bèi yē dé shuō bù chū huà ， rán ér zhòng mù kuí kuí zhī xià ， tā yě zhǐ hǎo yǎo le yǎo yá ， jǐ chū yí gè bǐ kū hái nán kàn de xiào róng ：
被噎得说不出话，然而众目睽睽之下，他也只好咬了咬牙，挤出一个比哭还难看的笑容：
Strangled by emotion, Lin Xuan could barely speak. However, under the watchful eyes of everyone, he gritted his teeth and forced out a smile that looked even worse than crying:
“ nà yī fù xiōng zhī yì ， zhè pāi mài yīng gāi rú hé jìn xíng xià qù 。”
“那依付兄之意，这拍卖应该如何进行下去。”
"That's as per Brother Yi Fu's suggestion, how should we proceed with this auction?"
“ hē hē ， dīng dào yǒu bù yòng zháo jí ， zhè jiàn shì qíng ， nǐ jiù suàn bù wèn wǒ yě huì shuō dì 。”
“呵呵，丁道友不用着急，这件事情，你就算不问我也会说地。”
"Haha, Fellow Daoist Ding doesn't need to worry. I would have mentioned it anyway."
fù tiān héng shì hé děng jiǎo huá de rén wù ， duì fāng de fèn nù tā rú hé bù qīng chǔ ， rán ér què shì ruò wú dǔ ， yī jiù shì yī fù hào zhěng yǐ xiá zhī sè 。
付天衡是何等狡猾的人物，对方的愤怒他如何不清楚，然而却视若无睹，依旧是一副好整以暇之色。
How cunning was Tianheng Fu! He knew the other party's anger all too well, yet he ignored it and maintained a calm demeanor.
“ qí shí zài xià zǎo jiù shuō le ， ruò shì yǐ cái liào zuò wéi pāi mài zhī wù ， guī zé yě shì hěn jiǎn dān de ， wǒ huì jiāng qīng dān liè chū ， zài gěi chū dǐ jià de cái liào yǐ hòu ， shuí néng gòu é wài tí gōng de cái liào yuè duō ， yě jiù zuì hòu néng gòu pāi mài dào xiǎng yào de fú lù ， suǒ yǐ ， jǐ wèi dào yǒu bù yòng xīn jí ， yě bù yòng zài zhè lǐ zhēng qiǎng xià qù ， fù mǒu gāng gāng tí gōng de qīng dān ， bù guò shì dǐ jià cái liào ér yǐ 。”
“其实在下早就说了，若是以材料作为拍卖之物，规则也是很简单的，我会将清单列出，在给出底价的材料以后，谁能够额外提供的材料越多，也就最后能够拍卖到想要的符箓，所以，几位道友不用心急，也不用在这里争抢下去，付某刚刚提供的清单，不过是底价材料而已。”
"In fact, I've already said that if materials are used as auction items, the rules are simple. I will list the inventory, and after providing the base price materials, whoever can offer more additional materials will be able to secure their desired talismans in the end. So, Fellow Daoists don't need to rush or compete here. The list I just provided is merely for the base prices."
“ shén me ？”
“什么？”
"What?!"
“ yǒu méi yǒu gǎo cuò ？”
“有没有搞错？”
"Are you kidding me?"
“ zhè yě tài kēng rén le 。”
“这也太坑人了。”
"This is too unfair."
fù tiān héng huà yīn gāng luò ， xià miàn jiù zhà kāi le guō ， zhè yě shì nán guài de ， yào xiǎo de ， tā gāng gāng liè chū lái de qīng dān ， tiān cái dì bǎo ， zú yǒu jìn bǎi wèi zhī duō ， suī fēi kě yù ér bù kě qiú de bǎo wù ， dàn měi yī yàng ， yě dōu shì pǒ wèi zhēn xī ， jiā zài yì qǐ ， nà jià zhí kě xiǎng ér zhī ， jiāng shì yí gè jí wéi páng dà de shù zì ， ér zhè bù guò shì dǐ jià ， shí zài shì yǒu xiē ……
付天衡话音刚落，下面就炸开了锅，这也是难怪的，要晓得，他刚刚列出来的清单，天材地宝，足有近百味之多，虽非可遇而不可求的宝物，但每一样，也都是颇为珍稀，加在一起，那价值可想而知，将是一个极为庞大的数字，而这不过是底价，实在是有些……
Tianheng Fu's words sparked a commotion among the ancient demons below. It was understandable; he had listed nearly one hundred rare and precious materials, though not unobtainable treasures, each highly valuable in its own right. The total value would be astronomical, but this was just for the base prices.
