"Fourthly, this ’Celestial Puppet Spirit Token’ can activate a protective array. If you gather eight tokens, the defense power of this array will multiply,..."

...

Zhao Kuangsheng surveyed the scene and eloquently introduced the various functions of the ’Celestial Puppet Spirit Token’.

Hearing so many function introductions, the cultivators in the venue became even more excited. The functions of this ’Celestial Puppet Spirit Token’ are indeed too powerful. Whether used to control the celestial puppets or strengthen puppets, nothing fake can compare.

"Elder Zhao, you are so familiar with the functions of this ’Celestial Puppet Spirit Token’. Could it be that this token was sent for auction by you?" At this moment, a voice from the audience asked.

Upon hearing, a complex expression flashed across Zhao Kuangsheng’s face. He heaved a deep sigh and said helplessly, "This token was indeed sent by this old man. It has been a thousand years since I acquired this treasure, yet I still cannot gather the remaining seven tokens."

"Without the inheritance of the Celestial Puppet Dao, the path of the Puppet Dao is truly hopeless. Now, I am compelled to change my cultivation path, so I am selling this item to find someone more fated." Zhao Kuangsheng said with a face full of melancholy and sighed helplessly.

Zhao Kuangsheng paused for a moment, then continued: "The Celestial Puppet Sect has been destroyed, and these eight ’Celestial Puppet Spirit Tokens’ have long been lost among the vast crowds. However, it is one of the components of a Dao Artifact, also related to the celestial puppet inheritance of the Celestial Puppet Sect. Being able to see one piece here today is a great opportunity. If fellow Daoists are interested, you might as well participate in the bidding!"

As Zhao Kuangsheng’s words fell, the whole venue boiled over again. People started whispering to each other, discussing fervently.

Seeing this, Lin Baoqing hastily spoke, enthusiastically encouraging, "With Elder Zhao as the witness, there’s no need to worry about the authenticity of this token. Now the opportunity is rare. If any fellow Daoist has the chance to bid and acquire it, they will have the opportunity to gain the inheritance of the Celestial Puppet Dao!"

"Elder Zhao has had this treasure for a thousand years yet still couldn’t gather the remaining spirit tokens, showing that gathering eight ’Celestial Puppet Spirit Tokens’ is extremely challenging, not something achievable by ordinary people. This item might be good but is beyond my reach!" A young Nascent Soul cultivator in the audience shook his head in rebuttal.

The Nascent Soul cultivator beside him nodded in agreement, saying, "Indeed so, this item might be good, but gathering eight tokens is almost impossible! We can only lament our incapability."

Lin Baoqing slightly smiled, not surprised by the reactions of these Nascent Soul cultivators. He calmly said, "Friend, your words are mistaken! Gathering eight ’Celestial Puppet Spirit Tokens’ is indeed difficult, but the way of inheritance is even more challenging. Opportunities are not always present. If by chance you gather eight spirit tokens and achieve something in the Puppet Dao, you might soar to great heights."

Lin Baoqing’s words were like dawn breaking through darkness, enlightening the hearts of many cultivators on site, refreshing their spirits.

"Shopkeeper Lin is right, the path of cultivation is to go against fate. If there is a chance to gather eight spirit tokens and obtain the celestial puppet inheritance from the Celestial Puppet Sect, the future path might henceforth be different."

"Yes, after all, the celestial puppet inheritance from the Celestial Puppet Sect is renowned for centuries. If one could obtain this heritage, perhaps they could soar to great heights, treading the path to the pinnacle."

The cultivators on site whispered among themselves, and many people’s eyes showed signs of excitement.

The atmosphere was brewing just right. This ’Celestial Puppet Spirit Token’ was not something this junior Nascent Soul cultivator or small forces could aspire for. Lin Baoqing looked towards the VIP rooms and solemnly announced, "The starting bid for the ’Celestial Puppet Spirit Token’ is: two hundred thousand top-grade spirit stones, with a time limit of two hundred breaths. Fellow Daoists, elders, please place your bids."

As Lin Baoqing’s words fell, the atmosphere in the venue tightened, and everyone’s eyes focused on the auction stage, watching the spirit mirror display the bidding price changes.

