27: The "Landscape of the People and the State" painting has been won at auction!

Although Lu Yuan’s Divine Soul was unharmed, if this item were refined into his Sea of Consciousness, it could also enhance the foundation of his Divine Sense.

"Since I know about it, then it's all mine."

The sky was faintly bright.

Lu Yuan did not disturb too many people, only sent a sound transmission to Gu Qingxue.

"Qingxue, come with me to the Zhao Kingdom Capital."

Gu Qingxue quickly arrived at the Immortal Cave; she had specially dressed up.

She changed out of her usual solemn Sect Master Magic Robe and put on a light blue Flowing Immortal Dress.

The skirt layers were stacked like blooming green lotuses, and a white silk ribbon was tied around her waist, perfectly outlining her slender waist that was almost too delicate to grasp.

"Husband, what are we going to the capital for?" Gu Qingxue gently asked, holding Lu Yuan's arm.

"To Wanbao Tower, to buy two things." Lu Yuan smiled slightly, reaching out to flick Gu Qingxue's Delicate Nose.

Gu Qingxue's pretty face flushed slightly. She greatly enjoyed her husband's intimate gesture.

Lu Yuan waved his large sleeve, and a Five Elements spiritual light enveloped the two of them.

Their figures instantly vanished from the spot, transforming into an invisible long rainbow, speeding towards the Zhao Kingdom Capital.

He deliberately restrained his aura.

Otherwise, the arrival of a Huashen Venerable, with their terrifying pressure, would be enough to make all the Mortals and low-level Cultivators in the entire Zhao Kingdom Capital instantly prostrate... The Zhao Kingdom Capital was as prosperous as ever.

Wanbao Tower, as one of the largest merchant associations in Zhao State, was even more bustling today, as the long-prepared auction attracted countless Cultivators.

Lu Yuan and Gu Qingxue walked side by side on the bustling street.

The two arrived in front of Wanbao Tower and showed their Azure Cloud Sect VIP Token.

Upon seeing the token, the attendant's expression immediately changed drastically, and he respectfully led the two to the Supreme Private Room on the third floor.

Inside the private room, the decorations were luxurious. Through the special Glazed Window, one could clearly overlook the entire auction hall.

Lu Yuan sat on a spacious beast-skin chair, while Gu Qingxue sat obediently beside him, peeling Spiritual Fruits for him.

At this moment, in a corner of the first-floor hall of the auction house.

A figure dressed in a black robe, wearing a bamboo hat, and completely wrapped up, was huddled in a chair.

It was Xiao Fan.

His face was a bit pale, clearly the days in Youming Dungeon had not been easy. But the light in his eyes was exceptionally bright.

"Teacher, are you sure that painting is at today's auction?" Xiao Fan asked eagerly in his mind.

"No mistake." Venerable Yao's voice was a bit weak, but also carried a hint of anticipation: "That was the Incomplete Manual of the rivers and mountains society map, the famous Magic Treasure of that Old Ghost Tai Xu back then. Although it's damaged, the spatial imprint inside is still there. As long as you bid for it, you can find the Tai Xu Secret Realm. The resources inside are enough for you to Cultivate to the Soul Transformation Stage."

"Moreover, that Final Shaft (finale item) Lightning-Struck Wood is actually Soul Nurturing Wood. If we can get it, my remnant soul will be stabilized, and I might even recover some of my strength. By then, even if we face Ancestor Qingyun, we will have an extra degree of self-preservation."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Fan clenched his fists tightly.

He touched his Storage Pouch. Although he didn't gain any benefits in the Youming Dungeon, he had accumulated a considerable fortune during his previous training in the Ten Thousand Mountains.

Coupled with Medicine Old's guidance in picking up a few treasures in the capital and selling them, he now had nearly 300,000 Low-Grade Spirit Stones in his hands.

This amount of money was an astronomical figure for a Qi Refinement Stage Cultivator.

"I must get it," Xiao Fan secretly swore.

