"One point five million low-grade spirit stones," said a middle-aged man with a goatee, raising his paddle.
"One point eight million low-grade spirit stones."
Zhang Ergou's mouth hung open, his gaze briefly dazed.
He hadn't expected everyone to be so frenzied. He recalled how he had previously even considered a Earth-tier cultivation technique.
Little Fatty was right; he had been daydreaming.
Looking at the heated scene in the main hall, Zhang Ergou reaffirmed his poverty.
Before coming to the auction, with hundreds of thousands of low-grade spirit stones in his possession, Zhang Ergou had felt like a rich man.
But comparing them, all his treasures combined couldn't even afford an Earth-tier cultivation technique.
He didn't even have the qualifications to participate in the bidding.
In just a moment, the price of the Shenmu Yao had already reached three million low-grade spirit stones.
The aristocratic families and sects in the private rooms had not yet made a move.
"Three point five million low-grade spirit stones," another voice rang out from the main hall, from the same middle-aged man in a green robe with a goatee.
Judging by his demeanor, he was determined to obtain the Shenmu Yao.
The number of people competing in the main hall had significantly decreased, as everyone had limited financial resources, and not everyone could produce tens of millions of spirit stones at the drop of a hat.
Moreover, the Shenmu Yao, while good, was only suitable for cultivators with wood-element spiritual roots.
Some cultivators who had hoped to snag a bargain sat down, looking helpless as a few people continued to bid.
"Three point eight million low-grade spirit stones," a faint voice came from a private room.
The Qi family from the Eastern Domain had entered the fray.
"Four million low-grade spirit stones, Daoist Friend Qi, aren't you being a bit stingy with your bids? Haha."
From the private room next to the Qi family, someone from the Murong family of Southern Xinjiang spoke up.
"Daoist Friend Murong, you're not much more generous. My Qi family bids four point five million low-grade spirit stones."
Unable to back down, the Qi family wouldn't let themselves be outdone.
With a single bid, they increased it by fifty thousand low-grade spirit stones.
"Haha, Daoist Friend Qi has such spirit. How can my Murong family not join? Five million low-grade spirit stones."
A hearty laugh echoed, pushing the price of the Shenmu Yao directly to five million low-grade spirit stones.
By this time, the middle-aged man with the goatee in the green robe in the main hall had already sat down, a look of helplessness on his face.
Four million low-grade spirit stones was the limit of his ability to pay.
Compared to these great families, an individual's wealth was truly insignificant.
"Five million low-grade spirit stones, and you dare to boast? Has the Murong family fallen so low?"
A mocking voice emerged from the private room next to the Murong family.
"My Sima family bids six million low-grade spirit stones."
The Sima family from the North directly raised the price by one million low-grade spirit stones.
"The Sima family of the North is indeed wealthy. They don't bid unless they're making a statement, and their first bid is six million."
"Yes, yes. The Sima family has allied with the behemoth Poison Sect in recent years, so naturally, they are very rich."
"No wonder they don't show any respect to the Murong family of Southern Xinjiang."
"What do you know? The Sima family has always been at odds with the Murong family. If they can embarrass the Murong family, they'll do it with pleasure."
Murmurs erupted from the main hall again.
Even though they couldn't participate in the bidding, witnessing the competition among the great families was a worthwhile experience.
"A mere six million low-grade spirit stones, and you think you can embarrass my Murong family? Sima, you have such a small mind."
With a dismissive smile, the Murong family was not intimidated by the Sima family's aggressive bid.
"Seven million low-grade spirit stones."
Hiss!
The calm voice stirred up a wave in the main hall, and gasps of surprise echoed.
Great aristocratic families were different. A dispute could involve millions of spirit stones; this was the gap.
"Are the spirit stones of these great families blown in by the wind?"
Zhang Ergou glanced back at Xiong Bao, who was still stuffing food into his mouth, and couldn't help but pout.
This guy could really eat.
"Most profitable businesses on the Yin Continent are monopolized by these aristocratic families. In the North, there are the Poison Sect and the Sima family; in the South, the Murong family."
"And so on. In the regions where these families and sects are located, the treasures used by cultivators are almost entirely controlled by them."
"Therefore, their sources of spirit stones are inexhaustible, and they naturally have vast wealth. A few million spirit stones are nothing to these great families."
Zi Lin blinked her large eyes, staring at the private rooms.
"How can these aristocratic families be so overbearing?" Zhang Ergou asked, confused.
"It's who has the bigger fist that calls the shots. Even the top three sects on the Yin Continent have to abide by the rules when they come to the Black Xuan Pavilion auction house?"
"Naturally, it's because the Black Xuan Pavilion has a stronger fist. On the Yin Continent, only the Pavilion Master of the Black Xuan Pavilion is a Nascent Soul cultivator, openly speaking."
"With this alone, sects and aristocratic families dare not act wildly here."
Zhang Ergou nodded, his resolve to become stronger becoming even firmer. This trip to the black market to broaden his horizons was indeed worthwhile. Not only did he obtain the Soul Capturing Eight Trigrams Mirror, but his perspective had also greatly improved.
This was a significant improvement from his previous narrow focus on the outer peaks of the Misty Sect.
"Seven point five million low-grade spirit stones. Since the people from the three great families have joined, it wouldn't be right for my Hua family not to participate," a gentle and pleasant voice came from the private room of the Hua family of West Yue.
"Brother Hua, what spirit! How can I, from the Flowing Sea Sect, miss such a lively scene? Eight million low-grade spirit stones."
A mellow voice emerged from the Flowing Sea Sect's private room.
"Tsk, eight million low-grade spirit stones is all you have to offer? Ten million low-grade spirit stones. My Poison Sect wants this Shenmu Yao."
A shrill voice chimed in, unmistakably from the Northern Poison Sect.
Ten million! Hiss!
"Twelve million low-grade spirit stones. You trash from the Poison Sect, don't think you can do whatever you want just because you have some money."
The voice from the Flowing Sea Sect's private room, which had been calm moments ago, now carried a hint of anger.
"Liu Chuan, hehe, the taste of losing your Dao companion must not be good, right?" the Poison Sect member taunted.
"Wu Haichun, don't get too arrogant. One day, I will make your Poison Sect pay the price it deserves."
A sharp killing intent emanated from the Flowing Sea Sect's private room.
Hmph!
A cold snort echoed, and everyone in the private rooms restrained their emotions. It turned out that a powerful being from the Black Xuan Pavilion had spoken.
"Everyone, if you have your own grievances, once you leave the Black Xuan Pavilion, we will not interfere."
"But if you intend to fight here, you are mistaken." Elder Yang on the high platform said coldly.
"I advise you all, if you wish to bid peacefully, the Black Xuan Pavilion welcomes you. Anyone who does not abide by the rules will be an enemy of the Black Xuan Pavilion."
The people from the various sects and aristocratic families in the private rooms restrained their emotions, clearly not daring to be too arrogant.
"The auction continues. The Flowing Sea Sect bids twelve million low-grade spirit stones. Are there any further bids?"
Seeing that everyone had quieted down, Elder Yang resumed his smiling demeanor.