Chapter 157: Auction

The auction began with the main event taking center stage!

The moment spiritual energy rice appeared, it instantly ignited the atmosphere in the hall.

"Fifty jin of second-rank middle-grade spiritual energy rice, starting bid: five thousand spirit stones!"

"Each bid must increase by at least one hundred spirit stones."

The auctioneer had barely finished speaking.

The cultivators in the hall immediately began bidding.

"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 kind of rice, capable of greatly enhancing Foundation Establishment cultivation, was fiercely contested by all, even if only fifty jin.

Soon, scarcity drove up the price, and the bidding for spiritual energy rice surged to eight thousand.

"Eight thousand once!"

"Eight thousand twice!"

"Eight thousand thrice!"

"Sold! Congratulations to this cultivator!"

…

Immediately, the fifty jin of spiritual energy rice was won by a middle-aged elder in green robes, at Foundation Establishment mid-stage.

The next auction item was brought forward.

The middle-aged auctioneer smiled broadly, gently lifting the red cloth to reveal a crimson demon core the size of an egg, and announced loudly:

"A demon core from a second-rank early-stage beast, the Flame-Feathered Eagle—versatile and exceedingly rare."

"Starting bid: four thousand spirit stones! Each bid must increase by at least one hundred spirit stones!"

When Qin Ming saw this demon core appear, his eyes instantly brightened.

Bidding below began.

Many Foundation Establishment cultivators were determined to secure this item.

"This old man bids five thousand spirit stones!"

"Six thousand spirit stones!"

"Six thousand five hundred!"

…

"Seven thousand five hundred spirit stones!"

From beside Qin Ming's private booth, a cold voice spoke.

The crowd below turned to look and began whispering:

"I just saw—the man inside is Bai Yulin of the Bai family from Yiling Mountain."

"Since Bai's ancestral elder broke through to Foundation Establishment late-stage a few years ago, the Bai family's status in the Wei Kingdom's cultivation world has risen accordingly."

"The Bai family has three outstanding talents; Bai Yulin is only forty-five and already at Foundation Establishment mid-stage."

"It's said he's already preparing to break through to Foundation Establishment late-stage."

"Bai Yulin has a petty, vengeful nature—better not offend him."

Seeing no further bids, the middle-aged auctioneer called out: "Any further bids?"

"Seven thousand five hundred once!"

"Seven thousand five hundred twice!"

Just as everyone assumed the second-rank fire-element demon core would surely go to Bai Yulin,

a calm voice rang out.

"Eight thousand spirit stones."

A murmur swept through the hall—the cultivators were stunned that anyone dared bid against this ruthless figure.

The bidder was Mu Yuanshan of the Mu family from Mount Qilian, whose overall strength matched the Bai family's.

At the same time,

Mu Yuanshan sensed a spiritual sense probing from the adjacent private booth toward him.

He remained expressionless and released a spiritual sense equal to that of a Foundation Establishment mid-stage cultivator.

The two spiritual senses clashed in midair.

Qin Ming's booth sat directly between them; he had no choice but to release his own spiritual sense. As soon as his powerful spiritual sense erupted, it blocked both neighboring spiritual senses, preventing them from advancing an inch.

"Eight thousand eight!" came the cold voice from the adjacent booth again.

Mu Yuanshan's face remained calm and unruffled as he bid: "Nine thousand!"

At this point, both Bai Yulin and Mu Yuanshan realized the cultivator in the middle booth was no ordinary figure; they immediately withdrew their spiritual senses cautiously.

"So it's you—I thought it was someone else. If it's Qin Daoist from Wangyue Island, then I'll give you the favor—this demon core, I'll let it go to Mu Daoist." Bai Yulin spoke coolly; though he yielded, his tone clearly carried displeasure.

Mu Yuanshan also realized and politely greeted Qin Ming.

Qin Ming said nothing in reply. Though he was interested in the demon core, he forced himself to hold back.

"Nine thousand spirit stones once!"

"Nine thousand spirit stones twice!"

"Nine thousand spirit stones thrice!"

"Sold! Congratulations to the cultivator upstairs!"

The middle-aged auctioneer secretly wiped sweat from his brow!

He had thought no one would dare bid after Bai Yulin's offer.

Afterwards,

The third auction item was brought forward: a section of wood, brown on the outside, but glowing blood-red within, appeared before the crowd.

The middle-aged cultivator introduced: "Second-rank supreme-grade spiritual plant—Dragon Blood Divine Wood—a rare treasure for forging magic treasures and crafting special elixirs."

