CHAPTER 541: CHAPTER 539: TEN THOUSAND 3001

As the Array Light Circle expanded upward, the ground of the auction stage slowly cracked open amidst low, rumbling sounds. A stairway leading into the depths of the earth emerged under the gaze of countless people in the auction house.

The staircase appeared, and promptly an old man dressed in a golden robe sauntered out, a smile on his face. As soon as he revealed himself, a profound and formidable aura slowly swept out from him. Under this terrifying aura, the noisy voices in the massive auction room faded into silence.

"Such a strong aura," Ling Chen narrowed his eyes and looked at the old man in the golden robe, whispering in awe.

This man’s cultivation should have reached the Sky Apex Realm Third Layer, on the same level as Dong Shenglong, the Heavenly Void Palace Master. However, his cultivation was undoubtedly a cut above the other Top Sky Apex Strong present here.

"This man is Wan Sanqian, the Master of the Golden Jade Pavilion." Liu Feiyue’s voice came from the side.

Ling Chen nodded. The Golden Jade Pavilion and Shadow Tower are both forces under the Black Market. I had previously thought that the Black Market’s strength was all concentrated in the Shadow Tower. I hadn’t expected the Master of the Golden Jade Pavilion to be so strong as well.

"Hehe, I am Wan Sanqian, and I presume many of you know me. Today, our Black Market is hosting an auction, and I’d like to thank everyone for your support." Wan Sanqian scanned the surroundings, his gaze pausing briefly in certain places. His laughter-filled voice echoed in everyone’s ears.

Wan Sanqian’s words elicited laughter from some powerful figures in the VIP seats. The Black Market was the dominant force in Black Sand Land and had stood tall for many years, its connections extensive. Wan Sanqian himself was even more so, having made friends in all corners. Many of the powerful figures present had some relationship with him, whether deep or shallow.

"Hehe, I presume everyone is eagerly anticipating this auction, so I won’t bore you with unnecessary chatter," Wan Sanqian said with a light laugh, under the gazes of countless eyes. "However, I must remind everyone of the auction rules, which I’m sure you all know. If anyone is foolish enough to cause trouble on Black Market territory, I, in front of all these people, will deliver a harsh truth: I will ensure they can neither live nor die!"

At Wan Sanqian’s grim and chilling words, the massive auction venue fell silent. Even the most wicked and violent individuals, meeting his emotionless gaze, felt their expressions falter and hastily suppressed any errant thoughts.

Ling Chen couldn’t help but shake his head, feeling the chill in Wan Sanqian’s words. As expected of the Master of the Golden Jade Pavilion, wielding both grace and power so skillfully. What methods. With his presence alone, he can cow these experts from all corners.

"Hehe, now, please enjoy our Black Market’s auction feast!" Seeing the deterrent effect achieved, Wan Sanqian then said with a smile, the chill in his eyes vanishing instantly.

As his words fell, he saluted a few positions in the VIP seats, then slowly exited the auction stage.

Following Wan Sanqian’s departure, a white-haired, yet spirited old man walked out with a smile. Behind him, a group of beautiful maids held silver trays, fluttering around the stage like butterflies, then ceremoniously placed the trays onto the auction stage.

From their high vantage point, everyone could see a variety of exquisite items placed in the silver trays.

"Hehe, up next, we have our auction’s appetizer: a top-tier Terrestrial Level Martial Art, the Heaven Collapse Finger!" the white-haired old man said with a laugh, pointing to a silver tray before him. Inside lay a meticulously bound blue secret manual.

"Heaven Collapse Finger, a top-tier Terrestrial Level Martial Art. Finger technique martial arts are inherently rare. Though somewhat difficult to cultivate, they can catch an opponent off guard in battle. None of you here are ordinary individuals; you surely understand how difficult finger techniques can be to counter." Picking up the scroll, the white-haired man chuckled. "Based on the true value of the Heaven Collapse Finger, its starting price should be at least one million taels of gold. However, as this is our first auction item, the Sect Leader has decreed that the starting bid will be only five hundred thousand taels! Furthermore, the price is capped at one million five hundred thousand taels. The first person to offer this amount will acquire the Heaven Collapse Finger, regardless of any higher subsequent bids! Everyone, this is an opportunity not to be missed!"

The white-haired old man had clearly fought many battles, his auction experience exceptionally rich. With only this simple tactic, he instantly aroused the ambiance within the auction house. For most people present, five hundred thousand taels of gold was not an exorbitant price. The Heaven Collapse Finger truly was worth more than this price, as he had said. Therefore, the moment his words fell, bidding voices started to sound one after another in the huge auction house.

A finger technique martial art? Ling Chen had cultivated the Breaking Gold Finger, so he had some understanding of such techniques. A cap of only one million five hundred thousand taels... That’s quite conscientious, about the same as a common Lower-grade Heaven Level Martial Art.

After all, finger techniques differ from other martial arts; their secret manuals are exceedingly rare. Ling Chen’s Breaking Gold Finger was already considered exceptionally uncommon among them.

Listening to the rising chorus of bids around him, even Ling Chen couldn’t help but look at the white-haired old man with new respect. I didn’t expect the Black Market to truly be teeming with such talented individuals.

At this auction, aside from the Blood Source Crystal, if any other items catch my eye, I won’t hesitate to bid. However, this Heaven Collapse Finger clearly conflicts with my Breaking Gold Finger, and its power doesn’t even match it. So, Ling Chen quickly dismissed the thought of bidding.

Ling Chen leaned lightly against the soft back of his chair, his eyes half-closed. He knew the auction had just begun; the truly good items were yet to come. The items currently on display held little attraction for most in the VIP seats. Indeed, for this so-called Heaven Collapse Finger, not a single person in the VIP seats had even made a bid.

Even though everyone considered the price quite fair, individuals of their status obviously wouldn’t stoop to reselling items.

Tapping his fingers on the armrest, Ling Chen listened to the ever-increasing prices in the auction house, a slight shake of his head betraying his thoughts. The bidding war lasted for about fifteen minutes before gradually subsiding. By then, the cap of one million five hundred thousand taels had been met.

The white-haired old man, his eyes crinkling with a smile, watched as the calls in the auction house gradually died down. One million five hundred thousand taels of gold. After deducting handling fees and such, it’s roughly the manual’s original cost. Basically, no profit made. However, it certainly stirred up the atmosphere. After all, the items to follow are the main event; any one of them will far exceed the value of this Terrestrial Level secret manual appetizer.