The Entire Sect is Full of Villains, Yet the Junior Sister Conquers All

36: The Auction



This grand vision painted was appealing; Mu Chihuai and the others felt their blood stirring as they listened.

 

After all, who doesn’t want their sect to be better?!

 

If the sect becomes powerful, they’ll look impressive when they go out. In the future, people won’t mistake them for pitiful rogue cultivators without a sect or school.

 

Su Chen’an pondered for a moment, then said gently, “I seem to recall the Sect Leader mentioning in passing that ten thousand years ago, Lingqing Sect was one of the top major sects, with countless industries at the foot of the mountain, spread almost throughout the entire cultivation world.”

 

“Although our sect has fallen on hard times now, not all of its industries have been completely destroyed. It seems some idle properties remain, but they’ve been unmanaged for many years, so their current state is unknown……”

 

Sikong Qiu had Chengying search the Sect Leader’s study for a map.

 

The map showed the current scale and layout of Lingqing Sect, as well as some of its subsidiary industries.

 

However, they discovered that the once-mighty Lingqing Sect now only had one shop left in the outskirts of the market at the foot of the mountain.

 

Everyone had a bad feeling about this. When they went to check, the shop…… was even more dilapidated and run-down than they had imagined.

 

It probably hadn’t been inhabited for decades. The inside and outside were covered in dust, corners and beams were full of cobwebs, and even the broken stone slabs in front of the door were overgrown with weeds. A light push on the shop’s wall caused a shower of dust, making it seem as if it might collapse at any moment.

 

A faded wooden signboard covered in a large cobweb hung in front of the shop.

 

Three large, barely legible characters were written crookedly on it. Upon closer inspection—Treasure Pavilion.

 

With a gust of wind, the crooked, dilapidated signboard could no longer bear the weight and fell to the ground with a “Bang!”, splitting in two.

 

Chu Sang: “……” The property left by the sect was even more pitiful than she had imagined.

 

The group hesitated but decided to enter and take a look.

 

Just inside the door was a load-bearing pillar. The wooden pillar seemed to have long since rotted, covered in moss, with several clear cracks visible on its surface. Chu Sang tried to touch it gently…… truly, she just lightly touched it, but the next second, everyone heard a crisp “crack.” “Run quickly!”

 

They had just escaped outside when a thunderous crash came from behind. The house completely collapsed, sending up a cloud of dust, leaving a chaotic scene.

 

Everyone fell silent.

 

Tantai Ming weakly raised his hand, “……How about we go back to farming?”

 

The shop was too old to be repaired, so in the end, Sikong Qiu paid to have it rebuilt.

 

But times had changed. Although the shop’s location had once been in a popular area, it was now quite remote. The street was cold and deserted, with few people around. Half a day passed without seeing any customers.

 

As the saying goes, even fine wine fears a deep alley. Moreover, Lingqing Sect was now just an unknown sect. They had no advantage in competing for customer traffic with large shops like Wanbao Pavilion, Zhenling Pavilion, and Treasure Forging Tower.

 

“If we don’t have an advantage, then we’ll create one.” Chu Sang snapped her fingers confidently.

 

“Create an advantage? How?” Tantai Ming leaned in, sensing that his little junior sister was about to come up with some wild ideas again.

 

Following Little Junior Sister was always so much fun!

 

“I’ve heard that Treasure Forging Tower is holding an auction next month. Many spirit tools and magic treasures from renowned artificers will be auctioned. They invited Fifth Senior Brother a few days ago, probably to prepare for this auction.”

 

“But that’s Treasure Forging Tower’s auction. What does it have to do with us?” Tantai Ming had secretly vowed never to give that place a single spirit stone. “That’s our competitor. Are we going to the auction to give them spirit stones?”

 

Chu Sang gave him a look that said to be patient, then turned to look at Su Chen’an. “Fifth Senior Brother, you refine a spirit tool and send it to Treasure Forging Tower for auction. Just follow my lead for the rest.”

 

Although they didn’t know what Little Junior Sister was planning, everyone inexplicably felt a bit excited.

 

That afternoon, Su Chen’an replied to Treasure Forging Tower and submitted a mid-grade spirit tool. After meeting to discuss the profit-sharing arrangement, the auction was set to take place as scheduled a month later.

 

The grand auction held once every ten years, organized by Treasure Forging Tower’s headquarters, had already been heavily promoted at great expense. Given the reputation of the Central Continent’s largest weapons trading company, it attracted cultivators from across half the cultivation world.

 

On the day of the auction, cultivators came in droves. Whether it was the first-floor hall or the private rooms on the second, third, fourth, and fifth floors, every seat was filled. An estimated ten thousand cultivators were present.

 

And this was only for those who possessed Treasure Forging Tower’s purple-gold token and were qualified to enter.

 

Even more cultivators watched from outside. Any movement instantly became a trending topic on communication jade slips.