zěn me shuō ne ？
怎么说呢？
How could it be so unfair?
qī rén tài shèn le xiē ， yào xiǎo de ， pāi mài huì shàng ， dǐ jià yǔ zuì hòu chéng jiāo de jià gé ， wǎng wǎng chā yì jí dà ， jiù suàn xiāng chà shù bèi yě bù zú wéi qí ， zhè fù jiā de wèi kǒu ， wèi miǎn yě tài dà le xiē 。
欺人太甚了些，要晓得，拍卖会上，底价与最后成交的价格，往往差异极大，就算相差数倍也不足为奇，这付家的胃口，未免也太大了些。
Tianheng Fu's appetite seemed too large. In an auction, the difference between base price and final sale price often varied greatly, sometimes by several times. This Fu family's demands were unreasonable indeed.
“ fù dào yǒu ， nǐ zhè shì kāi wán xiào me ？”
“付道友，你这是开玩笑么？”
"Even if you don't want to participate," Tianheng Fu continued, "you still need to present the base materials each time you bid higher. Because this is different from an auction of magic stones, we have to adjust our rules a bit."
“ jiù shì ， zhè me duō tiān cái dì bǎo ， què jǐn jǐn shì dǐ jià ， fù jiā zhè yàng zuò ， bù xián tài guò fèn le ， xiǎo xīn wèi kǒu tài guò páng bó ， jiāng zì jǐ de dǔ zi gěi chēng pò 。”
“就是，这么多天材地宝，却仅仅是底价，付家这样做，不嫌太过分了，小心胃口太过磅礴，将自己的肚子给撑破。”
"The hell with it." The Black Water City Lord was livid. What kind of worthless talismans were these? He wouldn't participate if he didn't want to.
“ sī kē ， fán shì diǎn dào jí zhǐ xū liú yú dì ， tài guò fèn kě shì bú duì dì 。”
“私苛，凡事点到即止需留余地，太过分可是不对地。”
"Me neither," the first bidder said as he sat back down, his limit reached by presenting the base materials. Adding more would be a waste for him. In different eyes, this talisman's value varied greatly.
duǎn zàn de xuān nào guò hòu ， gǔ mó men de fǎn yìng què shì jié rán bù tóng ， nà xiē běn jiù méi yǒu dǐ jià cái liào ， lián jìng pāi zī gé dōu méi yǒu de gǔ mó ， yí gè èr gè ， liǎn shàng dōu lù chū xìng zāi lè huò zhī sè ， fǎn zhèng tā men yě bù néng cān yù zhēng duó ， dāng rán shì wéi kǒng tiān xià bú luàn le fù jiā kāi chū lái de tiáo jiàn yuè kē kè ， tā men yuè néng gòu zài yī páng kàn xiào huà de 。
短暂的喧闹过后，古魔们的反应却是截然不同，那些本就没有底价材料，连竞拍资格都没有的古魔，一个二个，脸上都露出幸灾乐祸之色，反正他们也不能参与争夺，当然是唯恐天下不乱了付家开出来的条件越苛刻，他们越能够在一旁看笑话的。
Two out of three bidders withdrew according to auction rules, permanently losing their chance in this round. Zhěn Er had also considered withdrawing but hesitated and decided to try his luck.
ér gāng cái chū jià de nà jǐ míng gǔ mó ， dāi zhì guò hòu zé dà wèi fèn nù ， yuán běn tā men xiāng hù zhī jiān yǒu hěn shēn de dí yì ， cǐ shí cǐ kè ， què bào tuán zài yì qǐ ， fēn fēn duì fù jiā kāi kǒu zhǐ zé 。
而刚才出价的那几名古魔，呆滞过后则大为愤怒，原本他们相互之间有很深的敌意，此时此刻，却抱团在一起，纷纷对付家开口指责。
"I'll present the base materials."
