Ascension of The Unholy Immortal-Chapter 364: Mysterious origin
The bidding for the mysterious eye commenced with the same fervor as the previous items. The crowd of experts eagerly participated, their voices echoing through the auction hall.
"One billion and one hundred million!"
"One billion and two hundred million!"
The bids swiftly surpassed the initial asking price, highlighting the intense desire possessed by many of the attendees to acquire this enigmatic item.
Mi Ling watched the ongoing competition calmly, biding her time. It was not yet the moment for her to participate.
As the bidding continued, a fierce rivalry emerged between two experts seated on the second floor. After several rounds of escalating bids, the price had reached one billion and eight hundred million.
Seeing that the atmosphere had settled, Mi Ling’s lips curled into a smile. She confidently placed her bid: "Two billion."
Immediately, the eyes of several experts glinted with intrigue. The two specialists on the second floor exchanged hesitant glances before ultimately deciding to withdraw. The bid of two billion had exceeded their expectations.
Xia’s expression darkened with disappointment. Despite the eye’s mysterious origin, its value was unquestionable. She had anticipated that the final price would surpass that of the Imperial Grade Spiritual Ascension Pill.
"Two billion... going once," the auctioneer declared.
"Twice..."
With no further bids emerging, Mi Ling released a soft sigh.
"Two billion for the third..."
Just as it appeared the eye was about to be awarded to her, a derisive voice echoed from one of the chambers on the second floor.
"To think that the eye of a Heaven Defying Beast would sell for such a low sum."
Heaven Defying Beast?
Confusion rippled through the assembly of experts. For many, this was an unprecedented term.
Silence enveloped the auction hall as several elder experts directed their gazes upward. Half-Step Void Return Realm cultivators hastily implemented mysterious techniques to glimpse the obscured figure within the chamber. Yet, their attempts were in vain. The individual had deployed a bizarre concealment technique, rendering themselves invisible to scrutiny.
"Esteemed guest, are you fully aware of the weight of your words?" Xia asked, irritation evident in her tone.
"Whether I am right or wrong is irrelevant," the mocking voice retorted dismissively.
"Such arrogance," one expert murmured.
It wouldn’t have been surprising if a Void Return Realm expert had made such a bold claim. However, it was clear the speaker was not one; otherwise, they would have revealed their identity. Still, their concealment technique suggested an extraordinary background.
Xia’s expression shifted subtly, frowning as she recognized the speaker—a disciple of the illustrious Chess Paragon, unlike the other guests who remained oblivious.
"Xia, allow me to handle this situation," the Pavilion Head directed, stepping onto the stage with authority.
Xia nodded in compliance and retreated.
The Pavilion Head took a moment, his gaze drifting toward a specific chamber on the third floor. A fleeting, curious expression crossed his face when he noted the absence of any response.
"Given the discord surrounding the origin of the enigmatic eye, I will present it for your examination." With a graceful wave, he conjured a jade case, which revealed a shimmering, translucent blue crystal.
"Elder Shi Tian, as the most esteemed expert among us, could you share your insights?" he prompted.
Elder Shi Tian, previously ensnared in thought, now focused intently on the object before him. "This eye does indeed possess an aura reminiscent of a Heaven Defying Beast, yet I cannot ascertain its precise nature with full confidence."
The Pavilion Head’s expression hardened as he turned his gaze to the second floor. "Esteemed guest, might you clarify how you reached your conclusion without direct examination of the eye?"
"Pavilion Head, there’s no need for skepticism. It unquestionably belongs to a Heaven Defying Beast," a calm, elderly voice interrupted, commanding the attention of all present.
It was Divine Alchemist Song!
The Pavilion Head’s eyes widened in astonishment. "I would welcome Divine Alchemist Song to elaborate on this matter."
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"Alchemy, particularly the craft of Life Extension Pills, is an endeavor that defies the heavens themselves. The aura of the divine is not foreign to me; I have encountered it countless times in the preparation of these pills. The eye possesses similar, yet amplified attributes, leaving little doubt about its true origins," Divine Alchemist Song explained.
