19: I want the things, but I don't want to give them the spirit stones.

On the bustling streets, Lin Mu and his group weaved through the crowd.

Xiao Qi walked beside Lin Mu, acting as a guide.

From time to time, she introduced the various buildings along the roadside.

Behind them, Lao Mo and Tao Rong followed silently.

Ever since Tao Qian signed up for the grand event, he had shut himself in his room and hadn't come out, striving to stabilize his cultivation realm before the competition.

“Young Master, we’ve arrived. That three-story building ahead is the Tianmen Auction House,” Xiao Qi said, pointing forward.

Lin Mu looked over and indeed saw a three-story building ahead.

On the plaque above the main entrance, the two dark golden characters 'Tianmen' were inscribed.

The Tianmen Auction House was established in every country across the Nine Nether Continent.

It was even rumored that the Asura Clan and the Giant Race also had Tianmen Auction Houses.

The Tianmen Auction House had always enjoyed an excellent reputation and credibility; no one had ever dared to cause trouble there.

It was said that this time, the Tianmen Auction House had three treasures up for auction, which was why an exceptionally large number of people came to participate.

Even though the entry fee had increased from the original ten thousand spirit stones to one hundred thousand, it still couldn't deter the enthusiasm of various factions.

Suddenly, the crowd exclaimed, “Look, a golden carriage!”

“Could it be someone from the Royal Family? Only the Royal Family likes to use gold for decoration.”

“Someone is getting out, look!”

“So beautiful! Which family’s fairy is this? She’s practically stolen my soul.”

“You boy, do you have a death wish? This is the Yan Country Royal Family’s most favored Third Princess, Princess Tianning.”

Amidst the crowd’s discussions,

A woman in her twenties appeared before everyone’s eyes.

Her elegant posture and graceful demeanor left people in awe.

Her outstanding beauty could be described as captivating enough to overthrow kingdoms.

Facing the gazes and discussions of the crowd, she showed no concern, as if she had long been accustomed to being the center of attention.

Lin Mu couldn't help but take a second look.

A fair lady is a fine match for a gentleman; Lin Mu was no exception to this human tendency.

Lao Mo, seeing Lin Mu’s expression, said, “Master, it’s time you found someone to warm your bed and wash your feet.”

Xiao Qi broke out in a cold sweat upon hearing Lao Mo’s words; only he would dare to speak like that.

Lin Mu remained noncommittal, only saying two simple words: “Let’s go.”

Xiao Qi’s efficiency was quite impressive.

She secured a well-located box on the second floor of the venue.

Opening the window, they could clearly see all the auction items on the auction stage.

The number 'Jia San' was written on the box door.

Lin Mu and the others entered the box and waited only two quarters of an hour before hearing the auctioneer’s opening remarks.

“Thank you, esteemed guests, for attending this auction. Next, I will briefly explain the rules, mainly for first-time attendees.

“Firstly, the auction principle is fair competition, with the highest bidder winning. During the auction, no form of threat or obstruction to other bidders is allowed.”

“Within the auction house, we guarantee the personal safety of every guest, so please bid with confidence.”

“Secondly, guests are requested to bid according to their own financial capabilities. Only spirit stone bids are accepted. Those who maliciously bid and fail to pay will bear the consequences.”

“Now, for a few more details...”

About another quarter of an hour passed before the auctioneer finally finished his opening remarks.

“The first item up for auction today is the first of our three major treasures.”

The auctioneer deliberately built suspense.

Upon hearing that a treasure was the first item, everyone below began to breathe rapidly.

The auctioneer scanned the crowd, watching as their emotions were stirred.

He unhurriedly unveiled the first item.

It was a simple, unadorned jade slip.

Holding the jade slip in his hand, the auctioneer said, “This is a cultivation technique jade slip, inscribed with all the cultivation insights of Great Emperor Yun You during his lifetime.”

“As well as Great Emperor Yun You’s understanding of spirit energy application, the 'Spirit Mirror Art'.”

“You all know the reputation of Tianmen; we compensate a hundredfold for any fakes.”

“The preciousness of this jade slip needs no further explanation from me, does it? The starting bid is one million spirit stones, with each increment not less than one hundred thousand. Bidding starts now.”

The auctioneer didn't even need to stir emotions much; bidding immediately began below.

“I bid one million one hundred thousand.”

“I bid one million five hundred thousand.”

“Two million...”

In less than a quarter of an hour, the bidding had already reached five million.

This bid came from the person in the first box on the second floor.

Five million was already the Cui Family’s total annual income.

The spirit stones Lin Mu obtained from the Cui Family last time weren't even enough to qualify for bidding.

He merely glanced at the item in the auctioneer’s hand and said indifferently, “This item is good; it can be used for now.”

Neither he nor Lao Mo had cultivated any techniques for controlling spirit energy, and their use of spirit energy was still very rudimentary.

Lao Mo’s spirit energy was limitless, but his attack methods were singular.

If he encountered someone with special abilities, it would be difficult to deal with them.

If the opponent was determined to escape, he might truly be at a loss.

Therefore, he was determined to acquire this jade slip.

Xiao Qi vaguely heard Lin Mu’s voice and thought he was hinting for her to bid.

So, she unhesitatingly quoted, “Six million spirit stones.”

A woman’s voice from box jia yi immediately followed, “Ten million spirit stones.”

This was a determined bid.

All the bidders hesitated.

Ten million had already exceeded their expectations.

Judging by the momentum of the bidder, ten million didn’t seem to be their limit.

Xiao Qi, after a slight hesitation upon hearing ten million, was about to continue bidding when

Lin Mu spoke, interrupting her: “No need to rush.”

Xiao Qi hurriedly said, “Young Master, my Cui Family can still afford this amount of spirit stones.”

Lin Mu said, with a hint of meaning, “I want the item, but I don’t want to pay for it. What do you think should be done?”

“Young Master, please bid on whatever you fancy. The spirit stones will be provided by our Cui Family. The Clan Head instructed before I left that there’s no need to worry about spirit stones.”

Xiao Qi quickly guaranteed.

She didn’t want to miss such a good opportunity to prove herself.

Lin Mu smiled mysteriously: “Just watch, no need to bid again.”

Tao Rong, hearing Lin Mu’s words, thought for a moment and then walked out of the box, returning shortly after.

“Young Master, box jia yi seems to belong to the Yan Country Royal Family, the Third Princess.”

Lin Mu looked at Tao Rong with a half-smile: “People who are too clever tend to have short lives.”

Tao Rong was so frightened that he immediately knelt: “This lowly one knows his mistake.”

Lin Mu said with a smile, “Get up, I was just joking. No need to be so nervous.”

Tao Rong had clearly seen through Lin Mu’s thoughts, but he could sense that Lin Mu didn’t particularly like others overstepping their bounds.

He secretly made a mental note.

In the subsequent auction items, whenever Lin Mu showed interest,

Tao Rong secretly recorded who made the bid.

Xiao Qi had been guessing Lin Mu’s intentions.

It wasn’t until she saw Tao Rong’s actions that she suddenly understood.

She seemed to grasp what Lin Mu’s phrase, “I want the item, but I don’t want to pay for it,” truly meant.

Just as her thoughts raced,

The second treasure was acquired by box jia er.

It was a Dragon Yang Pill from Dragon Emperor City of Yan Country, which, when consumed, could grant the power of a Dragon God.

Lin Mu, however, had no interest in it.

The subsequent items were all things Lin Mu didn’t care for.

Lin Mu was somewhat unenthusiastic.

Suddenly, the auctioneer raised his voice: “Ladies and gentlemen, today’s final treasure is about to make its appearance.”