Chapter 274: Nine Heavens Azure Dragon Cauldron
Bing Yuan's smile froze on his face. A cracking sound rang out as the curtain of another private room shattered. The three adjoining private rooms were now all clearly visible.
The people from Ice and Snow Mountain Villa were led by Bing Yuan; those from Hao Yue Sect were led by Blade Master Leng Yue; and in the middle stood three figures—one man before the broken curtain, while another man and a woman sat quietly on chairs, unmoving, utterly composed. The woman wore a light veil, adding a hazy beauty to her appearance.
"Bing Yuan, laughing at me?" Leng Yue said mockingly. Bing Yuan had been provoking him all along, trying to make him clash with Lin Feng, but in the end, Lin Feng hadn't given him any face at all.
"Hmph!" Bing Yuan let out a cold laugh. He had already shown Lin Feng plenty of respect, but Lin Feng had first killed a disciple of Ice and Snow Mountain Villa, slapping his face, and then insulted him again.
"Brother Leng Yue, what do you think we should do with him?" Bing Yuan's voice carried a chilling intent as he prepared to deal with Lin Feng.
"Who's your brother? He's right—Ice and Snow Mountain Villa people are cowardly and shrinking. What right do you have to call me brother?"
Leng Yue spat out the words, and Bing Yuan's face completely stiffened, alternating between pale and green. Feeling the gazes from the crowd below, he felt a stifled rage building in his chest, unable to vent.
A cold aura spread through the space, pressing down on the entire auction hall with a suffocating chill.
"Gentlemen, the auction is still in progress. Could you resolve your conflict after it ends?"
At that moment, a warm, harmonious laugh came from the auction stage. Lan Jiao's face carried a hint of seductive charm, and her words instantly eased the oppressive atmosphere.
"Fine." Bing Yuan spoke first, his face as cold as ice.
Lin Feng nodded slightly at Lan Jiao, who smiled and returned the gesture.
"Now, Young Master Leng Yue has bid twelve thousand mid-grade origin stones. Is there anyone willing to offer higher?" Lan Jiao's gaze swept over the crowd with a smile. No one answered. Twelve thousand mid-grade origin stones for a high-grade spiritual artifact was already quite expensive.
Such a massive amount of origin stones could sustain even a Mysterious Martial Realm cultivator for a long time.
"If not, then Lan Jiao congratulates Young Master Leng Yue first. The Waning Moon belongs to Young Master Leng Yue."
Lan Jiao smiled, then continued, "The next item for auction is a cauldron. This cauldron is engraved with patterns of nine azure dragons. It is very ancient, at least tens of thousands of years old. It should be a cauldron for artifact forging and alchemy. However, the cauldron seems somewhat damaged, and its grade cannot be determined. But the seniors of my Dream Pavilion have confirmed that if it were complete, it would be at least a mid-grade profound artifact or higher."
"To let everyone see the cauldron's damage clearly, we have deliberately displayed it for your inspection first."
As Lan Jiao finished speaking, two people carried the cauldron up. It was about a meter tall and roughly a meter in diameter, engraved with nine lifelike azure dragon patterns. One of the dragons connected to a carving of an azure dragon roaring at the sky, standing out in three dimensions as if about to soar into the heavens. But the other eight dragon patterns did not connect to the carving, seemingly the damage Lan Jiao mentioned.
At first glance, the cauldron gave off a very ancient feel, as if it bore the aura of time itself.
"Please trust the judgment of my Dream Pavilion's seniors. Although this cauldron is damaged, its hardness is no less than that of a high-grade spiritual artifact. It can now be used as a furnace. If it were complete, it would definitely be a profound-grade treasure." Lan Jiao emphasized, but the crowd showed little interest. Tianluo Ancient City often produced ancient artifacts, all of which were already damaged. Who could restore them to completeness? The latter part of her statement was essentially meaningless. It was just a cauldron with hardness comparable to a high-grade spiritual artifact, lacking any offensive capability. What use was it?
Perhaps some alchemists who enjoyed collecting might be interested.
"Starting price: one thousand mid-grade origin stones." Lan Jiao announced, and the crowd shook their heads even more. One thousand mid-grade origin stones for a deformed cauldron was too much of a loss.
Seeing the crowd shaking their heads, Lan Jiao smiled bitterly. She knew that although this cauldron was a treasure, its practical use was limited, making it hard to auction at a good price. Yet it was indeed a genuine treasure.
