The time arrived, and the doors to the tenth floor opened completely.
Xu Chuan stepped closer, only to discover a world within! It was as if he had entered another realm.
"What grandiosity!" Xu Chuan couldn't help but exclaim. Truly worthy of the Myriad Treasure Pavilion. This tenth floor was actually a small, pocket dimension!
Within this dimension, a street meandered, lined with shops of all kinds selling various wares. Without exception, these items were rare treasures seldom seen in the outside world!
Crowds poured in, each heading towards their favored establishments, seeking the treasures they desired.
Xu Chuan did not wander aimlessly. His gaze remained fixed on Chen Feng at all times. Wherever Chen Feng went, he followed, maintaining a distance that allowed him to observe Chen Feng's every action while remaining undetected. Xu Chuan meticulously recorded everything Chen Feng had come into contact with during his journey. Adhering to the principle of "better safe than sorry," after Chen Feng departed, Xu Chuan purchased these items. However, regrettably, none of them were what Xu Chuan sought.
Suddenly, exclamations of surprise erupted from a gambling stone shop ahead. Chen Feng, drawn by the commotion, went to investigate.
"It's a top-grade Earth-tier martial art, the 'Five Spirits True Scripture'!"
"Patriarch Li, you're too lucky!"
Within the gambling stone shop, a spectator, seemingly acquainted with the stone opener, cried out in astonishment upon seeing the unearthed top-grade Earth-tier martial art.
"I offer one million low-grade Yuan stones. Patriarch Li, will you sell it to me?" Seeing the martial art, someone immediately began bidding.
"Brother Li, don't listen to him! This is a top-grade Earth-tier martial art. I offer three million low-grade Yuan stones!" The atmosphere instantly ignited. The black stone from which this martial art was extracted had cost only a hundred thousand low-grade Yuan stones, yet it yielded something worth millions. This made everyone present's hearts race.
The owner of the martial art sold it when the bid reached five million low-grade Yuan stones. Money exchanged hands, and goods were delivered. Upon receiving the scripture, the bidder hurried out of the pocket dimension and, using a Myriad Treasure Pavilion token, teleported away. They feared being followed and having the scripture snatched. This was understandable, as a treasure worth five million low-grade Yuan stones represented a lifetime's savings for most martial artists. This scripture, which he himself might not have coveted, was treated as a priceless treasure by this individual. Perhaps this was the difference between people. Xu Chuan couldn't help but shake his head.
As this martial art was purchased, the gambling stone shop's atmosphere reached a fever pitch. All the onlookers began selecting black stones themselves, hoping to strike it rich. Xu Chuan noticed Chen Feng also seemed tempted, clearly wanting to try his luck. However, he didn't act immediately, preferring to observe other martial artists. Soon, these martial artists bought their black stones and began the cutting process.
Xu Chuan observed that within the span of a single stick of incense, the Myriad Treasure Pavilion had earned at least fifty million low-grade Yuan stones from the sale of black stones alone. "Truly a lucrative business!" Xu Chuan marveled.
The quality of the Myriad Treasure Pavilion's black stones was evidently excellent, as people continuously unearthed various treasures. This spot quickly became the most popular area within the entire pocket dimension.
Seeing so many people profiting from gambling stones, Chen Feng could no longer resist. He immediately pushed into the crowd and began selecting black stones. However, perhaps due to the large number of people and the limited supply of black stones, the shop owner introduced an auction system. After selecting a black stone, the highest bidder, starting from the reserve price, would win!
Chen Feng soon chose his stone. He had a premonition that this black stone contained something he needed!
"Everyone, have you made your selections?"
"We have! The bidding officially begins!" the shop owner declared joyfully. The more black stones were sold, and the higher their prices, the greater his rewards would be. How could he not be happy?
"Alright, let's begin!" a customer urged.
Under the gaze of many, the shop owner commenced the bidding for the first black stone. Then came the second, third, and fourth! Without exception, they were all purchased by customers at prices far exceeding the reserve.
Soon, it was time for the stone Chen Feng had selected. Upon seeing this black stone, Chen Feng became exceptionally agitated, trembling uncontrollably. Xu Chuan's divine sense detected this, and his spirit was instantly invigorated. It was clear that only a fragment of the Myriad Spirits Cauldron could elicit such a reaction from Chen Feng. Chen Feng's first stroke of fortune had finally appeared! It was undoubtedly within this black stone.
However, Xu Chuan did not bid first. He couldn't be bothered with such effort; he would wait for Chen Feng to bid. He only needed to intercept it at the last moment.
"Eight hundred thousand!"
"Eight hundred fifty thousand!"
"Nine hundred thousand..."
"One million!" This black stone was desired by more than one person, and the price quickly soared. When the price reached one million one hundred thousand, Chen Feng finally made his move.
"One million five hundred thousand!" He directly offered one million five hundred thousand low-grade Yuan stones, a full four hundred thousand more than the previous bidder! This was an exorbitant price! The marked price for this black stone was merely one hundred fifty thousand. In such a short time, it had ten times its value! The customers present were stunned, analyzing whether to continue bidding.
Chen Feng was pleased with the situation, feeling a sense of being valued that he hadn't experienced in a long time. The previous bidders, after some consideration, all withdrew from the competition. The current price had far exceeded their expectations. If nothing valuable was found inside, they would be utterly ruined. They would have nowhere to cry.
Chen Feng was delighted that no one else was bidding against him, as this price was nearing the limit of his Yuan stone reserves. If the bidding went any higher, he would have to give up. Although this black stone felt particularly special, it was only special. It wasn't worth him going bankrupt. Fortunately, everything was unfolding as Chen Feng had anticipated, which pleased him.
However, just as the shop owner was about to bring down his hammer, and the black stone, bid up to one million five hundred thousand low-grade Yuan stones, was about to fall into Chen Feng's hands, Xu Chuan, from outside the crowd, pushed his way in. In front of Chen Feng, he made an offer that the shop owner found impossible to refuse, instantly crushing Chen Feng's bid. With the prize snatched away, Chen Feng's face darkened.