As the Taoist opened his mouth, countless gazes focused on him with even greater intensity.
Upon seeing the Taoist's appearance, the crowd below erupted in chatter.
"Quick, look, isn't that the Celestial Master said to reside on Qingming Mountain? Why has he come down from the mountain?"
"I don't know, but it's said he's incredibly powerful. Countless demons and monsters can't even get close to him. Once, the Li family even paid a hefty sum to invite the Celestial Master from Qingming Mountain down."
"Yes, yes! What's even more unbelievable is that his talismans and spells not only catch fire but can also cure all illnesses. He's practically a god."
"I never expected a peach wood sword to attract the attention of the Celestial Master. It's truly fortunate."
Many voices were filled with excitement.
Seeing the Celestial Master, some could hardly wait to go and greet him.
Gaining the recognition of a Celestial Master would surely pave a smoother path for them in the future.
Zhang Tian also overheard their conversation, his sword-like eyebrows twitching.
"Qingming Mountain, Celestial Master? Are you sure it's not Qingming Festival?"
Zhang Tian didn't recognize this Celestial Master at all.
Moreover, it was the first time he had ever heard of him.
"Boss, his aura feels unusual. It's as if he's also from the Mojin school."
Hu Bayi, being half involved in the Mojin sect, was highly sensitive to people like Mojin school lieutenants. They all exuded a unique aura.
"Mojin lieutenant?"
Looking at the yellow-robed Taoist before him, Zhang Tian couldn't help but be stunned.
He had thick eyebrows and a righteous expression, not at all like a Mojin lieutenant. He looked more like a bootleg version of Uncle Jiu!
But Uncle Jiu was far more principled than this fellow. That Taoist, with his twenty million, had surely scammed many people.
"This esteemed guest has bid twenty-two million. Are there any higher bids?"
On stage, the beauty continued to call out, her sweet smile as if it could compel people to pay.
"If not, then this peach wood sword will belong to this esteemed guest."
As the woman in the cheongsam finished speaking, a smile curved the Taoist's lips.
He clearly intended to win it at all costs.
"Twenty-three million."
Just as he believed the peach wood sword was his, a voice suddenly rang out.
He turned abruptly and saw it was the same young man from before. This time, a confident smile was playing on the young man's face.
"You brat, how dare you try to snatch my treasure!"
He hardened his heart, his eyes wide.
Zhang Tian ignored the man's bulging eyes and looked towards the auction stage. He had spent over ten million on the compass, and he had fifty million.
Zhang Tian refused to believe that a wooden sword could sell for thirty-nine million!
Zhang Tian felt that buying the compass and this peach wood sword this time was enough. Buying more would surely attract attention, so it was better to restrain himself.
Seeing that Zhang Tian was ignoring him, the Taoist gritted his teeth.
"Twenty-four million..."
He clenched his teeth.
Clearly, this amount had reached his limit.
No matter how much of a Taoist he was, he couldn't possibly have this much money. Twenty-four million was not a small sum.
"This young master simply loves to collect. This peach wood sword would look perfect hanging at my doorstep, so I won't say more. A fixed price, twenty-seven million!"
Zhang Tian's words stunned the entire audience.
Even those in the private boxes were taken aback.
Most people in the private boxes belonged to the old nine gates. Apart from a few individuals, the majority of the old nine gates had limited understanding of Taoist arts.
Therefore, most of them couldn't discern any special use for this peach wood sword.
Now, Zhang Tian willing to spend twenty-seven million on a wooden stick was like a little frog drowning – his brain had gone waterlogged.
"How bold! Isn't that right, Huahua?"
Huo Xiuxiu's eyes widened as she watched Zhang Tian speak below.
At this moment, Zhang Tian was like a shining star, capturing everyone's attention.
Xie Yuchen, however, frowned slightly.
He was a meticulous person and a keen judge of character.
Xie Yuchen didn't believe Zhang Tian was a rash person. Spending twenty-seven million on this was impossible.
Although they had met a few times, from the previous incident, it was clear he liked the axe but had given it to him.
This person could not possibly be rash.
"There must be some secret about this wooden sword that makes him willing to spend a large sum and even expose himself. This secret must be significant."
"However, this is not what we need. We need to accumulate resources."
Xie Yuchen said softly.
