cǐ shí cǐ kè ， hái zài cān yù jìng pāi de xiū xiān zhě ， zhì shǎo yě huì shì fēn shén jí bié de ， zhè me jiǎn dān de dào lǐ dāng rán xīn lǐ yǒu shù ， yú shì hū ， tā men liǎn shàng liú lù chū yóu yù bù jué de biǎo qíng lái le 。
此时此刻，还在参与竞拍的修仙者，至少也会是分神级别的，这么简单的道理当然心里有数，于是乎，他们脸上流露出犹豫不决的表情来了。
At this moment, the cultivators still participating in the bidding were at least at the Spirit Separation stage. This simple logic was clear to them, so their faces showed signs of hesitation.
yuán běn rè nào de shí kū ， yī xià zi chén jì xià lái le 。
原本热闹的石窟，一下子沉寂下来了。
The originally lively stone cave instantly fell silent.
suī rán méi dào zhēn luò kě wén de dì bù ， dàn yī shí piàn kè ， yě méi yǒu rén shēn yǔ jìng jià zhēng duó 。
虽然没到针落可闻的地步，但一时片刻，也没有人参与竞价争夺。
Although it wasn't yet to the point where a needle falling could be heard, no one bid for a while.
sān qiān wàn míng shí ， zhè kě shì yí gè bù fēi de shù zì ， jǐn jǐn yòng lái gòu mǎi yī zhǒng líng guǒ ， bù lùn cóng nǎ ge jiǎo dù ， dōu yǒu xiē tài mào xiǎn le 。
三千万冥石，这可是一个不菲的数字，仅仅用来购买一种灵果，不论从哪个角度，都有些太冒险了。
Three hundred million Dark Stones—this was quite an amount. Just buying a spirit fruit with this sum seemed too risky from any angle.
zhí bù dé ！
值不得！
Not worth it!
jué dà bù fèn yīn hún guǐ wù ， dōu shì rú cǐ zhè bān xiǎng de 。
绝大部分yīn魂鬼物，都是如此这般想的。
Most yin-souled ghostly creatures thought so.
rán ér zǒng yǒu lì wài zhě 。
然而总有例外者。
However, there were always exceptions.
jǐn jǐn guò le jǐ xī de gōng fu 。
仅仅过了几息的功夫。
Just a few breaths later,
“ sān qiān wǔ bǎi wàn ！”
“三千五百万！”
"Thirty-five million!"
yī lǎn yáng yáng de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ ， rán ér suǒ hǒu chū lái de jià gé què ràng zài chǎng de xiū shì bó rán biàn sè， yì kǒu qì ， jiù jiā le wǔ bǎi wàn de jià gé ， shì míng shí rú fèn tǔ 。
一懒洋洋的声音传入耳朵，然而所吼出来的价格却让在场的修士勃然变sè，一口气，就加了五百万的价格，视冥石如粪土。
A lazy voice entered their ears, but the price it shouted made the cultivators present burst into surprise. The price was increased by five million in one go, treating Dark Stones as dung.
zhòng xiū shì cuò è zhī yú ， liǎn shàng dōu liú lù chū yí huò 。
众修士错愕之余，脸上都流露出疑惑。
The other cultivators looked bewildered and puzzled.
rú cǐ cái dà qì cū ， gāi bú huì shì yī wèi dù jié jí bié de lǎo guài wù 。
如此财大气粗，该不会是一位渡劫级别的老怪物。
Such wealth and extravagance—could this be a veteran old monster who had passed through tribulation?
dāng rán ， zhè jǐn jǐn shì cāi cè ， yǒu jìn zhì shǒu hù ， shuí yě bù zhī dào shí wū zhōng xiū shì de shēn fèn wèi hé ， gèng bú yào shuō ， kuī tàn qí jìng jiè le 。
当然，这仅仅是猜测，有禁制守护，谁也不知道石屋中修士的身份为何，更不要说，窥探其境界了。
Of course, this was just speculation. With restrictions guarding the stone house, no one knew the identity of the cultivator inside or their cultivation stage, let alone their realm.
dàn yì kǒu qì bào chū sān qiān wǔ bǎi wàn de gāo jià ， jí biàn bú shì dù jié jí bié de dà néng xiū xiān zhě ， fēn shén hòu qī de xiū wèi shì tiě dìng yǒu de 。
但一口气报出三千五百万的高价，即便不是渡劫级别的大能修仙者，分神后期的修为是铁定有的。
But bidding such a high price of thirty-five million, even if it wasn't from a great cultivator who had passed through tribulation, they definitely had late-stage Spirit Separation cultivation.
zhè yàng de cún zài ， yī jiù dé zuì bù dé 。
这样的存在，依旧得罪不得。
Such an existence was still not to be offended.
