lín xuān yě bù yóu de méi tou yí zhòu ， zhè líng jiè de fù yù ， kàn lái hái zhè zài zì jǐ xiǎng xiàng zhī shàng de 。
林轩也不由得眉头一皱，这灵界的富裕，看来还这在自己想象之上的。
Lin Xuan couldn't help but furrow his brow. The wealth of this Spirit Realm seemed to surpass even his imagination.
yǐ shǒu fǔ é ， zhè dì yī jiàn bǎo wù jiū jìng huì shì shén me ， yǒu méi yǒu bì yào wán shàng yī bǎ ne ？
以手抚额，这第一件宝物究竟会是什么，有没有必要玩上一把呢？
With a hand on his forehead, he pondered the first treasure up for auction. Should he bid or not?
nǎo hǎi zhōng niàn tou shàng wèi zhuǎn guò ， xià miàn de xiū xiān zhě yǐ jīng kāi shǐ jìng jià le 。
脑海中念头尚未转过，下面的修仙者已经开始竞价了。
Before his thoughts could fully form, the other cultivators began bidding.
liǎng wàn zhōng pǐn jīng shí ， què shí néng ràng dà bù fèn xiū shì wàng ér què bù ， dàn néng gòu lái dào cǐ chù de xiū xiān zhě ， zì rán yǐ shēn jiā fù shù de jū duō ， ér qiě bù fá háo shuǎng zhī tú ， shǒu shàng jì rán yǒu le xián qián ， wán shàng yī bǎ yě méi yǒu shén me ， xiǎng lái yě bú huì dé dào lā jī de 。
两万中品晶石，确实能让大部分修士望而却步，但能够来到此处的修仙者，自然以身家富庶的居多，而且不乏豪爽之徒，手上既然有了闲钱，玩上一把也没有什么，想来也不会得到垃圾的。
Two hundred thousand middle-grade crystal stones—indeed, that was enough to deter most cultivators. However, those who had arrived here naturally came from wealthy backgrounds and were often generous with their money. With some spare cash on hand, a bid wouldn't hurt. He doubted he would end up with anything worthless.
suǒ yǐ dāng nà wèi mò dà shī huà yīn gāng luò ， lì kè jiù yǒu jìng jià de xiǎng qǐ lái le 。
所以当那位莫大师话音刚落，立刻就有竞价的响起来了。
As Master Mo's voice faded, bidding calls immediately followed.
“ liǎng wàn ！”
“两万！”
"Two hundred thousand!"
“ liǎng wàn yī ”
“两万一”
"Two hundred thousand one."
“ liǎng wàn èr 。”
“两万二。”
"Two hundred thousand two."
“ liǎng wàn wǔ 。”
“两万五。”
"Two hundred thousand five."
zhè ge shēng yīn yī chū ， dà tīng zhī zhōng ， lì kè chū xiàn le duǎn zàn de chén jì ， dào bú shì shuō ， jià wèi yǐ gāo dào bù kě jiē shòu de dì bù ， ér shì lián bǎo wù shì shén me dōu bù qīng chǔ ， shí zài méi yǒu bì yào fēng kuáng gēn zhe qiǎng pāi de ， suī rán dà huì bù tài kě néng ná chū hù nòng zhī wù ， dàn qí jiū jìng jià zhí jǐ hé zhòng rén xīn zhōng yě shì méi yǒu dǐ de 。
这个声音一出，大厅之中，立刻出现了短暂的沉寂，倒不是说，价位已高到不可接受的地步，而是连宝物是什么都不清楚，实在没有必要疯狂跟着抢拍的，虽然大会不太可能拿出糊弄之物，但其究竟价值几何众人心中也是没有底的。
The sound of his voice caused the hall to fall silent for a moment. It wasn't that the price was too high; it was just that without knowing what the treasure was, there was no need to bid recklessly. Though the auction likely wouldn't offer anything fake, its true value remained uncertain.
