"Two hundred and twenty thousand Spirit Stones!"
"Two hundred and thirty thousand Spirit Stones!"
Everyone was stunned. How much money did Gu Bei actually have? Even some Supreme Elder-level figures from the Feather God Sect would consider it remarkable to have saved up over a hundred thousand Spirit Stones after several years. Could it be that Gu Bei had stumbled upon some hidden treasure?
Yan Yang fell silent for a moment. Over the years, after accounting for cultivation expenses, his total savings amounted to only two hundred and fifty thousand Spirit Stones. He had already pushed the price to an extremely high level, yet Gu Bei kept raising the bid without hesitation.
He had heard that Gu Bei was nothing more than an ordinary direct-line disciple of the Gu Clan. How could he possibly possess such astonishing wealth? It was clear that continuing to bid would be futile against Gu Bei.
After a brief silence, Yan Yang spoke: "I withdraw from the competition. I'll yield this Map of Ten Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains to Junior Brother Gu!" Though a trace of regret lingered in his heart, he calmed himself quickly.
Everyone was shocked. Even Yan Yang couldn't compete with Gu Bei and had given up? They couldn't help but glance at Gu Bei. The depth of this fellow's wealth was truly staggering.
"Then I thank Senior Brother Yan Yang!" Gu Bei offered a faint smile and cupped his fists in a polite gesture.
After the Map of Ten Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains was auctioned off, many more items followed — quite a few of considerable value. Tallying everything up on his end,
Combined with the hundred thousand Spirit Stones already in his Space Ring, he now had a total of two hundred and thirty thousand Spirit Stones.
Selling high-grade Dragon Blood Demon Spirits really was incredibly profitable!
But this kind of opportunity only came around during an auction. Even with Growth-type Dragon Blood Demon Spirits of the Outstanding grade, finding the right buyer on a normal occasion was no easy task.
The auction continued. Over the following rounds, more items were sold one after another, though the vast majority were nothing particularly eye-catching. Nie Li refrained from bidding on any of them. After secretly obtaining the Map of Ten Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains, his heart couldn't help but stir with excitement. Once he returned, he would figure out how to activate it!
Could this Map of Ten Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains truly possess the infinite wonders described in the ancient texts?
Even that high-ranking figure from the divine sect had never managed to unlock its secrets. Nie Li had no idea whether he could succeed himself.
Though he had no absolute certainty, his understanding of various runic patterns gave him a reasonable chance of success. Even if he could unlock just a single function, it would be well worth the price.
After several dozen more items were auctioned, the bidding portion of the event finally came to an end. The hall buzzed with animated conversation and laughter.
Ahead,
On the open space before them, attendants had already brought forward a guzheng, a chessboard, brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones.
The disciples of the three great divine sects in the side hall fixed their gaze on these items, a quiet interest stirring within them. This was indeed a fascinating proposition. If they could witness the calligraphy of Yan Yang or Ming Yue Wushuang, or listen to their guzheng melodies, and perceive the Dao embedded within, it might very well help them advance a step further on the martial path!
Qin Yue walked over to the guzheng and smiled softly: "Since I was the one who proposed this segment, let me throw a brick to attract jade — I'll make a humble start and look forward to your generous guidance!"
Hearing that Qin Yue would perform first, many of the disciples below erupted in enthusiastic cheers.
Qin Yue took her seat beside the guzheng, her posture elegant and poised. She extended those flawless, beautiful hands, and her slender, pale fingers began to move slowly across the strings.
The melody that rose was gentle and low, like a murmuring stream — intimate and tender, yet evocative of a distant, hidden yearning. It was like raindrops pattering on banana leaves: imperceptible from afar, yet vivid and clear when listened to closely. Woven through the sound was a thread of wistful longing, a note of tender sentiment, warm yet achingly beautiful.
Then, without warning, the guzheng's tempo surged — sharp and sudden, like a silver vase shattering with a splash. Though it quickened dramatically, it carried no killing intent, only a composed and stately power.
Everyone found themselves lost in the exquisite music. Their Soul Seas seemed to resonate faintly, vibrating in harmony with the melody. As the notes carried them forward, it was as though they had been transported to a hidden paradise bathed in warm, gentle sunlight.
At Nie Li's table,
When the music ended, praise poured forth without cease.
"Miss Qin Yue's guzheng carries the voice of flowing water. To perceive the Dao through such heartfelt sentiment — truly extraordinary!"
"Miss Qin Yue's melody lingers like a echo that never fades. It's simply unforgettable!"
……
Compliments continued to cascade, yet