Chapter 480: The auction is just like an exhibition

The gunpowder smell before them grew stronger and stronger; everyone widened their eyes, hoping something would catch their interest.

At that moment, a cultivator stepped onto the auction stage.

He held a string of Heavenly Origin Spirit Gathering Pearls that sparkled with starlight, and in their glow the entire venue seemed to turn into a dreamy fairyland.

Lu Yuan's team felt their hearts pounding wildly.

This was one of the things they urgently needed.

"This Heavenly Origin Spirit Gathering Pearl can condense spiritual energy, aid cultivation, and increase magical power!" the auctioneer announced loudly.

"Eight thousand spirit stones!" Lu Yuan shouted without hesitation.

The auctioneer looked at Lu Yuan in surprise, not expecting anyone to bid that high without hesitation.

But he noticed that the few people beside Lu Yuan all looked tense, so he spoke up, "Someone has bid eight thousand spirit stones!"

"Any higher bids?"

A piercing, heavy silence hung over the venue. Spectators pondered whether to raise their bids, their eyes flickering with competition and hesitation.

Suddenly, another cultivator quietly revealed the treasure in his hand.

He took out an Essence Origin Stone exuding rich chaotic energy.

Almost instantly, the auction venue became even more tense.

"This Chaos Essence Origin Stone is said to be able to comprehend the source of all things!" the auctioneer said excitedly.

"Ten thousand spirit stones!" another's overbearing voice shot straight to the heavens.

Lu Yuan's team fell into a disadvantage.

They understood how important these two treasures were to them, but now their wealth was nearly exhausted.

Su Liyan looked at Lu Yuan and King Qi, asking, "What should we do?"

"We need these two treasures to strengthen our strength against evil."

King Qi fell silent for a moment, then reminded, "We should focus our energy on bidding for one of them, at least to win one."

"Yeah, we have no other choice now."

Gu Qingwan replied, "Then let's target the Heavenly Origin Spirit Gathering Pearl and bid."

Lu Yuan took a deep breath, stabilizing his emotions.

"Nine thousand spirit stones!" he shouted, raising his voice.

The tense atmosphere in the venue reached its peak.

Other cultivators pondered whether to bid higher, while the auctioneer gestured, seeking a higher bidder.

"Nine thousand, once!"

"Nine thousand, twice!"

"Nine thousand, three times!"

"Nine thousand spirit stones, sold!" The auctioneer, noticing the crowd's shift in mood, continued, "Next we have a very rare treasure—an Illusory Spirit Mask!"

"It is a treasure that can change one's appearance and can play a major role in battle!"

Lu Yuan furrowed his brow slightly; the Illusory Spirit Mask was also very important to them.

If they could obtain this treasure, it would greatly enhance their combat power.

Gu Qingwan quickly regained her composure, deciding to continue striving for it.

"Twelve thousand spirit stones!" she declared firmly.

For a moment the venue became noisy; the cultivators were startled by that price.

They hesitated, wondering whether to join the bidding again.

"I can give you a better price."

Suddenly, a low, mysterious voice reached everyone's ears.

Everyone immediately looked up toward the direction the voice came from, seeing an old man with graying temples, a weary face but full of wisdom walk into the auction venue.

In his hand he held a plaque covered in runes, upon which golden light flickered.

"Who are you?" the auctioneer asked in surprise.

"I am an old man who specializes in collecting rare treasures."

The old man smiled and replied, "Now I will purchase the Illusory Spirit Mask for twenty thousand spirit stones!"

Everyone fell into silence.

Gu Qingwan could not accept this sudden change before her eyes.

She glared at the old man, full of anger, feeling her efforts ruthlessly squeezed out.

Gu Qingwan watched disappointedly as the mysterious old man triumphantly picked up the Illusory Spirit Mask; she had originally high hopes for this treasure and had already prepared sufficient resources for bidding.

But now, everything had come to nothing.

She felt the flames of anger blazing fiercely in her chest.

Lu Yuan sensed Gu Qingwan's inner dissatisfaction, feeling remorse.

He deeply knew how important this treasure was to her, yet he could not personally deliver it to her.

"It's okay; next time we'll strive to get something better." Lu Yuan encouraged.

Gu Qingwan turned her head away, not wanting anyone to see her eyes blurred with tears.

She did not blame Lu Yuan's team, but inside she could not dispel that sense of loss and dissatisfaction. Although they lost the Illusory Spirit Mask, Lu Yuan's yearning in his heart was not extinguished.

He realized that, facing more challenges ahead, he needed stronger weapons to protect himself and his team.

When the next rare treasure began auctioning, he decided to participate personally.

"Next is an extremely powerful treasure—the Storm Divine Artifact!" the auctioneer announced excitedly from the stage.

The venue immediately erupted in an uproar.

The Storm Divine Artifact is one of the supreme treasures in the Xiuzhen Jie; in battle it can unleash heaven‑shaking, earth‑shattering power, making enemies tremble at the mere mention of it.

Lu Yuan took a deep breath, his eyes burning with an uncontainable desire.

This is exactly what he needs—a Fobao that will help him achieve success, conquer those evil forces, and protect everyone's safety!

"Fifty thousand spirit stones!" Lu Yuan spoke decisively, raising the stakes.

The auction hall fell silent immediately.

All the bidders stared at Lu Yuan in surprise, never expecting a young cultivator to be so bold and generous.

The auctioneer also hesitated; this price far exceeded everyone's expectations.

However, someone soon placed a higher bid.

"Sixty thousand spirit stones!"

This was the voice of a powerful cultivator, his words revealing an aura not to be underestimated.

He feared no challenge and was determined to make the Storm Divine Artifact his own.

Lu Yuan furrowed his brows, realizing his opponent was no ordinary foe.

To obtain the Storm Divine Artifact, he must exert greater effort.

"Seventy thousand spirit stones!" Lu Yuan's voice was firm and strong.

The hall fell silent once again.

Everyone stared at Lu Yuan, dumbfounded, beginning to doubt his background.

A youngster bidding seventy thousand spirit stones with such boldness would astonish and shock anyone.

However, a imposing middle‑aged man among the bidders spoke up.

"Eighty thousand spirit stones!"

This man was one of the Red Lotus Sect's experts, strong and ruthless.

He eyed the Storm Divine Artifact covetously, hoping to use it to raise his faction's standing in the Xiuzhen Jie.

Lu Yuan gritted his teeth, determined not to let the opponent take this treasure.

"Ninety thousand spirit stones!" Lu Yuan shouted the high price without yielding.

The auction hall instantly erupted with astonished sounds.

In the following rounds, Lu Yuan and the Red Lotus Sect expert engaged in fierce competition, forming an intangible yet profound atmosphere of opposition between them.

"One hundred thousand spirit stones!" the Red Lotus Sect expert raised the bid again, his voice tinged with supreme arrogance. (End of chapter)