More than just knowing

“Welcome, everyone, to the treasure appraisal conference.”

“As everyone knows, a Secret Realm appeared not long ago, and many people entered it, finding quite a few ancient artifacts. However, due to their age, it’s impossible to discern whether they are true treasures.”

“We couldn’t bear to see these gems remain hidden, so we specially organized this treasure appraisal conference. Soon, someone will bring the ancient artifacts obtained from the Secret Realm onto the stage for exhibition. There’s a chance treasures might be found, or you might leave empty-handed.”

“Whether you can return laden with treasures depends on your ability to see through everything and discern the valuable items.”

A white-haired elder, dressed in an elegant long robe, spoke eloquently on the stage, explaining the situation to those present.

This treasure appraisal conference was similar to opening a blind box.

The ancient artifacts within might have lost their spiritual essence due to their age.

Or they might simply be ordinary items, just well-preserved.

Of course, if one is lucky, they might be able to uncover a treasure, acquiring it at a low price and returning with a bountiful harvest.

The elder continued, “I’m sure you’ve all been waiting for a while, so I won’t waste any more of your time.”

“Next, I, your humble servant, will display the ancient artifacts from the Secret Realm one by one. We’ll be quite traditional and proceed with an auction format.”

In the venue, everyone was already eagerly anticipating.

“Hurry up and start! Let me see what other goods you have in stock.”

“Hehe, I checked the almanac today, and my luck is good. I’m definitely going to bid on some great treasures.”

“Oh, please! Last time you also said you checked the almanac and were going to have good romantic luck, and you insisted on dragging me to the Yao Beast Forest for training, saying you’d definitely be able to save a beauty.

I was really stupid to believe your nonsense. I was chased by three hairy female apes, who pursued me like they were in heat, almost making me lose my male chastity. You call that good romantic luck?”

“It seems everyone here has a story. Unlike me, I only have accidents. My Revered Master passed away a few days ago, and my Mistress was so heartbroken that she told me if I could uncover a treasure, she would spend the rest of her life with me.

To make my Mistress happy and fulfill my filial duty, I’ve come here, even if it means selling everything I own.”

“Fellow Daoist, does your Mistress need another disciple? I don’t mean anything else, just to show some care for your Mistress.”

“…”

The elder on stage gestured, and from backstage, a pretty woman came out, carrying a wooden box.

Inside was a perfectly round, gray stone bead, completely devoid of luster.

The elder introduced it:

“This is a round stone from the Secret Realm, placed within a Formation base. Preliminary estimates suggest it’s a type of stone used to maintain the operation of a large Formation. It also has some special runes on it, which are likely ancient Formation symbols.”

“This stone has no reserve price. Please start bidding if you’re interested.”

The crowd below glanced at it, their Divine Sense sweeping over the egg-sized stone. Many people shook their heads.

“It’s probably just an ordinary stone, not very useful.”

“Why do these runes look like random scribbles? There’s no pattern to them at all.”

“It’s most likely useless, not worth buying.”

“I think so too. It’s probably a child’s toy.”

The crowd below didn’t understand it and didn’t take it seriously.

Xiao Fan couldn’t discern treasures, but someone could.

Qin Feng! My personal treasure-hunting rat.

He just needed to pay attention to whether Qin Feng made a move.

Hehehehe...

With me here, you won't get a single hair!

The elder on stage also understood. They had already invited countless Artifact Refiners to appraise this stone, but none had found any clues.

If it weren’t for the fact that it was found in the Secret Realm’s Formation eye, they probably wouldn’t have brought it out.

“It seems this stone is an ordinary item and hasn’t caught anyone’s Dharma Eye. Hehe, then let’s take it down and present the next item to our Fellow Daoists here…”

Before he could finish, a voice rang out from the Yaoguang Holy Son’s private room.

“One Low-Grade Spirit Stone.”

Qin Feng’s voice was also altered, so no one could recognize it.

At this, the entire venue fell silent.

People turned to look at the Yaoguang Holy Son’s private room, following the source of the voice.

“Is that the VIP section?”

“Yes, it’s a Heaven-Grade B-Class VIP, second only to A-Class.”

“It seems to be a big shot.”

“But why would someone from such a VIP section bid only one Low-Grade Spirit Stone?”

Everyone discussed, somewhat puzzled.

However, they also couldn’t see any use for the stone and had no intention of competing for it.

Moreover, it was someone from the VIP section, likely of significant status. Competing with them might cause offense.

Yaoguang Holy Son’s face slightly chilled. “If you want to buy it, just buy it. Why bid such a low price? People who don’t know might think I can’t afford Spirit Stones!”

He was very displeased with Qin Feng’s action.

When out and about, how could a Saint’s image be diminished?

A bid of one Low-Grade Spirit Stone was truly an insult to his status!

Qin Feng quickly explained, “Your subordinate saw that the person’s presentation was too slow and would waste the Saint’s time, so I took the liberty to make a decision, hoping he would quickly take this item away to avoid wasting the Saint’s time.”

“This one Low-Grade Spirit Stone is your subordinate expressing dissatisfaction to him.”

