Chapter 35: The Martial Ancestor's Inner Elixir

The auctioneer smiled slightly, evidently well-pleased with the crowd's reaction. Clearing his throat, he announced in a resonant voice: "Ladies and gentlemen, the origin of this beast carcass is extraordinary; it is said to have been unearthed from an ancient ruin. Upon appraisal, its scales and bone spurs were found to contain immense spiritual energy, making them excellent materials for forging high-grade spiritual artifacts and concocting elixirs! The starting bid is—three thousand spirit stones!"

"Three thousand spirit stones!" The price sparked an immediate uproar in the hall.

Although the carcass was indeed rare, a starting bid of three thousand spirit stones was undeniably steep. Many began to hesitate, as such a sum exceeded the reach of most present. However, for the great sects and noble families, such a treasure represented a rare and coveted opportunity.

"Three thousand five hundred spirit stones!" Soon, a masked bidder raised their paddle.

"Four thousand spirit stones!" Another bidder countered without hesitation.

"Four thousand five hundred spirit stones!"

As the price climbed steadily, the atmosphere in the hall grew increasingly fervent. Lin Xuan glanced at Bai Jingyan and asked in a low voice, "Brother Bai, are you interested in this beast carcass?"

Bai Jingyan’s gaze remained profound as he stared at the carcass in the glass display. "The scales and bone spurs are indeed remarkable, but they are of little use to me. Its bloodline energy, however, might hold some research value."

Lin Xuan nodded, calculating silently. Although he had some interest in the remains, he chose to forgo it, keeping the upcoming auction of the Martial Ancestor tomb map in mind.

Just then, a cold laugh erupted from the side of the Raging Dragon Sect. "Five thousand spirit stones! We, the Raging Dragon Sect, will take this!"

The auctioneer looked on and called out, "Five thousand spirit stones! Are there any higher bids?"

The hall fell silent.

"Going once at five thousand! Twice at five thousand! Three times at five thousand! Sold!" The auctioneer brought his gavel down firmly.

Bai Jingyan offered a faint smile, a glint of coldness flashing in his eyes. "No matter. The real main event is yet to come. The more arrogant they act, the easier it is for them to reveal their flaws." He calculated the time silently, sensing the auction was drawing to a close.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we now present the penultimate item of this auction!" The auctioneer smiled enigmatically and clapped his hands. A young girl stepped onto the stage, carrying an object covered by a red cloth.

The auctioneer wore a mysterious expression, but instead of unveiling the item immediately, he asked with feigned gravity, "Before I reveal what lies beneath this cloth, I have a question for you all: in our Qingyou Continent, what is the status of a Martial Emperor?"

"That, naturally, places one among the ranks of the powerful!" someone from the audience shouted back.

"Indeed," the auctioneer nodded, smiling. "A Martial Emperor is certainly a hegemon in our Qingyou Continent. Yet, do you know that above the Martial Emperor realm lies an even more formidable existence—the Martial Ancestor realm?"

"Beneath the Martial Ancestor, a Martial Emperor is but an ant!"

"Beneath the Martial Ancestor, the heavens collapse and the earth shatters!"

"And the item we are auctioning today is precisely the inner core of a Martial Ancestor!"

As the auctioneer finished speaking, he jerked the red cloth away. Beneath it lay a spherical inner core, its surface stained with flecks of blood, as if it had only recently been extracted. It emitted a faint glow and a palpable, heart-stopping pressure.

The moment the core appeared, the auction hall fell into a deathly silence. Every eye was locked onto the object, breaths hitching in chests. The inner core of a Martial Ancestor! If refined, one could not only drastically increase their cultivation but potentially gain insight into the profound mysteries of the Martial Ancestor realm, laying a solid foundation for future breakthroughs. Such a treasure was enough to drive anyone to madness!

"The Martial Ancestor's inner core, starting bid: five hundred thousand primal stones! Each increment must be at least one hundred thousand!" the auctioneer announced.

Gasps filled the hall. A starting bid of five hundred thousand was enough to deter the vast majority. Furthermore, the minimum increment of one hundred thousand served as a threshold that excluded nearly ninety percent of those present. Nevertheless, the true powerhouses and wealthy factions began to stir.

"One million!"

While the crowd remained stunned, a deep, powerful voice cut through the silence. Heads turned to see a middle-aged man in black robes holding up his paddle, his expression indifferent, as if a million primal stones were a mere trifle to him.

"One million! This gentleman bids one million! Are there any higher?" the auctioneer cried out excitedly.

"One million two hundred thousand!" another bidder countered instantly.

"One million five hundred thousand!"

"Two million!"

The price skyrocketed, igniting the atmosphere. Those who had been observing now joined the fray. Lin Xuan glanced at Bai Jingyan and whispered, "Brother Bai, are you interested in this core?"

Bai Jingyan stared at the core, his gaze deep. "A Martial Ancestor's core is rare, but it is of limited use to me. As for you, Brother Lin, if you could win this, it might greatly benefit the Azure Cloud Sect."

Lin Xuan gave a bitter laugh and shook his head. "Two million primal stones is already beyond my budget. Moreover, the true highlight is still to come."

Bai Jingyan nodded without adding more.

At that moment, a cold laugh came from the Raging Dragon Sect. "Three million! We, the Raging Dragon Sect, will take this core!" The man with the scarred face raised his paddle, his tone dripping with unquestionable dominance.

The hall went quiet. Everyone knew the reputation of the Raging Dragon Sect. Once they made their move, others dared not easily contend with them.

The auctioneer looked around and asked, "Three million! Any higher bids?"

Silence reigned.

"Going once at three million! Twice at three million! Three times at three million! Sold!" The auctioneer signaled the conclusion.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we now reach the final and most important item of this auction!" The auctioneer’s voice rose, carrying unconcealable excitement. He clapped his hands, and another girl stepped onto the stage, holding an exquisite jade box. The box was carved with complex runes, emitting an ancient and mysterious aura.

The auctioneer took the box with great care, swept his gaze across the room, and said slowly, "I believe you have all guessed what this is—it is none other than the map to the Martial Ancestor's tomb!"