dì yī qiān jiǔ bǎi èr shí sì zhāng shén mì pāi mài huì
第一千九百二十四章神秘拍卖会
Chapter 1924: Mysterious Auction
“ chú le xiū wèi shàng de xiàn zhì ， xiǎng yào cān jiā pāi mài huì de tiáo jiàn jiǎn dān yǐ jí ， zhǐ xū yào huā fèi liǎng bǎi zhōng pǐn jīng shí ， zuò wéi mén piào jí kě 。” nà fù xìng dōng fāng de xiū shì huǎn huǎn shuō 。
“除了修为上的限制，想要参加拍卖会的条件简单以极，只需要花费两百中品晶石，作为门票即可。”那复姓东方的修士缓缓说。
"Besides the restrictions on cultivation, the conditions for participating in this auction are extremely simple. All you need to do is spend two hundred middle-grade crystal stones as a ticket," said the cultivator with the surname Dongfang slowly.
“ liǎng bǎi zhōng pǐn jīng shí ？”
“两百中品晶石？”
"Two hundred middle-grade crystal stones?"
nà jǐ míng xiū shì yī dāi ， liǎn sè dōu yǒu xiē nán kàn ， zhè ge shù é ， duì yú tā men yuán yīng zhōng qī de xiū xiān zhě ， suī rán suàn bù liǎo shén me ， dàn yě yào kàn yòng chǔ rú hé ， jǐn jǐn shì zuò wèi mén piào de huà ， bù lùn cóng nǎ ge jiǎo dù ， dōu yǒu xiē tài guò shē chǐ ……
那几名修士一呆，脸色都有些难看，这个数额，对于他们元婴中期的修仙者，虽然算不了什么，但也要看用处如何，仅仅是做为门票的话，不论从哪个角度，都有些太过奢侈……
The other cultivators were taken aback; their expressions turned somewhat unpleasant. While such an amount wasn't significant for mid-stage Immortal Core cultivators, it still depended on how they intended to use them. Simply as a ticket? From any angle, it seemed rather extravagant...
“ jǐ wèi dào yǒu bù yòng chí yí ， zài xià yǔ nǐ men xiāng jiāo yě bú shì yī rì liǎng rì ， qǐ huì yǒu kēng piàn zhū wèi dào yǒu ， zhè pāi mài huì de mén piào xiāng duì lái shuō ， shōu dé shì gāo le diǎn ， dàn jué duì wù yǒu suǒ zhí ， jǐ wèi xiǎng yào de bǎo wù ， pāi mài huì shàng yīng gāi dū huì chū xiàn de 。”
“几位道友不用迟疑，在下与你们相交也不是一日两日，岂会有坑骗诸位道友，这拍卖会的门票相对来说，收得是高了点，但绝对物有所值，几位想要的宝物，拍卖会上应该都会出现的。”
"Dozen friends need not hesitate. I've known you for some time and would never deceive you. The price of the tickets at this auction is indeed high, but it's definitely worth the value. If you want certain treasures, they should appear here."
“ dào yǒu shuō zhēn de ……”
“道友说真的……”
"Friend, are you serious?"
nà jǐ rén duì shì yī yǎn ， biǎo qíng bù yóu de dōu yǒu suǒ gǎi biàn ， míng xiǎn yì dòng le qǐ lái 。
那几人对视一眼，表情不由得都有所改变，明显意动了起来。
The others exchanged glances; their expressions changed noticeably as if intrigued.
ér tā men shuō huà de shí hòu ， bìng méi yǒu shǐ yòng chuán yīn rù mì zhī shù ， lín xuān tīng dé shì qīng qīng chǔ chǔ 。
而他们说话的时候，并没有使用传音入密之术，林轩听得是清清楚楚。
While speaking, none used the technique to transmit sounds secretly. Lin Xuan could hear them clearly.
shén sè yī dòng ， yě zǒu guò qù le 。
神色一动，也走过去了。
His expression shifted, and he walked over.
