Chapter 254: Cloud Empire (74)

As the vial containing the Awakening Pills slowly disappeared beneath the stage, the hall remained in a state of contained excitement.

The first item had been an Earthly Treasure.

The second… pills capable of changing a cultivator’s fate.

Now, everyone knew that this centennial auction would not be ordinary.

Hundreds of gazes remained fixed on the center of the stage.

Shan Mu waited a few seconds, allowing the anticipation to grow. Then he smiled slightly.

“Let us continue.”

As soon as his voice echoed, the formation at the center of the stage shone once more. Luminous runes began to rotate slowly across the jade floor. The spiritual energy in the hall rippled softly.

Something began to rise. The jade platform emerged once again.

This time, even before the object appeared completely, many already felt a heavy pressure spreading through the hall.

It was a dense aura. Firm. Stable like a wall.

When the object finally became fully visible, an immediate murmur ran through the audience.

Kyrian narrowed his eyes slightly.

Then he thought calmly.

’So it’s an armor.’

Resting on the platform was a robust cuirass made of black scales.

The scales were large, thick, and slightly overlapping, forming an almost impenetrable surface. Under the light of the formations, they reflected a dark greenish glow, as if they contained traces of primitive energy.

Even without touching it, everyone could feel the resistance emanating from that item.

It was heavy. Ancient. But incredibly powerful.

Shan Mu walked slowly around the platform.

“Ladies and gentlemen…”

He raised a hand toward the artifact.

“Allow me to present the third item of this auction.”

His eyes gleamed slightly.

“An armor classified as a mid-level Earthly Treasure.”

The murmur immediately grew louder. But this time, the reaction was even more intense than with the spear.

Because everyone knew. Armors were much rarer. Much more valuable.

Weapons increased power. Armors… saved lives.

Shan Mu continued.

“This is the Dragon-Alligator Scale Armor.”

Some people in the audience drew a deep breath.

Dragon-alligator.

The name alone was intimidating.

“A cuirass forged from the scales of a dragon-alligator from the Black Swamp.”

He paused briefly before adding,

“A beast that had reached the peak of the Spiritual Awakening Realm.”

A light shock ran through the hall.

Beasts at that level were not common prey.

To defeat something like that, it required a group of experienced specialists or an extremely powerful cultivator.

Shan Mu pointed to the thick scales.

“The scales of this creature are known for their exceptional resistance. Even cultivators of the Spiritual Awakening have difficulty penetrating its defense.”

Shan Mu turned to the audience.

“The starting bid begins at fifteen thousand medium-grade spirit stones.”

He had barely finished speaking.

“Twenty thousand!”

The first voice appeared almost immediately.

“Twenty-five thousand!”

“Thirty thousand!”

The bids began to rise quickly.

Kyrian watched calmly.

He understood the excitement perfectly.

Defensive items were several times rarer than weapons.

Moreover, any cultivator, regardless of their technique or combat style, could benefit from good armor.

It was a true lifesaver.

“Thirty-five thousand!”

“Forty thousand!”

In the common section, some still tried to compete but quickly began to be surpassed.

Soon, the bids concentrated once again in the VIP area.

“Forty-five thousand.”

“Fifty thousand.”

Kai crossed his arms.

“This one is going to climb even higher.”

Mei Li nodded.

“An armor at this level… any large clan will want it.”

“Fifty-five thousand!”

“Sixty thousand!”

The value continued increasing.

Each bid was accompanied by tense murmurs.

“Sixty-five thousand!”

“Seventy thousand!”

Now only three competitors remained.

All from the VIP section. An elderly man with a long beard. A woman dressed in deep blue. And a corpulent noble with a determined expression.

“Seventy-five thousand!”

The woman spoke without hesitation.

The elderly man frowned slightly… but gave up. The final dispute remained between her and the corpulent noble.

“Seventy-eight thousand!”

“Eighty thousand!”

The woman narrowed her eyes.

For a few seconds, she seemed to consider it. Then she sighed and lowered her plaque.

Shan Mu smiled.

“Eighty thousand spirit stones.”

He raised his hand.

“Going once.”

Silence.

“Going twice.”

No new bids.

“Going three times.”

The hand descended gently.

“Sold.”

The armor was enveloped by a formation and slowly disappeared beneath the stage.

The corpulent noble smiled with satisfaction. Having extra defense could mean surviving a deadly battle.

Shan Mu wasted no time.

“Let us continue.”

The formation at the center of the stage shone once more. This time, when the object emerged… many were intrigued.

It was another vial. A small translucent jade container.

Instantly, several people began to murmur.

More pills?

Shan Mu waited until the vial reached the center of the stage.

Then he activated the formation that sealed its lid.

As soon as it opened…

An invisible wave spread through the hall.

It was like a fresh breeze passing through everyone’s mind. Suddenly, many cultivators felt their thoughts become clearer.

The mental fatigue accumulated during the auction seemed to disappear.

Some even straightened their posture instinctively.

Kyrian noticed it as well.

His mind momentarily felt lighter.

Shan Mu observed the reactions with a smile.

“This…”

He raised the vial slightly.

“Is the Elixir of Lucid Mind.”

Curiosity and surprise immediately arose in the hall.

“The vial contains three doses,” Shan Mu continued.

“Different from the Awakening Pills, which are used to advance realms…” He raised a finger.

“This elixir is used during the training of techniques.”

Many cultivators leaned forward.

“Whoever consumes it enters a state of absolute mental clarity for six hours.”

Some eyes widened.

“During this period… the mind becomes extremely focused.”

Shan Mu continued calmly.

“This facilitates the comprehension of complex techniques… and also allows one to identify errors in techniques that have already been cultivated.”

Now the hall exploded in murmurs. It was an extremely rare item.

Even someone with mediocre comprehension could understand difficult techniques using that.

And for geniuses… It was practically a talent amplifier.

Shan Mu smiled slightly.

“The starting bid begins at ten thousand medium-grade spirit stones.”

“Twenty thousand!”

“Twenty-five thousand!”

The bids began immediately.

“Thirty thousand!”

“Thirty-five thousand!”

The value rose quickly.

“Forty thousand!”

“Forty-five thousand!”

Soon, only cultivators from the VIP section continued competing.

“Fifty thousand!”

The hall fell silent again.

Then.

“Fifty-five thousand.”

“Sixty thousand.”

The dispute became intense.

“Sixty-five thousand!”

“Seventy thousand!”

Finally, a calm voice emerged.

“Seventy-five thousand.”

Everyone looked toward the source.

It was He Yun.

The leading disciple of the Celestial River Alliance.

His face remained calm, but his eyes shone with determination. No other voice responded.

Shan Mu raised his hand.

“Seventy-five thousand.”

“Going once.”

Silence.

“Going twice.”

Nothing.

“Going three times.”

The hand descended.

“Sold.”

The formation enveloped the vial and carried it downward.

He Yun relaxed slightly in his seat.

Kyrian observed his satisfied expression.

It seemed he had come to the auction specifically for that item.

But Kyrian simply shifted his gaze calmly.

Because he was also there… for two specific items.

Items that had not yet appeared.

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