70: Chapter 70 On the day of the auction, powerful figures gathered.

The Hour of the Dragon, Third Quarter; Treasure Gathering Pavilion.

The morning light pierced the thin mist over the God City, casting a golden glow upon the magnificent seven-story structure. Located at the center of the West District, the Treasure Gathering Pavilion was the foremost of the God City's three major auction houses. It spanned thirty acres, its main building framed with century-old Ironwood and walled with obsidian. Thirty-six strings of Heart-Clearing Bells hung from the eaves; as the breeze passed, their crisp and distant chimes could soothe the mind and calm the spirit.

Today, the Treasure Gathering Pavilion was completely different from usual.

Around the perimeter of the pavilion, twelve guards from the God City's defensive force stood straight in silver armor, radiating a murderous Aura. They were elites sent by the City Lord's Mansion to maintain order, with the weakest among them being at the Wheel Sea Peak cultivation level. The commander leading them was a cold-faced middle-aged man at the Dao Palace Third Layer. A standard-issue long saber hung at his waist, and his gaze scanned everyone who approached like a hawk.

Above the main entrance hung a black banner, three zhang long and one zhang wide. The big dipper pattern was embroidered on it with gold thread, and in the center were the words "Heavenly Court" written in a flamboyant, powerful script. The edges of the banner were embedded with tiny Shadow-Recording Crystals, which projected the banner's image a hundred zhang into the sky, ensuring the entire city could see it.

This was Zhao Wuji's handiwork—if they were going to be high-profile, they would go all the way.

On both sides of the main entrance, eight members of the Heavenly Court stood solemnly, dressed in uniform moon-white martial robes with light armor over them and long swords at their waists. They were all carefully selected, above level 30, with steady temperaments and sharp eyes. Even more striking was their equipment—all of it was Excellent Grade at minimum, with several pieces of Rare Grade, which was considered luxurious among ordinary player factions.

"The Heavenly Court is really trying to establish its authority..."

"I heard they have the Yaoguang Holy Land backing them; no wonder they can afford such a grand display."

"More than that, look at those guards; their equipment is even more refined than the God City's own defense force!"

The onlookers discussed in low voices, their gazes toward the Treasure Gathering Pavilion filled with curiosity, awe, jealousy, and greed...

Inside the Treasure Gathering Pavilion, final preparations were being carried out intensely.

The main hall on the first floor was already set up. It was a circular hall, five zhang high and thirty zhang in diameter. In the center was a three-foot-high White Jade Auction Stage, upon which sat a Gilded Gavel, a Sound-Amplifying Crystal, and a Protective Formation Controller. Radiating outward from the auction stage were twelve rows of circular seating, with fifty seats per row, totaling six hundred standard seats.

The second floor consisted of twenty VIP boxes, separated by bead curtains and screens. Inside were sandalwood tables and chairs, spiritual tea and fruits, and dedicated attendant service. The side of the boxes facing the auction stage featured one-way transparent crystal windows, allowing those inside to see out while remaining invisible to those outside.

The third floor held five Special Boxes, all of which had been reserved for today. The conditions here were even more luxurious, featuring not only private lounges and appraisal rooms but also small teleportation Formations—quick evacuation routes prepared for guests who might win heavy treasures.

At this moment, inside Special Box No. 1 on the third floor.

Lin Ye stood before the crystal window, looking down at the increasingly lively main hall. Beside him stood Su Qingyue, Chen Hao, Shi Potian, and the recently arrived Qin Ruoxue.

"Is everything arranged?" Lin Ye asked, his gaze not leaving the scene below.

Zhao Wuji stood behind him, holding a manifest: "All auction items have been moved into the vault, guarded personally by the leader of the Iron Blood Mercenary Group. The auction process has been rehearsed three times, and I've memorized the hosting script. As for security: we have thirty plainclothes members mixed into the crowd on the first floor, two guards at every box door on the second floor, and on the third floor... it's our own people."

He paused and added: "The Treasure Gathering Pavilion's own defensive Formations are all active, including the Soundproofing Formation, the Anti-Reconnaissance Formation, and the strongest 'Vajra Guardian Wall Formation'—which can withstand the full-force attack of a Four Extremities Realm Cultivator for the duration of an incense stick. Additionally, Commander Wang of the God City Guard has promised to increase patrols outside the Treasure Gathering Pavilion during the auction and will immediately intervene with his troops if any large-scale riot occurs."

