Chapter 391 - 347: The Auction Scene, the Celestial Deformed Leg Appears (2)

Ten Yuan Crystals—not a small sum!

However, for a typical Profound Light Realm cultivator who came prepared, passing the asset verification would be almost no issue. Even some veteran Inner Qi Realm cultivators, with years of savings, might have a chance to scrape the amount together.

Still, this threshold did serve to weed out a large number of opportunists.

As time passed, a steady stream of guests entered the auction hall.

In front of the special passageway leading directly to the top-floor private rooms, Xue Kunsheng finished welcoming the last of the distinguished guests.

The Hidden Dragon Saber from the Shadowless Blade Sect, Tantai Jinfeng!

Xue Kunsheng showed ample respect for this expert, who was ranked one hundred and twenty-seventh on the Dragon and Tiger Chart.

Tantai Jinfeng was tall and broad-shouldered, with a long saber slung across his back. He emanated the sharp, fierce aura unique to a Blade Master. A mere glance in his direction was enough to make one’s eyes sting.

After seeing this master into the venue, all the distinguished guests for the top-floor private rooms had arrived. Below, the flow of guests from the common and exclusive entrances had dwindled to a trickle, signaling that the entry period was nearly over.

Xue Kunsheng stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his eyes slightly narrowed as he gazed into the distance, lost in thought.

’No matter what schemes the ghouls and demons are plotting in the shadows, no matter what storms are brewing unseen, we are fully prepared for this Beicang Auction. The city is under lockdown, patrols have been doubled, the venue is sealed, the Blessed Land is under temporary control, and with *them* here...’

’This auction will proceed without a hitch!’

"Lord Xue, it’s almost time!"

A subordinate approached and reported cautiously.

"Excellent." Xue Kunsheng turned and strode into the passageway.

...

"It’s really crowded!"

Standing before the transparent crystal wall of his private room, Chen Ping’an marveled at the sea of people filling the auction hall.

This Blessed Land could hold several thousand people, and as far as he could see, nearly every seat was taken.

The auction hall was circular, with rings of seats, partitions, and private rooms rising around a central, elevated stage. The stage itself was spacious, large enough to comfortably hold several dozen people.

Sitting in his private room, Chen Ping’an had familiarized himself with the auction rules. Each item had a starting price and a minimum bid increment. The bidding would start at the base price and continue until no higher bids were made. The highest bidder wins.

A successful bidder had to settle the transaction on the spot. Failure to do so was considered a false bid and malicious price inflation. Severe offenders would face harsh punishment from the Beicang Garrison Commandant’s Office. The item would then be returned to the Beicang Auction for bidding in a later round.

With the Beicang Garrison Commandant’s Office issuing such a strict decree, it was unlikely any fool would be audacious enough to test them.

’Settling transactions on the spot is quite efficient. Not bad!’

Chen Ping’an’s anticipation for the Beicang Auction began to grow.

The Divine Skills up for auction here weren’t mere Tracings. They contained genuine Inheritance Realms!

If he could win one, he could use the power of his Golden Finger Panel to instantly master the entry level of a Divine Skill. And if so...

His power would likely take another leap forward in a short amount of time!

’Dragon Elephant Dominating Body Technique! Enchanting Soul Technique! Profound Ice Silk Armor!’

A determined glint flickered in Chen Ping’an’s eyes; he was set on acquiring them.

He had arrived early. During the lull before the auction began, he had visited the other private room—the one for his alternate identity. It wasn’t far from his current location, so it wouldn’t be a hassle to move over when the time came to act.

But Chen Ping’an wasn’t in a rush. The auction was scheduled to last three days, and his targets were among the final, high-profile items. That meant he wouldn’t need to make his move until the last day at the earliest. For now, he could simply observe from his primary vantage point. Who knows, some other interesting trinkets might show up.

Speaking of those final, high-profile items, the Beicang Auction had yet to reveal the last and most valuable lot. They were certainly masters of suspense.

The venue had nine floors in total. The bottom four were filled with rows of seats. The next three tiers consisted of semi-open private partitions. Above those was the floor Chen Ping’an currently occupied, the floor of private rooms. Anyone who could secure a private room at this auction was, for the most part, a significant and well-known figure.

But on the ninth floor, there were the most exclusive top-floor private rooms. Without exception, everyone who could enter them was a person of great renown. They were also the wealthiest individuals in the entire auction.

These were the people who would be his strongest competitors for the main items.

Chen Ping’an naturally wanted to get a look at these potential rivals. Unfortunately, no one emerged; they all remained inside their rooms. He counted the private rooms on the top floor. There were twenty-eight in total.

"Twenty-eight rooms! That’s more than I expected," Chen Ping’an murmured.

One room didn’t necessarily mean one person. Some might hold seven or eight people, for all he knew. Factions often pooled their financial resources to compete for the most valuable items.

Though Chen Ping’an couldn’t see inside the rooms, he could make some educated guesses about who occupied them.

For instance, the Grandmaster from the Xue Family, Xue Shishun of the Seven Luminaries Vein-Sealing Hand—he was certainly in one of the top-floor rooms. In addition, figures like Lan Yingying of the Five Poison Earth Fiend Palm and Tantai Jinfeng, the Hidden Dragon Saber, were undoubtedly qualified to occupy one as well.