As he looked at Manager Bai walking about a step ahead, exuding a charming aura and an undeniably alluring figure, Shen Qiang smiled and said, "I like discounts, but I don't like people testing me." His gaze turned somewhat cold as he continued, "I don't lack money, and I certainly won't be greedy for a bargain. What I should tell you, I will. What I don't say, you should not ask."

Hearing this, the charming Manager Bai gave a slight smile and replied, "Very well, Mr. Shen, I will respect your thoughts."

After saying this, the charming Manager Bai remained silent. After she had led Shen Qiang to the cultivation auction event, she found a very ordinary excuse to leave.

Shen Qiang could feel that his earlier words had somewhat displeased Manager Bai.

But that was his bottom line.

Shen Qiang had many secrets.

It wasn't just her, a stranger he had met for the first time, even with Su Xiaonuan, with whom he shared his bed, Shen Qiang had never confided in her, much less her.

The existence of the cicada was a secret.

She, who had cultivated the Daluo Heavenly Tribulation Heart Sutra, would definitely become terrifyingly powerful in the future.

Thus, she would be Shen Qiang's secret trump card, a lifesaver in critical moments.

"Mr. Shen, we meet again."

Shen Qiang had just settled down.

A middle-aged man beside him, with a beaming smile, said, "I had the pleasure to witness Mr. Shen's elegance a few days ago at the Wanxin Hesheng, and it's unexpected that we meet again today."

Shen Qiang looked at him somewhat surprised, recognizing him faintly, but couldn't recall the specifics.

Therefore, Shen Qiang just smiled and did not engage further in conversation.

After all, they were not familiar, and randomly forging connections seemed to have no benefits.

Meanwhile, seemingly noticing Shen Qiang's lack of interest, the middle-aged man sitting beside him gave a slight smile and handed Shen Qiang a business card, saying, "My surname is Bian, a merchant who makes a living by reselling cultivation supplies. I occasionally deal with antiques, so I'm often around Antique Street."

Receiving the business card, Shen Qiang glanced at it—Bian Yi.

The name was indeed quite unique.

By then, the auction had already begun.

The first item up for warming up the crowd was a top-quality Spiritual Flying Sword, named Flying Star.

Shen Qiang felt indifferent toward this item and had no interest in it.

But it was different for other cultivators.

Top-quality spiritual artifacts, most of the time, possessed power that ordinary magical artifacts did not.

In the eyes of cultivators with average cultivation and family backgrounds, it was a divine artifact.

In the eyes of cultivators from wealthy and influential sects, it was decent.

Therefore, there were many bidders.

Bian Yi also participated in a round but then gave it up.

"The most attractive thing about top-quality spiritual artifacts is that they are spiritual artifacts yet have power greater than ordinary magical artifacts. But quite obviously, the cultivators in the Cultivation World are not very rational; a top-quality spiritual artifact ends up being sold for more than a magical artifact, so where does the cost-effectiveness come from?" Bian Yi remarked.

But Shen Qiang just smiled, because magical treasures, like women, might be seen as goddesses in his eyes, but as fools in others' eyes—those who see them as goddesses are willing to give their all, while those who see them as fools find even a glance annoying.

Clearly, a Flying Sword type of magical treasure would hardly win Shen Qiang's interest unless it was at least a top-quality magical artifact or an immortal artifact. Otherwise, Shen Qiang barely bothered to look.

Ultimately, the top-quality spiritual artifact Flying Sword sold for twenty-three million.

Watching the proud individual holding the Flying Sword, Shen Qiang had no thoughts about it.

And right after the first Flying Sword of the warm-up session, the following items auctioned by Cheng Xinyi felt increasingly boring to Shen Qiang.

Because they were basically similar to the auction house at Wanxin Hesheng.

Most of them were magical treasures intended for attack, such as knives, spears, swords, halberds, axes, hooks, and forks, and even if there was a variation, it was nothing more than Demon Suppressing Towers or Soul Capturing Banners, which looked rather imposing.

