19: parting

Lin Yan gently patted Liu Yutong’s back, comforting her; to him, it was merely a trivial matter, a simple act of goodwill.

Moreover, after several days of interaction, he had developed a slight affection for her, so he naturally wouldn't ignore her plight.

As for Wang Duzi, he wasn’t concerned; if the other party was sensible, then so be it, but if he continued to be troublesome, Lin Yan wouldn’t mind sending him to eternal rest!

The Snow Lotus Flower was, of course, successfully bid on by Lin Yan without suspense.

Wang Duzi seemed to have quieted down, and the auction continued steadily.

Finally, the last item, the grand finale, was brought out. Everyone’s gaze was fixed on the wooden cart being pushed forward, beneath the red cloth on which seemed to be an oval-shaped item, not large in size.

Wang Hai also cleared his throat a few times at this moment and solemnly introduced, “I imagine many of you here came specifically for this item, didn’t you?”

Indeed, among the many rooms on the second floor, only Wang Duzi and Lin Yan had spoken; the others had shown no reaction.

It seemed they were all here for this final item.

Under everyone’s expectant gazes, the red cloth slowly opened, revealing a jade pendant lying quietly within.

Those unaware looked puzzled.

“That’s it?”

“Isn’t it just a jade pendant?”

But from the private rooms upstairs, a series of commotions erupted, as if everyone had been stirred by the jade pendant.

Wang Hai’s expression also showed some excitement as he enthusiastically introduced, “This is the key to the Divine Origin Secret Realm! Whoever obtains this jade pendant can enter the secret realm to acquire a legacy.”

“If a Spirit Core Realm Level Nine expert carries this jade pendant into the realm, their chances of breaking through to the Divine Origin Realm are as high as eighty percent!”

Upon hearing this, even those unfamiliar with it were shocked.

Divine Origin Realm!

One must know that if a clan or sect had a Divine Origin Realm expert, they would hold some status, not just in the Northern Lands, but across the entire Eastern Continent.

Within some second-rate sects, they would be second only to the Sect Master.

Serving as an Elder would be more than sufficient, something the Spirit Core Realm could not compare to.

Many forces in the second-floor private rooms had ancestors with Spirit Core Realm Level Eight or Nine cultivation.

Their forces came from various parts of the Northern Lands, and some even from outside the Northern Lands, having received news and specifically traveled to Frostfall City to bid on this item.

When Wang Hai felt the atmosphere was sufficiently built up, he announced loudly, “The starting bid for this item is: Ten Thousand!”

The onlookers were stunned; the starting bid alone was Ten Thousand, and with so many forces present for this item, the competition would be fierce.

Among all the private rooms, only Wang Duzi and Lin Yan were indifferent to this.

Wang Duzi’s father was a Spirit King Realm expert, so he naturally wouldn’t value such a thing; after all, he couldn’t use it, could he?

Lin Yan, on the other hand, felt this item was too low-tier and wouldn’t be useful even for the Chang Sheng Sect.

Immediately, a bid came from one of the private rooms: “Twenty Thousand!”

The other forces were unwilling to fall behind and made their bids one after another.

The jade pendant before them was worth them expending all their source stones and efforts to obtain.

If someone achieved the final victory, it would mean that the force behind them would very likely produce a Divine Origin Realm expert.

Before long, the price had already reached Five Hundred Thousand, far exceeding Lin Yan's previous highest bid.

The atmosphere in the venue suddenly became tense, filled with the scent of gunpowder, as if a conflict could erupt at any moment.

However, on the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion’s territory, such a situation would naturally not be allowed to happen; if a fight were to occur, it would be outside Frostfall City.

At this point, many forces were already at their wits’ end, and the bidding was nearing its conclusion.

The four great families of Frostfall City were all participating; although their ancestors had not yet reached the Level Nine realm, they wanted to be prepared and plan ahead.

More importantly, being located in Frostfall City, they wouldn't have to worry about the jade pendant being stolen if they successfully bid on it, as this was the territory of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion, further backed by the City Lord's Mansion and its imperial dynasty background.

The price had now reached Eight Hundred Thousand, and there were only a few forces left that could continue bidding.

They had emptied their family coffers for this auction, but of course, if successful, everything would be worth it.

“One Million!”

A somewhat gritted voice came from a private room in the very center of the second floor.

The people on the first floor were already numb; this amount of money had exceeded their imagination.

The venue gradually quieted down; no one could produce source stones exceeding this price.

Seeing this, a middle-aged woman in that private room wiped the sweat from her forehead, and a beautiful female disciple beside her quickly handed her a cup of tea.

Wang Hai also made the final decision at this moment, determining the ownership of the jade pendant.

As the middle-aged woman breathed a sigh of relief, a sense of urgency also rose in her heart; with dozens of forces in the venue, safely returning to her sect with the jade pendant would be a near-impossible task.

They would undoubtedly be waiting outside Frostfall City for her and her companions to appear.

Although the sect had arranged for a Spirit Core Realm Level Three Grand Elder as an escort, those forces would surely also be prepared.

A fierce battle would be unavoidable then.

With the final item settled, the entire assembly drew to a close.

The crowd on the first floor dispersed, leaving only the private rooms on the second floor silent, an atmosphere of tension lingering.

Wang Hai, being a shrewd man, said a few words and then left with the people from the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion.

Lin Yan slowly rose, and the Liu sisters followed closely; the events that followed were no longer their concern.

After Lin Yan and the others left, a gaze finally retracted; it was Wang Duzi, who wouldn't just let things go. After a sinister smile, he followed them out of the venue.

Lin Yan took the Liu sisters back to the inn. Liu Qingyue looked at Lin Yan with her clear, bright eyes and softly said, “Young Master, our father is still waiting for us to return. We are preparing to set off immediately.”

Liu Yutong looked reluctant, hugging Lin Yan’s arm tightly, and after shaking it a few times, she said, “Big Brother, will we be able to see each other again in the future?”

Lin Yan smiled faintly, “Of course.” He pinched the little girl’s cheek, giving his promise!

Originally, he had planned to escort the two back, but Liu Qingyue’s physique was special, and there would be no problems with her return journey, so he decided to deal with some troubles first.

Arriving at the city gate, the same carriage was there, and the guards were also around. He gently waved to the two, and the Liu sisters also vigorously waved their hands, departing with a reluctant heart.

Watching the carriage disappear into the snow, he retracted his gaze, turned to look at an open area outside Frostfall City, and his figure vanished.

On a vast plain outside Frostfall City, about a dozen people were traversing on flying artifacts.

On a flying boat, the middle-aged woman who had just bid on the jade pendant looked worried, her gaze fixed on the expansive sky around them.

Beside her, an old woman calmly watched outside the flying boat; she was the Grand Elder of Hundred Flowers Sect, tasked with protecting the middle-aged woman’s safe departure.

Feeling the heavy atmosphere on the flying boat, the beautiful young female disciple frowned slightly, her bright, expressive eyes filled with worry.

Sure enough, just as they were about to cross this plain, a voice echoed through the vast expanse of the sky.

“Elder Hua, where are you planning to go?”