novelapdf Chapter 57 The Auction Begins
Chapter 57 The Auction Begins
[Level 2 Intelligence: Three Frost Crystal Fruits will ripen in three days on the second-tier Frost Crystal Spirit Tree at the Ancient Wood Pool on the outskirts of the Ten Thousand Spirits Mountains. Three second-tier demonic beasts, Bloodfire Deer, guard the pool. If you wish to pick them, please proceed with caution.]
[Level 2 Intelligence: This morning, a group of bandits were killed by patrolling cultivators outside the market in Yanxing County. It is safe to pass through.]
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[Level 2 Intelligence: Today, three rogue cultivators fought over the relics of a Foundation Establishment cultivator in the Blood Melting Cave on the outskirts of the Ten Thousand Spirits Mountains. They were all killed by a second-tier demonic beast, the Silver Moon Wolf, in the cave. Please proceed with caution if you wish to go there.]
Inside his temporary lodgings, Zhang Lingyu reviewed the three intelligence reports from the day, but unfortunately, they didn't yield much of a gain for him.
After finishing his daily routine, he would quietly begin his cultivation.
Yesterday, he went to Jade Pearl Pavilion intending to buy some items, but unfortunately, the prices there were terrifyingly high. The starting price was top-grade Qi-refining magic artifacts, which he didn't actually lack with his current wealth.
The things I really need are things I can't afford.
In the end, all I could do was buy three second-tier top-grade spirit talismans for protection.
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Several days passed in the blink of an eye. Zhang Lingyu withdrew from his cultivation and frowned slightly. Since breaking through to the seventh level of Qi Refining, he felt that his cultivation speed had slowed down considerably.
Without the support of elixirs, it would probably take several years to break through by simply sitting there and cultivating.
He had considered buying spiritual items and pills to improve his aptitude, but aside from how expensive they were, they were almost impossible to find on the market.
"We still need to look at the intelligence system."
Zhang Lingyu sighed and then walked out of the cave. Today was the day the auction would begin.
Although the time was set for the evening, many cultivators have already begun their journey there.
Upon exiting the cave, they saw Zhang Xingyao and another person playing chess, so they went over to watch out of curiosity.
Half an hour later, facing the clan's Grand Elder, the Zhang clan patriarch finally succumbed, saying with a wry smile, "Grand Elder, I concede defeat."
"Compared to before, your chess skills have improved significantly."
Zhang Yuanhua stroked his beard and laughed heartily. He was in a really good mood. In the past few days, he and Zhang Xingyao had visited all the major shops. Although they did not manage to exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill, they did manage to exchange for a Foundation Establishment spiritual item, [Fire Jade Marrow].
If nothing unexpected happens, the Zhang family should be able to produce another Foundation Establishment cultivator in the future.
Seeing that it was almost time, the two began to pack their things. Regardless of whether they could obtain the Foundation Establishment Pill tonight, they had to leave.
There are still many family matters that need their attention.
"Let's go."
At the old man's command, the three immediately flew towards the auction venue.
By the time they arrived, it was already evening. Many cultivators were entering the venue chatting and laughing. Zhang Lingyu looked up and saw that the auction house was shaped like a circular tower, nine stories high.
The exterior walls are made of black rock, with silver sand inlaid on the surface. During the day, it is as calm as an abyss, and at night, the starlight flows, making it look like the Milky Way hanging upside down.
"That's really impressive."
Seeing the shocked look on the young man's face, Zhang Yuanhua smiled and explained, "Behind the market town of Yanxing County is our Upper Sect's Jade Light Pavilion. How could a Nascent Soul sect not be magnificent?"
"The construction of this building alone cost over ten thousand spirit stones, not to mention the interior decorations."
"I wonder when my family will be able to build a market town," Zhang Xingyao sighed with the same emotion.
"Then we'll see when my family produces a Golden Core or Nascent Soul cultivator. At least this old man won't live to see it."
