"One Top-grade Spirit Stone," said Lin Mo indifferently, since the item was stolen anyway, he didn't feel any pinch using it.
"Show off," Ye Beichen was taken aback. In his view, Silver Snow Grass wasn't in high demand and guessed it wouldn't exceed the price of eighty Middle Grade Spirit Stones. He didn't expect Lin Mo to bid with a Top-grade Spirit Stone straight away. In another private room, Qingxuan frowned, his expression somewhat somber.
Qingxuan had originally planned to buy the Silver Snow Grass for Miao Xin, as she cultivated the Ice Element Technique and having the Silver Snow Grass would speed up her cultivation process, enabling her to attain Great Perfection sooner.
Moreover, he knew the price of Silver Snow Grass, which, though rare, was like chicken ribs for many—useful but not essential, and he had never expected someone would actually dare to bid against him.
Wu Yue, Yao Lei, and Ouyang Xinghe exchanged looks and frowned together because they found the voice that had just spoken somewhat familiar.
"One Top-grade Spirit Stone and thirty Middle Grade Spirit Stones," Qingxuan said, slightly narrowing his eyes as he spoke.
"Two Top-grade Spirit Stones."
Lin Mo's voice remained flat and uninflected, spreading throughout the auction hall.
By now, all the Magic Users, Martial Artists, and those from Heavenly Sect attending the auction were stunned.
"Who is that showoff upstairs? He's bidding two Top-grade Spirit Stones, and for a mere Silver Snow Grass?"
"It must be a disciple from a major sect of Heavenly Sect; otherwise, who could afford to be so extravagant?"
"The one just now, I recall, seemed to be the Qingxuan Master of Qingxuan Sect. To think someone dares to compete with him, they must be someone of no small background."
"I remember that private room belongs to Ye Beichen. Young Master Ye is inside; perhaps it's Young Master Ye and Qingxuan Master vying for the Silver Snow Grass."
Many people from Heavenly Sect knew about the discord between Ye Beichen and Qingxuan, revealing expressions of amused anticipation and ready to enjoy the showdown between Ye Beichen and Qingxuan.
"Three Top-grade Spirit Stones." Qingxuan's face was nearing a grim extremity. Although Qingxuan Sect was among the top sects in Heavenly Sect, he was only its master, not even a Young Sect Master. To fork out three Top-grade Spirit Stones was already quite strenuous for him.
Snake Lord too frowned slightly, wanting to speak up and remind Qingxuan it wasn't worth it, but after taking a glance at Miao Xin, he restrained himself.
Born in Miao Xue Divine Palace, Miao Xin naturally knew the value of Spirit Stones, and with a furrowed brow, she said, "Qingxuan Master, maybe just let it go. It's not worth it for a Silver Snow Grass."
"The Silver Snow Grass is very important to you, and moreover, no one dares to compete with me, Qingxuan, for items," Qingxuan said, narrowing his eyes, cold light flashing through his pupils—even if that person was Ye Beichen, he didn't care.
Now that he had bid three Top-grade Spirit Stones, even if Ye Beichen was foolish, he wouldn't continue to compete.
Ye Beichen glanced at Lin Mo, and seeing that he hadn't spoken, thought he might be running low on Spirit Stones, "Brother Lin, if you don't have enough Spirit Stones, I have some here. This time, we must make Qingxuan eat humble pie."
"Five Top-grade Spirit Stones," Lin Mo suddenly said, his expression as calm as ever.
"Holy smokes, showoff," Ye Beichen exclaimed upon seeing Lin Mo's expression unchanged, amazed because to some smaller sects, five Top-grade Spirit Stones might represent all their assets.
Qingxuan, Snake Lord, Wu Yue, Yao Lei, Ouyang Xinghe, and others were all stunned, and the entire auction hall fell into dead silence.
A single plant of Silver Snow Grass had actually fetched the price of five High Grade Spirit Stones, a price that could almost buy an extremely potent Spiritual Medicine.
Qingxuan's face had turned exceptionally gloomy, his palms tightly clenched into fists, and a hint of fierceness shone in his eyes.
"Qingxuan Master, five High Grade Spirit Stones are already beyond its inherent value. It's not worth it," Snake Lord frowned and cautioned.
Miao Xin also frowned and lightly opened her ruby lips, "Qingxuan Master, since we didn't get it this time, we can just buy it next time."
"This isn't just about the Silver Snow Grass anymore. If I concede now, wouldn't that make Ye Beichen feel smug?" Qingxuan snorted coldly and said, "It's just that I didn't bring enough Spirit Stones this time. Sister Wu, Daoist Yao, Mr. Ouyang, could you lend me some?"
Wu Yue, Yao Lei, and Ouyang Xinghe exchanged glances, their faces showing embarrassment.
"What, are you afraid I won't be able to pay you back?" Qingxuan frowned and asked.
"Qingxuan Master, we won't hide it from you. Actually, we met someone on the Great Snow Mountain, and all our Spirit Stones were stolen," Ouyang Xinghe said with a bitter smile.
"What, the three of you were robbed?" Qingxuan showed a look of astonishment. Knowing that Wu Yue, Yao Lei, and Ouyang Xinghe might not be monstrous figures in the Heavenly Ranking, but their combined strength was enough to compete with a genius on the Heavenly Ranking, and they were robbed?
"And it seems to be by a Martial Artist from the mundane world," Wu Yue sighed.
Qingxuan furrowed his brow and exchanged a look with Snake Lord, seemingly having guessed who might have robbed Wu Yue.
"Since there are no other bids, the Silver Snow Grass will go to the guest in booth number one." The auctioneer waited for a while, saw that Qingxuan did not place a bid, and then announced the result.
Qingxuan slapped his hand on the solid wood armrest, and immediately, several cracks appeared on the sturdy armrest. Meanwhile, Duanmu Xiang had already delivered the Silver Snow Grass to the booth, and Lin Mo had given her the five High Grade Spirit Stones to pass on to the seller of the Silver Snow Grass. To prevent murder and robbery, the seller's information was confidential, so even though the Silver Snow Grass was sold, nobody knew who the seller was.
Lin Mo held the Silver Snow Grass in his hand, feeling a bit of coldness, and said, "Lady Duanmu, please do me a favor and deliver this Silver Snow Grass to booth number two, to Miao Xin. Tell her it's a gift from me and ask her to definitely accept it."
"Yes, Mr. Lin," Duanmu Xiang hesitated for a moment, not knowing why Lin Mo was doing this, but with her status, she dared not ask too many questions, and then she left the booth with the Silver Snow Grass.
Qingxuan was still fuming when Duanmu Xiang, followed by her subordinates, knocked and entered.
"May I know who Ms. Miao Xin is?" Duanmu Xiang glanced around, her eyes naturally resting on the most beautiful woman present.
"I am Miao Xin. Do you need something from me?" Miao Xin frowned.
"My name is Duanmu Xiang, I am in charge of the Jia Auction House. This Silver Snow Grass was purchased by Mr. Lin, who specifically asked me to deliver it to you," Duanmu Xiang explained.
For a moment, everyone in the booth was stunned. The one who had been bidding against Qingxuan was not Ye Beichen but 'Mr. Lin', and the Silver Snow Grass was purchased as a gift for Miao Xin.
"Is it him?" Miao Xin widened her clear eyes, also clearly surprised, and her glance shifted to Qingxuan with a hint of concern.