The auction concluded after a final hour and a half.
All four Rejuvenation Red Pills were ultimately acquired by Li Xuan.
The prices for the four Rejuvenation Red Pills were eight hundred million, nine hundred fifty million, one point one five billion, and the final one, a staggering one point eight billion.
These four Rejuvenation Red Pills alone had depleted Li Xuan's entire fortune, leaving him with less than one hundred million top-grade spirit stones.
Li Xuan's actions had undoubtedly offended Hua Yue Chang and Zhao Ling Er. Without the two women's aggressive bidding, Li Xuan would not have needed to spend such an exorbitant amount of top-grade spirit stones.
Although the two women had stated their bottom lines, they were still members of the Nine Sects. Even when bidding reached one point five billion, most believed they possessed the capacity to pay.
It could be said that every male attendee of this auction likely harbored deep resentment towards Li Xuan. After all, the objects of his contention were the three most beautiful women on the Hua Yang Continent.
"Esteemed guest, please follow me." Seeing his communication stone light up, Xiao Qing bowed respectfully to Li Xuan after checking it.
Li Xuan nodded slightly. Xiao Qing then led the way towards the rear of the private box. After forming a few hand seals, a smaller teleportation portal appeared before Li Xuan's eyes.
"Esteemed guest, for safety reasons, please proceed through this portal to conduct your transaction in our Pavilion's VIP chamber. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause," Xiao Qing stated with another bow as the portal materialized.
"No matter," Li Xuan replied readily.
He then moved swiftly and entered the portal.
"Esteemed guest, please wait a moment. The steward and Fairy Bao Xiang will arrive shortly." After walking through the portal for about five minutes, a private room came into view.
Upon entering the room, Xiao Qing bowed slightly and then exited.
Li Xuan surveyed his surroundings. This private room indeed seemed designed for distinguished guests, and he sensed no anomalies. He sat down to wait.
"Forgive the esteemed guest for waiting," Fairy Bao Xiang's voice chimed from outside as Li Xuan had been waiting for only two minutes.
Then, under Li Xuan's gaze, a middle-aged man and Fairy Bao Xiang entered.
"It's alright. However, this private room your Pavilion has prepared is quite innovative. Fairy Bao Xiang, here are four point seven billion top-grade spirit stones. Please count them." Li Xuan rose as he heard their voices.
As Fairy Bao Xiang and the middle-aged man approached, Li Xuan willed it, and a spatial ring, already containing the divided spirit stones, was presented to Fairy Bao Xiang.
"Esteemed guest, please wait a moment." A trace of surprise flashed in Fairy Bao Xiang's eyes, followed by a look of seriousness as she accepted Li Xuan's spatial ring to examine it.
"Esteemed guest, the spirit stones are exact. Here are the Rejuvenation Red Pills you bid for. Please take them."
"Ah, this is Manager Wu Jintian of our Treasure Vault Pavilion. Since your total purchase with our Pavilion exceeds fifty billion top-grade spirit stones, we have specially prepared a Purple Gold Card from our Treasure Vault Pavilion for you."
"From now on, you can enjoy a ninety percent discount with this card. Furthermore, you may also use this card to incur a debt of five hundred million top-grade spirit stones."
After a thorough inspection, Fairy Bao Xiang accepted the spirit stones from the spatial ring and then glanced at the middle-aged man beside her as she introduced him.
"Greetings, esteemed guest. This is the uniquely crafted Purple Gold Card of our Treasure Vault Pavilion. Please accept it." As Fairy Bao Xiang finished speaking, Wu Jintian produced a card shimmering with a regal purple and gold hue and presented it to Li Xuan.
Li Xuan accepted the Rejuvenation Red Pills and then glanced at the Purple Gold Card in Wu Jintian's hand, smiling slightly. "This Purple Gold Card is indeed a valuable item. However, I presume there are certain conditions attached, correct?"
