As time passed, within the VIP booth, Xiao Lin could see the previously empty seats below were now essentially filled to capacity. As for the neighboring VIP booths, lights had already flickered on, signifying that people were already inside.
"It seems the items being auctioned at this grand auction include more than what was on that list; there are some unlisted items. Even Yun Shan of the Yun Lan Sect has personally made an appearance."
"Also, if my soul perception isn't mistaken, besides Yun Shan, the guardian of the Jia Ma Imperial Family, Jia Xingtian, has likely arrived as well. Furthermore, those people who entered Booth No. 3 should all be Alchemists."
"Among them is an old man whose soul power has reached the high-stage Mortal Realm and possesses a Dou Huang cultivation; if I'm not mistaken, that's Fa Ma, the President of the Jia Ma Empire's Alchemist Association."
"Tsk tsk, these big shots—whom even I rarely get to see—have all appeared together at today's auction. It seems there is some inside information that even the current Xiao Clan isn't qualified to know! Heh, plus the host, the Mittel Clan... I expect the Ice Emperor Hai Bodong will be arriving soon too, right?"
Possessing a Heaven Realm soul, Xiao Lin had gradually discovered many extraordinary figures arriving during the period before the auction officially began. Clearly, this grand auction organized by the Mittel Clan was absolutely unusual!
After all, it wasn't as if the Mittel Clan hadn't held grand auctions before, but there had never been an instance that could draw in every single Dou Huang level powerhouse within the borders of the Jia Ma Empire.
In the past, it was considered good if a few Dou Wang powerhouses occasionally showed up; it was virtually impossible to attract a Dou Huang. It was precisely the arrival of these Dou Huang powerhouses that gave this grand auction a different atmosphere.
Not just Xiao Lin, but even others on the scene began to show thoughtful expressions after seeing the arrival of the three Dou Huang powerhouses: Yun Shan, Jia Xingtian, and Fa Ma.
Not long after, just as Xiao Lin predicted, the host, Ice Emperor Hai Bodong, also arrived and directly entered VIP Booth No. 1. At this point, the four great Dou Huang powerhouses on the surface of the Jia Ma Empire—Yun Shan, Jia Xingtian, Fa Ma, and Hai Bodong—had all arrived!
Shortly after the arrival of Ice Emperor Hai Bodong, a young man about the same age as Xiao Lin walked onto the central stage of the auction. He was surprisingly a Dou Wang powerhouse!
"Mittel Tengshan? Has he also broken through to Dou Wang? A single clan possessing both a Dou Huang and a Dou Wang... no wonder the outside world says the combined strength of the Xiao, Nalan, and Mu clans cannot compare to the Mittel Clan."
With just a single glance, Xiao Lin saw through everything about the young man on the stage.
It must be said, the Mittel Clan truly had some depth. One should know that there hadn't been a single piece of news regarding Mittel Tengshan's breakthrough to Dou Wang beforehand!
Achieving the realm of a Dou Wang powerhouse so quietly was likely beyond many people's expectations. However, despite discovering this, Xiao Lin remained calm, his expression showing no fluctuation.
After all, the Mittel Clan was not an enemy of the Xiao Clan; how strong the opponent was had nothing to do with him. Of course, as Mittel Tengshan stepped onto the main stage, everyone else knew that today's main theme was about to begin.
"First of all, I welcome everyone for giving us the face to participate in this auction held by our Mittel Clan, and I also thank the many friends who provided items for auction. This auction will be fully handled by me, Mittel Tengshan."
"If friends from various parties see something they like, please feel free to bid. Of course, I'd like to put the ugly words upfront: if anyone maliciously inflates prices and lacks the financial resources to make the final purchase, they will be permanently blacklisted by my Mittel Clan!"
"At that time, every Mittel Clan trading house within the Jia Ma Empire will refuse to serve them. That's about all; I won't say any more nonsense, as I assume you all aren't willing to listen to it, right? Then, I declare this auction officially open!"
Mittel Tengshan did not give a long-winded speech. From the moment he walked onto the stage to the declaration of the start, it took less than three minutes in total!
It seemed that as a qualified businessman, he was very clear about the mood of the bidders below. It must be said that the people of the Mittel Clan were very good at grasping the human heart!
Because of this brief opening statement, none of the people present felt any dissatisfaction, even regarding the warning he issued. Soon, following Mittel Tengshan's declaration, an attendant immediately walked onto the stage carrying a wooden box covered with a red cloth.
Simultaneously, many people in the packed seats below craned their necks, revealing curious expressions. Looking at them, one might think they were trying to peer through the red cloth with their eyes!
This sense of mystery was something the Mittel Clan had truly mastered.
"Everyone, this is the first item of this auction, a Water-attribute Mid-Level Xuan Grade cultivation technique—Water Transformation Spiritual Manual! Note, this is a cultivation technique, not a Dou Technique!"
"I believe you all understand the significance of a Mid-Level Xuan Grade cultivation technique. The starting price for this Mid-Level Xuan Grade cultivation technique, the Water Transformation Spiritual Manual, is 100,000 gold coins, with each bid increment no less than 10,000 gold coins. The bidding begins now!"
The moment Mittel Tengshan's voice fell, the breathing of over ninety percent of the people present grew heavy.
No one expected the first item of the Mittel Auction House to be such a highlight!
One should know that in previous grand auctions held by the Mittel Clan, items like a Mid-Level Xuan Grade cultivation technique were usually saved as the grand finale treasures. Yet this time, it was displayed as the very first item!
This forced many observant people to realize that this auction was not simple. In the Jia Ma Empire, even ninety-nine percent of Dou Ling might not necessarily possess a Mid-Level Xuan Grade cultivation technique, let alone those below that rank.
Take the earlier Xiao Clan for example; despite having two Dou Ling—Xiao Lin and the Clan Head Xiao Dongcheng—the strongest technique the Xiao Clan had at the time was still only a Low-Level Xuan Grade cultivation technique.
Generally speaking, only Dou Wang powerhouses were likely to possess a technique of this grade.
However, in the entire Jia Ma Empire, the total number of powerhouses at or above the Dou Wang level could not exceed twenty; how many people could possibly own a cultivation technique at the Mid-Level Xuan Grade or higher?
It was no wonder that when Mittel Tengshan lifted the red cloth, so many people stared with heavy breath at the book resting on the wooden box. If this weren't the Mittel Clan's auction house, many people would likely have tried to seize it directly!
But at the thought of the Ice Emperor Hai Bodong behind the Mittel Clan, everyone suppressed those forbidden thoughts. They were greedy, but they absolutely could not act!
Since that was the case, they could only bid through normal channels. However, when many people noticed the exorbitant price, they lowered their heads like deflated roosters. It wasn't that they didn't want to bid; it was that they were penniless and couldn't afford it!
One should know that an ordinary family of three only needs about 20 gold coins a year for expenses. What was the starting price now? 100,000 gold coins!
Each increment was at least 10,000 gold coins—who could afford that? Even if they sold themselves, they wouldn't be worth that much!
Thus, at this moment, most of the people with tight pockets gave up on the idea of bidding for this Mid-Level Xuan Grade cultivation technique. Naturally, those with the strength to participate were already eager to try, waiting to see who would make the first move.