 

Treasure Forging Tower’s large-scale auction would last for three full days. Any weapon or magic treasure that made it to the auction was crafted by renowned masters. The later items were increasingly important, with Su Chen’an’s mid-grade spirit tool [Jade-Shattering Blade] scheduled for the morning session of the second day.

 

Although Su Chen’an had gained some fame as a rising artificer in recent years, he still lacked the reputation of those well-known master artificers. Most cultivators in the cultivation world hadn’t heard of him, so this arrangement was reasonable.

 

Many cultivators were interested in this Jade-Shattering Blade and started bidding.

 

However, most wealthy cultivators were waiting for the final day’s trump cards. There were quite a few artificers who could refine spirit tools, so they wouldn’t focus on an artificer without much reputation.

 

“Three million spirit stones!”

 

“Three million five hundred thousand!”

 

“Five million!”

 

“I bid six million spirit stones!”

 

“Nine million!”

 

“Ten million!”

 

“……”

 

“Twenty million spirit stones.”

 

“Twenty million spirit stones once, twenty million spirit stones twice, does anyone want to raise the bid?”

 

Cultivators called out bids one after another, quickly pushing the price beyond twenty million spirit stones.

 

Twenty million spirit stones for a mid-grade spirit tool was a reasonable price, similar to the previous mid-grade spirit tools.

 

The auctioneer was satisfied with this price and was about to bring down the hammer when a clear, melodious voice came from a private room on the fourth floor, “I bid thirty million spirit stones!”

 

There was a stir in the crowd. Thirty million spirit stones for a mid-grade spirit tool was somewhat high, especially for a small spirit tool in the shape of a dagger. It was good for self-defense and as a hidden weapon, but not enough to be a destined weapon. Thirty million spirit stones seemed quite uneconomical.

 

But perhaps that person truly wanted this spirit tool and was willing to pay a high price. Some people glanced towards the fourth-floor private room, wondering which rich young lady it might be.

 

The auctioneer’s beard quivered, and he said with a smile, “Thirty million spirit stones once, thirty million spirit stones twice, thirty million spirit stones thrice. Does any guest want to continue bidding?”

 

“I bid fifty million spirit stones!”

 

Another lazy young voice came from a private room on the fifth floor, directly raising the bid by twenty million spirit stones! What an imposing gesture!

 

Only Treasure Forging Tower’s most distinguished guests were qualified to enter the fifth floor. They had to be both extremely wealthy and of high status to be honored guests of Treasure Forging Tower.

 

Many cultivators were already subconsciously paying attention to the fifth floor, guessing at the identities of the guests inside.

 

This guest had not bid before.

 

Everyone had thought these distinguished guests were waiting for the third day’s finale, but unexpectedly, he directly bid fifty million spirit stones. Could there be something mysterious about this spirit tool? Or was the artificer exceptionally skilled?

 

Besides being amazed, people also became curious about the artificer behind the spirit tool. After all, for someone to be willing to pay fifty million spirit stones for a small mid-grade spirit tool, apart from weapons crafted by those few renowned master artificers, probably no one would be willing to pay such a price and become a laughingstock.

 

“I heard this Jade-Shattering Blade was refined by an artificer named Su Chen’an.”

 

“…..Su Chen’an? Is he from the Alchemy Sect or one of the Four Great Artificer Families? I’ve never heard this name before.”

 

“I’ve heard a little about him before. This person seems to have no sect or school, nor is he a disciple of the Four Great Artificer Families,” someone said. “Although he’s just an amateur, he’s very talented in the way of tool refinement. Many cultivators seek him out to refine destined weapons.”

 

“He sounds like a quite capable young artificer. The quality of the weapon looks good too. However, selling a small mid-grade spirit tool dagger for fifty million spirit stones seems a bit excessive. I wonder what’s so special about his spirit tool to justify this price?” Some were skeptical.

 

“Didn’t the auctioneer mention earlier that this person’s refined spirit tools have unique tool patterns engraved on them, which can greatly enhance the weapon’s power!”

 

The person continued, his tone slightly excited, “Although it’s only a mid-grade spirit tool, its power is comparable to a high-grade spirit tool. If that’s the case, fifty million spirit stones is indeed not a loss!”

 

“……Tool patterns??” A nearby cultivator was startled. “Are they truly tool patterns!?”

 

Most of the cultivators present were notable figures in the cultivation world, naturally with considerable experience. Some had heard of the existence of tool patterns, but that was something that existed only in the ancient cultivation world ten thousand years ago.

 

Ten thousand years of changes had passed, and although some fragments remained in the world, no one had ever heard of any master artificer truly comprehending the way of tool patterns. Could it be……

 

The crowd was half-skeptical, but the bidding from the two private rooms continued, with the price soaring to eighty million spirit stones and still climbing, each bid higher than the last.

 

“Ninety million spirit stones.”

 

“I bid one million mid-grade spirit stones.”

 

“Two million mid-grade spirit stones.”

 

“Five million mid-grade spirit stones!”

 

“Ten million mid-grade spirit stones.”

