dǐ jià biāo chū ， rán ér què chí chí bú jiàn yǒu rén jiē kǒu 。
底价标出，然而却迟迟不见有人接口。
The bidding had started at the lowest price, but no one was stepping up to bid.
ruò shì zhè yàng xià qù ， wèn xīn guǒ huì liú pāi yě bù yí dìng de 。
若是这样下去，问心果会流拍也不一定的。
If this continued, it wasn't certain that the Heart Refinement Fruit would fail to sell.
gāo tái shàng de zhǔ chí rén yǐ zhòu qǐ le méi tóu 。
高台上的主持人已皱起了眉头。
The host on the high platform frowned, his expression still calm and composed despite the situation. Such a scenario was common in auctions; failing to sell didn’t matter much. He prepared to announce the next item when a soft voice interrupted: "One who can discern truth from falsehood—good, I’ll take this Heart Refinement Fruit."
bù guò biǎo qíng yě hái suàn zhèn dìng wěn zhòng 。
不过表情也还算镇定稳重。
"Three million Dark Stones."
yǎn qián de yí mù suī rán lìng rén náo tóu ， dàn zài pāi mài huì zhōng ， yě shǔ cháng yǒu 。
眼前的一幕虽然令人挠头，但在拍卖会中，也属常有。
Since no one else had bid, Lin Xuan offered the lowest price. The host on the high platform showed a hint of embarrassment. He would have preferred if the fruit remained unsold and could try his luck elsewhere. But now that Lin Xuan had made an offer, there was nothing he could do.
liú pāi yě méi yǒu shén me liǎo bù qǐ 。
流拍也没有什么了不起。
A flash of annoyance crossed his face before quickly fading away.
hǎo hǎo bǎo cún cǐ wù ， xià yī cì jiāo yì ， yī jiù huì yǒu jī huì pāi chū 。
好好保存此物，下一次交易，依旧会有机会拍出。
"Three million Dark Stones—does anyone else want to bid higher? Remember, this Heart Refinement Fruit is a rare treasure!"
tā zhèng zhǔn bèi xuān bù xià yī jiàn pāi mài zhī wù ， yī dàn dàn de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ ：“ néng gòu biàn shí yán yǔ de zhēn jiǎ ， hǎo ， zhè wèn xīn guǒ wǒ yào le 。”
他正准备宣布下一件拍卖之物，一淡淡的声音传入耳朵：“能够辨识言语的真假，好，这问心果我要了。”
...
“ sān bǎi wàn míng shí 。”
“三百万冥石。”
He tried hard to sell the item, but received only silence in response. The spirits and ghosts here had already deemed Lin Xuan’s offer foolish; why would they repeat his mistake?
jì rán wú rén zhēng duó ， lín xuān yě jiù chū le yí gè dǐ jià 。
既然无人争夺，林轩也就出了一个底价。
Only fools would do such a thing.
nà gāo tái shàng de zhǔ chí zhě ， liǎn shàng liú lù chū yī sī gān gà zhī sè 。
那高台上的主持者，脸上流露出一丝尴尬之色。
As for him, he could just watch from the sidelines.
àn zhào yì lái shuō ， tā qíng yuàn wèn xīn guǒ chéng wéi wú rén wèn jīn zhī wù ， zài zhè lǐ liú pāi le ， hái kě yǐ qù qí tā dì fāng shì shì yùn dào rú hé 。
按照意来说，他情愿问心果成为无人问津之物，在这里流拍了，还可以去其他地方试试运道如何。
The host of the auction strained to describe the benefits of the Heart Refinement Fruit, but it was all in vain. No one bid until finally, Lin Xuan won at the lowest price, making it his possession.
yǐ dǐ jià chéng jiāo zhe shí shì tā bù yuàn yì kàn jiàn de 。
以底价成交着实是他不愿意看见的。
With that, the matter was settled. Lin Xuan had obtained the desired treasure and could leave if he wished. But giving up halfway wasn’t in his nature. Although eager to reunite with Yue'er, he waited for the auction to end.
rán ér lín xuān yǐ jīng chū jià ， tā yě jiù wú kě nài hé le a 。
然而林轩已经出价，他也就无可奈何了啊。
He wanted to see what other treasures would be revealed as the finale.
liǎn shàng shǎn guò yī sī huì nù ， suí hòu hěn kuài de yǐn qù le 。
脸上闪过一丝恚怒，随后很快的隐去了。
...
