As soon as the words "Profound-tier high-grade cultivation technique" were uttered, the auction hall suddenly fell silent.
Compared to the Foundation Establishment Elixir, a Dou Qi cultivation technique was undoubtedly far more impactful.
While elixirs were precious, they were only for temporary use. A Dou Qi cultivation technique, however, could be used for a lifetime, and even passed down to future generations. From these perspectives, a high-grade Dou Qi cultivation technique drove people far crazier than any elixir.
After all, as long as one possessed a high-grade cultivation technique, even without spiritual elixirs, they would sooner or later become a powerful figure. But if one had no cultivation technique and only spiritual elixirs, then even consuming elixirs like meals wouldn't make them a true powerhouse.
After a moment of shock, some people in the hall recovered their senses. Pairs of fervent eyes stared intently at the blue scroll on the platform, and even the charming and captivating Ya Fei was forgotten at this moment.
Xiao Yan, sitting in the back, let out a soft breath. A Profound-tier high-grade cultivation technique? No wonder… This level of technique was even a tier higher than the Xiao family's most advanced technique, the Raging Lion's Ferocious Might. No wonder the patriarchs of Wutan City's three great clans were all here; it turned out they wanted this very item.
"A Profound-tier high-grade..." Xiao Yan's gaze swept over the blue scroll, and he licked his lips. Whoever possessed this scroll would have the pass to become a true powerhouse. In little more than ten years, Wutan City would see another force sitting on equal footing with the three great clans.
"Just a Profound-tier high-grade cultivation technique, what's so surprising about that?" Just as Xiao Yan was feeling a little emotional, Old Yao's voice, rather inappropriately, rang out in his mind.
"..." Xiao Yan rolled his eyes at this old man whose standards were sky-high, and remained silent.
"Little fellow, cultivate with peace of mind. When you become a Dou Master, I will show you what a true high-grade cultivation technique is!" After Old Yao finished speaking, he too fell silent.
Xiao Yan twitched his mouth and muttered to himself, "I hope so."
"Esteemed guests, this Profound-tier cultivation technique was fortunately discovered by a hunter in the mountains. It must be an heirloom left by a predecessor, with a legitimate origin, so it won't bring any trouble. Everyone can bid with peace of mind." Ya Fei gently lifted the blue scroll with her jade-like hand and said with a light chuckle.
"Miss Ya Fei, quickly announce the price!" Someone below, eager, shouted loudly.
Maintaining her charming smile on her beautiful face, Ya Fei smiled and said, "The Wind Scroll Art, starting price, two hundred thousand gold coins!"
As soon as this exorbitant price was announced, the auction hall immediately fell silent again. Evidently, many people simply didn't have the financial power to stomach this item.
In a corner of the hall, Xiao Yan couldn't help but shake his head. This woman was truly ruthless, too vicious. Two hundred thousand gold coins – that was more than two years' profit for the Xiao family!
Xiao Zhan and the other two, sitting in the front row, had their faces twitch slightly at this exorbitant price. But it was unavoidable; if you didn't buy this item, someone else would.
With the price at two hundred thousand, the atmosphere in the hall grew a little cold.
Seeing this awkward and cold situation, Ya Fei showed no unusual expression. Her smile remained as captivating as ever. She was extremely clear about the allure of a Profound-tier cultivation technique; some people, even if it meant losing their family fortunes, would still put this item into their pockets.
Just as she had anticipated, this cold stalemate didn't last long. A somewhat foolish-looking middle-aged man nervously called out a price: "Two hundred and ten thousand!"
Following the sound, Xiao Yan looked over. He recognized this middle-aged man as the weapon magnate of Wu Tan City, who almost monopolized all weapon sales in Wu Tan City. Although his influence was inferior to the three major clans, he was still considered one of the top figures in Wu Tan City.
"Two hundred and thirty thousand!" No sooner had the middle-aged man finished speaking than a yellow-robed elder immediately followed with a bid.
The yellow-robed elder was a major medicine merchant in Wu Tan City. He owned several medicinal ingredient shops, and his wealth was considerable.
Glaring fiercely at the elder, the foolish-looking middle-aged man raised his voice again: "Two hundred and forty thousand!"
In the hall, no one else made a bid. After all, a high price of two hundred thousand was enough to deter many onlookers.
"Three hundred thousand!" After the two had shown their limits, Jia Lie Bi, seated in the front row, finally spoke up coldly.
As soon as Jia Lie Bi made his bid, the other two sat down, shaking their heads helplessly and slumping dejectedly.
"Three hundred and thirty thousand!" In Wu Tan City, only the Xiao Clan and the Ao Ba Clan could compete with the Jia Lie Clan. And the one who had just made the bid was the Ao Ba Clan's patriarch, Ao Ba Mo.
Casting a cold, sinister glance at Ao Ba Mo, Jia Lie Bi said coldly: "Three hundred and fifty thousand!"
His eyelids twitched. Ao Ba Mo licked his lips and said: "Three hundred and seventy thousand!"
"Three hundred and eighty thousand!"
"Four hundred thousand!"
Watching Ao Ba Mo continuously raise the price, Jia Lie Bi, without hesitation, matched the bid, feigning an air of absolute determination.
When the price reached four hundred and thirty thousand, Ao Ba Mo had no choice but to stop this bidding war. Four hundred and thirty thousand was already enough to plunge the Ao Ba Clan into an economic crisis.
"Four hundred and fifty thousand!" Seeing Ao Ba Mo retreat, Jia Lie Bi hadn't even had time to rejoice when Xiao Zhan's faint voice made his expression turn gloomy once more.
Casting a cold, fierce glance at Xiao Zhan, Jia Lie Bi's heart was filled with rage. Among the three major clans, both the Xiao Clan and the Ao Ba Clan possessed Profound-tier intermediate Dou Qi cultivation techniques, while his Jia Lie Clan only had an elementary Profound-tier cultivation technique. Therefore, Jia Lie Bi was truly determined this time.
Under Ao Ba Mo's somewhat gloating gaze, Jia Lie Bi gritted his teeth and said: "Four hundred and sixty thousand!"
"Five hundred thousand!" Xiao Zhan, with an indifferent expression, called out an exorbitant price that surprised everyone in the room.
On the high platform, watching the two men fiercely contend, Ya Fei's beautiful smile became even more alluring.
"Five hundred and fifty thousand!" His eyes slightly bloodshot, after a moment of silence, Jia Lie Bi roared coldly.
"You win." To everyone's surprise, after Xiao Zhan heard Jia Lie Bi's bid, he smiled and said humorously to Jia Lie Bi.
His face showed a hint of surprise. After a moment, Jia Lie Bi's expression turned gloomy. As he sobered up, he realized he had been tricked...
"Xiao Zhan, you're really something! Remember this!" Glaring resentfully at Xiao Zhan, Jia Lie Bi looked up at the surprised Ya Fei, growing even more furious. But he wasn't some street ruffian after all. With a grim, stern face, he tried his best to suppress his anger: "Miss Ya Fei, shouldn't we conclude this?"
Ya Fei's expression didn't change because of Jia Lie Bi's anger. She smiled calmly, with a hint of mockery and amusement in her eyes. The small gavel in her delicate hand, under Jia Lie Bi's intense gaze, struck down.
"The Wind Scroll Art has been successfully bid on by Patriarch Jia Lie Bi!"
Seeing this scene, Xiao Yan couldn't help but let out a light chuckle. He slowly stood up and walked out of the auction house.
"Sigh, now that the money's in hand, I should really start cultivating diligently. In a year, I still have to give Father a surprise." As he stepped out the door, Xiao Yan mumbled with a light chuckle.