"It's not enough," Lin Ye shook his head. "The people from the Shadow Kill Tower excel at stealth and assassination; ordinary Formations won't stop them. Qingyue."

Su Qingyue stepped forward and formed a hand seal. Her Vast Cold Spirit Body surged as ice-blue frost flowed from her palms, condensing in the air into a three-foot-wide ice crystal mirror. The mirror's surface was as smooth as a lake, reflecting a three-dimensional image of the entire Treasure Gathering Pavilion. Every floor, every room, and even every corridor was clearly visible.

[Vast Cold Ice Mirror: Surveillance Mode]

Quality: Rare (Spirit Body Skill)

Effect: A scouting mirror condensed from Vast Cold Spiritual Power. It can monitor all spiritual fluctuations and life signatures within a three-hundred-zhang radius, with an additional detection bonus against invisibility and stealth-type skills.

Duration: Continuously consumes spiritual power; maximum duration of 6 hours.

Range: The Treasure Gathering Pavilion and the surrounding hundred zhang.

"The ice mirror now covers the entire Treasure Gathering Pavilion," Su Qingyue said softly. "I will sense any unauthorized spiritual fluctuations or invisible units the moment they enter."

Lin Ye nodded and then looked at Shi Potian: "As for the assassins, I'll leave them to you."

Shi Potian nodded silently, his figure gradually fading until he completely merged into the shadows and vanished. This was the talent "Shadow Affinity" he had gained after Awakening his Tyrant Body Prototype; his concealment in the shadows was comparable to that of a professional assassin.

"Pavilion Master Qin," Lin Ye finally looked at Qin Ruoxue, "I'll rely on you for intelligence."

Qin Ruoxue nodded slightly and pressed a Jade Slip to her forehead. The slip glowed faintly, and her eyes became vacant as if she were receiving information from afar. A moment later, she opened her eyes: "The sisters from the Heavenly Secret Pavilion are in position. We have eyes in every inn, tavern, and shop within a three-street radius of the Treasure Gathering Pavilion. Any large-scale movement of personnel will not escape our surveillance."

"Furthermore..." she paused, "I just received the latest report: among the top ten guilds, besides the already confirmed Olympus, Zongheng Alliance, and Green Robe Tower, seven others have sent people: 'War God Hall', 'Sword Pavilion', 'Wanfa Sect', 'Dan Ding Sect', 'Baicao Hall', 'Qianji Workshop', and 'Royal Beast Mountain Villa'. Three NPC families—the Ji Family, the Jiang Family, and the Yao Family—have also reserved VIP boxes. Additionally, there are several famous figures from mid-to-small factions and Loose Cultivators."

She listed a string of names and factions, which Lin Ye silently noted down.

Among these factions, some were friends, some were enemies, and many more were observers. Today's auction was not just a transaction, but a display of strength and a test of allegiances.

"It is almost time." Zhao Wuji looked at the hourglass in the corner. "The doors open at the Hour of the Dragon, Sixth Quarter, and the auction begins at the Hour of the Snake. Brother Lin, are you coming down?"

Lin Ye shook his head: "I'll watch from the box. You are the protagonist today; go and do what you must."

Zhao Wuji took a deep breath, straightened his robes, and turned to leave the box.

At the Hour of the Dragon, Sixth Quarter, the main doors of the Treasure Gathering Pavilion slowly opened.

The crowd, which had been waiting for a long time, flooded in like a tide.

First to enter were the guests for the standard seats. They included Loose Cultivators, representatives of small factions, and those who were purely there for the spectacle. Everyone underwent a simple inspection at the entrance: presenting an invitation or purchasing an entry ticket (ten Spirit Stones each), registering their identity, and receiving a numbered plaque. The Treasure Gathering Pavilion's guards carefully inspected every Storage Pouch that might hide weapons or dangerous items, maintaining a solemn atmosphere.

Eighty percent of the six hundred seats were filled in less than fifteen minutes.

Next were the guests for the VIP boxes.

Into VIP Box No. 1 on the second floor, Qingluan of the Green Robe Tower entered gracefully with seven of her sisters. They were all dressed in green with light veils over their faces, their elegant movements drawing many gazes.

Into VIP Box No. 3, Zhao Zheng, Alliance Master of Henghe Alliance, entered with a dark expression, accompanied by eight guards. His gaze swept across the auction hall before he glared fiercely toward the third floor—he knew Lin Ye was there.

