223: Chapter 223: The auction has ended, with a slight sense of regret.

"Clang!"

As Lin Xueyi struck the wooden gavel in her hand, another Profound Rank Spiritual Artifact was sold at a decent price.

The atmosphere of the auction, after that shocking bidding war for the little void boat, seemed to have calmed down a bit, but the air was still filled with tension and anticipation.

Everyone knew that the true finale was about to arrive.

Ye Tian leaned back in his seat, appearing calm on the surface, but inwardly he was calculating.

Just now, he had spent 1.7 million Low-Grade Spirit Stones to win the little void boat, which was equivalent to spending 17,000 Mid-Grade Spirit Stones in one go!

It would be a lie to say it didn't hurt his wallet.

His total wealth, accumulated through life-and-death missions, adventures in Secret Realms, and looting the bodies of opponents he killed, finally amounted to over a dozen thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stones. That converted to over ten million Low-Grade Spirit Stones, which sounded like a huge sum, but at a top-tier auction like Wanbao Tower, it really didn't go far.

"It's a good thing I didn't lose my head and compete for the Nirvana Phoenix Blood Stone and the Trace-Light Copper Coins earlier..." Ye Tian muttered to himself.

Those two items were good, but firstly, they weren't his most urgent needs, and secondly, the prices were simply outrageous. If he had insisted on bidding for them, he would likely have been completely wiped out.

He still had about 9.3 million Low-Grade Spirit Stones left, which he needed to save for important business.

Hou Xiaojie leaned in and whispered, "Senior Brother, are we still bidding? I don't think there's anything left that you need."

He looked at the Medicinal Pills and Cultivation Techniques below and felt that his Senior Brother definitely wouldn't be interested.

Ye Tian shook his head and whispered, "Ordinary Medicinal Pills and Spiritual Artifacts aren't very useful to me, and it's more cost-effective to exchange for them in the Sect using contribution points. We are waiting for the final finale item."

"The finale item? What kind of good treasure is it?" Hou Xiaojie's eyes lit up.

"If I haven't guessed wrong, it should be a treasure that can greatly enhance one's Origin." Ye Tian cast his gaze toward the auction stage. "That is the true, rare-to-find Opportunity."

Seemingly to confirm Ye Tian's words, the main auctioneer Lin Xueyi did not immediately bring out the next item after selling another one; instead, she clapped her hands lightly to signal for silence in the hall.

The entire auction hall fell silent instantly, everyone's eyes were fixed on her, and even the private rooms on the third floor, which had been quiet all along, emitted a heavy aura.

Lin Xueyi wore an unprecedentedly serious expression on her face: "Distinguished guests, the next item will be the final lot of this Wanbao Tower auction, and it is the true finale of this auction."

She paused, whetting everyone's appetite, before announcing word by word: "A single lotus seed... of the Divine Soul Golden Lotus!"

"Boom!"

As soon as the words fell, the entire auction hall exploded like a pot!

Gasps and sounds of people sucking in cold air rose one after another!

"What? A lotus seed of the Divine Soul Golden Lotus?!"

"Heavens! Such a divine object has actually appeared in the world!"

"It is said that this object contains a trace of Immortal Dao Rhyme, and it has miraculous effects for breaking through to the Sea Transformation Realm!"

Even Ye Tian, despite being mentally prepared, felt his breathing quicken!

Sure enough, it was this!

Just then, an old woman with profound cultivation, surrounded by a team of guards, walked slowly onto the auction stage holding a jade box that emitted chilling cold air.

The moment the jade box opened, an indescribable fragrance instantly permeated the air. Taking a single breath made people feel relaxed in their Divine Soul, as if they were about to ascend!

Inside the jade box, lined with golden silk, lay a lotus seed the size of a date pit, golden-yellow, with natural Dao patterns flowing on its surface.

Around the lotus seed, a pure golden halo radiated, faintly forming the shadow of a tiny golden lotus!

"This lotus seed is rumored to originate from the ancient Pure Land's Divine Soul Golden Lotus, containing the most primitive Divine Soul essence and a trace of Immortal Dao Rhyme." Lin Xueyi's voice was filled with immense reverence. "After consuming and refining it, not only can it greatly nourish and strengthen the Divine Soul Origin and increase the strength of one's Divine Sense, but there is also a great chance to help one comprehend a trace of the 'Immortal True Intent,' solidify one's Dao foundation, and it has immeasurable benefits for breaking through the Bottlenecks of major Realms such as the Sea Transformation Realm and the Yuan Dan Realm!"

"The starting bid for this item is three million Low-Grade Spirit Stones! Each increment must be no less than 100,000!"

The entire auction hall was dead silent for a moment, and then the bidding erupted like a volcano!

"3.5 million!" A private room on the second floor immediately spoke up.

"4 million!" Another private room on the third floor followed.

"4.5 million!" A majestic voice came from the Heaven-class No. 2 private room.

"5 million!" The Heaven-class No. 3 private room, which had competed with Ye Tian for the little void boat, spoke up again!

The price soared like a rocket, instantly breaking through the 6 million and 7 million marks!

Almost everyone participating in the bidding was a big shot from the third-floor private rooms. The various factions that had been low-key before were now baring their fangs!

Ye Tian did not speak immediately; he observed calmly.

The price quickly broke 8 million and was approaching 9 million.

His heart accelerated along with the rising price.

9.3 million, this was his entire fortune!

And the current price was already approaching his limit!

"8.9 million!" The Heaven-class No. 2 private room bid again.

"9 million!" The Heaven-class No. 3 private room followed closely.

This price made the auction hall quiet down quite a bit.

Nine million Low-Grade Spirit Stones!

Many small Sects wouldn't be able to produce this amount even if they sold everything they owned!

