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All of lanterns went completely dark, and every lamplight in the hall gathered on the platform. The atmosphere immediately became very serious. The casual conversations also stopped.
An old man dressed in a white long gown, with greying hair and a dark countenance, slowly walked atop the platform.
“Welcome, everyone, to the First Market’s special auction. As everyone knows, it is because of a particular item that this auction is being held outside of the normal schedule.” The old man cupped his fist towards everyone. “The item may be somewhat unpresentable, so I ask for everyone’s understanding.”
The entire audience chuckled.
“Yao Lao, you can stop talking about this, we already know some of the details.”
“We just want to see whether the Illusionary Flying Snow’s spirit feather is real or not.”
“Well, in that case, This Old Man shall formally declare that the auction has begun.” Yao Lao faintly grinned, and with a wave of his large sleeve, two young ladies brough over a scented box. They walked a circle around the platform, allowing everyone a look. Then, they placed the box onto a table that was very much like the ones used for surgery; there was also a projection array.
Blue light glowed, illuminating the object.
This item was protected by a formation, preventing probing of its interior, but cultivators could use Divine Intent in addition to the projection array to carefully scrutinize every detail of the item.
This item was a bit similar to the Yuan dynasty blue and white porcelain octagonal vase, with its blue seawater color and white dragon patterns.
This “white dragon vase” came from the “Ancient Yuan.” It was luxurious and elaborate, bold and powerful in style, with multiple layers of spell arrays, completely like a work of Heaven. Qi Lin originally thought this white dragon vase was a magic treasure, but after the old man’s introduction, he found out that he was wrong.
The Ancient Yuan was a nation that was particularly powerful in its martial arts and cultivation. The abilities they cultivated were quite special, unlike the majority of secret books that cultivators used. They often would inject their own blood into the porcelain, using the design, glaze, and even the patterns as ways to train cultivation.
It was said that someone had cultivated a Tier Seven ability known as the “Phoenix Feather Qilin Horn Chant” on a phoenix and qilin-patterned plate, bolstering their reputations. Since then, the value of Yuan blue and white ceramic was priceless.
Of course, cultivators could spend fortunes yet it was possible these “Yuan blue and white ceramics” all held some unremarkable martial arts abilities – a complete loss. This was a bit similar to “jade gambling” that Qi Lin was familiar with, a game that depended on one’s own luck.
After hearing the old man’s introductions, Qi Lin was inwardly astonished. This First Market was extraordinary, as expected. Yuan blue and white porcelain was a rarity even in the marketplace. To see whether or not the ability contained inside was powerful or not, there were sometimes clues in the depicted patterns and spellwork. Once Qi Lin had heard Wu Gu’s explanation, he used more diligence in examining this piece of ceramic, those gorgeous white dragon wave patterns, the contrasting layers of blossoming plum flower petals. Vaguely, his mind indeed had some comprehension; the other cultivators were also mesmerized.
However, the examination time was too short. Qi Lin could not possibly comprehend anything.
Though he could actually purchase it.
The issue was that ceramic was too expensive, just like the antique porcelain that Qi Lin was familiar with back on Earth.
This white dragon vase’s starting bid was one hundred fifty thousand Wu jade. Everyone competed fiercely with their bids, feeling this vase was out of the ordinary. If they could obtain some powerful ability, then it was well worth the money. One hundred fifty thousand Wu jade was equivalent to a Tier Three ability’s price. If they could comprehend Tier Five or Six, that would be money well spent.
Qi Lin also had a bit of interest in cultivating this Yuan blue and white porcelain.
The bids steadily rose.
“Three hundred thousand, any other bids? Such an exquisite Yuan ceramic must contain a formidable ability.” Yao Lao loudly inquired.
When Yang Yuanzhi put forth a bid of five hundred thousand, Qi Lin had no choice but to give up.
Five hundred thousand was equal to a Tier Five ability in price, but they were also very difficult to train. Qi Lin was short on money right now and had not desire to waste it on such things, even if this ceramic was indeed beautiful.
