After that brief silence, the hall erupted. No one would allow one person to take everything. Not to mention, when they saw Soul-Nurturing Wood on the list, some forces instantly shifted priorities and funneled their funds toward it. Even with Luo Chen's aggressive bid, others still followed suit and competed closely.

"Two million three hundred thousand! Fellow Daoist, I've been watching your earlier bids. You were going after water- and earth-element materials, so you must be crafting a treasure of that nature. This Soul-Nurturing Wood carries yin qi, which doesn't quite match what you need. The Qian family needs this. Why not give us some face?"

Luo Chen glanced toward the private room where the voice came from. He did not respond directly, but the five words that followed showed exactly how much he valued the Qian family's reputation. "Two million five hundred thousand!"

"You—" The Qian family cultivator clearly had not expected Luo Chen to be so dismissive.

Before they could issue any threats, a third bidder cut into this silent battle. "Two million seven hundred thousand!"

The same graceful female voice then drifted out, laced with a faint sneer. "Qian Ting, you've been throwing your weight around on Coldlight Island for too long. Do you really think everyone has to give face to your family?"

Qian Ting, the man inside the Qian family's private room, wore resplendent golden robes and a grim expression. He recognized that voice. She was Luo Yuqing, the master of another Immortal Island backed by a thousand-year inheritance. Her forces were not especially large, but they were independent and self-sufficient. The Qian family could not do the same and still relied on others.

Qian Ting's face darkened. He said coldly, "Luo Yuqing, bid whatever you want. I am taking it anyway! Three million!"

In a short span, the starting price of one million had tripled. The intensity of the bidding stunned the onlookers. Those who wished to compete but lacked the means had been forced out at this level. The atmosphere froze for a moment. Then, with a soft laugh from Leng Ruolan, the bidding resumed.

"The Qian family of Coldlight bids three million. Does anyone wish to continue?" 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"Three million five hundred thousand!"

Again, it came from a second-floor private room—he same unknown rogue cultivator! Qian Ting felt as if he had been slapped across the face and replied bitterly, "Three million six hundred thousand!"

Luo Chen remained unyielding. "Four million!"

What insane bidding! Each increment was a few hundred thousand, and even a full million! The confidence and wealth on display stunned everyone present. After a few rounds, the Cold Elegance Sect represented by Luo Yuqing had no choice but to withdraw.

"This auction is for securing cultivation resources for our disciples. We can't afford to spend all our spirit stones on a nonessential piece of Soul-Nurturing Wood." Luo Yuqing shook her head. "Forget it. Let them fight over it."

Such was the nature of sects. They were wealthy and powerful, yes, but their resources did not belong to any single individual. When it came to a specific treasure, they could not bid without restraint unless the entire sect agreed. The same held true for cultivation families. Even though he was the head of the Qian family, Qian Ting found himself caught in a dilemma as Luo Chen continued to raise the bids. This amount was simply too much. With that sum, he could secure one or even two top-grade enchanted treasures, strengthening the family's cultivators and adding to their foundation. To spend it all on a single piece of Soul-Nurturing Wood...

After a moment's hesitation, he fell silent, as if his earlier resolve had been nothing more than bluster. A nearby family cultivator could not hold back. "Patriarch, the Young Patriarch has a special aptitude. If we can make up for his weakness in the divine soul, he has a real chance of reaching the Nascent Soul Realm. The Soul-Nurturing Wood is right in front of us! How can we give up even if it costs us more?"

"Nonsense! Everyone claims they have a shot at the Nascent Soul Realm, but how many actually make it? How can I put the entire family at risk just for my son's future?" Qian Ting scolded him, then gritted his teeth. "Besides... who said I'm giving up?"

The cultivator froze. Qian Ting beckoned, and the cultivator stepped closer. "Go and investigate that rogue guy's background and whereabouts."

The cultivator member blinked, seemingly realizing something.

"Go," Qian Ting waved him off, already scheming. "He's just in a standard esteemed guest room granted by the Heaven Origin Tower. Doesn't look like he has any strong backing of his own. If we handle this right, we won't just save those spirit stones; we'll even get the Soul-Nurturing Wood for free. And who knows... there could be more to gain."

***

Inside the private room, Luo Chen watched as Leng Ruolan called for further bids twice, yet no one responded. He let out a quiet breath of relief. Within certain bounds, spending power was also strength. With five million spirit stones on the table, as long as no Sage intervened, he stood above the rest. If a Sage did not act, who could contend with him? Still, spending five million on an item that wasn't for himself made his heart ache.

But Luo Chen knew his priorities. Compared to the Nascent Core Art and a complete Nascent Soul Pill formula, this expense is nothing.

Just as he was settling down, a new voice suddenly rang out in the hall. "Five million one hundred thousand!"

Luo Chen's eyes narrowed as he glanced upward. The voice came from a private room on the third floor... a room belonging to the Blue Sea Alliance!

Five million was already his limit. If he crafted the defensive enchanted treasure himself, without a master artisan, the losses would be heavy. The materials alone would cost up to two million spirit stones, and repeated failures would only drive the cost higher. He had planned to keep a few million in reserve for contingencies. But now...

Just as Luo Chen hesitated, Han Zhan's urgent voice rang out. "Luo Chen, you promised me!"

Luo Chen took a deep breath and spoke loudly, "Five million five hundred thousand!"

As always, the bid came in strong and domineering. On the stage, Leng Ruolan was practically beaming. "Five million five hundred thousand from this Fellow Daoist. Fellow Daoist from the Blue Sea Alliance, are you still in?"

Without much hesitation, the Adept from the Blue Sea Alliance spoke directly, "I also bid five million five hundred thousand!"

Leng Ruolan's expression stiffened, then she said with displeasure, "Fellow Daoist, each new bid must exceed the last. Surely you're aware of that rule?"

The Adept from the Blue Sea Alliance smiled. "Of course I am. But the auction list also states that if someone can meet the Soul-Nurturing Wood owner's special conditions, the price can be negotiated. Since this cultivator and I are offering the same amount, why not arrange for us to meet the owner and discuss it privately?"

Leng Ruolan was briefly taken aback, then showed clear displeasure. A private negotiation would leave Jadecold City with little commission, unless the result of that negotiation was for some odd reason an increase in price. Still, the rules had already been set, so she could not refuse. She asked Luo Chen once more if he wished to raise his bid. After he declined, she immediately had someone arrange the meeting. The auction then continued as usual.