“ jǐ wèi dào yǒu qǐng le 。” lín xuān bào quán xíng le yī lǐ ， liǎn shàng de biǎo qíng nà jiào xiào róng kě jū 。
“几位道友请了。”林轩抱拳行了一礼，脸上的表情那叫笑容可掬。
"Dozen friends, please," Lin Xuan bowed with a smile on his face.
jǐ rén yě dōu fēn fēn huán lǐ ， xiū xiān zhě suī rán ěr yú wǒ zhà ， shā rén qiǎng bǎo yì diǎn yě bù hán hù ， dàn tóng jiē xiū shì zhī jiān ， zhǐ yào méi yǒu jiāo wù ， biǎo xiàn dé què shì fēi cháng hé ǎi de 。
几人也都纷纷还礼，修仙者虽然尔虞我诈，杀人抢宝一点也不含糊，但同阶修士之间，只要没有交恶，表现得却是非常和蔼的。
They all returned the courtesy, despite the competitive nature of cultivators who would kill or steal without hesitation. But between peers, they were generally amiable as long as there was no enmity.
néng gòu hùn dào zhè yī bù ， xū yǔ wēi yí de fū shuí bù chún shú 。
能够混到这一步，虚与委蛇的夫谁不纯熟。
Who wouldn't be skilled at such pretense?
jǐ rén jiē shì yuán yīng zhōng qī ， lín xuān shī zhǎn le liǎn qì zhī shù ， kàn shàng qù jìng jiè yǔ tā men shì yī yàng de 。
几人皆是元婴中期，林轩施展了敛气之术，看上去境界与他们是一样的。
All were mid-stage Immortal Core cultivators. Lin Xuan used the technique to conceal his qi, making him appear on par with them in terms of cultivation level.
“ lín mǒu cóng zhè lǐ lù guò ， pèng qiǎo tīng jiàn jǐ wèi dào yǒu de yán yǔ ， yī huì er yǒu dì xià pāi mài huì jǔ xíng ， zài xià yě hěn gǎn xìng qù ， bù zhī dào kě fǒu dài wǒ tóng qù ？” lín xuān huǎn huǎn de kāi kǒu le ， yǔ qì cóng róng ， gēn běn kàn bù chū xīn zhōng de xǐ nù 。
“林某从这里路过，碰巧听见几位道友的言语，一会儿有地下拍卖会举行，在下也很感兴趣，不知道可否带我同去？”林轩缓缓的开口了，语气从容，根本看不出心中的喜怒。
"I happen to pass by and wish to participate in this auction," said Lin Xuan casually. "As a guide, I am delighted."
“ hē hē ， zhè zhǐ shì xiǎo shì yí jiàn ér yǐ ， dào yǒu xiǎng qù ， dāng rán kě yǐ yǔ wǒ men tóng háng 。” nà míng jiào dōng fāng shuò de xiū shì xiǎn de fēi cháng rè qíng ， yào zhī dào měi duō dài yī míng xiū shì guò qù ， tā jiù duō yī fèn hǎo chù ， lín xuān zhǔ dòng sòng shàng mén lái ， tā gāo xìng dōu lái bù jí ， qǐ yǒu bù yǔn zhī lǐ 。
“呵呵，这只是小事一件而已，道友想去，当然可以与我们同行。”那名叫东方朔的修士显得非常热情，要知道每多带一名修士过去，他就多一份好处，林轩主动送上门来，他高兴都来不及，岂有不允之理。
"However, we must follow certain rules. Have you prepared any crystal stones?"
“ rú cǐ duō xiè dào yǒu 。”
“如此多谢道友。”
Although the owner was only late-stage Condensation Core cultivator, he spoke with neither arrogance nor humility, as if not fearing the mid-stage Immortal Core cultivators in front of him.
lín xuān yě biǎo xiàn dé wú xiè kě jī ， suí hòu yóu dōng fāng shuò dài lù ， xiàng qián miàn zǒu qù le 。
林轩也表现得无懈可击，随后由东方朔带路，像前面走去了。
The others' faces showed anger, but Lin Xuan paid no heed. He tapped his waist and took out a small bag of crystal stones: "Count them."
zài guǎi le shù gè wān yǐ hòu ， jǐ rén lái dào le yī bù qǐ yǎn de jiàn zhù miàn qián 。
在拐了数个弯以后，几人来到了一不起眼的建筑面前。
"Correct, you can enter now."
zhè shì yī jiā zá huò diàn ， rán ér lǐ miàn de huò wù bìng bù gāo jí ， shuí néng xiǎng de dào ， pāi mài huì de rù kǒu jū rán huì shè zài zhè lǐ 。
这是一家杂货店，然而里面的货物并不高级，谁能想得到，拍卖会的入口居然会设在这里。
Seeing Lin Xuan hand over the crystal stones so willingly, the owner's expression softened significantly. His tone became more respectful.
dà yǐn yǐn yú shì ， zhè jù huà zài xiū xiān jiè ， shì tóng yàng shì yòng dì 。
大隐隐于市，这句话在修仙界，是同样适用地。
He then took out a token from his body and waved it, sending a red light flying out. A rumbling sound echoed as the rock formation moved aside, revealing an underground passage that descended into darkness, with steps leading down to who knew where.