The Pavilion Head’s skepticism melted away, replaced by a hint of awe. "With Divine Alchemist Song’s expertise, the matter is all but confirmed."
"I merely provide my opinion, Pavilion Head. As for the specific nature of the beast, my knowledge is limited. I defer to the wisdom of others in that regard."
Murmurs spread through the crowd, with many finding the revelation difficult to embrace.
The Pavilion Head contemplated deeply, his fingers curling around the jade case he held. Though doubts had lingered in his mind, they had remained mere suspicions—insufficient for public declaration. With the confirmation from both Divine Alchemist Song and Heaven Smelting Lord, his confidence began to falter.
"Esteemed guests, we sincerely apologize for this grave oversight," the Pavilion Head announced, his eyes scanning the hall. "All bids will be rescinded, and the auction will restart."
A heavy silence enveloped the crowd as they absorbed the weight of this revelation.
In her secluded chamber, Mi Ling observed the unfolding scene in disbelief. The situation had escalated beyond her expectations.
Her gaze locked onto a specific figure, and a wave of killing intent surged within her.
"It’s clear; this person is targeting me. But how?" Mi Ling pondered, bewildered by how the speaker could identify the eye’s origin without prior examination.
She herself lacked understanding of its nature. All she had foreseen was that an object of immense significance would surface during the later stages of the auction, which she believed would be effortlessly hers. Yet, recent events had disrupted her plans entirely.
"The initial bid for the Heaven Defying Beast’s eye is two billion," the Pavilion Head declared gravely, causing sharp intakes of breath throughout the crowd.
Even those unaware of the artifact’s significance could sense its extraordinary value.
"Two billion and two hundred million," Heaven Smelting Lord countered without hesitation.
All eyes darted towards him, minds racing with questions about this mysterious Heaven Defying Beast.
Strangely, no one offered a response; the topic seemed shrouded in an unspoken secrecy.
"Two billion and four hundred million," Divine Alchemist Song entered the fray.
"Two billion and five hundred million," came another voice, adding to the rising tension.
The bidding for the Heaven Defying Beast’s eye continued at a furious pace. The price soared to unprecedented heights, surpassing the value of the Imperial Grade Spiritual Ascension Pill.
Mi Ling observed the escalating bids with growing concern. She realized that the situation had spiraled beyond her control, and obtaining the eye would be far more challenging than she had anticipated.
She scanned the hall, her gaze lingering on the chamber where the mocking voice had originated. A cold glint entered her eyes as she contemplated her options.
Meanwhile, the bidding reached a fever pitch. Divine Alchemist Song and Heaven Smelting Lord engaged in a fierce duel, their offers escalating by hundreds of millions with each passing moment.
"Three billion!" Divine Alchemist Song declared, his voice echoing through the grand hall.
A collective gasp swept through the crowd.
Heaven Smelting Lord remained unflinching. "Three billion and two hundred million."
"Senior Shi, why not grant this junior a chance?" Divine Alchemist Song replied, a peculiar smile playing on his lips.
"Senior?" Shi Tian laughed heartily. "Surely, fellow Daoist jests; I can hardly consider myself your senior."
Knowing she could no longer stay silent, Mi Ling summoned her courage and raised her voice above the clamor.
"Three billion and five hundred million."
Silence blanketed the hall as every gaze turned to Mi Ling. The assembled experts stared in disbelief at her audacious bid.
Divine Alchemist Song and Heaven Smelting Lord exchanged a fleeting glance, neither willing to back down.
"Three billion and six hundred million," Divine Alchemist Song countered without delay.
Heaven Smelting Lord hesitated for a moment before responding, "Three billion and eight hundred million."
Drawing a deep breath, Mi Ling boldly declared, "Four billion."
The hall erupted with excitement. The price skyrocketed beyond all expectations.
Divine Alchemist Song and Heaven Smelting Lord fell silent, their expressions unreadable.
After a brief pause, Divine Alchemist Song shook his head. "I’m out."