Instantly, cheers and applause erupted like a tidal wave. Sure enough, spirit artifacts were the true stars of the auction!

"First up is this one!"

The first spirit artifact was a bone dagger, engraved with sci-fi-like patterns.

"Upper-grade lower-tier spirit artifact: Phantom Bone Dagger, crafted by the renowned master Taoyezi! Made from an illusion beast’s spine, it’s incredibly sharp and creates phantoms during attacks to disrupt the five senses! Starting bid: sixty million coins. Begin bidding!"

The highest final price for earlier artworks was only about thirty million. This upper-grade lower-tier spirit artifact alone had a starting bid of fifty million. Gear like this... was truly pricey.

"Fifty-six million!"

"Sixty million!"

"Seventy-three million!"

"If you want it, just bid directly. No need to overthink it," Sinan Yuan suddenly said to me.

"Thanks for the offer... but I don’t think a dagger suits me."

"Is that so? Then let’s wait a bit longer."

In the end, the dagger sold for ninety million. I didn’t know if universal coins converted to RMB, but ninety million was an absolute fortune in my eyes.

"Next up, the second item~"

A-Zuo and A-You brought out a small stone mirror. It looked ancient, with intricate patterns along its edges. Otherwise, it seemed unremarkable.

"Upper-grade mid-tier spirit artifact: Luminous Stone Heart-Protecting Mirror! Carrying it blocks three attacks from upper-grade top-tier spirit artifacts completely—even weaker lower-grade lower-tier treasure artifact strikes! A one-in-a-million protective talisman! Starting bid: eighty million coins. Begin bidding!"

Completely block three attacks from upper-grade top-tier spirit artifacts?

This was a life-saving godsend! For the first time, my heart stirred. Should I bid?

"Ninety million!"

To my surprise, Sinan Ying called first. Her eyes sparkled brightly, showing keen interest.

"One hundred million."

A familiar voice rang out—it was someone from the Cleone Clan!

"One hundred ten million!" Sinan Ying shouted, her face tight with displeasure. Her competitive streak pushed her higher.

"One hundred twenty million," the other party replied calmly.

"One hundred thir— mmph!"

At the last second, Rui Xin clamped a hand over Sinan Ying’s mouth.

"Calm down, Miss! That guy’s clearly setting a trap! We’re no good at psychological warfare."

"...Tch."

"No higher bids? One hundred twenty million once. One hundred twenty million twice. Sol—"

"One hundred forty million."

!?

From a VIP room on the hall’s side—roughly between us and the Cleone Clan—a woman’s voice chimed like silver bells. Just hearing it soothed my ears. This was the most beautiful voice I’d ever heard, crushing all top-tier voice actors!

The hall fell silent, then instantly erupted.

"That voice... could it be the legendary Lady Haoyue?"

"No doubt. She’s actually here!"

"Goddess! My goddess ahhh!!!"

So that was... the rumored number one beauty of the Imperial Capital, Lunara Tartalia?

I craned my neck with everyone else toward the sound. But the lighting was too dim, and the private box’s curtain was only a slit open. Nothing was visible.

"One hundred forty million. Any higher?"

Su Ya’s voice cut through the clamor, pulling attention back.

"One hundred forty million once. One hundred forty million twice. Sold!"

In the end, I never saw the Imperial Capital’s top beauty. Was she really, as Elder Hong claimed, on par with me?

Later items were all upper-grade spirit artifacts, diverse and plentiful. Even a lower-grade treasure artifact—the Youth Preservation Pearl—sold for eight hundred million coins, the highest price yet. Among spirit artifacts, the Heart-Protecting Mirror’s eighty-million starting bid was the highest, but the Youth Preservation Pearl’s base was five hundred million! The value gap between spirit and treasure artifacts was staggering.

"Next is the final item—the grand finale!"

The audience straightened up. Countless eyes locked on the stage. The real treasure was coming.

A-Zuo and A-You hauled up a long cloth-wrapped bundle. Their strained faces showed its immense weight.

Su Ya elegantly untied the straps, revealing a reddish-copper spear. Its design was ancient and simple. Crimson speckles coated the blade like fresh bloodstains, radiating a bloody, oppressive aura.

"Lower-grade top-tier treasure artifact: Crimson Speckle Spear! Forged a millennium ago by an unknown master. It fought in the great war between nations, slaying countless foes. The blood on its blade never faded. Infuse spiritual energy to unleash its malevolent aura, boosting combat power! Though lower-grade, it can rival mid-grade treasure artifacts with skillful use! One drawback: weak-willed users risk being consumed by its malice. Use extreme caution! Starting bid: eight hundred eighty million coins. Begin bidding!"

Eight hundred... eighty million!

Mo Xiaohong whispered, "Normally, this spear wouldn’t exceed seven hundred million. But the malevolence it gathered over a thousand years skyrocketed its value!"

"One billion!"

"One billion three hundred million!"

Several bidders jumped in immediately—they’d clearly prepared.

"Miss, Liu Ye, if you want this spear—"

"I’ll pass. It feels too fierce; I don’t like it," Sinan Ying cut in.

"Same here. I’m not fond of spears."

Spear wielders have E-rank luck—it’s common knowledge. I wouldn’t risk it.

The price soared to one point six billion, nearly doubled... such reckless, wealthy folks.

"One point six billion. Higher? One point six billion once. One point six billion twice. Sold!"

Ahh, even the grand finale found an owner. I got nothing. Novels really are lies...

"Wait!!"

Suddenly, all hall lights blazed on. Three men surged from the crowd onto the stage!

"You... what are you doing!?" Su Ya gasped. Her auctions had never seen such chaos!

"Impudent fools, stand down!"

Uniformed guards rushed forward. Massive spiritual energy swirled around them—clearly strong Anomaly Power users!

"Mere ants... Black Coffin!"

A black-clad man waved his hand. Black light bands materialized in midair, coiling and folding into a square coffin that trapped the guards inside.

"My turn, Brother Hei—cover me!"

A burly, center-parted man approached the coffin. He grinned wide, exhaling a gas. The black-clad man cracked the coffin open. The gas seeped in. Piercing screams followed.

The coffin reopened. Crimson corpses tumbled out—the guards.

"You... what do you want!?" Su Ya’s legs buckled. She collapsed, trembling.

"Don’t fear, lovely lady."

A high-cheekboned middle-aged woman strode onstage. Her voice matched the earlier sharp tone.

"I am Amansa Cleone. We’re here to reclaim justice for the Cleone Clan, because—"

She pointed at the Crimson Speckle Spear.

"This spear belonged to us! Stolen by unknown thieves and sold to you!"