qī fù rén yě bù dài zhè me qī fù de ， shí zài tài guò fèn le 。
欺负人也不带这么欺负的，实在太过分了。
With that, he flicked his sleeve and a storage bag flew onto the stage. His heart was filled with tension; it would be hard to gather all the base materials. If only they were the only ones left, he could get a good deal.
rán ér fù tiān héng yì diǎn yě bù jí zuǐ jiǎo biān shèn zhì dài zhe jǐ fēn xiào yì ：“ jǐ wèi dào yǒu hǎo méi dào lǐ ， wǒ fù jiā zuò shēng yì ， xiàng lái shì mǎi mài gōng píng tóng sǒu wú qī ， zhè wán měi tì jié fú ， zài guān jiàn shí kè ， shì néng gòu jiù xià zhǔ rén yī cì mìng de ， shuō jù bú kè qì de huà ， cóng zhè ge jiǎo dù mǎi zěn yàng de jià gé ， dōu bù néng gòu suàn duō ， hé kuàng ， tuì yī wàn bù shuō ， jiù suàn zhū wèi xián guì ， wǒ yòu méi yǒu kū zhe qiú zhe ràng nǐ men mǎi ， zhè pāi mài me ， dāng rán shì nǐ qíng wǒ yuàn ， sān wèi xiàn zài fàng qì ， fù mǒu yě bú huì zé guài zhī yán piàn yǔ 。”
然而付天衡一点也不急嘴角边甚至带着几分笑意：“几位道友好没道理，我付家做生意，像来是买卖公平童叟无欺，这完美替劫符，在关键时刻，是能够救下主人一次命的，说句不客气的话，从这个角度买怎样的价格，都不能够算多，何况，退一万步说，就算诸位嫌贵，我又没有哭着求着让你们买，这拍卖么，当然是你情我愿，三位现在放弃，付某也不会责怪只言片语。”
Indeed, his analysis was correct. But how could Tianheng Fu, who was shrewd, not have considered this possibility? He maintained a calm demeanor as if nothing mattered.
cǐ huà yī chū 。
此话一出。
Sure enough, after a few moments, a cold voice echoed: "This talisman is mine; base materials next."
bāo kuò hēi shuǐ chéng zhǔ zài nèi de sān míng gǔ mó dùn shí miàn miàn xiāng qù liǎo wú huà kě shuō ， bì jìng duì fāng yán zhī chéng lǐ ， néng gòu jiù mìng de bǎo wù ， zài bù tóng rén de xīn zhōng ， dāng rán huì yǒu bù tóng de jià gé ， ér qiě zì yóu jiāo yì ， zì jǐ xián guì le ， wán quán kě yǐ bù mǎi ， nǎ yǒu shén me zī gé héng jiā zhǐ zé 。
包括黑水城主在内的三名古魔顿时面面相觑了无话可说，毕竟对方言之成理，能够救命的宝物，在不同人的心中，当然会有不同的价格，而且自由交易，自己嫌贵了，完全可以不买，哪有什么资格横加指责。
With that, a black storage bag flew to the stage.
rán ér lǐ shì zhè ge lǐ 。
然而理是这个理。
"As for additional materials, I've prepared ten." The old man's tone was haughty, and indeed he had the right to be so—Feng Shān Senior, a Spirit Formation Realm ancient.
tā men xīn zhōng hái shì bù gān xīn dào jí chù 。
他们心中还是不甘心到极处。
"Ahaha, Senior Feng Shān has been waiting. Let me check."
bì jìng jiù mìng de fú lù ， shuí bù xiǎng suí shēn dài shàng yī zhāng ne ？
毕竟救命的符箓，谁不想随身带上一张呢？
Tianheng Fu bowed low, confident that the base materials were correct. He then assessed the additional ten materials. The value shocked everyone present; indeed, a Spirit Formation Realm existence could not be underestimated.
sān rén hèn hèn de bù zài duō shuō yě bù dǎ suàn fàng qì ， jué dìng xiān kàn kàn qíng kuàng zài zuò dìng duó 。
三人恨恨的不再多说也不打算放弃，决定先看看情况再做定夺。
Zhěn Er slumped in disappointment; there was no chance of getting a good deal now.
tā men zhè diǎn xiǎo jiǔ jiǔ ， fù tiān héng dāng rán shì xīn zhōng yǒu shù què yě bìng bù diǎn pò ， xiù páo yī fú yòu yí gè juàn zhóu fēi lüè ér chū ， suí hòu yí gè gè dòu dà de zhuàn wén jiù yìng rù yǎn lián le 。
他们这点小九九，付天衡当然是心中有数却也并不点破，袖袍一拂又一个卷轴飞掠而出，随后一个个斗大的篆文就映入眼帘了。
However, Feng Shān Senior's joy didn't last long. Soon another bid came: "Base materials counted by Fellow Daoist Fu, and I have fifteen additional ones."
