Chapter 21: The Auction

The three-day period passed in a blink of an eye, and the Qishan Secret Realm was nearing its closure. The disciples from the various major sects who had entered the realm all returned to the starting point. When they saw Ye Fan, they all wore expressions of sycophantic flattery.

"Young Master Ye! These are some rare medicinal herbs that our Qingyun Sect disciples found in the secret realm. Please, do us the honor of accepting them!"

"Young Master Ye! The disciples of the Phantom Sound Pavilion are unworthy, but we wish to offer what we have gathered to you!"

"Young Master Ye! Include us as well! We are also willing to offer these beast cores!"

"Young Master Ye..."

For a time, the disciples of the major sects lined up to present gifts to Ye Fan. This scene left Chen Qingshuang, who stood to the side, stunned. She knew that the Lingxiao Sect held significant power in the Northwest Territory, but she had not expected these sect disciples to be so intimidated by Ye Fan. She recalled that Ye Fan had been bullied quite often back in the Central Plains, yet here in the Northwest, he had become a figure revered by thousands. This stark contrast felt surreal, as if she were in a dream. Had she not witnessed it with her own eyes, she would never have believed it.

In just a short while, the colorful storage bags in front of Ye Fan had piled up into a small mountain. Ye Fan felt quite pleased with the disciples' initiative in offering these gifts; after all, such moments were rare. While these were surely not the entirety of their gains, they were enough to ensure Ye Fan returned with a full harvest.

"You have all performed remarkably well. I am very satisfied with this trip to the secret realm," Ye Fan said. "Rest assured, no one in the Northwest Territory will ever dare to bully you!"

This was the very promise they had hoped for when they offered their gifts. "You are too kind, Young Master Ye! This is only what we ought to offer in respect!"

However, someone noticed the stunningly beautiful stranger standing by Ye Fan’s side. They were certain they had never seen her before, but since she could stand so close to Ye Fan, she surely could not be ordinary.

"Oh my! Young Master Ye, you certainly have quite the fortune with women!"

"This peerless fairy is an absolute match for you!"

"Indeed! Indeed! Not only has Young Master Ye had a bountiful harvest, but he has also won the heart of a beauty. Truly, good things come in pairs!"

The crowd began to tease them, making Chen Qingshuang blush with shyness. This scene, watched from a corner by Chu Ling’er, filled her with immense fury. That position beside Ye Fan should have been hers.

A moment later, the familiar fluctuations of space appeared, and everyone was teleported out.

The Qishan Secret Realm journey had finally come to an end. After bidding each other farewell, everyone departed. Ye Fan did not rush back to the Lingxiao Sect but instead headed toward Luo City, located in the center of the Northwest Territory. The Northwest branch of the Eight Treasures Hall, the largest auction house on the Profound Heaven Continent, was located in Luo City. Ye Fan needed to auction off some of the rare treasures he had obtained to exchange them for the cultivation resources he required.

...

Northwest Territory, Luo City, Eight Treasures Hall Branch.

"This way, Young Master Ye!" A servant respectfully ushered Ye Fan into a purple-gold private room on the upper floor of the auction house. This was the only purple-gold room in the entire venue, symbolizing the highest status; in the entire Northwest Territory, only the Lingxiao Sect was qualified to enter it. In truth, this was Ye Fan’s first time here, as he had previously always sent others to entrust business to Hall Master Wang. But this time, the items he intended to auction were so numerous that he felt it safer to handle them in person. He did not need to do anything but sit and wait, while incidentally observing what rare treasures might appear in the auction.

Chen Qingshuang accompanied Ye Fan. Her status was actually far more exalted than his, though the others remained unaware of this. Soon, the first floor of the auction house was filled with cultivators from all over, yet the hall remained quiet. Even when conversing, they only whispered. Such was the rule of the Eight Treasures Hall, and no one dared to defy it, lest they lose the right to enter forever.

As a tall auctioneer stepped onto the stage, the auction officially commenced. The first item was a suit of armor made of an unknown material, which appeared to be of decent quality. However, such things could not catch Ye Fan’s eye, given the many superior items he had seen. Yet for many ordinary cultivators, it was an excellent defensive piece. Eventually, it was sold for ten thousand spirit stones.

Next came a third-grade medicinal pill capable of rapidly replenishing spiritual energy, which could play a crucial role in battle. Though only a third-grade pill, it was relatively scarce. It eventually sold for thirty thousand spirit stones. As item after item was sold, the auction reached its climactic stage. Every item appearing now was worth a fortune, yet neither Ye Fan nor Chen Qingshuang was moved.

It was not until an object resembling a Bagua disc appeared that both were attracted.

"Brother Ye Fan, isn't that your item?" Chen Qingshuang asked. "Why did you bring this to be auctioned?"

She clearly remembered seeing this object with Ye Fan when she was a child. The Universe Formation Map was a supreme spiritual artifact containing eighty-one powerful formations. The user only needed to infuse it with their own spiritual energy to trigger the formations within. It was a protective talisman given to Ye Fan by his mother. However, when he was involved with Chu Ling’er, Ye Fan had given it to her.

Seeing the item, Ye Fan immediately understood what had happened. Chu Ling’er must have failed to secure any benefits in the secret realm and had brought this item here to auction it off in order to gather enough for a bride price.

"Shuang’er, that is a long story. I need your help with this."

Chen Qingshuang understood his intent immediately. With a thought, a delicate mask appeared on her face, and she quietly walked out of the private room.

Meanwhile, the auctioneer on stage began the bidding. She meticulously explained the functions of the Universe Formation Map. Seeing the shocked expressions of the crowd, she knew the best moment had arrived. She called out, "The starting price for the Universe Formation Map is five hundred thousand spirit stones!"

This starting price was not high—for such a spiritual artifact, it was quite low—but five hundred thousand spirit stones were not something an ordinary cultivator could easily produce. Soon, someone rose to answer: "I bid five hundred fifty thousand!"

"Six hundred thousand!"

"Eight hundred thousand!"

"I bid one point two million!"

However, just then, an elegant voice rang out: "One million spirit stones."

When this bid was announced, everyone was stunned. What was going on? Why was someone bidding backwards? Even the auctioneer thought she had misheard and stared blankly at the masked woman.

"Forgive me, Fairy, I did not hear you clearly. Could you repeat that?"

Chen Qingshuang, from behind the mask, replied calmly, "Central Plains, Heavenly Sword Gate—one million!"