Volume One: A Beauty’s Bane Chapter 24: Void-Cleaving Slash

"Ladies and gentlemen, we now present the third treasure of this auction—the Spirit-Bone Blood-Coagulating Pill!"

"This is a rare Grade 2 pill, crafted primarily from Spirit-Bone Grass and Blood-Coagulating Flowers. It is highly effective at promoting bone repair and growth, accelerating wound healing, and provides exceptional therapeutic benefits for skeletal injuries."

"As the saying goes, it takes a hundred days to recover from broken bones and strained tendons, but with this pill, that recovery time is slashed by a factor of ten! In other words, an injury that would normally take a hundred days to heal can be restored to its original state in just ten days!"

"Everyone, do not miss this! This pill is an absolute must-have for anyone venturing out on a journey!"

"To show our appreciation for our loyal patrons, the starting bid for this Spirit-Bone Blood-Coagulating Pill is a mere ten thousand silver coins!"

At this moment, Jiang Hao’s face no longer betrayed much surprise. In his view, since Qin Yumei could describe a treasure so magnificently, how could she ever let it sell for a low price? Everything was under her control!

Indeed, as soon as Qin Yumei finished speaking, the price of the Grade 3 pill—which had somehow escalated in her description—soared from ten thousand to fifty thousand silver coins, with bids following one after another.

Ultimately, under Qin Yumei’s guidance, the pill was sold for a staggering ninety thousand silver coins. What was even more surprising was that the buyer was not a cultivator, but a plump merchant.

"Finally, I don't have to worry about spending a hundred days recovering from a broken leg after visiting the leading courtesan of the Drunken Flower Pavilion!"

"In ten days, I’ll be back to being a hero among the blossoms again! Haha! How wonderful!" The wealthy merchant couldn't help but roar with laughter at the thought.

"Brother Jiang Hao, is that what you call a beast in human clothing?" Fan Caiyun asked, glancing at the merchant with visible disgust before turning to Jiang Hao.

"Caiyun, you are quite right," Jiang Hao replied with a helpless, bitter smile.

As the auction continued, a succession of treasures were unveiled: Grade 1 spear techniques, Grade 2 palm techniques, scarce two-star spiritual artifacts, and even more Grade 3 pills. Under Qin Yumei’s hosting, every single one sold for an astronomical price, far exceeding their true value. Even so, every successful bidder wore an expression of pure delight.

It wasn't until the ninth treasure was placed on the stage that a fiery light flickered in Jiang Hao’s eyes.

"Next is the second-to-last treasure of this auction: a Grade 3 sword technique—the Void-Piercing Slash!"

"This technique is renowned for its incredible swiftness. The practitioner channels spiritual energy to condense sword qi, unleashing a strike that seems to tear through the void, heading straight for the enemy's heart!"

"This technique focuses on the instantaneous explosion of sword intent, containing unparalleled power and speed. Every strike is like a thunderbolt, terrifying enough to shatter all obstacles in its path!"

"For such a domineering sword technique, the starting bid is eighty thousand silver coins!"

As soon as Qin Yumei finished, the venue erupted. Countless gazes were fixed upon the ancient technique manual on the stage. It seemed that, for the first time, everyone’s attention had finally shifted away from Qin Yumei herself.

"I wonder how much that young man will bid for this Void-Piercing Slash," Qin Yumei mused to herself, glancing toward Jiang Hao. He did not notice; he had focused his entire attention on the technique.

"A Grade 3 sword technique. If I can pair it with this Zhuxian Sword, it will surely unleash astonishing power!"

"The wait for this auction was worth it. I must have this technique!" Jiang Hao furrowed his brows, his resolve hardening.

***

As Jiang Hao pondered, the bidding intensified! After all, in the world of cultivation, many practitioners favored the sword, so sword techniques were naturally the most sought-after.

"Ninety thousand silver coins!"

"One hundred thousand!"

...

"One hundred and thirty thousand!"

"One hundred and forty thousand!"

...

"Three hundred thousand!"

