After a small interlude, the gazes of everyone converged on the stage.
The host on stage was none other than Yan Yun'er, the undisputed beauty of Misty Rain Tower.
She was dressed in an evening gown, her enchanting figure and exquisite features making countless men's mouths water.
Following this, Yan Yun'er began to introduce the first auction item.
It was a beast hide, appearing incredibly tough and entirely black, unmistakably the hide of an Iron Roar Crocodile.
The Iron Roar Crocodile possessed a certain ancient bloodline, and its hide offered astonishing defense, making it nearly impervious to ordinary swords and blades.
However, regarding the Iron Roar Crocodile's hide, no one present seemed particularly interested. Instead, a wave of sighs rippled through the crowd.
The reason was simple: similar beast hides had been obtained in abundance by various factions during their expeditions.
Furthermore, due to a shortage of master artificers among the factions, considerable quantities of such beast hides were stockpiled.
Consequently, those present at the auction held a profound contempt for Desolate Mountain, the faction that had presented the beast hide.
In their view, Desolate Mountain offering the beast hide was tantamount to soliciting a free lunch.
As expected, there was no competition for the beast hide. Ultimately, Crimson Cloud Island exchanged a finely crafted weapon for the hide.
Ye Cangtian was also uninterested in the treasures auctioned earlier. He whispered something to Lan Yue beside him and then closed his eyes.
It wasn't until the seventeenth auction item that Lan Yue awakened Ye Cangtian.
On the stage was a delicate bracelet, adorned with a small, radiant bell, known as the Ancient Bell Bracelet.
According to Yan Yun'er's introduction, the material of the bracelet could no longer be identified, but its function was quite potent.
It possessed a certain spiritual power attack capability and could also enhance the intensity of spiritual power attacks, making it a decent magical artifact.
The only drawback was that the bracelet was too exquisite and more suited for female wear. If a man were to wear it, he would likely be laughed out of face.
Frankly speaking, the Hidden Group was not in particular need of such a magical artifact.
After all, the mental power combat techniques passed down by Ye Cangtian had already undergone modifications and possessed a degree of spiritual power attack capability.
Lan Yue's reason for waking Ye Cangtian was that Ye Cangtian had instructed her to do so if Flying Cloud Pavilion made a bid.
Clearly, Ye Cangtian did not intend to let Flying Cloud Pavilion have its way so easily.
Seeing Ye Cangtian open his eyes, Lan Yue immediately leaned over and whispered, "Flying Cloud Pavilion has already bid once, offering a weapon close to a spiritual artifact."
Upon hearing this, Ye Cangtian nodded and calmly stated, "Ten!"
Uh...
Lan Yue was instantly stunned. Flying Cloud Pavilion had just offered a weapon in exchange, and other factions were now hesitating.
It seemed the intrinsic value of the Ancient Bell Bracelet was roughly equivalent to a weapon.
If the Hidden Group were to directly bid ten weapons, and then Flying Cloud Pavilion withdrew from the bidding, wouldn't the Hidden Group suffer a huge loss?
Sensing Lan Yue's questioning gaze, Ye Cangtian smiled faintly.
"Bidding is all about psychological warfare. Moreover, magical artifacts with spiritual power amplification effects hold a fatal attraction for Flying Cloud Pavilion!"
Flying Cloud Pavilion was arguably the foremost power in terms of spiritual power among the ruins, so they would absolutely tightly control any treasures related to spiritual power.
This was precisely to prevent other factions from surpassing them in the realm of spiritual power.
The Soul Refining Sect, which was destroyed by Soul One in the past, was precisely because of its strength in spiritual power that Flying Cloud Pavilion became wary of it, leading to its tragic demise.
Upon hearing Ye Cangtian's explanation, Lan Yue nodded and then raised her bidding paddle, stating, "I bid ten weapons close to spiritual artifacts!"
Oh my god, has the Hidden Group gone mad? While this bracelet is indeed good, it's not worth that many weapons!
Rich and powerful, the Hidden Group is truly rich and powerful!
It seems the Hidden Group has gone head-to-head with Flying Cloud Pavilion, determined to pluck teeth from their mouths...
As Lan Yue's voice echoed, the scene erupted in an uproar, with all eyes focusing on the Hidden Group.
"Damn it! The accursed Hidden Group!"
On the other side, upon hearing the Hidden Group's bid, Soul Three's face turned a shade of green.
He had thought the Ancient Bell Bracelet was already in his grasp, but unexpectedly, the Hidden Group had intervened.