zài zhè lǐ huā shàng tài duō de jīng shí ， yī huì er zhēn chū xiàn xū yào de bǎo wù ， suǒ dài de cái huò bù zú ， nà qǐ bù shì shě běn zhú mò ， kū dōu méi yǒu dì fāng kū 。
在这里huā上太多的晶石，一会儿真出现需要的宝物，所带的财货不足，那岂不是舍本逐末，哭都没有地方哭。
Spending too many crystal stones here would be foolish if the desired item didn’t appear and his funds ran out.
zhì yú nà yì kǒu qì tiān jiā le sān gàn jīng shí de xiū shì ， zé shì yī féi tóu dà ěr de pàng zi ， chuān zhe yī jīn huáng sè de yī fú ， shàng miàn jū rán yìn zhì mǎn le tóng qián bān de shì wù 。
至于那一口气添加了三干晶石的修士，则是一肥头大耳的胖子，穿着一金黄色的衣服，上面居然印制满了铜钱般的事物。
The cultivator who added three thousand more crystals was a large, fat man in golden robes adorned with copper-like symbols.
xiū wèi dào yě bù dī ， yuán yīng zhōng qī ， rán ér zhè fù dǎ bàn ， nǎ xiàng xiū dào zhě ， dào xiàng shì sú zhōng de shǒu cái nú ， bù guò rén jiā chū shǒu què piān piān fēi cháng de kuò chuò 。
修为倒也不低，元婴中期，然而这副打扮，哪像修道者，倒像世俗中的守财奴，不过人家出手却偏偏非常的阔绰。
His cultivation wasn't low—mid-stage infant immortal—but this appearance made him look like a miser from the secular world rather than a cultivator. Yet he bid generously.
lín xuān zì rán bù rèn shí ， bù guò què tīng jiàn yǒu rén jiào tā jiǎ pàng zi ， sì hū shì yī míng sàn xiū ， bù guò què kāi le jǐ jiā diàn pù ， hěn shì zhuàn qián de yàng zi 。
林轩自然不认识，不过却听见有人叫他贾胖子，似乎是一名散修，不过却开了几家店铺，很是赚钱的样子。
Lin Xuan didn’t recognize him but heard someone call him "Jia Fat." He seemed to be an independent cultivator who had opened several shops, making quite a bit of money.
kàn lái zhè dì yī jiàn bǎo wù ， gāi shì cǐ rén suǒ de ， lín xuān nǎo hǎi zhōng niàn tou zhuǎn guò ， zài yí cì jiāng shén shí fàng chū gāng gāng jiē chù dào zhào zài shàng miàn de hóng bù ， jiù bèi chóng xīn fǎn tán huí lái le ， jié guǒ yǔ gāng gāng shì yī yàng de 。
看来这第一件宝物，该是此人所得，林轩脑海中念头转过，再一次将神识放出刚刚接触到罩在上面的红布，就被重新反弹回来了，结果与刚刚是一样的。
It appeared that the first item would belong to this man. Lin Xuan’s thoughts turned as his spiritual sense reached out, only to bounce back off the red cloth covering it. The result was the same as before.
bié shuō ， cǐ bù dào zhēn shì yī jiàn bù cuò de bǎo wù ！
别说，此布倒真是一件不错的宝物！
Indeed, this cloth seemed like a fine treasure!
xīn zhōng rú cǐ xiǎng zhe ， lín xuān guǐ shǐ shén chāi de yòu dòng yòng le lìng yī xiàng mì shù 。
心中如此想着，林轩鬼使神差的又动用了另一项秘术。
He thought so as he unknowingly activated another secret technique.
tiān fèng shén mù ！
天凤神目！
Heavenly Phoenix Divine Eye!
xī le kǒu qì ， yǎn zhōng de guāng yùn wǔ cǎi liú lí ， lín xuān píng fán de miàn róng zài xī de yìng chèn xià ， jìng xiǎn chū jǐ fēn yāo yì 。
吸了口气，眼中的光晕五彩琉璃，林轩平凡的面容在牺的映衬下，竟显出几分妖异。
Taking a deep breath, the light in his eyes turned into a colorful aura. His ordinary face appeared somewhat eerie under its reflection.