ér nà zhǔ chí pāi mài huì de jiā huo ， liǎn shàng yì liú lù chū yī sī xīng fèn zhī sè。
而那主持拍卖会的家伙，脸上亦流露出一丝兴奋之sè。
The guy hosting the auction also showed signs of excitement on his face.
sān qiān wǔ bǎi wàn ， yǐ chāo chū le yù qī xǔ duō ， zhè yī méi xuě luó guǒ ， hái zhēn shì ràng tā men zuàn de pén mǎn bō mǎn le 。
三千五百万，已超出了预期许多，这一枚雪罗果，还真是让他们赚得盆满钵满了。
Thirty-five million already exceeded expectations. This Snow Lotus fruit really made them pocket fulls of wealth.
yùn qì zhe shí bù cuò 。
运气着实不错。
Their luck was indeed good.
ér zuò wèi pāi mài huì de zhǔ chí zhě ， tā shì hòu yě kě yǐ huò dé bù fēi fēn hóng de 。
而做为拍卖会的主持者，他事后也可以获得不菲分红的。
As the host of the auction, he would also receive a handsome share afterward.
xīn zhōng huān xǐ ， nǎ lǐ zhī dào ， shì qíng dào zhè lǐ ， què bìng bú shì jié jú 。
心中欢喜，哪里知道，事情到这里，却并不是结局。
He was overjoyed, but little did he know that this wasn't the end of the story.
sān qiān wǔ bǎi wàn ， yǐ jīng ràng rén dào xī liáng qì ， kě hěn kuài ， yí gè xīn bào jià de shēng yīn ， yòu chuán rù le ěr duǒ lǐ 。
三千五百万，已经让人倒吸凉气，可很快，一个新报价的声音，又传入了耳朵里。
Thirty-five million had already caused gasps. Soon after, another bidding price entered their ears.
“ sān qiān liù bǎi wàn ！”
“三千六百万！”
"Thirty-six million!"
nà shēng yīn yuè ěr yǐ jí ， fǎng fú shì yī nián qīng de shào nǚ 。
那声音悦耳以极，仿佛是一年轻的少女。
That voice was extremely pleasant, as if from a young maiden.
“ sān qiān qī bǎi wàn 。”
“三千七百万。”
"Thirty-seven million."
nà lǎn yáng yáng de shēng yīn dà nù ， duì yú zhè xuě luó guǒ ， tā zhì zài bì děi 。
那懒洋洋的声音大怒，对于这雪罗果，他志在必得。
The lazy voice became furious. He was determined to get this Snow Lotus fruit.
“ sì qiān wàn 。”
“四千万。”
"Four million!"
kě yǔ tā jìng jià de nà nǚ zǐ ， què bù xiàng shēng yīn nà me róu ruò ， chū jià de fú dù ， háo mài dé lí pǔ 。
可与他竞价的那女子，却不像声音那么柔弱，出价的幅度，豪迈得离谱。
The woman competing with him didn't seem weak like her voice; her bid was outrageous.
jū rán yì kǒu qì ， yòu jiāng jià gé tí le sān bǎi wàn shàng qù ， huò zhēn jià shí de shì míng shí rú fèn tǔ 。
居然一口气，又将价格提了三百万上去，货真价实的视冥石如粪土。
She raised the price by three hundred thousand more, treating Dark Stones as dung.
bié shuō nà xiē qián lái cān yù jìng pāi de xiū xiān zhě ， biàn shì zhàn zài gāo tái shàng de zhǔ chí rén ， yě chēng mù jié shé ， jiàn guò chū shǒu háo kuò de xiū xiān zhě ， kě zhè yàng de yuān dà tóu ， què dàng zhēn bù duō 。
别说那些前来参与竞拍的修仙者，便是站在高台上的主持人，也瞠目结舌，见过出手豪阔的修仙者，可这样的冤大头，却当真不多。
Not only did those cultivators participating in the bidding look dumbfounded, but even the host on the stage was speechless. He had seen generous cultivators before, but such a foolhardy bidder was rare indeed.
