To say that this was something within his price range was the truth. And that made it even more attractive. Having the opportunity to buy the first and next three elemental treasures required for breaking through... He hoped that he would be able to secure it. Unfortunately, if the other bidders were as interested as he was, he would likely have to give up on such an idea.

As for what the element was, he did not care. In the end, he learnt that every element could be powerful depending on how it was used. After playing around with many diverse elements in their different physical states, he acquired some personal understandings of them. They might be misconceptions for sure but he did not think so. He truly believed in the worth of every element.

If it exists, then it has uses.

What he saw was not the element but the possibility of not having to search for these treasures later on. He would save himself a lot of trouble!

What's more, according to Hae-Hyuk, it was best to focus oneself on a specific element for as long as you could. Sure, Hae-Hyuk did tell him that a treasure containing three elements was the best at first... And it was likely true. Even though Hae-Hyuk never had any intentions to instruct either Min-Su or him on such things, he had no reasons to lie either back then. Why would he lie to people he planned to send to their deaths?

Such elemental treasures were, unfortunately, very rare. And it would be beyond Jin's means to buy even the first one-year old one.

However, it was possible for him to get the same element for three breakthroughs here...It was not the best of all possibilities but it certainly was a better option than many other cultivators. A lot of them were forced to pick whatever they found. This, here, was a chance. His chance.

The bid opened but not a single offer was placed and the price did not rise. Even Jin did not bid right away. He planned to check how many opponents he would have. As for those, they were likely waiting for the big reveal.

They did not wait long as the host lifted the veil.

What appeared surprised everyone in the room. From the mortal Hymin to the top-grade masters in their booths.

The treasures were three eyeballs. Human eyeballs.

The host began to introduce the product as the price remained stable: "These three human eyeballs here are containers to the potent might of the 'fear' element. You heard me right, dear friends, the element of 'fear' itself"

"All present here are aware that the banned list contains two types of classifications. The first one bans the elements dangerous to the 'world' as a whole while the second one bans the elements dangerous to oneself. This element, 'fear', belongs to the second category"

"Of course, because of that, you might be reluctant...However! Shall I remind you of the few men and women who used this kind of element? Every single one of them made a name in our cultivation world!"

At that moment, a voice rang from an alcove: "Those who did not die from trying to absorb them!"

The host turned towards the direction of the voice and nodded before adding: "Which is why we are not selling it as a usual element. This, dear guest, is an opportunity! It might fail, yes...But it could succeed as well! And if it does, a new master would be born!"

Snickering and bickering were heard throughout the auction hall. And the price had not moved yet. The host was frowning internally. He knew it would be a difficult sale from the start. After all, these elements from the harmful-to-users category were very rarely used. Even if one found them when they needed it, they might reject using them.

It was a fact that those who managed to absorb them became well-known throughout the world of cultivation and their names were passed down in many books. However...How many died trying to accomplish the same feat? Far too many. Otherwise, it would not be a banned element.

Just because one had the treasure did not mean that one would breakthrough. They would be tested by the element itself. Would they have the worth to embody the element? That was quite a difficult question. When it came to peculiar elements such as fear, it was even more so.

Being able to face one's fear was far too easy to say and even that was not enough to tame the element itself.

True fear was not one's fear.

Many of the guests here tonight were highly respected individuals who had long gone beyond the first thirty stages. Only a few wealthy sons and daughters here tonight might be looking for the right treasures at those realms. Unfortunately, none of them would ever dare bet on this kind of element.

The host bet on their greed to have a subordinate with this ability. It did not seem to work unfortunately. He could understand since it was obvious that the risks of taking those treasures were far higher than their worth. The banned list was not a joke.

He decided to take a different approach.

He said: "This is not the only worth of a treasure, dear guests. They could also be made into armaments. The fear element remains a very potent one..."

But before he could say anything else, someone spoke up: "Fear affects everything around it! Even the user would be caught in it! Only with it in one's core can it be used! Everyone knows that much!"

The host sighed. They really had no plans to leave a way out for him... Then, there was only one option left: "But, dear guests, are you aware of the origin of these eyeballs?"

The silence within the auction house was his answer. His fervor came back as he spread his arms and prepared himself for an exciting speech.