As soon as Ji Hongling's voice fell, a clan leader from a smaller family hurriedly called out all his fortune in impatience. He immediately raised the bid by ten thousand, aiming to deter others by showing the difficulty of competing with him.
"Thirty-five thousand."
Someone immediately followed up, causing the first bidder's face to turn ashen. He thought he could secure the Martial Technique for thirty thousand, but he was wrong.
"Thirty-six thousand."
"Thirty-seven thousand."
"Thirty-eight thousand."
Successive bids echoed relentlessly, but members from the four major families remained very composed and stayed silent throughout.
"Forty-five thousand."
Another small family's clan leader gritted his teeth and disclosed the entirety of his family's savings.
The venue suddenly quieted down; no one immediately followed up because the price had already exceeded many people's fortunes, leaving them unable to compete. Of course, there were still others who hadn't bid yet, saving their Primordial Stones for the final auction of a Xuan-level Cultivation Technique.
Suddenly, from the private room of Zhao Lingfeng, a robust voice of a middle-aged man resounded, immediately dashing the hopes of those who wished for a stroke of luck. The steep price of fifty thousand had put the Martial Technique out of their reach, indicating that the people from the four major families were not giving other families a chance to rise.
"Did Zhao Wuji also come?" Zhao Letian immediately recognized Zhao Wuji's voice.
"It's the Head of Zhao Family, Zhao Wuji. It seems the Zhao Family is determined to get this Martial Technique."
Others in the crowd recognized Zhao Wuji's voice as well.
"Fifty-five thousand."
From Sun Shuhao's private room, another voice of a middle-aged man was heard, belonging to the Clan Leader of Sun Family. Although the Sun Family is currently in alliance with the Zhao Family, they were not willing to give up this Martial Technique.
Liu Yidao's private room also immediately echoed with a middle-aged man's voice.
"This is the Patriarch of Liu Family. Unexpectedly, three of the four major family clan leaders are here, I wonder if the City Lord has arrived."
The crowd murmured as it had now turned into a competition solely among the four major families. Ordinary people and other smaller families simply had no entry into this competition, only able to watch from the sidelines.
Zhao Wuji directly raised by ten thousand, decisively claiming the Martial Technique for himself.
"Zhao Wuji, you're ruthless. I'll leave this Martial Technique to you, but let's see how you compete for the subsequent Xuan-level Cultivation Technique," said the Patriarch of Liu Family with a cold tone, opting to withdraw because a more important Xuan-level Cultivation Technique was still to come.
"I only want this Martial Technique, you can have the Cultivation Technique," said Zhao Wuji nonchalantly.
"Let us? Humph!" The Patriarch of Liu Family scoffed disdainfully.
The financial strength of the Zhao Family was the weakest among the four major families. Zhao Wuji was well aware that he couldn't outbid the other three major families, thus reluctantly giving up the final Cultivation Technique and paying heavily for this Martial Technique. This version is sourced from MV3L3MPYR.
But this was also good. At least the Zhao Family managed to secure a Xuan-level Martial Technique, while the other three major families focused their attention on the final Xuan-level Cultivation Technique, inevitably resulting in two families ending up empty-handed.
"Next, we come to the highlight of this auction, the final and most valuable treasure, the Early Stage Xuan-level fine-quality Cultivation Technique 'Sky-Supporting Skill.' If cultivated properly, it can rival a Middle Stage Xuan-level Cultivation Technique. The starting bid is twenty thousand Mid-Grade Essence Stones, and each bid must not be less than one thousand Mid-Grade Essence Stones. Let's begin," Ji Hongling announced, taking out a Jade Scroll and speaking aloud.
"A hundred thousand."
As soon as Ji Hongling's words dropped, a domineering voice of a middle-aged man came from a private room on the second floor.
"It's the City Lord, Shentu Yuanba."
Many immediately recognized the voice of the City Lord, their expressions turning gloomy. Shentu Yuanba directly raised the price fivefold, depriving these ordinary Martial Artists and smaller families even of the chance to participate in the bidding.
"One hundred and ten thousand."
The Clan Leader of Sun Family frowned and gritted his teeth, saying the enhanced bid. The steep starting bid of a hundred thousand was not only unbearable for ordinary Martial Artists and smaller families, but even the people from the four major families felt the financial pain. Yet, this Cultivation Technique could significantly influence the future of their family, and even if it meant a significant expenditure, he was determined to continue bidding.
"One hundred and twenty thousand."
The Patriarch of Liu Family similarly had a tight frown, feeling as if his heart was bleeding. This large sum could shake the foundation of the four major families.
"One hundred and fifty thousand."
The voice of City Lord Shentu Yuanba resonated again, unhesitant and dominant as ever, directly raising the price by thirty thousand.
The faces of the Clan Leader of the Sun Family and the Patriarch of Liu Family turned ashen. The sky-high price of a hundred and fifty thousand had exceeded their estimated limits. It seemed that the City Lord Mansion was truly the ruler of Qingzhou City. Even though they belonged to the four major families, their depth of resources couldn't compare.
The crowd at the venue could only smile wryly in helplessness. If they had known the final bidding would reach such high prices, they wouldn't have wasted time fetching more Primordial Stones, as the small amount they brought wouldn't even suffice to fill gaps between the City Lord's teeth.
Even the powers of Iron Sword Sect, Overlord Blade Manor, and Ten Thousand Beast Sect were greatly shocked by the monumental price of a hundred and fifty thousand Mid-Grade Essence Stones, a astronomical figure by their standards too.
In a secluded corner, although Zhao Letian's face revealed no emotion, his heart was trembling continuously. Although he already knew the high value of Cultivation Techniques and Martial Techniques, it appeared he had still underestimated their worth. One hundred and fifty thousand Mid-Grade Essence Stones represented a vast fortune that many in the True Martial Realm would not earn in several lifetimes.
"Announce the results, no one will bid further," City Lord Shentu Yuanba stated gravely.
"Alright, I declare that this Cultivation Technique ultimately belongs to City Lord," announced Ji Hongling, taking a deep breath to calm her excited emotions.