“ jǐ wèi qián bèi xiǎng yào gòu mǎi hé wù ？”
“几位前辈想要购买何物？”
Despite their dissatisfaction with the owner's attitude, the cultivators knew better than to act rashly. They obediently handed over their crystal stones.
nà huǒ jì diǎn tóu hā yāo de zǒu le shàng qù ， xiū xiān jiè yǐ shí lì huà fēn chū xiān míng de děng jí ， tā bù guò zhù jī qī ， miàn duì jǐ míng yuán yīng lǎo guài zì rán bù gǎn yǒu fēn háo de shī lǐ 。
那伙计点头哈腰的走了上去，修仙界以实力划分出鲜明的等级，他不过筑基期，面对几名元婴老怪自然不敢有分毫的失礼。
The group then entered one by one. The stone steps were indeed long, extending a hundred zhang underground. On the walls, bronze castings of beast heads glowed faintly purple flames, casting an eerie light inside.
dōng fāng shuò zì rán shì lǐ dōu bù lǐ ， zhí jiē zǒu dào guì tái duì zhe zhǎng guì ěr yǔ le jǐ jù 。
东方朔自然是理都不理，直接走到柜台对着掌柜耳语了几句。
Even Dongfang Xue felt uneasy as he saw this. His expression showed caution despite his outward calmness; such scenes were nothing to him after seeing much bigger and more dangerous things.
nà zhǎng guì diǎn diǎn tóu ， suí hòu qīn zì lǐng zhe lín xuān jǐ rén xiàng hòu táng zǒu qù le 。
那掌柜点点头，随后亲自领着林轩几人像后堂走去了。
Still, Lin Xuan's confidence stemmed from his own strength. He had fought the Great Whale King, even if he often found himself on the losing side, he managed to retreat unscathed, showing that his power was formidable indeed. In the East Sea, few could pose a real threat to him.
hěn kuài yí gè xiǎo xiǎo de yuàn luò chū xiàn zài yǎn lián lǐ 。
很快一个小小的院落出现在眼帘里。
While he generally adhered to the principle of being careful, prudence and fear were two different things.
zhàn dì suī rán jǐn yǒu mǔ xǔ ， dàn jǐng zhì què bié yǎ dé chū qí 。
占地虽然仅有亩许，但景致却别雅得出奇。
His guess proved correct; this passage seemed strange but was merely an elaborate show. There was no danger at all. After walking about two hundred zhang underground, the steps finally ended in a vast hall.
“ jǐ wèi dào yǒu xiǎng yào cān jiā pāi mài huì ， zài xià zuò wéi jiē yǐn shǐ ， nà shì huān yíng zhī zhì ， bù guò guī jǔ xiǎng bì dà jiā dōu xiǎo de ， jīng shí kě zēng zhǔn bèi hǎo le ？” nà zhǎng guì suī rán jǐn shì yī míng níng dān hòu qī de xiū xiān zhě ， dàn shuō huà què shì bù kàng bù bēi de ， fǎng fú gēn běn jiù bù wèi jù yǎn qián de yuán yīng xiū shì 。
“几位道友想要参加拍卖会，在下作为接引使，那是欢迎之至，不过规矩想必大家都晓得，晶石可曾准备好了？”那掌柜虽然仅是一名凝丹后期的修仙者，但说话却是不亢不卑的，仿佛根本就不畏惧眼前的元婴修士。
Though not crowded, there were several hundred cultivators present, ranging from mid-stage Immortal Core to Separation Stage. Lin Xuan even saw some late-stage Separation Stage cultivators.
jǐ rén tīng le ， liǎn shàng jiē fú xiàn chū nù sè ， lín xuān què háo bù zài hū ， shēn shǒu zài yāo jiān yī pāi ， jiāng yī xiǎo dài jīng shí qǔ le chū lái ：“ nǐ diǎn diǎn 。”
几人听了，脸上皆浮现出怒色，林轩却毫不在乎，伸手在腰间一拍，将一小袋晶石取了出来：“你点点。”
Lin Xuan's expression remained calm, but he was satisfied. The strength of participants could usually indicate the quality of an auction; with a few late-stage Separation Stage cultivators here, he might indeed find something valuable.
