186: Chapter 186 The Grand Finale! An Ancient Treasure! An Exorbitant Price!

Chapter 186: The Grand Finale Item! ancient treasure! Astronomical Price!

The commotion over the ancient ruins fragment map temporarily subsided with Lu Qiu's terrifying Divine Sense deterrence.

However, the atmosphere in the Auction hall had quietly changed.

Although the Core Formation Cultivators still sat in their respective private rooms, their words and actions were noticeably more restrained and cautious.

Even when bidding, their voices were lowered by several points, no longer as unbridled as before.

In the Cultivation world, cultivation reigns supreme.

With a terrifying existence suspected to be a pseudo-Nascent Soul, or even a true Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator, present, even Core Formation True Persons dared not act as they pleased.

Who knew the temper of that Senior? If any word or action offended the other party, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Lu Qiu sat in Private Room C7, taking all of this in.

His heart was calm, without pride or unease.

He originally didn't want to be so high-profile.

But since some people were ignorant, he didn't mind teaching them a lesson.

As for how they guessed or feared, that was their business.

He just needed to wait for the Auction to end, collect the items, and leave.

...

The Auction continued.

The fifty years of preparation by the Four Great Merchant Alliances were naturally not in vain.

The subsequent items were still rare, dazzling the Cultivators present.

There were rare Medicinal Pills that could advance a Core Formation Cultivator by a small Realm, which several Core Formation Cultivators fought over with red faces;

There were magic treasure fragments of excellent quality containing special Divine Abilities, which attracted frequent bids from those who recognized their value;

There were ancient Jade Slips recording lost Cultivation Techniques, which, though incomplete, were still acquired by a Middle Core Formation Stage Cultivator at a high price;

There was even a live Fourth-level Monster Beast cub, which was taken by a Cultivator skilled in beast taming.

Lu Qiu never made another move.

Firstly, although these items were good, they were not essential for him.

He already had enough Magic Treasures and ancient treasures. Talismans could be refined by himself, Xin Ruyin had array tools, and he had a large group of Spirit Pets.

Adding these things would merely be gilding the lily, of little significance.

Secondly, he didn't want to act high-profile again.

The deterrence just now was already eye-catching enough.

If he frequently made moves again, it might attract more unnecessary attention.

Thirdly, his financial resources were indeed limited.

Although he had accumulated many resources over the years, most existed in physical form and had not been converted into Spirit Stones.

And at this Auction, the soul-quelling grass cost seven thousand, the dream illusion stone cost three thousand, the thousand-year snow lotus cost seven thousand, and the ancient ruins fragment map was another fifteen thousand—totaling over thirty thousand Spirit Stones.

The Spirit Stones he carried were almost gone.

Although those resources could be exchanged for Spirit Stones, many were needed for his own Alchemy, Talisman crafting, array setting, and feeding Spirit Pets, so he was reluctant to sell them cheaply.

"Enough is enough," Lu Qiu thought calmly, taking a sip of Spirit Tea and quietly appreciating the bidding in the hall.

...

Half an hour later, it was finally time for the grand finale.

Deacon Zhou's expression became exceptionally solemn. He cleared his throat and announced loudly:

"Fellow Daoists, next is the grand finale item of this Auction!"

As his voice fell, two Late Foundation Establishment Stage guards carried an exquisite red sandalwood box and slowly walked onto the high platform.

Several Spirit Sealing Talismans were affixed to the wooden box, and a faint treasure light emanated from it, indicating that the item inside was extraordinary.

Deacon Zhou personally peeled off the Spirit Sealing Talismans and opened the lid.

Instantly, an ancient and profound greenish-yellow light soared into the sky from the box!

The light was not dazzling, but it gave a mysterious sense of accumulated age and distant vicissitudes!

The eyes of all the Cultivators present were instantly firmly drawn to that light!

Inside the box lay a palm-sized, entirely greenish-yellow, ancient-looking bronze bell!

The surface of the bronze bell was covered with profound runes and cloud patterns. Although it had endured endless years, it still emitted a faint treasure light, as if recounting its past glory.

"This is—the ancient treasure 'Azure Profound Bell'!"

Deacon Zhou announced loudly: "It is both offensive and defensive. When fully activated, it can transform into a three-zhang giant bell to protect oneself; it can also vibrate with bell sounds to shock the soul and disturb the enemy's mind! Our pavilion's appraisers have confirmed that this treasure is complete and its power is intact!"

ancient treasure!

The entire hall instantly erupted!

The value of an ancient treasure is far beyond that of a Magic Treasure.

Magic Treasures can be refined and inherited, but ancient treasures are relics left by ancient Cultivators. Each one contains unique Laws and Divine Abilities, which cannot be copied or imitated.

A complete ancient treasure is enough to drive any Core Formation Cultivator crazy!

"Starting price—one hundred thousand Spirit Stones!" Deacon Zhou announced the starting price.

This number made many Foundation Establishment Cultivators present gasp.

One hundred thousand Spirit Stones, even for many Core Formation Cultivators, would require them to empty their fortunes.