"I'll bid one thousand mid-grade origin stones."
At that moment, a voice came from the crowd. The speaker was a red-haired old man, an alchemist. Although the cauldron wasn't very useful, he was somewhat interested in such ancient artifacts.
To him, one thousand mid-grade origin stones wasn't much.
"It's Senior Chi. Since he's spoken, let him have it." Someone murmured, but was met with disdain. What did "let him have it" mean? If someone truly saw a treasure they wanted, who would willingly give it up? Not bidding only meant it wasn't attractive enough.
The crowd fell silent, and the atmosphere grew somewhat cold.
"This cauldron looks quite nice. Since it catches my eye, I'll bid two thousand mid-grade origin stones. That shouldn't disgrace the treasure," Lin Feng said indifferently.
But inside, his heart was pounding wildly.
Nine Heavens Azure Dragon Cauldron. This was actually the Nine Heavens Azure Dragon Cauldron, lost for ten thousand years and now appearing in Tianluo Ancient City, ignored by the crowd.
The Venerable who had passed on memories to Lin Feng had left in his mind a fragment of memory containing the patterns of the ten great cauldrons of the Nine Heavens Continent. The Nine Heavens Azure Dragon Cauldron ranked ninth among the ten great cauldrons, lost for ten thousand years. In ancient times, only its pattern had been passed down, and it was the very cauldron before Lin Feng. But no one here recognized it.
The treasure was too noble, returning to simplicity, and thus went unrecognized.
Lin Feng wanted to bid high, even to shout ten thousand mid-grade origin stones directly, but he dared not. The higher he bid, the more suspicion he would arouse.
The red-haired old man glanced at Lin Feng, who smiled and nodded at him, his gaze calm, showing no abnormality.
"Since the young man likes it, I'll let you have it. Two thousand mid-grade origin stones is indeed quite high," the old man said, and the crowd nodded in agreement, further discouraging any competition.
"Idiot!" Bing Yuan mocked coldly, but Lin Feng ignored him. Winning the Nine Heavens Azure Dragon Cauldron for two thousand mid-grade origin stones—even if others called him an idiot a thousand times, he wouldn't mind.
"Is there anyone else bidding?" Lan Jiao asked the crowd. As expected, no one spoke. Lan Jiao didn't press further. In her view, spending two thousand mid-grade origin stones on this cauldron was already a loss, not worth it.
"Congratulations to this young master for acquiring the cauldron." Lan Jiao bowed slightly to Lin Feng, revealing more of her snow-white fullness, causing many eyes to gleam.
The Nine Heavens Azure Dragon Cauldron was carried down, and Lan Jiao revealed a charming smile as she said, "The final item for auction is demon fire—the inner demon fire of a Seven-Tailed Demon Fox, a profound demon beast. I believe its value needs no elaboration from me."
"Demon fire!" Lin Feng's gaze sharpened. When martial cultivators reached the Mysterious Martial Realm, their true essence contained elemental power. For those with a flame martial soul, their true essence leaned toward the fire element, making their true essence flames more powerful. The same applied to demon beasts. The Seven-Tailed Demon Fox was a fire-attribute demon beast, and its inner demon fire was extremely potent. If absorbed and refined into true essence fire for personal use, it could rapidly enhance one's strength.
As Lan Jiao's words fell, many eyes grew fervent. The inner demon fire of a fire-attribute profound demon beast was the beast's essence. Even when extracted from the beast, its destructive power was astonishing.
It was highly tempting for fire-attribute experts and alchemists.
"Starting price: two thousand mid-grade origin stones." Lan Jiao set the starting price, higher than both the high-grade spiritual artifact Waning Moon and the Nine Heavens Azure Dragon Cauldron, indicating its value.
Moreover, the crowd was eager to bid. No one thought the starting price was too high.
"Three thousand mid-grade origin stones."
"Four thousand mid-grade origin stones."
"..."
"Ten thousand mid-grade origin stones."
Bids came thick and fast. In just a brief moment, someone offered ten thousand mid-grade origin stones—a terrifying amount. And the price continued to rise.
"Twenty thousand mid-grade origin stones." A cold voice rang out, and the space froze. Twenty thousand—someone had jumped from ten thousand to twenty thousand. The bidder was Bing Yuan.
