Low-Class Profound-Tier martial technique was valuable even among the major clans of Moonriver City.
"The starting price is twenty thousand Gold Coins."
"Twenty thousand!"
"Twenty-two thousand!"
"Twenty-five thousand!"
"Thirty thousand!"
The price climbed rapidly.
Smaller forces continued competing until the bids reached forty-five thousand Gold Coins.
Then the major clans entered.
"Forty-eight thousand."
The Zhao Clan's voice came from the front.
"Fifty thousand."
The Lin Clan followed.
The bidding continued.
"Fifty-five thousand."
"Sixty thousand."
"Sixty-five thousand."
"Seventy thousand."
At that point, most of the smaller forces had fallen silent.
The next voice came from the Jian Clan.
"One hundred thousand."
A wave of surprise swept through the hall.
The jump was simply too large.
Before the murmurs could settle, another voice sounded.
"One hundred and ten thousand."
The Zhao Clan had raised the price.
The auction continued.
"One hundred and twenty thousand."
"One hundred and thirty thousand."
The price had reached a level where most people could no longer participate.
Then the Zhao Clan fell silent.
A moment later, the Lin Clan raised its bid.
"One hundred and forty thousand."
The hall became quiet.
The Jian Clan responded.
"One hundred and fifty thousand."
The Lin Clan didn't hesitate.
"One hundred and sixty thousand."
Silence descended over the auction hall.
Qiu Han slowly looked across the audience.
"One hundred and sixty thousand Gold Coins. Anyone higher?"
No one answered.
"Going once."
Silence.
"Going twice."
Still nothing.
Qiu Han brought down the auction hammer.
"Sold."
His voice rang through the hall.
"The Dragon Gathering Palm Technique has been sold to the Lin Clan for one hundred and sixty thousand Gold Coins."
Conversation immediately erupted throughout the audience.
Behind his mask, Jian Chen allowed himself a faint smile.
One hundred and sixty thousand.
After the Treasure Hall's ten-percent commission, he would receive one hundred and forty-four thousand Gold Coins.
That was enough to solve most of his immediate financial problems.
But money alone wasn't enough.
He still needed cultivation resources.
Qiu Han quickly announced the next lot.
"A Purple Cloud Herb."
Jian Chen raised his hand.
"Six thousand five hundred."
Another voice followed.
"Seven thousand."
Jian Chen raised his hand again.
"Seven thousand five hundred."
The hall fell silent.
Qiu Han waited briefly before bringing down the hammer.
"Sold."
Jian Chen lowered his hand.
The Purple Cloud Herb was his.
The following lots moved more quickly.
Whenever an item was useful to his cultivation, Jian Chen participated.
When the price exceeded what he was willing to pay, he stopped without hesitation.
There was no reason to waste Gold Coins simply because he could afford them.
Several useful cultivation resources soon found their way into his possession.
With the most important resources secured, Jian Chen had nearly accomplished everything he had come for.
The remaining lots no longer held much interest for him.
He leaned back slightly in his seat.
The Dragon Gathering Palm had provided the Gold Coins.
The auction had provided the resources.
All that remained was to return to the courtyard and cultivate.
Several more items were sold.
Jian Chen paid little attention.
Then, without warning, the atmosphere inside the hall changed.
An attendant walked onto the platform carrying a long black case.
Unlike the ordinary containers used for the previous lots, this case was made from dark material and secured by several heavy metal clasps.
Even from a distance, it looked unusual.
Qiu Han placed one hand on the case.
"Everyone..."
His voice carried a hint of anticipation.
"This next item is something our Treasure Hall rarely has the opportunity to auction."
The conversations throughout the hall gradually disappeared.
Jian Chen looked toward the platform.
He had already obtained everything he needed.
Whatever was inside the case had nothing to do with him.
Qiu Han released the clasps one after another.
Click.
Click.
Click.
The final clasp opened.
The lid slowly lifted.
The instant it opened, a strange aura spread through the auction hall.
It wasn't overwhelming.
Yet something about it caused several cultivators to change expressions.
Some sat upright.
Others stared at the platform with undisguised surprise.
Jian Chen's gaze paused for a moment.
Even from where he sat, he could sense that whatever was inside the case was unusual.
He couldn't see it clearly.
And he had no intention of finding out.
His purpose had already been fulfilled.
He looked away.
His thoughts returned to the courtyard.
Once he returned, he would begin cultivating immediately.
His next breakthrough was within reach.
This time...
He would not waste a single day.