“ méi cuò ， qián bèi kě yǐ jìn qù le 。”
“没错，前辈可以进去了。”
While not certain, the chances were good.
jiàn lín xuān tòng tòng kuài kuài de jiāo chū jīng shí ， nà zhǎng guì de biǎo qíng ， yě bù yóu hé ǎi le xǔ duō ， shèn zhì lián yǔ qì dōu míng xiǎn gōng jìng le 。
见林轩痛痛快快的交出晶石，那掌柜的表情，也不由和蔼了许多，甚至连语气都明显恭敬了。
Suddenly, Lin Xuan's expression changed as if he had noticed something. He slowly raised his head. Despite being underground, this hall was unusually spacious. He found several suspended booths in one corner.
suí hòu tā cóng shēn shàng qǔ chū yī kuài lìng pái ， yáng shǒu yī dào hóng guāng fēi lüè ér chū ， hōng lōng lóng de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ ， nà jiǎ shān yí kāi ， yí gè dì xià tōng dào yìng rù yǎn lián ， lǐ miàn shēn bú jiàn dǐ ， yě bù zhī dào shí jiē jiū jìng yán shēn zhì nǎ lǐ 。
随后他从身上取出一块令牌，扬手一道红光飞掠而出，轰隆隆的声音传入耳朵，那假山移开，一个地下通道映入眼帘，里面深不见底，也不知道石阶究竟延伸至哪里。
This surprised him; while late-stage Separation Stage cultivators remained seated in the main hall, who would be the guests inside those booths?
jiàn le cǐ mù ， jǐ míng xiū shì suī duì zhǎng guì de tài dù dà wèi bù mǎn ， dàn yě bù gǎn zài zhè lǐ ， qīng zhòng huǎn jí tā men hái shì xiǎo de ， guāi guāi de jiāng jīng shí fèng shàng le 。
见了此幕，几名修士虽对掌柜的态度大为不满，但也不敢在这里，轻重缓急他们还是晓得，乖乖的将晶石奉上了。
Two possibilities:
suí hòu zhòng rén yú guàn ér rù ， nà shí jiē guǒ rán hěn zhǎng ， yán shēn zhì dì xià dá dào le bǎi zhàng ， qiáng bì shàng yòng qīng tóng zhù yǒu shòu shǒu ， lǐ miàn yǒu diǎn dàn zǐ sè de huǒ yàn pēn bó ér chū ， jiāng zhè yìng chéng yī guǐ yì de yán sè 。
随后众人鱼贯而入，那石阶果然很长，延伸至地下达到了百丈，墙壁上用青铜铸有兽首，里面有点淡紫色的火焰喷薄而出，将这映成一诡异的颜色。
1) The organizers were just creating a spectacle.
2) High-stage Void Profound cultivators!
bāo kuò dōng fāng shuò ， xīn zhōng dōu yǒu xiē dí gū ， liǎn shàng bù yóu zì zhǔ ， lù chū le jiè bèi zhī sè 。
包括东方朔，心中都有些嘀咕，脸上不由自主，露出了戒备之色。
The revelation was astonishing. While it might have been a coincidence for one or two, several high-stage Void Profound cultivators? That made this ticket worth every crystal stone.
wéi yǒu lín xuān shén sè cóng róng ， dà fēng dà làng tā jiàn guò tài duō ， yǎn qián de suàn shén me ， zhè diǎn xiǎo chǎng miàn ， qí gēn běn jiù kě yǐ shì ér bù jiàn 。
唯有林轩神色从容，大风大浪他见过太多，眼前的算什么，这点小场面，其根本就可以视而不见。
Of course, that applied to Lin Xuan; for other cultivators, the presence of such powerful beings could be problematic.
