Chapter 219: S-Class Flowing Cloud Golden Spike Spear! Auction!

Time slowly passed, and the auction hall gradually filled with seated guests.

"Ladies and gentlemen!"

When the clock struck nine, the hall's lights dimmed slightly, the music ceased, and the entire auction chamber fell swiftly silent.

A brilliant white spotlight illuminated the central stage.

A middle-aged man in a white robe stepped into the light, his back bearing the large blue lightning emblem of Lei Ting Martial Arts Hall.

"Welcome, everyone, to the auction hosted by Lei Ting Martial Arts Hall—this event features a total of 108 items!"

The man waved his right hand, and the surrounding virtual light instantly coalesced into lifelike holographic projections of the items.

"The 108 auction items include cultivation resources, battle armor and equipment, and combat technique scrolls—perhaps even what you're seeking."

"I won't waste your time—I now declare this auction officially open!"

Amidst applause, a holographic projection of a strange plant exuding cold mist appeared in midair, slowly rotating.

So that every attendee could clearly see it. At the same time, the middle-aged man introduced:

"Lot One: an extremely rare thirty-year A-grade exotic herb—Hán Bīng Cǎo!"

Consumed directly, Hán Bīng Cǎo increases the spiritual power of any below fifth-rank adept by fifty points.

It is also one of the primary ingredients in crafting Hán Bīng Dān, with a starting bid of twenty million!"

"Each bid must increase by no less than one hundred thousand!"

Hán Bīng Cǎo is relatively common, but specimens reaching thirty years are exceedingly rare.

No sooner had the man finished speaking than someone pressed the button on their armrest to place a bid.

Instantly, voice announcements echoed throughout the auction hall:

"Seat 0213, twenty-one million!"

"Seat 0625, twenty-two million!"

"Seat 0408, twenty-two point four million!"

"......"

Ultimately, the thirty-year A-grade Hán Bīng Cǎo was sold for a high price of twenty-four million.

"Lot Two......"

One item after another was sold; except for a few that required five or six minutes of bidding,

most items concluded within one or two minutes.

"Lot Thirty-Six: five fourth-rank lower-tier Lei He, starting bid forty million! Each bid must increase by no less than two hundred thousand."

As the man spoke, five crystal cores swirling with Lei Ting appeared in the holographic projection.

"Finally, the first one."

Xu Jingming entered his bid on the screen, and an electronic announcement rang out in the hall.

"Seat 0310, forty-one million!"

Lei He are tightly controlled by Lei Ting Martial Arts Hall and major clans, never sold publicly.

Outside the auction, they can only be obtained by hunting fourth-rank ferocious beasts in the Thunderstorm Zone.

Not everyone has the strength to hunt fourth-rank ferocious beasts.

"Seat 0637, forty-one point four million!" someone raised the bid.

"Seat 0708, forty-one point eight million!" another joined the competition.

Xu Jingming frowned and entered his bid again, then confirmed it.

"Seat 0310, forty-four million!"

Whether due to the sudden jump in price or not, murmurs of deliberate restraint immediately rose from the audience, yet no one continued bidding.

"Forty-four million once!" the man on stage called out.

He did not use a microphone, yet his voice was powerful and resonated throughout the hall.

"Forty-four million twice! Fourth-rank Lei He are rarely sold publicly.

Miss this chance, and you won't know how long until the next—anyone else bidding?"

The man called again, but no one raised their bid further.

"Forty-four million thrice! Sold!

Congratulations to the gentleman in seat 0310—we will arrange transfer after the auction ends."

The middle-aged man smiled over toward him.

Xu Jingming was slightly surprised—he had prepared to raise his bid further, yet the sale had concluded so quickly.

"Lei Ting Martial Arts Hall and major adept clans hold vast stocks of Lei He.

Only lone wanderers like you, who come to the Lei Ting Secret Realm to train, need to buy them individually.

But they don't have your wealth—you raised two million in one go; naturally, they won't continue bidding against you."

Brother Jiang Luo smiled and said.

Two million!

For a lone wanderer, this was no small sum.

In truth, only someone as formidable as Xu Jingming could earn one or two hundred million Dà Xià coins per trip in and out of the Thunderstorm Zone.

A typical third-rank upper-tier adept might be lucky to earn a few million.

Even Jiang Luo himself earned only a bit over one hundred million per trip.