All items must yield to the ultimate goal; this was a principle.
Huo Xiuxiu nodded, a hint of surprise on her delicate face.
"Brother Huahua, so you mean he's deliberately acting this way to inflate the peach wood sword's value?"
Huo Xiuxiu, being clever and mischievous, could also guess.
Xie Yuchen nodded: "Yes, that's what I think, but I'm not sure."
As Xie Yuchen spoke, Huo Xiuxiu looked at Zhang Tian with renewed scrutiny.
This person was deeply hidden, so much so that even she hadn't discovered it.
"Damn, what is Fatty seeing? Tian Zhen, has this guy been kicked by a donkey? Twenty-seven million? You could buy a museum with that!"
Wang Pangzi watched from below, his face filled with excitement.
Wu Tianzhen also shook his head.
"His actions and words are unpredictable. Perhaps this item is useful to him."
"But I didn't expect him to actually bid. If I didn't need to save money, I might have competed with him."
Wu Tianzhen said, but he didn't place a bid, as the peach wood sword was of no relevance to him.
At this moment, the Taoist outside turned as green as his robes.
Zhang Tian's single bid of several million was indeed astonishing. Even if he sold himself, he might not be able to come up with twenty-seven million.
The woman in the cheongsam was all smiles.
This peach wood sword was worth at most twenty-three to twenty-four million.
Who would have thought there would be such an unexpected comeback, comparable to a game mechanic? Some fool was willing to spend so much on a decorative item.
"Twenty-seven million. Are there any higher bids?"
She asked, her voice trembling with excitement, ready to bring down the gavel.
After all, the price had far exceeded the peach wood sword's intrinsic value, and they had already made a fortune.
"Wait!"
Just as Zhang Tian thought it was over,
the Taoist stood up again.
To Zhang Tian's astonishment, he cupped his fists to the crowd.
"Everyone, I am Qingming Daoist from Qingming Mountain. If anyone can help me acquire this item, I will owe them a favor and will do anything for them."
Upon saying this, the entire audience fell silent.
Countless people were stunned. The words came too suddenly, and most hadn't reacted yet.
"Holy hell, isn't that cheating? Is this allowed? Should I just kneel on the ground and beg then?"
At this moment, the Fatty beside Zhang Tian jumped up.
He was so excited, more so than Zhang Tian himself, as if he wanted to devour the Taoist.
Good heavens, this was utterly shameless!
Shameless!
"Indeed, isn't this against the rules?"
Hu Bayi was also somewhat indignant.
Twenty-seven million and he couldn't even get a peach wood sword. Could this piece of wood be worth more than gold?
Zhang Tian's expression also turned strange. This fellow was utterly shameless!
Just as Zhang Tian was about to retort, he felt a strand of hair approach. Zhang Tian's hand quickly snapped shut, catching the hair.
But the hair transformed into a wisp of black smoke and entered Zhang Tian's body.
He looked up abruptly.
He saw the Taoist staring at him with sharp eyes.
The Taoist's other hand was lowered from behind his back.
This fellow had actually cast a spell on him!
Zhang Tian's expression became even more grim.
Little Brother also seemed to have sensed something. His slender hand suddenly grabbed Zhang Tian's.
It was extremely fast.
"Huh? You!"
Zhang Tian was surprised by this. Had Little Brother also detected it? And Little Brother's hand... felt so cold.
Zhang Tian felt a bit awkward. It was too late to pull his hand back, and holding it felt a bit peculiar.
"You've been cursed by him."
Little Brother suddenly spoke, his voice cold and his expression serious.
His gaze was even colder as he looked at the Taoist.
Zhang Tian said nothing more, merely nodding.
"I know. I've already felt it. It should be a poison technique. There's poison on that hair, but he probably didn't expect my body to be immune to all poisons!"
"Most of his curse techniques are based on poison, so they won't work on me."
Zhang Tian snorted coldly, his tone equally icy. This Taoist couldn't be allowed to live.
Simultaneously, his mind raced.
Who could use curse techniques and be familiar to Hu Bayi?
In the tomb-robbing world, in the ghost lamp world, there weren't many people who could use curse techniques or other spells.
Gradually, Zhang Tian narrowed it down to one school.
The Bianshan Dao Sect!