Into VIP Box No. 5, Ares and Athena of Olympus entered side-by-side. Ares wore golden battle armor, his Aura aggressive, while Athena was dressed in a white robe, holding a Staff of Wisdom with a calm expression. Behind them followed twelve Olympus elites, all in matching golden armor, attracting much attention.

Other guilds and factions entered one after another: the burly men of the War God Hall, the cold swordsmen of the Sword Pavilion, the Daoist-robed Cultivators of the Wanfa Sect, the Alchemists of the Dan Ding Sect, the herb-gatherers of the Baicao Hall, the mechanics of the Qianji Workshop, the beast tamers of the Royal Beast Mountain Villa... of the God City's top ten guilds, seven had arrived.

Finally, the guests for the Special Boxes on the third floor arrived.

Into Special Box No. 2, the Third Elder of the Ji Family, Ji Xuanfeng, entered low-key with two Juniors, led by an attendant. They were dressed in luxurious robes and carried themselves with an air of nobility, not even sparing a glance at the common seats as they passed.

Into Special Box No. 4 came a beautiful middle-aged woman from the Jiang Family, said to be the sister of the current Jiang Family head, with unfathomable cultivation. Four maids followed her, each carrying a jade box, clearly showing she had come prepared.

The representative for the Yao Family in Special Box No. 5 was a youth dressed as a scholar, fanning himself and smiling. However, the occasional glint in his eyes showed that he was by no means as simple as he appeared.

The Chief Manager of the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower and Olympus shared the remaining two special boxes—after all, they were both bidders and, in some sense, peers in the trade.

Exactly at the Hour of the Snake, the bell tolled.

The lights in the main hall of the Treasure Gathering Pavilion dimmed, leaving only a single beam of bright white light on the auction stage.

Zhao Wuji walked slowly onto the auction stage.

Today, he had changed into a formal black silk robe embroidered with golden star patterns at the hem, fastened with a jade belt from which the Heavenly Court token hung. His hair was meticulously groomed, his face was calm, and his demeanor was composed; one could not tell at all that this was his first time hosting such a large-scale auction.

"Distinguished guests."

[part:gemini-3.1-flash-lite]

Zhao Wuji's voice spread throughout the venue via the amplification crystal, clear and steady: "Welcome to the Heavenly Court's first Treasure Appraisal Conference. I am Zhao Wuji, General Manager of the Heavenly Court Chamber of Commerce, and I will be hosting today's auction."

Polite applause erupted from the audience.

Zhao Wuji smiled slightly and continued: "Before the auction begins, I have a few points to clarify. First, all auction items have undergone strict appraisal and are guaranteed authentic. Second, the auction rule is that the highest bidder wins, with payment settled in Spirit Stones. Third, during the auction, any form of conflict is prohibited within the Treasure Gathering Pavilion; violators will be expelled and permanently blacklisted by the Heavenly Court."

His gaze swept across the venue, lingering for a moment on the private boxes of forces such as the Zongheng Alliance and Olympus.

"Now, let us begin with the first auction item—"

Zhao Wuji clapped his hands.

Two Heavenly Court members walked onto the auction stage carrying an elongated tray covered with red silk. The tray was placed on the display stand in the center of the stage, and the red silk was lifted, revealing a neatly folded suit of battle armor.

The battle armor was dark silver throughout, with tightly interlocked plates that glinted with a cold metallic luster. The center of the breastplate featured an embossed pattern of the big dipper, the shoulder guards were shaped like Dragon heads, and the arm and leg guards had smooth, flowing lines. The entire set of armor appeared both majestic and agile.

[Heavenly Court Battle Armor · Standard Set (Fine)]

Quality: Blue. Set Components: Breastplate, Leg Guards, Arm Guards, Battle Boots, Helmet (Five-piece set). Single Item Attributes: Breastplate: Defense +180, Health +800. Leg Guards: Defense +120, Movement Speed +10%. Arm Guards: Defense +100, Attack Speed +5%. Battle Boots: Defense +100, Evasion Rate +5%. Helmet: Defense +80, Divine Sense Resistance +10. Set Effects (5/5): 1. Star Protection: Max Health +15%. 2. Heavenly Court Glory: Attack Power +8%. 3. Team Link: When in a party with units also wearing the Heavenly Court Battle Armor, the entire team's attributes gain an additional +3%. Forger: Heavenly Court Workshop · Chief Artifact Refiner (Lin Ye). Description: A standard battle armor independently developed by the Heavenly Court, forged from Chenxing Mountain Range refined iron ore mixed with a small amount of stardust sand, balancing defense and mobility. This is a mass-produced model, available in limited quantities.