dāng rán ， lín xuān zhī suǒ yǐ gǎn rú cǐ ， yě shì yīn wèi tā yǒu dǐ qì 。
当然，林轩之所以敢如此，也是因为他有底气。
After confirming there were people in those booths, Lin Xuan found it impossible to determine their exact stage without breaking the restrictions. He wouldn't do so anyway; he didn't want to draw attention by revealing his true strength.
lián jù jīng wáng lín xuān dōu dòu guò ， suī rán yì zhí luò yú xià fēng ， dàn néng gòu quán shēn ér tuì yě kě yǐ kàn chū qí shí lì ， shí zài shì fēi tóng xiǎo kě ， jiù dōng hǎi de qíng kuàng lái shuō ， néng gòu wēi xié dào tā de qíng kuàng shí zài shì qū zhǐ kě shǔ 。
连巨鲸王林轩都斗过，虽然一直落于下风，但能够全身而退也可以看出其实力，实在是非同小可，就东海的情况来说，能够威胁到他的情况实在是屈指可数。
Regardless of who was inside, this auction would definitely be worth attending.
bù néng shuō méi yǒu ， dàn yǎn qián de dì xià pāi mài huì ， tā hái zhēn bù jué dé kě néng yǒu nà yàng cún zài de 。
不能说没有，但眼前的地下拍卖会，他还真不觉得可能有那样存在的。
With that thought, Lin Xuan chose a seat and closed his eyes, beginning to rest.
lín xuān de xìng gé suī rán yì zhí fèng xíng xiǎo xīn wú dà cuò ， dàn jǐn shèn yǔ wèi shǒu wèi wěi wán quán shì liǎng mǎ shì de 。
林轩的性格虽然一直奉行小心无大错，但谨慎与畏首畏尾完全是两码事的。
Soon enough, after about half an hour, most of the expected cultivators had arrived. While not completely full, only a few empty seats remained. Lin Xuan estimated there were nearly one thousand two hundred participants, mostly human cultivators, with about half being transformed beasts or sea creatures.
tā de cāi cè méi yǒu cuò ， zhè duàn lù chéng kàn shì guǐ yì ， qí shí gēn běn jiù shì duì fāng gù nòng xuán xū ， shén me wēi xiǎn yě wú ， zài zǒu dào dì xià dà yuē liǎng bǎi zhàng de shēn chù ， nà jiē tī zhōng yú yǒu le jìn tóu ， yī kuān kuò wú bǐ de dà tīng chū xiàn zài shì xiàn zhōng 。
他的猜测没有错，这段路程看似诡异，其实根本就是对方故弄玄虚，什么危险也无，在走到地下大约两百丈的深处，那阶梯终于有了尽头，一宽阔无比的大厅出现在视线中。
The three races' war had stopped due to the invasion by ghostly entities. The wise leaders of the Three Demons, Six Seas, and Holy City wouldn't prolong the conflict; it would only benefit their enemies.
shuō bù shàng rén tóu cuán dòng ， dàn líng líng luò luò yě yǒu shù bǎi míng xiū xiān zhě ， cóng yuán yīng dào lí hé bù yī ér zú ， lín xuān shèn zhì kàn jiàn le jǐ míng lí hé hòu qī dà chéng de xiū xiān zhě 。
说不上人头攒动，但零零落落也有数百名修仙者，从元婴到离合不一而足，林轩甚至看见了几名离合后期大成的修仙者。
While the fighting could cease, the mutual hatred between them was not easily resolved. The three races were clearly distinct, but there was no conflict here. The cost to participate was too high in this extraordinary period, so everyone focused on surviving the calamity without unnecessary complications.
lín xuān biǎo qíng yī jiù dàn dàn de ， dàn xīn zhōng què mǎn yì yǐ jí ， tōng cháng cóng cān jiā pāi mài huì xiū shì de shí lì ， jiù kě yǐ dà tǐ tuī duàn chū ， zhè ge pāi mài huì de shuǐ zhǔn jiū jìng rú hé ， yǒu shù míng lí hé hòu qī de xiū shì cān jiā ， zì jǐ yě xǔ zhēn néng zài zhè lǐ táo dào shén me bǎo wù 。
林轩表情依旧淡淡的，但心中却满意以极，通常从参加拍卖会修士的实力，就可以大体推断出，这个拍卖会的水准究竟如何，有数名离合后期的修士参加，自己也许真能在这里淘到什么宝物。
Despite his closed eyes, Lin Xuan noticed every movement around him. However, he showed no emotion; no one knew what he was thinking.
