Shortly after Ling Fan snatched the replica of the Demon Eye from the Young City Lord of Wangtian City, causing a stir, an auction's final treasure appeared, drawing all attention back.
"Esteemed guests, what we are about to auction next is a Semi-Supreme Emperor Armament, the Cloud Pattern Qiankun Ring."
The moment Xu Yu's voice faded, the auction hall erupted.
"Did I hear that right? A Semi-Supreme Emperor Armament!"
"Tsk, treasures of this caliber would make even Heavenly Emperor powerhouses covet them."
In the six VIP boxes above, the Young City Lord of Wangtian City and other Heavenly Emperor powerhouses could no longer sit still.
"It truly is a Semi-Supreme Emperor Armament!"
"Excellent! I must have this treasure!"
"If I can obtain this treasure, my chances of entering the abandoned outer continent of Qizhou will increase significantly!"
"Whoever dares to compete with me will face my wrath."
Powerful intentions surged forth like a raging sea.
Sensing these intentions from the Heavenly Emperors, the Half-Step Heavenly Emperors and Sixth-Tier Xuan Emperors below turned pale, daring not to breathe.
They knew their place.
For treasures of this level, they had no qualification to contend.
Even with an abundance of Heavenly Spirit Pills, it wouldn't suffice.
Elder Xu Yu of Qihong Tower was pleased with the sensation the Cloud Pattern Qiankun Ring had caused.
He stated, "Everyone should be aware of the value of a Semi-Supreme Emperor Armament. Even Ninth-Tier Heavenly Emperors would vie for it. A complete Semi-Supreme Emperor Armament would be worth at least fifty million Heavenly Spirit Pills."
"However, we at Qihong Tower conduct business with integrity and fairness. This Cloud Pattern Qiankun Ring is indeed a Semi-Supreme Emperor Armament, but it is severely damaged, and its artifact spirit is dormant, greatly reducing its value. Nevertheless, it remains a Semi-Supreme Emperor Armament. It contains a vast inner world, offering infinite benefits even to Heavenly Emperors."
"The starting bid is twenty million! Each subsequent bid must not be less than one million."
*Whoosh!*
When Xu Yu announced the price of twenty million, the hall fell silent.
The Half-Step Heavenly Emperors completely abandoned any thoughts of bidding. Even if they were to liquidate all their assets, they could barely afford the starting bid.
"Twenty-two million."
From the first VIP box, the Young City Lord of Wangtian City spoke with a hint of frenzy.
"Esteemed fellow Daoists, please grant my Wangtian City some face. I desperately need this treasure. I implore you to show leniency and let me have it. I will compensate you doubly!"
"Heh, how much is the face of your Wangtian City worth? You expect us to yield just because you say so? We didn't go through all this trouble to return empty-handed. Why don't you be a good person and withdraw from the bidding? Twenty-five million!"
From the third VIP box, a terrifying figure resembling an iron tower directly raised the bid by three million, pushing the price to twenty-five million.
The Young City Lord of Wangtian City clenched his fists, veins bulging on his forehead.
"Twenty-six million!" he gritted out.
"Heh, are you afraid of me? I've been a Heavenly Emperor for centuries. I may not have much else, but I have stored Heavenly Spirit Pills in several caves. Twenty-seven million." The iron tower-like figure bid again.
"Heh, seeing you two so heated, I'll join the fun. Thirty million!"
A Heavenly Emperor from the second VIP box made a stunning bid, pushing the price of the Semi-Supreme Emperor Armament past thirty million.
"Thirty-five million."
At this moment, a clear and pleasant voice emanated from the fourth VIP box.
The price of thirty-five million caused many powerhouses to fall into silence.
"Thirty-six million!"
The iron tower-like figure bid again with a solemn expression. Clearly, his financial resources were not inexhaustible.
"Forty million."
Yan Xi spoke indifferently. This figure immediately silenced the iron tower-like figure. Forty million was almost enough to purchase a complete Semi-Supreme Emperor Armament. Was it worth buying such a damaged item with a dormant artifact spirit?
"Forty-one million." He tentatively made one last bid.
"Forty-two million." Yan Xi continued to bid without hesitation.
The iron tower-like figure waved his hand and ceased bidding.
The Young City Lord of Wangtian City's veins throbbed on his forehead, clearly unwilling. However, he knew Yan Xi's identity and dared not act presumptuously in front of her. After much deliberation, he tentatively spoke, "Forty-three million. This is my limit. If Heavenly Maiden Yan wishes to bid further, I concede."
As soon as he finished, Yan Xi's calm voice echoed from her VIP box, "Forty-five million."
The Young City Lord of Wangtian City slumped onto his throne. The other Heavenly Emperor powerhouses also appeared defeated. No matter how wealthy they were, they clearly could not compare to Yan Xi, the peerless Heavenly Maiden backed by the Tianyi Sect.
"Elder Xu Yu, you may announce the ownership of this treasure." Yan Xi said.
"Ah! Yes, yes!"
"Forty-five million for the first time, forty-five million for the second..."
"Wait!"
Just then, a voice suddenly came from Ling Fan's VIP box.
"I also desire this treasure. Although my pockets are shallow, I am willing to try. Fifty million!" Ling Fan stated calmly.
*Boom!*
This declaration sent the entire venue into an uproar. Yan Xi's bid of forty-five million was already exorbitant for a damaged Semi-Supreme Emperor Armament, a significant overpayment. Now, Ling Fan's bid of fifty million was simply unbelievable.
"Fifty-one million." Yan Xi's voice showed little emotional fluctuation, as if millions and tens of millions of Heavenly Spirit Pills were insignificant amounts to her.
"Fifty-two," Ling Fan calmly followed.
"Fifty-three."
"Fifty-four."
...
The two continued to bid, and soon, the price of this Semi-Supreme Emperor Armament surpassed sixty million, reaching astronomical heights. Elder Xu Yu's face beamed with joy, imagining the immense profit Qihong Tower would make from this transaction.
"Seventy million!" Heavenly Maiden Yan Xi clearly showed some displeasure, directly raising the price to seventy million.
Ling Fan calculated the reserves of his partially intact Heavenly Dragon Veins and said, "The Tianyi Sect is indeed wealthy. I concede."
"Present the treasure to me," Yan Xi's icy voice, like colliding ice blocks, came from her VIP box. Regardless of who it was, spending over twenty million more Heavenly Spirit Pills would not improve their mood.
Just then, Ling Fan suddenly spoke again, "Wait."
"Do you think I have a good temper?" Heavenly Maiden Yan Xi asked coldly.
"Heh, Heavenly Maiden, you misunderstand. I am not here to cause trouble. This treasure is yours. However, I will pay for it. Consider it an apology for my earlier actions."
"Hmm?"
"Go!"
"My word! That's seventy million Heavenly Spirit Pills! Is this kid a complete fool?"
"What is this kid up to?"
Everyone exclaimed in shock.