Chapter 275: The Inverse Scale
"Twenty thousand mid-grade origin stones. So wealthy. And Leng Yue is also rich," Lin Feng thought to himself as he heard Bing Yuan's bid. It seemed that both Hao Yue Sect and Ice and Snow Mountain Villa had far more resources than the Cloud Sea Sect of the past.
Moreover, Bing Yuan had jumped from ten thousand to twenty thousand mid-grade origin stones, clearly targeting the Seven-Tailed Demon Fox's demon fire.
The auction hall fell silent for a moment, then Leng Yue laughed coldly and said, "Twenty-one thousand mid-grade origin stones."
"Oh?" The crowd's hearts trembled. Earlier, Bing Yuan had deliberately mocked Leng Yue. Now, Leng Yue was retaliating.
"Leng Yue, you've already bought the Waning Moon saber. Do you still have twenty-one thousand mid-grade origin stones?" Bing Yuan's voice carried a chill, his brow furrowed. The Waning Moon saber had already cost Leng Yue twelve thousand mid-grade origin stones.
"Whether I do or not, you can try," Leng Yue said with a faint smile, causing Bing Yuan's face to stiffen. He fell silent, not daring to gamble.
"Idiot!" Lin Feng, still sitting in his soft chair, mocked again. Bing Yuan had directly bid twenty thousand—any fool could see he was determined to get the demon fire. Who wouldn't toy with him?
"This Bing Yuan is indeed an idiot," many in the crowd thought, silently sneering. Since he was so determined to have something, why provoke Leng Yue earlier? Anyone would retaliate.
"Twenty-two thousand mid-grade origin stones." Bing Yuan spoke coldly again.
"Twenty-three thousand mid-grade origin stones." Leng Yue's voice was neither hot nor cold, calm and indifferent.
"Twenty-five thousand mid-grade origin stones." Bing Yuan's face darkened, his voice as cold as ice.
"This price is still low," Lin Feng suddenly said lazily. "Twenty-six thousand mid-grade origin stones."
"Thirty thousand mid-grade origin stones." As Bing Yuan's words fell, a rolling wave of cold air surged from his private room, making many shiver. Bing Yuan was truly enraged.
"Thirty thousand. It's yours." Leng Yue said with a faint smile, finally stopping his bids. But Bing Yuan's face was grim, showing no joy. Thirty thousand mid-grade origin stones was all he had. If Lin Feng raised the price again, he wouldn't be able to compete.
"I don't want it either." Lin Feng chuckled lightly. He knew that if he pushed further and Bing Yuan didn't have enough origin stones, it wouldn't be as fun.
In the end, Bing Yuan secured the Seven-Tailed Demon Fox's demon fire at the sky-high price of thirty thousand mid-grade origin stones.
"Alright, today's auction is over. Everyone can come to claim their auctioned items." Lan Jiao said softly with a smile, then withdrew from the stage.
Those who had won bids stood up and headed toward the back of the auction stage. Lin Feng also rose, walked to the broken curtain, and looked outside.
A chill descended as Bing Yuan stepped through the air. As he passed Lin Feng, a terrifying icy intent surged toward him, filled with murderous intent.
But Bing Yuan didn't stop. He headed straight for the back of the auction stage. Although he had spent thirty thousand mid-grade origin stones, as long as he got the demon fire, he could merge water and fire using the secret technique of Ice and Snow Mountain Villa, unknown to others, to break through from the Spirit Martial Realm to the Mysterious Martial Realm. Then, everything would be worth it.
A blade's edge cut through the air. A flash of cold light fell, and with a crashing sound, Lin Feng's private room exploded. Leng Yue's private room came into clear view, split open by a single slash from Leng Yue.
"You're quite something." Leng Yue said indifferently, then stepped forward and disappeared into the distance. The other four from Hao Yue Sect stared at Lin Feng and his companions with cold smiles.
"A reckless fool," one of them muttered, his eyes carrying a hint of mockery. Lin Feng was doomed.
But they wouldn't act inside the auction hall. The venue wouldn't allow a real fight. However, as soon as Lin Feng stepped out, he was dead.
"Staring at me?" Lin Feng said with a mocking smile. The four staying behind to watch him made their intentions clear.
With a step, Lin Feng walked through the air until he reached the auction stage, then headed toward the back. Today, the biggest winner was him, Lin Feng.
The Nine Heavens Azure Dragon Cauldron—no one recognized it, and he had won it for two thousand mid-grade origin stones. How could he bear to leave?
