Chapter 15: Chapter 15: Auction

Leaving Wang Yun’s home, Lu Zhao walked through the Marketplace as its lamps began to glow, heading for the Guest House, an inn that catered specifically to Wanderers.

As for the small courtyard the Zhou Family had provided, it had been reclaimed ever since he accepted the post at Cyan Rattan Stream, as it lacked a Spirit Vein.

The Guest House had a small facade, but the interior was a honeycomb of dozens of cramped stone rooms.

The air was a mixture of sweat, the greasy smell of low-quality Spiritual Food, and a musty staleness.

The Shopkeeper was an old man with drooping eyelids and a hoarse voice. "A spot in the common room, sleeps ten, is one Spiritual Sand a night. A single, windowless room is five Spiritual Sand. One with a Spirit Gathering Array is half a Spirit Stone."

’Half a Spirit Stone.’

Lu Zhao shook his head. ’That price is enough to buy a pound of Cyan Pattern Wood.’

"A windowless single room is fine," he said, handing over five grains of fine Spiritual Sand.

The stone room held only a bed and a small table. Its four walls were coarse, the floor was slightly damp, and the Spiritual Qi was so faint as to be nearly nonexistent.

He sat cross-legged on the bed, a Spirit Stone in hand. Closing his eyes, he regulated his breathing and began slowly cycling his energy using the Little Spirit Rain Technique to recover what he had expended during the day.

At the first hint of dawn, Lu Zhao once again joined the surging crowds of the Marketplace. He had a clear goal and headed straight for the street stalls in the East Market.

At a stall selling Demon Beasts, he purchased the corpse of a Rat King for one Spirit Stone.

Next, he stopped by Fuyang Studio and replenished his stock with a Tier One High-Grade Vajra Talisman. This talisman offered superior defense, making it a more reliable safeguard against sneak attacks.

Passing a Pill Shop, he saw they had a new stock of Tier One Middle-Grade Vessel-Protecting Pills, priced at fifty Spiritual Sand each. He hesitated for a moment before gritting his teeth and buying three.

This Pill could protect one’s meridians and extend cultivation sessions, which might help him break through to the Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer.

By the end of the day, his cache of Spirit Stones had dwindled to twenty-eight. The items he had acquired in exchange, all of them practical, now filled a corner of his Storage Bag.

「The next day, at 5:15 PM」

Lu Zhao once again stepped into the Nine Abyss Pavilion. The hall, boisterous by day, was now quiet and solemn, divided by a heavy curtain.

The Shopkeeper saw him and handed over an unremarkable wooden token inscribed with ’Dinghai.’ He whispered, "Fellow Daoist, take this token and use the side corridor to reach the third floor. Find a seat for yourself in the general seating area."

Upon reaching the third floor, Lu Zhao lifted the curtain and the space opened up before him. The auction hall wasn’t large, arranged in the style of a semi-circular, tiered amphitheater.

The lowest level was the general seating area, made up of dozens of simple wooden chairs. It was already seventy or eighty percent full, mostly with Mid-stage Qi Cultivation Wanderers like Lu Zhao—men and women with composed auras and simple clothing. There were also a few Early-Stage Cultivators with weaker presences. All the Cultivators were silent and discreet.

The middle tier consisted of a dozen private booths, simply partitioned by screens. Silhouettes could be seen moving faintly within, their auras mostly at the Qi Cultivation Sixth and Seventh Layers. These were likely representatives from established families in Changfeng County or the heads of minor factions.

At the highest level were just three private boxes, veiled by beaded curtains that hung low to block any prying eyes. However, the faint pressure emanating from within suggested the occupants were masters of at least the eighth or 9th layer of Qi Cultivation, or perhaps important figures from within the Zhou Family.

Lu Zhao found a seat near the side in one of the back rows of the general seating area. He suppressed his aura even further, his gaze sweeping calmly across the hall.

A few moments later, a Late-stage Qi Cultivator walked onto the central stone platform. He was a man of about fifty with a stern expression, dressed in the uniform of a Zhou Family Steward.

