Chapter 124: The Auction

The auction began with a bang, immediately presenting its main attractions! The appearance of Spirit-Perch Rice instantly ignited the atmosphere of the venue.

"Fifty pounds of mid-grade Tier 2 Spirit-Perch Rice, starting bid at five thousand spirit stones!"
"Each increment must be no less than one hundred spirit stones."

No sooner had the auctioneer finished speaking than the cultivators in the hall began to place their bids.
"I bid five thousand five hundred spirit stones!"
"..."
"I bid six thousand five hundred spirit stones!"
"Seven thousand!"
"Seven thousand two hundred!"
"Eight thousand!"

This type of spirit rice, capable of significantly boosting cultivation during the Foundation Establishment stage, was highly sought after by all parties, even at a quantity of only fifty pounds. Driven by scarcity, the bidding for the Spirit-Perch Rice quickly soared to eight thousand.

"Eight thousand, going once!"
"Eight thousand, going twice!"
"Eight thousand, three times!"
"Sold! Congratulations to this fellow Daoist!"

The fifty pounds of Spirit-Perch Rice were claimed by an elderly man in green robes at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage.

Immediately following, the second item was brought out. The middle-aged auctioneer, beaming with a smile, gently lifted the red cloth to reveal a crimson beast core the size of a chicken egg. He announced loudly:
"A beast core from a Tier 2 early-stage Flame-Feather Hawk. It has a wide range of uses and is a rare treasure."
"Starting bid at four thousand spirit stones, with a minimum increment of one hundred!"

Upon seeing this beast core, Qin Ming’s eyes lit up. Bidding from below commenced. Many Foundation Establishment cultivators were determined to secure the item.
"This old man bids five thousand spirit stones!"
"Six thousand spirit stones!"
"Six thousand five hundred!"
"..."
"Seven thousand five hundred spirit stones!"

A cold voice emanated from the private room next to Qin Ming’s. The crowd below looked toward the source and began to whisper:
"I saw it just now; the person inside is Bai Yulin of the Bai family from Yiling Mountain."
"Ever since their ancestor broke through to the late Foundation Establishment stage years ago, the Bai family's status in the Wei Kingdom's cultivation world has risen accordingly."
"The Bai family has three talents, and Bai Yulin, at only forty-five years old, is already at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage."
"It is said he is already preparing to冲击 the late Foundation Establishment stage."
"Bai Yulin is a petty man who holds grudges; better not to offend him."

Seeing no further bids, the auctioneer immediately called out:
"Are there any other bids?"
"Seven thousand five hundred, going once!"
"Seven thousand five hundred, going twice!"

Just as everyone assumed this Tier 2 fire-attributed beast core would inevitably fall into Bai Yulin’s hands, a calm voice spoke up.

"Eight thousand spirit stones."

Whoa!
The cultivators below were in an uproar, surprised that anyone dared to bid against such a ruthless character. The bidder was Mu Yuanshan of the Mu family from Qilian Mountain, a clan comparable in strength to the Bai family.

At the same time, Mu Yuanshan could sense a probe of spiritual sense coming from the adjacent room. He remained composed and released his own spiritual sense, matching the strength of a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator. The two forces clashed in the air. Qin Ming’s room happened to be sandwiched between them, so he was forced to release his own spiritual sense. His powerful output blocked the others, preventing their senses from advancing even an inch further.

"Eight thousand eight hundred!" the cold voice from next door rang out again.
Mu Yuanshan remained calm and bid, "Nine thousand!"

At this point, both Bai Yulin and Mu Yuanshan realized that the person in the middle room was not to be underestimated, and they cautiously retracted their spiritual senses.

"So it was Fellow Daoist Qin from Wangyue Island. In that case, I will grant Fellow Daoist Qin a favor and stop competing with Fellow Daoist Mu for this beast core," Bai Yulin said thinly. Though he conceded, his displeasure was evident.

Mu Yuanshan also realized the situation and greeted Qin Ming politely. Qin Ming did not reply; although he was interested in the beast core, he restrained himself.

"Nine thousand spirit stones, going once."
"Nine thousand spirit stones, going twice!"
"Nine thousand spirit stones, three times!"
"Sold, congratulations to the fellow Daoist upstairs."

The middle-aged auctioneer wiped the sweat from his brow. He had thought that after Bai Yulin’s bid, no one else would dare to raise the price.