But they were of no use to Shen Qiang.

It was not until nearly forty minutes into the auction, when Shen Qiang was already yawning, that an item suddenly caught his attention.

"The next item up for auction comes from once glorious but now declined family. According to the seller, this item is believed to be the Divine Dragon Essence, but due to its ancient history, the value of the Dragon God remains a legend that cannot be verified. Therefore, Cheng Xinyi can only relay the seller's description of the item,"

"As for the authenticity, buyers will need to discern that for themselves."

With that, a tall and graceful woman dressed in a tight cheongsam, which was slit on the side to reveal her long, fair legs, walked up to the auction stage holding a tray.

Immediately, on the large screen behind the auctioneer, a close-up shot appeared.

It was something about the size of a chicken egg, looking somewhat like amber.

There were no dazzling multicolored lights or surges of spiritual energy.

It simply looked like amber solidified from resin.

"Those interested may come forward to take a look, while others might take this opportunity to rest for a few minutes,"

After saying this, the auctioneer waved his hand as a signal.

The staff began serving refreshments.

Some of the clients went to the restroom.

Only the so-called "Divine Dragon Essence" at the front of the auction stage seemed to go unnoticed by anyone.

This situation was not surprising.

In fact, at large auction events, there are usually many items for sale, which makes it difficult for clients to maintain excitement over a long duration.

Incorporating brief breaks is quite normal.

And to ensure clients don't miss important time slots, items featured during these times are generally not very appealing.

Thus, uninterested clients can rest while those who are interested may take the time to explore their curiosity, avoiding a monotonous wait.

Just like now, this so-called "Dragon Essence" which could not have its authenticity verified, was obviously available for analysis or disregard during the intermission for all clients.

"Divine Dragon Essence," Bianyi, who was sitting next to Shen Qiang, chuckled and shook his head, "Such a ludicrous item, only a fool would believe it's real."

Shen Qiang stood up and headed towards the front of the stage, whispering, "The world is vast, maybe surprises are everywhere."

Bianyi laughed, "There might be surprises, but it definitely won't be this thing."

Having said this, he shook his head and headed to the restroom.

At this time, Shen Qiang had already reached the front of the auctioneer's podium.

The item claimed to be the Divine Dragon Essence was not only unguarded, there were only around five or six people looking at it, including Shen Qiang who had walked over later.

"Isn't this just an agate egg? Maybe worth five dollars?" A middle-aged man, looking bored, glanced at it and put it back on the tray, as he walked away, he sneered, "Of course, it could also be amber, but it doesn't quite feel like it."

As that man left, another person picked up the item with a frown and remarked, "Wow, how strange, True Qi can't penetrate it."

A person next to him laughed, "There are many ways to prevent True Qi from penetrating. You'd better be careful not to crush it, otherwise, you'll probably owe a big compensation for this Divine Dragon Essence."

The man laughed and shook his head as he left.

Another person, who hadn't even touched it, then laughed and said, "The essence of a Demon Beast is always a treasure for Foundation Establishment, extremely rare to come by, and when you do find one, it's at an astonishing price. Every Demon Beast's essence has one thing in common, it's like having a life of its own, you can feel the surging life force as soon as you hold it."

"This broken thing obviously doesn't, so it's not worth a look, it's probably just a money-making scheme by someone unknown; the odd part is, Cheng Xinyi believed it, with the reason being 'impossible to verify.' Good god, that's far-fetched."

After saying that, this person also shook his head and left.

As Shen Qiang, feeling slightly anxious, was about to take over and examine this so-called Divine Dragon Essence, a middle-aged man wearing glasses, with a frown on his brow, quickly stepped up and took the Divine Dragon Essence.

"It's strange, if there isn't the slightest possibility, why would the biggest magical treasure dealer in the Cultivation World, the ever-cautious Cheng Xinyi, put this thing up?"

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