Chapter 257: Cloud Empire (77)

The auction continued at full steam.

On the central stage, the jade platform rose and descended continuously, surrounded by the glow of the spiritual formations engraved into the floor.

Each time it emerged, a new item appeared before the hall.

And with every new item, the atmosphere became more animated.

Shan Mu moved across the stage with the confidence of a veteran auctioneer. His voice echoed through the hall with perfect clarity, amplified by the formations.

“Ladies and gentlemen… the next item.”

The platform glowed. Then it rose again. This time, a pair of weapons appeared. And they immediately drew attention.

Resting on the pedestal was a pair of curved blades, thin and elegant. The two were practically identical, their dark-blue blades reflecting the light of the hall.

Spiritual runes ran across their surfaces like delicate threads of light. Shan Mu gestured toward the weapons.

“Crescent Moon Twin Blades.”

Some cultivators frowned in interest. Weapons were not rare in auctions. But pairs of weapons… were much harder to find.

Especially when they were created to function in perfect harmony.

“Mid-Earth level weapons.”

Shan Mu continued.

“But their true value lies in the fact that they are a set.”

He pointed to the runes on the blades.

“The internal formations of the two blades are connected.”

He smiled.

“When used together… their power increases considerably.”

That was enough to awaken the interest of many cultivators. Especially those who fought with dual-blade techniques.

“The starting bid begins at twenty thousand mid-grade spirit stones.”

It didn’t take long for the bids to begin.

“Twenty-five thousand!”

“Thirty thousand!”

“Thirty-five thousand!”

The dispute was not as intense as the one for the blood formation. But it was still competitive.

In the end, the pair of blades was won by a cultivator from the VIP wing for fifty-two thousand spirit stones.

As soon as the item was sold, the platform descended again. But it soon rose once more.

The next item appeared. This time, there were two technique manuals.

The first was a low Earth-level sword technique. The second was a movement technique.

Neither of them caused an explosion of interest in the hall. But techniques were still extremely valuable.

The Cloud Academy won the first manual after a brief dispute with a smaller sect. The second manual ended up being purchased by a noble family of the capital.

Kyrian observed everything calmly.

He did not show any interest in participating. His attention was focused only on the items.

Waiting for the turn of the item he wanted to obtain for himself.

Then the platform rose again. This time, Shan Mu presented a small jade bottle.

Inside it were five golden pills.

The medicinal aura was immediately noticeable. Shan Mu spoke.

“Meridian Reinforcement Pills.”

Some cultivators immediately became attentive. These pills were quite useful.

“These pills are used by cultivators who have suffered damage to their meridians…”

He paused.

“…or by those who wish, or by those who wish to strengthen them before a breakthrough.”

This made many people interested. Meridians were extremely important. Any damage could delay years of cultivation. And strengthening them before a breakthrough could increase the chances of success.

Shan Mu slightly raised the bottle.

“Five pills.”

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

But before he could even finish speaking…

A voice instantly appeared.

“Thirty thousand.”

The entire hall turned their heads. Kyrian also looked. He immediately recognized the person who had made the bid.

It was Nan Feng Yu.

The young heir and representative of the Southern Wind Dynasty.

Kyrian slightly narrowed his eyes. Then he understood.

’So, this is the item he came to obtain.’

Nan Feng Yu was sitting calmly in his VIP area. His face showed complete tranquility. It was as if that item already belonged to him.

Other people tried to compete, but Nan Feng Yu would not lose such an item. In the end, he made a bid of sixty thousand stones.

Shan Mu observed the hall for a few seconds. No new bid appeared.

“Sixty thousand spirit stones.”

“Going once.”

“Going twice.”

“Going three times.”

“Sold.”

The platform descended again.

And the auction continued. Other items began to appear. Spiritual bells used to suppress beasts. Spiritual weapons of various types. Rare pills.

And even some mysterious items whose usefulness was not completely clear.

One of them drew special attention. It was a large black rock placed on the pedestal.

It seemed ordinary at first glance. But it exuded a strange pressure. And even stranger…

The type of Qi it released was unknown to everyone.

Even Shan Mu did not seem to have much information about the item.

“This object was found in an ancient ruin.”

He explained.

“Our auction house was unable to determine its origin.”

The hall began to murmur. Unknown items were always a risk. But they could also be hidden treasures.

“Starting bid… ten thousand spirit stones.”

Some people began to place bids. But the dispute was relatively short. Then, unexpectedly…

A voice echoed from the third floor. From one of the private rooms that had not participated much in the auction yet.

“Forty thousand.”

Silence.

No one continued the dispute. The rock was sold. Kyrian observed that room for a moment. But soon he returned his gaze to the stage. The auction continued.

Time passed quickly. Item after item. Purchase after purchase. Some cultivators gained treasures. Others only watched.

The formations on the ceiling of the hall changed color softly as time advanced.

When Kyrian realized…

Almost three hours had already passed.

Even so, the enthusiasm in the hall had not diminished. If anything…

It was increasing.

Because everyone knew one thing, the true treasures of a great auction always appeared at the end.

And finally…

Shan Mu raised his hand again. His voice echoed through the hall.

“Ladies and gentlemen…”

The hall gradually fell silent. Even the murmurs ceased. Everyone knew what was about to happen.

Shan Mu opened a slight smile.

“Now…”

He made a small dramatic pause.

“…we have reached the last five items of the day.”

Instantly, the atmosphere in the hall changed. The tension increased. Even those who had already purchased items straightened their posture.

Kyrian also focused his attention.

The final items of a centennial auction were never ordinary.

Shan Mu continued.

“These five items were carefully selected by our auction house.”

He gestured toward the stage.

Some cultivators took deep breaths. Others were already holding their jade plaques.

Ready to compete.

Shan Mu then raised one finger.

“Let us begin with the first of the five…”

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