dāng rán ， xīn zhōng suī rán rú cǐ xiǎng zhe ， tā liǎn shàng què mǎn shì jī dòng zhī sè。
当然，心中虽然如此想着，他脸上却满是激动之sè。
Of course, though he thought so, his face showed great excitement.
xuě luó guǒ chéng jiāo de jià gé yuè lí pǔ ， tā zuò wèi pāi mài huì de zhǔ chí zhě ， zì rán yě jiù néng gòu huò dé yuè duō de hǎo chù 。
雪罗果成交的价格越离谱，他做为拍卖会的主持者，自然也就能够获得越多的好处。
The higher the price of the Snow Lotus fruit, the more benefits as the host of the auction naturally gained.
“ hǎo hǎo ， dào yǒu jì rán zhì zài bì děi ， zhè xuě luó guǒ ， lǎo fū jiù ràng yǔ nǐ le 。”
“好好，道友既然志在必得，这雪罗果，老夫就让与你了。”
"Very well, friend, since you are determined to get it, this Snow Lotus fruit is yours."
nà lǎn yáng yáng de shēng yīn chōng mǎn le huì nù ， cóng qí zhōng hěn róng yì biàn shí chū bù gān chéng fèn lái de 。
那懒洋洋的声音充满了恚怒，从其中很容易辨识出不甘成分来的。
That lazy voice was filled with resentment. It was easy to discern the不甘成分 from it.
dàn bù guǎn rú hé ， cǐ shì yǐ gào yí duàn luò 。
但不管如何，此事已告一段落。
But regardless, the matter was settled.
xìng ér de qiào liǎn shàng ， gèng lù chū dà sōng yì kǒu qì de shén sè。
杏儿的俏脸上，更露出大松一口气的神sè。
Xiang'er's pretty face showed relief.
tā suī rán shì fēn shén hòu qī de xiū xiān zhě ， dàn sì qiān wàn míng shí ， yǐ kuài yào chāo chū chéng shòu de dǐ xiàn le 。
她虽然是分神后期的修仙者，但四千万冥石，已快要超出承受的底线了。
Although she was at late-stage Spirit Separation, four million Dark Stones were nearly beyond her limit.
suī rán lín xuān céng shuō ， bù lùn duō shǎo míng shí dū huì jiè yǔ tā de ， dàn yòng rú cǐ jià gé pāi mài yī méi líng guǒ ， hái shì ràng xiǎo yā tou jǐn zhāng bù ān dào le jí chù 。
虽然林轩曾说，不论多少冥石都会借与她的，但用如此价格拍卖一枚灵果，还是让小丫头紧张不安到了极处。
Though Lin Xuan had said he would lend her any amount of Dark Stones, bidding such a price for a spirit fruit still made the little girl extremely anxious.
rú guǒ duì fāng jì xù jìng jià ， tā shuō bù dìng dōu yào fàng qì le 。
如果对方继续竞价，她说不定都要放弃了。
If the other party continued to bid, she might have given up.
hǎo zài bìng méi yǒu chū xiàn zhè yí mù ， zì jǐ zuì zhōng shōu huò le bǎo wù 。
好在并没有出现这一幕，自己最终收获了宝物。
Fortunately, this didn't happen. She ultimately gained the treasure.
xìng ér pāi le pāi xiōng kǒu ， yī liǎn de xīn yǒu yú jì zhī sè。
杏儿拍了拍胸口，一脸的心有余悸之sè。
Xiang'er patted her chest with a look of relief on her face.
jiē xià lái ， dì sān jiàn bǎo wù de pāi mài yòu kāi shǐ le 。
接下来，第三件宝物的拍卖又开始了。
The auction of the third treasure began next.
zhè shì yī kuài shí tóu ， kě yǐ yòng zuò liàn qì zhī wù 。
这是一块石头，可以用做炼器之物。
This was a stone that could be used for refining artifacts.
bù guò lùn jià zhí ， bǐ qǐ xuě luó guǒ ， kě jiù chà le hěn duō 。
不过论价值，比起雪罗果，可就差了很多。
However, in terms of value, it was far less than the Snow Lotus fruit.
bié shuō lín xuān ， xìng ér yě kàn bù shàng yǎn 。
别说林轩，杏儿也看不上眼。
Even Lin Xuan and Xiang'er didn't care much about it.
