Human Clan Defender

The Black Banner was auctioned for 700,000 taels of silver, which certainly caused quite a stir during the auction. After all, an item originally of little value fetched such a high price, one couldn't help but exclaim: "A fool and his money are soon parted." Those not from the side sects wouldn't understand the significance of the Black Banner. Of course, even to those from the side sects, 700,000 taels seemed excessively high. In fact, for the side sects to compete for the Black Banner, a bid of several tens of thousands of taels would have been normal. The subsequent rise to the lofty heights of 600,000 to 700,000 taels was also partly due to the Dark Yin Sect Master getting carried away. Many paid a premium.

Regarding this, Shen Changqing didn't care much. After all, the purpose of earning money is to spend it, and how it is spent is entirely up to oneself. As long as it can enhance strength, no expense is too great.

Soon after, new auction items appeared on the auction stage. However, the subsequent auctions, no matter how precious, could not climb to the price level of 700,000 taels.

As time passed, the atmosphere in the venue grew increasingly tense. Everyone understood that by now, the auction was drawing to a close. Most people were here for the three Grandmaster Martial Arts on offer. And from the current situation, it was clear that these Martial Arts were going to be the grand finale.

Very quickly, after an item was auctioned for 80,000 taels of silver, a Maid came up holding a wooden box. The smile on Steward Number Two's face faded, replaced by solemnity. He took the wooden box and opened it in full view. Inside the box lay a book that was neither too thin nor too thick. All eyes were instantly locked on the book.

"Ahem!" Clearing his throat, Steward Number Two spoke out loud and clear, "I believe most of you are here for the Grandmaster Martial Arts. Now we shall start bidding for the first Grandmaster Martial Art."

A low hum went through the hall as he finished speaking, and the venue immediately became tumultuous. Many people's eyes burned with fervor, wanting to directly seize the Grandmaster Martial Arts from the wooden box. However, they knew where they were, so despite some impulsive thoughts, they managed to restrain themselves. It was easy to snatch Grandmaster Martial Arts, but whether one could leave the Yuanyang Auction House afterward was another question entirely.

Meanwhile, the experts from various sects in the private rooms also fixed their gazes on the Grandmaster Martial Arts.

Steward Number Two said, "This Martial Art is called Invincible Golden Body, an Outer Technique that focuses on tempering the Flesh and vitality. If cultivated to great achievement, it can allow one to reach the realm of Tiger Leopard Thunderous Roar.

"The Martial Art is from Lord Shen of the Demon-Subduing Division, Shen Changqing. I trust everyone is clear on who Lord Shen is, so there is no need to doubt the authenticity of this Martial Art."

"Invincible Golden Body, starting bid at 50,000 taels of silver, with each increment no less than 1,000 taels of silver. Now—"

"Let the auction begin!"

As his words fell, those who had prepared in advance immediately began to bid.

"60,000 taels!"

"100,000 taels!"

"200,000 taels!"

"300,000 taels—"

In just a few breaths, the price of Invincible Golden Body skyrocketed to 300,000 taels. Regarding Grandmaster Martial Arts, everyone was well aware of the kind of pricing such arts should command. So they did not waste time increasing the bid by 1,000 taels at a time; instead, they pushed the price up directly, eliminating those who were not qualified to compete.

It's already 400,000 taels! Hearing the bids around him, Shen Changqing couldn't help but smile. 400,000 taels! That was the minimum price Ji Qu had estimated. The auction has just begun, and Invincible Golden Body has already soared to 400,000 taels. One can imagine that the final transaction price for this Martial Art will certainly be very high. As for how high, that will depend on the specific demand.

Seeing this, Ji Qu also cupped his hands and offered congratulations, "Looking at the current trend, the transaction price of Invincible Golden Body will not be less than 600,000 taels. Lord Shen stands to earn quite a sum this time!"

600,000 taels! That's just a temporary estimate, Ji Qu thought. Considering the current trend, perhaps it might even exceed 600,000 taels. However, I shouldn't speculate too high; otherwise, if it doesn't reach that, it would be like slapping my own face. Moreover, in my view, if Invincible Golden Body can fetch 600,000 taels, then the price for the remaining two Martial Arts will likely be even higher. Thus, the combined price of the three Martial Arts will undoubtedly be no less than 2 million taels. To be honest, I'm somewhat envious of Shen Changqing's fortune. 2 million taels! Even for the Demon-Subduing Division, this amount is out of reach for many.

"640,000 taels!"

"650,000 taels!"

After another bid was made, Wu Que immediately pushed the price higher. This time, the Saber Blade Sect's goal was to win the Invincible Golden Body at auction. It's an Outer Technique that leads directly to Tiger Leopard Thunderous Roar. If I obtain it, it's very likely I can break through to the late-stage Grandmaster Realm.

Soon, this price was surpassed by others.

"670,000 taels!"

"680,000 taels!"

Wu Que bid again. The price had reached a point where it was no longer likely to jump by tens or hundreds of thousands of taels. For everyone, a Grandmaster-level Outer Technique had already been bid up quite a bit by this stage. But there was no helping it; any Grandmaster Martial Art was highly valued yet rarely available on the market. Although the typical market value of Grandmaster-level Outer Techniques wasn't this high, no one was selling them. Every time one appeared, it sparked a competition of soaring bids.