bǎ wò bù néng shuō shí zú ， dàn kě néng xìng hái shì pǒ dà de 。
把握不能说十足，但可能性还是颇大的。
This auction was quite prestigious. Mid-stage Immortal Core cultivators barely met the participation criteria. Who would care about a common small cultivator like him?
tū rán ， lín xuān shén sè yī dòng ， xiàng shì fā xiàn le shén me ， huǎn huǎn tái qǐ tóu ， zhè dà tīng suī shì wèi yú dì dǐ shēn chù ， dàn běn shēn de kōng jiān què shì jí gāo de ， lín xuān fā xiàn zài tā de mǒu yī jiǎo luò ， jū rán yǒu shù gè bāo xiāng xuán fú 。
突然，林轩神色一动，像是发现了什么，缓缓抬起头，这大厅虽是位于地底深处，但本身的空间却是极高的，林轩发现在牠的某一角落，居然有数个包厢悬浮。
Suddenly, Lin Xuan felt something and slowly opened his eyes as the noisy surroundings fell silent.
lín xuān zhè yī huí ， shì zhēn de yǒu xiē chī jīng le ， yīn wèi nà jǐ míng lí hé hòu qī dà chéng de xiū xiān zhě ， yī jiù shì zài dà tīng zhōng luò zuò ， nà bāo xiāng zhōng de lái kè ， yòu huì shì zěn yàng de shēn fèn ne ？
林轩这一回，是真的有些吃惊了，因为那几名离合后期大成的修仙者，依旧是在大厅中落座，那包厢中的来客，又会是怎样的身份呢？
A silver-haired elder entered his view. He was also a late-stage Separation Stage cultivator but dressed in an auctioneer's attire.
liǎng gè kě néng ！
两个可能！
He approached a table facing the crowd below. The hall became eerily quiet.
yī shì zhǔ bàn fāng gù nòng xuán xū ， dì èr zé shì dòng xuán qī lǎo guài wù ！
一是主办方故弄玄虚，第二则是洞玄期老怪物！
"Old man Jin Tong, many of you know me, but some are attending our auction for the first time," said the elder. "There are certain rules I need to explain."
zhè ge fā xiàn jiǎn zhí lìng rén jīng è ， yǒu yí gè hái hǎo shuō ， yě xǔ shì pèng qiǎo lù guò ， kě jǐ gè …… rú guǒ zhè lǐ miàn zuò de ， zhēn shì dòng xuán qī xiū xiān zhě ， nà zhè qū qū liǎng bǎi kuài zhōng pǐn jīng shí de piào jià ， shí zài shì tài huá suàn le 。
这个发现简直令人惊愕，有一个还好说，也许是碰巧路过，可几个……如果这里面坐的，真是洞玄期修仙者，那这区区两百块中品晶石的票价，实在是太划算了。
Lin Xuan was surprised by this; auctions were generally similar. Anyone who had reached mid-stage Immortal Core wouldn't need any explanation.
dāng rán ， zhè shì duì lín xuān ér yán ， huàn chéng qí tā xiū xiān zhě ， yǒu dòng xuán qī lǎo guài cān jiā ， wèi bì shì shén me hǎo shì de 。
当然，这是对林轩而言，换成其他修仙者，有洞玄期老怪参加，未必是什么好事的。
Whispers filled the air as many shared his confusion.
bì jìng měi gè rén de qíng kuàng bù tóng 。
毕竟每个人的情况不同。
No one spoke up, and the elder would explain anyway.
nà bāo xiāng zhōng yǒu rén ， zhè yì diǎn lín xuān kě yǐ kěn dìng ， bù guò shì bú shì dòng xuán qī ， tā què méi yǒu bàn zhèng shí ， yīn wèi wài miàn yǒu xiàn zhì shén shí de jìn zhì 。
那包厢中有人，这一点林轩可以肯定，不过是不是洞玄期，他却没有办证实，因为外面有限制神识的禁制。
"Our auction items are all treasures, but each is obtained through killing and robbery. If you purchase them, they might bring misfortune," said the elder.
