Chapter 696: Chapter 696: Dominating Half a Realm
The next day.
Ling Chen and his party appeared outside the auction site.
At this moment, people were queuing up for entry.
"Shh! See that guy with a bird on his shoulder?"
Someone said quietly.
"What about him?"
The surrounding people asked.
"They say they’re from a hidden sect!"
The previous person said proudly.
"What, people from a hidden sect?!"
"Then let’s make way quickly, don’t provoke them."
"Yes! Remember the sect that offended the Heavenly Destiny Sect one year? They were wiped out completely!"
...
As Ling Chen approached, the long queue immediately scattered in disarray.
Many cultivators dodged far away, gesturing and whispering to each other.
As if they had encountered a plague deity.
This eerie scene left Ling Chen and the others quite puzzled.
Soon, Ling Chen and his companions arrived at the entrance of the auction site.
There was an elderly man checking identities at the door.
This auction was specifically prepared for the disciples participating in the Qing Province Talent Ranking.
Only those with a Genius Token may enter.
Ling Chen sent his perception toward the old man and discovered that he was a powerful World Realm four-layered expert.
With such a powerhouse as a deterrent, no wonder even the unruly geniuses were obediently queuing!
The old man also noticed this scene.
He could easily tell that the source of the commotion
was Ling Chen and his company.
He sized up Ling Chen and his group. Besides their young age, there was nothing particularly outlandish.
World Realm one-layered geniuses were rare, but some in the Central Domain could be found.
At least the top ten sects would have some.
Even some major families would have geniuses of this level.
But when his gaze fell on the azure bird on Ling Chen’s shoulder, his eyes suddenly sharpened.
"From the Southern Domain?"
The old man was momentarily surprised.
He recognized that the azure bird was an Emperor Spirit Beast.
It was no easy task to tame such a level of Emperor Spirit Beast.
Only some sects in the Southern Domain were adept at it.
"We’re here to participate in the auction!"
Ling Chen greeted the old man with a slight bow.
"Mhm."
The old man nodded with satisfaction and smiled, "Please present your Genius Token. This auction is specially prepared for the talented participating in the Qing Province Talent Ranking. The treasures inside will be auctioned off at relatively low prices."
"Okay!"
Ling Chen nodded.
A flash of light, and a token appeared in his hand.
The old man took it, his eyes suddenly sharpening when they landed on the words "Outstanding Talent" on the token.
"Outstanding Talent Token!"
The old man was inwardly shocked.
A genius who possessed an Outstanding Talent Token would usually be at least a two-star King level!
And Ling Chen, a mere World Realm one-layered cultivator, actually possessed this token, which was simply unbelievable.
"Young Master, please come in!"
The old man promptly returned the token with both hands respectfully and then made a welcoming gesture.
"It really is someone from a hidden noble family!"
The surrounding cultivators were all startled and amazed.
Even a four-star King showed such respect; the identity was definitely extraordinary!
"Wait a moment, I have a few friends with me!"
Ling Chen said with a smile.
The elder quickly said, "Since they are friends of the Young Master, there is no need to check. With the Outstanding Talent Token, taking a few friends is not a problem!"
"Then thank you very much."
Ling Chen bowed in gratitude.
He had thought that Shen Xing and his father would only be able to watch from their own world.
Unexpectedly, with the Outstanding Talent Token, not only Ling Wu but also Liu Yu wouldn’t be able to check their identities.
"What is the Young Master’s name?"
The elder asked again.
"My surname is Ling!"
Ling Chen replied.
"So it’s Young Master Ling!"
The elder gave a slight bow to Ling Chen and then said coldly, "Xiao Xue, won’t you take Young Master Ling to the private room?"
"Yes, Lord!"
A tall and beautiful maid hurriedly bowed to Ling Chen and said, "Young master, this way, please!"
Even Lord Li showed such respect; naturally, she did not dare to show any negligence.
Soon, under the guidance of the maid, Ling Chen and his party entered a spacious private room on the second floor.
