Chapter 98: The Three Final Treasures

After Jiuyou successfully bid on the Soul Netherstone, one item after another was brought up onto the high platform in quick succession.

Some of these treasures, for specific cultivators, were worth no less than the Soul Netherstone, and some even vaguely surpassed it.

All sorts of materials and inner cores from shapeshifting demon beasts, Soul Coagulation Pills that aided Nascent Soul Formation, cultivation techniques that could reach profound heights, bizarre and unpredictable secret arts... everything was available, a dazzling display that left one's eyes spinning.

Jiuyou didn't waste many Spirit Stones bidding. He simply waited quietly.

These current items, though each valuable beyond measure, couldn't rapidly raise his cultivation level or quickly strengthen his methods. None of them were things he urgently needed. The truly good things were always saved for last.

With that thought in mind, Jiuyou simply closed his eyes to rest, sitting cross-legged to regulate his breathing, unwilling to waste even a single moment. However, his Divine Sense remained quietly observing the outside world, especially every new item brought up onto the high platform.

Time flew by, and soon the auction was approaching its finale.

One item after another was bid out at a pace that left one breathless. The crowd watched with mounting excitement, unable to help but marvel at the profound wealth of Precious Heaven Pavilion. Just this single auction alone was probably worth nearly a century of revenue for a major sect.

As yet another item was sold, Dong Yanwei's movements finally paused for a moment.

Though there had been a small hiccup during the auction process, the treasures sold so far had met his expectations, even vaguely surpassing them.

He swept his gaze across the crowd, smiling casually. Especially when his eyes passed over the dozens of private boxes overhead, his smile deepened by a few degrees. Then, he returned to normal, standing on the platform as if nothing had happened.

The enthusiasm of everyone present showed no sign of waning. All were filled with eager anticipation. Because everyone knew that what came next was the true highlight of the entire auction. Those treasures that could make Nascent Soul elders stand on their tiptoes to fight over were about to make their appearance.

"Everyone, these final three items are surely what many of the Nascent Soul fellow cultivators who traveled from afar truly want."

Dong Yanwei's voice was steady and powerful, each word landing clearly in everyone's ears.

"In this world, for us cultivators, nothing is more important than cultivation level, followed by strength and means of survival. If it weren't for strict orders from above, even I, Dong, wouldn't bear to put these three items up for auction."

As he spoke, he lightly patted the Storage Pouch at his waist.

Jiuyou ended his meditation at this moment, gazing downward with bright, focused eyes.

Judging by this display, even Precious Heaven Pavilion attached great importance to what was coming next. Otherwise, Dong Yanwei wouldn't have stored them directly in his own Storage Pouch.

The Storage Pouch shimmered with spiritual light, and from it flew out a specially made jade box. The box's surface was covered in layers of seals, with spiritual light flowing across it. Whatever was sealed inside was clearly extraordinary.

Dong Yanwei opened the jade box, revealing a black talisman lying quietly inside. The talisman's surface appeared utterly unremarkable, nothing special to see. But if it were truly an ordinary object, why would it be so treasured, sealed with layer upon layer, and presented as a finale item?

"Everyone, this talisman is called the Death Substitution Talisman."

Dong Yanwei raised the talisman for display, announcing in a clear voice.

"Don't let its appearance fool you. It may seem unremarkable."

"As the name suggests, once the user suffers a fatal attack, this talisman will activate on its own, blocking one lethal strike on the user's behalf and randomly teleporting them a hundred miles away to buy time for escape. Starting bid, one hundred mid-grade Spirit Stones."

The moment these words fell, the crowd erupted in commotion. Divine Sense communications within the Grand Hall became instantly lively, with whispers and murmurs filling the air.

Soon, someone made the opening bid.

Inside the private box, Jiuyou glanced at the Death Substitution Talisman with a completely indifferent expression. Clearly, this item didn't stir much feeling in him.

This talisman was indeed mystical, capable of blocking death for its owner once. But its function was singular and could only be used a single time. Perhaps for other Nascent Soul cultivators who weren't skilled in escape techniques, this was an extremely rare life-saving treasure.

But for him, Jiuyou, it was far less useful than Blood Soul Evasion or the Hundred-Mile Inch Hairpin. Naturally, there was no need to bid. Better to save his Spirit Stones and see what the next two items had to offer.

