I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, So I’ll Max Out My Defense

Chapter 224: Chapter 225 The Auction Begins

After spending a few days in Tianfeng City without incident, Zhong Lingxiu did not come to trouble him again, presumably because she was entangled with something else.

However, in these days, Li Xiaobai did see a few inconspicuous pieces of news in the Immortal Spirit Daily.

"A mysterious prodigy emerges in the Eastern Sea, a cultivator at the Divinity Transformation Stage who boldly challenges Transcendance Tribulation Stage powerhouses—overcoming gaps in cultivation levels as if it were as simple as eating and drinking!"

"A cultivator from Southern Ming forcibly destroys an entire sect, sacrificing it in a blood ritual spanning thousands of miles—coercively breaking through with supreme demonic power!"

"A poisonous woman appears in the Devil Cloud Cave of Central Province, defeating the Cave Master with a single move!"

These pieces of information, which should have made the front-page headlines, were regulated to a small section by Elder Tianji since the Immortal Spirit Daily's recent editions were almost entirely dominated by his own news.

For him, as long as it helped to drive the daily sales of the Immortal Spirit Daily, what information was published didn't really matter.

But Li Xiaobai sensed something unusual from these reports; the mysterious prodigies all had distinct characteristics, bearing a strong resemblance to his own senior brothers and sisters.

Since parting ways with the Holy Demon Sect, he had not heard any news from them. Knowing their usual cautious habits, they would certainly be in disguise while outside.

Only he, their familiar junior brother, could sense the familiar aura from them.

It seems that during this period, his senior brothers and sisters had also been busy cultivating, dispersed in various places far and wide. It was just unknown whether any of them had come to Central Province.

With the auction about to begin, Li Xiaobai set aside these considerations for now. He took Ji Wuqing with him and headed toward the auction hall.

The news about the auction had been released early in the day, especially after the Immortal Spirit Daily's promotion. Just by revealing two of the Treasure Pavilion's most treasured items, it hooked the curiosity of the cultivators.

Su Mei'er's Inner Armor, Immortal Xi Yao's signature piano—even without considering whether there were other treasures at the auction, these two items alone were enough to drive people mad.

The auction was divided into two levels. The first floor was for ordinary bidders, and the second floor was for VIPs who had to spend a hundred thousand top-grade Spirit Stones to gain admission. The second floor consisted of fully enclosed private rooms; outsiders could not see the inside, which were mostly used for the confidentiality needs of the privileged.

In the past, the second floor would seat no more than ten people, all being high-ranking members of major families and powers, afraid of being recognized during the bidding.

But today was different; the second floor had been filled to capacity. Even then, there weren't enough rooms upstairs, with cultivators expressing their willingness to pay more. As long as they could sit upstairs, even if the price doubled, it wasn't a problem.

In a rush, Gu Ling hastily constructed temporary third-floor private rooms to accommodate the cultivators.

The key culprit behind this situation was naturally Su Mei'er's Inner Armor.

The masters of the Cultivation World, who all had high statuses, couldn't possibly bid for such items publicly; hence, they preferred to participate from the upper floor's rooms. This way, even if they won the bid, their identities wouldn't be exposed.

When Li Xiaobai arrived, the second and third floors were already full.

He couldn't help but feel contempt in his heart; these hypocritical noblemen, upon hearing about Su Mei'er's Inner Armor, acted in such a way, despite usually priding themselves as righteous cultivators.

However, the more people who bid, the better his own profits would be.

He casually found a corner to sit down. Today, he was just a spectator and didn't dare to compete for a spot with those wealthy patrons, as they were his own Gods of Wealth and should be respected.

As more and more cultivators continued to arrive, looking for an empty room upstairs, Li Xiaobai spotted Xi Yao and the Two Sects' Holy Sons in the crowd. He had not expected that the Treasure Pavilion's energy was great enough to attract even the Saint Heir and the saintess of the Three Sects.

What he didn't know, however, was that Xi Yao had already taken note of him.

Originally, Li Xiaobai had gifted her a piano, which made Xi Yao extremely happy. Subconsciously she regarded it as a unique treasure, believing it to be the only one in the world and even named it after herself.

She felt as if she had formed some profound connection with the piano.

However, when she saw the Immortal Spirit Daily, she suddenly realized that something was amiss. The Treasure Pavilion was also auctioning off a piano, and it was even touted as a piano co-branded with Immortal Xi Yao.

In that instant, she understood that she had been duped. The gift of the piano wasn't meant to please her or any nonsense about it being fate for 'the instrument to find its master.'

The other party simply wanted to use her fame to jack up the piano's price in order to sell it at a high cost!

She had to admit, her economical master really had some tricks up his sleeve!

"Alright, fellow practitioners, your presence here today makes the Treasure Pavilion shine. I am Gu Ling, and to be honest, our auction has been held for many years, but this is the first time I've seen such a packed scene,"

"For this auction, I believe both sides will be extremely satisfied!"

Gu Ling said with a smile, secretly admiring Li Xiaobai in his heart. That kid's brain was really clever, just taking out two items that couldn't even be counted as Magic Treasures, and yet they made the Treasure Pavilion's popularity soar to an all-time high.

After this auction is over, no matter the outcome, the Treasure Pavilion's history must acknowledge his contribution!

"Gu Ling, stop beating around the bush. We've heard enough of the formalities. Let's get started, shall we? This time, I have enough Spirit Stones!"

Someone on the second floor spoke up. His voice was deep and full of confidence, clearly someone with deep pockets.

Li Xiaobai silently nodded to himself; everyone who came this time was an economic powerhouse, and they didn't disappoint him.

"Hehe, indeed, I've spoken too much. Well then, I declare the auction officially started. The rest of the time, I shall hand it over to the person in charge of the auction, Miss Yun Ya!"

With a slight smile, Gu Ling signaled for the host to take the stage.

"Ladies and gentlemen, today's auction will be conducted by Miss Yun Ya. Without further ado, please welcome the first auction item."

Yun Ya smiled, bowed to the audience, and her explosive figure caused the male cultivators to gulp.

She clapped her hands, and a servant holding a huge tray entered the venue. Li Xiaobai squinted his eyes; the first auction item, to keep the topic hot, was a name he had personally chosen for Gu Ling.

"Military Green Double-Breasted Coat with Copper Buttons!"

"This coat is made from the fur of the Tianzhu Mouse, capable of withstanding extreme cold, making it an unparalleled choice for those venturing into frigid, dangerous areas!"

On the tray lay a quiet army green coat, an item of clothing made from the fur of a Demonic Beast, designed to keep out the severe cold.

"Starting bid, one hundred high-grade Spirit Stones!"

After the introduction, Yun Ya announced the price.

A hush fell over the room, not because they didn't want to buy, but because they were stunned. They found themselves unable to comprehend the name of the coat.

What was military green?

What was a double-breasted coat with copper buttons?

Isn't this simply a coat made from the fur of the Tianzhu Mouse for cold protection?