Chapter 40

「Four thousand five hundred spirit stones! 」

「Five thousand! 」

「Six thousand! 」

「Eight thousand! 」 knife-rubbing man directly raised the price by two thousand, raising the price to eight thousand spirit stones.

The field fell silent instantly; eight thousand spirit stones was already a considerable burden for them.

An ordinary late-stage Qi Refining cultivator could consider having three to four thousand spirit stones as already the limit.

They could be selected to participate in this gathering; their status was naturally not insignificant, but eight thousand spirit stones still required careful consideration.

Wang Ping calmly observed the whole field, noticing that although the scene was quiet, the other cultivators did not seem to have given up.

I'm afraid a new round of bidding war will start soon.

Wang Ping guessed correctly; the wealthy landlord spoke again:

「Eight thousand one hundred spirit stones! 」

This bid increase was much more cautious; the next to speak was actually Wu Lao Tou: 「Eight thousand two hundred spirit stones! 」

This old man still had plenty of spirit stones; although he was called old man, Wang Ping knew this was merely a secret method of his to conserve essence and energy, used to lock in his blood and qi so they wouldn't drain too quickly.

「Eight thousand six hundred spirit stones! 」 the alluring female cultivator spoke suddenly, this time directly increasing the bid by four hundred spirit stones.

After a brief silence in the field, everyone seemed to have set their own bidding limits, so the price of eight thousand six hundred spirit stones was not enough to make the cultivators hesitate.

After the alluring female cultivator spoke, that female cultivator who had entered the field and basically never spoken before now spoke:

「Nine thousand spirit stones! 」

She also directly increased the bid by four hundred spirit stones.

「Nine thousand four hundred! 」 the alluring female cultivator quoted again.

「Nine thousand eight hundred! 」 the veiled female cultivator refused to yield.

Wang Ping's expression turned strange; were these two facing off?

The remaining male cultivators on the field also fell silent one after another; they weren't fools, these two probably knew each other, otherwise there wouldn't be such a strong smell of gunpowder.

「Twelve thousand! 」 the alluring female cultivator gritted her teeth and announced the new price!

It exceeded ten thousand!

Wang Ping's heart gave a slight jolt; Qi Refining cultivators, limited by their realm, rarely exceed ten thousand spirit stones whether it be pills, materials, talismans, formations, etc.; not to mention ten thousand, even exceeding five thousand is rare.

Generally speaking, only top-grade spiritual artifacts and top-tier Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment cultivation methods will exceed ten thousand.

As for other high-level Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment cultivation methods, pills, first-tier top-grade talismans, first-tier ultimate formations, etc., their prices fluctuate between five thousand and seven thousand spirit stones.

Now, a single drop of soul liquid has been bid up to a price of twelve thousand.

It cannot be denied that there is an element of rivalry between two beautiful female cultivators, but its inherent efficacy absolutely justifies this price.

To successfully achieve Foundation Establishment, the three essential elements—qi and blood, spiritual energy, and spiritual power—are all indispensable.

Among them, raising spiritual power is the most difficult; to transform spiritual power into divine sense, its quantity must be raised to an extreme limit.

Then, quantitative change brings about qualitative change, and spiritual power transforms into divine sense.

Wang Ping feels his spiritual power is already nearing its limit; according to his estimate, in another three years he could possibly reach the limit of spiritual power for the Qi Refining stage.

Surveying the entire venue, only Wang Ping possesses this level of spiritual power cultivation; even Bai Lao cannot reach his level.

But he cultivates the Soul Refining Heart Sutra; without this heaven-defying technique, his spiritual power would likely be the worst among the seated cultivators.

The price of twelve thousand has already reached the price limit of the cultivators present.

A full twenty breaths passed, and no one raised the bid; evidently everyone's money has run out.

Bai Lao announced with a satisfied smile:

The final auction item, the soul liquid, belongs to this beautiful fairy; this auction ends here, and we now proceed to the free trading session!

As soon as Bai Lao's words fell, the cultivator who had first introduced Bai Lao spoke up:

I wish to purchase a piece of top-tier first-grade earth-attribute material, preferably Huang Yao Stone or a material with similar properties; if anyone has it, I am willing to buy it at ten percent above the market price.