But for Cultivators with true strength, one hundred thousand Spirit Stones for an ancient treasure that could save their lives and kill enemies was absolutely worth it!

The bidding began!

"One hundred and ten thousand!"

"One hundred and twenty thousand!"

"One hundred and thirty thousand!"

...

The price soared at an astonishing speed.

Almost all the bidders were Core Formation Cultivators in the private rooms.

Those Foundation Establishment Cultivators could only watch eagerly, filled with envy and jealousy, but helpless.

Lu Qiu sat in his private room, quietly watching the fierce bidding.

He was secretly surprised by the high value of ancient treasures—a starting price of one hundred thousand, and the final transaction price would probably double.

But at the same time, a hint of self-satisfaction arose in his heart.

He possessed a full nine ancient treasures!

The space locking mirror, the yinming sword, the yin yang mirror, the restriction breaking pearl, the blood devouring pearl, the soul protecting jade talisman, the space stele fragment, the treasure-fixing coin, plus the xuan xing pearl in Black Fiend's hand—nine ancient treasures, each with unique Divine Abilities and wondrous uses.

If calculated by the transaction price of this Azure Profound Bell today, the ancient treasures he possessed were worth at least over a million Spirit Stones!

"Unknowingly, I have accumulated such a fortune," Lu Qiu mused.

Back in Tiannan, he had to be frugal for a few hundred Spirit Stones.

Now, just the ancient treasures on him were worth an astronomical price.

The gap was not just in cultivation improvement, but a comprehensive leap in vision, Opportunity, and accumulation.

The bidding continued.

"One hundred and fifty thousand!"

"One hundred and sixty thousand!"

When the price reached one hundred and sixty thousand, the hall finally quieted down.

This price had exceeded the affordability of most people.

Deacon Zhou asked three times, and no one added to the bid, so he immediately hammered down:

"Sold! Congratulations to the Senior in Private Room B3!"

A murmur of admiration and envy arose throughout the hall.

Lu Qiu picked up his Spirit Tea, took a sip, and a hint of thought flashed in his eyes.

One hundred and sixty thousand Spirit Stones for an ancient treasure—was it worth it?

For Cultivators desperately needing an ancient treasure to save their lives or enhance their combat power, absolutely.

But for someone like him who already possessed nine ancient treasures, this Azure Profound Bell, though good, was nothing special.

"With these ancient treasures, it's enough to handle most situations," he thought calmly, no longer dwelling on it.

...

After the final item was sold, Deacon Zhou announced a few more matters, and the Auction officially ended.

Lu Qiu stood up, adjusted his cloak, and pushed the door open.

A Foundation Establishment Stage steward was already waiting outside the door. Seeing him emerge, he respectfully led him to a secret room in the back hall of Yunmeng Pavilion.

The secret room was not large, but it was elegantly decorated.

An old man sat behind a desk; it was none other than Deacon Zhou, who had just presided over the Auction.

"Senior, these are the four items you bid on. Please inspect them," Deacon Zhou said, pointing to the four jade boxes on the desk, his attitude respectful and cautious.

Lu Qiu stepped forward and opened each one for inspection.

The first jade box, soul-quelling grass, intact.

The second jade box, dream illusion stone, intact.

The third jade box, thousand-year snow lotus, intact.

The fourth jade box, ancient ruins fragment map, intact.

He nodded in satisfaction, took out Spirit Stones from his Storage Pouch, and counted them for handover.

Thirty-two thousand Spirit Stones, not a single one less.

Deacon Zhou confirmed it was correct, put away the Spirit Stones, and revealed a respectful smile:

"Senior, take care. If Yunmeng Pavilion opens next time, Senior will still be our esteemed guest."

Lu Qiu nodded slightly, then turned to leave.

Just then, Deacon Zhou suddenly spoke:

"Senior, please wait!"

Lu Qiu paused, turned slightly, and looked at him indifferently through the brim of his bamboo hat.

Deacon Zhou's heart trembled slightly under his gaze. He quickly bowed and said:

"Senior, please don't be angry! This Junior is merely relaying a message—our pavilion's Resident Elder wishes to invite Senior for a talk. Would Senior be willing to honor us with your presence?"

Resident Elder?

Lu Qiu frowned slightly.

His Divine Sense had already probed and found a Late Core Formation Stage Cultivator hidden deep within Yunmeng Pavilion, who should be that "Resident Elder."

Why was this person inviting him?

Was it because they valued the terrifying Divine Sense he had just displayed and wanted to form a connection?

Or did they have other intentions?

Regardless, Lu Qiu didn't want to get involved.

Although he now had Nascent Soul Stage Divine Sense, his true cultivation was, after all, only Middle Core Formation Stage.

If he faced that Late Core Formation Stage Cultivator directly, and if the other party possessed secret arts and saw through the true extent of his cultivation, it would be a huge problem.

"No need," Lu Qiu said indifferently. "This Venerable One has important matters to attend to and no time for guests."

After speaking, he turned and left, his steps unhesitating.

Deacon Zhou opened his mouth, wanting to say something more, but seeing Lu Qiu's firm attitude, he dared not force him to stay and could only bow and say, "Senior, take care."