Chapter 586: Auction Begins

Xiao Fan had originally intended to use the captured Divine Sons and Divine Maidens as hostages, but who could have expected that after leaving the Secret Realm, he would not arrive in Wuhuang Province.

As a result, these hostages were now useless, all stuck in Xiao Fan's spirit beast bag, and he even had to waste his dried meat on them.

Xiao Fan had considered releasing them, but thinking that he would need to return to Wuhuang Province in the future, he dismissed the thought.

In truth, what Xiao Fan did not know was that the four Divine Sons and Divine Maidens he had captured were living each day as if it were a year, enduring a life worse than death.

Dignified, heaven-favored children had ended up as prisoners, imprisoned within a spirit beast bag living in total darkness; they would rather have been killed!

"The auction begins. I am the Grand Elder of the Lianhua Pavilion, Jun Song. I presume many of you present recognize this old man." On the central Arena of the Auction House, an old man appeared—a white-haired, white-bearded elder who scanned the surroundings with a dignified expression.

Xiao Fan felt an even more formidable aura from this person, one even stronger than Zhangsun Ning at her Peak.

"Yuding Realm Great Perfection," Zhangsun Ning said, seeing through Xiao Fan's thoughts.

Xiao Fan nodded. This old man named Jun Song was terrifyingly strong, and judging by his aura, he was even stronger than the Ancestor of Jixian Sect and the others!

"Very well, everyone, I hope the upcoming auction proceeds without incident." Jun Song smiled faintly. He cast a significant glance at Zhangsun Ning and the remaining few Yuding Realm experts before his figure vanished, leaving the center of the venue.

This was also the standard routine for all Auction Houses; the auction previously held by the Treasure Pavilion had been the same.

It was necessary for an expert to appear and preside over the event to dispel any ulterior motives some people might have.

After Jun Song left, a woman with a graceful figure stepped onto the Arena. Dressed in white brocade, she was stunningly beautiful. The woman scanned the surroundings and said loudly, "Greetings, everyone. I will be hosting this auction. My name is Jin Zhishuang. I presume many of you present know me."

The woman's voice was crisp and pleasant, and her cultivation was at the Yuanhun Realm Great Perfection, yet she showed no fear under the gaze of so many experts.

Xiao Fan took a few extra looks at the woman; she was indeed beautiful, and her temperament seemed somewhat similar to Wu Qingyan's.

"Without further ado, let us proceed to the first auction item," Jin Zhishuang smiled.

"The first auction item is an Earth Rank High Grade Magical Artifact: the Dragon-patterned Heavenly Blade. The starting bid is 8 million Spirit Stones," Jin Zhishuang announced loudly.

A golden, dragon-patterned long blade appeared beside Jin Zhishuang, floating in mid-air!

Xiao Fan was dumbfounded that the first auction item was actually an Earth Rank High Grade Magical Artifact!

"Are Earth Rank Magical Artifacts really that worthless?" Xiao Fan looked at Zhangsun Ning, casting an inquiring glance.

"No," Zhangsun Ning shook her head. "Earth Rank Magical Artifacts are still quite rare, but as long as one has the Materials, they can be refined."

Xiao Fan nodded. He had thought that Earth Rank Magical Artifacts were actually dime-a-dozen in the Nine Provinces.

Although he had the tianzhu sword in his hands, Xiao Fan had communicated with its artifact spirit using his Divine Thought…

Although the tianzhu sword was a Heaven Rank Magical Artifact, currently, other than being sturdy, it was basically useless…

Of course, the tianzhu sword told Xiao Fan that at critical moments, it could activate the mysterious runes on the blade body. If Xiao Fan poured his Qi into it, it could make his original strikes even more powerful!

Xiao Fan was surprised and asked repeatedly… The artifact spirit told Xiao Fan that this was the effect of the killing runes inscribed on the tianzhu sword during its refining.

Xiao Fan finally understood why, when using the tianzhu sword to perform the Soul-Devouring Moon Slash, the power was greater than using the Samsara Fist!

"10 million!" "11 million!" "…" Bidding calls continued; there were quite a few people in the venue who had their eyes on this Earth Rank Magical Artifact long blade!

Xiao Fan looked around in surprise. Were these people all so wealthy!

This long blade was eventually auctioned off for 19 million!

Xiao Fan felt that once he left the Auction House this time, the Spirit Stones in his Storage Pouch would likely be bottomed out!

He just didn't know if he would have enough left to pay for a hotel stay afterward!

"Do I have to find a way to make money again…" Xiao Fan let out a sigh, feeling that living was so exhausting.

He clearly didn't need Spirit Stones to Cultivate, yet he still had to desperately earn Spirit Stones; without Spirit Stones, he felt no sense of security!

Zhangsun Ning did not speak; the first few auction items were useless to her. All she wanted was the Medicinal Pill.

A few rounds of bidding passed in a rush… This auction was only for one day, which was clearly written on the invitation when they arrived.

During this time… "Look at that person's back; does it look like Xiao Fan?" City Lord Ming Long spoke, feeling that the young man's back not far in front was very similar to Xiao Fan's.

Chu Feng did not speak. His gaze followed City Lord Ming Long's, and after seeing the back, he also felt surprised; the person's back was indeed very similar to Xiao Fan's.

City Lord Du Ling silently sighed and covered his head, not wanting to say a word! He felt that City Lord Ming Long must be possessed; he saw Xiao Fan in everyone!

City Lord Ming Long stared at the person's back in front of him; he felt that this back was truly very similar to Xiao Fan's!

There were too many experts at the auction, especially with Zhangsun Ning by Xiao Fan's side, who had set up a soundproofing barrier that also had the effect of blocking others' Divine Soul exploration.

This made it impossible for City Lord Ming Long to know whether the person in front was really Xiao Fan.

"How strange… Could I really be seeing things!" City Lord Ming Long rubbed his eyes. He was only a few hundred years old; how could his vision be failing him!

Chu Feng did not speak, and City Lord Du Ling felt a headache… City Lord Ming Long kept staring at Xiao Fan's back, hoping the other party would turn around!

"The next auction item is a Grade 6 High-class Medicinal Pill, the Qianyuan Creation Golden Core. The starting price is 5.5 million, with a minimum increment of 200,000 per bid," Jin Zhishuang announced loudly.

"8 million!" Zhangsun Ning immediately shouted.