Chapter 156: Fellow Daoists

After Qin Ming received this news.

His spirit instantly sharpened.

The Mirror Snow Pavilion's auction was about to begin.

He gave Wu Jiang instructions, then set out for Canghai Xiancheng.

After breaking through to Foundation Establishment, he no longer needed flight artifacts for travel.

But using a Spirit Light Flying Shuttle still saved more magic power.

Qin Ming flew through the air, watching the view beneath the Wangyue Lake rapidly recede.

His speed was several times faster than before.

Half a day later.

Qin Ming arrived at Canghai Xiancheng, where the crowds at the gate were several times denser than usual—most likely drawn by the auction.

Low-level cultivators nearby, seeing a Foundation Establishment cultivator flying overhead, bowed and stepped aside.

Qin Ming entered the inner city, followed the main road to the Mirror Snow Pavilion, and met Gu Qingzhao.

From her, he learned that besides Foundation Establishment Pills, many other valuable items would be auctioned off.

The appearance of the Foundation Establishment Pill had not only attracted numerous hermits and Qi Refining families, but even most third-rate Foundation Establishment families had come.

After all, each new Foundation Establishment cultivator represented a qualitative boost to a family's overall strength.

These third-rate Foundation Establishment families lacked the ability to refine Foundation Establishment Pills, so they would never miss such an opportunity.

Three days remained until the auction officially began.

Inside and outside Canghai Xiancheng, the city buzzed with noise; even inns and guesthouses in the outer city were fully booked.

The Xiancheng had set up numerous temporary lodging spots outside the city walls.

Inside the Mirror Snow Pavilion.

Gu Qingzhao and Liao the Shopkeeper had been swamped these past two days.

Qin Ming sat alone by the window, ordered a few small dishes, drank wine, and gazed outside.

"Hey, have you heard?"

"The Foundation Establishment Pill being auctioned by the Mirror Snow Pavilion was likely refined by the Lord of Wangyue Island."

"Of course—Senior Qin is an honorary guest of the Mirror Snow Pavilion."

"It's undeniable: we've long heard that Senior Qin excels not only in spirit plant cultivation but also in alchemy, unmatched by anyone."

"You're exaggerating—are you saying he's better than Senior Sun the Alchemist? He's a Second-Rank Upper-Grade Alchemy Master."

"Senior Qin can refine Foundation Establishment Pills, but how long has he been a Second-Rank Alchemist?"

"Precisely because of that—he's only forty. He'll surely reach Second-Rank Upper-Grade Alchemist eventually."

"It's a pity we haven't seen his true face. We should get to meet him at this auction."

"You've got a point there."

"Eat your food, eat your food!"

…

Qin Ming listened to the chatter at the nearby table and shook his head with a wry smile.

At that moment.

Two elderly men—one fat, one thin—ascended the third-floor stairs, radiating Foundation Establishment-level magical energy.

Instantly, all cultivators dining on the third floor turned to look, yet dared not stare.

The two headed straight for Qin Ming's table; as they drew near, the slender elder smiled and greeted him: "Hehe, Senior Qin! I've long admired your name!"

"Might I trouble you for a brief word?"

Qin Ming turned and sized them up, then rose and returned their bow. "May I ask who you two are?"

"I am Xue Zhili; this gentleman is Miao Renke."

"Senior Xue."

"Senior Miao."

Qin Ming scanned them: Xue Zhili was at Foundation Establishment Mid-Stage; Miao Renke was at Foundation Establishment Early-Stage.

"This isn't a place to discuss matters," Xue Zhili smiled. "Would Senior Qin care to move upstairs for a private talk?"

Qin Ming didn't know why they sought him out, but he nodded and followed them to a private room on the fifth floor.

After the three ascended.

"No way—the man sitting beside us just now was Senior Qin?"

"Looks like it."

"Then we just spoke right in front of him?"

Xue Zhili cast a soundproofing barrier, then spoke bluntly: "Senior Qin, I've organized a gathering among Foundation Establishment cultivators to exchange items, to be held after the auction."

"It's rare for so many Foundation Establishment cultivators to gather at once."

"Those invited aren't ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators—they're the elite among us. Senior Qin, renowned throughout the spiritual energy cultivation world, is certainly qualified. I sincerely invite you to join. Are you interested?"

Xue Zhili smiled expectantly, awaiting Qin Ming's reply.

Qin Ming paused briefly, then asked: "Where will this exchange gathering be held?"

"Hehe, no need to worry, Senior Qin—it will be at my Liuyun Villa, right here in the inner city," Xue Zhili replied.

Upon hearing this, Qin Ming immediately agreed.

Such a gathering might contain something he needed.

"If so, I cannot refuse Senior Xue's kind invitation—I will certainly attend."

Xue Zhili smiled. "Then I look forward to your arrival, Senior Qin."

Afterwards,

The three exchanged pleasantries and got to know each other.

From their conversation, Qin Ming learned that Xue Zhili was quite well-known in Canghai Xiancheng.

Miao Renke was also a hermit cultivator of Foundation Establishment, specializing in the obscure art of mechanical puppets among the Hundred Arts—he was a Second-Rank Mid-Grade Puppet Master.

Though his own cultivation was only Foundation Establishment Early-Stage, his puppet techniques could match a Foundation Establishment Mid-Stage cultivator.

After the exchange ended,

Xue Zhili and the other man took their leave and departed from Qin Ming.

Three days later.

The auction, long anticipated for three months, proceeded as scheduled.

The Mirror Snow Pavilion's treasure auction hall in Canghai Xiancheng was grand, capable of accommodating over a thousand cultivators.

Of course, the entry threshold for this auction was high—ordinary hermits could not even gain admission.

After Qin Ming entered the venue,

Gu Qingzhao arranged for him a private room with an excellent view, then said: "Senior Qin, this auction may well contain items you need."

Qin Ming, surprised even she said so, nodded immediately: "That would be ideal."

He was now wealthy enough to afford nearly anything he desired.

Half an hour later,

Various factions, families, and hermits began entering.

Qin Ming watched the entrance; in just a short while, he had spotted five or six Foundation Establishment cultivators enter.

He silently sighed: the Foundation Establishment Pill was already exceedingly rare—now with these families competing, hermits stood little chance.

Yet many Qi Refining families were prepared to spend their entire fortunes for even a slim chance.

"The Mu family of Mount Qilian, the Gu family of Ten Thousand Swords Manor, the Qian family of Xiao Kui Island—all these established Foundation Establishment families have come."

"And Wildfire Ancestor, Illusion Spirit Immortal—why are they here too?"

"This is hopeless! So many are vying for this one Foundation Establishment Pill."

"They're leaving no room for hermits at all!"

Qin Ming also learned from Gu Qingzhao why so many had come to compete.

There was another crucial reason.

The auction was being held within Canghai Xiancheng.

Even if a hermit won the Foundation Establishment Pill, he need not fear being ambushed and killed on the way out.

Because dueling was forbidden within Canghai Xiancheng—security was guaranteed. After obtaining the Pill, one could simply rent a meditation cave beneath Canghai Main Peak and break through immediately.

…

After a stick of incense burned,

The hall was packed—everyone with entry credentials had arrived.

A middle-aged auctioneer stepped forward, delivered an impassioned opening speech,

Then the first auction item was brought up.

"This is the first item of today's auction."

"spiritual energy Rice from spiritual energy, reappearing in the cultivation world after a hundred years! Fifty catties in total!"

"Refined by the Lord of Wangyue Island, Senior Qin!"

The auctioneer slowly lifted the red cloth, revealing the snow-white, jade-like spiritual energy Rice within.

(End of Chapter)