“ sān bǎi wàn míng shí ， hái yǒu méi yǒu rén chū gèng gāo de jià ， xū zhī wèn xīn guǒ shì qí wù nán dé a ！”
“三百万冥石，还有没有人出更高的价，须知问心果是奇物难得啊！”
Time passed slowly. One by one, items were brought out, and the bidders vied for them. Lin Xuan’s eyes were too discerning; he had no interest in these ordinary treasures. Even Xiang'er didn’t bid.
……
……
They merely watched from the sidelines.
tā mài lì de tuī xiāo zhe zhè jiàn bǎo wù ， kě xī huí dá tā de shì yī piàn chén mò 。
他卖力的推销着这件宝物，可惜回答他的是一片沉默。
Time ticked away, insignificant to their current level of cultivation. Finally, all previous items had been auctioned off, and the grand finale was about to begin.
lái dào cǐ chù de yīn hún guǐ wù ， yǐ jué de lín xuān chū jià shì hěn yú chǔn de ， jì rán yǒu zhè ge jué wù ， tā men yòu zěn me huì chóng dǎo fù zhé ？
来到此处的阴魂鬼物，已觉得林轩出价是很愚蠢的，既然有这个觉悟，他们又怎么会重蹈覆辙？
A deep, ancient bell sounded, causing the ground to tremble. Black mists spread across the stone walls like a spider’s web, covering every surface. A strange禁制 power permeated the air.
yuān dà tóu ， zhǐ yǒu shǎ huà cái huì qù zuò 。
冤大头，只有傻话才会去做。
"What is this?"
zhì yú zì jǐ ， zài yī páng kàn rè nào jiù kě yǐ le 。
至于自己，在一旁看热闹就可以了。
The participating cultivators were alarmed, whispering among themselves. "Friend Rain, what do you intend? Are you planning something against us?"
nà zhǔ chí pāi mài de xiū xiān zhě ， shēng sī lì jié de jiè shào zhe wèn xīn guǒ de hǎo chù ， kě xī shì bái máng huó 。
那主持拍卖的修仙者，声嘶力竭的介绍着问心果的好处，可惜是白忙活。
"Indeed, what is that array about?"
liáng jiǔ dōu bú jiàn yǒu rén jiē kǒu ， zuì hòu bèi lín xuān yǐ dǐ jià huò dé ， chéng wéi le tā de náng zhōng wù 。
良久都不见有人接口，最后被林轩以底价获得，成为了他的囊中物。
...
shì qíng zhì cǐ 。 suàn shì gào yí duàn luò ， lín xuān yǐ jīng huò dé le xiǎng yào de bǎo wù ， àn lǐ ， kě yǐ lí kāi le 。
事情至此。算是告一段落，林轩已经获得了想要的宝物，按理，可以离开了。
Doubts echoed, but the man on the high platform remained unperturbed. "Fellow Daoists, there’s no need to worry. This auction was organized by the Rain Mist Business Alliance; they wouldn’t harm anyone. The final item is indeed significant, and we’re just being cautious."
bù guò bàn tú ér fèi ， bú shì lín xuān de xìng gé ， suī rán jí zhe yǔ yuè ér chóng féng ， dàn yě bù zhēng zài zhè yī shí sān kè 。
不过半途而废，不是林轩的性格，虽然急着与月儿重逢，但也不争在这一时三刻。
"Rest assured, this禁制 is merely for protection. As long as you don’t act rashly, it won’t hurt any of you."
hǎo dǎi děng pāi mài huì jié shù zài shuō 。
好歹等拍卖会结束再说。
...
zì jǐ hái xiǎng kàn kàn ， zuì hòu jiū jìng yǒu shén me yā zhòu de bǎo wù 。
自己还想看看，最后究竟有什么压轴的宝物。
These words sparked more debate. "What? Only one final treasure? Did they make a mistake? In Blackstone City, there were always three such treasures before!"
