Read Novel Full Chapter 656: Last days on the Caravan (17)
Chapter 656: Last days on the Caravan (17)
The fabric fell, sliding across the surface of the table like a cascade of black silk, and, before the tens of thousands of people gathered in the plaza, the first item of the grand final auction was finally revealed. The silence that followed was absolute, broken only by the distant sound of the wind blowing between the towers of the Sky Caravan.
It was a small spiritual sword. Its blade had a dark blue, almost black coloration, like the sky moments before dawn, and small silver lines ran across its surface like veins of light, gently pulsing with an energy of their own.
Even from a distance, it was possible to feel a small amount of spiritual energy emanating from it, a subtle presence that made the air around it vibrate slightly.
The Sky Family Steward remained beside the table, her imposing figure standing tall, her voice calm and clear.
“High-Grade Spiritual Sword. Forged by a spiritual blacksmith from the Western Region. It possesses a formation capable of increasing the penetrating power of attacks, allowing the blade to pierce defenses that would normally withstand weapons of its level.”
Some people immediately showed interest, their eyes lighting up with greed. A spiritual-rank sword was not extraordinary for the truly powerful cultivators present in the plaza, but for many lower-level cultivators, it was an extremely valuable treasure, a weapon that could last for decades, one that could grow alongside its wielder.
The steward wasted no time, her voice cutting through the murmur that was beginning to form.
“Begin the bidding.”
The jade plaques immediately began to glow, small points of light flickering on and off like stars in a night sky. One after another, the bids were silently recorded, each participant sending their thoughts through the device, without anyone knowing how much the others were offering.
Kyrian watched in silence, his plaque resting in his hand without being activated. It did not take long for the round to end, the five minutes passing in the blink of an eye.
The sword was sold for a price considerably higher than its actual value, a demonstration of the power of the auction format, in which uncertainty led people to offer more than necessary.
The winner, however, seemed extremely satisfied. He held the jade plaque tightly, a smile that could not be hidden appearing on his face.
“It’s really a good sword… worth every stone.”
Kyrian did not pay much attention, his eyes already turning toward the next item.
The pace of the auction was much faster than the previous ones. There was no need for people to shout their bids, argue over prices, or attempt to intimidate their opponents.
Everything happened silently through the jade plaques, a system that eliminated the theatrics of traditional auctions but also created a different kind of tension. The tension of not knowing, of being blind, of having to rely solely on one’s own judgment.
A bottle containing three Rank 5 Spiritual Recovery Pills was sold for a surprisingly high amount. A fat cultivator who had won the round almost jumped with happiness, his face lighting up with childlike joy.
“I got them! I finally got them!”
Shortly afterward, a small crystal stone appeared, capable of temporarily increasing a cultivator’s perception. Its price also rose rapidly, contested by several alchemists and formation masters.
Then came a set of defensive talismans, a spiritual spear, a small medicinal furnace, the hide of an extremely resilient spiritual beast, and a rare herb that could be used to refine several high-level pills. Prices continued to rise, with some items reaching values that Kyrian clearly considered higher than their true worth.
However, no one seemed particularly bothered. After all, an auction was not determined solely by the objective value of a treasure. If someone had been searching for a particular item for decades, perhaps they would be willing to pay ten times more than another person would consider reasonable. That was exactly what was happening in that plaza, where old desires found an opportunity to be fulfilled.
Half an hour passed quickly, time flowing like water between one’s fingers. Kyrian remained watching the items, refusing to spend his spirit stones on anything he did not consider truly necessary.
Until Sun Luguo finally made his first bid. Kyrian noticed the old man’s plaque glow, a soft light that turned on and remained lit.
“Did you find something?”
Sun Luguo smiled, his eyes shining with anticipation.
“Yes.”
Shortly afterward, the item was fully revealed, a set containing five blocks of heavy spiritual metals. Each piece had a different hue, but all of them emanated an astonishing spiritual density, a presence that made the air around them seem heavier.
The steward briefly explained their properties. The five metals could be used to reinforce spiritual weapons, especially weapons that needed to withstand large amounts of Qi and physical strength. They were rare materials, difficult to find even in the best auction houses.
Kyrian watched the old man increase his bid twice, his plaque glowing with increasing intensity.
On the third, he won.
When the steward announced the number on his plaque, Sun Luguo let out a satisfied laugh, the hoarse sound echoing throughout the plaza.
“I finally found something worth it.”
Kyrian smiled.
“You paid quite a lot.”
“Metals like these don’t appear every day.” The old man patted his own spatial ring, a gesture of satisfaction.
“Worth every stone.”
The auction continued, another half hour passing in a steady flow of treasures and bids.
During this period, various items appeared: a portable formation capable of creating an absurdly powerful defensive barrier for a short period, a set of three perfectly balanced spiritual knives, and a spiritual fruit that could strengthen the physical body. Also, an ore fragment containing a small amount of fire essence. An incomplete map of an ancient ruin, a body technique. A spiritual bow capable of condensing arrows made of Qi.
Some were extremely rare, while others possessed high values. But Kyrian continued waiting, his patience unshakable. He did not want to spend his stones simply because something seemed interesting; he wanted something that would truly make a difference in his journey.
Then, finally, the steward walked back to the center of the stage. This time, however, her expression changed slightly, a deeper seriousness appearing in her ancient eyes. She raised a small box made of black wood, and the plaza immediately became quieter.
“Next item.”