"Indeed, worthy of the Seven Treasures Auction House..."
As Dai Chengfeng stepped into the luxurious private box overlooking the entire venue, he couldn't help but marvel at the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect's immense wealth and grandeur.
The air was filled with a faint scent of incense, refreshing and soothing to the soul.
The view was unparalleled—below, the bustling crowd shimmered in their finery, yet the noise was perfectly muffled.
Only the clear voice of the auctioneer, amplified by specialized soul-guidance devices, reached them.
At this moment, the auction had just begun.
"Honored guests, please take a look at our first item—a scale from the 30,000-year-old Ice-Fire Carp, native to the far northern lands! Starting bid: 5,000 gold spirit coins…"
With the debut of the first item, the atmosphere instantly heated up.
"5,500!"
"6,000!"
"10,000…!"
Though the scale of the Ice-Fire Carp was impressive, it held no use for Dai Chengfeng.
Thus, he simply watched quietly, occasionally chatting idly with Ning Rongrong.
However, seeing how rare the first item was, Dai Chengfeng's anticipation for this auction grew even stronger.
The Ice-Fire Carp Scale eventually sold for a staggering 50,000 gold spirit coins, drawing gasps of astonishment.
The second item, a torso soul bone from a Star Crowned Panther, fetched an even higher price of 200,000!
As more items were presented—soul bones, rare soul-guidance tools, lost forging techniques—they kept coming one after another, each sale driving the prices higher.
Dai Chengfeng remained seated calmly in the plush chair behind Ning Fengzhi, his expression serene as he observed the spectacle of the auction.
He was waiting—waiting for his target to appear.
Meanwhile, Ning Rongrong darted around the best vantage points in the box, occasionally mocking someone for overbidding, delighted at the hefty profits the Seven Treasures Auction House was raking in.
Time passed, and the items continued to be paraded onto the stage and snatched away by eager bidders.
Then, nearing the latter half of the auction and approaching its conclusion, the auctioneer's resonant voice rang out once more, tinged with unusual excitement:
"Ladies and gentlemen, the next item may not directly enhance combat strength like soul bones or soul-guidance tools, but its rarity and value are no less than any previous lot! It is none other than—the Soul-Shaping Orchid!"
Soon, two attendants carefully wheeled a transparent glass enclosure onto the stage.
Inside, a peculiar plant about half a foot tall stood quietly.
Its translucent, dark black body shimmered faintly, as if starlight flowed through its veins. At its apex bloomed a three-petaled orchid, its petals adorned with intricate, eye-like patterns that seemed to hold cosmic mysteries.
Even through the protective barrier of the soul-guidance device and the distance, a pure and potent wave of soul power subtly emanated outward.
"The Soul-Shaping Orchid!"
The auctioneer's voice rose. "This item is exceedingly rare. Ancient texts record that it can stabilize one's essence and has miraculous healing properties for soul injuries. Its value is beyond estimation!"
"Starting bid—150,000 gold spirit coins!"
Upon hearing the name and description, Dai Chengfeng's heart skipped a beat!
One of the key ingredients needed for the Nine-Turn Soul-Stabilizing Pill was precisely a celestial-natural essence capable of stabilizing the soul!
He hadn't expected to find it at this auction and had almost given up hope. Now, unexpectedly, here it was!
"It seems my luck is good today!"
While Dai Chengfeng pondered, the bidding below had already begun.
"170,000!"
"180,000!"
"200,000!"
"…"
The price quickly soared past 200,000—it seemed there were many knowledgeable bidders in the room!
"350,000!"
Dai Chengfeng finally spoke, his calm voice ringing clearly through the private booth's transmission device and echoing throughout the auction hall.
His sudden leap of over 100,000 gold spirit coins was like pouring cold water into boiling oil, instantly silencing the venue!
Many astonished gazes turned toward the top-tier VIP box where Dai Chengfeng sat.
Even Ning Rongrong, within the same box, was startled by how decisively and extravagantly Dai Chengfeng had bid, clearly targeting the item with precision.
As the crowd below hesitated at the shocking price of 350,000, Ning Fengzhi, sitting in the main seat ahead of Dai Chengfeng, slowly turned around.
The leader of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect wore a look of mild surprise mixed with a gentle smile, his eyes carrying an inquisitive glint.
"Chengfeng, you're interested in the Soul-Shaping Orchid?"
"Yes, Uncle Ning."
Dai Chengfeng didn't elaborate on whether it was for alchemy, healing, or some other purpose, keeping his explanation concise and to the point.
"If I'd known you needed this item, Chengfeng, I would've arranged for it to be set aside after the Seven Treasures Auction House acquired it."
"Sparing you the trouble of having to compete in the bidding now."
"Shall I have it withdrawn and sent directly to you?"
Dai Chengfeng gave a slight bow, expressing gratitude for Ning Fengzhi's kindness, but shook his head.
"Uncle Ning, it was a spur-of-the-moment decision."
"Now that the Soul-Shaping Orchid is on the auction floor, the rules of the Seven Treasures Auction House must be upheld. I'll proceed with the bidding."
Seeing this, Ning Fengzhi smiled and nodded at Dai Chengfeng. "Very well…"
"Since you need it, secure it fully. If there's any inconvenience regarding gold spirit coins, the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect can lend you some."
"Thank you for your kind offer, Uncle Ning. A single Soul-Shaping Orchid is within my means."
As Dai Chengfeng and Ning Fengzhi conversed, perhaps due to the daunting figure of 350,000, many bidders hesitated.
Thus, the auctioneer scanned the room: "350,000 once… 350,000 twice…"
Just as the gavel was about to fall, a cool, mature female voice abruptly rang out from another box:
"400,000!"
A collective gasp swept through the hall!
Four hundred thousand for a single medicinal herb?
Even for the Soul-Shaping Orchid, such an exorbitant price was astonishing!
All eyes instinctively turned toward the independent box from which the voice had come.
Ning Rongrong let out a surprised "Eh?" turning her head toward that direction, then glanced back at Dai Chengfeng.
Dai Chengfeng's brow furrowed ever so slightly.
Was someone in dire need?
Or was this deliberate sabotage?
"450,000."
Without hesitation, Dai Chengfeng raised the bid again, as if the colossal sum was merely a number.
The opposing box fell silent for a moment, seemingly unprepared for Dai Chengfeng's unwavering resolve.
Then, the cool female voice sounded once more: "500,000!"
The entire auction hall fell into an eerie silence!
Five hundred thousand gold spirit coins!
This was the highest single-item bid of the night!
Ning Fengzhi lightly tapped his fingers on the armrest of his chair, a flicker of intrigue passing through his eyes as he glanced sidelong at Dai Chengfeng.
Even Chen Xin, who had been resting with his eyes closed, slightly opened them, his sharp gaze sweeping over the mysterious box.
"Sect Leader?" Sword Elder Chen Xin inquired softly.
Ning Fengzhi subtly waved his hand, signaling patience. This was an auction, after all—let wealth decide.
Yet, his gentle gaze now carried a hint of scrutiny, curious about the identity of the person in that box.
With a small gesture, Ning Fengzhi summoned a maid, who promptly entered.
"Sect Leader."
Ning Fengzhi nodded, instructing her softly:
"Go and investigate. Find out who is competing with Chengfeng for the Soul-Shaping Orchid."
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