dǐ jià yě cái qī shí wàn míng shí ér yǐ ， jīng guò yī fān zhēng duó hòu ， bèi rén yòng yì bǎi èr shí wàn míng shí de jià gé ， mǎi le qù 。
底价也才七十万冥石而已，经过一番争夺后，被人用一百二十万冥石的价格，买了去。
The starting bid was only seven hundred thousand Dark Stones. After some bidding, someone bought it at one million two hundred thousand Dark Stones.
suí hòu dì sì jiàn ， dì wǔ jiàn pāi mài pǐn yě dōu sū fá kě chén zhī chù ， zài jīng guò yī fān rè nào zhī hòu ， pāi mài huì xiǎn de yǒu xiē chén jì xià qù le 。
随后第四件，第五件拍卖品也都苏乏可陈之处，在经过一番热闹之后，拍卖会显得有些沉寂下去了。
Subsequently, the fourth and fifth auction items were unremarkable. After a period of excitement, the auction seemed to become quiet again.
lín xuān gèng shì xìng zhì quán wú ， gān cuì bì mù yǎng shén qǐ lái le 。
林轩更是兴致全无，干脆闭目养神起来了。
Lin Xuan lost interest completely and closed his eyes to rest.
“ jiē xià lái shì wèn xīn guǒ ……”
“接下来是问心果……”
"The next is the Heart Question Fruit..."
yě bù zhī dào guò le duō jiǔ ， zhǔ chí rén de shēng yīn wěi wěi chuán rù ěr duǒ ， yuán běn hūn hūn yù shuì de lín xuān yī xià zi zhēng kāi le shuāng móu ， yǎn zhōng yě yǒu xīng fèn de guāng máng shǎn guò 。
也不知道过了多久，主持人的声音娓娓传入耳朵，原本昏昏yù睡的林轩一下子睁开了双眸，眼中也有兴奋的光芒闪过。
No one knew how long it had been when the host's voice sounded in their ears. Lin Xuan suddenly opened his eyes with an excited glint in them.
gōng fu bù fù yǒu xīn rén ， děng dài le zhè me jiǔ ， zhōng yú huò dé le xiǎng yào de xiāo xī ， wèn xīn guǒ ， zhè pāi mài huì shàng guǒ rán yǒu zhè yàng de bǎo wù 。
功夫不负有心人，等待了这么久，终于获得了想要的消息，问心果，这拍卖会上果然有这样的宝物。
Hard work pays off, after waiting for so long, he finally got the information he wanted—the Heart Question Fruit was indeed a treasure on this auction platform.
ér qiě bìng fēi yā zhòu pāi mài zhī wù ， xiǎng bì jià gé yě bú huì tài lí pǔ 。
而且并非压轴拍卖之物，想必价格也不会太离谱。
And it wasn't even the last item to be auctioned, so its price wouldn't be too outrageous.
dāng rán ， jiù suàn tā jià gé zài gāo ， wèi le yǔ yuè ér chóng féng ， lín xuān yě bú huì lìn sè ， dàn néng gòu pián yi yì diǎn mǎi dào shǒu zǒng shì hǎo de 。
当然，就算它价格再高，为了与月儿重逢，林轩也不会吝啬，但能够便宜一点买到手总是好的。
Of course, even if it were expensive, Lin Xuan would not hesitate to buy it for meeting Yue'er. But getting it at a lower price was better.
lín xuān shēn jiā shì fēi tóng xiǎo kě ， dàn yě méi yǒu qù zuò yuān dà tóu de jué wù 。
林轩身家是非同小可，但也没有去做冤大头的觉悟。
Lin Xuan's wealth was no small matter, but he wasn't willing to be a fool.
ér zhè shí hòu ， zhǔ chí rén de jiè shào shēng ， hái zài bù tíng de chuán rù ěr duǒ ：“ wèn xīn guǒ ， tiān dì qí wù ， suī duì xiū xíng méi yǒu hǎo chù ， dàn què néng gòu biàn shí ， duì fāng suǒ shuō de yán yǔ ， jiū jìng shì qiǎo yán lìng sè， hái shì zhēn xīn shí yì de ……”
而这时候，主持人的介绍声，还在不停的传入耳朵：“问心果，天地奇物，虽对修行没有好处，但却能够辨识，对方所说的言语，究竟是巧言令sè，还是真心实意的……”
The host continued his introduction: "Heart Question Fruit, a rare wonder of the heavens and earth. Though it has no benefits for cultivation, it can discern whether what someone says is flattery or genuine."
