Chapter 323: Heart Darkness Fruit

After delivering his warning, Gao Yi wasted no words and immediately announced the start of the auction.

Just then, a graceful young woman emerged from the darkness at the back, holding a square tray simply covered with a red cloth. Intimidated by Gao Yi, no one dared to activate their spiritual sense to peek, instead patiently waiting for his announcement. After a moment of dramatic flair, Gao Yi lifted the red cloth.

"The first item in this auction is a top-grade magical artifact, the Bloodflame Fork!"

As the red cloth was lifted, a blood-red, fork-shaped artifact appeared in everyone's view. Its two prongs were extremely sharp, and it was only the length of an adult's palm, but everyone understood that this was not the artifact's true form. Once activated, it would certainly not remain this small.

Qin Sang also knew this was standard auction practice: the quality of the treasures would gradually increase, step by step, until the final, most important item appeared, bringing the auction to its climax. At that point, everyone's emotions would be thoroughly stirred.

Although the first item was merely a top-grade magical artifact, no one was disappointed. For Foundation Establishment cultivators, talismans were beyond their aspirations. Especially for rogue cultivators, most were fortunate to possess one or two supreme-grade magical artifacts; top-grade artifacts were what they used most frequently in their daily lives. The trio led by Yu Daiyue, who had besieged Qin Sang, were no exception.

The young man in tight-fitting clothes possessed two supreme-grade magical artifacts—a Rainbow Silk Umbrella and a flying sword. However, their quality was among the lowest tier of supreme-grade artifacts, selling for at most 1,500 low-grade spirit stones. Both combined were still no match for the scarred man's flying sword.

The scarred man had only recently broken through to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage. He had spent a great deal gathering spirit herbs to aid his breakthrough, leaving him with only this flying sword and a Thunder Talisman as a trump card. He had thought that killing Qin Sang, a disciple of Shaohua Mountain, would allow him to make a fortune. Unexpectedly, he ended up losing his own life.

Although Yu Daiyue had also painstakingly cultivated, as a sect disciple, his assets were more substantial than the scarred man's. Both his flying sword and his octagonal bronze mirror were considered upper-middle tier among supreme-grade artifacts, each worth over 2,000 low-grade spirit stones.

Of course, these were just estimates. In actual transactions, prices could fluctuate significantly based on the artifact's specific effects and the demand from both parties. For instance, the scarred man's flying sword was definitely a rare spiritual sword and belonged to the most valuable weapon category. If it found a suitable buyer, selling it for 5,000 low-grade spirit stones was not out of the question.

Qin Sang silently assessed his own resources while listening to Gao Yi's introduction.

"The Bloodflame Fork, once activated, unleashes thousands of fork shadows that fly together, confusing the opponent while its true form remains hidden within the shadows. Of course, if that were its only ability, the Bloodflame Fork would not be presented here. Its true killing move is a poisonous flame sealed within it. Once an opponent's spiritual energy comes into contact with it, the poisonous flame will cling to their bones like maggots, instantly spreading throughout their entire body..."

"As expected," Qin Sang thought to himself. Top-grade artifacts presented at an auction were never simple. With the poisonous flame sealed within it, the Bloodflame Fork's value was no less than the tight-clothed young man's flying sword.

Gao Yi explained and demonstrated the Bloodflame Fork's abilities. When the fork shadows finally vanished, Gao Yi placed the Bloodflame Fork back on the tray. "The owner of the Bloodflame Fork has set its starting price at 500 low-grade spirit stones, or a magical artifact that can conceal one's aura!"

Trading the Bloodflame Fork for an aura-concealing artifact suggested that its owner also understood the art of self-preservation. However, aura-concealing artifacts were even more precious, and Qin Sang doubted he would be able to make such a trade.

No sooner had Gao Yi finished speaking than someone immediately called out a bid.

"Five hundred fifty low-grade spirit stones..."

"Five hundred eighty..."

