Chapter 1200: Bidding

Han Li's eyes brightened slightly at the sight of the black giant claw, and he sat up straight.

Ti Hun beside him stared intently at the black giant claw, her eyes shimmering with strange brilliance, and her body tensed up.

This Netherworld Ghost Claw was precisely one of the two immortal artifacts that Ti Hun desired.

Others in the venue also let out exclamations of admiration and engaged in heated discussion.

At that moment, the fat old man made a hand seal and pointed, and a spell light flashed and vanished into the black giant claw. As black light swirled around this immortal artifact, dense black runes flew out, and with the treasure at its center, a powerful yin wind erupted.

Although there were restrictions near the auction platform, a piercing cold yin force instantly swept through the entire venue, causing some cultivators of lower cultivation to shiver.

As the old man chanted incantations, the black giant claw suddenly enlarged to the size of a house and grabbed a black boulder dozens of feet high that emitted a strong metallic luster beside the auction platform.

According to the custom of the Sun and Moon Pavilion, whenever an offensive immortal artifact was auctioned, it had to be demonstrated so that guests could more clearly feel its power. The black boulder was used for this purpose, refined through special techniques and renowned for its hardness.

Several immortal artifacts auctioned earlier had already tested their power on the boulder, which was now pitted and scarred, but still largely intact.

With a soft "pfft" sound, it was like a red-hot knife cutting through butter.

The black giant rock easily shattered into a dozen pieces, and the fractures showed signs of corrosion and melting, emitting wisps of green smoke.

The crowd below gasped in shock.

Meanwhile, Ti Hun's eyes gleamed with extraordinary light, and he almost looked elated.

Han Li, however, frowned. This Netherworld Ghost Claw possessed such formidable attack power that it could be considered the most powerful immortal artifact since the auction began.

Based on the prices of the previous immortal artifacts, the price of this Netherworld Ghost Claw was likely to be astronomical.

He only had fifty million immortal spirit stones on him. Winning this treasure wouldn't be a problem, but dealing with the subsequent auctions would likely be difficult.

"I don't cultivate the laws of the yin ghost category, so I can only unleash less than ten percent of this artifact's power. If this Netherworld Ghost Claw were paired with the corresponding laws, its power would be unimaginable. Alright, I won't boast any further. Let the bidding begin. The starting price is eight million immortal spirit stones, and each bid must increase by at least five hundred thousand." The fat old man announced the start of bidding.

"Eight million six hundred thousand!"

"Nine million two hundred thousand!"

"Ten million!"

...

Perhaps because the demonstration of the Netherworld Ghost Claw had been too impressive, although there weren't many people cultivating the yin ghost laws, there were still many bidders below. Before Han Li could even make a bid, the price had already risen to ten million immortal spirit stones.

He did not immediately join in. With competition so fierce, his presence would make no difference—neither adding nor subtracting.

Since he was determined to obtain this treasure, it was the same to contend for it at the very end.

Beside him, Ti Hun glanced at Han Li, seeming to want to speak but holding back.

A moment later, when the price reached fifteen million immortal jade stones, only a few bidders remained.

"Sixteen million!" Han Li pointed at a blue jade token on the table in the room. After a layer of blue spiritual light emerged on it, he called out a price.

"Sixteen million five hundred thousand!" An aged voice came from a VIP box not far from Han Li.

Han Li turned his head to look over, a layer of purple-black light shimmering in his eyes.

Although the opponent's VIP box was equipped with advanced restrictions, they could not block his Nine Nether Demon Eyes.

Previously, within the Shura Blood Gate, Han Li had opened almost all the hidden apertures in his body, and some apertures in his eyes had also been fully integrated. Moreover, after he successfully cultivated the "Heavenly Fiend Prison Suppression Art," demonic energy flowed freely, greatly advancing his Nine Nether Demon Eyes.

When the Nine Nether Demon Eyes first formed, the pupils emitted a purple light; the deeper the cultivation, the stronger the purple light.

But when this eye technique reached a profound level, the purple light would gradually fade and turn black. When the eye color became pure black, the demonic art would be perfected, allowing one to see through the Nine Nether.

Han Li's Nine Nether Demon Eyes were now not far from this realm.

In the opposite box sat an old man in gray robes, with chilling yin energy surging around him. He was surprisingly a Great Luo early-stage cultivator, holding a white staff that seemed to be made of human bones, quite eerie.

The gray-robed old man did not detect the probing of the Nine Nether Demon Eyes. At the moment, his expression was somewhat tense, as if this price was already his limit.

"Master, that person's soul fluctuations show a feeling of anxiety and tension. It seems he has no more immortal jade stones." Ti Hun closed both eyes, a layer of black faint light appearing on her body, gently flickering, as she spoke.

Han Li glanced at Ti Hun in surprise and bid again.

"Eighteen million!" He added one million five hundred thousand immortal jade stones at once.

The gray-robed old man's face twitched, and he let out a long sigh, lowering his hands, clearly giving up the competition.

No one else in the venue bid either, and silence fell for a moment.

Although this Nether Ghost Claw was good, this price was already beyond its value.

Seeing this, Han Li smiled slightly, and Ti Hun beside him also showed a bright smile.

The fat old man was quite satisfied to see the Nether Ghost Claw sold at such a high price and was about to conduct the final inquiry.

"Nineteen million!" But at that moment, a cold voice sounded, coming from another VIP box in the distance.

Ti Hun's expression darkened, and she gritted her teeth.

Han Li frowned slightly, looking toward that private box. Purple-black light swirled in his eyes, instantly penetrating the wall of the box and revealing the scene inside.

