C13 Morton Auction House

Mo Zhu displayed a look of concern and respectfully stated, "Senior, as per the Morton Auction House's protocol, we must first evaluate your technique to confirm it meets the Spirit Rank Middle Grade standard. We have a responsibility to every patron of the auction house."

Ye Han responded, "No problem. Please summon your appraiser."

Observing Ye Han's composure, Mo Zhu grew more convinced of his significant stature and promptly sent for the appraiser.

Shortly after, a white-haired elder hurried in.

The elder appeared to be in his late eighties or nineties, yet he was spry and his sharp, clear eyes betrayed his keen insight. Upon scrutinizing Ye Han, he was taken aback to find that he couldn't discern Ye Han's level of cultivation.

The elder immediately bowed with deep respect to Ye Han, who was seated prominently, "I am the chief appraiser at the Morton Auction House. May I have the honor of examining the martial technique you wish to present?"

Ye Han extended his hand into his sleeve and produced the Thousand-intent Sword Arts, passing it to the elder.

"The technique I wish to auction is this Spirit Level Low Grade sword technique."

Despite being aware of the technique's grade beforehand, the chief appraiser was still startled by Ye Han's declaration, his hands quivering as he held the martial technique.

Having appraised techniques and martial skills at the Morton Auction House for over fifty years, the elder had never encountered a Spirit Level Low Grade technique.

The chief appraiser unfolded the scroll with utmost care, his eyes gleaming as he began the meticulous appraisal.

Unable to contain his curiosity, Mo Zhu stepped closer to review the Sword Spell alongside the appraiser.

Both elders, Martial Dao Experts of the Earth Martial Stage, swiftly concluded their assessment and exchanged glances. Their gaze towards Ye Han grew even more deferential.

Mo Zhu spoke with a hint of envy, "This Sword Spell is indeed of Spirit Level Low Grade. In my opinion, a starting bid of two hundred thousand silver coins would be fitting. Does that meet your expectations?"

Two hundred thousand silver coins?

Ye Han's body, concealed within his black robe, shook slightly, clearly indicating that the figure was well beyond his anticipation.

He had originally estimated that the Thousand-intent Sword Arts would have a starting bid of just one hundred thousand silver coins!

"Senior, the price we've quoted is merely an initial estimate from Mo Zhu. If you're not satisfied, feel free to propose your own," Mo Zhu said, noticing Ye Han's silence and mistaking it for dissatisfaction, so he quickly offered an explanation.

Ye Han nodded in response, "I have great trust in the professionalism of Morton Auction House. Let's go ahead with the starting price you've suggested."

The starting bid of two hundred thousand was just the beginning. As the various powers vied for it, the price was bound to skyrocket several times over, perhaps even more than tenfold.

Ye Han was quite confident in the allure of the Spirit Rank Low Grade Martial Skill.

The auction of the Thousand-intent Sword Arts was set to be the grand finale of the evening.

Once Mo Zhu had left the reception hall, he swiftly sent word to the major families within Auspicious Cloud City.

The families convened their elders to assess the risk of the martial skill falling into rival hands and to anticipate how others might respond.

The consensus was clear: they had to secure the Spirit Level Low Grade Martial Skill at all costs.

Before long, key figures from the major families arrived, each bringing substantial funds, all eager to claim this newly revealed treasure for themselves.

Ye Han, uninterested in the auction proceedings, remained seated in the reception hall, patiently awaiting the outcome.

Three hours later, the auction concluded, and the results were brought to him.

Amidst fierce competition, the Thousand-intent Sword Arts had fetched a staggering 1.23 million silver coins, more than six times the starting bid, and had ultimately been won by the Murong family.

"The Murong family, of all contenders!" Ye Han mused, slightly taken aback by the outcome.

Shortly thereafter, led by the Deacon, Murong Bo, the patriarch, along with Murong Xue, made their entrance.

"Master Murong, this esteemed senior is the owner of the Thousand-intent Sword Arts," Mo Zhu said with a beaming smile, gesturing towards Ye Han, who sat with a composed air in the principal seat.

Murong Bo cast a curious and respectful glance at Ye Han, immediately sensing his formidable presence. Among the three Earth Martial Stage Experts present, Ye Han's effortless poise was unmistakably genuine.

Murong Bo had been briefed by the Deacon about this enigmatic powerhouse before arriving, aware that the individual before him had an impressive legacy, possibly being a venerable figure from centuries past.

Upon entering, Murong Bo voluntarily lowered his stance as the head of the Murong family.

With a smile, Murong Bo greeted, "Junior Murong Bo pays his respects to the Senior."

Ye Han responded in a voice both aged and robust, "Hmm, here are the chant and the breakdown diagram of the Thousand-intent Sword Arts. Murong Bo, please take a moment to review them."