“ kuǎn dōng huā ， pí qǐ guǒ ， yú xīng cǎo ， léi péng gǔ ， bǎi cǎo shé nèi dān ……”
“款冬花，蚍杞果，鱼腥草，雷鹏骨，百草蛇内丹……”
Two more storage bags flew up.
yǔ gāng gāng de qíng kuàng xiāng tóng ， zhè xiē cái liào yě shì jì yǒu qí huā yì cǎo ， yě yǒu gè zhǒng mó shòu de gǔ gé pí máo ， bù yī ér zú ， hěn nán yòng yán yǔ yán shù 。
与刚刚的情况相同，这些材料也是既有奇花异草，也有各种魔兽的骨骼皮毛，不一而足，很难用言语言述。
"Still that boy," Feng Shān Senior's face was as dark as the sky before a storm. The life-reviving talisman had been stolen from him; could he steal it again?
fù tiān héng de shēng yīn jì xù wěi wěi de chuán rù ěr duǒ ：“ zài tí gōng dǐ jià cái liào de qíng kuàng xià ， zhè lìng wài liè chū lái de yī fèn cái liào ， jiù shì jiā jià zhī wù ， jù tǐ jià zhí wǒ fù jiā huì yǒu zhuān rén fù zé píng gū ， jué duì gōng píng ， bú huì ràng zhū wèi dào yǒu chī kuī de ， tóng yàng de dào lǐ ， jià gāo zhě dé ， ér zhè yī kuǎn fú lù ， shì bù jiē shòu mó shí yì jià de 。”
付天衡的声音继续娓娓的传入耳朵：“在提供底价材料的情况下，这另外列出来的一份材料，就是加价之物，具体价值我付家会有专人负责评估，绝对公平，不会让诸位道友吃亏的，同样的道理，价高者得，而这一款符箓，是不接受魔石议价的。”
Tianheng Fu remained calm on the surface but was secretly delighted, quickly counting the materials. Lin Xuan's offerings were undoubtedly valuable.
“ lìng wài ， hái yǒu yì diǎn ， cān yù jìng pāi de dào yǒu yào xiān jiāng dǐ jià cái liào ná chū ， měi jiā jià yī cì de cái liào ， yě yào jí shí qǔ chū ， yīn wèi zhè yǔ mó shí pāi mài bù tóng ， suǒ yǐ guī jǔ yě yào zuò yī xiē xiǎo xiǎo gēng gǎi de 。”
“另外，还有一点，参与竞拍的道友要先将底价材料拿出，每加价一次的材料，也要即时取出，因为这与魔石拍卖不同，所以规矩也要做一些小小更改的。”
"Hmph."
“ lǎo fū bú yào le 。” nà hēi shuǐ chéng zhǔ mǎn liǎn nù sè ， shén me gǒu pì fú lù ， guī jǔ yě dà duō ， tā bù pāi mài hái bù chéng me ？
“老夫不要了。”那黑水城主满脸怒色，什么狗屁符箓，规矩也大多，他不拍卖还不成么？
Feng Shān Senior refused to back down this time. Life-reviving talismans might sound impressive, but their effectiveness and practicality fell short compared to replacement talismans.
