Chapter 485: Result

Two incense sticks later.

The auction hall was filled with tense energy; everyone had bid, and no one knew until the very end who would claim the spiritual land.

"Hey, who do you think stands the best chance of winning this bid?"

"I saw the Jin Dan elder from the Lu family join the secret bidding—Master Lu is at the late stage of Jin Dan, with formidable depth. If he's bidding, it's almost certain he'll win."

"I'm not so sure. The Liao family from Zhongzhou has also bid. Their expertise in spiritual cultivation plants rivals the Dan arts of the Su family from Longting Lake—they're known as the Twin Supremacies of Da Jin. They won't let this plot of land slip away easily."

"Besides, who knows if Li Huo Palace, Shen Dao Mountain, or the Wan Dao Trading Society are secretly pulling strings and sending agents to bid?"

"Then does this mean the secret auction will become a fierce battle between dragons and tigers?"

"Exactly! Such a precious land is beyond our means—let's just watch the spectacle."

The cultivators below whispered among themselves, exchanging thoughts.

Moments later.

Elder Jin Han returned to the stage.

The entire hall fell silent.

Instantly, all factions and cultivators who had bid held their breath, hearts pounding.

They waited in stillness for Elder Jin to announce the final result.

Because this land was public property, whichever faction won would inevitably take over and operate it—everyone would know, so there was no need for secrecy.

Therefore,

Elder Jin Han wasted no time and declared directly:

"After careful review and comparison of all bids by our three parties,"

"The final and most prestigious item of this auction—the two hundred mu of Gao Jie branch mountain spiritual land on Wuxingshan—"

"Is won by the Jingxue Pavilion of Lingxu Marketplace!"

As Elder Jin Han of the Wan Dao Trading Society spoke, the hall erupted.

Because the result stunned everyone.

"Jingxue Pavilion? I've never heard of them!"

"Where did they come from?"

"Could this be a trick by Li Huo Palace, Shen Dao Mountain, and the Wan Dao Trading Society?"

"After all that, it's still back in their hands."

"Impossible. The three major factions wouldn't do something so self-destructive."

"If exposed, they'd be disgraced for ten thousand generations."

"Then what price did Jingxue Pavilion offer to outbid so many established powers?"

"It's driving me mad with curiosity."

"You're right—I feel the same."

"I've been to Jingxue Pavilion. I heard they're a faction that came from Nanhuang to develop in Da Jin."

"In their home region, they're considered top-tier."

As the result was announced, the faces of several Jin Dan elders showed confusion and frustration.

"How… how is this possible?"

In an instant,

The name Jingxue Pavilion instantly became famous, deeply etched into the memory of every faction.

It was the ultimate publicity.

Qin Ming also revealed a faint, enigmatic smile.

With Elder Jin Han's final hammer strike,

The grand trading fair on Wuxingshan came to an end.

Outside the room, Du Xue entered, her expression excited, bowing to Qin Ming: "Master Lu, Elder Jin wishes to meet you personally to complete the spirit stone settlement."

"Hmm, let's go," Qin Ming nodded—he had expected this.

As Qin Ming followed Du Xue to the back of the Wufu Auction House, they passed through a corridor and encountered Han Yuan and his two companions on duty.

All three were stunned.

Liu Ye cast him a flirtatious glance and smiled sweetly: "Master Lu's Jingxue Pavilion truly cannot be judged by appearances!"

"What a grand move!"

"Congratulations, Master Lu, on securing two hundred mu of blessed land!"

"We're truly envious!"

Han Yuan and Gao Feng also sighed in awe—they had been completely stunned when the result was announced.

Upon hearing "Jingxue Pavilion," all three simultaneously thought of one person.

Wasn't the head of Jingxue Pavilion in Da Jin none other than Master Lu, who came with them? Their expressions held nothing but admiration and envy as they offered their congratulations.

After all, this was the coveted Gao Jie branch mountain spiritual land—cultivation here would yield double results. "Haha! Just luck. When you come, please visit me," Qin Ming bowed and smiled.

"You said it, Master Lu."

"We'll definitely come to beg a cup of your spiritual wine, haha!"

"Always welcome!"

Hearing this, Han Yuan stroked his beard and smiled inwardly—he was glad he'd made this friend.

"Master Lu's matters come first—we'll talk later," Gao Feng said with a smile, knowing the urgency.

After exchanging pleasantries with the three, Qin Ming continued with Du Xue into a modestly decorated room.

Elder Jin Han sat inside, sipping tea.