Murong Bo gingerly accepted the Sword Spell, his cheeks flushed with barely contained excitement. "I wouldn't dare question it. The reputation of Morton Auction House is beyond reproach."

He spread out the diagram of the Thousand-intent Sword Arts and studied the fresh ink, his brow furrowing slightly.

To the untrained eye, the intricacies of the sword spell diagram would remain elusive.

But for Murong Bo, the figures on the paper sprang to life, brandishing their swords in a dance of martial prowess.

Each technique was a marvel of precision, embodying a deep and complex understanding of sword intent. To master even one move would be immensely rewarding.

"Truly worthy of a Spirit Rank Low Grade Martial Skill, the depth of sword intent it harbors is immeasurable. This sword technique is an absolute steal!" Murong Bo's enthusiasm was palpable.

"Indubitably! This is indeed a Spirit Level Low Grade Martial Skill, crafted by the hand of a formidable Celestial Martial Stage Expert."

Murong Bo, beaming, promptly secured the Thousand-intent Sword Spell.

The Deacon, Mo Zhu, approached Ye Han with due reverence, "Senior, the Thousand-intent Sword Arts fetched a total of one hundred and twenty-five coins. After deducting the thirty thousand commission for the auction house, a balance of one hundred and twenty-two million silver coins remains. Would Senior prefer to exchange this for Spirit Stones or deposit it into Morton Bank?"

A Spirit Stone is a mineral formed from the free-floating Spiritual Energy in the atmosphere.

Typically, the value of one Spirit Stone is on par with a thousand silver coins.

Spirit Stones serve not only as a universal currency among warriors but are also essential for cultivation.

Ye Han instructed, "Deposit one million into the bank first, convert two hundred thousand into Spirit Stones, and hand over twenty thousand in cash."

Half an hour later, Mo Zhu presented Ye Han with a gold card inlaid with gems, "Senior, this is a three-star VIP card from Morton Bank. One million taels of silver have been credited to your account."

The VIP card is a symbol of status, and within the Great Xia Dynasty, not many people possess a three-star noble card.

Owning such a card signifies that one's wealth has surpassed one million silver coins.

Subsequently, the steward, Ink Bamboo, handed over a bundle containing two hundred Spirit Stones and seventy thousand taels of silver to Ye Han.

Without uttering a single word, Ye Han picked up the bundle and made his way out of the Morton Auction House.

"That elderly gentleman's silhouette seems familiar!"

Murong Xueer, without furrowing her brow, gazed at the retreating figure, a sense of recognition stirring within her as she murmured, "Odd, it's as if I've seen him somewhere before."

Murong Bo remarked, "Xueer, you spend your days in the Cloud Facing Pavilion; how could you encounter such an influential figure? He is a fearsome entity that our Murong family must absolutely avoid."

Murong Xueer, driven by curiosity, inquired, "Father, why do you say that?"

With a grave look, Murong Bo explained, "Observe, the ink on the Thousand-intent Sword Arts hasn't dried, indicating it was crafted today. Whoever can produce the Thousand-intent Sword Arts must possess a higher cultivation level than mine."

"That means he is either an expert of the Celestial Martial Stage or has the backing of one. Either scenario makes him someone we dare not provoke."

"A Celestial Martial Stage expert..." Murong Xueer gasped in astonishment, adding, "Even you, Father, have only recently advanced to the Earth Martial Stage Cultivation Level in the last few years."

Murong Bo nodded, his eyes reflecting a hint of aspiration.

Murong Xueer suggested, "There are likely no experts of the Heavenly Extreme Stage in Auspicious Cloud City. Perhaps I should send someone to tail him; we might uncover his identity."

Murong Bo urgently interjected, "Xueer, that's absolutely forbidden. Provoking an expert of the Heavenly Extreme Stage would exact a severe toll on us."

Murong Xueer, her eyes darting about, expressed her frustration, "Father, something puzzles me. If he's as formidable as you say, why is he short on silver coins? And why would he auction off Spirit Level Sword Arts?"

After a moment of contemplation, Murong Bo advised, "We're better off not delving into this matter. A Celestial Martial Stage cultivator is not someone the Murong family can afford to offend."

"Xueer, your dedication to the Sword Dao from a young age makes you the ideal candidate to master the Thousand-intent Sword Arts. If you can successfully cultivate the first technique within three months, you will undoubtedly stand out among the many talented youths at the Cloud Facing Pavilion during the sect's examination."

Murong Xue nodded in agreement, yet the silhouette that lingered in her mind was inescapable. She pondered, "Who is this enigmatic figure? Why do his every move and mannerism evoke thoughts of Ye Han?"