"Heavenly Court Battle Armor set, Fine quality, five-piece set," Zhao Wuji announced loudly. "This battle armor was independently developed and forged by the Heavenly Court Workshop, utilizing a unique 'stardust sand plating' technique. It not only offers excellent defense but also slightly increases Divine Sense resistance. More importantly—it possesses the 'Team Link' special effect. When multiple Cultivators wearing this battle armor form a party, they can gain additional attribute bonuses!"

The audience was in an uproar. Team special effects! This was an extremely rare attribute for Fine-grade equipment! Usually, only Rare-grade or higher sets would have team bonuses!

"This battle armor... is interesting." In the first private box on the second floor, Qingluan of the Green Robe Tower said softly, "stardust sand is a specialty of the Yaoguang Holy Land. The fact that the Heavenly Court could obtain it shows that their relationship with the Holy Land is indeed close. Moreover, this forging craftsmanship... does not look like that of a novice."

"Big Sister, should we bid for a few sets?" the sister beside her asked.

Qingluan pondered for a moment: "Let's see the price first. If it's reasonable, we can bid for ten sets to equip the sisters."

In the regular seating area, the Loose Cultivators were even more excited.

"Team Link! This attribute is too practical! If our squad had one set each, our overall combat power could increase by ten percent!"

"Fine-grade gear with set effects; the Heavenly Court's Artifact Refining level is not low at all!"

"Starting price! What's the starting price?"

Zhao Wuji spoke at the right moment: "Heavenly Court Battle Armor sets, the first batch is limited to one hundred sets. Today, we are auctioning the first ten sets, with each set auctioned individually. The starting price—eight hundred Spirit Stones!"

"Nine hundred!" "One thousand!" "One thousand two hundred!" Bidding sounds rose one after another.

The market price for a single piece of Fine-grade equipment is usually between two hundred and four hundred Spirit Stones; for a five-piece set, one thousand five hundred to two thousand is a reasonable range. However, the Heavenly Court Battle Armor has team special effects, so its value is different.

In the end, the first Heavenly Court Battle Armor set was sold for two thousand three hundred Spirit Stones and was won by a squad of Loose Cultivators. The following nine sets all went for prices between two thousand and two thousand five hundred. The ten sets of armor brought a total turnover of twenty-three thousand Spirit Stones! This successful start made the atmosphere of the entire venue lively.

"Congratulations to the successful bidder," Zhao Wuji smiled and said, "Next is the second auction item—"

The second item was a bottle of Medicinal Pill. [Rank 4 Qi Gathering Pill x 10] Quality: Rare (Blue). Effect: Each pill can instantly restore 3000 points of Divine Power and increase spiritual power recovery speed by 50% for the next 30 seconds. Refiner: Heavenly Court Workshop · Chief Alchemist (Zhao Linger). Starting price: Five hundred Spirit Stones.

A Rank 4 Medicinal Pill, and a group recovery type at that, which is crucial in team combat. Bidding was equally intense, and it eventually sold for eight hundred Spirit Stones.

The third auction item was a long sword. [Breeze Sword (Rare)] Quality: Blue. Attack: +320. Special Effect: 15% chance to trigger "Wind Blade" upon attack, dealing additional Wind-attribute damage (Attack Power x 50%). Forger: Heavenly Court Workshop · Guest Elder Artifact Refiner (Master Appraiser's apprentice). Starting price: One thousand Spirit Stones.

Forged by Master Appraiser's apprentice! This reputation caused the long sword's value to soar, and it eventually sold for one thousand eight hundred Spirit Stones.

The subsequent auction items included Talismans, Materials, and Cultivation Technique Jade Slips, all of Fine to Rare quality. Although not top-tier, each item was practical and had its own highlights. Bidding sounds rose one after another, and the auction atmosphere became increasingly lively.

Zhao Wuji hosted with ease, occasionally making humorous remarks and other times providing professional explanations, controlling the rhythm of the entire venue perfectly.