A flicker of surprise crossed Fairy Bao Xiang's eyes. She then smiled gently. "Esteemed guest is indeed cautious. Please rest assured, our Treasure Vault Pavilion only needs to register your information. Of course, we will meticulously protect your privacy and ensure it is not leaked."
Li Xuan smiled and took the Purple Gold Card from Chen Jintian, examining it. He then looked meaningfully at Fairy Bao Xiang and said, "Is it truly that simple?"
"Naturally." A sudden, inexplicable unease stirred within Fairy Bao Xiang's heart. She quickly lowered her head and replied.
Li Xuan seemed to ponder for a moment. "In that case, I will accept it. By the way, what information do you need to register?"
Fairy Bao Xiang quickly replied, "We only need to know your name and your affiliated sect. Additionally, your cultivation level is sufficient. This way, should you choose to attend our Treasure Vault Pavilion's auctions in the future, we can make appropriate arrangements for your reception."
A cold smile played on Li Xuan's lips. The Wu family was indeed seeking information about him. Everything they had done thus far was merely a means to gather some intelligence.
However, Li Xuan paid it no mind. He then stated, "Li Xuan. As for affiliations, I have none; you could consider me a rogue cultivator. Regarding my strength, I believe there's no need to be so explicit. I am merely an ordinary sword cultivator."
"Greetings, Daoist Friend Li. Should our Pavilion have any precious items for auction in the future, we will certainly inform you. Simply by the glow of the Purple Gold Card in your possession, it will signify that our auction is about to commence. If you are available, feel free to attend."
A hint of astonishment gleamed in Fairy Bao Xiang's eyes. Sword cultivators were far from ordinary. With such wealth, how could he be a common individual? At this thought, her demeanor towards Li Xuan became even more respectful.
Li Xuan nodded. "If I have time, I will certainly come. With matters concluded here, may I depart?"
"Of course. Daoist Friend Li, would you like us to escort you out?" Fairy Bao Xiang nodded readily.
"There's no need. Within Gu Tong City, who would dare offend your Wu family's wrath to make a move against us?" Li Xuan waved his hand and walked towards the exit.
"I never expected someone so young to be a sword cultivator. We were indeed blind; we had no prior intelligence on such an individual." After Li Xuan disappeared from sight, Wu Jintian finally spoke.
"Once outside our Treasure Vault Pavilion, the challenges will be significant. His confidence in not requiring our assistance suggests he possesses extreme self-assurance," Fairy Bao Xiang stated gravely.
Chen Jintian's expression shifted slightly. "This matter will likely need to be reported to the Sect Master. This Li Xuan is definitively not a disciple from the other eight sects. If we can recruit him, it would be a great asset to our Chen family."
"Your decision earlier was quite wise. Remember this: if this person returns to our Treasure Vault Pavilion, you must ensure he is treated with the utmost care."
"Yes, Steward." Fairy Bao Xiang bowed in response.
Meanwhile, Li Xuan, having left the Treasure Vault Pavilion and walked for a short while, knitted his brows. These individuals had indeed found him.
Whether it was for robbery or to avenge Zhao Ling Er and Hua Yue Chang, Li Xuan was unconcerned. Moreover, since he had already shown himself, he might as well reveal himself to the Wu family.
With this thought, Li Xuan moved swiftly and headed towards the outskirts of Gu Tong City.
Along the way, Li Xuan feigned not being discovered, stopping and starting until he unknowingly reached the city gates.
Upon exiting the city, Li Xuan immediately took flight, rapidly heading into the distance.
At that moment, several figures who had been following Li Xuan for a long time broke through the air and pursued him swiftly.
Instantly, various powers within Gu Tong City sensed the surge of energy.
Within moments, countless figures launched themselves, swiftly streaking towards the direction Li Xuan had vanished.
"This fellow has appeared at this very moment." Wu Xue was intimately familiar with Li Xuan's aura. As he spoke, Wu Xue vanished from his position.