bù dé bù shuō ， néng gòu dān rèn pāi mài huì zhǔ chí rén de jiā huo ， yí gè gè ， dōu kǒu chǐ líng lì dào le jí chù ， jiù ná yǎn qián zhè wèi lái shuō ， kǒu ruò xuán hé ， jiāng wèn xīn guǒ de zuò yòng chuī dé shì tiān xià wú shuāng ， dì shàng shǎo yǒu ， jí biàn yòng bù zhe ， yě ràng rén yǒu xiàng wài tāo míng shí de chōng dòng 。
不得不说，能够担任拍卖会主持人的家伙，一个个，都口齿伶俐到了极处，就拿眼前这位来说，口若悬河，将问心果的作用吹得是天下无双，地上少有，即便用不着，也让人有向外掏冥石的冲动。
It must be said that the hosts of auctions were all exceptionally eloquent. This one was particularly persuasive, making the Heart Question Fruit seem unparalleled in the world, almost irresistible even if not needed.
yǎn jiàn pāi mài huì chén jì de qì fēn yī sǎo ér kōng ， tā zhè cái liǎn sè mǎn yì de shuō chū le dǐ jià zhī shù 。
眼见拍卖会沉寂的气氛一扫而空，他这才脸sè满意的说出了底价之数。
Seeing the auction atmosphere turn lively again, he finally announced the starting bid with satisfaction.
“ wèn xīn guǒ ， dǐ jià sān bǎi wàn míng shí 。”
“问心果，底价三百万冥石。”
"Starting price for the Heart Question Fruit is three million Dark Stones."
píng xīn lái shuō ， jiù wèn xīn guǒ de jià zhí ， zhè ge dǐ jià gěi dé yǐ jīng yǒu xiē gāo le 。
平心来说，就问心果的价值，这个底价给得已经有些高了。
To be fair, this starting price was already quite high given its value.
bù guò duì fāng zhè me zuò ， yě shì gù yì 。
不过对方这么做，也是故意。
But the other party did it intentionally.
yùn yòng zhī miào ， cún hū yī xīn ， xiū xiān rú cǐ ， pāi mài yì rú shì 。
运用之妙，存乎一心，修仙如此，拍卖亦如是。
Skill in using prices lies in one's heart. Cultivation and auctions are similar.
yǒu shí hòu ， huì jiāng pāi mài pǐn gū shàng yí gè jiào gāo de jià gé ， yǒu shí hòu ， biāo chū de dǐ jià ， què dī dé lí pǔ 。
有时候，会将拍卖品估上一个较高的价格，有时候，标出的底价，却低得离谱。
Sometimes, items would be overpriced to make bidding more intense. Sometimes, the starting bid would be shockingly low.
dāng rán ， bù lùn shì guò dī hái shì hái shì guò gāo de jià gé ， mù dì dōu zhǐ yǒu yí gè ， jiù shì ràng pāi mài pǐn de zhēng duó gèng jiā jī liè le 。
当然，不论是过低还是还是过高的价格，目的都只有一个，就是让拍卖品的争夺更加激烈了。
Regardless of whether the price was too low or high, the goal was always to intensify competition for the item.
gāng gāng xuě luó guǒ de pāi mài ， jiù shì yí gè hěn hǎo de lì zi 。
刚刚雪罗果的拍卖，就是一个很好的例子。
The auction of Snow Lotus fruit was a good example.
bù guò yǒu shí hòu ， yě huì nòng qiǎo chéng zhuō ， shèn zhì chū xiàn liú pāi zhè zhǒng qíng kuàng de 。
不过有时候，也会弄巧成拙，甚至出现流拍这种情况的。
However, sometimes such tactics backfired and even led to unsold items.
bǐ rú shuō yǎn qián 。
比如说眼前。
For instance, in front of him.
suī rán zhè wèi zhǔ chí rén kǒu cái liǎo de ， jiāng wèn xīn guǒ kuā zàn dào le tiān xià wú shuāng de dì bù 。
虽然这位主持人口才了得，将问心果夸赞到了天下无双的地步。
Though this host's eloquence was impressive, he praised the Heart Question Fruit as unparalleled.