……
……
"And setting up such a formidable禁制—what kind of treasure is this?"
jiù zhè yàng ， shí jiān yì diǎn diǎn de guò qù le 。 yī jiàn jiàn pāi mài pǐn ná chū ， suí hòu biàn shì zài zuò xiū shì men de nǐ zhēng wǒ duó 。
就这样，时间一点点的过去了。一件件拍卖品拿出，随后便是在座修士们的你争我夺。
"Ha! This auction is getting even more interesting. The final item must be something extraordinary; perhaps we’ll see some old monsters at the Transcendence stage."
lín xuān de yǎn guāng hé děng lí pǔ ， zì rán kàn bù shàng zhè xiē pǔ tōng de bǎo wù 。
林轩的眼光何等离谱，自然看不上这些普通的宝物。
"Hmph, what’s to celebrate? If there are such powerful beings here, our chances in the bidding would be slim."
biàn shì xìng ér ， yě méi yǒu chū shǒu guò 。
便是杏儿，也没有出手过。
...
liǎng rén shì chún cuì de zuò bì shàng guān le 。
两人是纯粹的作壁上观了。
Another voice of disagreement echoed, and the debate grew louder. Lin Xuan opened his eyes, a glint of sharpness in them.
shí jiān yì diǎn yī dī de guò qù ， dāng rán 。 duì yú tā men zhè ge jìng jiè de xiū xiān zhě lái shuō ， bù zhí yī tí 。
时间一点一滴的过去，当然。对于他们这个境界的修仙者来说，不值一提。
Waiting had been the right choice; this auction was far more interesting than he’d imagined. The Rain Mist Business Alliance was a superpower that existed across the Three Realms. They took such precautions for their auctions—perhaps something truly extraordinary would appear here.
zhōng yú ， qián miàn suǒ yǒu de pāi mài jié shù ， yā zhòu hǎo xì yào shàng yǎn le 。
终于，前面所有的拍卖结束，压轴好戏要上演了。
Lin Xuan’s experience and vision were unparalleled, his eyes discerning even the most ordinary treasures. But today, there might be an exceptional收获.
dōng ……
咚……
A look of anticipation flashed in Lin Xuan’s eyes as he wondered what the treasure could be. However, he didn’t consider it a sure thing; other Transcendence-stage old monsters might lurk among these stone houses, perhaps more than one.
yī gǔ piáo de zhōng shēng chuán rù ěr duǒ ， suí hòu dà dì jìng kāi shǐ le chàn dǒu ， sì zhōu shí bì de biǎo miàn ， yǒu yī dào dào hēi qì mí sàn ér chū 。
一古朴的钟声传入耳朵，随后大地竟开始了颤抖，四周石壁的表面，有一道道黑气弥散而出。
But now was not the time to speculate. He needed to see what the item was before deciding whether to bid for it.
rú zhī zhū wǎng yì bān de màn yán 。
如蜘蛛网一般的蔓延。
A sardonic smile played on Lin Xuan’s lips as he decided to wait and see.
hěn kuài 。 jiù pá mǎn le zhěng gè jiàn zhù de biǎo miàn ， yī gǔ guǐ yì de jìn zhì zhī lì mí màn chū lái 。
很快。就爬满了整个建筑的表面，一股诡异的禁制之力弥漫出来。
Soon, the array sealed itself, with禁制 power still flowing in the air. Its strength was formidable; any treacherous intentions would be met with serious consequences.