"But why buy so many fourth-rank Lei He? You'd be better off hunting them directly in the Thunderstorm Zone—it's more cost-effective." Jiang Luo asked in surprise.

"I feel my proficiency is about to break through, so I want to try it all at once," Xu Jingming replied with a smile.

"Already about to break through to the Condensed Liquid realm?" Jiang Luo's eyes widened.

He, as a lightning-affinity ability user, didn't fully master it until his third year of college...

The auction continued, with item after item being sold.

During this time, Song Qiuyun and Jiang Chuxuan each spent tens of millions to buy various cultivation resources and rare flowers and herbs they found interesting.

Soon, over four hours passed, and more than half of the 108 auction items had been sold.

The prices of subsequent items gradually rose, with each starting bid at least 100 million.

"Now, item number 98: the S-class spear, 'Flowing Cloud Golden Peak Spear.'"

The Flowing Cloud Golden Peak Spear was forged by the master armorer Yu Wen, with a total length of 2.1 meters.

The shaft is crafted from special A-class alloy 'Kemir Alloy.'

The spearhead is forged from 'Jifeng Alloy,' the hardest and sharpest among S-class alloys."

As the middle-aged man spoke, a spear materialized in midair via projection.

The spear's entire body glowed in a subdued, luxurious dark gold, its shaft engraved with dense, distinctive flowing-cloud symbols.

Even through the holographic projection, one could sense the spearhead's sharpness and piercing edge.

Whether cultivation resources or combat techniques, any S-class item always drew discussion.

This spear was no exception; as soon as it appeared, hushed murmurs erupted throughout the auction hall.

"Master Yu Wen hasn't forged a new weapon in a year or two, has he?"

Indeed, I didn't expect such an impressive work from your very first attempt.

"Kemir Alloy and Jifeng Alloy—this combination is brilliant!"

"......."

There were many master armors in the Lei Ting Secret Realm, and Yu Wen was the most renowned.

Moreover, different alloys possessed distinct properties.

Kemir Alloy has the trait of increasing weight according to the ability energy infused into it.

Jifeng Alloy is the hardest and sharpest among S-class alloys.

Combined, these three elements ensured the 'Flowing Cloud Golden Peak Spear' would be no ordinary weapon.

Indeed, the middle-aged man on the stage continued:

"Everyone should know the trait of the special A-class Kemir Alloy.

Strength-affinity users can infuse it with blood qi; elemental-affinity users can infuse it with elemental energy, causing the spear's weight to change accordingly.

Though spirit-affinity users cannot wield it, its base weight is 800 kilograms.

When infused with ability energy, its maximum weight reaches 100 tons—a limit many will find appealing.

The starting bid for this S-class spear is 500 million. Bidding is now open, with each raise no less than one million!"

"A spear whose weight can change?"

Xu Jingming's eyes lit up, his gaze locked on the holographic spear.

Due to his cultivation of the Thunder Unyielding Body, his physical strength had increased rapidly.

Now, he could wield weapons weighing thousands of kilograms with ease.

It was foreseeable that as his rank advanced, his strength would continue to grow substantially.

If this spear's weight could shift with infused ability energy, it was undoubtedly perfect for him.

"I'm taking this spear!"

Xu Jingming's gaze hardened, ready to begin bidding.

With a starting bid of 500 million, among the 800+ people present, fewer than fifty could afford it.

But it was an S-class weapon, forged by a master armorer—its market value was at least 550 million!

Even if he didn't use it, buying it to resell would guarantee profit!

Thus, within barely ten seconds, bids kept coming in.

"Seat 0113, 505 million!"

"Seat 0224, 520 million!"

"Seat 0131, 530 million!"

"......"

"Seat 0310, 550 million!"

Eager to secure the spear, Xu Jingming raised his bid just above market value.

Those hoping to profit from resale immediately withdrew; only four or five continued bidding.

"Seat 0104, 560 million!"

"Seat 0137, 570 million!"

"Seat 0310, 580 million!"

"Seat 0104, 590 million!"

"......"

As the price kept climbing, only two bidders remained in the auction hall.

One was Xu Jingming at seat 0310; the other, seat 0104... Xu Jingming turned to face him.

At seat 0104 sat a young woman of alluring beauty.

It was Li Wanying of the Li family, whom Xu Jingming had seen upon entering.