Ye Tian took a deep breath; he knew he couldn't wait any longer!

He had to bid! "9.1 million!"

Ye Tian's voice rang out, joining this top-tier competition for the first time!

His bid caused many eyes to turn toward the "big spender" seat on the second floor that had previously won the little void boat.

Many people looked surprised, not expecting this young man to have such financial power.

"9.3 million." The Heaven-class No. 3 private room spoke again.

"9.5 million!" The Heaven-class No. 2 private room seemed to have been truly angered.

The price broke 10 million!

It reached a staggering, astronomical figure!

Ye Tian's heart sank to the bottom.

10 million!

It had already exceeded his entire net worth!

Even if he wanted to compete, he couldn't afford to.

"10.5 million." The Heaven-class No. 3 private room raised the price again.

The Heaven-class No. 2 private room remained silent for a moment and eventually did not speak again.

"10.5 million, going once!"

Lin Xueyi began the countdown.

Ye Tian clenched his fists tightly.

He was unwilling to give up!

Such a treasure was right before his eyes, yet he was missing out because he didn't have enough Spirit Stones!

Countless thoughts flashed through his mind, and he even had a momentary impulse to take out the innate dao fruit to use as collateral... but this thought was immediately suppressed.

The lotus seed was good, but the innate dao fruit was no less precious.

Besides, if he exposed these supreme treasures, he would only die faster!

"10.5 million, going twice!"

"10.5 million... three times! Sold!"

The gavel fell!

"Congratulations to the honored guest in Heaven-class No. 3 for winning the finale treasure of this auction, the Divine Soul Golden Lotus seed!" Lin Xueyi's voice carried a hint of excitement.

The dust settled.

Ye Tian slowly unclenched his fists, leaned back in his chair, exhaled a long breath, and couldn't hide the disappointment on his face.

In the end, his financial resources were just not enough.

"Senior Brother..." Hou Xiaojie also saw Ye Tian's disappointment and whispered, "It's okay, there will definitely be other opportunities in the future..."

Ye Tian shook his head and forced a smile: "Such is the Opportunity, it cannot be forced. Being able to win the little void boat and the Soul-Calming Warm Jade can already be considered a worthwhile trip."

Although he said that, it would be a lie to say he wasn't regretful about missing out on such a divine object that could solidify his Dao foundation and assist in his Breakthrough.

He secretly warned himself that he still needed to improve his strength faster and obtain more resources.

With this, the auction ended successfully.

Buyers from all sides began to leave one after another, some happy and some sad.

Ye Tian and Hou Xiaojie did not linger and followed the flow of people out of Wanbao Tower.

The Mini Dragon Ape seemed to sense Ye Tian's low mood and squatted obediently on his shoulder, rubbing its little head against his cheek.

Walking out of the gate of Wanbao Tower, the evening cool breeze blew, and Ye Tian's spirit lifted slightly.

He keenly sensed that at least four or five obscure gazes had been quietly locked onto him from the moment they walked out of the gate.

"Heh, sure enough, I'm being watched." Ye Tian sneered inwardly.

The little void boat was too conspicuous, and a young Cultivator who carried huge wealth and had won a heavy treasure was a piece of fat meat in the eyes of some people.

Besides the known Blood Blade Sect, he feared there were also the people from the Heaven-class No. 3 private room who had formed a grudge at the auction, and perhaps even other petty people who were greedy for wealth.

"Xiao Jie, stay close to me." Ye Tian said in a low voice to Hou Xiaojie, while simultaneously attaching a trace of his Divine Sense to Hou Xiaojie so he could respond at any time.

He did not choose to leave the city immediately; that would be no different from walking into a trap.

Instead, he took Hou Xiaojie and wandered around the bustling streets of Liuli City, seemingly at random, walking into some shops from time to time and coming out quickly, trying to shake off some of the followers and observe the strength of these "tails."

Most of the informants dispersed after following for a while, seeing that Ye Tian was just strolling around, clearly intending to wait until Ye Tian left the city before making a move.

But there were still two auras that clung to him like maggots on a bone, always trailing at a distance.

One aura was cold and sharp, carrying a bloody murderous Qi; it should be someone from the Blood Blade Sect.

The other aura was more obscure and elusive, hard to grasp, and gave Ye Tian a feeling of being far more dangerous than the one from the Blood Blade Sect!

"Blood Blade Sect... and is it the person from Heaven-class No. 3? Or... is it Yun Zhiying of the Shadow Calamity Tower?"

Ye Tian guessed in his heart, his vigilance raised to the highest level.

After walking for about half an hour, the sky gradually darkened.

Ye Tian knew that staying in the city was not a solution; he had to face what he had to face.

He took Hou Xiaojie into a relatively secluded alley and stopped in front of a decent-looking inn.

"We will stay here tonight." Ye Tian said to Hou Xiaojie, "We will leave Liuli City tomorrow morning."

"Mm, I'll listen to Senior Brother." Hou Xiaojie nodded.

After checking into two superior rooms, Ye Tian carefully inspected the rooms and set up a few simple warning Restrictions.

He stood by the window, watching the lights of ten thousand homes gradually lighting up in Liuli City, his eyes sharp.

Outside the city, it was bound to be a den of tigers and wolves.

The Blood Blade Sect Leader, Xue Wuya, although only having the cultivation of the first level of the True Martial Realm, was definitely not someone to be trifled with.

And there was that more dangerous aura hiding in the dark.

But Ye Tian felt no fear; instead, a sense of Battle Intent was rising.

He had just won the little void boat and wanted to test its speed.

Moreover, after his cultivation in the Illusory Heart Cave, his strength had greatly increased, and he urgently needed a real battle to test and consolidate it!

"If you want my things, let's see if you have the teeth for it!"