hǎo zài zuò wéi fēi hóng yāo pái de yōng yǒu zhě ， lín xuān dú chǔ zài yí gè bāo fáng zhī zhōng ， dào bù pà yǒu rén fā xiàn tā de yì xiàng yǔ bù tuǒ 。
好在作为绯红腰牌的拥有者，林轩独处在一个包房之中，倒不怕有人发现他的异象与不妥。
Fortunately, as the owner of the Crimson Waist Token, Lin Xuan was alone in his private room and didn’t fear anyone noticing his odd appearance or behavior.
tiān fēng shén mù suī shì mó fǎng fèng huáng de mì shù ， dàn qí kàn pò huàn shù yǔ zǔ ài de néng lì ， zài líng jiè de líng mù shén tōng zhōng ， yě zú yǐ pái jìn qián sān zhī liè 。
天风神目虽是模仿凤凰的秘术，但其看破幻术与阻碍的能力，在灵界的灵目神通中，也足以排进前三之列。
The Heavenly Phoenix Divine Eye, though imitating the secret technique of a phoenix, could penetrate illusions and obstacles among Spirit Realm’s spiritual eye techniques. Despite his shallow cultivation, he still found something surprising.
dāng rán ， lín xuān xiū wèi hái tài guò qiǎn bó ， suǒ xiū xí de fèng wǔ jiǔ tiān jué ， yě bù guò shì shàng piān bà le dàn ráo shì rú cǐ ， lín xuān yī jiù fā xiàn le ràng tā jīng xǐ de shì 。
当然，林轩修为还太过浅薄，所修习的凤舞九天诀，也不过是上篇罢了但饶是如此，林轩依旧发现了让他惊喜的事。
His initial attempt with his spirit sense had failed, but the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Eye managed to see through the red cloth, albeit vaguely enough to make out some form.
yuán běn shén shí méi yǒu xiào guǒ ， kě tiān fèng shén mù què chuān tòu le nà céng hóng bù ， suī shuō yǒu xiē mí hū dàn miǎn qiǎng hái shì néng gòu kàn dào yí gè lún kuò 。
原本神识没有效果，可天凤神目却穿透了那层红布，虽说有些迷糊但勉强还是能够看到一个轮廓。
That treasure… seemed like…
nà bǎo wù ， hǎo xiàng shì ……
那宝物，好像是……
The first item was already five thousand crystal stones higher than the base price. Converted into lower-grade crystals, it would be worth half a million. Master Mo’s face showed satisfaction.
zhè dì yī jiàn cāi pāi zhī wù ， bǐ dǐ jià jiù duō chū le wǔ qiān jīng shí ， huàn chéng xià pǐn de ， zú yǒu wǔ shí wàn zhī duō ， nà wèi mò hén mò dà shī de liǎn shàng ， yě bù yóu de lù chū mǎn yì zhī sè 。
这第一件猜拍之物，比底价就多出了五千晶石，换成下品的，足有五十万之多，那位莫痕莫大师的脸上，也不由得露出满意之色。
This exceeded his initial expectations.
zhè bǐ tā yuán xiān yù qī de jià gé yǐ jīng gāo chū xiē xǔ le 。
这比他原先预期的价格已经高出些许了。
However, according to auction rules, he repeated twice and picked up a small hammer-like tool, ready to finalize the bid when a cold voice interrupted him.
bù guò àn zhào pāi mài de guī jǔ ， tā yī jiù shì chóng fù le liǎng cì ， rán hòu ná qǐ yī xiǎo chuí yàng de fǎ qì ， zhèng xiǎng yī chuí dìng yīn zhī shí ， yī lěng lěng de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ lǐ 。
不过按照拍卖的规矩，他依旧是重复了两次，然后拿起一小锤样的法器，正想一锤定音之时，一冷冷的声音传入耳朵里。
"Three hundred thousand middle-grade crystal stones."
