The gavel struck the heavy wooden block. A sharp crack silenced the murmurs of the audience on the lower floor.
"The Grand Auction of Qiancheng begins," Elder Feng announced, his voice carrying clearly to every corner of the majestic hall.
The iron doors behind the stage did not open yet. Instead, Elder Feng raised a hand, gesturing to the center of the wooden stage.
"We shall begin with a few ordinary lots to settle the mood first," he said, smiling. "The first item is an Earth Tempered Steel Dagger. It was forged in the volcanic fires of the Southern Ridge, refined seven times, and is suited for disciples needing a reliable blade. Bidding starts at two thousand spirit stones."
On the main floor, several hands rose immediately.
"Two thousand two hundred!" a young man shouted. He wore the blue-and-white robes of the Heavenly Cloud Sect, his posture upright. A sword was strapped to his back, and his robes identified him as a disciple of the Heavenly Cloud Sect's Sword Peak.
