Elder Shui regarded the matter with great gravity.
The hopes of the Gu Clan in this generation rested entirely upon Sixth Miss Gu Qingli. If the Li Clan were to acquire that pill and use it during the Youth Selection Tournament, any harm that might befall her would be a blow the Gu Clan could ill afford.
"Elder Shui, there's no need to be so agitated. Let's wait and see how things unfold."
Gu Qingli narrowed her eyes slightly, her voice calm and unhurried.
Elder Shui's solemn demeanor revealed an unspoken truth: the Gu Clan's current liquid assets were likely no match for the Li Clan's wealth.
The Li Clan had come well-prepared. While the Gu Clan was not without resources, they might still fall short against such affluent rivals.
Gu Qingli, however, remained composed. Even if Li Ke'er were to obtain the pill, it would merely pose a greater challenge—one Gu Qingli was confident she could overcome.
Her thoughts extended beyond the pill; who could say what other treasures the auction might reveal?
This strength-enhancing elixir was, of course, valuable, but ultimately limited. Its use was situational—a desperate measure for desperate times.
What Gu Qingli truly desired was the cultivation of her own power, a victory earned by merit and might.
Seeing her so poised, Elder Shui's taut expression eased, his shoulders relaxing.
"It's about to begin."
Sikong Ran spoke as Gu Qingli raised her eyes. The grand hall below was packed to the brim, a sea of bobbing heads creating an ocean of shadows. The second-floor private suites, reserved for esteemed guests, were also filled.
"Looks like there are guests from beyond Loulan City today."
He Zhongyi observed the booths, noting the unfamiliar occupants.
"How can you tell?"
Gu Qingli asked with curiosity.
"Sixth Miss, you wouldn't know, as this is your first time attending. These private rooms are usually assigned to the major families of Loulan. But when outsiders arrive, they're placed in those specific booths."
Elder Shui gestured, guiding her gaze to several adjacent rooms, each already occupied. Clearly, these visitors hailed from beyond the city.
"Heh, interesting. Seems like today's gathering is quite the spectacle."
Sikong Ran chuckled mischievously, clearly enjoying the drama.
Even as he spoke, the hall's lighting dimmed. Shadows deepened across the crowd, while the stage below was bathed in an ever-brighter radiance. The clamorous din gradually faded into silence.
"Good evening, everyone."
A warm and melodious voice echoed through the hall.
A man appeared atop the stage, his smile gentle, yet behind that tranquility gleamed a sharp, unmistakable brilliance.
The aura he exuded was powerful—impossible to ignore.
Though his features were kind, Gu Qingli sensed an imposing presence beneath the surface, one that instantly quelled any notion of disrespect.
She had expected the host of the auction to be an elderly man, or perhaps a graceful woman skilled in diplomacy and charm. Such was the norm in her previous life.
This young man was unexpected.
Still, Gu Qingli asked no questions. Perhaps such was the custom on the Shen Valley Continent.
"Oh?"
Elder Shui let out a soft exclamation of surprise.
Sikong Ran's eyes widened.
"He's from the Imperial Capital! That's Chen Yihan—an important figure in the Huangchen Wanxing Auction House. Though he occasionally appears, I never expected him to attend today. There must be something truly exceptional among the auction items."
The "exceptional" item he referred to was clearly not the pill—it was potent, but not rare enough to warrant Chen Yihan's personal attendance.
Intrigued, Gu Qingli extended a thread of spiritual consciousness toward the man on stage.
To her astonishment, the moment it brushed against him, he looked up directly at the high-level suites—gazing, unerringly, in her direction.
Even through the enchanted glass, Gu Qingli felt as though her presence had been immediately detected.
How acute his senses were.
Chen Yihan offered a faint smile, seemingly unbothered by her silent probing.
"Chen Yihan—A Five-Star Martial King, and only thirty years of age. Even in the Imperial Capital, he's regarded as a leading figure among the younger generation."
Elder Shui clearly knew the man and recognized his formidable reputation.
"Friends of Loulan City, it's been too long."
Chen Yihan's tone was courteous, but no one dared interrupt him. Beneath his genial demeanor lay a commanding presence that bred awe.
His opening remarks were conventional, yet the entire hall was hushed.
It was evident: this man was far from the approachable figure he appeared to be.
After the brief introduction, Chen Yihan announced the first item.
"I'm sure many of you have been waiting eagerly, so I won't waste your time. The first item for auction is a defensive soft armor. According to our appraisers, it is capable of withstanding all attacks below the level of Martial King. This armor is known as the Golden Scale, crafted from the hide of a Golden Armored Beast."
At his words, murmurs of interest rippled through the hall.
Though it would be ineffective against Martial Kings, for the average cultivator—especially those facing warrior-level foes—it was an invaluable defense.
In the crowd below, many hailed from minor sects and families, making this armor a highly practical treasure.
Even among the VIP suites, interest stirred. Every family had promising youths who had yet to reach maturity. With the Golden Scale, the odds of those fledgling talents perishing prematurely would be greatly reduced.
As Chen Yihan finished his introduction, a captivating beauty stepped onto the stage.
She wore a crimson dress that hugged her every curve, her snow-pale skin and full bosom exposed just enough to entice without vulgarity.
Her eyes were soft as water, her gaze flirtatious, and she moved with an alluring sway as she carried a tray upon which the Golden Scale gleamed brilliantly.
This, without doubt, was the armor up for auction.
"A Golden Armored Beast, huh? Not easy to hunt," Sikong Ran remarked.
Bidding began almost instantly—initiated, as expected, by the unaffiliated bidders below.
It was a clever strategy on the auction house's part. Were all items exorbitantly rare and costly, these lone bidders would be instantly excluded.
Thus, they interspersed more accessible treasures to broaden participation.
After a flurry of bids, the armor was finally sold to one of the independent guests for ten thousand gold coins.
Though some among the VIPs were tempted, they held back—knowing greater treasures still awaited. Spending gold now could jeopardize their chances later.