Watching Ling Chen leave, the surrounding talents became even more convinced that Ling Chen and his companions were from a Hidden Sect.
The five of them sat on comfortable soft chairs, with an unobstructed view in front of them.
They could clearly see the auction stage.
The front of the private room was made of peculiar gemstones; one could see the outside from within, but the outside couldn’t see the inside.
"You may leave."
Ling Chen instructed.
"Yes."
The maid immediately withdrew.
A full two hours passed.
Suddenly, the auction stage lit up.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I am Yan Huo, and I have the honor of meeting all the talents here!"
A sweet voice sounded as a charming woman in a fiery red robe walked onto the stage.
Her bust was astonishing, revealing a swathe of snowy white.
Many youths found their blood boiling.
"It’s Miss Yan Huo!"
"She is the talent from the Yan Family of Yan City!"
"Yes, I’ve heard her mentioned. She is a talent who received a Genius Token!"
...
Numerous talents exclaimed in surprise.
Yan Huo was a famous talented beauty known throughout the entire Yan City and even the whole Central Region for her passionate and unrestrained persona.
Unexpectedly, this auction had invited her to be the hostess!
"World Realm second level!"
Ling Chen immediately sensed it.
With his cultivation comparable to the fourth level of the World Realm, he could naturally perceive the mere second level with utter clarity.
"Hehe!"
With a slight smile, Yan Huo said, "Welcome to the auction, esteemed talents. Without further ado, let’s get straight to the point!"
"The first item up for auction!"
Yan Huo flicked her right hand, and a sphere of light appeared before her.
Inside the light sphere was a longsword.
"This is a low-grade Emperor Spiritual Weapon, with a starting bid of one hundred high-grade Spirit Crystals and each subsequent bid must be at least ten more high-grade Spirit Crystals. I needn’t explain the role of an Emperor Spiritual Weapon! Let’s begin!"
Yan Huo said with a smile.
Among the talents present, Kings were the minority.
Most were at the ninth level of the Palace Mansion Realm!
Emperor Spiritual Weapons were weapons that only Kings could use.
Therefore, many people did not possess an Emperor Spiritual Weapon.
And with more than a year left until the Qing Province Youth Ranking commences, most people, given their talents, would be likely to ascend to the World Realm; thus, an Emperor Spiritual Weapon was in great demand by everyone.
"One hundred ten!"
"One hundred twenty!"
"One hundred fifty!"
...
In just a few breaths, the price soared to three hundred high-grade Spirit Crystals.
In the end, it sold for four hundred fifty high-grade Spirit Crystals.
The price of a low-grade Emperor Spiritual Weapon generally hovered around five hundred high-grade Spirit Crystals.
At such a price, the bidder made a modest profit.
Next up were several more low-grade Emperor Spiritual Weapons.
Swords, spears, staffs, and cudgels of all kinds were available.
Of course, swords were the most common.
As for weapons, Ling Chen did not care at all.
He already possessed several middle-grade Emperor Spiritual Weapons.
As for low-grade, he owned dozens of them.
One should know that he had slain more than twenty Kings alone.
After annihilating the Burning Flame Sect and the nine other sects, Ling Chen had plundered all the major sects.
Especially the Burning Flame Sect.
Ling Chen reaped a great harvest!
He claimed nearly half of all the treasures in the Eastern Domain.
He was known as the one who owned half of the Eastern Domain’s wealth!
Of course, the useless treasures were exchanged by Ling Chen with the Pavilion Master for Spirit Crystals and Elixirs.
Although the Eastern Domain was not as wealthy as the Central Region, few could surpass Ling Chen’s current wealth!
After the auction of the low-grade Emperor Spiritual Weapons, the auction continued with low-grade Emperor Spirit Techniques.
The price of Emperor Spirit Techniques was even higher than Emperor Spiritual Weapons.
After all, once one had cultivated an Emperor Spirit Technique themselves, it could still be sold to others.
Whereas Emperor Spiritual Weapons could only be used by oneself.
They held no resale value.