Qin Ming and Wu Jiang left Qingxia Island, riding the Spiritual Light Shuttle, flying towards the direction of Celestial River Market.

On the way.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, this... this Qingxia Fairy, I really can't fathom what she's thinking, it's truly unexpected!" Wu Jiang said to Qin Ming with some frustration.

Qin Ming gave a faint smile, "No problem, perhaps Fairy Mo has her own considerations."

"After all, I'm a stranger visiting suddenly, it's only natural for her to be cautious."

Having said that.

Qin Ming took a small bag of Spirit Stones from his storage pouch and handed it to Wu Jiang, "These past few days I have troubled Fellow Daoist Wu to introduce me to the local situation, and even went on a special trip; please accept this token of appreciation."

"Uh... well, since things didn't work out, how can I still accept Brother Qin's favor?" Wu Jiang's eyes were fixed on the Spirit Stone Bag, he was quite discerning, knowing what to take and what not to take.

At the same time, his impression of Qin Ming improved considerably.

Qin Ming stuffed the Spirit Stones into Wu Jiang's hands and said, "Fellow Daoist Wu, don't be so polite, these Spirit Stones aren't given to you for nothing."

"Although the business on Qingxia Island didn't succeed this time, it doesn't mean that in the vast Spirit Nest Islands, there's no suitable Spirit Land to be found."

"Just help me keep an eye out and inquire; if there is any news, notify me, I plan to stay in this area for a while."

Upon hearing this, Wu Jiang then chuckled and swiftly accepted the Spirit Stone Bag. Upon opening it, he saw there were a full thirty Spirit Stones inside.

"In that case, I will not stand on ceremony, rest assured, Fellow Daoist Qin, I will certainly help you inquire further."

The two returned to Celestial River Market.

Qin Ming intended to explore the market, as it gathered many cultivators from Spirit Nest Islands.

There might be some unexpected gains to be found.

Wu Jiang took his leave and used his own channels to help gather information about other islands.

Another half month passed.

Qin Ming still had nothing to show for it.

He was studying a copy of the "Spirit Feather Habitat Geographic Record."

However, good news came from Wu Jiang's side.

"Truly worthy of being a local, so quickly he got hold of information about a Spirit Island," Qin Ming thought silently.

Wu Jiang entered Qin Ming's inn room, his face brimming with excitement as he said, "Fellow Daoist Qin, there's good news!"

"A few days ago, the 72 Island Loose Alliance of the Spirit Nest Islands discovered a small unclaimed island in the Land of the Far North, containing a Tier Two Middle-Grade Spirit Vein."

"Currently, the only ones aware of this are the alliance members; it hasn't spread widely yet."

"The 72 Island Loose Alliance is planning to conduct a public auction soon to decide its ownership."

Upon hearing this, Qin Ming's eyes lit up with joy, "Truly!"

"I live up to the task, it is indeed true," Wu Jiang chuckled, clearly showing the authenticity of the news.

With a slight furrow of his brow, Qin Ming asked again, "And what kind of force is this 72 Island Loose Alliance?"

"It's not a major force, but rather a temporary alliance that has loosely been organized by some Qi Cultivation Clans and independent cultivator influences that occupy a small part of the Spirit Islands within Spirit Nest Islands."

"My Wu Family is also among this organization."

"The main purpose is to form a standoff with the Zhao Family, one of the Seven Great Families, to prevent them from being taken over and annexed one by one."

"Fortunately, over the decades, both sides have remained at peace, and no conflicts or chaos have occurred, so the situation remains relatively stable."

"Within the 72 Island Loose Alliance, there are even feuds among members, and conflicts are quite common."

"But as long as we don't clash with the Zhao Family, all is well."

Qin Ming nodded.

In other words, this loose alliance is just a patchwork formed by the small forces of Spirit Nest Islands to guard against the Zhao Family.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, the auction for the Spirit Island will begin at 11:00 AM tomorrow, and any independent cultivator can participate."

"This time, the auction location is set directly on that Spirit Island."

"Tomorrow, I will take you there, Fellow Daoist Qin."

Qin Ming smiled with satisfaction and nodded, "Thanks to Fellow Daoist Wu for the effort."

Although Wu Jiang's cultivation level is average, he exudes a certain spirit in his demeanor.

Qin Ming also had some newfound respect for him.

"Hehe! It's only right, after receiving Fellow Daoist Qin's Spirit Stones, this little matter is nothing," Wu Jiang replied with a smile.

The next day.

With Wu Jiang leading the way, Qin Ming left Celestial River Market and flew towards the far north.

After two hours.