His gaze was electric as it swept across the hall. His voice, though not loud, carried clearly to everyone’s ears. "Silence. I am Zhou Zheng, and I will be presiding over this small auction at the Nine Abyss Pavilion."

"There are three rules. First, the highest bidder wins. All sales are final once the hammer falls. Second, threatening or interfering with other bidders in any way is strictly forbidden. Violators will be considered to be provoking both the Zhou Family and the Nine Abyss Pavilion. Third, all transactions are final. Any grievances that arise after you leave are your own to settle. The Nine Abyss Pavilion will not be involved."

"Is that understood?" His tone was level, yet it carried an authority that could not be questioned. The crowd nodded in assent; no one dared to object.

Zhou Zheng gave a slight nod. "Very well. Let the auction begin."

A young attendant came forward with a jade disc, holding a white jade pill bottle.

"The first item: one bottle of Tier One High-Grade Nourishing Essence Pills. Nine pills in total."

Zhou Zheng’s voice was devoid of emotion. "This Pill is for Strengthening the Foundation and Nourishing the Essence. It is quite beneficial for Late-stage Qi Cultivators looking to advance their Cultivation and solidify their foundations. The starting bid is forty-five Spirit Stones. Each bid must increase the price by at least one Spirit Stone."

The words had barely left his lips when a bid came from one of the middle-tier booths: "Forty-six!"

"Forty-seven!"

"Forty-eight!" The bidding war was mainly confined to a few of the middle-tier booths; the general seating area remained silent.

Ultimately, a Cultivator from one of the private booths won the auction with a bid of fifty-eight Spirit Stones.

A low murmur of discussion spread through the hall. The successful first sale had warmed up the atmosphere, and one item after another was brought out and sold.

Lu Zhao silently activated his Puppet Bead, and a panel began to quietly record the sales:

Nourishing Essence Pill (Tier One High-Grade): sold for fifty-eight Spirit Stones

Red Flame Saber (Tier One Middle-Grade Magical Artifact): sold for one hundred and eight Spirit Stones

*Thick Earth Technique* Lower Grade Cultivation Method Fragment (Allows cultivation to Qi Cultivation Perfection): sold for sixty Spirit Stones

Set of ten high-quality Tier One High-Grade Golden Armor Talismans: sold for twelve Spirit Stones.

One item after another was presented in a steady stream: Magical Artifacts, Talismans, Pills, Cultivation Technique fragments, rare Spiritual Materials... The prices ranged from over ten Spirit Stones to one or two hundred, leaving Lu Zhao inwardly speechless.

The twenty-odd Spirit Stones he had left in his Storage Bag seemed woefully inadequate now.

The bidders in the middle-tier booths and private boxes were the main players. Those in the general seating area only bid occasionally, mostly for supplementary Pills or specific materials. Lu Zhao remained perfectly still. ’I can’t afford any of this,’ he thought with a bitter smile.

Finally, an attendant brought out a specially crafted Cold Jade Box.

"The next item is a Tier One Lower Grade Puppet: one Ice Mouse Puppet." Zhou Zheng opened the jade box, and a wave of Cold Qi spilled forth. Inside lay the puppet, astonishingly lifelike, with sharp fangs and claws.

"This Puppet is exquisitely crafted. Its claws are imbued with Ice Cold Power, making it ferocious in close combat. Its strength is comparable to that of a more powerful Tier One Early Stage Demon Beast. The starting bid is eighteen Spirit Stones, with a minimum increment of one Spirit Stone."

A brief silence fell over the hall after the introduction.

Many of the Wanderers looked on with longing, but eighteen Spirit Stones was a fortune for them. Besides, the Puppet required additional Spirit Stones to operate. Meanwhile, those in the middle-tier booths preferred more powerful Magical Artifacts or Pills that could directly advance their Cultivation.