Ten people each claimed their auctioned items. When it was Lin Feng's turn, Lan Jiao smiled at him and said, "Young master, you don't need to pay the origin stones now. When you come tomorrow to collect your auction proceeds, you can deduct it from there."
"Alright." Lin Feng nodded, his gaze falling on the Nine Heavens Azure Dragon Cauldron being carried over.
"Young master, this cauldron is yours." Lan Jiao smiled. Lin Feng reached out and touched the Azure Dragon Cauldron. A faint coolness seeped into his hand, and at the same time, he clearly felt a trace of ancient aura from it.
With a thought, the Nine Heavens Azure Dragon Cauldron vanished. Lan Jiao's beautiful eyes fixed on Lin Feng as she smiled and asked, "May Lan Jiao ask for the young master's name?"
"Lin Feng." Lin Feng nodded slightly at Lan Jiao, a smile in his eyes, his demeanor ethereal and composed, unfazed by fortune or misfortune.
The crowd claimed their items and left one after another.
"Lin Feng!" Lan Jiao murmured as she watched the disappearing figures, then said, "Investigate him!"
"Jiao Jiao, no need to investigate." As Lan Jiao's words fell, a figure emerged from the inner room—a middle-aged beautiful woman with a high cloud-like bun, elegant and noble.
"Aunt Yun knows him?" Lan Jiao looked at the woman, puzzled.
"Burning the city with fire, slaughtering hundreds of thousands of Moyue soldiers in one battle, turning the tide; riding alone a thousand miles to rescue the Snow Moon princess; entering the imperial capital on horseback, saving Liu Canglan, beheading the young prince, and being enfeoffed as a marquis—Lin Feng has long been famous. How could I not know him?" The woman smiled lightly, a hint of surprise in her eyes. Lin Feng had been in seclusion for half a year and now appeared in Tianluo Ancient City.
"He's that formidable?" Lan Jiao's beautiful eyes flickered. The young man, about her age, no more than seventeen or eighteen, had done so many earth-shattering deeds?
"Jiao Jiao, he's still single, not yet married," the woman said with a knowing smile, making Lan Jiao pause before she laughed and said, "Aunt Yun, you're teasing me again."
"Not at all, Jiao Jiao. A hero deserves a beauty. I think you and he are quite a match. If you could bring him into our fold, it might lead to a beautiful union." Aunt Yun looked at Lan Jiao, who shook her head with a smile, a strange light flickering in her eyes.
As Lin Feng stepped out of the auction hall, several figures followed closely behind him. But Lin Feng acted as if he hadn't noticed, a cold sneer forming in his heart.
Walking at a leisurely pace, Lin Feng left the Dream Pavilion and headed toward the Heavenly Mountain Restaurant.
"Brother Lin, why hurry? We haven't had a proper chat yet." A voice rang out, and a chill surged toward Lin Feng, forcing him to stop.
"Sorry to disappoint you, but I'm busy." Lin Feng said indifferently, lifting his foot to continue forward.
But at that moment, a figure appeared before Lin Feng, arms crossed over his chest, looking up at the sky and muttering, "Why rush to leave?"
In the distance, the crowd emerging from the Dream Pavilion noticed the commotion and their pupils contracted. Sure enough, as soon as Lin Feng stepped out, Bing Yuan and Leng Yue couldn't wait any longer. How could they let Lin Feng, who had offended them, go?
"Brother Leng, let's set aside our grudges for now. What do you say?" Bing Yuan said to Blade Master Leng Yue. Leng Yue nodded indifferently and said, "Agreed."
"But there's only one of him, and two of us. How should we handle this?"
"Simple. Brother Leng and I will attack together and see who kills him first. As for the other two, we'll take one each."
"Fine, but I want the woman." Leng Yue agreed.
"No problem. The woman looks good. She's yours to do with as you please." Bing Yuan laughed wickedly. The two of them bantered back and forth, making the distant crowd shake their heads. They both treated Lin Feng like a plaything, discussing how to kill and toy with him. Lin Feng should never have provoked these two.
Bing Yuan, the top core disciple of Ice and Snow Mountain Villa, and Leng Yue, the genius of Hao Yue Sect known as Blade Master—how could they be ordinary people?
Lin Feng provoking them was suicide.
But at that moment, no one noticed the icy killing intent in Lin Feng's eyes. They had dared to speak frivolously about Meng Qing.
Meng Qing was now Lin Feng's inverse scale. Touch the inverse scale, and death follows!