A pale yellow island appeared in their sight.

In the surrounding sky, there were also many cultivators riding flying spiritual artifacts, flying past them.

It seemed they were all heading towards the Spirit Island.

This Spirit Island resembled a yellow gem of transcendent beauty, embedded in the emerald waves of Wangyue Lake.

Wangyue Lake's waters spread in endless emerald waves, merging sky and water, presenting picturesque scenery.

On the Spirit Island, peculiar mountains and rocks stood with unique beauty.

When Qin Ming and Wu Jiang arrived.

There were already thousands of cultivators gathered on a clearing on the island, waiting for the auction to begin.

However, most of these cultivators were just there to watch the excitement.

After all, independent cultivators truly capable of winning the ownership of a Spirit Island were few in number.

Upon arrival at the Spirit Island, Qin Ming noticed that compared to other islands, the vegetation here was much sparser.

Perhaps it was because of its proximity to the Northern Territory, as the weather and environment were quite cold.

Even on the highest peak to the north, a small glacier had taken shape.

The overall area of the Spirit Island was even smaller than Qingxia Island.

The rocks here all appeared in a yellowish hue, with steep and rugged mountains.

The so-called Tier Two Middle-Grade Spirit Vein was only concentrated within a range of several dozen acres around the main peak.

The rest were branches of Tier One Spirit Vein and Tier Two Low-Grade Spirit Vein.

Moreover, there were no other islands nearby at all.

If attacked, none of the other families of the Spirit Nest Islands would be able to come to rescue in time.

This was complete isolation.

With such a geographical environment and scattered spiritual veins, no wonder the 72 Loose Alliances decided to auction it.

Otherwise, solely as a Tier Two Spirit Vein Island, it wouldn't be available for the loose cultivators below.

Speaking of which, this Spirit Island was not as good as advertised; in fact, it was not even as good as some Tier One Spirit Islands in the central region of the Spirit Nest Islands.

Its value significantly depreciated.

However, as Qin Ming took his first step onto this island, he first grabbed a handful of spiritual soil and observed it. Instantly, dozens of Tier Two Spirit Plants suitable for growing in this climate and soil appeared in his mind.

...

11:00 AM.

An old man in a golden robe, with crane-like hair and a child's face, appeared before everyone, emanating the mana fluctuation of the Foundation Establishment Stage.

"Ahem!"

"Fellow Daoists, this old man is Lim Yuanqing, the Vice Alliance Leader of the 72 Island Loose Alliance. Please, let's settle down. Now, the auction will officially begin."

"All fellow Daoists interested in participating in this auction, please step forward and take a seat at the chairs in front."

While speaking, Lim Yuanqing channeled his mana, and his loud voice resounded across the entire Spirit Island.

Complemented by the spiritual pressure of a great cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Stage, the thousands of Qi Cultivation Stage cultivators present instantly quieted down.

Daring not to speak further.

Upon hearing this, Qin Ming glanced over and saw hundreds of chairs placed in the front near the open space.

He turned back and nodded at Wu Jiang, then casually flew to land on one of the chairs.

Then.

Many other cultivators interested in the island also successively landed in the chairs.

The 72 Loose Alliances organized the auction without too many rules.

After seeing that no more cultivators were joining,

Lim Yuanqing immediately declared, "The Spirit Island auction begins!"

"Once won, the ownership of this Spirit Island will be yours."

"The starting bid is eight thousand Spirit Stones, and each increment must be no less than one thousand Spirit Stones!"

As soon as Lim Yuanqing spoke, quite a few cultivators hesitated.

After all, among the loose cultivators, there were very few who had such financial resources.

However, some families began to bid.

"I bid eight thousand Spirit Stones!"

"I'll bid nine thousand!"

"Ten thousand Spirit Stones!"

"!!!"

"Twelve thousand!"

"???"

"Fifteen thousand Spirit Stones."

"!!!???"

...

The auction site was filled with a tense atmosphere.

The atmosphere reached a climax.

The onlookers were secretly amazed, as these bids were numbers they might need a long time to achieve.

"Eighteen thousand."

"Eighteen thousand for the first time!"

"Eighteen thousand for the second time!"

Just when everyone thought the ownership of the island was about to reach a conclusion.

"Twenty thousand!" came a calm voice from a lean old man in the crowd.

There was an uproar!

Everyone focused their gaze on this person.

Qin Ming was also helpless, not expecting the bidding for the Spirit Island to be so intense.

He was contemplating whether to raise his bid.

At that moment.

A teasing voice came from the sky.

"Oh! So lively here?"

"Why wasn't my Zhao Family informed?"

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