The price had already soared past two and a half million gold.
Laughter and tense murmurs echoed across the hall as another clan leader shouted his bid.
The auctioneer’s smile never faltered, fanning the flas higher with every asured word.
By now, the price for the Earth-Grade Cultivation Technique had already climbed to three million gold.
The bidder—none other than the First Prince himself—sat with a composed smile, casually raising his paddle as though spending three million was no more than buying a cup of tea.
Seeing that it was First Prince, several other clans imdiately withdrew.
To compete with the Imperial Family over such a treasure was courting disaster—and the technique, while rare, wasn’t worth challenging the Empire’s First Prince.
Not to ntion, the price had already reached three million gold.
"Three million gold... once! Three million... twice! Three million... thrice! Sold!"
A crisp strike of the gavel echoed, sealing the deal.
The auctioneer’s voice then carried across the hall:
"Congratulations to His Highness, the First Prince, for obtaining the Mid Earth-Grade Cultivation Technique!"
Polite applause and congratualation rose from the crowd.
"My thanks to everyone for allowing this honor. May this treasure serve the Empire well!"
His tone was mild, almost humble—suggesting he sought the treasure for the good of the Empire.
Of course, those who knew better understood it would be used to strengthen his personal faction rather than the Empire.
His eloquence was on a completely different level from his siblings—especially the Seventh Prince, whose mouth had no filter.
With the gavel’s sharp strike, the first item was officially sold—and at such an astronomical price, the hall seed to vibrate with excitent.
The Mid Earth-Grade Cultivation Technique had set the bar impossibly high, and the murmurs quickly turned into eager speculation.
Everyone leaned forward, wondering what treasures would appear next—especially since the legendary Heaven-Grade Artifact was still to co.
Anticipation hung thick in the air, mingling with the lingering aroma of incense and the faint hum of spiritual qi.
Lan Yuerong’s voice carried once more, calm and lodious, yet electrifying the hall:
"Honored guests, our auction has only just begun—many more treasures await."
An attendant stepped forward, carrying the first of the next items: an elegant Earth-Grade saber displayed on a jade stand.
The blade shimred under the lantern light, silver veins running along its edge like flowing rcury.
"An exquisite weapon, sharp enough to part steel as if it were silk," the auctioneer announced.
Bids were called, modest but steady, until the saber was sold.
At 2 million, while not as good as the earlier one, it was a pretty good price.
The second artifact was brought out—a pair of bracers forged with intricate talisman patterns, faint spiritual light pulsing across their surface.
The audience examined them with interest, yet the bidding remained lukewarm, ending quickly.
Next ca a small, ancient cauldron, its body etched with alchemical runes.
Though well-crafted, the atmosphere in the hall had already cooled, and it, too, was sold without much contest.
From his seat, Bai Zihan recognized each artifact imdiately—they were his own consignnts.
Watching them pass from hand to hand without drawing much attention, he remained expressionless.
He didn’t bid for single item since the start of the auction while Li and Zhao Clan already snag two of the four Earth-Grade Technqiues.
This was also seen by others.
Even the Bai Clan’s elders noticed the absence of action and exchanged uneasy glances.
"This... isn’t just about buying useful treasures anymore," one elder whispered to another.
"An auction like this also demonstrates the strength and wealth of one’s clan. Sitting idle for four items... it’s almost as if we are invisible."
Another elder nodded, concern creasing his brow.
"Young Master, perhaps you should bid on one of these. Even if it is not for personal use, showing our presence would remind everyone that the Bai Clan has the resources to dominate."
Bai Zihan’s gaze remained calm, unfazed by the suggestions. His voice, when he spoke, was like smooth steel:
"I will bid when I find sothing that truly interests . Until then, there’s no need to waste anything."
The elders sighed, so reluctantly nodding.
They knew better than to push further; Bai Zihan’s judgnt had always been precise, and he was patient in a way that unnerved even the most seasoned clan leaders.
But there was also the thing that he didn’t care much about the reputation which might bring so trouble later down the road.
From the Li Clan’s section, Li Jianhong leaned back in his seat, his voice deliberately pitched loud enough to carry across the hall.
"Hmm... so the great Bai Clan doesn’t even dare to bid?"
His lips curved into a thin smile.
"Perhaps their coffers have run dry. Or is it that their young master can only afford to look at treasures now?"
A few minor clan heads chuckled under their breath, quick to enjoy any jab aid at the Bai Clan.
From his VVIP room, Bai Zihan’s gaze shifted lazily toward Li Jianhong, his expression unreadable.
But when he spoke, his voice cut through the bidding calls with a clarity that left no room for mishearing.
"Running low?"
His lips curved faintly, almost bored.
"If the Bai Clan’s coffers were truly empty, I’d simply buy the Li Clan and sell it for spare change. Though I doubt your Li Clan is even worth being my spare change."
The laughter from the Li Clan’s allies died in their throats.
Gasps rippled through the hall.
A few braver souls tried to smother their grins, while others stared at Bai Zihan with a mix of awe and disbelief.
Indeed, rumors of Bai Zihan’s sharp tongue weren’t false at all.
Li Jianhong’s smile froze, the corner of his jaw tightening as if to grind the words back into dust.
Li Jianhong’s voice rose with scorn.
"Arrogant! A junior dares to be so obnoxious! I don’t know what the Bai Clan teaches their young nowadays."
Bai Zihan’s gaze sharpened, his next words sliding out like a blade hidden in silk.
"Don’t worry—at least they’re taught well enough not to die like your son, Li Feng."
The na struck like thunder. The hall seed to still for half a breath before murmurs erupted.
Li Jianhong shot to his feet, his qi flaring violently, killing intent flashing in his eyes.
"You—!"
He hadn’t even co to account for his son’s death yet, and Bai Zihan was already rubbing salt in the wound.
It would have been tolerable had Li Jianhong brought this up first—but for Bai Zihan, the killer himself, to ntion it?
That only proved how little he cared for Li Jianhong.
With Li Jianhong’s strength, there wasn’t anyone here who could stop him if he made a move.
But before his rage could boil over into action, a hand gripped his arm firmly. An elder of the Li Clan leaned close, voice low but urgent.
"Clan Leader, control yourself. We have a mission here. That Heaven-Grade artifact must be secured. We can’t waste this opportunity."
Li Jianhong’s jaw tightened as he swallowed his fury, his glare never leaving Bai Zihan.
"Hmph!"
With a sharp turn, he sank back into his seat, forcing his attention toward the auction.
Lan Yuerong breathed in relief, seeing that the escalating situation had cald down.
Similar sentints were shared among other cultivators who would have been caught in the crossfire had Li Jianhong made a move.
Just then—
An item was brought out which didn’t catch many eyes except for one or two that included Bai Zihan.
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