Chapter 477: Five Blessings Auction

The men at the wine table stared at each other in stunned silence for a long while.

Gao Feng muttered in confusion, "Could it be that Elder Hua has changed his nature?"

"Given his temperament, last time we slipped past him—"

"Enough," Han Yuan cut in quickly. "Don't speak of this—words can bring disaster."

Qin Ming, however, chuckled slightly and drained his cup of wine in one gulp.

…

Three days later.

Within the Five Elements Mountain marketplace, cultivators gathered in increasing numbers; flying artifacts, palanquins, and aerial beasts crisscrossed the skies nearby, shimmering with radiant light.

Moreover, many cultivators from demonic sects had traveled thousands of miles to attend this grand event.

Prior to inviting all factions, the Ten Thousand Paths Alliance had issued a strict decree.

Any cultivator participating in this trading assembly, upon entering Five Elements Mountain, would have all past grudges nullified.

Anyone who dares to cause trouble will be crushed by the Ten Thousand Paths Alliance with thunderous force.

But once outside Five Elements Mountain, no one would be answerable to another.

This was because Five Elements Mountain lay in a highly sensitive location, at the intersection of several major powers.

With the start of the Five Blessings Auction.

All invited cultivators began filing into the venue.

The vast majority of these cultivators were Foundation Establishment, with no shortage of Golden Core cultivators as well.

As Qin Ming entered the venue, he noticed several Golden Core cultivators of mid-to-late stage with powerful magical energy, along with numerous high-level cultivators radiating demonic energy.

"Lu Daoist, you've finally arrived."

"Welcome to our auction," Du Xue said, dressed in grand attire, her figure alluring, smiling warmly as she approached—like a spring breeze. "Your seat is in Pavilion Jia-Zi-Bing. Please follow me."

Qin Ming nodded faintly; he could tell the woman was in excellent spirits today.

After leading Qin Ming into a private booth with excellent privacy and view, Du Xue bowed deeply in gratitude: "I owe you greatly, Lu Daoist. Thanks to you, I secured this massive commission and earned the Chairman's praise."

"After the auction, I'd like to invite you to my residence for a simple meal. I beg you to accept."

Ah. This. Qin Ming naturally understood the woman's intent.

"Heh! No need for such formality, Du Daoist. These items were destined to be sold anyway—storing them was a liability. I'll pass on the meal." He smiled lightly.

Upon hearing this, Du Xue bit her lower lip, a flicker of disappointment crossing her expression.

Then, she personally brought forth delicate fruits and spiritual tea for Qin Ming's enjoyment before bowing and withdrawing.

DONG! A resonant spiritual gong rang out, signaling the start of the grand event.

Qin Ming looked down.

The venue was nearly full; the previously noisy hall fell utterly silent.

Then, an elderly man with white hair and a youthful face, clad in a jade-white magical robe, his eyes deep and profound, his aura restrained yet overwhelmingly intimidating, slowly stepped to the center of the stage.

"Is that Elder Jin Han, the True Person of Clear Wind?"

"One of the famed late-stage Golden Core cultivators of Great Jin!"

"I never expected the Ten Thousand Paths Alliance would summon him!"

"With Elder Jin here to hold the line, no one will dare cause trouble—otherwise, they'll regret it."

Jin Han's appearance stirred murmurs among the cultivators below, all speculating what treasures might appear today.

As Qin Ming gazed at Elder Jin Han, his heart tightened—he needed only a brief glance to gauge the man's strength, which rivaled that of the Green-Faced Poisonous Cobra from before.

Moreover, from Hua Tianxiong's memories, he knew this Elder Jin Han was renowned for his formidable power, possessing several devastating spiritual arts, and had been famous in Great Jin for over four hundred years.

Qin Ming then activated the Yin-Yang Mystic Mirror and took another look: within Jin Han's body, lush emerald qi swirled thickly, brimming with vitality—he had at least three hundred more years of life.

He must have consumed many longevity elixirs or spiritual items, granting him far greater lifespan than ordinary late-stage Golden Core cultivators.

"Welcome, all of you, to Five Elements Mountain."

"This auction will be presided over by this old man myself."

Elder Jin Han channeled his Golden Core magical power; his booming voice echoed throughout the entire venue, as if speaking directly into each person's ear.

Merely this display revealed his mastery.

"You've all come for treasures—I'll waste no time. First lot:"

Elder Jin Han scanned the auction hall, clapped his hands, and a dignified, graceful maid stepped forward carrying a red-silk-covered porcelain tray.

He lifted the silk, revealing a delicate jade vial, then gently uncorked it.

An intense wave of sinister energy surged forth.

"Core Formation spiritual item: Three drops of Xuan Sha Spirit Liquid."

"Starting bid: three thousand mid-grade spirit stones. Each raise must be at least fifty mid-grade spirit stones!"

WHOOSH! The moment Elder Jin Han finished speaking, the atmosphere ignited—like bait dropped into a school of fish, the crowd erupted.

Qin Ming thought silently: This Elder Jin Han knows how to stir excitement—he leads with heavy artillery.

Of course, Qin Ming himself had several full bottles of such Xuan Sha Spirit Liquid in his storage pouch—all grown over the past decade by fertilizing Fengyou Ghost Jujubes with the corpses and spirit bodies of demonic cultivators.

Thus, Qin Ming had no interest in it, and watched listlessly as the crowd below fiercely bid against one another.

In this lull, he used the Black Talisman to contact Hua Tianxiong in the neighboring booth.

"Hua Tianxiong, later I'll have you bid on something important for me—I'll notify you."

"Remember: spare no cost to secure it."

Hua Tianxiong had been calmly sipping tea when Qin Ming's voice suddenly echoed in his mind—he jolted violently, nearly spilling his tea across the floor.

He quickly replied: "Yes, Master! I obey!"

After giving the order, Qin Ming's gaze returned to the auction hall.

But inside Hua Tianxiong's mind, he was already bleeding—Qin Ming's tone suggested the next item would be significant, and the spirit stones would come from his own pocket: "spare no cost."

Hearing those words made Hua Tianxiong's head ache.

Just six months ago, he had paid a substantial sum of spirit stones and treasures to Elder Gan of the Flame Palace.

Though he was Chairman of the Thousand Mechanisms Trading House, his private treasury was nearly drained.

"Sigh. The world sees only my outward glory."

"Who understands the hardship beneath?"

"Living truly is damn hard!"

…

After fierce bidding, the Xuan Sha Spirit Liquid was won by an established Foundation Establishment family for eight thousand mid-grade spirit stones.

Then, while the crowd's excitement still surged, Elder Jin Han ordered the maid to bring forth another item.

A jet-black iron feather fan, radiating terrifying demonic energy, appeared before everyone's eyes.

The moment it appeared, even Golden Core cultivators in the hall could no longer sit still; several powerful spiritual senses locked onto the demonic artifact.

"Third-rank high-grade magic treasure: Seven Fiends Black Feather Fan."

"I assume this treasure needs no further introduction?"

"Starting bid: twenty thousand mid-grade spirit stones."

Two demonic cultivators hidden beneath black hoods in the hall cried out in shock:

"Impossible?"

"Isn't that Elder Yang Jian's demonic treasure, 'Black Flame Fiend Feather Fan'?"

"Brother, no doubt—it's definitely the 'Black Flame Fiend Feather Fan'!"

"This local guild is utterly disrespectful—they've renamed our sect elder's life-bound magic treasure and are auctioning it off!"

Thank you, Master Wang Xiu, for the 5000-coin donation.

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(End of Chapter)