192: Chapter 191 Linjing Assassination 4 192: Chapter 191 Linjing Assassination 4 The host pointed a finger, and a vendor stood up, stepping forward.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, he brought out his treasure—a Water Breaking Pearl.
Even in Anhe Country, where the Water System is advanced, a Water Breaking Pearl was a rare treasure; it originated from at least a Tongxuan Realm Water Demon’s belly, and not every type of Water Demon carried such an item, but only a very few; the source was unique, but its function was singular—merely for water repulsion, which was why it might appear in an auction accessible to low-rank cultivators.
“Water Breaking Pearl, from a turtle-dragon, repels water for thirty feet, comes with a faint glow, and is considered top-notch among Water Breaking Pearls.
The bidding starts at three hundred Spirit Stones, a rare opportunity, please place your bids,” he announced.
An auction, importantly, needed to have ups and downs; it couldn’t simply follow an order from low to high values, as the earlier items would often not fetch high prices; typically, an auction would start with a bang to stir up the atmosphere, following which even the average-quality items could fetch a higher price by riding this wave.
Then, throughout the auction process, this rhythm of ups and downs would continuously push the overall prices higher.
This required the host to have excellent eloquence and an innate ability to manipulate emotions, a skill not everyone possessed.
What if the first item’s starting price was too high and no one bid, leading to an awkward silence?
Of course, that scenario would never happen; that’s when planted bidders in the crowd are needed, an essential part of every auction.
Just like with this Water Breaking Pearl, at least Hou Niao knew among these buyers, which were shills.
In the end, the Water Breaking Pearl sold for six hundred Spirit Stones, which equated to sixty medium-grade Spirit Stones or six top-grade Spirit Stones—something laughable in the circles of higher cultivators, but the issue was, ninety-nine percent of cultivators in the Cultivation World were these low-level practitioners, striving for a goal they might never reach, their life savings not even equating to the tip given by extravagant clients in a big scene.
As for the Water Breaking Pearl, Hou Niao did not care; nor was he concerned with the closing price; his attention remained fixed on the host, observing every movement he made, every word he spoke, comparing these with the information on the Jade Scroll.
Gradually, he developed a peculiar feeling—the person he saw matched almost exactly with the description in the Jade Scroll: height, weight, voice, Realm, the habitual wringing of hands…
But the more they matched, the more he sensed something unreal, because this person seemed to lack a soul when hosting!
Yes, he was proficient and controlled the auction well, but it was just missing that little bit; the atmosphere inside was fervent, yet it lacked that spark where people were nearly fighting over an artifact—it was this feeling he waited for in vain.
He was only fifteen feet away from the man, confident that a leap and a swing of his sword would suffice to subdue him, but as he waited, he repeatedly decided against it, wanting to be clearer, which only led to this outcome.
Thus, he knew, this man was not Gu Xiqiao; no concrete reason, but he trusted his instincts.
His whole plan was problematic, and based on the current situation, if he didn’t find his target this time, he would not have another chance to return; because even the most naive and foolish person wouldn’t stumble in the same pit twice, and if he dared to come back, these astute businessmen would surely be suspicious.
Patience, too, was a quality of a qualified Sword Cultivator; if it truly was a failed plan, he’d rather endure it, losing only ten Soul Beads at most.
The auction was more than halfway done, hardly a break as everyone took a sip of tea, exchanged a few words, then continued; still the same host, everything was as usual, causing Hou Niao to lose his last hope—it seemed highly likely that this plan had failed, the only upside being he hadn’t exposed himself.
He wished time would pass quickly, to swiftly conclude this awkward ordeal.
Just when he had lost all hope, as an artifact finished selling and the atmosphere heated up due to the approach of the grand finale, the host unexpectedly retreated into the back hall.
His return didn’t catch everyone’s attention, but Hou Niao felt a stir within him.
It was still that hoarse, leaky voice, but Hou Niao, who had always been attuned to this voice, noticed a slight difference!
The auctioneer waved his arms to signal, and the faint sound of silk strings below became passionate and intense, accompanied by his highly infectious voice,
“Strike the stone and fire is made; without striking, no smoke arises.
Awareness comes with learning; without study, nothing comes naturally.
All things must be managed by oneself; others’ gains are not a measure of one’s wisdom.
Youth should not be wasted, for who could remain forever young?
A treasure of the Five Elements Fire System, the uses I needn’t say much about, fearing that speaking too much might cause a stampede!
But such innate materials are rare on the Jinxiu Continent, being top grade among the low grade, and low grade among the top grade!
You ask me where the real top grade is?
I’m afraid we may have to wait a few years, until you and I both enter the Tongxuan Realm, to then joyously transact!”
Laughter rang out from the crowd.
Indeed, in the top-tier materials of the Five Elements, Fire Stone had no place, but top-tier materials were not something they could touch; among the accessible low-rank Five Elements materials of the Low Realm, the Fire Stone was considered supreme, naturally generating fire when fused into weapons, and doubling the efficacy of Fire System techniques when integrated into artifacts.
“Starting bid four hundred Spirit Stones, if you desire it, act swiftly; don’t let your youth be in vain.
I wish no one would bid so that the starting price could just return to me!”
The atmosphere suddenly intensified, with bidding voices ebbing and flowing.
Hou Niao, who had been eagerly waiting, finally saw the spark he had been waiting for.
He closed his eyes, unwilling to look at the man on stage any longer, fearful that someone might detect the murderous intent in his eyes; there were somethings he still couldn’t normally disguise, a limitation brought by his Realm and a sign of insufficient experience.
“Seven hundred and one!”
After a dozen intense rounds, the Fire Stone was finally bought for seven hundred and eighty Spirit Stones, a price more than double the starting bid!
This was the price of madness.
The music swelled, drums and gongs filled the air, lights flickered, and the auctioneer pointed in Hou Niao’s direction,
“Next, we invite this Daoist to present his treasure to us!
Let me keep you guessing, but a poem for proof: in unity with creation, born alongside heaven and earth, roaming free from the mortal coil, growing with the Dao, transforming and dispersing, never retaining the same form.”
It was just a Soul Bead, but his presentation made it sound prestigious, stirring curiosity among many in the audience.
Excluding the plants in the crowd, nearly everyone was caught up in the fervor of the moment; even if it were just a piece of dung presented, they likely could have sold it for a high price.
Hou Niao stood up, events had unfolded too hastily, his target had appeared, but he hadn’t been given much time to prepare; he was 70% sure this was Gu Xiqiao, but couldn’t be completely certain yet.
He slowly rose to his feet, his steps growing more decisive!
Challenged to the sword at the strike of white jade, the red threads flowed like water.
Each season passes indifferently, for wood and stone indeed know no feelings.