Subsequently, the third item was brought out. A piece of spirit wood, brown on the outside but blood-red on the inside, was presented to the crowd.
The auctioneer introduced it: "A Tier 2 peak-grade spirit plant, Dragon Blood Divine Wood. It is a rare treasure for refining magical tools and special medicinal pills."
"Starting bid at six thousand spirit stones!"
"Each increment must be no less than five hundred spirit stones."

As soon as this item appeared, the atmosphere grew even more intense.
"This old man bids ten thousand spirit stones!"
"???"
"!!!"
"Who bids like that?"

The cultivators began to grumble, then looked toward the source of the bid.
"It’s Master Fang Yezi, no wonder."
"That explains it; Master Fang must have taken a liking to this top-grade refining material."

Qin Ming was also very tempted by the Dragon Blood Divine Wood. He had not expected the items he needed to appear one after another. According to records on spirit plants, the Dragon Blood Divine Wood had extremely harsh environmental requirements. It was a miraculous plant infected by the blood of a flood dragon. One could only find one or two stalks in specific regions of the cultivation world. A mature Dragon Blood Divine Tree would bear fruits containing immense blood energy, known as Dragon Blood Divine Fruit. Unfortunately, the fruit only ripened once every century, and the wood itself was hard to find, making it a rare sight.

Qin Ming swept his spiritual sense over the piece of wood and discovered that the roots were still intact. He was overjoyed and just as he was about to bid, he heard Bai Yulin start the bidding.

"Twelve thousand spirit stones!"
Qin Ming, unhurried, followed up: "Thirteen thousand!"

Master Fang Yezi’s expression shifted, and he continued to bid: "Fifteen thousand."
"Sixteen thousand," added another Foundation Establishment cultivator. The crowd realized it was the same elderly man in green robes who had bought the Spirit-Perch Rice earlier.
"Eighteen thousand," Bai Yulin seemed determined to have it.
"Twenty thousand!" Fang Yezi said calmly.
Mu Yuanshan, in the next room, did not hesitate: "Twenty-two thousand."
"Twenty-five thousand," the green-robed elder said with an indifferent expression.

By this point, the cultivators present were stunned. If it were the Dragon Blood Divine Fruit, the price might be justified, but for just the divine wood, it was becoming overpriced. Although Qin Ming wanted it, he felt that competing with these prominent families was too flashy. The wood was fine, but competing with these scions was not wise—with his "traits," what kind of spirit plant couldn't he grow? Thus, he regretfully gave up.

"Twenty-eight thousand," Bai Yulin shouted through gritted teeth.
At this, Master Fang Yezi and the green-robed elder stopped and exited the bidding.
"Thirty thousand," Mu Yuanshan said, his voice as still as an ancient well.
"Fellow Daoist Mu, I just conceded an item to you earlier. Isn't this price hike a bit too much?" Bai Yulin’s cold voice drifted over.
Mu Yuanshan didn't care at all, replying, "Fellow Daoist Bai, there is no need for such modesty; please feel free to continue bidding."

Bai Yulin’s face turned ugly. He gritted his teeth; although he deeply desired the Dragon Blood Divine Wood, the price had far exceeded his psychological limit.
"Then congratulations, Fellow Daoist Mu," Bai Yulin said coldly, and fell silent.

The middle-aged auctioneer, appearing excited, announced:
"Thirty thousand spirit stones, going once!"
"Thirty thousand spirit stones, going twice!"
"Thirty thousand spirit stones, three times!"
"Sold! Congratulations again to this fellow Daoist!"

Having won two treasures in a row, Mu Yuanshan drew the attention of everyone in the hall.
"What extravagance!"
"Who exactly is in that room?"
The cultivators below began to speculate.

The auction continued in full swing. Various precious magical tools, pills, materials, and techniques were sold off. Time passed, and after half a day, dozens of rare treasures had been claimed by various factions. Mu Yuanshan had not bid again after his two acquisitions.

As time went on, another item was brought out. The middle-aged auctioneer unwrapped the red cloth to reveal an exquisite emerald-green jade bottle. He began his introduction:
"Inside this bottle is the essence blood of a Tier 2 early-stage beast, the Jade-Blooded Suanni!"
"I don't need to explain the value of this; I believe everyone here knows."
"Starting bid at eight thousand spirit stones!"

Qin Ming’s eyes lit up. The high-grade beast essence blood he had been longing for had finally appeared!