“ sān wàn zhōng pǐn jīng shí 。”
“三万中品晶石。”
The voice was clear despite its low volume, causing everyone to gasp. Jia Fat’s addition of three thousand crystals was already considered generous, but this person seemed even more so.
nà shēng yīn bù dà què qīng xī de chuán rù yǒu měi yí gè rén de ěr duǒ ， xiǎn rán cǐ zi xiū wèi bù sú ， suǒ chū de jià gé ， gèng shì yǐn qǐ le yī piàn jīng hū 。
那声音不大却清晰的传入有每一个人的耳朵，显然此子修为不俗，所出的价格，更是引起了一片惊呼。
Master Mo was delighted and joined others in looking towards the source of the sound.
jiǎ pàng zi yī cì jiā sān qiān yǐ jīng shì dà shǒu bǐ ， zhè rén jū rán hái yào dà fāng yī xiē 。
贾胖子一次加三千已经是大手笔，这人居然还要大方一些。
A hexagonal private room appeared.
mò dà shī gèng shì dà xǐ ， suí zhe zhòng rén yì qǐ xiàng fā chū shēng yīn de dì fāng wàng qù 。
莫大师更是大喜，随着众人一起像发出声音的地方望去。
"Such generosity—could it be that old monster?"
yí gè liù léng xíng de bāo xiāng yìng rù yǎn lián lǐ 。
一个六棱形的包厢映入眼帘里。
Master Mo’s pupils constricted. He had a special status at the auction and vaguely heard about an important figure among the guests.
“ rú cǐ dà shǒu bǐ nán dào shì nà míng lǎo guài wù ？”
“如此大手笔难道是那名老怪物？”
If it were him, such a price would be trivial.
mò dà shī tóng kǒng wēi suō ， tā zài pāi mài huì zhōng shēn fèn tè shū ， yǐn yǐn yuē yuē tīng shuō zhè cì bāo fáng zhī zhōng lái le yī wèi liǎo bù qǐ de dà rén wù 。
莫大师瞳孔微缩，他在拍卖会中身份特殊，隐隐约约听说这次包房之中来了一位了不起的大人物。
Seeing his prize fly away, Jia Fat was furious but noticed the bidder was in a private room, showing hesitation again.
rú guǒ shì tā de huà zhè diǎn jià gé shì bù zhí yī tí de 。
如果是他的话这点价格是不值一提的。
He wasn’t new to auctions and knew some of their secrets. Those who could afford private rooms usually had significant power or backing from major forces. If it turned out to be an important treasure, he wouldn’t hesitate to compete regardless of cost. But for a mere bid item, it was not worth the enmity.
yǎn kàn zhǔ shú de yā zi jū rán yòu fēi le ， jiǎ pàng zi bù yóu de yī zhèn huì nù bù guò kàn jiàn chū jià zhī rén jū rán shì yōng yǒu dān dú bāo xiāng de ， liǎn shàng yòu xiǎn chū jǐ fēn yóu yù zhī sè 。
眼看煮熟的鸭子居然又飞了，贾胖子不由得一阵恚怒不过看见出价之人居然是拥有单独包厢的，脸上又显出几分犹豫之色。
After all, what lay beneath that red cloth might not be his desired item.
tā bú shì dì yī cì cān jiā pāi mài huì le 。
他不是第一次参加拍卖会了。
Jia Fat sat down with a pleasant expression on his face but cursed internally, hating the interference.
qí fēng de nèi mù duō shǎo hái shì zhī dào yī xiē de 。
其丰的内幕多少还是知道一些的。
Master Mo was pleased and asked as per protocol before hammering to announce the final bidder had won for three hundred thousand crystal stones.
