Chapter 480: Auction Begins

"No wonder..." Zhang Xuan nodded. If it was truly their auction house, the Soulless Goldenman could definitely be purchased, and there wouldn't be any uncertainty.

"Have you appraised this Soulless Goldenman? What exactly is it?" Zhang Xuan asked again, seeing that the auction below hadn't started yet. With five thousand spirit stones in hand, he not only repaid the hundred spirit stones he had borrowed for the trials but also compensated an additional hundred. This meant he now had four thousand spirit stones in total. Although Pavilion Master Sai had vowed it would be enough, Zhang Xuan still wanted to inquire for more details to make a proper judgment.

"Yes!" Pavilion Master Sai nodded. "About a month ago, an elder came to the Appraisal Hall and asked me to appraise an item. This item was made entirely of golden metal, as if cast from gold, and looked like a puppet. After much research, I found it to be identical to the legendary Soulless Goldenman. I then had Elder Lu and Elder Chen confirm it simultaneously before settling on the identification."

"This golden figure is incredibly hard. It was likely forged using a special secret method, by having a living person ingest golden metal. Its entire form is smooth and seamless, with no aura leaking out. Formations are set up inside, allowing it to be driven by spirit stones, making its power limitless. In terms of combat strength alone, it is comparable to a Transcendent Mortal 3-dan expert."

"While alive... So the Soulless Goldenman isn't cast, but rather refined from a living person?" Zhang Xuan was stunned. He had only heard a casual mention of Witch Soul Masters from Hall Master Luo and knew nothing of the specifics. When he first heard of the Soulless Goldenman, he thought it was an artificial creation, like those encountered in the Master Teacher Hall trials. Hearing this, it was clearly different.

"Of course not! Artificial puppets, like crafted treasures, will eventually develop their own sentience over time. A human soul cannot fully infiltrate them, and even if it could, control would be somewhat lacking. This is similar to tools like weapons and armor; they are convenient to use but won't feel as natural as one's own limbs," Pavilion Master Sai explained.

Zhang Xuan nodded. No matter how handy a tool was, it couldn't compare to one's own hands and limbs. Artificial puppets were essentially artificial weapons; even if a soul could control them, it wouldn't be as smooth as wielding an actual weapon.

"The Soulless Goldenman is different. It is refined from a living person, with its entire body cast in bronze and iron. Not only is its defense unparalleled, but its strength is also extremely formidable. The most crucial point is that it can perfectly accommodate a soul, allowing for easy control. It's said that Witch Soul Masters possess powerful control over souls, but their physical bodies and combat strength are very weak. They rely on controlling these creations with their souls to become invincible and inspire dread," Pavilion Master Sai explained.

Zhang Xuan understood, a chill running down his spine. To refine living people into puppets solely for self-protection... this profession was truly bizarre and evil.

"In ancient times, Witch Soul Masters were as notorious as Poison Masters, both widely feared. It is said that they could forcibly extract a person's soul from their body using their powerful soul control, and then refine the body into a golden figure. Some powerful Witch Soul Masters could even create a terrifying army of golden figures," Pavilion Master Sai continued. "It was precisely for this reason that they faced opposition from other professions. The Master Teacher Hall personally intervened to eliminate them, causing their legacy to be severed. I only managed to confirm the existence of this item because I had read descriptions of Soulless Goldenmen in many ancient texts; otherwise, I might have genuinely mistaken it for an ordinary puppet."

"I've heard that this profession... can awaken dormant souls. Is that true?" Zhang Xuan asked, suppressing his nervousness. Although Luo Qianhong was a 3-star master teacher, her knowledge was certainly inferior to that of Pavilion Master Sai, a 4-star appraiser. Asking him would likely yield a more accurate answer.

"Souls are complex and mysterious. Only a 7-star master teacher can delve into them; otherwise, no matter how powerful one is, even at the peak of Transcendent Mortal 9-dan, they wouldn't dare touch them. If one lacks the power, the only ones capable of such a feat would be Witch Soul Masters! This profession can even extract the souls of living people, so awakening dormant souls should be effortless," Pavilion Master Sai said with a grave expression.

Hearing the confirmation, Zhang Xuan breathed a sigh of relief once more.

"Alright, the auction has started!" As the two conversed, a clamor arose from below. Turning to look, they indeed saw that the auction had already begun.

The one presiding over the auction was none other than Elder Chen. As a 4-star appraiser and an elder of the Appraisal Hall, he commanded more credibility, making people trust the authenticity of the treasures more.

"Today's auction features a total of thirty-five items, including weapons, armor, antiques, calligraphy, exotic treasures from beyond the heavens, and ancient golden puppets. Each item has been appraised by our Appraisal Hall, given an accurate assessment, and meticulously reviewed, with no falsification whatsoever." Elder Chen's presence was imposing as he surveyed the crowd. Upon reaching the auction platform, he had once again transformed into the unparalleled 4-star appraiser, no longer the man who had been tormented by Sun Qiang, spitting blood profusely.

"Thirty-five items? So many treasures?" "Of course. The Appraisal Hall's auction is held only once a year, and everything sold is priceless. Otherwise, do you think just anyone could get an invitation?" "I've been preparing for a long time. There's something here I absolutely must have, I have to buy it..." As the introduction was made, discussions buzzed among the attendees.