When Jiang Hao called out the high bid of three hundred thousand silver coins, the atmosphere in the room calmed slightly. For a moment, the crowd stopped rushing to bid, instead turning their eyes toward Jiang Hao, full of curiosity. It seemed everyone wanted to see what kind of person this young man was.

"This young man can actually bid three hundred thousand?"

"He looks like a stranger; he must be a young master from an aristocratic family from out of town."

"To bid on a Grade 3 technique, his cultivation level must be quite high!"

"Truly a hero among youths. The price is already so high that I, an old man, will play the good guy and let him have it."

"You brat, you just can't afford it, why put on such a fake act?"

"Your grandfather! You bid then! I at least went up to two hundred and fifty thousand!"

The auction floor was already in an uproar, with voices rising from every corner.

"Uncle Han, how does this Void-Piercing Slash compare to the Sword Qi technique I am currently practicing?" Murong Hai, who had been a mere spectator until now, turned to ask the middle-aged man beside him.

"Reporting to Your Highness, although both are Grade 3 sword techniques, the power of the Void-Piercing Slash is clearly superior. If Your Highness were to cultivate this alongside your current technique, the Thunder-Galloping Sword in your hand would surely unleash even greater might. At that time, no one among your peers would be your match," the middle-aged man explained earnestly.

"In that case, I shall join in the fun," Murong Hai said, a cold, sinister smile curling his lips.

Just as Murong Hai consulted his companion, another bid rang out!

"Little brother, my apologies. I have spent decades honing my swordsmanship, and I happen to be lacking a Grade 3 technique."

"Pavilion Master Qin, I add fifty thousand silver coins!" A burly man with a chest covered in scars, carrying a heavy sword, shouted loudly.

***

It was clear he was a seasoned cultivator who had braved many battles.

Jiang Hao’s heart tightened. He hadn't expected someone else to bid, and to add a full fifty thousand at once! It seemed the man was determined to have the Void-Piercing Slash.

"This technique is vital to me. It looks like I’ll have to sell another Heavenly Spirit Fruit," Jiang Hao thought, his mind made up.

For Jiang Hao, the fruit was important, but that was something to consider only after he reached the Great Perfection of the Spirit Spring Realm. Right now, increasing his strength was the most urgent priority. After all, the Wild Wolf Gang might discover at any moment that he was the one who killed their Third Leader, Feng Ba.

Just as Jiang Hao prepared to raise his bid, Prince Murong Hai, who had remained silent throughout the auction, finally spoke.

"Yumei, I bid five hundred thousand silver coins!" As he spoke, Murong Hai swept his lewd gaze over Qin Yumei, seemingly enjoying the act.

"Murong Hai, truly a fool with too much money," Qin Yumei sighed inwardly. However, to stir the atmosphere, she said with a charming smile, "The Prince bids five hundred thousand! Does anyone in the audience wish to bid higher than the Prince?"

"Damn you! Being rich is so great, huh?" The burly man cursed inwardly but kept a smile on his face. "Haha! Since the Prince is so fond of this technique, I shall yield to his desire!"

"Hmph! What a stray dog," Murong Hai glanced coldly at the man, clearly disdaining to take him seriously. The burly man swallowed his anger and left in frustration.

"I didn't expect the Prince to bid on this technique; it’s quite surprising."

"It seems the Void-Piercing Slash belongs to the Prince."

"Indeed! Who would dare compete with him? That would be seeking death!"

"If you were targeted by the Prince, your life would be over."

The atmosphere turned icy; in a room of hundreds, no one dared to raise the price again.

"Everyone, if there are no more bids, then this Void-Piercing Slash will go to the Prince..." Qin Yumei glanced toward Jiang Hao from time to time, as if expecting a miracle. "It seems this young gentleman has run out of money," she sighed internally.

"Hmph! Once I make a bid, who dares to compete? Before long, you will be mine too, Yumei," Murong Hai said with a smug expression.

Just as Qin Yumei was about to declare the final winner, a firm voice cut through the silence of the auction house, sounding remarkably piercing.

"Pavilion Master Qin, I bid six hundred thousand!"

"Oh? It seems I underestimated this young gentleman today." Qin Yumei smiled, a look of genuine admiration appearing on her face.