Chapter 54: Peering in the Shadows

Initially, people had some interest, but after observing closely, they all began to frown. No matter what method or angle they used to look at it, it was simply a black stone with spiritual fluctuations.

The material of its shell was unknown, and its internal condition was unknown.

Just as Su Rou had said, it might be a treasure, but it was even more likely to be just a piece of junk.

If it were one or two pieces, they could bid on them for research, but a thousand spirit stones was no small sum.

For a moment, the hall fell into a cold silence.

Song Changsheng was certain that this stone was exactly what he wanted, but he was in no hurry to bid. If he appeared too eager at this moment, it would only cause complications.

Su Rou was not surprised by this situation. After all, this was an item that had failed to sell several times; it would be stranger if it sold so easily.

"Are there any fellow Daoists bidding? If not, this item shall..." Just as Su Rou was about to announce that the item had failed to sell, Song Changsheng unhurriedly raised his bidding paddle.

"I bid one thousand and one spirit stones."

"Hmm?"

The gazes of everyone present instantly converged on Song Changsheng, Su Rou included. Everyone wanted to see something in him, but they were destined to be disappointed; the black robe covered Song Changsheng so tightly that nothing could be discerned.

"This old man bids one thousand one hundred spirit stones," an aged voice suddenly drifted from a second-floor private box.

Song Changsheng frowned slightly, but he had long anticipated this. It was normal for no one to bid on such an item; if someone did bid, it would undoubtedly signal to the crowd that they had seen something special.

In such a situation, many wealthy individuals would join the bidding even if they couldn't see any clues themselves.

Fortunately, the funds provided by that senior were ample. He slowly raised his paddle and said, "Add one hundred."

"This old man bids two thousand!" The elder in the box raised the price directly to two thousand.

Song Changsheng naturally could not give up. He deliberately acted as if he were getting heated, saying grandly, "I'll bid two thousand five!"

Seeing the two of them bidding so enthusiastically, many people were momentarily tempted to join in.

However, the elder in the box quickly bid three thousand spirit stones. This price was enough to deter the vast majority. Even the remaining small fraction would likely not bid for something whose value was indiscernible, especially since the grand finale had not yet appeared.

"I'm sticking with you today! I bid three thousand five!" Song Changsheng roared, putting on an air of immense wealth.

This immediately drew stares from everyone present, as it truly was no small amount.

Su Rou was both shocked and delighted. She had thought it would fail to sell, but unexpectedly, a new path had opened up, resulting in such a high price.

She couldn't help but cast her gaze toward the second-floor box, secretly hoping the other party would continue to raise the price, as the higher the final sale price, the higher her commission would be.

Most importantly, selling an item that had failed to sell multiple times at such a high price was undoubtedly a testament to her personal ability. Perhaps she could use this to catch the eye of the higher-ups and be transferred to a larger auction house in the future.

In the second-floor box sat an elder in silk robes. He frowned as he looked at the stone and ultimately gave up on further bidding.

Although he had used "Pupil Techniques" to see some clues, his goal today was not this stone, but the final grand finale item. He had to preserve his strength.

After a long silence from the upper floor, Su Rou felt a hint of disappointment. She raised her gavel, suspended it in mid-air, and said, "This fellow Daoist bids three thousand five hundred spirit stones for the first time."

"Second time."

"Third time, sold!"

As the gavel fell, Song Changsheng's hanging heart finally settled. At least the price hadn't been driven to an absurd level, which would have drawn too much unwanted attention.

Beside him, Zhu Yiqun secretly gave him a thumbs-up.

He walked to the backstage, paid the spirit stones, and received the pitch-black stone.

The moment he touched it, Song Changsheng's brow furrowed deeply. Although he couldn't see any specific clues, a deep sense of loathing for this object welled up from the depths of his consciousness—a feeling he had never experienced before.

"Could this be an evil object?"

Looking at the stone in his hand, doubts began to arise in his heart.

Ignoring the gazes of the crowd, he calmly returned to his seat and sent a voice transmission to Zhu Yiqun beside him: "What exactly is the background of that senior you mentioned?"

Zhu Yiqun was momentarily surprised. "Didn't I say it's something that can't be discussed?"

Song Changsheng immediately told him exactly what he had just felt, stating bluntly, "Although I desperately need the [Heart-Protecting Pill], I will never do anything that violates morality. If this is an evil object, I will not hand it over under any circumstances."

Seeing his determined attitude, Zhu Yiqun gritted his teeth and said, "Changsheng, that senior is definitely not of the evil path. My old man detests those of the evil path most of all. This item is being used by him to treat an injury; he won't use it for any other purpose. I've said all I can; weigh it yourself."

Hearing this, Song Changsheng fell into a dilemma. His intuition told him the stone in his hand was likely not a good thing, but he was willing to trust Zhu Yiqun's character.

To give it, or to keep it?

"This item was unremarkable among the many auction items and wasn't even promoted. How did that man know about it? Furthermore, even the appraisers of the Eight Directions Pavilion couldn't discern its origin, yet he can use it to treat an injury..."

Song Changsheng's mind raced. Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck him, and a bold suspicion formed in his heart.

Is it possible that this item was prepared specifically for that man?

According to Zhu Yiqun, the man was evading enemies and had suffered a specific type of injury.

Combining all these facts led to a deduction.

It was highly likely that this item was a "hook" intentionally released by that man's enemies. They were certain he would need this item to treat his injury and wanted to use it to expose his whereabouts.

Moreover, the opponent had likely tampered with the stone; Song Changsheng's subconscious had sensed a threat, which was why he felt such loathing.

If that were the case, it would make sense.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but say to Zhu Yiqun, "Brother Zhu, I have an unreasonable request."

"You want to see him?" Zhu Yiqun seemed to have guessed his thoughts.

"Exactly."

"Sigh, I really can't do anything about you. I will tell the senior, but I can't guarantee whether he will be willing to see you."

"That is only natural. But please tell the senior that if I cannot see him in person, I will not hand the item over," Song Changsheng said firmly.

"Fine." Zhu Yiqun nodded helplessly, but he could understand Song Changsheng's reasoning...

Song Changsheng did not leave in a hurry. He waited until the final grand finale item appeared and drew most of the attention before quietly making his exit.

Once outside the auction house, the two split up and blended into the crowd, moving in different directions to hide their presence, shaking off many suspicious followers.

But even so, a single gaze remained fixed on Song Changsheng the entire time...

(End of Chapter)