The auction hall was somewhat similar to a regular arena, circular in shape. VIPs like Pavilion Master Sai were in private rooms, while there were still many scattered seats below. These attendees included rogue cultivators and guests from influential families, all of whom had prepared for a long time, intending to purchase the items they desired.

"It seems the Soulless Goldenman is very appealing; many experts have come!" Pavilion Master Sai remarked, looking down through the window. "Indeed!" Jin Conghai also nodded. He was a Transcendent Mortal 4-dan expert and had been with the Myriad Kingdom Alliance royal family for a long time, knowing almost all the renowned experts within the alliance. Although this auction was only for Honghai City, a glance revealed many experts whose strength was not inferior to his, and even several who were stronger, which was startling. Usually, auctions didn't draw so many people; their appearance now clearly indicated they were all here for the Soulless Goldenman.

"I'm afraid three thousand spirit stones might not be enough to buy it!" After observing for a while longer, Pavilion Master Sai's face became solemn, and he let out a helpless bitter smile. He had previously estimated the golden figure's value to be around 1500 spirit stones, and even if the auction price doubled, it would only be three thousand. Now, with so many experts present, it would likely not be easy to acquire it at that price.

"Let's take it one step at a time! If it's not enough, Pavilion Master Sai, you can just lend me more money!" Zhang Xuan chuckled. "Uh..." Pavilion Master Sai rolled his eyes. It seemed this fellow hadn't forgotten that part.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please quiet down. The auction officially begins now. We will present the first auction item!" After allowing the audience to express their awe, Elder Chen smiled faintly, waved his hand, and made a grasping motion forward. With a soft rumble, the stone platform in front of them slowly rose from beneath the ground, revealing a long, narrow jade box. When the jade box opened, a crystal-clear plant appeared before everyone. Its icy chill was bone-piercing and soul-penetrating; even from a distance, it gave one the sensation of being instantly frozen into an icicle.

"This is a five-hundred-year-old Frigid Ice Spirit Herb. It has remarkable effects for those who cultivate ice-element cultivation techniques. If refined into a pill and consumed, one's cultivation will definitely surge. The starting bid is 220 spirit stones, and each bid increment must not be less than 20 spirit stones!"

"Frigid Ice Herb? It can be used to refine a 4-dan Ice Soul Pill! Not only is it useful for those cultivating ice-element techniques, but it also has a significant effect on Transcendent Mortal 3-dan Yin-Yang Mirror cultivators!" "Indeed, a true treasure! As expected of the Appraisal Hall's annual auction, it shows its extraordinary nature right from the start!" "I want this Frigid Ice Spirit Herb, 240 spirit stones!" "You think you can buy a five-hundred-year-old spirit medicine with that little money? Dream on! 260 spirit stones!" "It's mine! 300 spirit stones..."

Although the first item was just a spirit herb, it instantly ignited the atmosphere. Frigid Ice Herbs were already rare, let alone one that had reached the five-hundred-year mark. Before long, its price was driven up to 500 spirit stones, with the final transaction price reaching 540 spirit stones!

"As expected of an auction, it's truly lively..." Zhang Xuan couldn't help but exclaim at the sight. In his estimation, the item was only worth about 300 spirit stones, yet it was driven up to 540, nearly double its value. He feared the Soulless Goldenman would indeed be as difficult to acquire as Pavilion Master Sai had suggested.

Next up was the second item: a special ore. Adding just a trace of it during weapon refinement could significantly increase the weapon's power and sharpness. As soon as the ore was presented, the bidding became even more furious than for the Frigid Ice Herb. Weapons were constant companions for cultivators; the higher their quality, the greater their ability to preserve life. Who would want to miss out on such a valuable item? Soon, the price exceeded 600 spirit stones, and it was ultimately acquired by a middle-aged man for 720 spirit stones.

"The third item is a longsword named 'Cold Yin.' It was forged three hundred years ago by Jiu Muzi, a peak 4-star artifact forger, from thirty-seven types of ore, the most precious of which was a Yin-Cold Stone. When wielded by cultivators with Yin or Ice attributes, its power doubles, allowing them to unleash even greater combat strength!" Elder Chen took out a longsword, gently drew it from its scabbard, and instantly, a cold light radiated, its aura astonishing.

"This is a spirit-tier mid-grade weapon. It can cut through iron like mud and possesses unparalleled power. The starting bid is 500 spirit stones, and each bid increment must not be less than 50 spirit stones!"

"The Cold Yin Sword? I've heard of it; it's a very powerful sword used by a woman!" "A spirit-tier mid-grade weapon is more than sufficient even for a Transcendent Mortal 4-dan expert. 500 spirit stones isn't expensive, I'll take it!" "I'm saving this for my cultivation partner, so don't even think about it. 550 spirit stones..."

As the longsword was presented, eyes below instantly burned with eagerness.

"This item isn't bad, Zhao Ya, do you want it?" Zhang Xuan's eyes also lit up as he glanced at it, then turned to look at Zhao Ya. Given Zhao Ya's Pure Yin Physique, this longsword was perfectly suited for her. If he could buy it and give it to her, her combat strength would surely increase significantly.

"No, let's save the money to buy the Soulless Goldenman and awaken Lu Chong. I... don't want it!"