dāng rán ， yǐ lín xuān shén shí zhī qiáng ， rú guǒ xiǎng yào qiáng xíng tàn cè ， nà shì yì diǎn yě méi yǒu wèn tí ， rán ér cái bú huì zhè yàng zuò ， yīn wèi nà qǐ bù shì dǎ cǎo jīng shé ， rě rén zhù yì le 。
当然，以林轩神识之强，如果想要强行探测，那是一点也没有问题，然而才不会这样做，因为那岂不是打草惊蛇，惹人注意了。
This statement caused shock; while it wasn't uncommon for auction items to have questionable origins, every item being stolen or killed for was unusual.
guǎn tā shì bú shì dòng xuán qī ， fǎn zhèng zhè ge pāi mài huì jué duì shì zhí de qī dài dì 。
管他是不是洞玄期，反正这个拍卖会绝对是值得期待地。
The elder's warning made sense as such items attracted more attention and potential enemies.
xīn zhōng rú cǐ xiǎng zhe ， lín xuān suí biàn zhǎo le yí gè wèi zhì luò zuò ， suí hòu bì shàng shuāng mù ， kāi shǐ jìng jìng de yǎng shén qǐ lái le 。
心中如此想着，林轩随便找了一个位置落座，随后闭上双目，开始静静的养神起来了。
But Lin Xuan didn't care. With his strength, what could he fear? He had offended the Holy City and the Great Whale King; who in the East Sea would dare threaten him?
bìng méi yǒu děng duō jiǔ ， dà yuē bàn gè shí chén yǐ hòu ， gāi lái de xiū shì jī běn shàng dōu dào qí le 。
并没有等多久，大约半个时辰以后，该来的修士基本上都到齐了。
: The second update is here today. After a busy month, I've finally managed to return to 5000 words. Thank you for your support and understanding during this time. Despite my daily schedule, rest assured that I will continue to strive. Again, thank you all. Also, since it's the beginning of the month, any additional support would be greatly appreciated.
Chapter 1924: Mysterious Auction
"Besides the restrictions on cultivation, the conditions for participating in this auction are extremely simple. All you need to do is spend two hundred middle-grade crystal stones as a ticket," said the cultivator with the surname Dongfang slowly.
"Two hundred middle-grade crystal stones?"
The other cultivators were taken aback; their expressions turned somewhat unpleasant. While such an amount wasn't significant for mid-stage Immortal Core cultivators, it still depended on how they intended to use them. Simply as a ticket? From any angle, it seemed rather extravagant...
"Dozen friends need not hesitate. I've known you for some time and would never deceive you. The price of the tickets at this auction is indeed high, but it's definitely worth the value. If you want certain treasures, they should appear here."
"Friend, are you serious?"
The others exchanged glances; their expressions changed noticeably as if intrigued.
While speaking, none used the technique to transmit sounds secretly. Lin Xuan could hear them clearly.
His expression shifted, and he walked over.
"Dozen friends, please," Lin Xuan bowed with a smile on his face.
They all returned the courtesy, despite the competitive nature of cultivators who would kill or steal without hesitation. But between peers, they were generally amiable as long as there was no enmity.
Who wouldn't be skilled at such pretense?
All were mid-stage Immortal Core cultivators. Lin Xuan used the technique to conceal his qi, making him appear on par with them in terms of cultivation level.
"I happen to pass by and wish to participate in this auction," said Lin Xuan casually. "As a guide, I am delighted."
"However, we must follow certain rules. Have you prepared any crystal stones?"
Although the owner was only late-stage Condensation Core cultivator, he spoke with neither arrogance nor humility, as if not fearing the mid-stage Immortal Core cultivators in front of him.
The others' faces showed anger, but Lin Xuan paid no heed. He tapped his waist and took out a small bag of crystal stones: "Count them."
"Correct, you can enter now."
Seeing Lin Xuan hand over the crystal stones so willingly, the owner's expression softened significantly. His tone became more respectful.
He then took out a token from his body and waved it, sending a red light flying out. A rumbling sound echoed as the rock formation moved aside, revealing an underground passage that descended into darkness, with steps leading down to who knew where.
Despite their dissatisfaction with the owner's attitude, the cultivators knew better than to act rashly. They obediently handed over their crystal stones.
The group then entered one by one. The stone steps were indeed long, extending a hundred zhang underground. On the walls, bronze castings of beast heads glowed faintly purple flames, casting an eerie light inside.