“ zhè shì ……”
“这是……”
At that moment, a faint melody filled the air, and a beautiful maidservant walked out from the end of the passage. She carried a silver platter, its surface covered by a red silk cloth. Lin Xuan released his spirit sense but found no effect; the silk was a treasure, easily blocking his spirit sense.
cān jiā pāi mài de xiū xiān zhě ， bù yóu de dà jīng shī sè ， zuǒ gù yòu pàn de jiāo tóu jiē ěr qǐ lái le 。
参加拍卖的修仙者，不由得大惊失色，左顾右盼的交头接耳起来了。
The girl approached the high platform, where the host pulled back the silk to reveal an inch-square jade box floating before him. It was made of ten-thousand-year-old玄玉 and had禁制符箓 on its surface, ensuring it retained its spiritual essence. This must be a rare plant treasure, Lin Xuan concluded.
“ gǔ dào yǒu 。 nǐ zhè shì hé yì ， mò fēi xiǎng yào duì wǒ men bù lì ？”
“古道友。你这是何意，莫非想要对我们不利？”
But only the owner could reveal the final truth.
“ bù cuò ， zhè fǎ zhèn zěn me huí shì ？”
“不错，这法阵怎么回事？”
Seeing that interest had been piqued, the refined man’s face showed satisfaction. Although the Heart Refinement Fruit hadn’t fetched a satisfactory price, the auction was still successful overall. He believed this final item would attract even more bidding and fetch a sky-high price.
……
……
Without looking, he knew everyone’s eyes were on him.
zhì yí shēng cǐ qǐ bǐ fú ， ér zhàn zài gāo tái shàng nán zi 。 zé shì yī fù yún dàn fēng qīng zhī sè 。
质疑声此起彼伏，而站在高台上男子。则是一副云淡风轻之色。
With his right hand, he flicked a finger, opening the box with a soft click. A refreshing fragrance wafted out from within.
“ gè wèi dào yǒu duō lǜ le ， zhè cì pāi mài huì 。 shì yóu yǔ lán shāng méng jǔ bàn de ， yòu zěn me huì duì zhū wèi bù lì ， zhǐ bù guò zhè zuì hòu yī jiàn yā zhòu zhī wù ， shí zài shì fēi tóng xiǎo kě ， wǒ men yě shì dān xīn yǒu rén jū xīn pǒ cè ， suǒ yǐ cái bù dé bù fáng hù yī èr de 。”
“各位道友多虑了，这次拍卖会。是由雨岚商盟举办的，又怎么会对诸位不利，只不过这最后一件压轴之物，实在是非同小可，我们也是担心有人居心叵测，所以才不得不防护一二的。”
PS: Seeking recommendation votes, thank you for your support!
The bidding had started at the lowest price, but no one was stepping up to bid.
If this continued, it wasn't certain that the Heart Refinement Fruit would fail to sell.
The host on the high platform frowned, his expression still calm and composed despite the situation. Such a scenario was common in auctions; failing to sell didn’t matter much. He prepared to announce the next item when a soft voice interrupted: "One who can discern truth from falsehood—good, I’ll take this Heart Refinement Fruit."
"Three million Dark Stones."
Since no one else had bid, Lin Xuan offered the lowest price. The host on the high platform showed a hint of embarrassment. He would have preferred if the fruit remained unsold and could try his luck elsewhere. But now that Lin Xuan had made an offer, there was nothing he could do.
A flash of annoyance crossed his face before quickly fading away.
"Three million Dark Stones—does anyone else want to bid higher? Remember, this Heart Refinement Fruit is a rare treasure!"
...
He tried hard to sell the item, but received only silence in response. The spirits and ghosts here had already deemed Lin Xuan’s offer foolish; why would they repeat his mistake?
Only fools would do such a thing.
As for him, he could just watch from the sidelines.