néng gòu yōng yǒu bāo xiāng de ， tōng cháng dōu shì dà rén wù ， bú shì běn shēn xiū wèi chū zhòng ， jiù shì bèi kào yī fāng dà shì lì de 。
能够拥有包厢的，通常都是大人物，不是本身修为出众，就是背靠一方大势力的。
"Master, now that we have an owner, can you reveal what this bid item is?"
rú guǒ zhēn zǒu chū liǎo liǎo bù qǐ de bǎo wù ， jí shǐ shì miàn duì zhè zhǒng xiū xiān zhě ， tā kěn dìng yě bú huì fàng qì ， gè píng cái lì ， zhēng shàng yī zhēng de ， bù guò wèi le yī jiàn cāi pāi zhī wù ， yǔ duì fāng jiāo wù ， zé shí shǔ zhí bù dé 。
如果真走出了了不起的宝物，即使是面对这种修仙者，他肯定也不会放弃，各凭财力，争上一争的，不过为了一件猜拍之物，与对方交恶，则实属值不得。
A loud voice echoed. Other cultivators soon joined in, not considering three hundred thousand middle-grade crystals a significant price. Some ancient treasures and medicinal pills could fetch much more.
bì jìng nà hóng bù suǒ yǎn gài zhe de ， bù yí dìng shì zì jǐ suǒ xū zhī wù 。
毕竟那红布所掩盖着的，不一定是自己所需之物。
But it was just a bid item; according to auction rules, the first item was usually the least valuable.
nǎo hǎi zhōng niàn tou shǎn guò ， jiǎ pàng zi mǎn liǎn hé qì de zuò xià lái le ， dāng rán ， xīn zhōng què shì pò kǒu dà mà bù yǐ ， xīn zhōng hěn hèn duì fāng jiǎo le zì jǐ de jú 。
脑海中念头闪过，贾胖子满脸和气的坐下来了，当然，心中却是破口大骂不已，心中很恨对方搅了自己的局。
At that rate, such a high price seemed absurd, making many wonder if the guest in the private room had been tricked into paying too much.
mò dà shī yě pǒ wèi huān xǐ ， yòu àn guī jǔ wèn le jǐ cì ， rán hòu yī chuí dìng yīn ， xuān bù zuì hòu de jìng jià zhě yǐ sān wàn jīng shí ， huò dé le zhè jiàn bǎo wù 。
莫大师也颇为欢喜，又按规矩问了几次，然后一锤定音，宣布最后的竞价者以三万晶石，获得了这件宝物。
Human nature being what it is, people enjoyed seeing others lose out. No one wanted someone else to get a good deal right before their eyes.
“ dà shī ， rú jīn dōng xī yǐ jīng yǒu le guī shǔ ， bù zhī dào shì fǒu kě yǐ jiē xiǎo mí dǐ ， ràng wǒ men zhī dào cāi pāi de jiū jìng shì shén me shì wù ？”
“大师，如今东西已经有了归属，不知道是否可以揭晓谜底，让我们知道猜拍的究竟是什么事物？”
"Um…"
yī hóng liàng de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ ， suí hòu qí tā de xiū xiān zhě ， yě dōu fēn fēn gǔ zào qǐ lái le ， píng xīn lái shuō ， sān wàn zhōng pǐn jīng shí ， bìng bù suàn shén me liǎo bù qǐ de jià gé ， yī xiē gǔ bǎo ， zēng jìn xiū wèi de dān yào ， chéng jiāo jià gé kě shì yào yuǎn chāo shù bèi de 。
一洪亮的声音传入耳朵，随后其他的修仙者，也都纷纷鼓噪起来了，平心来说，三万中品晶石，并不算什么了不起的价格，一些古宝，增进修为的丹药，成交价格可是要远超数倍的。
Master Mo was hesitant. According to rules, once an item was sold, the auction house couldn’t announce its identity. But refusing might not sit well with the crowd’s enthusiasm.
kě guān jiàn shì ， zhè bù guò shì yī jiàn cāi pāi zhī wù ， hé kuàng àn zhào pāi mài huì de guī jǔ ， yì bān dì yī jiàn ná chū lái de dōng xī ， dōu shì zuì bù zhí qián de 。
可关键是，这不过是一件猜拍之物，何况按照拍卖会的规矩，一般第一件拿出来的东西，都是最不值钱的。
What should he do?