“ wǒ yě bú yào le 。” nà zuì xiān jiào jià dà hàn yě zuò le huí lái ， ná chū dǐ jià cái liào ， yǐ jīng shì tā de jí xiàn ， zài chū duō de dōng xī ， duì tā lái shuō ， jiù xiǎn de dé bù cháng shī ， hái shì nà jù huà ， zhè dù jié fú ， zài bù tóng xiū shì de yǎn zhōng ， kěn dìng shì zhí bù tóng de jià gé 。
“我也不要了。”那最先叫价大汉也坐了回来，拿出底价材料，已经是他的极限，再出多的东西，对他来说，就显得得不偿失，还是那句话，这渡劫符，在不同修士的眼中，肯定是值不同的价格。
In other words, he was determined to win!
zhuǎn yǎn jiān ， chū jià de sān rén jiù yǒu liǎng gè tuì chū ， àn zhào pāi mài huì de guī jǔ ， tā men shì yǒng jiǔ fàng qì zī gé ， zhì shǎo zhè yī lún pāi mài ， bù néng zài cān yù jìng zhēng le 。
转眼间，出价的三人就有两个退出，按照拍卖会的规矩，他们是永久放弃资格，至少这一轮拍卖，不能再参与竞争了。
"I'll add ten more."
nà zhēn èr yuán běn yě xiǎng tuì chū ， zhǐ bù guò shuō wǎn le yī bù ， cǐ shí què yǎn zhū yī zhuǎn ， jì shàng xīn lái
那甄二原本也想退出，只不过说晚了一步，此时却眼珠一转，计上心来
Several treasures flew into Tianheng Fu's hands as the old monster showed off his strength. Lin Xuan had no intention of backing down; apart from base materials, almost all were magical beast skins and bones. His months in the Fiery Mountain Range had yielded a wealth of such materials, making him indifferent to their value.
“ wǒ chū dǐ jià cái liào 。
“我出底价材料。
Initially, he went there to hunt beasts for exchanging talismans with Fu's family.
huà yīn gāng luò ， tā xiù páo yī fú ， gāng gāng yǐ jīng zhǔn bèi hǎo de yí gè chǔ wù dài fēi lüè ér chū ， luò dào tái pīn le 。
话音刚落，他袖袍一拂，刚刚已经准备好的一个储物袋飞掠而出，落到台拼了。
The two continued bidding, presenting various materials, leaving everyone present staring wide-eyed at Lin Xuan’s extravagance.
cǐ shí zhè jiā huo xīn zhōng chōng mǎn jǐn zhāng zhī sè ， bì jìng yào còu qí dǐ jià cái liào yě shì hěn bù róng yì de ， shuō bù dìng zhǐ yǒu tā men sān gè ， nà liǎng mó yǐ jīng tuì chū ， kě jiù ràng zì jǐ jiǎn lòu huò dé dà biàn yí le 。
此时这家伙心中充满紧张之色，毕竟要凑齐底价材料也是很不容易的，说不定只有他们三个，那两魔已经退出，可就让自己捡漏获得大便宜了。
Tianheng Fu's family lord was beaming with joy.
píng xīn lái shuō ， zhè fān fēn xī méi cuò 。
平心来说，这番分析没错。
After a fierce competition, Lin Xuan emerged victorious. A Spirit Formation Realm existence? Compared to him, what did it matter?
rán ér lǎo móu shēn suàn de fù tiān héng yòu zěn me kě néng méi yǒu kǎo lǜ guò zhè zhǒng kě néng xìng ne ， liǎn shàng dài zhe xiào róng ， yī fù qì dìng shén xián zhī sè 。
然而老谋深算的付天衡又怎么可能没有考虑过这种可能性呢，脸上带着笑容，一副气定神闲之色。
In the final bid, Feng Shān Senior finally gave up, his face turning ashen with anger, waiting for Lin Xuan.
guǒ rán ， jǐn jǐn guò le jǐ xī de gōng fu ， yī lěng lěng de shēng yīn jiù chuán rù ěr duǒ ：“ zhè fú lù ， lǎo fū yào le ， dǐ jià cái liào jiē zhe 。”
果然，仅仅过了几息的功夫，一冷冷的声音就传入耳朵：“这符箓，老夫要了，底价材料接着。”
It was understandable; he could not tolerate such repeated defeats. If not for the old monster of Fu's family, he might have acted on his anger and eliminated Lin Xuan.
huà yīn wèi luò ， sōu de shēng yīn chuán kāi ， suí hòu yí gè hēi hū hū de chǔ wù dài ， fēi dào le tái qián 。
话音未落，嗖的声音传开，随后一个黑乎乎的储物袋，飞到了台前。
His eyes burning with rage, Lin Xuan knew he had been despised by Feng Shān Senior. But he couldn't have it both ways—wanting to be inconspicuous while also wanting treasures.
