Mid-Tier Zhuque

The fervent gazes from the audience filled the elder on stage with a sense of pride. Given the situation, this Martial Technique scroll was destined to fetch a handsome price. It was no wonder that its appearance had set the hall ablaze. On the Martial Deity Continent, one's strength is determined by three factors: their level, the grade of the technique they cultivate, and the strength of their Martial Techniques. For a strong individual, the primary factor is their level. A King is definitely stronger than a Warrior, a concept understood by all. However, between two Kings of the same crystal level, the one with a higher grade technique is undoubtedly stronger. Although different techniques might counter each other, in the face of grade disparity, such aspects can be overlooked. Lastly, for a strong individual, Martial Techniques are crucial. Only high-grade Martial Techniques can fully unleash a fighter's potential, and some peculiar techniques can even enable the weak to overcome the strong. Moreover, techniques and skills can be passed down within families, benefiting future generations. Therefore, on the Martial Deity Continent, high-grade techniques and Martial Techniques are highly coveted.

"The Vermilion Bird Intermediate Martial Technique, Azure Cloud Hands, renders one's hands as sharp as blades, with movements as fluid as drifting clouds and flowing water. For those accustomed to unarmed combat, this is an exceptionally rare and mystical technique," the elder casually explained the prowess of the technique, his gaze then drifting towards the VIP seats. "I wonder how much interest our esteemed guests have in this item?"

"Vermilion Bird Intermediate, eh..." Li Yi, sitting in a corner, narrowed his eyes and let out a breath. No wonder the maid had mentioned that today's auction would interest even the most influential figures. The Li family's secret Vermilion Bird Intermediate Martial Technique was always reserved for the family head, and now, an equivalent technique was presented before the crowd. Obtaining it meant a shortcut to becoming a strong fighter, perhaps even challenging the Li family in a few years. Intrigued by the description, even Li Yi, with his disposition, considered bidding for it.

"Just a Vermilion Bird Intermediate Martial Technique; what's there to sigh about? If you agree to take me as your master, I'll immediately gift you a Vermilion Bird Advanced Martial Technique..." The voice of the Serpent Venerable echoed faintly in Li Yi's mind.

"Whatever..." Li Yi rolled his eyes, ignoring the Old Coot, and refocused on the auction. The elder on stage, with a broad smile, slowly held up the Martial Technique scroll and said, "This scroll is the culmination of half a lifetime's effort by a mercenary, piecing together fragments of Martial Techniques. As you all know, although fragments are not valuable on the Martial Deity Continent, compiling a complete technique is incredibly challenging. Plus, this ensures the scroll's legitimate origins, allowing you to bid with confidence!"

"Enough talk! Start the bidding!" someone in the audience shouted impatiently.

The elder chuckled lightly, "Considering the rarity of a Vermilion Bird grade technique, I need not say more. Such an item deserves a price that matches its stature, don't you agree? Thus, the starting bid for this item is... one hundred thousand gold coins!" After a momentary pause, he announced a price that sent a wave of astonishment through the crowd. Such an amount was beyond the reach of many mercenaries, even after a lifetime on the battlefield. The elder's gaze returned to the VIP seats, clearly indicating that only they were likely to afford the last two items.

In the corner, Li Yi couldn't help but shake his head. He had thought his fifty thousand gold coins might give him a chance at the Vermilion Bird Intermediate Martial Technique, but now he realized he was far from meeting the threshold, which left him quite frustrated. After a brief silence in the hall, a man in the VIP seats led the bidding, saying nonchalantly, "One hundred and twenty thousand gold coins!"

Li Yi followed the gaze to the bidder, a young man named Long Aotian, no more than twenty-five years old, from one of the three great families of Wanchao City, the Long family. He was known for his similar nature to the young Li Yi, being fond of pleasures, with the only difference being that Long Aotian had already reached the level of a one-crystal Fighter. At the moment, he was attended by two gorgeously dressed women, his expression indifferent to the auction. However, Li Yi noticed the slight contraction of his pupils, a sign of Long Aotian's nervousness.

Yet, as Long Aotian was there, Li Yi wondered if members of the Li and Mo families had also arrived. While he pondered, a middle-aged man smiled slightly, glanced at Long Aotian, and signaled the stage, calmly offering, "One hundred and fifty thousand gold coins!"

Long Aotian, without blinking, took a sip of his amber-colored wine and said softly, "Two hundred and fifty thousand gold coins!"

The middle-aged man glanced at Long Aotian and chuckled, "It seems Young Master Long is determined to win this Martial Technique."

Long Aotian glanced back and replied indifferently, "It's Mo Er Ye, is it? I thought some blind fool dared to compete with Long Aotian. If it were your family's young mistress begging me, I might consider it, but for you, I think not."

The man known as Mo Er Ye, upon hearing these words, didn't get angry but just hummed softly and muttered, "An ignorant youngster, thinking he can squander money just because his family has some?" Despite his words, Mo Er Ye still clapped his hands and calmly said, "Two hundred and eighty thousand gold coins!" The main hall fell silent at this suddenly escalated bid, many eyes turned towards the VIP seats, their expressions a mix of envy and jealousy. Li Yi, watching the ongoing bidding war, especially at Long Aotian, murmured, "Both the Long and Mo families are here, the Li family probably couldn't stay away, could they?" Sure enough, before he even finished speaking, laughter came from behind, and an elder, escorted by a maid, slowly walked in. After casually sitting down, he glanced at the stage and said indifferently, "Three hundred thousand gold coins!" He then looked at both Long Aotian and Mo Er Ye and chuckled, "Mo Er Ye, Young Master Long, you're both quite unfair... not informing me about such fine items at the auction. If I had missed this, I would've regretted it for life."

Li Yi turned towards the voice and secretly sneered; the newcomer was the Third Elder of his Li family. Long Aotian casually glanced at the Third Elder and said indifferently, "So it's you, old man. You shouldn't wander around at your age; this place isn't quite suitable for you..." Mo Er Ye, however, showed a slight smile and softly said, "Third Elder, long time no see."

The Third Elder bowed slightly, his gaze then fixed on the auction stage, a flash of eagerness passing through his eyes, clearly also determined to obtain the Vermilion Bird Intermediate Martial Technique. The elder on the auction stage, seeing this scene, became even more excited. Without the bidding of these three great families, how could the price have soared? Seeing a few friendly exchanges among the VIP guests, he coughed lightly and said in a deep voice, "Three hundred thousand gold coins! Is there a higher bid?"

This statement immediately tensed the atmosphere that had slightly relaxed among the VIPs. While Mo Er Ye was still hesitating, Long Aotian, pushing away the maid beside him, slowly stood up. He looked coldly at the Third Elder and said with a chilling tone, "Three hundred and seventy thousand gold coins!" The Third Elder's eyes twitched, and after a moment, he said in a low voice, "Three hundred and eighty thousand gold coins!"

"Four hundred thousand gold coins!" After Long Aotian announced this bid, he sat back down. At this price, both the Third Elder and Mo Er Ye hesitated to continue bidding. For any of the three great families, this was no small sum, and spending it all at once could mean difficult times ahead. Seeing their hesitation, Long Aotian's eyes gleamed with triumph. Four hundred thousand gold coins were his limit, but as a Fighter, he understood the immense value of a Vermilion Bird Intermediate Martial Technique. The money could be earned back, but this chance might be once in a lifetime! Just as he was about to break into a smile, a suddenly cold voice came from a corner. "Five hundred thousand gold coins!"