Surprisingly, the price quickly soared to 1,300 low-grade spirit stones before the bidding frenzy began to subside. Qin Sang's prediction was correct: everyone, without prior agreement, purchased with spirit stones, and no one offered an artifact in exchange.

"Seventeen hundred low-grade spirit stones!"

After several rounds of bidding, only a few scattered individuals remained in contention. A cultivator in a brocade robe suddenly raised the bid by 200 spirit stones. He then bowed slightly and said with a smile, "I am in need of such a weapon. This is my final offer. If any fellow Daoists wish to bid higher, I shall withdraw."

This price far exceeded Gao Yi's expectations. For the first item to fetch such a high price was an auspicious start, bringing a hint of pleasant surprise to Gao Yi's voice. He announced, "This fellow Daoist has bid 1,700 low-grade spirit stones. Are there any other fellow Daoists willing to increase the bid, or offer an aura-concealing artifact of equivalent value?"

There was no reply. Gao Yi waited for a moment longer, then announced that the Bloodflame Fork belonged to the cultivator in the brocade robe.

Subsequently, treasures were auctioned off one after another. The auction atmosphere gradually became tense, and some treasures even sparked exceptionally fierce bidding wars, with prices being pushed higher and higher.

Qin Sang's objective was clear, and he remained calm throughout. He participated in two bids for desirable artifacts he saw along the way, but after careful consideration, he chose to give up.

"Heart-Nourishing Fruit!"

Gao Yi's voice was now imbued with passion and allure. With a flourish, he swept aside the red cloth, revealing a purple fruit on the tray for all to see. The fruit resembled a plum, its skin exceptionally thin, allowing one to clearly see the flowing pulp inside. Its surface was sealed with a restriction to prevent the medicinal properties from dissipating.

Upon seeing the Heart-Nourishing Fruit, Qin Sang's eyes flickered. He had heard about the Heart-Nourishing Fruit from Wandering Cloud; it was known to nourish a cultivator's soul. Furthermore, if a cultivator's soul was injured, directly consuming the Heart-Nourishing Fruit had an auxiliary restorative effect. Wandering Cloud himself had once taken one, but unfortunately, it had no effect on him.

Protected by the Jade Buddha, Qin Sang had no need for this item. He leaned back in his chair, ready to observe.

Just then, Qin Sang unexpectedly noticed the burly man in the corner suddenly straighten up, gripping his thighs tightly with both hands, his gaze fixed intently on the Heart-Nourishing Fruit. Even with a mask obscuring his face, Qin Sang could sense his excitement. Throughout the auction so far, the burly man had remained silent. This was his first action, and it clearly revealed his eagerness. Could his soul be injured? Qin Sang subtly observed the man, but he didn't seem to be.

"The Heart-Nourishing Fruit has a starting price of 1,000 low-grade spirit stones, or a flying sword artifact."

No sooner had Gao Yi finished speaking than the burly man suddenly cried out anxiously, "Can it only be exchanged for flying swords and spirit stones? What about other spirit herbs?"

Gao Yi's brow furrowed slightly as he stated, "The owner of the Heart-Nourishing Fruit only accepts spirit stones and flying swords. If you do not have a flying sword but desire the Heart-Nourishing Fruit, you may present your spirit herbs and exchange them with other fellow Daoists present..."

This was a long-standing rule of the auction: for transactions between bidders, Gao Yi would also serve as a witness, at the cost of taking a cut for himself.

Immediately, a black-robed figure spoke up, asking, "May I inquire what spirit herbs you possess, fellow Daoist? If their value is sufficient, I can help you bid for the Heart-Nourishing Fruit and then exchange it with you."

Qin Sang's heart stirred. He also sent a voice transmission to the burly man to inquire. He had three spiritual swords in his possession. If the spirit herbs in the man's hands were valuable enough, he might as well bid for the Heart-Nourishing Fruit.

Everyone could see the burly man's eagerness. Driven by the desire to snap up a bargain, quite a few people sent voice transmissions to communicate with him.