rán ér zhè cì pāi mài huì bì jìng fēi tóng xiǎo kě ， néng gòu qián lái cān jiā de zhì shǎo yě shì dòng xuán jí bié de 。
然而这次拍卖会毕竟非同小可，能够前来参加的至少也是洞玄级别的。
But this auction was no ordinary affair. At least those present were at the Profound Origin stage or higher.
sú huà shuō ， rén lǎo chéng jīng， zhè xiē huó le shàng wàn nián de lǎo guài wù ， nǎ ér shì nà me hǎo hū yōu de 。
俗话说，人老成jīng，这些活了上万年的老怪物，哪儿是那么好忽悠的。
As they say, old jades are hard to fool. These ancient monsters who lived for tens of thousands of years weren't easily deceived.
wèn xīn guǒ de xiào lì ， gù rán qí miào lí pǔ ， dàn duì yú zēng zhǎng fǎ lì ， huò shì tū pò píng jǐng ， què méi yǒu bàn fēn yòng tú 。
问心果的效力，固然奇妙离谱，但对于增长法力，或是突破瓶颈，却没有半分用途。
The effects of the Heart Question Fruit were indeed miraculous, but it had no use in increasing cultivation power or breaking through bottlenecks.
duì yú xiū xiān zhě lái shuō ， gēn běn jiù shì yī fèi wù 。
对于修仙者来说，根本就是一废物。
For cultivators, it was a complete waste.
zhè yàng de dōng xī ， ruò shì biāo jià jǐ wàn míng shí ， zài chǎng zhī rén ， huò xǔ hái yǒu nà me jǐ fēn xìng qù 。
这样的东西，若是标价几万冥石，在场之人，或许还有那么几分兴趣。
Such an item, if priced at several thousand Dark Stones, might have sparked some interest among those present.
rán ér sān bǎi wàn de dǐ jià ， wèi miǎn tài lí pǔ 。
然而三百万的底价，未免太离谱。
But a starting price of three million was too outrageous.
suī rán lái dào zhè pāi mài huì de yīn hún guǐ wù ， dà duō shì shēn jiā bù fēi de rén wù ， dàn míng xiǎn shì péi běn de shēng yì ， hái shì méi yǒu rén yuàn yì qù zuò 。
虽然来到这拍卖会的yīn魂鬼物，大多是身家不菲的人物，但明显是赔本的生意，还是没有人愿意去做。
Though the yin-souled ghostly creatures attending this auction were mostly wealthy individuals, they clearly saw it as a money-losing deal and no one wanted to do it.
cōng míng fǎn bèi cōng míng wù ， xuě luó guǒ ràng pāi mài huì de zǔ zhī zhě cháng dào le tián tóu ， rán ér zhè yī cì ， què shì bān qǐ shí tou zá zì jǐ de jiǎo le 。 wèi wán dài xù 。)
聪明反被聪明误，雪罗果让拍卖会的组织者尝到了甜头，然而这一次，却是搬起石头砸自己的脚了。未完待续。)
Smartness backfired, as Snow Lotus fruit made the organizers taste sweet success. But this time, they had dug their own grave. (To be continued.)
At this moment, the cultivators still participating in the bidding were at least at the Spirit Separation stage. This simple logic was clear to them, so their faces showed signs of hesitation.
The originally lively stone cave instantly fell silent.
Although it wasn't yet to the point where a needle falling could be heard, no one bid for a while.
Three hundred million Dark Stones—this was quite an amount. Just buying a spirit fruit with this sum seemed too risky from any angle.
Not worth it!
Most yin-souled ghostly creatures thought so.
However, there were always exceptions.
Just a few breaths later,
"Thirty-five million!"
A lazy voice entered their ears, but the price it shouted made the cultivators present burst into surprise. The price was increased by five million in one go, treating Dark Stones as dung.
The other cultivators looked bewildered and puzzled.
Such wealth and extravagance—could this be a veteran old monster who had passed through tribulation?
Of course, this was just speculation. With restrictions guarding the stone house, no one knew the identity of the cultivator inside or their cultivation stage, let alone their realm.
But bidding such a high price of thirty-five million, even if it wasn't from a great cultivator who had passed through tribulation, they definitely had late-stage Spirit Separation cultivation.
Such an existence was still not to be offended.
The guy hosting the auction also showed signs of excitement on his face.
Thirty-five million already exceeded expectations. This Snow Lotus fruit really made them pocket fulls of wealth.
Their luck was indeed good.
As the host of the auction, he would also receive a handsome share afterward.
