Qiao Hongyun commented from the side, "I heard about this `Supreme Profound Finger Technique` during my travels in my youth. It’s said to be the signature skill of the Profound Yin Ascendant of Prisoner Dragon Path. The man walked the line between righteous and evil, and his `Finger Technique` is `Cunning, Ruthless, and Fierce`, specializing in breaking `Inner Family Astral Qi`. I never expected his legacy to appear here."

Shen Xiuyong nodded slightly and chimed in, "This `Finger Technique` is powerful, but the cultivation process requires tempering the finger bones with a special yin-cold medicinal liquid, an extremely painful process. Our sect’s `Li Fire True Astral` follows an aggressive and powerful path, which clashes with this `Yin-Soft Finger Art`. Otherwise, it would truly be a formidable skill to have in one’s arsenal."

At these words, the glint in Chen Qing’s eyes grew even brighter.

The `Supreme Profound Finger Technique` was a form of `Fist and Foot Skills` and would complement his `Hard Skill`. Both the `Finger Technique` and his `Spear Technique` shared the same principles of piercing and stabbing, which would indeed multiply his power.

He was already tempted.

But Chen Qing knew the purpose of this trip was the `Wood Yang Jade`, so he suppressed his impulse.

The appearance of the `Supreme Profound Finger Technique` immediately caused quite a stir in the auction hall.

Its ability to specifically break `Inner Family True Qi` and `True Astral` made many feel wary, while at the same time, it made the eyes of those who specialized in `Finger Technique` or sought unconventional moves light up.

Bids rang out one after another, and the price quickly broke the `one hundred thousand taels` mark.

"One hundred seventy thousand taels!" a voice called out from a corner of the main hall.

"One hundred eighty thousand!" someone immediately countered.

"One hundred eighty-five thousand!" This time, the bid came from an ordinary private box on the second floor.

Miao Zhicheng stared at the yellowed `Secret Manual`, his eyes burning with desire and his breath quickening.

`Golden Sand Castle` was renowned for its `Palm Technique` and `Saber Technique`, but advanced `Martial Arts` of the `Finger Technique` variety were relatively scarce. This `Supreme Profound Finger Technique` was the perfect way to shore up that weakness and deepen their foundations.

He took a deep breath and raised his paddle without hesitation. "One hundred ninety thousand taels!"

The price silenced the hall for a moment.

However, just as `Steward Qian` was about to start the count, a cold and aged voice drifted from the `Cold Jade Valley`’s private box. "Two hundred thousand taels."

All eyes turned toward the source of the voice, only to see `Granny Hanzhuang` with a frosty expression, lightly tapping her `Cold Jade Staff` on the floor.

The `Cultivation Technique` of `Cold Jade Valley` followed a yin-cold path. The viciously cold and sharp nature of the `Supreme Profound Finger Technique` was quite compatible with their `attribute`, so it was no surprise that she made a bid.

Miao Zhicheng’s expression changed. He gritted his teeth and raised the price again. "Two hundred and ten thousand taels!"

"Two hundred and twenty thousand taels." `Granny Hanzhuang` didn’t even raise an eyelid. Her voice remained flat, yet it carried an air of absolute determination.

Wanchong Mountain, the `Vice Tower Master` of `Fengle Prefecture`’s `Rain Listening Tower`, frowned slightly. He whispered a few words to the disciple beside him before finally shaking his head.

Their objective for this trip was clear—they were here for the grand finale, the "`Cangming Shuangyao`." It wouldn’t be wise to exhaust too much of their capital this early on.

A look of conflict crossed Miao Zhicheng’s face. The price was nearing his limit, and more importantly, he couldn’t afford to offend a power like `Cold Jade Valley`.

He finally let out a dejected sigh and gave up on the bid.

"Two hundred and twenty thousand taels, going once!"

"Two hundred and twenty thousand taels, going twice!"

"Two hundred and twenty thousand taels, third and final time! Sold! Congratulations to our friends from `Cold Jade Valley` for winning this treasure!" `Steward Qian`’s gavel fell, sealing the deal.

`Granny Hanzhuang` gave a slight nod. Beside her, `Ye Qingyi` was also filled with curiosity.

Although `Cold Jade Valley` had numerous `Cultivation Technique` `Secret Manuals`, few of them were for `Finger Technique`.

The auction continued, with one treasure after another being presented: `Elixirs`, rare ores, `Treasure Armor`, exotic items... The crowd gasped in amazement, and the bidding was fierce.

Shen Xiuyong also made a bid, winning a large, high-quality piece of `Profound Iron Essence` for a hefty price, clearly preparing to reforge his `Weapon`.

Chen Qing watched on calmly, waiting until `Steward Qian`’s voice rang out again.

"The next item for auction is a `Wood Element Treasure`—the `Wood Yang Jade`!"

A hostess brought up a `Cold Jade Box`. When she opened it, a smooth, warm green piece of jade radiated a vibrant life force under the light.

"This jade was formed from the crystallized `Essence of Wood`. It is supremely yang and warm, containing within it the creative power of `Everlasting Life`. Long-term wear can nourish the meridians and dispel latent yin-cold injuries, making it highly beneficial for `Cultivators` of `Wood Element Techniques`. The starting bid is `one hundred twenty thousand taels`, or exchange for a treasure of equivalent value. Each increment must be no less than `five thousand taels`!"

Chen Qing’s spirits lifted, and he sat up straighter.

"One hundred twenty-five thousand taels." Before he could even speak, someone below had already placed a bid.

"One hundred thirty thousand taels," another voice called out.

"One hundred thirty-five thousand taels."

Chen Qing gave Shen Xiuyong a slight nod. Understanding the signal, Shen Xiuyong lazily called out a price.

The moment he spoke, some of the smaller factions and individual buyers who had been eager to bid immediately fell silent.

A newly promoted `Astral Force Elder` from the `Wutai Sect` had entered the bidding, and he was clearly determined to win. Offending an `Astral Force` expert over an `Exotic Treasure` that wasn’t essential to them would be foolish.

Inside `Cold Jade Valley`’s private box, `Granny Hanzhuang` shook her head slightly. "Shen Xiuyong cultivates the `Li Fire True Astral`," she said to `Ye Qingyi`. "Its `attribute` clashes with this jade, so the item is useless to him. It seems he’s bidding on behalf of that Chen Qing."

`Ye Qingyi` nodded gently. "Yes, Chen Qing’s primary `Cultivation` is the `Cyan Wood True Qi`. This `Wood Yang Jade` is a perfect fit for him." She cast a complicated glance in the direction of their private box on the second floor.

There weren’t many bidders. After all, `Cultivators` of `Wood Attribute Techniques` were relatively rare. Furthermore, while the `Wood Yang Jade` was excellent, its effects were more for gentle nourishment and support. Unlike the `Earth Essence Marrow Pearl`, which could directly purify and solidify one’s foundation, its allure was comparatively limited.

By the time the price slowly climbed to one hundred sixty thousand taels, only Shen Xiuyong and a mysterious, bamboo-hat-wearing individual were left in the running.

"One hundred seventy thousand taels," Shen Xiuyong bid again.

The person in the bamboo hat fell silent for a moment, apparently weighing the pros and cons, before finally shaking their head and giving up.

Inside the `Earth Element Sect`’s private box, Lu Da watched the bidding below and whispered to `Elder Yu`, "Elder Yu, it seems that Chen Qing is determined to get that `Wood Yang Jade`. Should we... drive the price up for him? We could test the limits of his finances, or at least make him bleed a little."