Chapter 125: Bidding for the Ling Yin Imperial Sword Technique
However, as soon Wu Cai Immortal’s voice trailed off, another voice emerged from a private room on the second floor.
“3,000 Medium Grade Spirit Stones, that’s the highest this sword technique is worth. Any more would be overpriced,” the person declared.
After stating the bid, the person added another comment:
“Wu Cai, you might as well give up. I know you’re not really interested, so why waste any more time?”
As the person’s voice faded, Wu Cai Immortal did not retort.
Then, amid quiet discussions amongst the crowd, no further bids were made. Seeing that the time was ripe, Steward Cheng began the countdown.
“3,000 Medium Grade Spirit Stones, for the first time…”
“3,000 Medium Grade Spirit Stones, for the second time…”
“If there are no further bids, the Phosphor Fire Sword Technique will be sold.”
Once Steward Cheng finished speaking and waited for a moment, seeing no signs of further interest, he raised the auction hammer.
With a loud “bang,” it struck down.
“3,000 Medium Grade Spirit Stones, for the third time, sold!”
Clearly, as that Golden Core Cultivator had said, the Phosphor Fire Sword Technique was indeed worth 3,000 Medium Grade Spirit Stones — any more, and it would have been overpriced.
The Phosphor Fire Sword Technique was thus claimed by the Golden Core Immortal in the private room on the second floor.
Lin Jing also took note that, according to the mysterious Golden Core Cultivator, a sword technique equivalent to a Golden Core Stage spell was valued at 3,000 Medium Grade Spirit Stones.
Considering the information on the pamphlet, the Ling Yin Imperial Sword Technique was also a sword art equivalent to the Golden Core Stage; hence, their prices should not differ greatly.
With this in mind, Lin Jing felt reassured and even more confident about securing the Ling Yin Imperial Sword Technique.
Following this, the first item was taken away and the second item was brought up for auction.
Lin Jing did not bid but quietly observed the proceedings.
Soon, the second item was also acquired by a bidder.
Next, the third…
the fourth… the fifth items were successively auctioned off, with Lin Jing remaining silent throughout.
After the fifth item was removed, Steward Cheng spoke up again.
“Now, let’s introduce the next item for auction.”
As Steward Cheng’s voice fell, the shapely maid carrying a wooden box stepped onto the stage, which contained, as expected, a jade slip.
After the maid placed the wooden box on the display table, Steward Cheng continued:
“This item, the Ling Yin Imperial Sword Technique, is surely familiar to everyone from the booklet.”
“Moreover…”
“Let me share with you all some news which we discovered just yesterday in the ancient records – the creator of this Ling Yin Imperial Sword Technique was none other than the Ling Yin True Monarch, from two thousand years ago.”
As Steward Cheng’s voice settled, the hall erupted in noise, with people starting to discuss excitedly and some even sharing the story of Ling Yin True Monarch with those who were unaware.
“Ling Yin True Monarch was a Nascent Soul Cultivator and was extremely famous two thousand years ago…”
Meanwhile, Lin Jing furrowed his brows. He had harbored some hope of acquiring this sword technique.
But if that were the case, he feared that its starting price would be beyond what he could afford.
After all, it was a sword technique created by a Nascent Soul True Monarch…
“Please, everyone, be quiet and listen to me explain,” Steward Cheng, seeing the uproar below, quickly requested silence.
After Steward Cheng spoke, the hall gradually quieted down.
“Ling Yin True Monarch had the cultivation of the Nascent Soul Stage, and the sword technique he created is, naturally, exceptionally extraordinary.”
“Moreover, this sword technique consists of nine levels, mastering the highest of which is equivalent to a Nascent Soul spell.”
“Unfortunately, the last three levels of the Ling Yin Imperial Sword Technique have been lost, leaving only the first six levels, which means its full power cannot be unleashed.”
“Additionally…”
“The most significant feature of the Ling Yin Imperial Sword Technique is its invisibility; only with an invisible and shadowless Flying Sword can its greatest power be realized.”
“If any other Flying Sword is used, it instead gives the enemy forewarning, losing the element of surprise and thus failing to utilize the true might of the Ling Yin Imperial Sword Technique.”
“However…”
Speaking of which, Steward Cheng’s tone shifted:
“Don’t underestimate these first six layers; they are already no weaker than ordinary Golden Core spells.”
“Considering everything, the starting bid for the Ling Yin Imperial Sword Technique is 2,000 Medium Grade Spirit Stones, and each increase must be no less than 100 Medium Grade Spirit Stones.”
“Now, the auction begins…”
With the fall of the auctioneer’s hammer, the auction officially started. “I bid 2,000 Medium Grade Spirit Stones.”
No sooner had Steward Cheng finished speaking than someone in the first floor’s hall took the lead.
“I bid 2,500, and c’mon, Old Zhao, as a family head, bidding just 2,000 Medium Grade Spirit Stones, aren’t you embarrassed?”
Clearly, these two knew each other.
Thinking of the price for the Phosphor Fire Sword Technique just moments ago, Lin Jing instantly had an idea.
“3,000…”
No sooner had Lin Jing spoken than he was interrupted.
“I bid 3,000 Spirit Stones.”
The voice came from the second floor, from within the Li Family’s private box, and it was a clear and pleasant-sounding voice of a woman.
The bidding had barely started, and the price had already reached 3,000 Medium Grade Spirit Stones.
Someone had interrupted Lin Jing, so he had no choice but to speak again:
“3,100 Medium Grade Spirit Stones.”
This time, Lin Jing opened his mouth, adding only the minimum of 100 Medium Grade Spirit Stones.
“3,200 Medium Grade Spirit Stones,” the person previously referred to as Old Zhao, the family head, spoke up again.
“Patriarch Qu, I’ve increased the bid, are you following or not?” “Following, 3,300 Medium Grade Spirit Stones.”
“Then I bid 3,500,” came from that Zhao family head again.
Clearly, their relationship was contentious, which led to their aggressive bidding against each other at this moment.
“3,700…” “3, 800…
“4,000…”
The two were unrelenting in their competition, and soon the price had soared to 4,000 Medium Grade Spirit Stones.
Lin Jing frowned and pondered; the two of them were now purely trying to spite each other.
If they were allowed to continue like this, where the price would end up was anybody’s guess, and it had to be stopped in time.
“4,500…”
Again, it was the clear-voiced woman from the second floor Li Family’s box.
However, just as she was speaking, Lin Jing interrupted her.
“5,000, Medium Grade Spirit Stones.”
Suddenly, the auction hall fell silent, even the two previously bidding went quiet, clearly, the price had exceeded their budget.
“5,000 Spirit Stones, for the first time.”
After a while, seeing no one starting to bid, Steward Cheng began the countdown.
But a moment later, the crowd within the hall was looking at Lin Jing and whispering among themselves, yet still, no one placed a bid. “5,000 Medium Grade Spirit Stones, for the second time.”
Steward Cheng’s voice rose again, enticingly:
“If no one bids, then the Ling Yin Imperial Sword Technique will be sold…”
At that moment, the voice from the second floor rang out again.
“5,100, Medium Grade Spirit Stones.”
This time, however, her voice seemed somewhat urgent.
Seeing this, Steward Cheng quickly exclaimed:
“Good, 5,100…”
Without waiting for Steward Cheng to finish, Lin Jing immediately placed his bid, without a moment’s hesitation.
“5,300 Medium Grade Spirit Stones.”
The tone of his voice conveyed confidence, blurring the line between bluff and certainty..