CHAPTER 26: CHAPTER 26: I BID FIFTY THOUSAND

Ten thousand spirit stones, that’s a massive sum.

Across the entire Chu Kingdom, the number of factions that can bring out such a number of spirit stones surely does not exceed two hands.

Just the starting bid alone made the majority of those present back down.

Everyone knew that the final ownership of this sword would inevitably belong to those true major factions or noble families.

"Ten thousand spirit stones, huh... After all, it is a Dao Artifact, it indeed deserves this price. In that case, this old man bids eleven thousand spirit stones!"

Soon, someone in a private room on the second floor was the first to offer such a price.

"Haha, this is the Cyan Emperor Sword! What is a mere ten thousand spirit stones compared to it? This old man bids fifteen thousand spirit stones!" someone else said, determined to obtain this sword.

"Sixteen thousand spirit stones!"

"Seventeen thousand..."

"Twenty thousand!"

In just a short moment, the price of the Cyan Emperor Sword had been driven beyond twenty thousand.

The bidders were all guests in the private rooms on the second floor.

Clearly, only the people here could afford such a price.

"The Eldest Princess doesn’t intend to bid?"

Meanwhile, in room number three, Ji Chen glanced at Qu Luoning.

An item like a Dao Artifact is difficult to find even across the entire Chu Kingdom, not to mention that this is the Cyan Emperor’s treasured sword of the past, a symbol of royal power. As the Eldest Princess of the Chu Kingdom, Qu Luoning would surely be tempted by it.

However, she squinted her eyes, did not respond, and instead looked at Ji Chen, asking, "I see you seem to have an interest in this sword as well?"

Ji Chen was taken aback, then smiled, "I am indeed a bit interested."

In his previous life, a Dao Artifact was nothing to him.

But now, things were different; his cultivation was still weak. If he could obtain a Dao Artifact, it would greatly enhance his strength.

Moreover, having cultivated the Phantom Sword Technique, obtaining such a treasure sword would certainly add significant power to the technique.

"I heard the Lingyun Sect has been struggling financially in recent years, so they shouldn’t have extra spirit stones to compete for this Cyan Emperor Sword, right?" Qu Luoning said bluntly.

This was something everyone knew by now.

In recent years, the Lingyun Sect had become increasingly declining, with many saying it no longer deserved to be called one of the three major sects.

"As for spirit stones... I did bring some, but I’m afraid I still won’t be able to compete with the Eldest Princess." Ji Chen said.

Things were different now; during this time, the Lingyun Sect had earned countless spirit stones by reselling the martial techniques he had imprinted, and more than half of these spirit stones were placed with Ji Chen.

Although he hadn’t counted them carefully, Ji Chen was certain that the spirit stones he now possessed were at least eighty thousand if not a hundred thousand.

Moreover, he speculated that the highlight of this auction was likely to be that middle-level profound tier martial technique, which he had probably imprinted some time ago.

Perhaps Ji Xiaotian had entrusted this martial technique to the Zhao Family for auction at some point.

Otherwise, how could such a middle-level profound tier martial technique suddenly appear on the market?

A middle-level profound tier martial technique serves as the highlight, a treatment even the Cyan Emperor Sword does not receive.

It is conceivable that, between the two, the price for the middle-level profound tier martial technique is obviously higher!

"Since you brought spirit stones and have an interest in this sword, then bid. If your bid exceeds my expectations, I naturally won’t get involved." Qu Luoning said.

Although she brought a considerable amount of spirit stones today, all were intended for that middle-level profound tier martial technique.

If she bids for the Cyan Emperor Sword now, there might not be enough spirit stones left when competing for the martial technique later.

She could have someone send for more spirit stones from afar.

But the process is obviously lengthy, and by the time the spirit stones arrive, the auction would likely be over.

The rules of the auction have always been for on-the-spot transactions, without waiting for spirit stones to be delivered later; this rule has persisted for years, as it concerns the reputation of the auction house, making it difficult even for the Royal Family to be an exception.

"Thirty thousand..."

"Thirty-one thousand!"

"Thirty-two thousand!"

"Thirty-five thousand!"

And amid their conversation, the price of the Cyan Emperor Sword had already climbed to an even more astonishing level.

By now, even the guests in the second-floor private rooms, many had retreated.

It’s not that they truly couldn’t afford it; rather, they shared the same aim as Qu Luoning, mainly coming for the martial technique, without extra spirit stones for the Cyan Emperor Sword.

Strictly speaking, though Dao Artifacts are rare, so are middle-level profound tier martial techniques.

Moreover, the reason why all these factions chose martial techniques over the Cyan Emperor Sword is that a Dao Artifact can only be used by one person.

However, martial techniques are different; they can be cultivated by several people or even more.

Thus, it’s easy to deduce which one can bring more significant benefits.

"Forty thousand!"

As Ji Chen was about to bid, suddenly, a voice came from the direction of room number seven.

Ji Chen squinted slightly at the sound, finding it somewhat familiar, "Nie Yuan?"

Unexpectedly, the Celestial Profound Sect also had an interest in this sword, and before Nie Yuan’s bid, the price for the Cyan Emperor Sword was only at thirty-five thousand spirit stones. Now, he suddenly added five thousand, calling out forty thousand.

Undoubtedly, Nie Yuan was openly expressing his determination to obtain this sword!

"Young Sect Leader... Won’t this be..."

In room number seven, upon hearing Nie Yuan’s bid, Lu Ren, who accompanied him, was also startled, "We came to Celestial Essence City mainly for the martial technique to be auctioned later, using the spirit stones here..."

"No worries."

Nie Yuan replied seriously, "Though we brought quite a lot of spirit stones on this trip, compared to the major powers here, we definitely don’t have much. Moreover, since the Eldest Princess is here, she’s probably also here for the martial technique."

"In the upcoming competition, considering our current financial strength, we may not be able to outbid them. Rather than competing for the martial technique, why not directly abandon it and instead secure the Cyan Emperor Sword?"

Lu Ren was initially taken aback by his words but then couldn’t help but smile, "The Young Sect Leader is truly thoughtful!"

Indeed, Nie Yuan had a bit of cleverness; competing for the martial technique wasn’t a sure win. If they failed to secure the martial technique, the trip would have been in vain.

However, if they got the Cyan Emperor Sword, it wouldn’t have been a wasted trip after all.

Whether it’s the martial technique or the Cyan Emperor Sword, either would significantly enhance the Celestial Profound Sect’s overall strength.

Moreover, even if they failed in competing for the Cyan Emperor Sword, they would have no loss and could continue to compete for the martial technique later.

"Room number seven bids forty thousand spirit stones, is there a higher bid?" Zhao Geng’s voice echoed throughout the venue.

"That person... seems to be the Young Sect Leader of the Celestial Profound Sect, right?"

"Nie Yuan, huh? It’s no wonder they’re one of Chu Kingdom’s three major sects; in terms of financial prowess, few can match them."

Discussions arose among the crowd, and most of the guests on the second-floor loft had already withdrawn from the competition. With the price now at forty thousand, after some deliberation, they ultimately gave up on the Cyan Emperor Sword and planned to focus their efforts on competing for the martial technique later.

"I bid fifty thousand."

At that moment, just when everyone thought that the Cyan Emperor Sword was about to fall into the hands of the Celestial Profound Sect, the calm voice of Ji Chen echoed from room number three.