An hour later, all the regular auction items were sold, and the total turnover reached eighty thousand Spirit Stones. This figure was already quite astonishing for the opening warm-up session.

"Thank you all for your enthusiasm." Zhao Wuji wiped the fine sweat from his forehead—not from fatigue, but from excitement. "Next, we will enter the core segment of this Treasure Appraisal Conference—the Rare Resources auction!"

The entire audience perked up. The real main event was about to begin.

"First, we have Low-Grade Spirit Stones." Zhao Wuji clapped his hands. Four Heavenly Court members carried two large chests onto the stage. The chests were opened, revealing neatly stacked Low-Grade Spirit Stones, and milky white spiritual light instantly flooded the auction stage.

"Low-Grade Spirit Stone gift packs, each containing five hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones, totaling one hundred packs," Zhao Wuji said. "They will be auctioned in ten groups, with ten packs per group. The first group, starting price—five thousand Spirit Stones!"

"Five thousand five hundred!" "Six thousand!" "Seven thousand!" The price climbed sharply.

Spirit Stones are hard currency, and there is never a shortage of buyers. Especially with this kind of bulk sale, for those forces that need a large amount of Spirit Stones for Cultivate or Formation, it saves them the trouble of collecting them in bits and pieces.

In the end, the first group of ten gift packs sold for nine thousand Spirit Stones. The following nine groups all sold for prices between eight thousand five hundred and nine thousand five hundred. The one hundred packs brought a total turnover of nine hundred thousand Spirit Stones!

This figure made the whole venue quiet for a moment. Nine hundred thousand! Many small and medium-sized forces didn't even have that much in total assets! And this was just the beginning.

"Next, we have Mid-Grade Spirit Stones." Zhao Wuji's voice carried a hint of excitement. "With a purity of over 85%, there are two hundred pieces in total. They will be auctioned in twenty groups, with ten pieces per group. The first group, starting price—ten thousand Spirit Stones!"

The bidding for the Mid-Grade Spirit Stones was even crazier. "Twelve thousand!" "Fifteen thousand!" "Eighteen thousand!" In the end, the first group sold for twenty-two thousand Spirit Stones, a 120% premium!

After the twenty groups were auctioned, the total turnover for the Mid-Grade Spirit Stones reached four hundred and forty thousand Spirit Stones! Added to the previous nine hundred thousand, the total auction turnover had already exceeded one million three hundred thousand!

This figure made the representatives of the major forces in the VIP private boxes sit up straight. The Heavenly Court's financial strength far exceeded their estimates!

"Now, we enter the Rare Materials segment." Zhao Wuji adjusted his breathing. "The first item—the Mother Emperor's Heart!"

The jade box was opened, and the dark red heart-shaped object pulsated slightly on the display stand, emitting a rich Aura of life. "Starting price: Twenty thousand Spirit Stones!" "Twenty-five thousand!" "Thirty thousand!" "Thirty-five thousand!"

Rare Materials have a fatal attraction for Alchemists, Artifact Refiners, and Puppet masters. In the end, the Mother Emperor's Heart sold for forty-eight thousand Spirit Stones and was won by the Dan Ding Sect.

Subsequent Materials such as Spider Emperor carapace fragments and mutated egg sacs also sold for high prices. The Rare Materials segment had a total turnover of one hundred and twenty thousand Spirit Stones.

By this point, the auction had been going on for two and a half hours, and the total turnover was approaching one million five hundred thousand! But everyone knew that the real climax had not yet arrived.

"Everyone, please take a short break." Zhao Wuji smiled. "In the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, we will enter the finale of this Treasure Appraisal Conference—the Epic-grade Heaven And Earth Treasure auction!"

Sounds of excited discussion erupted in the main hall. In the VIP private boxes, representatives of various forces began to discuss urgently, adjusting their bidding strategies.

The time for an incense stick to burn passed quickly. When Zhao Wuji walked back onto the auction stage, the entire main hall was so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.

In the first private box on the third floor, Lin Ye stood before the crystal window, looking down at the scene below. His gaze swept across those VIP private boxes, sweeping over those faces that were excited, greedy, or calculating.

"The good show is about to begin," he whispered to himself. Meanwhile, in a shadowy corner of the Treasure Gathering Pavilion, a nearly invisible shadow moved slightly. An assassin from the Shadow Kill Tower had already infiltrated. The climax of the auction was also a moment fraught with danger. The real contest was only just beginning.