Chapter 68

“This private box at the Black Dragon Auction really is extravagant!”

Liu Tianxiang couldn’t help but sigh.

“Junior Brother Gu, I’m truly riding your coattails this time. I wouldn’t have had a chance to sit in a luxury box otherwise.”

Gu Yang lounged casually in the ornate chair, unfazed by Liu Tianxiang’s sentiment.

“Oh? Senior Brother Liu, haven’t you attended this auction before? Didn’t the Black Dragon Chamber of Commerce arrange a private box for you?”

He sounded genuinely surprised.

After all, Liu Tianxiang was the top True Disciple of Liuyun Sect and one of the Four Young Lords of Haonan Province. Surely he had some clout?

Liu Tianxiang gave a helpless smile and shook his head.

“Junior Brother Gu, you’re underestimating the Black Dragon Chamber of Commerce.”

“Although Black Dragon City is one of Haonan Province’s major cities, it borders several other provinces…and those provinces are far more powerful than ours.”

“So every year, the Black Dragon Auction draws prodigies from across the borders.”

“To secure a good seat at the auction, you need more than talent…you need real strength.”

“As for these second-floor luxury boxes… only the wealthy, sect elders, business magnates, or super prodigies like you…those who’ve made the Talent Roll…are qualified to sit here.”

After Liu Tianxiang’s explanation, Gu Yang was visibly impressed.

So the Black Dragon Auction really is a big deal.

It even attracted prodigies from other provinces.

He glanced down the corridor and noticed several young cultivators in exotic attire being led into other luxury boxes.

Clearly, they were also top-ranked prodigies from the Talent Roll.

Of course, Gu Yang didn’t recognize any of them.

“I see.”

He nodded slightly.

Downstairs, the main auction hall was packed to the brim.

People crowded every available space.

Seats were limited…only the strong could sit up front.

The weaker ones were pushed to the back, some even forced to stand.

The hierarchy was crystal clear.

Compared to the chaos below, the second-floor boxes were far more peaceful.

Gu Yang couldn’t help but reflect again.

So this is the treatment of the strong.

Soon, the hall reached full capacity.

The Black Dragon Auction was finally about to begin.

A rotund man waddled onto the stage and bellowed,

“Welcome, everyone, to the annual Black Dragon Auction hosted by the Black Dragon Chamber of Commerce!”

“This year, we’ve prepared a wide array of rare treasures. Please look forward to them!”

“Without further ado, let’s begin today’s auction!”

Clearly a representative of the Chamber, the man kept his introduction brief and got straight to the point.

He turned and left the stage.

A professional auctioneer stepped up.

The first round began.

“Our first item is… the Heavenly Profound Technique!”

“A top-tier Human-grade cultivation method. Starting bid: 20 low-grade spirit stones. Minimum increment: 5 spirit stones. Let the bidding begin!”

“25!”

“30!”

“50!”

The atmosphere quickly heated up.

Hands shot into the air as bids flew fast and fierce.

From the second floor, Gu Yang watched the flurry of activity.

A single Human-grade top-tier technique ended up selling for nearly 150 low-grade spirit stones.

Damn… Human-grade techniques go for that much?

He hadn’t expected such a high price.

Liu Tianxiang chuckled beside him.

“For rogue cultivators without sect backing, getting their hands on high-level techniques is tough. That’s why the prices are often inflated.”

Gu Yang nodded slightly.

That’s true.

He recalled the fourth-level Core Formation cultivator he’d slain…a powerful man, yet his martial technique was merely a low-tier Earth-grade palm art.

Rogues really are strapped for resources.

The auction continued in full swing.

Voices rang out from below, hoarse from shouting.

But Gu Yang hadn’t placed a single bid yet.

Nothing’s caught my eye so far.

Meanwhile, Liu Tianxiang had already won several items…mostly pills to aid cultivation.

And none of them had cost much.

He sighed with emotion.

“Junior Brother Gu, if not for your status getting us up here, I’d have had to spend a fortune today.”

He’d noticed that every time he placed a bid, the crowd below went silent.

Clearly, the bidders downstairs were intimidated by anyone from the second floor.

After all, those seated above were either rich or powerful…not people to provoke lightly.

No one wanted to compete over minor items and risk offending someone influential.

Gu Yang waved it off.

“You’re giving me too much credit. If you hadn’t invited me, I wouldn’t even know this auction existed. Don’t worry about it.”