One must realize that an Ancient Bell Bracelet was not worth so many weapons, and the Hidden Group had never made a move on any of the previous auction items.
It was clear that the Hidden Group was deliberately opposing him.
As he pondered, Soul Three's eyes darted around.
If he were to bid again, it would be a waste, essentially falling into the trap set by Ye Cangtian.
However, if he did not bid, it would violate Flying Cloud Pavilion's consistent principles and his own mission.
One of the reasons he had shamelessly stayed behind was to collect all the treasures related to spiritual power at the auction.
Only in this way could Flying Cloud Pavilion consistently maintain its dominant position in spiritual power.
After a moment of hesitation, Soul Three gritted his teeth and declared, "12 weapons!"
After placing his bid, Soul Three turned to Ye Cangtian and said coldly, "Ye Cangtian, if you continue to bid, this will be yours!"
"15 weapons!"
Ye Cangtian glanced at Soul Three, sneered, and directly raised his paddle.
Then, he looked at Soul Three and said lightly, "Soul Three, this bracelet is good. I am determined to have it!"
What an ignorant bumpkin!
Listening to Ye Cangtian's words, Soul Three muttered to himself. While the Ancient Bell Bracelet was indeed good, it was not even ranked among the treasures within Flying Cloud Pavilion.
Thinking this, Soul Three unhesitatingly raised his hand and said, "20 weapons!"
In his opinion, since Ye Cangtian had publicly declared his determination to acquire it, he likely wouldn't back down from his own words.
The next moment, Soul Three turned to Ye Cangtian and said with a smile, "Ye Cangtian, no matter what kind of treasure it is, it's not something you paupers can obtain!"
"Heh heh."
Ye Cangtian smiled faintly and then said, "Alright, since you believe you are so wealthy, I will let you have this artifact."
Ye Cangtian chose to cut his losses. The reason was simple: in the eyes of the other party, the Hidden Group had no deep reserves.
If he continued to bid wildly and ultimately could not afford it, then the undisputed price for this item would go to the next highest bidder.
Therefore, raising the price further was no longer useful.
What!
Soul Three's eyes widened. He hadn't expected Ye Cangtian to give up after just declaring his determination to acquire it. He was being toyed with like a monkey!
With that thought, Soul Three glared at Ye Cangtian and angrily said, "Didn't you say you were determined to have it? Have you no shame!"
"Idiot!"
Ye Cangtian looked at Soul Three with disdain, contemptuously stating, "This is merely a bidding tactic, meant to scare off competitors.
And your bid is simply too high, and I cannot afford it, so I am letting you have it!"
Hahaha! Soul Three of Flying Cloud Pavilion, who appears so intelligent, is actually an imbecile!
Indeed! Indeed! He actually believed the opponent's fabricated words; his brain is worse than a chamber pot!
As expected of Mr. Ye! With just a few simple words, he played Soul Three like a puppet...
As Ye Cangtian's voice fell, the surroundings became agitated once more, with jeers directed at Soul Three.
Hearing the crowd's mockery, Soul Three's face turned crimson, his lungs practically bursting with anger.
"Flying Cloud Pavilion bids 20 weapons close to spiritual artifacts, first time!"
"Flying Cloud Pavilion bids a second time!"
"Flying Cloud Pavilion bids a third time, sold!"
Yan Yun'er on stage, seeing that the only competitor had stopped bidding, immediately brought down the gavel.
Subsequently, a staff member approached Soul Three and said, "Lord Soul Three, please pay 20 weapons close to spiritual artifacts. After verification, we will deliver the Ancient Bell Bracelet..."
I!
Looking at the staff member, Soul Three felt like spitting blood.
If the Pavilion Master were to find out that he had fallen for Ye Cangtian's trick and exchanged such a high price for the Ancient Bell Bracelet, the Pavilion Master would certainly not let him off easily.
With that thought, he looked at the staff member and then stated, "If I am unable to pay for these weapons, will this item fall into the hands of the Hidden Group?"
Upon hearing this, the staff member nodded and said, "According to the rules of the auction, yes!"
Hearing this, a smile appeared on Soul Three's face, saying, "Then I cannot afford these weapons. You can give the Ancient Bell Bracelet to the Hidden Group!"
The staff member paused slightly upon hearing this, then said, "Lord Soul Three, I must remind you.
If you make this choice, it will be considered a reckless bid and a violation of the auction rules, so Flying Cloud Pavilion will be immediately expelled. I hope you will reconsider..."