The object gleamed with an all-over emerald green shimmer, resembling the remains of some unknown giant beast.
Though it was merely a fragment of bone, the instant it was brought out, a vast and primal aura of ancient wilderness swept forth. Yue Liantian, despite having been on guard, hastily retreated several steps in alarm.
As for the others in the auction hall, the pressure of that aura forced them into hushed exclamations. Those less able to withstand it had no choice but to release their protective demonic light, their faces full of shock.
"It's just a beast bone — how can it have such terrifying aura?"
"Could this be the remains of one of those legendary ancient beasts from the wastelands?"
"Impossible — even the bones of those giant beasts couldn't possibly have such astonishing aura."
"Brother Yue, hurry up and explain."
The demons erupted into uproar once more, their gazes fixed upon the crystalline giant bone with expressions of horror.
"Heh heh, fellow Daoists, there is no need to be anxious. Since this is an item put up for auction, I naturally will explain its origins in full. However, it is clear that many of you are already greatly interested. In that case, I shall not keep you in suspense — I will tell you directly. This is not the remains of some wasteland giant beast, but rather a remnant bone of an ancient True Spirit." Yue Liantian gave a light cough and smiled as he spoke.
"A True Spirit remnant bone? That would be a priceless treasure!"
"Impossible — such a supreme treasure would surely draw even the Holy Ancestors like moths to flame! How could it appear here?!"
…
The commotion this time was clearly even greater than that caused by the earlier "Holy Brick." After hearing Yue Liantian's introduction, nine out of ten demons wore expressions of disbelief.
As for Han Li, the moment he heard the name "True Spirit remnant bone," his face beneath the hood changed. His gaze locked onto that emerald giant bone in an instant.
Only then did he faintly detect, within that primal aura, a trace of somewhat familiar sweet fragrance — similar in scent to certain medicinal herbs.
However, this medicinal fragrance was incredibly faint. Had he not frequently handled various spirit medicines, he likely would not have been able to distinguish it.
At the same moment, a delighted cry of surprise suddenly echoed through Han Li's consciousness: "Master, this thing seems to be of great use to me. If there is any way, please make sure to bid on it."
The voice was delicate and clear — none other than Qu'er, the Nine-Curving Spirit Herb who had taken on human form. Her voice even carried a slight tremor.
Han Li was momentarily startled. He did not respond immediately, instead sending wisp after wisp of his divine sense sweeping into the giant bone.
He could not help but let out a soft exclamation of surprise.
At that moment, Yue Liantian spoke again in a solemn voice: "Fellow Daoists, have no doubts. This bone does not originate from our world — it drifted into our realm through a spatial rift by chance. I must state in advance that although this is indeed a True Spirit remnant bone, too much time has passed. Appraisals confirm that the True Essence Spirit Marrow within has been completely depleted. Not only can the specific True Spirit it belonged to no longer be identified, but even the original True Spirit aura has diminished to less than one ten-thousandth of what it once was — it simply cannot compare to the other True Spirit remains that have appeared in our world on a few occasions. Even so, this bone is incomparably hard. If refined into a treasure, its power would still rival that of an ordinary Spirit Treasure. As for why it appeared in our city — much like the previous owner of the Holy Brick, the seller simply wished to avoid trouble and get rid of it as quickly as possible. Before the auction begins, I will allow one stick of incense's time for you all to examine this ancient spirit bone. Those who are genuinely interested may even come up to the stage for a closer inspection."
No sooner had his words fallen than the elderly demon flicked his sleeve. A green censer flew out and settled firmly on one corner of the stone platform.
Inside the censer, a half-foot-long incense stick had just been lit, wisps of pale green smoke curling upward.
Then Yue Liantian flipped his palm, producing a silver talisman, which he pressed onto the spirit bone.
Instantly, that astonishing aura contracted, and the suffocating, terrifying pressure vanished entirely.
Having heard the elderly demon's explanation and seen the sealed spirit bone, most of the demons felt much of their suspicion ebb away.
Since this spirit bone was not a True Spirit remnant bone in the true sense, it was merely an extraordinary refinement material — its appearance in Blood Crow City was not too outlandish.
Even so, quite a few high-ranking demons remained greatly interested in the giant bone. Not only did they send out their divine senses to probe it one after another, but four or five demons in disguise actually stepped forward to examine it closely.
However, whether by divine sense or by hands-on inspection on stage, every demon who examined it came away deeply disappointed.
The giant spirit bone was exactly as Yue Liantian had described — apart from some lingering traces of aura inside, nothing of much value could be found.
The true value of a True Spirit remnant bone lay primarily in the residual True Essence power and Spirit Marrow within. If even a trace of either remained, its value could skyrocket a thousandfold. If neither existed, the drop in value was self-evident.
Han Li sat quietly in his seat for a while. After no more demons approached the stage, he abruptly rose to his feet, walked forward, extended a finger, and gently pressed it against the spirit bone.
Yue Liantian glanced Han Li over briefly, smiled slightly, and made no move to stop him.
Han Li merely stood before the giant spirit bone for a moment, murmured in thought, then nodded, withdrew his finger, and turned to walk back.
After that, no one else approached the stage to inspect it.
When the incense stick in the censer finally burned down to nothing, Yue Liantian swept his sleeve, and the censer vanished in a flash. He then announced in a serious voice: "Very well, time is up. The auction now begins — one ancient True Spirit remnant bone, starting price: fifty million!"
In stark contrast to the earlier Holy Brick, once the auction was announced this time, the entire hall fell eerily silent. Not a single bid was offered.