He was overjoyed, but little did he know that this wasn't the end of the story.
Thirty-five million had already caused gasps. Soon after, another bidding price entered their ears.
"Thirty-six million!"
That voice was extremely pleasant, as if from a young maiden.
"Thirty-seven million."
The lazy voice became furious. He was determined to get this Snow Lotus fruit.
"Four million!"
The woman competing with him didn't seem weak like her voice; her bid was outrageous.
She raised the price by three hundred thousand more, treating Dark Stones as dung.
Not only did those cultivators participating in the bidding look dumbfounded, but even the host on the stage was speechless. He had seen generous cultivators before, but such a foolhardy bidder was rare indeed.
Of course, though he thought so, his face showed great excitement.
The higher the price of the Snow Lotus fruit, the more benefits as the host of the auction naturally gained.
"Very well, friend, since you are determined to get it, this Snow Lotus fruit is yours."
That lazy voice was filled with resentment. It was easy to discern the不甘成分 from it.
But regardless, the matter was settled.
Xiang'er's pretty face showed relief.
Although she was at late-stage Spirit Separation, four million Dark Stones were nearly beyond her limit.
Though Lin Xuan had said he would lend her any amount of Dark Stones, bidding such a price for a spirit fruit still made the little girl extremely anxious.
If the other party continued to bid, she might have given up.
Fortunately, this didn't happen. She ultimately gained the treasure.
Xiang'er patted her chest with a look of relief on her face.
The auction of the third treasure began next.
This was a stone that could be used for refining artifacts.
However, in terms of value, it was far less than the Snow Lotus fruit.
Even Lin Xuan and Xiang'er didn't care much about it.
The starting bid was only seven hundred thousand Dark Stones. After some bidding, someone bought it at one million two hundred thousand Dark Stones.
Subsequently, the fourth and fifth auction items were unremarkable. After a period of excitement, the auction seemed to become quiet again.
Lin Xuan lost interest completely and closed his eyes to rest.
...
"The next is the Heart Question Fruit..."
No one knew how long it had been when the host's voice sounded in their ears. Lin Xuan suddenly opened his eyes with an excited glint in them.
Hard work pays off, after waiting for so long, he finally got the information he wanted—the Heart Question Fruit was indeed a treasure on this auction platform.
And it wasn't even the last item to be auctioned, so its price wouldn't be too outrageous.
Of course, even if it were expensive, Lin Xuan would not hesitate to buy it for meeting Yue'er. But getting it at a lower price was better.
Lin Xuan's wealth was no small matter, but he wasn't willing to be a fool.
The host continued his introduction: "Heart Question Fruit, a rare wonder of the heavens and earth. Though it has no benefits for cultivation, it can discern whether what someone says is flattery or genuine."
It must be said that the hosts of auctions were all exceptionally eloquent. This one was particularly persuasive, making the Heart Question Fruit seem unparalleled in the world, almost irresistible even if not needed.
Seeing the auction atmosphere turn lively again, he finally announced the starting bid with satisfaction.
"Starting price for the Heart Question Fruit is three million Dark Stones."
To be fair, this starting price was already quite high given its value.
But the other party did it intentionally.
Skill in using prices lies in one's heart. Cultivation and auctions are similar.
Sometimes, items would be overpriced to make bidding more intense. Sometimes, the starting bid would be shockingly low.
Regardless of whether the price was too low or high, the goal was always to intensify competition for the item.
The auction of Snow Lotus fruit was a good example.
However, sometimes such tactics backfired and even led to unsold items.
For instance, in front of him.
Though this host's eloquence was impressive, he praised the Heart Question Fruit as unparalleled.
But this auction was no ordinary affair. At least those present were at the Profound Origin stage or higher.
As they say, old jades are hard to fool. These ancient monsters who lived for tens of thousands of years weren't easily deceived.
The effects of the Heart Question Fruit were indeed miraculous, but it had no use in increasing cultivation power or breaking through bottlenecks.
For cultivators, it was a complete waste.
Such an item, if priced at several thousand Dark Stones, might have sparked some interest among those present.
But a starting price of three million was too outrageous.
Though the yin-souled ghostly creatures attending this auction were mostly wealthy individuals, they clearly saw it as a money-losing deal and no one wanted to do it.
Smartness backfired, as Snow Lotus fruit made the organizers taste sweet success. But this time, they had dug their own grave. (To be continued.)