Just then, an Immortal King Cultivator in the crowd suddenly asked.

"Uh, Senior Wang, you said that even that master couldn’t comprehend the stone tablet. Could it be because the stone tablet is damaged?"

"You see, a corner of this stone tablet is missing. Could the crucial runes be in the missing part?"

His words instantly resonated with everyone, and the Cultivators present nodded in agreement.

If such an important Enlightenment Stone was intact, why would that master easily put it up for auction?

The incompleteness of the stone tablet indeed made people doubt its value.

Wang Xiangming had anticipated this, and a calm smile still hung on his face as he reassured them.

"Everyone, rest assured. Regarding the damage to the stone tablet, our Chamber of Commerce’s Elders have already meticulously inspected it countless times."

"It can be confirmed that only a small part of the edge is missing from the stone tablet, not the core body."

"There are no crucial runes engraved on it, and it absolutely does not hinder anyone from comprehending the true meaning of the Space Law within the stone tablet!"

"So everyone can bid with confidence!"

"After buying it, if there are exceptionally talented disciples in your sect, they might be able to master the Space Law and soar to greatness."

Hearing Wang Xiangming’s assurance, the doubts in everyone’s hearts immediately dissipated considerably.

"Alright, back to the main topic."

"This ancient Enlightenment Stone has a starting price of ten million Immortal Stones, and each bid must not be less than one million Immortal Stones! Now, let the bidding begins."

"Hiss."

Upon hearing the starting price, everyone present gasped, their faces revealing shock.

Ten million Immortal Stones!

This was no small sum; even some Immortal King Cultivators might not be able to produce so many Immortal Stones at once.

And each bid could not be less than one million!

Everyone exchanged glances, seeing helplessness in each other’s eyes.

At such a price, few Cultivators present could afford it; perhaps only those Immortal Emperors could bid for it.

Just as everyone was still marveling at the exorbitant price, a cold voice came from the first row.

"Eleven million."

Everyone looked over, only to see that the speaker was a man in a black robe, one of the three Early Stage Immortal Emperors.

The black-robed man wore a black mask, completely obscuring his face, making it impossible to see his true appearance.

One could only feel the aloof aura emanating from him, warning others to keep their distance.

Seeing an Immortal Emperor take the lead in bidding, those Immortal King Cultivators who had originally wanted to try bidding immediately abandoned the idea.

Although they were also quite tempted by the stone tablet, competing with an Immortal Emperor Expert was undoubtedly courting death.

No one wanted to offend an Immortal Emperor Expert over a stone tablet.

For a moment, the scene fell into a brief silence; no one dared to speak easily again.

Wang Xiangming’s gaze swept across the entire hall, and he asked loudly.

"This Fellow Daoist has bid eleven million. Is there any other Fellow Daoist willing to raise the bid?"

"This opportunity is rare; if you miss this, there might never be such an opportunity again."

He asked twice in a row, but the scene remained silent; clearly, no one dared to contend with an Immortal Emperor.

Seeing no response, Fang Hong could only participate in the bidding.

"Twelve million."

Everyone looked at Fang Hong; the mysterious expert who had bought the Three-Patterned Peach Sapling had spoken again.

"Thirteen million."

As soon as Fang Hong finished his bid, the black-robed masked man immediately raised the price, seemingly very interested in the stone tablet.

"Fourteen million." Fang Hong continued to follow without the slightest hesitation.

"Fifteen million."

"Sixteen million."

...

Inside the auction hall, only Fang Hong and the black-robed masked man’s alternating bids remained, one after another, neither giving way.

The price of the stone tablet rapidly soared, from the initial ten million, it quickly surpassed twenty million, thirty million, and moved towards an even higher price.

The surrounding low-level Cultivators watched dumbfounded, discussing among themselves:

"My heavens. This is too crazy. In just a short moment, the price has more than tripled."

"As expected of an Immortal Emperor Expert, truly wealthy. A casual increase is one million."

Exclamations and discussions rose and fell, and everyone’s gaze shifted back and forth between Fang Hong and the black-robed masked man.

Wang Xiangming stood on the stage, a smile on his face.

He had originally thought that three million would be the limit for this stone tablet, but he hadn’t expected the price to continue rising, which had far exceeded his expectations.

After a while of contention, the black-robed masked man seemed a bit impatient and suddenly spoke, adding two million at once. "Forty million."

As soon as this price was announced, the scene instantly erupted in an uproar, with exclamations echoing incessantly.

Adding two million at once, this was simply squandering money.

It showed the black-robed masked man’s determination to win this stone tablet, and he also wanted to use this to deter Fang Hong, making him retreat in the face of difficulty.

Everyone looked at Fang Hong, wanting to see if he would continue to bid.

The black-robed masked man also turned to look at Fang Hong, seemingly convinced that Fang Hong was no longer able to keep up.

Fang Hong didn’t respond immediately, and Wang Xiangming was also a little excited: "Forty million. Does this Fellow Daoist still want to raise the bid?"

After about three breaths of time, just when everyone thought Fang Hong had given up, he calmly said.

"Fifty million."

"What."

"Fifty million?"

The scene once again erupted in exclamations; everyone was stunned by Fang Hong’s bid.

The black-robed masked man adding two million at once was already crazy enough, but Fang Hong directly added ten million, even crazier.

The black-robed masked man’s body visibly stiffened; clearly, he hadn’t expected Fang Hong to be so generous.

Wang Xiangming laughed loudly.

"Good, good, good. This Fellow Daoist has bid fifty million! Does this Fellow Daoist still follow?"

As he spoke, he stared intently at the black-robed masked man, hoping the price would reach a new high.

The black-robed masked man fell silent, and the scene was dead quiet; everyone was waiting for his decision.

After about five breaths of time, the black-robed masked man seemed to have made up his mind and spoke again.

"Fifty-two million Immortal Stones."

As soon as this price was announced, everyone gasped again; it seemed this bidding war was not over yet.

However, before everyone could react, Fang Hong spoke again.

"Sixty million."

As soon as the black-robed masked man finished his bid, Fang Hong immediately responded without the slightest hesitation.

"Sixty million. Sixty million."

"This Fellow Daoist has bid sixty million Immortal Stones. Is there any higher price?" Wang Xiangming asked excitedly.

"Fellow Daoist is truly wealthy; this stone tablet is not destined for me," the black-robed masked man glanced at Fang Hong and chose to concede.

Seeing this, Wang Xiangming repeatedly asked loudly twice.

"Sixty million Immortal Stones once. Sixty million Immortal Stones twice."

The scene remained silent; no one else spoke to bid.

"Good. Sixty million Immortal Stones thrice. Sold." Wang Xiangming sealed the deal with a bang of his gavel.

Fang Hong paid the Immortal Stones and successfully took possession of the ancient stone tablet.

....