In the end, the others also stopped their bids. Yang Yuanzhi purchased this white dragon ceramic with his five hundred thousand bid.
“Just what is this man’s background? He really is rich.” Qi Lin could not help but stare at him. Yang Yuanzhi was quite handsome, yet his cultivation was only Golden Core Middle Stage. But the Wu jade he had spent over these past few months had been enormous. Qi Lin remembered that he had purchased many Five Flavors Soul Returning Powders.
“Perhaps he really had some lucky encounter.” Wu Gu disagreed.
The second item was also Yuan blue and white ceramic, but this one was much less remarkable compared to the exquisitely beautiful white dragon vase from before. This one was a small bowl, pure blue and white without any decorative markings there was even a nick in it. One glance at it showed it was a defect.
“This blue jade bowl’s texture and materials are also very fine. A certain Fellow had obtained it and specially brought it here to auction. Starting bid is seventy thousand Wu jade.” Yao Lao also knew that this bowl would not fetch a high price, but Yuan blue and white ceramic was the most beloved of items for auction houses, so much so they would even bring out a defective item for auction.
The other cultivators were not terribly interested. The bidders were cheerless and sparse.
In the end, a female cultivator made a bid of “one hundred thousand Wu jade” that elicited no further response.
“This Yuan blue and white porcelain…it uses an extremely smooth shadow glaze.” Qi Lin was inwardly astonished. He had researched this before and excavated many Yuan ceramics, so he was very knowledgeable about Yuan blue and white porcelain. But he could still see that this bowl was quite special. This blue jade bowl seemed to have an additional geomancy cultivation technique.
“If no other Fellow bids higher? Then this is concluded.” Yao Lao shouted.
“One hundred ten thousand.” Qi Lin raised his hand.
“One hundred ten thousand?”
Everyone turned their gazes in succession to look at Qi Lin.
This blue jade bowl was a defect, not matter how they looked at it. A bid of ninety thousand was already considered very high.
“This True Person Xiaoyao’s judgment isn’t special at all.”
“What do you understand, perhaps there is some kind of secret mechanism.”
The female cultivator who made the bid of one hundred thousand felt that bidding any higher was not worth it. “Then it is yours, Your Distinguished Self.”
Qi Lin grunted.
Just when Qi Lin thought he could buy it with one hundred ten thousand, a man piped up. “One hundred fifty thousand.”
Everyone was astonished. They turned to see that the one who made the bid was none other than Yang Yuanzhi.
Yang Yuanzhi smiled insincerely, his subdued attitude suddenly making everyone widen their eyes. One hundred fifty thousand was very high for this defect.
“Your Distinguished Self Xiaoyao, I have a passion for collecting Yuan blue and white porcelain. Could you pardon my higher bid?”
The man’s eyes contained a kind of provocation.
Qi Lin suddenly understood that this guy was hyping himself, using a bidding war between himself and Qi Lin to once again bolster his fame. This man seemed to have many schemes, and they ran deep. “Since this is the case, Your Servant yields.” Qi Lin did not want to let him have his way; he did not have interest in wasting money on a higher bid.
“If you like it, I can help buy it for you.” Wu Gu whispered.
“No need.” Qi Lin shook his head.
“One hundred fifty thousand? Is there any other cultivator willing to bid even higher?” Yao Lao asked three times. No one responded; one hundred thousand was already the peak for a defect.
“Your Distinguished Self Xiaoyao’s Five Flavors Soul Returning Powder should have netted you a handsome profit. Since you saw something you liked, are you giving up so easily?” Yang Yuanzhi was unreconciled.
Qi Lin had no interest in answering.
When Yang Yuanzhi saw Qi Lin had no interest in competing, he twitched his mouth out of boredom. He originally though to use this chance to bid several dozen rounds with Ture Person Xiaoyao before finally defeating him. This way, he would be even more famous in Ten Shamans City.
In the end, this blue jade bowl was taken by him with one hundred fifty thousand.
“He really is quiet.” Yang Yuanzhi squinted at Qi Lin, a sneer passing over the corner of his lips.
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