Even Dongfang Xue felt uneasy as he saw this. His expression showed caution despite his outward calmness; such scenes were nothing to him after seeing much bigger and more dangerous things.
Still, Lin Xuan's confidence stemmed from his own strength. He had fought the Great Whale King, even if he often found himself on the losing side, he managed to retreat unscathed, showing that his power was formidable indeed. In the East Sea, few could pose a real threat to him.
While he generally adhered to the principle of being careful, prudence and fear were two different things.
His guess proved correct; this passage seemed strange but was merely an elaborate show. There was no danger at all. After walking about two hundred zhang underground, the steps finally ended in a vast hall.
Though not crowded, there were several hundred cultivators present, ranging from mid-stage Immortal Core to Separation Stage. Lin Xuan even saw some late-stage Separation Stage cultivators.
Lin Xuan's expression remained calm, but he was satisfied. The strength of participants could usually indicate the quality of an auction; with a few late-stage Separation Stage cultivators here, he might indeed find something valuable.
While not certain, the chances were good.
Suddenly, Lin Xuan's expression changed as if he had noticed something. He slowly raised his head. Despite being underground, this hall was unusually spacious. He found several suspended booths in one corner.
This surprised him; while late-stage Separation Stage cultivators remained seated in the main hall, who would be the guests inside those booths?
Two possibilities:
1) The organizers were just creating a spectacle.
2) High-stage Void Profound cultivators!
The revelation was astonishing. While it might have been a coincidence for one or two, several high-stage Void Profound cultivators? That made this ticket worth every crystal stone.
Of course, that applied to Lin Xuan; for other cultivators, the presence of such powerful beings could be problematic.
After confirming there were people in those booths, Lin Xuan found it impossible to determine their exact stage without breaking the restrictions. He wouldn't do so anyway; he didn't want to draw attention by revealing his true strength.
Regardless of who was inside, this auction would definitely be worth attending.
With that thought, Lin Xuan chose a seat and closed his eyes, beginning to rest.
Soon enough, after about half an hour, most of the expected cultivators had arrived. While not completely full, only a few empty seats remained. Lin Xuan estimated there were nearly one thousand two hundred participants, mostly human cultivators, with about half being transformed beasts or sea creatures.
The three races' war had stopped due to the invasion by ghostly entities. The wise leaders of the Three Demons, Six Seas, and Holy City wouldn't prolong the conflict; it would only benefit their enemies.
While the fighting could cease, the mutual hatred between them was not easily resolved. The three races were clearly distinct, but there was no conflict here. The cost to participate was too high in this extraordinary period, so everyone focused on surviving the calamity without unnecessary complications.
Despite his closed eyes, Lin Xuan noticed every movement around him. However, he showed no emotion; no one knew what he was thinking.
This auction was quite prestigious. Mid-stage Immortal Core cultivators barely met the participation criteria. Who would care about a common small cultivator like him?
Suddenly, Lin Xuan felt something and slowly opened his eyes as the noisy surroundings fell silent.
A silver-haired elder entered his view. He was also a late-stage Separation Stage cultivator but dressed in an auctioneer's attire.
He approached a table facing the crowd below. The hall became eerily quiet.
"Old man Jin Tong, many of you know me, but some are attending our auction for the first time," said the elder. "There are certain rules I need to explain."
Lin Xuan was surprised by this; auctions were generally similar. Anyone who had reached mid-stage Immortal Core wouldn't need any explanation.
Whispers filled the air as many shared his confusion.
No one spoke up, and the elder would explain anyway.
"Our auction items are all treasures, but each is obtained through killing and robbery. If you purchase them, they might bring misfortune," said the elder.
This statement caused shock; while it wasn't uncommon for auction items to have questionable origins, every item being stolen or killed for was unusual.
The elder's warning made sense as such items attracted more attention and potential enemies.
But Lin Xuan didn't care. With his strength, what could he fear? He had offended the Holy City and the Great Whale King; who in the East Sea would dare threaten him?
: The second update is here today. After a busy month, I've finally managed to return to 5000 words. Thank you for your support and understanding during this time. Despite my daily schedule, rest assured that I will continue to strive. Again, thank you all. Also, since it's the beginning of the month, any additional support would be greatly appreciated.