This move also subtly maintained the Yaoguang Holy Son’s image, allowing Ye Tianwei to feel his respect.

Ye Tianwei also felt that the speed of displaying items was indeed a bit slow and thought Qin Feng’s actions made sense.

Ye Tianwei: “I am very pleased that you can say that.”

Qin Feng sneered inwardly, *Respect you? I just simply want this bead.*

He had just used the “Ten Directions Treasure Traceless” and clearly saw a pulse of life within the center of this stone.

With his perception, he could sense that the level of life within was not low, likely the egg of some spiritual insect or exotic beast.

One Low-Grade Spirit Stone for an egg of a spiritual insect or exotic beast? It was practically like picking up money!

The elder was also stunned for a moment. One Low-Grade Spirit Stone? Was he trying to send off a beggar?

After realizing the voice came from the Yaoguang Holy Son’s private room, he didn’t say anything, just stated as a matter of routine:

“One Low-Grade Spirit Stone, does anyone have a higher bid?”

“One Low-Grade Spirit Stone, going once.”

“One Low-Grade Spirit Stone, two…”

Qin Feng was confident and determined to win. Who would compete with him for a small stone?

Xiao Fan also couldn’t tell, but it wasn’t a big problem.

Qin Feng had already appraised it for him; this small stone was indeed a treasure.

“Two Low-Grade Spirit Stones,” he said.

The elder thought he had misheard. *Damn it, bidding one Low-Grade Spirit Stone was already Heaven-Defying, and you only add one?*

He was about to get angry but then realized it was someone from the Heaven-Grade A-Class private room. *Ugh, can’t afford to offend, can’t afford to offend.*

He could only respectfully call out:

“The esteemed guest from the Heaven-Grade A-Class private room has bid the exorbitant price of two Low-Grade Spirit Stones.”

His expression remained unchanged.

Those present also understood. Since they were both from Heaven-Grade private rooms, two Low-Grade Spirit Stones was also an “exorbitant price.”

It just showed that the old man knew how to conduct himself; even bidding was an art.

Qin Feng, who had just been full of confidence, instantly became unsettled when he heard someone else’s bid.

“Could someone else have seen through it?” he wondered suspiciously.

It was the voice from next door, so their status shouldn’t be low.

However, with the Yaoguang Holy Son standing beside him, he naturally felt very confident.

Could it be that the person in the adjacent room had a more noble status than the Yaoguang Holy Son?

Impossible, absolutely impossible!

He continued to bid, “Three Low-Grade Spirit Stones.”

The old man on stage paused for a moment, then still with a smiling face, said, “The esteemed guest from the Heaven-Grade B-Class private room has bid three Low-Grade Spirit Stones.”

The old man’s heart instantly became unsettled. What was going on today? One would think it was a children’s game, with bids of one, two, and three Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

“Four.”

“Five.”

“…”

Xiao Fan wasn’t in a hurry; he had plenty of time.

Yaoguang Holy Son, however, had a bad expression. Who were these people next door? How dare they? Didn’t they know it was his subordinate bidding?

The most uncomfortable person was still the old man on stage. He had never hosted such a low-end auction.

He was completely numb.

Yaoguang Holy Son couldn’t hold back anymore. He called out an exorbitant price, wanting to end this farce: “One thousand High-Grade Spirit Stones.”

Hiss!

All the Cultivators present were astonished. It seemed the Yaoguang Holy Son was finally enraged, buying a small stone for one thousand High-Grade Spirit Stones.

Qin Feng didn’t speak. As a Golden Core Cultivator, it was still a bit difficult for him to produce one thousand High-Grade Spirit Stones.

The elder on stage was finally pleased. Someone had finally called out a normal price.

He just wanted to finalize it with one hammer.

“One thousand High-Grade Spirit Stones, going once.”

“One thousand High-Grade Spirit Stones…”

When Xiao Fan heard the Yaoguang Holy Son’s voice, a face instantly echoed in his mind. *It’s you!*

He remembered now. *I knew it sounded familiar.*

Su Yiyun, being meticulous, asked curiously, “You know him?”

“Know him? More than just know him. I even made him cry back then,” Xiao Fan chuckled. So it was someone from the Ye family.

No wonder this kid harbored hatred towards me.

“One thousand High-Grade Spirit Stones, plus one Low-Grade Spirit Stone.”

At this, the entire venue fell silent.

Hiss, who is this guy? How dare he directly challenge the Yaoguang Holy Son?

The elder also broke out in a cold sweat. *Oh no, he’s angered the Yaoguang Holy Son. How can this person be so bold?*

“Brat, you’re courting death!” Ye Tianwei said coldly, waving his hand to deactivate the Formation that blocked Divine Sense, his Divine Sense brazenly sweeping over Xiao Fan’s private room.

Xiao Fan, being such a magnanimous person, naturally also withdrew his Formation.

“What? Can’t afford the Spirit Stones, so you’re going to threaten me, huh? Come on, let’s fight!” Xiao Fan laughed.

“You’re looking for…”

Before he could finish his sentence, when he saw Xiao Fan’s face, the words caught in his throat.