Where did this unlucky fellow come from

"Ten million taels!"

"Eleven million!"

"Thirteen million!"

......

Gu Qingfeng stared at the Nine Heavens Roaming Dragon Steps, his heart burning with desire.

This treasure is destined for me.

As a descendant of dragons, possessing the Prison-Suppressing Dragon-Elephant Physique, and wielding a sword forged from the reverse scales of the Void Thunder Dragon, my connection to dragons is undeniable!

Now, it's just a matter of waiting to see which lucky soul will help me secure it.

After what felt like an eternity, the Nine Heavens Roaming Dragon Steps were finally claimed—by none other than the black-robed man.

Tsk tsk...

Damn, he's loaded!

Well, this saves me the trouble of going through the motions.

Later, Zhao Shilong brought out several ten-thousand-year-old spiritual treasures, gradually pushing the atmosphere to its peak.

But the black-robed man didn’t make another move. Whether he’d run out of money or simply lost interest was unclear.

Gu Qingfeng grew impatient. Damn it, why aren’t you bidding on more stuff for me?!

"Next up is the grand finale of today’s auction—the supreme divine weapon, the [Genggold Sword Case]!"

The mere mention of "supreme divine weapon" instantly electrified the crowd. A treasure typically reserved for Heaven-Man Realm experts was actually being auctioned here?!

Skepticism quickly arose. "Elder Zhao, supreme divine weapons are beyond rare. If this were being auctioned in Xuantiān City, it’d make sense. But here in Sunset City? How?"

"Patience, everyone," Zhao Shilong chuckled. "The Genggold Sword Case is undoubtedly a supreme divine weapon. However, it has one flaw that significantly reduces its value."

"What flaw?!"

"Its only function is to nurture swords—it has no offensive capabilities whatsoever."

The crowd erupted in disbelief.

"A supreme divine weapon just for nurturing swords? You’d need a saint-level weapon to make it worthwhile! How many saint-level weapons even exist in the entire Verdant Wood Domain?"

"So you’re saying this Genggold Sword Case is completely useless?"

"Calm down, everyone. Let me explain."

Zhao Shilong raised his hands to quiet the crowd. "While the Genggold Sword Case lacks offensive power, its true potential surpasses that of ordinary supreme divine weapons—it all depends on how it’s used."

"Elder Zhao, stop teasing us and get to the point!"

"The Genggold Sword Case’s power is determined by the number and quality of swords stored within. It imbues them with Genggold energy, sharpening their edges, and contains an innate formation that can assemble them into the Genggold Sword Array—a formation of unparalleled mystery and indestructible might.

The minimum requirement is thirty-six swords. If filled with thirty-six Heaven-Piercing Spirit Weapons, the array could dominate the Human Yuan Realm. Thirty-six divine weapons? You could challenge the Earth Yuan Realm. One hundred and eight divine weapons? Even Heaven Yuan experts would fall before it.

In short, the more swords and the higher their quality, the greater the sword case’s power."

The crowd exploded in outrage.

"Who the hell has over a hundred divine weapons lying around? If I could gather that many, I’d already be a Heaven-Man! Why would I need this sword case?"

"Even if someone somehow collected one hundred and eight divine weapons, how would a Human Yuan cultivator even have the energy to control that many at once to kill a Heaven Yuan expert?"

Zhao Shilong coughed awkwardly. "Ahem. This esteemed friend raises a valid point. The more swords, the more energy required to control them. Thus, this treasure is best suited for those with profound cultivation.

Now then, esteemed guests, the starting bid is twenty million spirit stones."

He hurriedly shifted focus, launching straight into the auction. But... silence.

Zhao Shilong’s embarrassment deepened. This was exactly why he’d argued against using a supreme divine weapon as a gimmick to hype up the auction. Sure, it sounded impressive, but now no one was biting.

Gu Qingfeng studied the Genggold Sword Case on stage, deep in thought. No wonder a supreme divine weapon was being auctioned here—it was practically useless.

To wield its full power, three conditions had to be met: First, wealth. Second, even more wealth. Third, profound cultivation.

But here’s the kicker—those who met all three were usually already powerful figures. Why waste money on this when they could just buy pills to boost their cultivation?

Then it hit him.

Wait... I fit all three perfectly.

I’m rich, my foundation is rock-solid, and my realm is still low, leaving me lacking in combat power. This sword case could perfectly fill that gap.

This treasure is mine!

Now, if only some poor fool would bid on it for me...

Gu Qingfeng scanned the crowd eagerly, but as time dragged on, no one stepped forward.

His face fell. Damn it, are you forcing me to spend my own money?!

Of course, even if he had to pay, Gu Qingfeng wouldn’t bid openly. If the auction flopped, he could just approach Zhao Shilong privately afterward—and haggle the price down. If twenty million spirit stones couldn’t sell it, surely they’d have to lower it, right?

"Since no one wishes to bid, this auction will now—"

Just as Zhao Shilong was about to declare the event over, a voice cut in.

"Twenty million!"

Zhao Shilong froze, then beamed at the bidder.

It was none other than the black-robed man who’d earlier bought the Heavenly Thunder Seed and the Nine Heavens Roaming Dragon Steps.

The crowd turned to stare, their gazes practically screaming, "What an idiot."

Gu Qingfeng, however, was ecstatic.

Where the hell did this walking ATM come from?! You’re too good to me!

For being this generous, I’ll make sure to save your life when the Profound Cloud Sect comes for you later!

"Twenty million, going once! Twenty million, going twice! Twenty million—sold!" Zhao Shilong rushed through the closing formalities, terrified the bidder might back out. Finally, he exhaled in relief.

All that remained was payment, delivery, and dispersal.

Seeing this, Gu Qingfeng adjusted his robes, slipped out of his private booth, and blended into the crowd.

Moving stealthily, he closed in on the black-robed man and flicked his finger, releasing an imperceptible ripple of energy.

Instantly, a mark was left on the man’s body—completely undetected.

A mere Human Yuan cultivator stood no chance of sensing the techniques of an Innate Sacred Physique. Not in this lifetime, anyway.

With the mark in place, Gu Qingfeng casually walked away as if nothing had happened, heading off to collect his payment from Zhao Shilong.

He waited in the main hall for what felt like ages before Zhao Shilong finally finished his post-auction duties and arrived.

"My apologies for the delay, Young Friend Gu. Here is the remaining sum of spirit stones. Please verify."

Gu Qingfeng took the spatial ring and inspected it carefully. Finding no issues, he nodded in satisfaction.

Zhao Shilong remarked, "I noticed you didn’t bid on a single item today. Were none to your liking?"

Gu Qingfeng nearly said, "Some kind soul did the bidding for me."

Instead, he replied, "I still haven’t fully mastered the treasures my sect provided, so acquiring more seemed unnecessary. I merely came to broaden my horizons."

Zhao Shilong’s heart skipped a beat.

"Still haven’t fully mastered the sect’s treasures"?

In other words, the auction’s offerings were trash compared to what his sect had already given him.

Zhao Shilong didn’t doubt Gu Qingfeng’s words in the slightest. After all, the man had just earned over 200 million spirit stones. If he had wanted to, he could have easily secured any auction item, yet he hadn’t bid on a single one.

The only explanation was that none of them caught his eye—what other reason could there be?