The auction soon began.

Rare Magic Treasures and Medicinal Pills were presented on the high platform, triggering wave after wave of bidding frenzy.

Lu Yuan just watched quietly, occasionally taking a sip of Spiritual Tea, his expression languid.

Until half an hour later.

The Auctioneer took out an old, yellowed ancient painting. When unfolded, it depicted some blurry landscape lines, with weak spiritual power fluctuations, at most the level of a Profound Rank Magic Treasure.

"Everyone, this 'rivers and mountains society map' was obtained from an Ancient Cultivator's Immortal Cave. Although somewhat damaged, its brushwork is vigorous, its Concept is profound, and its material is special, impervious to water and fire. The starting price is five thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones."

As soon as the Auctioneer's words fell, the hall was silent.

Five thousand Spirit Stones for a damaged painting was not a good deal for most Cultivators.

In the corner, Xiao Fan's heart pounded. He suppressed his excitement, waited for a moment, and seeing no one bid, he then called out in a hoarse voice.

"Five thousand."

The Auctioneer's eyes lit up: "This Fellow Daoist has bid five thousand, are there any further bids?"

The entire hall was silent.

Xiao Fan was overjoyed in his heart; it was almost his.

However, just as the Auctioneer raised the hammer, ready to strike it down.

From the Supreme Private Room on the third floor, an extremely calm voice rang out.

"Ten thousand."

Xiao Fan's smile instantly froze on his face. He abruptly looked up at that private room, his eyes filled with rage.

Who was it?

Venerable Yao's heart also sank: "Fan'er, don't panic. Perhaps someone just took a fancy to the material of this painting and is raising the price."

Xiao Fan gritted his teeth.

"Fifteen thousand."

"One hundred thousand."

That calm voice sounded again, directly multiplying the price several times.

The tone carried an air of treating Spirit Stones like dirt.

The entire hall immediately burst into an uproar.

One hundred thousand Spirit Stones for a damaged painting? Where did this prodigal son come from?

Xiao Fan's face instantly turned pale. One hundred thousand, this already accounted for one-third of his net worth.

"One hundred and ten thousand," he shouted, trembling.

"Two hundred thousand."

The voice from the private room remained completely unperturbed.

Xiao Fan's fingernails had deeply dug into his palms, blood seeping out. Two hundred thousand... this was almost his limit.

"Two hundred and ten thousand," he almost shrieked.

"Five hundred thousand."

Lu Yuan sat in the private room, gently swirling the teacup in his hand, a playful smile on his lips.

Competing with him for Spirit Stones.

The entire Zhao State combined was not as rich as he was now.

"Pfft."

Xiao Fan, overwhelmed by anger, spat out a mouthful of fresh blood.

Five hundred thousand.

It completely shattered his hopes.

"Damn it, who is it?" he roared frantically in his mind.

"Fan'er, give up." Venerable Yao sighed, his voice full of helplessness: "The other party is clearly determined to get it, and their financial resources are abundant. Save your Spirit Stones to contend for the final Soul Nurturing Wood; that is more important to us."

Xiao Fan's eyes were bloodshot as he stared fiercely at that private room, finally collapsing helplessly onto the chair.

The Auctioneer excitedly brought down the hammer.

"Congratulations to the distinguished guest in Private Room 'Heavenly Character One' for winning the 'rivers and mountains society map' with five hundred thousand Spirit Stones."

[Ding, successfully intercepted the Son of Destiny Xiao Fan's purple Opportunity, Tai Xu Secret Realm. Triggered a hundredfold critical return, obtaining complete control of the Tai Xu Secret Realm (no key required, can directly open a teleportation portal through the System), awarded 1000 Destiny Points.]

The System's notification sounded, and Lu Yuan nodded with satisfaction.

Although he spent a bit of unnecessary money, seeing the Son of Destiny spit blood made it worth it. Moreover, he could completely control the Tai Xu Secret Realm.