Chapter 123: An Invitation from a Fellow Traveler

Upon receiving this news, Qin Ming felt a sudden surge of spirit. The auction at the Mirror Snow Pavilion was about to begin. After giving a few instructions to Wu Jiang, he set off for Canghai Immortal City. Since his breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment stage, he no longer needed to rely on flying artifacts for travel, though using a Spirit Light Flying Shuttle was still more energy-efficient.

As Qin Ming flew through the air, he watched the scenery of Wangyue Lake retreating rapidly beneath him. His speed was now several times faster than before. Half a day later, he arrived at Canghai Immortal City. The crowd at the main gate was several times larger than usual, likely all drawn by the upcoming auction. Nearby low-level rogue cultivators, upon seeing a Foundation Establishment cultivator flying toward them, quickly stepped aside and bowed in respect.

Qin Ming entered the inner city and followed the main thoroughfare to the Mirror Snow Pavilion, where he met with Gu Qingzhao. From her, he learned that in addition to the Foundation Establishment Pills, many other fine items had been entrusted for auction. The appearance of the Foundation Establishment Pills had not only attracted numerous rogue cultivators and Qi Refining families but even most of the third-rate Foundation Establishment families. After all, adding a new Foundation Establishment cultivator was a qualitative leap in the overall strength of these clans. Since these third-rate families lacked the ability to refine Foundation Establishment Pills, they would never let such an opportunity slip by.

With three days left until the auction officially began, the inner and outer areas of Canghai Immortal City were bustling with activity. Even the hostels and inns in the outer city were fully booked, forcing the Immortal City to establish numerous temporary living areas outside the walls. Inside the Mirror Snow Pavilion, Gu Qingzhao and Manager Liao were busy as bees. Qin Ming sat alone by the window on the third floor, ordering a few small dishes and sipping wine while observing the scene outside.

"Hey, have you heard?"
"This Foundation Establishment Pill being auctioned by the Mirror Snow Pavilion is very likely refined by the Master of Wangyue Island himself."
"That goes without saying; Senior Qin is an honorary guest of the Mirror Snow Pavilion."
"I have to say, I've long heard that apart from his extraordinary accomplishments in spirit planting, Senior Qin's alchemy skills are also peerless."
"You're bragging, aren't you? Is he better than Master Alchemist Sun? He is a second-tier high-grade alchemy master."
"Even though Senior Qin can refine Foundation Establishment Pills, how long has it been since he advanced to a second-tier alchemist?"
"That is precisely why! Senior Qin is not even forty yet; sooner or later, he will surely break through to become a second-tier high-grade alchemist."
"It's just a pity we haven't seen him in person. We should be able to catch a glimpse of him at this auction."
"That makes some sense."
"Eat, eat!"

Listening to the discussion at the nearby table, Qin Ming could not help but shake his head with a bitter smile. Just then, two elderly men—one stout and one thin—ascended the staircase to the third floor, emitting the aura of the Foundation Establishment stage. The cultivators dining on the third floor immediately glanced over, though they dared not stare. The two men walked straight toward Qin Ming’s table. Upon approaching, the thin, elderly man greeted him with a smile: "Haha, greetings, Fellow Daoist Qin! I have long admired your name!"

"Might it be convenient to chat for a moment?"

Qin Ming looked the two over, stood up, returned the greeting, and asked, "May I ask who you two are?"
"I am Xue Zhili, and this is Fellow Daoist Miao Renke."
"Fellow Daoist Xue. Fellow Daoist Miao."
Qin Ming scanned them; Xue Zhili was at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, while Miao Renke was at the early stage.
"This is not a place for conversation. Could Fellow Daoist Qin move upstairs to talk?" Xue Zhili asked with a smile.
Not knowing what they wanted, Qin Ming nodded and followed them to a private room on the fifth floor. After the three ascended, murmurs broke out below:
"No way? Was that really Senior Qin sitting next to us?"
"It seems so."
"Then didn't Senior Qin hear everything we just said?"

Inside the fifth-floor private room, Xue Zhili cast a sound-insulation barrier and went straight to the point: "Fellow Daoist Qin, I am organizing an exchange meeting for Foundation Establishment peers to be held after the auction concludes. After all, it is rare for so many of us to be gathered together. Those who can attend this exchange are not ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators, but the elite among our peers. Your fame in the Lingqi cultivation world is well-known, and you are certainly qualified to participate. I would like to sincerely invite you; would you be interested?"

Qin Ming pondered for a moment and asked, "Where will the exchange be held?"
"Haha, do not worry, Fellow Daoist Qin. The meeting will take place at my Flowing Cloud Villa, right here in the inner city," Xue Zhili replied.
Qin Ming agreed immediately. An exchange of this level might just have the items he needed.
"In that case, I cannot refuse your kind offer, Fellow Daoist Xue. I will certainly attend."
Xue Zhili smiled, "Then I shall await your arrival, Fellow Daoist Qin."

Following this, the three exchanged pleasantries and got to know one another. Qin Ming learned that Xue Zhili was quite prestigious in Canghai Immortal City. Miao Renke was also a rogue cultivator, but he specialized in the niche art of mechanisms and puppets, ranking as a second-tier mid-grade puppeteer. Though his own cultivation was only at the early stage of Foundation Establishment, his puppet techniques allowed him to rival mid-stage practitioners. After the conversation concluded, the two departed.

Three days later, the auction that had been hyped for three months finally commenced. The treasure auction house of the Mirror Snow Pavilion in Canghai Immortal City was grand in scale, capable of accommodating over a thousand cultivators simultaneously. Of course, the entry threshold for this auction was set very high, and ordinary rogue cultivators could not even get in.

After Qin Ming entered the venue, Gu Qingzhao had a private room with an excellent view arranged for him, telling him, "Fellow Daoist Qin, there may be quite a few things you need in this auction." Hearing this from her, Qin Ming was slightly surprised and nodded, "That would be for the best." He now possessed considerable wealth and could afford almost anything that caught his eye.

Half an hour later, various factions, families, and rogue cultivators filed in. Looking at the entrance, Qin Ming noticed four or five Foundation Establishment cultivators enter in just a short time. He sighed inwardly; Foundation Establishment Pills were already rare, and with these powerful families competing, it would be difficult for rogue cultivators to have a chance. Yet, many Qi Refining families were prepared to exhaust their entire fortunes to seize this slim opportunity.

"The Mu family of Qilian Mountain, the Gusu family of Wan Jian Villa, the Qian family of Xiaokui Island—even these long-established Foundation Establishment families have come."
"And there's Old Ancestor Wildfire and Fairy Illusion... why are they here too?"
"Sigh, it's going to be difficult! I didn't expect so many people to fight for this one Foundation Establishment Pill."
"There's absolutely no way for us rogue cultivators to survive!"

Qin Ming had learned from Gu Qingzhao that a major reason for such intense competition was that the auction was being held within Canghai Immortal City. Even if a rogue cultivator won the pill, they didn't need to worry about being intercepted or killed on their way out. Because fighting was strictly prohibited within the city, safety was guaranteed. Once the pill was secured, one could simply rent a private cave dwelling beneath the main peak of Canghai to attempt the breakthrough on the spot.

An incense stick of time later, the venue was packed. Every person who had gained entry was present. A middle-aged auctioneer took the stage, and after a passionate opening speech, the first item was brought out.
"This is the first item of this auction."
"It is the Lingqi Spirit Rice, reappearing in the cultivation world after a century! A total of fifty catties!"
"Crafted by the hands of Master Qin of Wangyue Island!"
With that, the auctioneer slowly unveiled the red cloth, revealing the snow-white, pearl-like spirit rice underneath.