It seems there are quite a few vying for Invincible Golden Body! Wu Que listened to the bidding around him, his expression stern. To obtain Invincible Golden Body, he had brought a total of one million taels of silver with him. Initially, he was quite confident that he could secure Invincible Golden Body. But after the Black Banner's price was driven up to 700,000 taels, Wu Que realized that quite a few participants in this auction had deep pockets. One million taels is a lot, but there are probably many here who can afford that much. Whether I can get Invincible Golden Body in the end is still a question.

"700,000 taels!"

From the Qiyao Sect's location, Ji Cang made his bid.

Ming Zhengyang said in a heavy tone, "Master, it seems many are vying for Invincible Golden Body. Will we be able to secure this Martial Art?"

"Hard to say." Ji Cang shook his head, his demeanor nonchalant.

Listening to the others' bids, Ming Zhengyang's face showed confusion. "Why is the competition for a Grandmaster-level Outer Technique so fierce? Isn't True Qi the main focus after Pulse Condensation? If Outer Techniques are so costly, wouldn't Inner Strength fetch an even higher price?"

He was somewhat at a loss, not quite understanding why so many were competing for Invincible Golden Body. Logically speaking, Outer Techniques require a considerable amount of time to be honed through hard work. Although strong, they aren't as crucial as True Qi. In Jianghu, there are some experts who primarily cultivate Outer Techniques. At their peak, their strength is formidable. But once past their prime, their vital energy gradually declines, and they simply cannot compare with those who focus on Inner Strength. True Qi is enduring; the older one becomes, the more robust it grows, and the greater the power it can unleash. In this regard, Outer Techniques are inevitably deemed inferior.

"You don't understand. You haven't reached that realm yet, so you wouldn't grasp the importance of Outer Techniques."

Ji Cang shook his head. Then he turned to this outstanding Disciple of the Qiyao Sect and, with a faint smile, offered some explanation.

"Before the Grandmaster Realm, Outer Techniques indeed aren't considered much, because Outer Techniques at that stage are not even truly initiated. Only when one's Outer Techniques advance into the Grandmaster Realm, and one's vital energy becomes robust enough to achieve Tiger Leopard Thunderous Roar, does one truly cross the threshold.

"At that time, the power of Outer Techniques will be genuinely unleashed.

"Moreover, when vital energy is robust and reaches a perpetually regenerating state, the common Jianghu notion of vital energy declining after one's peak no longer applies.

"In ancient times, Grandmasters who achieved Tiger Leopard Thunderous Roar possessed terrifying vital energy even at the moment of their passing."

The idea of vital energy declining with old age only applies if one's Outer Techniques haven't truly been initiated. For experts who have genuinely crossed that threshold, there's no such thing as declining vital energy.

Ming Zhengyang looked startled. It was the first time he had learned about this other dimension of Outer Techniques from Ji Cang.

At this moment, Ji Cang continued, "Outer Techniques are an indispensable tool after reaching the Grandmaster Realm. Grandmasters are divided into two major systems: the Spiritual System and the Physical System. Only one who has gained entry into either of these systems can be considered a true Grandmaster.

"The Inner Strength and True Qi painstakingly cultivated before the Grandmaster Realm will no longer overshadow Outer Techniques once that realm is reached."

Indeed, without reaching the Grandmaster Realm, one could not possibly understand the importance of Outer Techniques.

Ming Zhengyang seemed to have an epiphany and nodded. "Thank you for resolving my doubts, Master!"

While the two were talking, the price of Invincible Golden Body had already climbed to 775,000 taels. Compared to the Black Banner's 700,000 taels, Invincible Golden Body had set yet another record.

However, at this price, each bidder became significantly more cautious. Sometimes, they only raised the price by 10,000 taels, or even just a few thousand each time. After all, everyone understood that there was almost no chance of scaring off competitors with drastic bid increments. By this point, ninety percent of those still bidding were from major sects. Any major sect could afford a few hundred thousand taels of silver. Drastically raising the price would only lead to mutual loss, ultimately benefiting only the auction house and the seller.

"776,000 taels!"

"776,500 taels!"

"777,000 taels!"

"777,100 taels!"

The price of Invincible Golden Body was raised bit by bit, and the rest of the crowd, now mere spectators, were inwardly astounded.

「Inside the private room of the Guiyuan Sword Sect.」

Master Guiyuan's expression was grim. The price of Invincible Golden Body had taken him by surprise. An Outer Technique... According to my estimations, the auction price would be 500,000 or 600,000 taels at most. Now it's approaching 800,000 taels and shows no sign of stopping. If an Outer Technique is fetching such a price, it's hard to imagine how high the bids for the next two Martial Arts will go. Whether it's the Martial Art that points directly to Martial Dao True Intent or the Grandmaster-level Inner Strength technique, the Guiyuan Sword Sect needs both. Therefore, even at great cost, the Guiyuan Sword Sect must obtain one of these Martial Arts.