Though Jiuyou wasn't interested, that couldn't stop the enthusiasm of other cultivators.

The bidding voices rose wave after wave.

Indeed, treasures like this that saved one's life were always in high demand no matter which region you were in. Looking back at his past self, Jiuyou probably would have emptied his entire fortune to join the bidding frenzy, all for a single Death Substitution Talisman.

In the end, the Death Substitution Talisman was sold for nearly four hundred mid-grade Spirit Stones.

After all, it was still a single-use item, so the price didn't climb too high. The old monsters present had lived for centuries, each with their own calculations. They wouldn't blindly chase high prices like greenhorns. Once it reached their psychological threshold, they stopped in time.

After the Death Substitution Talisman was sold, Dong Yanwei took out a crystal-clear pinkish-blue pill from his Storage Pouch.

The pill emitted a faint, refreshing fragrance with spiritual light held within. One look told you it was no ordinary item.

"This pill is called the Purple Void Pill, a high-grade pill that assists Nascent Soul cultivators in their cultivation. Even when taken during a bottleneck breakthrough, it can add a slight chance of breaking through."

Dong Yanwei's voice sounded again, unhurried and steady.

Hearing this, Jiuyou's heart stirred as well.

A pill that could assist Nascent Soul cultivators in their training and even help with bottleneck breakthroughs would be a hot commodity no matter where it appeared. He placed a few bids, but they were quickly drowned out by other cultivators' offers.

Sure enough, no one was willing to yield on a pill like this.

After all, in the cultivation world, cultivation level was the root of everything. The bidding was several times more intense than the Death Substitution Talisman. The Spirit Stone figure climbed continuously, and in the end, it was snatched up at a high price by a cultivator in one of the boxes on the top floor.

Seeing the price had far exceeded his psychological expectations, Jiuyou stopped raising his bid and calmly withdrew his gaze.

Never mind. Opportunities to obtain such things would come again in the future. After all, he still had nearly a thousand years to live. There was no rush.

He leaned back into his chair once more, waiting for the final item.

After properly handing the Purple Void Pill to the winning bidder, Dong Yanwei took a deep breath. The smile on his face receded somewhat, replaced by solemnity.

"Everyone, what comes next is the final finale item of this auction."

His voice wasn't loud, yet it reached everyone present with perfect clarity.

The entire hall fell silent at once.

All eyes were fixed on Dong Yanwei. Even those cultivators who had been quietly conversing unanimously shut their mouths, holding their breath in anticipation.

Dong Yanwei struck his Storage Pouch. Amidst flashing spiritual light, an entirely golden, bowl-sized object slowly emerged, hovering in midair.

It was a seemingly ordinary bowl. Its body wasn't large, but its surface was densely carved with intricate golden patterns. The patterns layered upon one another, with spiritual light faintly circulating through them. It looked ancient and mysterious. The bowl's mouth faced upward, its base slightly tapered, with an overall dignified and substantial shape, exuding an indescribable pressure.

"This treasure is called the Golden Luo Lamp."

Dong Yanwei held up the golden bowl with both hands, his tone solemn.

"It is a rare high-grade ancient relic, possessing both the abilities to trap enemies and defend. Once activated, it can transform into a golden light barrier to protect the user and withstand powerful attacks. It can also release a golden light screen outward to trap opponents, making it difficult for them to escape. Offense and defense in one, with formidable power. It is truly an invaluable golden treasure."

He paused, sweeping his gaze across the crowd, lingering for a moment on the top-floor boxes.

"Starting bid, three hundred mid-grade Spirit Stones. Each increment must be no less than twenty."

As his words fell, the Grand Hall fell into complete silence.

Everyone's gaze was locked tightly onto the Golden Luo Lamp, their eyes filled with burning heat and desire. But no one made the first move. Everyone knew that the fight over this treasure would far surpass the previous two.

Jiuyou's gaze also fell upon that golden bowl, his expression shifting with emotion.

Though he possessed offensive treasures like the Golden Sun Heavenly Mountain and the Hundred-Mile Inch Hairpin for escape, an ancient relic that could both trap enemies and defend was indeed something he still lacked.

This Golden Luo Lamp suited him perfectly.