However, the people in the venue did not immediately bid, but instead, silence ensued. Two hundred thousand top-grade spirit stones were no small number for the cultivators present. Most cultivators held a vague caution towards this mysterious yet miraculous ’Celestial Puppet Spirit Token’.

"Two hundred ten thousand! Auction Order 83!"

"Two hundred thirty thousand! Auction Order 75!"

"Two hundred fifty thousand!..."

...

The price on the spirit mirror changed rapidly, and within a few dozen breaths, the bidding price doubled, surpassing the forty-million top-grade spirit stone mark. At this moment, both Lin Baoqing on the auction stage and the cultivators present were shocked by the frenzied bidding atmosphere.

"Order 17, bid forty-five million, does anyone else bid? The last 60 breaths!" Lin Baoqing’s excited voice echoed like an unrelenting specter, leaving no one at ease.

"Order 3, bid: forty-six million! Is there anyone else bidding, the last 55 breaths!" Lin Baoqing’s face was flushed with excitement, continuing to shout prices, urging the next bidder to appear.

...

Below the auction stage, all the cultivators stared in amazement at the skyrocketing prices, faces full of disbelief.

"Such a spiritual object is beyond what we can aspire to!"

"Indeed so, alas!"

"Even if there’s only a slight chance for the Celestial Puppet inheritance, the opportunity won’t leave for us!"

The young Nascent Soul cultivators below the auction stage murmured dejectedly, faces full of disappointment, looking at the fierce bidding scene, filled with helplessness and regret in their hearts. To them, this ’Celestial Puppet Spirit Token’ was not just a spirit token, but an opportunity, an opportunity to change fate. Now, this faint opportunity seemed to have drifted far away from them.

In VIP Room No. 7, as soon as the Celestial Puppet Spirit Token appeared, Li Mu couldn’t sit still any longer, clutching the auction order, silently counting down in his heart, ready to intervene in the bidding at the right moment.

Time flew by quickly, and soon it was the final juncture. Lin Baoqing’s voice once again rang out in the auction hall: "The last 10 breaths! Is there anyone else bidding! The current price with Order 3 is fifty-two million top-grade spirit stones."

At this moment, Li Mu could no longer hold back. He took a deep breath and silently input a price in the auction order.

"Fifty-five million! Order No. 7!"

Seeing this bid information, Lin Baoqing was startled, and with a near-shouting voice, he trembled as he reported the price.

"Damn it!"

In VIP Room No. 3, a purple-robed elder was furiously angry, having thought he would surely win, only to have a formidable competitor emerge at the last moment.

Soon, the bidding surged again.

"Sixty-two million, Order 3!"

"Sixty-five million, Order 7!"

...

In just a few breaths, the bidding price exceeded sixty-five million top-grade spirit stones, and it continued to soar. This figure was enough to leave every auction participant on site dumbfounded.

"Who on earth is this Order No. 7, what terrifying wealth!"

"Sixty-five million top-grade spirit stones! This could buy six good tier six spiritual treasures, is it worth it!"

"My heavens! Who is this person, daring to oppose the Ji Family patriarch!"

"So VIP Room No. 3 is the Ji Family! No wonder!"

...

As time ticked away, seeing the Celestial Puppet Spirit Token’s bidding price quickly soar to sixty-five million top-grade spirit stones, and Order 7 continuously suppressing Order 3’s bid, the participating cultivators were collectively dumbfounded and discussing fervently.

At this time, Lin Baoqing’s voice was becoming a bit shaky. He never expected Master Li would engage in the bidding like this, almost regardless of the cost.

The owner of VIP Room No. 3 was indeed the Venerable Kumu of the Ji Family. His attention to the Celestial Puppet Spirit Token was because he also held a Puppet Dao Spirit Token, but what was Master Li’s situation?

Lin Baoqing tried to remain calm, continuing to shout excitedly: "Order 7, sixty-eight million! Is there a higher bid! This is the Celestial Puppet Spirit Token! Don’t miss the chance!"

"Sixty-eight million, Order 3! Three breaths left!" Lin Baoqing spoke rapidly, his heart racing, looking nervously at VIP Room No. 7. This price had already set a new record for the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion auction, but he hoped Master Li could make history again.

Below the auction stage, all the cultivators held their breath, staring intently at the auction mirror, the last three breaths, the price battle between Order 3 and Order 7 was about to decide the winner.