Chapter 541: The Second Auction

Once everyone in the auction hall was present, Long Tian slowly stepped onto the auction platform. His arrival instantly silenced the noisy venue.
“I am Long Tian, the auctioneer for this event. I hope that over the next few days, everyone will be able to bid for the items they desire. The Second Longteng Auction officially begins now. Let’s introduce the first item!” Long Tian paused briefly, stepping aside to allow Pearl and Long Yue to bring out the first item.
The appearance of the two women made the eyes of many powerful beings in the divine realm shine even brighter—unclear whether they were looking at the items or at the women themselves.
“Our first item: three Fire Crystal Holy Stones! They will be auctioned separately.” As soon as Long Tian announced the name of the items, the eyes of many fire-type cultivators gleamed with excitement. “The Fire Crystal Holy Stones—certainly, those who practice fire attributes know well their effects. Though only usable by fire-type cultivators, they still belong to the category of sacred items. The starting price is 30 million lower-grade divine crystals per stone, with each increase of no less than 1 million.”
“31 million!” someone bid as soon as Long Tian finished speaking. He had initially thought this item wouldn’t sell well, as it had only a single attribute and was suitable only for fire-type powerhouses. But after seeing the large number of fire-type cultivators present, along with a few extremely strong individuals, Ye Feng finally decided to use this item.
The price of the first Fire Crystal Holy Stone continued to rise, and Ye Feng watched clearly the two competitors. One was a human fire-type cultivator named Chi Mo, who, in the divine realm, was a reclusive powerhouse at the peak of the Saint level. The other competitor was a magical beast from the Endless Abyss, a Flame Beast, at the early stage of the Saint Envoy level. Their strengths were roughly equal, both possessing fiery temperaments. Once they clashed, it would be difficult to separate them—only after one emerged victorious could they be parted.
“100 million!” When Chi Mo, with veins bulging on his neck, called out this price, the auction hall fell silent.

In fact, the Fire Crystal Sacred Stone is at most just a crystal of the fire attribute, with only a slightly higher grade. But since it’s a crystal, it’s a consumable item that can be used up. No matter how high its price, it can’t exceed 100 million—any more and it’s unnecessary. Everyone understands this. That’s why no one spoke up after the Red Demon offered that price.

Just as Long Tian was about to say something, another voice rang out, “100 million plus 1 million!”

Only then did Ye Feng notice that beside the Flaming Beast was another magical beast—a Dark Water Giant Python, with a cultivation level comparable to that of the Flaming Beast. He immediately understood what was going on. Snake-type magical beasts are second only to fox-type ones in terms of cunning among magical beasts. The recent price increase was clearly instigated by it, aiming to make the Red Demon suffer a loss.

As expected, the Red Demon’s eyes widened, his face turning red from fury. Pointing at the Flaming Beast, he said, “You… I’ll bid 110 million!”

The Flaming Beast was about to raise the price further when the Dark Water Giant Python held him back and whispered something in his ear. Only then did the Flaming Beast stop, staring at the Red Demon defiantly.

Ye Feng shook his head and smiled. The Red Demon had been completely outwitted. He wasn’t worried at all that the two might fight on the spot—it would give him an excuse to show off his strength.

However, those who had already heard of Ye Feng’s strength surely wouldn’t be foolish enough to provoke him. After all, when they entered the Abyssal Secret Realm earlier, many powerful figures had witnessed the effects of Ye Feng’s attacks. Such news wouldn’t go unnoticed by various factions, and Ye Feng never intended to hide it anyway.

But in the auction hall, with the Fire Crystal Sacred Stone reaching 110 million, no one bid any more. The Red Demon could only swallow his anger in frustration.

“Congratulations, Mr. Red Demon, on successfully bidding for the first item in this auction!” Long Tian paused briefly before continuing, “Now, let’s proceed with the auction of our second Fire Crystal Sacred Stone. The starting price remains 30 million lower-grade Divine Crystals, with each bid increase of at least 1 million. The bidding begins now!”

“31 million!”

“32 million!”

…

A new round of bidding started, with the same people participating. Even the Red Demon, who had already won the first Fire Crystal Sacred Stone, bid loudly.

“100 million!” This time, it was still the Red Demon who called out the price.

The Flaming Beast’s expression changed instantly, but he still called out, “100 million plus 1 million!”

“110 million!” This time, the Red Demon shouted without the slightest hesitation.
“Give up! This guy is doing it on purpose…” the Dark Water Python transmitted a message from the side.
Although the Flame Beast, whose mind wasn’t very sharp, really wanted that Fire Crystal Sacred Stone, it still reluctantly chose to give up under the persuasion of the Dark Water Python.
“The bidding for the second Fire Crystal Sacred Stone is still fierce! Congratulations to our Red Demon for successfully obtaining it!” Long Tian continued, “Well then, the next one is the last Fire Crystal Sacred Stone left in this auction. All those practicing fire attributes must not miss this chance. The starting bid is 30 million lower-grade Divine Crystals, with each increase having to be at least 1 million. Bidding begins now!”
“31 million!”
“32 million…”
…
“100 million!”
“103 million!”
“105 million!”
“110 million!”
“112 million!”
…
This time, even after reaching 110 million, the price still hadn’t peaked and continued to soar.
Besides the Red Demon and the Flame Beast, two more people were bidding as well.
“130 million!” It was the Red Demon bidding again. It seemed he wanted to claim all three Fire Crystal Sacred Stones for himself.
At this point, only the Red Demon and the Flame Beast were left competing. Clearly unwilling to give up the last one as well, the Flame Beast called out a new bid: “131 million!”
“Alright, it’s yours! Hahaha…” The Red Demon pointed at the Flame Beast and laughed loudly.
“I see, quite interesting!” Ye Feng immediately understood why the Red Demon had bid on the second and third ones. By bidding on the latter two, he pretended to have the ambition to take all three, when in reality, it was just to make the other party bid higher for the third Fire Crystal Sacred Stone.