The following day, as night fell, a silver moon hung high in the sky.
The small-scale martial arts auction was not held in an ordinary auction house but took place within the government building of the Beiyang Warlords, which had now become a tourist attraction. Usually, many visitors would come for a tour, but today the surroundings were sealed off.
Whoever could lead the auction here held great influence or backing locally.
Not many people attended, roughly around thirty, unlike other auctions that were filled to the brim.
After all, those who could come here were magic users and martial arts masters, who were indeed rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.
Lin Mo, Yan Wei, and Master Yin walked into the hall together, where chairs were already set up and many people were seated. Most of them wore traditional Tang suits and long robes, while some of the younger ones were dressed similarly to modern folks.
"Mr. Lin, Master Wei," Master Yin said with a light smile, "I heard there's a five-hundred-year-old Spirit Ginseng in the auction today. The lingering injury I have can only be healed by that ginseng."
Yan Wei nodded and assured, "Master Yin, rest assured, I will secure that Spirit Ginseng for you."
"Thank you very much, Master Wei," said Master Yin, cupping his hands together in gratitude.
Just as they were talking, a woman in a red dress entered the door. She had long, jet-black hair and a fair piece of skin visible at the chest. She was tall and slender, with an elegant demeanor and her bright eyes occasionally flashed with sharp brilliance.
Following the lady was a white-haired old man in a white centipede-shirt, with black fabric shoes, his eyes half-open, emanating powerful energy fluctuations.
Seeing these two, many greeted them with reverent attitudes.
"Who are they?" Lin Mo asked indifferently.
Yan Wei lowered his voice and explained, "Mr. Lin, as you are from Shu Province, you naturally wouldn't know about our Northeast affairs. The lady is Su Xiaoxiao, the young miss of the Su Family from the Four Great Families of Northeast, and the old man beside her is Master Mo, rumored to be a Basic-level Martial God and also a Tribute to the Su Family."
Lin Mo thought to himself, "Xia Mengdie's grandfather's last name is Su, belonging to a branch of the Northeast Su Family. This Su Xiaoxiao could be from the main family."
Su Xiaoxiao, accompanied by the elder, walked over and paused as she looked at Yan Wei.
"Miss Su, Master Mo," Yan Wei greeted with a slight bow, sounding respectful.
"Master Mo," Master Yin also called out, showing a degree of reverence on his face.
Only then did Master Mo open his eyes, glancing at Master Yin, and asked, "You are here as well?"
"Just here to see if there's any Spiritual Medicine," replied Master Yin casually.
Master Mo hummed softly, ambiguously, as if he hadn't made a sound at all, and his eyes moved away from them. After all, as someone in the realm of a Basic-level Martial God, the likes of Master Yin, a Half-step Martial God, were beneath his notice.
As for Lin Mo, in his eyes, he was nothing more than an ordinary person, not even worthy of a glance.
Su Xiaoxiao, however, gave Lin Mo an extra look, and with a frown on her brows, she asked, "Master Wei, is this gentleman also a friend of yours?"
The Yan Family was one of the prestigious families, and Yan Wei, as the heir, naturally associated with peers of the same level. However, Lin Mo was an unfamiliar face to Su Xiaoxiao—who did not remember such a person amongst her acquaintances.
"This is Mr. Lin from Shu Province," Yan Wei said with a smile, introducing him.
"Mr. Lin, is it? My name is Su Xiaoxiao," Su Xiaoxiao reached out her fair hand.
Lin Mo, however, kept his hands in his pockets and said indifferently, "Lin Mo."
A flash of almost imperceptible annoyance crossed Su Xiaoxiao's bright eyes. She was a member of the Northeast Su Family; she had taken the initiative to offer a handshake, yet he had ignored her completely. His demeanor was too haughty.
Su Xiaoxiao huffed coldly and seated herself with Master Mo.
Given Lin Mo's current status, aside from a few special individuals who could warrant his serious attention, a junior from the Su Family seeking a handshake was not yet qualified.
"Mr. Lin, offending the Su Family and Master Mo may not be too wise," Master Yin said, a bitter smile at the corner of his mouth.
At such a young age, Lin Mo had become a Half-step Martial God, and naturally had his pride, but the Su Family in the Northeast was one of the Four Great Families, not to be taken lightly, especially since Master Mo was a Basic-level Martial God Strong Person!
Lin Mo smiled faintly and offered no explanation.
The auction commenced soon after, presided by a woman in a cheongsam. The items initially up for bid were centuries-old medicinal herbs, ancient woods, Ancient Mirrors, and the like—all materials for refining Spiritual Treasures, Magic Artifacts, and Holy Artifacts, or for making Elixirs.
"Five-hundred-year-old Spirit Ginseng, starting at five million, with increments of no less than one million."
Upon hearing this, Master Yin's eyes lit up. He glanced at Yan Wei, who nodded and bid, "Ten million."
The Yan Family in Jizhou was also a major clan. Some, out of respect for the Yan Family, did not bid symbolically, while others followed with a few bids but eventually gave up, lacking the financial weight of the Yan Family. The final sale price was thirty million.
Such five-hundred-year-old Spirit Ginseng would be suicide for the average person to consume!
However, Martial Arts Masters could use it to concoct Elixirs, allowing Martial Artists to consume it and elevate their meridians, enhancing their level.
Lin Mo glanced at Su Xiaoxiao and Master Mo. The two hadn't bid at all from beginning to end; they must have had their sights set on something else.
"Thank you, Master Wei," Master Yin said, with a faint smile and a trace of gratitude in his eyes.
At first, he had really worried that Su Xiaoxiao and Master Mo were after the five-hundred-year Spirit Ginseng. If that were the case, what position would he have to compete?
"The final auction item: White Jade Stone."
When Lin Mo saw the stone, his eyes slightly brightened. This was not just any White Jade Stone—it was a top-grade spiritual stone!
"Miss, what are you thinking about?" Master Mo looked at Su Xiaoxiao beside him and asked.
Su Xiaoxiao shook her head, her pretty eyes furrowing slightly, "Nothing much, I just feel I've heard that name before—Lin Mo?"
"This White Jade Stone was accidentally discovered by a tomb raider and provided to our auction house. The starting bid is five hundred million; let the bidding begin."
Lin Mo watched the stone, his eyes shining with a glint. This White Jade Stone contained very pure Spiritual Energy—quite dense.
"Five hundred and fifty million." At that moment, Su Xiaoxiao raised her hand.
The stone's Spiritual Energy was sensed by many, but seeing Su Xiaoxiao's bid, everyone else backed out. The Su Family held great power and wealth in the Northeast, and with Master Mo as a Basic-level Martial God, no one dared offend them.
The auctioneer, seeing no other bids, showed a hint of embarrassment. Nevertheless, five hundred and fifty million was not a bad price, and they could claim a ten percent commission.
"Six hundred million." In the suddenly silent auction hall, an abrupt voice sounded.
Su Xiaoxiao uttered a soft "hmm," turned her head, and saw that the hand raised belonged to Lin Mo, who was sitting beside Yan Wei. Her pretty eyes tightened slightly.