"I am willing to pay… 11 Jade of Crystal Ice."
Those words stunned everyone here. They didn't think under the circ.u.mstance that the Plate of Escape is now as high as it is, someone would raise the price.
However, the Plate of Escape cannot be valued organically. Therefore, after moments of surprise, n.o.body felt much emotions after.
The man in the expensive gown's expression dimmed and his eyes were cold. Then, he provokingly looked over to the fifth floor and announced loudly, "I offer 12 Jade of Crystal Ice."
Hearing this, Ling Xian frowned then shook his head with a smile.
If this was before, he would hesitate. But today, he had the man's storage pouch and there were many valuable materials in there. Naturally he had nothing to fear.
The Plate of Escape is extremely rare. If he misses it, then he will not even get the opportunity to see it again.
Therefore, he softly said something that stunned everyone.
"Fifteen Jade of Crystal Ice."
After those words, the people in the main hall could no longer contain themselves. They couldn't believe that for the Plate of Escape, Ling Xian would make such a big offer.
Fifth Jade of Crystal Ice!
That is equivalent to 150,000,000 spiritual stones! This is an astronomical number that most people cannot earn in their life. It is basically equivalent to a small to middle sized force's financial position!
Therefore, everyone exclaimed over Ling Xian's wealth and they all looked over to the man in the expensive gown with high expectation in their eyes.
"Dammit!"
Cursing, the man's expression became dark. There was pulsing fury in his eyes. However, he hesitated still.
All because 15 Jade of Crystal Ice is the limit to his wealth and he has no more in him to add to it.
This infuriated him. He felt like Ling Xian had humiliated him.
"Young Master, let's breathe through this. After the auction is over, we can… hehe." A servant in grey suggested.
"That's true!"
The man in the expensive gown's eyes brightened and he coldly snickered, "We can let him be happy for a bit. Once the auction is over, I will make him kneel before me."
Then, he sat back in his chair and he didn't comment further.
Everyone was a little disappointed at this. They didn't expect this incredibly arrogant young man would admit defeat.
But once they remembered how it was 15 Jade of Crystal Ice, they understood.
Not everyone can just spend this much money.
"n.o.body is going to add to it?"
The auctioneer announced with his bright voice. Since n.o.body responded, he added with a smile, "Then the Plate of Escape belongs to the VIP on the fifth floor."
Then, he rolled up his sleeve and pushed the Plate of Escape to where Ling Xian sat.
"They sure are efficient."
Ling Xian smiled. He rolled up his sleeves and accepted the Plate and pushed the 15 Jade of Crystal Ice into the auctioneer's hands.
Seeing this, the auctioneer revealed a smile. He then took out the next treasure to continue the auction.

Ling Xian merely glared at it before losing interest.
He looked over to the Plate of Escape in his hand and saw that the object was completely black and was circulating with a dark light. It looked somewhat mysterious. At the center of the Plate, there was a three-inch gold needle that wasn't at all moving.
However, Ling Xian knew that this was the needle of escape. Under certain circ.u.mstances, it will move and point out the way of survival.
"The Plate of Escape… the treasure all ruin diggers crave for… not bad."
Ling Xian smiled in satisfaction and took the Plate of Escape into his storage pouch. He then closed his eyes again and looked at peace.
No matter what shocking item the auctioneer took out, no matter how clamorous the audience got, Ling Xian didn't open his eyes.
To everyone else, these items were all extraordinary and they were willing to use all they have in exchange. But to him, they were useless.
Therefore, he closed his eyes and patiently waited.
Just like that, time pa.s.sed by little by little. After a whole hour, the item he has been waiting for finally appeared.
"Everyone, the next item up for auction is for a curse."
The auctioneer spoke with a smile. He then took out a spiritual paper with the record of a curse and said, "This curse is named the Lock of Eternity. It has the ability to seal any spiritual being's natural talent and freeze one's cultivation level at one's current state. It is a very devious curse."
At those words, everyone shuddered. But more than that, they appeared greedy.
To seal a spiritual being's natural talent and freeze it at the time of the curse is placed is a curse that cannot be broken for life. This curse is a weapon that can used against one's enemy and naturally everyone desires it.
"Of course, there is a flaw with this curse. It can only be used against those at the original level or lower. It is useless against those higher than the original level."
The auctioneer spoke of the disadvantage of this spell and then smiled mischievously. He then spoke of something countless found hard to reject.
"But think about it this way. If you use it against a genius who has yet to grow up, then aren't you stunting the birth of a genius?"
Everyone's eyes turned heated at those words. The important figures in the VIP rooms were breathing heavily.
When there are humans, there are wars and there are collisions. If a future genius can be sealed by this curse, then wouldn't they be stopping the enemies from producing any descendants that can resist them later?
Thinking about it that way made the majority of the major figures tempted.
To them, this was a weapon without any downsides. They wouldn't be exposed and they get to get rid of the nail in their eyes. Is there a better tactic than the Lock of Eternity?
Perhaps there is. But n.o.body can deny that this curse was a very appropriate way to get rid of the enemy. Therefore, every major figure began to bet on this item. The crowd went wild again.
"Seven Stones of the Dragon's Eye!"
"Then Stone of the Blue Ocean!"
"Seventeen Jade of Crystal Ice!"
Within a short period of time, this item's value increased to 20 Jade of Crystal Ice and it was still increasing.
This price made most people pause their steps and in the end, choose to give up.
However, those in the VIP rooms continued to shout out prices. They were acting as if they would give up their entire wealth to get the Lock of Eternity.
What could they do? This curse was far too insane. It is most suitable for the devious, naturally, they would want it.
Just as they were getting more and more heated with the auction, someone from the top level of the VIP rooms shouted, silencing the crowd.
"Twenty-five Jade of Crystal Ice."
At those words, the crowd went quiet and they shook their heads with a bitter smile. They were helpless.
First of all, this was a high price, so high that it exceeded the majority of people's wealth. Second of all, it was because of who was speaking.
Though it wasn't clear who exactly spoke, since it came from the top level of the VIP rooms, he must be a top figure.
Therefore, everyone had to weigh their options.
Even Ling Xian frowned at this.
There weren't that many materials left in his storage pouch. However, he did have a priceless Stone of Phoenix's Blood!
As for whether or not he can find the cure to the Lock of Eternity is dependent on whether or not he can get this item.
Therefore, Ling Xian didn't hesitate and made his offer.
"I offer… a Stone of Phoenix's Blood."
Those words once again silenced the crowd. All eyes were now on the fifth level of the VIP rooms, astounded.