àn zhè ge lái suàn de huà ， sān wàn de jià gé ， jué duì gāo dé lí pǔ ， suǒ yǐ hěn duō rén dōu xiǎng yào xiǎo de ， nà wèi bāo fáng * zhōng de dà rén wù ， shì bú shì dāng le yuān dà tóu le 。
按这个来算的话，三万的价格，绝对高得离谱，所以很多人都想要晓得，那位包房*中的大人物，是不是当了冤大头了。
A wry smile appeared on Master Mo's face as he regretted organizing this charade.
rén xìng běn rú cǐ ， xìng zāi lè huò ， shuí yě bù xī wàng bié rén zài zì jǐ yǎn qián ， jiǎn dào dà biàn yí de 。
人性本如此，幸灾乐祸，谁也不希望别人在自己眼前，捡到大便宜的。
Though a skilled appraiser, he wasn't high enough in the auction hierarchy to make such decisions. Seeing the old man's hesitation, the noise from below grew louder.
“ zhè ……”
“这……”
"How can we spend so many crystals and still be kept in the dark about what’s being auctioned? This is unacceptable."
mò dà shī yǒu xiē wéi nán le ， àn guī jǔ ， jìng pāi jié shù ， cǐ wù jiù guī pāi dé zhě suǒ yǒu ， fāng shì kě méi yǒu quán lì gōng bù ， bì jìng nà shì bié rén ** de ， kě rú guǒ jù jué le ， kàn zhè qún qíng xiōng yǒng de yàng zi ， yǎn qián zhè yī guān jiù yǒu xiē bù hǎo guò 。
莫大师有些为难了，按规矩，竞拍结束，此物就归拍得者所有，坊市可没有权利公布，毕竟那是别人**的，可如果拒绝了，看这群情汹涌的样子，眼前这一关就有些不好过。
"Agreed. Such a trick on us—no more auctions for me next time."
gāi jí me bàn ne ？
该集么办呢？
"Master Mo, we respect you, but you shouldn’t treat your fellow cultivators like monkeys."
mò dà shī liǎn shàng bù yóu de lù chū kǔ xiào zhī sè ， yǒu xiē hòu huǐ gǎo zhè huā tóu lái le 。
莫大师脸上不由得露出苦笑之色，有些后悔搞这huā头来了。
"Cultivators, calm down. I’m not holding back; this item has already been claimed by another. Whether to announce it depends on the other cultivator's intentions."
Lin Xuan couldn't help but furrow his brow. The wealth of this Spirit Realm seemed to surpass even his imagination.
With a hand on his forehead, he pondered the first treasure up for auction. Should he bid or not?
Before his thoughts could fully form, the other cultivators began bidding.
Two hundred thousand middle-grade crystal stones—indeed, that was enough to deter most cultivators. However, those who had arrived here naturally came from wealthy backgrounds and were often generous with their money. With some spare cash on hand, a bid wouldn't hurt. He doubted he would end up with anything worthless.
As Master Mo's voice faded, bidding calls immediately followed.
"Two hundred thousand!"
"Two hundred thousand one."
"Two hundred thousand two."
"Two hundred thousand five."
The sound of his voice caused the hall to fall silent for a moment. It wasn't that the price was too high; it was just that without knowing what the treasure was, there was no need to bid recklessly. Though the auction likely wouldn't offer anything fake, its true value remained uncertain.
Spending too many crystal stones here would be foolish if the desired item didn’t appear and his funds ran out.
The cultivator who added three thousand more crystals was a large, fat man in golden robes adorned with copper-like symbols.