Wang Ping pondered slightly; Huang Yao Stone is a kind of earth-attribute ore, named for emitting an earth-yellow glow at night.

He intends to forge a top-grade defensive artifact!

Given Wang Ping's understanding of artifact forging, this is one of the best ores for forging defensive artifacts.

Setting aside the attraction of spiritual realm aura to the great power of heaven and earth, his current forging of a single-attribute artifact can already be considered a modest achievement.

But he is still not very skilled at forging artifacts with complex functions, mainly due to lack of forging experience.

After waiting nearly twenty breaths, seeing no fellow cultivator respond, that cultivator disappointedly sat down.

Next, it was the turn of the next cultivator, who also wished to purchase a material, but it was the rare lightning-attribute material known as Lightning Drawing Stone.

This material is even rarer, so he, too, ended up sitting down disappointed.

Two cultivators in a row failed to obtain what they wanted, making the scene inevitably a bit desolate.

Fortunately, at this moment, a cultivator dressed like a wealthy landlord spoke up, requesting a hundred-year supply of Purple Mist Grass.

It is a spiritual herb that grows on cliff edges, absorbing a wisp of purple qi each morning; taken raw, it can calm the mind and protect against external demonic intrusion.

Furthermore, it can be combined with Clear Heart Grass to forge Purple Heart Pills whose effect surpasses that of Clear Heart Pills.

Such pills not only calm the mind and dispel inner demons, but are also rare first-grade pills that can nourish the soul.

At this moment, a scholar-dressed cultivator wearing an ox-head mask seated to Wang Ping's left spoke up, agreeing to communicate with him.

The two engaged in direct long-distance spiritual communication; ultimately, it is unknown what agreement they reached, but their bodies visibly relaxed, indicating they both obtained what they wanted.

With the first transaction completed, subsequently five cultivators got what they wished for, including Old Man Wu.

Soon it was Wang Ping's turn, and the gazes of the cultivators on the field swished over to him.

After all, Wang Ping's auction of the Vitality Increasing Pill and the incident where he let Old Man Wu reap what he sowed left a fresh impression on everyone.

Wang Ping's expression was relaxed, showing no trace of tension, as he slowly spoke:

I would like to know whether, at the auction held by the Song State's Treasure Pavilion in three months, there will be any cultivation techniques for sale. If so, I hope to obtain further information. As for remuneration, a top-grade magical artifact, or I could personally refine one, would also be acceptable.

After a pause, Wang Ping suddenly laughed and added: "Labor is free, but you must bring your own materials. Of course, payment can also be made with spirit stones—I will offer two thousand spirit stones."

Wang Ping's words were well measured, especially those two thousand spirit stones; that price could easily be fetched for a top-grade magical artifact.

When Wang Ping named that price, it carried a convincing authority.

The cultivators present brightened their gazes; the knife‑rubbing man, the veiled woman, the alluring female cultivator, and the cultivator resembling a wealthy official all continually sized up Wang Ping.

They all marveled in their hearts: "He is actually an artifact refiner, and one capable of refining top‑grade magical artifacts—yet he is so young."

Even Old Bai exclaimed in surprise.

"I didn't expect this young friend to be an artifact refiner—my apologies! If I had known, I would certainly have had him craft a custom magical artifact."

Wang Ping dared not be presumptuous and immediately returned thanks.

Wang Ping's offered remuneration was undoubtedly tempting, but nobody had any information on that.

Only the veiled woman spoke up.

I do have some news—I just don't know whether your magical artifact suits my taste!

Wang Ping couldn't contain his joy and immediately laughed.

"Whether it suits your taste or not, you'll know at a glance; even if it doesn't, I can have a custom piece made just for you."

The veiled fairy seemed to smile, nodded, and then the two began communicating remotely.

"As far as I know, this auction features five top‑tier Qi‑refining foundation‑establishment cultivation methods for sale; what is your affinity?" the fairy asked.

Wang Ping gave no reply, but instead said:

"I need the detailed information on those five top‑tier cultivation methods!"

Seeing Wang Ping's silence, the fairy's little mouth behind the veil pouted slightly, seeming a bit displeased, but she didn't throw a tantrum and continued her reply.

"The first is the Purple Rosy Clouds Qi Inhalation Record; it has no affinity, can be cultivated to early Nascent Soul, and I estimate the opening bid will be around five thousand."