“ zhì yú jiā jià de cái liào ， lǎo fū zhǔn bèi le shí zhǒng ， fù xiǎo zi ， nǐ zǐ xì shǔ shù jiù xiǎo de le 。”
“至于加价的材料，老夫准备了十种，付小子，你仔细数数就晓得了。”
Lin Xuan was not afraid; he had offended Spirit Formation Realm beings before!
nà shēng yīn lǎo qì héng qiū ， bù guò tā què rán yǒu zī gé ， zhèng shì fēn shén qī de yān shān lǎo zǔ ， huà yīn wèi luò ， yòu yí gè chǔ wù dài fēi dào tái qián 。
那声音老气横秋，不过他确然有资格，正是分神期的燕山老祖，话音未落，又一个储物袋飞到台前。
Despite his calm demeanor, the ancient demons began discussing him. He had stolen two talismans from Feng Shān Senior in a row and couldn't avoid attention.
“ hē hē ， yān shān qián bèi děng qì le ， wǎn bèi zhè jiù bāng nǐ chá kàn 。”
“呵呵，燕山前辈等气了，晚辈这就帮你查看。”
"Who is this Lin boy?"
fù tiān héng diǎn tóu hā yāo de shuō ， bù yòng jiǎng ， dǐ jià cái liào kěn dìng méi cuò ， suí hòu tā yòu jiāng jiā jià de shí zhǒng cái liào zuò le yī xià píng gū ， dāng tīng jiàn nà jià zhí yǐ hòu ， zài chǎng de mó zú ， wú bù dào xī le yī kǒu liáng qì ， bù kuì shì fēn shén qī cún zài ， chū shǒu guǒ rán bù fán 。
付天衡点头哈腰的说，不用讲，底价材料肯定没错，随后他又将加价的十种材料做了一下评估，当听见那价值以后，在场的魔族，无不倒吸了一口凉气，不愧是分神期存在，出手果然不凡。
"I don't know, but to offend an old grandmaster like Feng Shān... he must be desperate."
zhēn èr chuí tóu sàng qì de zuò le xià qù ， bú yòng shuō ， jiǎn pián yí yǐ shì bù kě néng dì 。
甄二垂头丧气的坐了下去，不用说，捡便宜已是不可能地。
"Hmph, it's hard to say. I advise you not to meddle; watch your tongue," one said.
rán ér yān shān lǎo zǔ yě méi néng gāo xìng hǎo jiǔ ， jǐn jǐn guò le piàn kè ， jiù yòu yǒu rén chū jià le ：“ dǐ jià cái liào fù dào yǒu shǔ shù ， jiā jià de cái liào lín mǒu zhè ér yǒu shí wǔ zhǒng 。”
然而燕山老祖也没能高兴好久，仅仅过了片刻，就又有人出价了：“底价材料付道友数数，加价的材料林某这儿有十五种。”
"Why?"
huà yīn gāng luò ， pā pā liǎng shēng chuán rù ěr duǒ ， liǎng gè chǔ wù dài fēi shàng qù le 。
话音刚落，啪啪两声传入耳朵，两个储物袋飞上去了。
"If my guess is correct, this boy might also be a Spirit Formation Realm ancient monster."
Strangled by emotion, Lin Xuan could barely speak. However, under the watchful eyes of everyone, he gritted his teeth and forced out a smile that looked even worse than crying:
"That's as per Brother Yi Fu's suggestion, how should we proceed with this auction?"
"Haha, Fellow Daoist Ding doesn't need to worry. I would have mentioned it anyway."
How cunning was Tianheng Fu! He knew the other party's anger all too well, yet he ignored it and maintained a calm demeanor.
"In fact, I've already said that if materials are used as auction items, the rules are simple. I will list the inventory, and after providing the base price materials, whoever can offer more additional materials will be able to secure their desired talismans in the end. So, Fellow Daoists don't need to rush or compete here. The list I just provided is merely for the base prices."
"What?!"
"Are you kidding me?"
"This is too unfair."