The host of the auction strained to describe the benefits of the Heart Refinement Fruit, but it was all in vain. No one bid until finally, Lin Xuan won at the lowest price, making it his possession.
With that, the matter was settled. Lin Xuan had obtained the desired treasure and could leave if he wished. But giving up halfway wasn’t in his nature. Although eager to reunite with Yue'er, he waited for the auction to end.
He wanted to see what other treasures would be revealed as the finale.
...
Time passed slowly. One by one, items were brought out, and the bidders vied for them. Lin Xuan’s eyes were too discerning; he had no interest in these ordinary treasures. Even Xiang'er didn’t bid.
They merely watched from the sidelines.
Time ticked away, insignificant to their current level of cultivation. Finally, all previous items had been auctioned off, and the grand finale was about to begin.
A deep, ancient bell sounded, causing the ground to tremble. Black mists spread across the stone walls like a spider’s web, covering every surface. A strange禁制 power permeated the air.
"What is this?"
The participating cultivators were alarmed, whispering among themselves. "Friend Rain, what do you intend? Are you planning something against us?"
"Indeed, what is that array about?"
...
Doubts echoed, but the man on the high platform remained unperturbed. "Fellow Daoists, there’s no need to worry. This auction was organized by the Rain Mist Business Alliance; they wouldn’t harm anyone. The final item is indeed significant, and we’re just being cautious."
"Rest assured, this禁制 is merely for protection. As long as you don’t act rashly, it won’t hurt any of you."
...
These words sparked more debate. "What? Only one final treasure? Did they make a mistake? In Blackstone City, there were always three such treasures before!"
"And setting up such a formidable禁制—what kind of treasure is this?"
"Ha! This auction is getting even more interesting. The final item must be something extraordinary; perhaps we’ll see some old monsters at the Transcendence stage."
"Hmph, what’s to celebrate? If there are such powerful beings here, our chances in the bidding would be slim."
...
Another voice of disagreement echoed, and the debate grew louder. Lin Xuan opened his eyes, a glint of sharpness in them.
Waiting had been the right choice; this auction was far more interesting than he’d imagined. The Rain Mist Business Alliance was a superpower that existed across the Three Realms. They took such precautions for their auctions—perhaps something truly extraordinary would appear here.
Lin Xuan’s experience and vision were unparalleled, his eyes discerning even the most ordinary treasures. But today, there might be an exceptional收获.
A look of anticipation flashed in Lin Xuan’s eyes as he wondered what the treasure could be. However, he didn’t consider it a sure thing; other Transcendence-stage old monsters might lurk among these stone houses, perhaps more than one.
But now was not the time to speculate. He needed to see what the item was before deciding whether to bid for it.
A sardonic smile played on Lin Xuan’s lips as he decided to wait and see.
Soon, the array sealed itself, with禁制 power still flowing in the air. Its strength was formidable; any treacherous intentions would be met with serious consequences.
At that moment, a faint melody filled the air, and a beautiful maidservant walked out from the end of the passage. She carried a silver platter, its surface covered by a red silk cloth. Lin Xuan released his spirit sense but found no effect; the silk was a treasure, easily blocking his spirit sense.
The girl approached the high platform, where the host pulled back the silk to reveal an inch-square jade box floating before him. It was made of ten-thousand-year-old玄玉 and had禁制符箓 on its surface, ensuring it retained its spiritual essence. This must be a rare plant treasure, Lin Xuan concluded.
But only the owner could reveal the final truth.
Seeing that interest had been piqued, the refined man’s face showed satisfaction. Although the Heart Refinement Fruit hadn’t fetched a satisfactory price, the auction was still successful overall. He believed this final item would attract even more bidding and fetch a sky-high price.
Without looking, he knew everyone’s eyes were on him.
With his right hand, he flicked a finger, opening the box with a soft click. A refreshing fragrance wafted out from within.
PS: Seeking recommendation votes, thank you for your support!