 

“……Two hundred thousand high-grade spirit stones!” The young man’s voice from the fifth floor was barely containing his excitement.

 

As the bidding soared to the terrifying price of two hundred thousand high-grade spirit stones, the crowd’s reaction changed from initial excitement to shock, and then to numbness.

 

Two hundred thousand high-grade spirit stones for just a mid-grade spirit tool was simply unimaginable. With this price, one could buy a low-grade immortal tool or a mid-to-high grade spirit vein!

 

At the same time, cultivators became extremely curious about the artificer behind the spirit tool. What charm did this spirit tool possess to make two people willing to spend two hundred thousand high-grade spirit stones to compete for it!?

 

Many cultivators secretly sent people to investigate Su Chen’an’s identity and background.

 

“I bid three hundred thousand high-grade spirit stones. I must have this weapon crafted by this master. I hope our friend on the fourth floor can give me face!” The person in the fifth-floor private room finally revealed himself—a green-robed young man with an air of nobility and arrogance appeared before everyone.

 

People in the crowd immediately recognized him, “Isn’t that the young master of the Mu family?”

 

The Mu family was one of the Four Great Pill Refining Families, with influence greater than the other three families combined. They were already world-renowned, not to mention that the Mu family had produced a pill refining prodigy seen only once in a hundred years.

 

It could be said that in the cultivation world, anyone with a bit of knowledge knew Mu Chihuai.

 

Mu Chihuai’s appearance once again ignited the atmosphere of the auction. If some people were still skeptical about the Jade-Shattering Blade at first, now almost everyone firmly believed that this spirit tool must have other wondrous uses to make the proud young master of the Mu family willing to spend a fortune to acquire it!

 

Several young masters and ladies from great families sent people to search for any other weapons this Su surname artificer might have. Once discovered, they would definitely snatch… no, buy them back! No matter how much it cost, they had to buy them!

 

At this moment, everyone’s gaze was fixed on the two private rooms, holding their breath—

 

Then a crisp, pleasant voice came from the fourth-floor private room, “I sincerely apologize, but weapons with tool patterns are rare and precious. Its true value has long since surpassed that of a spirit tool. I am also determined to acquire this Jade-Shattering Blade.”

 

She then said lazily,

 

“I bid one million high-grade spirit stones. Does anyone have a higher offer?”

 

The scene exploded into commotion again, with shocked discussions everywhere. People saw a flash of shock and unwillingness in the young man’s eyes. Although this young master of the Mu family was pampered like gold, the Mu family was very strict with their clan members. Apart from necessary cultivation resources, they wouldn’t encourage wasteful habits, and spirit stones were limited.

 

Even though Mu Chihuai was quite wealthy, one million high-grade spirit stones was an astronomical price even for him.

 

In the end, the Jade-Shattering Blade was bought by the mysterious young lady on the fourth floor.

 

The hall remained silent for a long time, as if everyone was still in shock. Even the auctioneer and the backstage boss were beaming with joy, unable to speak for a long time.

 

One million high-grade spirit stones!

 

This was the highest price their Treasure Forging Tower had auctioned in nearly fifty years!

 

Treasure Forging Tower had proactively invited Su Chen’an earlier, seeing his potential and intending to court him.

 

But placing the Jade-Shattering Blade in the morning session of the second day actually showed that Treasure Forging Tower didn’t particularly value this spirit tool. They just wanted it to fill a slot. Who would have thought it would become a dark horse, selling for the astronomical price of one million high-grade spirit stones!

 

Because of this spirit tool’s unexpected performance, various cultivators lost interest in the low-grade immortal tool that was the finale on the last day. Its final auction price wasn’t even one-tenth of that spirit tool’s price.

 

In the fourth-floor private room, which had been the focus of nearly all the cultivators present, the atmosphere was somewhat silent.

 

Tantai Ming lay on the table, wailing, “Little Junior Sister, one million high-grade spirit stones, those are high-grade spirit stones! Didn’t that Mu Chihuai fellow already stop at three hundred thousand spirit stones as planned? You could have just bid three hundred and ten thousand or so.”

 

“Wuwuwuwu, now we really have no money left, not a single spirit stone remains!”

 

“This heart-stirring effect is exactly what we wanted.” Chu Sang turned her head to see Mu Chihuai had also arrived.

 

Mu Chihuai had never imagined that Little Junior Sister would dare to bid the astronomical price of one million high-grade spirit stones at the end. Even he wouldn’t be so bold. “……Will this really work?”

 

Although the artificer and the auction house split the proceeds 70-30, with seven hundred thousand spirit stones returning to their hands, the remaining three hundred thousand high-grade spirit stones was still an astronomical sum…… If it was given away for nothing, even a young master like Mu Chihuai, who was usually extravagant in spending, couldn’t help but feel his heart bleed.

 

“Whether it works or not, we’ll know tomorrow,” Chu Sang looked out the window, resting her chin on her hand and smiling,

 

“Shall we take a gamble?”


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