Tianheng Fu's words sparked a commotion among the ancient demons below. It was understandable; he had listed nearly one hundred rare and precious materials, though not unobtainable treasures, each highly valuable in its own right. The total value would be astronomical, but this was just for the base prices.
How could it be so unfair?
Tianheng Fu's appetite seemed too large. In an auction, the difference between base price and final sale price often varied greatly, sometimes by several times. This Fu family's demands were unreasonable indeed.
"Even if you don't want to participate," Tianheng Fu continued, "you still need to present the base materials each time you bid higher. Because this is different from an auction of magic stones, we have to adjust our rules a bit."
"The hell with it." The Black Water City Lord was livid. What kind of worthless talismans were these? He wouldn't participate if he didn't want to.
"Me neither," the first bidder said as he sat back down, his limit reached by presenting the base materials. Adding more would be a waste for him. In different eyes, this talisman's value varied greatly.
Two out of three bidders withdrew according to auction rules, permanently losing their chance in this round. Zhěn Er had also considered withdrawing but hesitated and decided to try his luck.
"I'll present the base materials."
With that, he flicked his sleeve and a storage bag flew onto the stage. His heart was filled with tension; it would be hard to gather all the base materials. If only they were the only ones left, he could get a good deal.
Indeed, his analysis was correct. But how could Tianheng Fu, who was shrewd, not have considered this possibility? He maintained a calm demeanor as if nothing mattered.
Sure enough, after a few moments, a cold voice echoed: "This talisman is mine; base materials next."
With that, a black storage bag flew to the stage.
"As for additional materials, I've prepared ten." The old man's tone was haughty, and indeed he had the right to be so—Feng Shān Senior, a Spirit Formation Realm ancient.
"Ahaha, Senior Feng Shān has been waiting. Let me check."
Tianheng Fu bowed low, confident that the base materials were correct. He then assessed the additional ten materials. The value shocked everyone present; indeed, a Spirit Formation Realm existence could not be underestimated.
Zhěn Er slumped in disappointment; there was no chance of getting a good deal now.
However, Feng Shān Senior's joy didn't last long. Soon another bid came: "Base materials counted by Fellow Daoist Fu, and I have fifteen additional ones."
Two more storage bags flew up.
"Still that boy," Feng Shān Senior's face was as dark as the sky before a storm. The life-reviving talisman had been stolen from him; could he steal it again?
Tianheng Fu remained calm on the surface but was secretly delighted, quickly counting the materials. Lin Xuan's offerings were undoubtedly valuable.
"Hmph."
Feng Shān Senior refused to back down this time. Life-reviving talismans might sound impressive, but their effectiveness and practicality fell short compared to replacement talismans.
In other words, he was determined to win!
"I'll add ten more."
Several treasures flew into Tianheng Fu's hands as the old monster showed off his strength. Lin Xuan had no intention of backing down; apart from base materials, almost all were magical beast skins and bones. His months in the Fiery Mountain Range had yielded a wealth of such materials, making him indifferent to their value.
Initially, he went there to hunt beasts for exchanging talismans with Fu's family.
The two continued bidding, presenting various materials, leaving everyone present staring wide-eyed at Lin Xuan’s extravagance.
Tianheng Fu's family lord was beaming with joy.
After a fierce competition, Lin Xuan emerged victorious. A Spirit Formation Realm existence? Compared to him, what did it matter?
In the final bid, Feng Shān Senior finally gave up, his face turning ashen with anger, waiting for Lin Xuan.
It was understandable; he could not tolerate such repeated defeats. If not for the old monster of Fu's family, he might have acted on his anger and eliminated Lin Xuan.
His eyes burning with rage, Lin Xuan knew he had been despised by Feng Shān Senior. But he couldn't have it both ways—wanting to be inconspicuous while also wanting treasures.
Lin Xuan was not afraid; he had offended Spirit Formation Realm beings before!
Despite his calm demeanor, the ancient demons began discussing him. He had stolen two talismans from Feng Shān Senior in a row and couldn't avoid attention.
"Who is this Lin boy?"
"I don't know, but to offend an old grandmaster like Feng Shān... he must be desperate."
"Hmph, it's hard to say. I advise you not to meddle; watch your tongue," one said.
"Why?"
"If my guess is correct, this boy might also be a Spirit Formation Realm ancient monster."