"Elder Jin, Master Lu has arrived," Du Xue reported respectfully.

Elder Jin Han set down his teacup and nodded with clear satisfaction: "Good. You performed excellently. I record this as major merit—your rank is promoted three levels. Go to the Executive Hall and claim your reward on my verbal order."

Du Xue was overjoyed, thanked him profusely, stole a glance at "Master Lu," gave him a grateful look, then withdrew.

The room now held only Qin Ming and Elder Jin Han.

"Greetings, Elder Jin!" Qin Ming bowed.

Elder Jin Han smiled. "No need for formalities. Sit. Your Pavilion truly has boldness."

"You even had the Three-Grade Jade Emperor Spiritual Rice."

Qin Ming had prepared his reply in advance and answered calmly: "These Jade Emperor Rice grains were painstakingly acquired by our Pavilion—we have no more."

"Let me be frank," Elder Jin Han poured Qin Ming a cup of spiritual tea. "The final bid reached as high as six hundred thousand middle-grade spirit stones, plus rare treasures."

"Yet our Alliance and the other two factions agreed unanimously—we chose Jingxue Pavilion because of the Jade Emperor Rice."

"This rice has immense benefits for Jin Dan cultivators. And the only one who could produce such a quantity is surely the Qin Master from Nanhuang's cultivation realm, correct?"

"I heard Li Huo Palace offered a huge price but couldn't persuade him."

Qin Ming's face twitched slightly; he gave an awkward smile and evaded: "Indeed, such matters are handled by our Pavilion Master. I merely carry out orders."

Elder Jin Han did not press further, merely nodding slightly.

Then,

Elder Jin Han handed Qin Ming a purple-gold token, the land deed, and a bag of spirit stones, smiling: "From now on, this land belongs to your Pavilion. Congratulations."

"Additionally, the items you entrusted us to auction sold for five hundred thousand spirit stones. After deducting the three hundred thousand you spent to bid, you have two hundred thousand left."

"Given our pleasant cooperation, we waive the commission. Please count it, Master Lu."

Qin Ming took the items and pretended to count them carefully, then rose and bowed: "Elder Jin, the amount is correct."

Then,

The two exchanged no further words; after brief pleasantries, Qin Ming left the auction house.

Once outside, he immediately contacted Hua Tianxiong.

"Leave the marketplace and find a secluded spot to wait for me."

"Yes, Master!"

Hua Tianxiong had just finished settling his spirit stones at Wufu Auction House. Though he'd only bought two items, he'd truly bled heavily.

He boarded a golden palanquin, accompanied by dozens of attendants from Qianji Trading House and a Jin Dan mid-stage retainer for protection.

…

As Hua Tianxiong headed toward a hidden location,

Among the clouds nearby, several black-robed cultivators lurked—including the Jin Dan mid-stage cultivator from Yin Mo Sect.

He had removed his hood, revealing his true face.

His features bore two deep, twisted scars, like centipedes crawling across his skin; his gaze was fierce, radiating an eerie, chilling aura.

"Tian Wugong, you promised me—if this succeeds, you'll hand over the 'Golden Crow Flame Yang Crystal,'" said the figure beside him—the Yan Laogui from the auction—his voice cold and sinister.

"My word is ironclad. I wouldn't lie to you over a single material," replied Tian Wugong of Yin Mo Sect, his eyes sharp and fixed on the distance, voice hoarse.

Yet Yan Laogui still asked, puzzled: "I don't understand—why must you get that seven-hundred-year-old Seven-Apertures Tribulation Flower?"

"Once Hua Tianxiong dies, suspicion will fall on you. And Gan the Old Monster of Li Huo Palace isn't easy to fool."

"I heard Hua Tianxiong has some brains, but his cultivation is worthless—he's entirely propped up by Gan the Old Monster."

"To be honest, the demonic art I cultivate—'Xuan Yin Demon Spirit Scripture'—can help me break through to late Jin Dan. I'm now at a critical stage."

"But this art has a fatal flaw: though progress is swift, the deeper I go, especially at breakthroughs, the stronger the demonic illusions become—nearly doubling their backlash. Only the Seven-Apertures Tribulation Flower, combined with the blood of several beasts and a cultivator's soul essence, can be brewed into a medicinal decoction to overcome it."

"As for Li Huo Palace—I fear them not. After this, I'll return home. What can they do to me?"

Hearing this, Yan Laogui narrowed his eyes, secretly astonished:

Late Foundation Establishment. So fast.

(End of Chapter)