Six figures sat inside the box, all dressed in black robes with hoods that tightly covered their faces.

A watery black light flowed over the black robes, actually blocking Han Li's Nine Nether Demon Eyes. He wondered what kind of treasure it was.

The six sat quietly, and he had no idea which one had made the bid.

"Hmm..." Just then, among the six, a slightly petite black figure lifted its head slightly, as if sensing Han Li's probing, and raised a hand to wave.

Immediately, a thick layer of red mist surged up inside the VIP box, completely cutting off Han Li's Nine Nether Demon Eyes.

"Twenty million!" Han Li's expression darkened, but he quickly returned to normal and immediately spoke.

At the same time, he gave a signal to the Soul-Devouring Beast.

The Soul-Devouring Beast understood and closed its eyes again. A layer of deep black light spread over its body as it probed the soul fluctuations of the person opposite.

"No good. The bidder also cultivates a soul-type law and is skilled at concealment. I can't clearly sense his soul fluctuations." But it soon opened its eyes and said dejectedly.

Han Li's heart sank upon hearing this.

"Twenty-two million!" The cold voice seemed somewhat impatient, suddenly raising the price by two million, trying to knock Han Li out in one go.

"Master, it's too expensive. Maybe we should just forget it." The Soul-Devouring Beast hesitated slightly, gently poked Han Li, and whispered in discouragement.

But the hesitation and reluctance in her words were obvious to anyone.

"Twenty-five million!" Han Li gave the Soul-Devouring Beast a reassuring look and bid again, yielding not an inch.

A commotion arose in the venue, with many looking toward Han Li's box.

Han Li had already set up a barrier of light inside the box, blocking the probing gazes of those around him.

"Twenty-seven million!" The cold voice paused for a moment, then raised the price again.

"Thirty million!" Han Li's expression was wooden as he suddenly announced a high price that left everyone present somewhat incredulous.

He was actually quite pained inside. Spending thirty million immortal spirit stones to buy this Nether Ghost Claw was a bit too much, but he had already promised the Soul-Devouring Beast that he would get these two immortal artifacts no matter what.

Moreover, this Nether Ghost Claw was indeed a rare and excellent immortal artifact, and it matched the Soul-Devouring Beast's law attributes very well, so it wasn't a loss.

In the other box, a tall, thin figure suddenly raised his head, revealing a pair of cold, vulture-like eyes that looked toward Han Li's box.

A sharp light flickered in this person's eyes. After a moment, he snorted and finally did not bid again.

On the auction stage, the fat old man, beaming with joy, asked three times and finally announced the ownership of the Nether Ghost Claw.

Han Li breathed a sigh of relief inwardly, but then looked at the remaining twenty million immortal spirit stones on him and frowned again.

The other immortal artifact the Soul-Devouring Beast had her eye on was no worse than the Nether Ghost Claw, and its price would likely not be low. Moreover, there was also what the Essence Fire Child wanted. These immortal spirit stones probably wouldn't be enough.

His brow twitched, and he fell into thought.

Soon, the auction house sent someone to deliver the Nether Ghost Claw. The person who came was none other than Lan Mei.

Han Li paid the immortal spirit stones, and the Soul-Devouring Beast immediately, with delight, waved her hand to emit a black light, wrapping around the Nether Ghost Claw and drawing it into her body to begin refining it.

"Lan Mei, does this place acquire treasures?" Han Li ignored the Soul-Devouring Beast and asked Lan Mei.

"Of course we do. May I ask what senior wishes to sell?" Lan Mei's eyes lit up with joy, and she immediately replied.

Han Li raised his hand and waved. Beside him appeared over a dozen blue crystals, each the size of a human head, with terrifying lightning light flickering inside.

An extremely powerful lightning law burst forth from these blue crystals. Lan Mei's entire body immediately trembled uncontrollably, and her face turned deathly pale.

Seeing this, Han Li waved his hand to emit a layer of golden lightning light that enveloped these crystals, concealing most of the lightning law.

Only then did Lan Mei steady herself, let out a sigh of relief, and thanked Han Li.

"These are Thunderclap Stones!" She carefully examined the blue crystals, revealing a shocked expression, and quickly stepped closer for a detailed look.

"Miss Lan Mei has good eyes. Indeed, these are Thunderclap Stones. How much would you offer?" Han Li asked calmly.

Thunderclap Stones are a very high-grade material among lightning law materials. Although not as good as Earth Emperor Crystals or Heaven Gold Diamonds, they are not far off.

He had discovered these Thunderclap Stones by chance while collecting lightning essence in the central area of the Five-Colored Lightning Domain to refine his Azure Bamboo Cloudswarm Swords. They were extremely valuable.

"These Thunderclap Stones are of extremely high quality. Each one is probably worth over a million immortal spirit stones. Such a large transaction is beyond my authority. Please wait a moment, senior. I will go and invite the elder in charge." Lan Mei apologized and quickly walked out.

Han Li was in no hurry and looked down at the square below.

The auction had already resumed, but what was being auctioned was not what he wanted.

He glanced at it twice, then looked away and turned his gaze toward the previous private box, his mind churning.

The six people in that box were all dressed in black robes, looking furtive.

If they were just rogue cultivators, they shouldn't need to be so secretive. Could those six be from the Nine Yuan Temple, the Hundred Creations Mountain, or the Gold Origin Immortal Palace? What were they doing in Flowing Gold City?

A sudden, inexplicable thought popped into Han Li's mind: Could those people be here because of him?

At this thought, he frowned.