"Starting bid: six thousand spirit stones!"

"Each bid must increase by at least five hundred spirit stones."

As soon as this item appeared, the auction hall grew even more heated.

"This old man bids ten thousand spirit stones!"

"???"

"!!!"

"Who bids like this?!"

The cultivators in the hall began muttering curses.

They turned to look at the one who had just bid.

"It's Master Fang Yezi—no wonder."

"Then it's fine—Master Fang must have his eye on this supreme-grade forging material."

Qin Ming was also deeply tempted by the Dragon Blood Divine Wood; he hadn't expected the items he needed to appear one after another so unexpectedly.

According to records in spiritual plant texts, Dragon Blood Divine Wood had extremely demanding growth requirements.

It was a mystical plant infused with the blood of a dragon.

Only in a few specific regions of the cultivation world could one or two mature specimens be found; the mature Dragon Blood Divine Tree bore a fruit rich in potent blood qi, called the Dragon Blood Divine Fruit.

Unfortunately, the fruit only bore once every hundred years, and with the tree itself so rare, it was scarcely seen in the cultivation world.

He immediately sent his spiritual sense to scan the section of Dragon Blood Divine Wood—and discovered roots still attached at its base. Qin Ming's heart leapt with joy; he was about to bid when he heard Bai Yulin in the adjacent booth begin bidding as well.

"Twelve thousand spirit stones!"

Qin Ming remained calm and responded: "Thirteen thousand!"

Fang Yezi's expression changed, and he raised his bid: "Fifteen thousand."

"Sixteen thousand!" Another Foundation Establishment cultivator joined the bidding.

The crowd recognized him—it was the green-robed elder who had just won the spiritual energy rice.

"Eighteen thousand!" Bai Yulin clearly intended to secure this wood at all costs.

"Twenty thousand!" Fang Yezi spoke calmly.

Mu Yuanshan in the adjacent booth didn't hesitate—he immediately countered: "Twenty-two thousand."

"Twenty-five thousand!" The green-robed elder's expression remained serene.

At this price, the cultivators present began to whisper in astonishment.

If it were the Dragon Blood Divine Fruit, the price might be justified—but for the wood alone, it was clearly overvalued.

Although Qin Ming also wanted this item, competing with these cultivation clans would be too conspicuous.

The wood was valuable, but challenging these family scions was unwise—he had the Term in his possession; what spiritual plant couldn't he grow? Thus, he reluctantly withdrew.

"Twenty-eight thousand!" Bai Yulin gritted his teeth as he bid.

At this point, Master Fang Yezi and the green-robed elder fell silent and withdrew from the bidding.

"Thirty thousand."

Mu Yuanshan's voice was as still as an ancient well.

"Friend Mu, I just let you have one lot. To raise the price like this is rather excessive, don't you think?" Bai Yulin's voice drifted over, cool and detached.

Mu Yuanshan paid it no mind and replied, "Friend Bai, no need for such modesty—bid as you will."

Hearing this, Bai Yulin's face darkened; he clenched his teeth. Though he craved the Dragon Blood Divine Wood, the price had far exceeded his expectations.

"Then congratulations, Friend Mu," Bai Yulin said coldly, and fell silent.

The middle-aged auctioneer, visibly excited, immediately announced: "Thirty thousand spirit stones once!"

"Thirty thousand spirit stones twice!"

"Thirty thousand spirit stones three times!"

"Sold! Once again, congratulations to this friend!"

Having secured two treasures in succession, the cultivators in attendance all turned their gazes toward Mu Yuanshan's private booth.

"What sheer audacity!"

"Who exactly is in that booth?"

Instantly, the cultivators below began speculating.

Next,

the auction continued in full swing.

Rare magic treasures, elixirs, spirit materials, and cultivation techniques were auctioned off one after another.

Half a day passed.

Dozens of treasures, seldom seen in ordinary times, were claimed by various factions.

After acquiring those two items, Mu Yuanshan made no further bids.

As time passed,

another item was brought forward.

The middle-aged auctioneer lifted the red cloth, revealing a delicate emerald-green jade vial on the tray.

He then began his description:

"This vial contains the essence blood of a second-rank early-stage beast—the Bi Xue Suanni!"

"I need not elaborate further; I'm sure everyone here understands its value."

"Starting bid: eight thousand spirit stones!"

Qin Ming's eyes lit up—finally, the high-rank beast essence blood he had been seeking appeared!

(End of Chapter)