His cultivation wasn't low—mid-stage infant immortal—but this appearance made him look like a miser from the secular world rather than a cultivator. Yet he bid generously.
Lin Xuan didn’t recognize him but heard someone call him "Jia Fat." He seemed to be an independent cultivator who had opened several shops, making quite a bit of money.
It appeared that the first item would belong to this man. Lin Xuan’s thoughts turned as his spiritual sense reached out, only to bounce back off the red cloth covering it. The result was the same as before.
Indeed, this cloth seemed like a fine treasure!
He thought so as he unknowingly activated another secret technique.
Heavenly Phoenix Divine Eye!
Taking a deep breath, the light in his eyes turned into a colorful aura. His ordinary face appeared somewhat eerie under its reflection.
Fortunately, as the owner of the Crimson Waist Token, Lin Xuan was alone in his private room and didn’t fear anyone noticing his odd appearance or behavior.
The Heavenly Phoenix Divine Eye, though imitating the secret technique of a phoenix, could penetrate illusions and obstacles among Spirit Realm’s spiritual eye techniques. Despite his shallow cultivation, he still found something surprising.
His initial attempt with his spirit sense had failed, but the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Eye managed to see through the red cloth, albeit vaguely enough to make out some form.
That treasure… seemed like…
The first item was already five thousand crystal stones higher than the base price. Converted into lower-grade crystals, it would be worth half a million. Master Mo’s face showed satisfaction.
This exceeded his initial expectations.
However, according to auction rules, he repeated twice and picked up a small hammer-like tool, ready to finalize the bid when a cold voice interrupted him.
"Three hundred thousand middle-grade crystal stones."
The voice was clear despite its low volume, causing everyone to gasp. Jia Fat’s addition of three thousand crystals was already considered generous, but this person seemed even more so.
Master Mo was delighted and joined others in looking towards the source of the sound.
A hexagonal private room appeared.
"Such generosity—could it be that old monster?"
Master Mo’s pupils constricted. He had a special status at the auction and vaguely heard about an important figure among the guests.
If it were him, such a price would be trivial.
Seeing his prize fly away, Jia Fat was furious but noticed the bidder was in a private room, showing hesitation again.
He wasn’t new to auctions and knew some of their secrets. Those who could afford private rooms usually had significant power or backing from major forces. If it turned out to be an important treasure, he wouldn’t hesitate to compete regardless of cost. But for a mere bid item, it was not worth the enmity.
After all, what lay beneath that red cloth might not be his desired item.
Jia Fat sat down with a pleasant expression on his face but cursed internally, hating the interference.
Master Mo was pleased and asked as per protocol before hammering to announce the final bidder had won for three hundred thousand crystal stones.
"Master, now that we have an owner, can you reveal what this bid item is?"
A loud voice echoed. Other cultivators soon joined in, not considering three hundred thousand middle-grade crystals a significant price. Some ancient treasures and medicinal pills could fetch much more.
But it was just a bid item; according to auction rules, the first item was usually the least valuable.
At that rate, such a high price seemed absurd, making many wonder if the guest in the private room had been tricked into paying too much.
Human nature being what it is, people enjoyed seeing others lose out. No one wanted someone else to get a good deal right before their eyes.
"Um…"
Master Mo was hesitant. According to rules, once an item was sold, the auction house couldn’t announce its identity. But refusing might not sit well with the crowd’s enthusiasm.
What should he do?
A wry smile appeared on Master Mo's face as he regretted organizing this charade.
Though a skilled appraiser, he wasn't high enough in the auction hierarchy to make such decisions. Seeing the old man's hesitation, the noise from below grew louder.
"How can we spend so many crystals and still be kept in the dark about what’s being auctioned? This is unacceptable."
"Agreed. Such a trick on us—no more auctions for me next time."
"Master Mo, we respect you, but you shouldn’t treat your fellow cultivators like monkeys."
"Cultivators, calm down. I’m not holding back; this item has already been claimed by another. Whether to announce it depends on the other cultivator's intentions."