Zhang Yuanhua chuckled:
"Stop looking, let's go inside."
The three followed the crowd into the venue, where they saw a jade lotus platform floating in mid-air in the center, which was presumably where various items would be displayed later.
Looking up, one could see that many cultivators had already taken their seats in the pavilion, munching on spiritual fruits with mocking expressions, looking down at the crowd below as if they were ants.
Zhang Lingyu and his group had no powerful connections, so they could only sit in the main hall.
"The Yanli clan, the Yinsang Wang clan, the Chenxin Pavilion, the Yuehua Valley... all these Golden Core forces have sent people here."
Zhang Yuanhua looked around, his already uneasy heart sinking even further.
Although there are quite a few Foundation Establishment cultivators in the Golden Core faction, no one would complain about having too many Foundation Establishment cultivators, since Foundation Establishment Pills are extremely difficult to refine, and even they usually have to ask others for help.
With five appearing at once, they naturally strive to acquire them. Compared to them, their Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment abilities are simply no match.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the five Foundation Establishment Pills auctioned this time will most likely end up in their hands.
.......
As time ticked by, a figure finally appeared on the jade lotus platform suspended in the center, and the entire auction hall fell silent instantly.
The newcomer, with white hair and beard and dressed in a white robe, bowed to the crowd and said with a smile, "Today, the celestial secrets converge, and a spiritual treasure is born. I am honored that all of you fellow Daoists have graced us with your presence at this auction!"
"My name is Li Yongxu, and I will be the host of this auction. Without further ado, let's look at the first item up for auction today."
With a wave of his hand, a maidservant placed an item covered with a red cloth on the table in front of him.
Li Yongxu lifted the red cloth and introduced, "This first item is a high-grade Foundation Establishment magic artifact called the Fire Phoenix Burning Pearl, which is made of third-tier spiritual material Fire Cloud Sand and Yang Flame True Iron."
"This item can transform into a fire phoenix, capable of both offense and defense. At its full power, it can severely injure even a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator. Starting bid is 20,000 spirit stones, with each bid increasing by at least 1,000 spirit stones!"
As soon as the old man finished speaking, the entire audience erupted in excitement, and the price of the magical artifact skyrocketed.
"I'll offer 21,000!"
"I'll offer 23,000 spirit stones!"
"Then I'll offer 24,000, let's see if you can take it from me!"
"Then I'll offer twenty-five thousand!"
Most of the cultivators bidding against each other were from the second or third level, while those on the first level were quite quiet. Their goal was clear: they would not compete for anything except Foundation Establishment Pills.
"Good heavens, a high-grade Foundation Establishment magic weapon right from the start!?"
This scene shocked Zhang Lingyu. Remembering the Five Animal Fire Fan, also a high-grade Foundation Establishment weapon at home, he couldn't help but ask:
"Elder, compared to our Five Animal Fire Fan, which is superior?"
The old man stroked his beard and smiled, "In terms of power, my family's is naturally stronger. After all, it is the treasure of our clan. It has been nurtured by our ancestors for generations and is almost a top-grade magic weapon."
"However, each use of magic consumes a great deal of energy, so you should finish the battle quickly, otherwise you will be at a disadvantage once your opponent catches their breath."
"Although this Fire Phoenix Burning Pearl is also of superior quality, the other party has exaggerated it. At full strength, it can injure a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator, but it will definitely not seriously injure him."
"I see."
After listening to the explanation, Zhang Lingyu seemed to be deep in thought. As they spoke, the price of the Fire Phoenix Burning Pearl had reached 43,000. When a cultivator bid 45,000, no one else participated.
"Congratulations to this fellow Daoist on winning the Fire Phoenix Burning Pearl. Please come to the reception area to pay the fee after the auction."
Li Yongxu's smile widened, and he tapped the small hammer in his hand, saying loudly, "Then, fellow Daoists, let's welcome the second item for today's auction."
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