After a moment, a voice called out from a corner of the general seating area, "Nineteen Spirit Stones." Lu Zhao glanced over to see a plain-faced Cultivator in grey robes.

Then, a slightly hesitant voice from one of the private booths responded, "Twenty." It seemed to be a representative from a minor family, perhaps wanting it for research or as a bodyguard for a junior member. The grey-robed Cultivator fell silent and gave up the bid.

"Twenty Spirit Stones, going once... going twice... sold!" Zhou Zheng’s hammer fell. The Ice Mouse Puppet was sold for twenty Spirit Stones to the representative of the minor family. ’Looks like there’s still a market for these Ice Mouse Puppets,’ Lu Zhao thought.

The auction continued, and Lu Zhao waited patiently until a strange Spirit Fruit, sealed within a transparent crystal box, was brought out.

The fruit was only the size of a pigeon’s egg. It was a translucent, pale purple, and a nebula seemed to swirl within it, emitting a strange ripple that soothed the Heart Spirit.

"A Tier One Middle-Grade Spirit Fruit, the Concentration Fruit," Zhou Zheng announced. "This fruit has a weak effect of nourishing the Spiritual Soul and calming the Heart Spirit. While a single fruit has limited efficacy, it can be beneficial when comprehending Cultivation Techniques, practicing Secret Techniques, or recovering from a depleted Divine Sense. The starting bid is ten Spirit Stones, with a minimum increment of one Spirit Stone."

’Nourishes the Spiritual Soul!’ Lu Zhao’s heart leaped. This was exactly what he needed to practice the Thousand Threads Technique.

The hall’s reaction, however, was lukewarm. While Spiritual Objects that nourished the Spiritual Soul were valuable, a single Concentration Fruit was of limited use—far less practical than a high-quality Pill.

Only two Wanderers tentatively bid, pushing the price to twelve and then thirteen Spirit Stones.

"Fourteen Spirit Stones," Lu Zhao said decisively.

The two Wanderers glanced at him, then gave up. The private booths and boxes remained silent.

"Fourteen Spirit Stones, going once... going twice... sold!" Zhou Zheng’s hammer fell.

Lu Zhao felt a flicker of joy. For the price of fourteen Spirit Stones, he had secured the Concentration Fruit that was so vital to him.

What was of little value in the eyes of others was, for him, the key to unlocking the Thousand Threads Technique.

"Next, we have the three final, featured items of this small auction." Zhou Zheng’s voice grew more solemn.

The first item was a Flying Sword, crimson from hilt to tip, with faint dragon patterns etched into the blade. Its Sword Qi was overpowering. "A Tier One High-Grade Spiritual Artifact, the Red Dragon’s Chant! It carries a weak Fire Element burning effect. The starting bid is two hundred and fifty Spirit Stones!"

It sparked a fierce bidding war between the private booths and boxes, ultimately selling for two hundred and seventy-eight Spirit Stones.

The second item was a fragmented, ancient Jade Scroll.

"An unnamed Body Refining fragment. It has been appraised as at least a Middle-Grade Cultivation Method Fragment. The cultivation requirements are harsh, but if one could complete it or gain some insight, its value would be immeasurable. Starting bid: one hundred and forty Spirit Stones!"

The item was too risky, and there were few Body Refining Cultivators to begin with. Bidders were scarce, and it was eventually sold to someone in a private box for one hundred and fifty-five Spirit Stones.

The third item was a simple, ancient jade box. When opened, it revealed a pill the size of a longan fruit, covered in intricate Pill Patterns.

"A Nascent Condensation Pill! While not a true Foundation Establishment Pill, it can slightly increase a Qi Cultivation Perfect Cultivator’s chances of successfully condensing True Essence and breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm. Its properties are mild. Starting bid: five hundred Spirit Stones!"

The moment this item was revealed, all the private boxes joined the bidding. It ultimately sold for a staggering one thousand and twenty Spirit Stones.

With the finale concluded, Zhou Zheng announced the end of the auction. Attendants guided the guests out in batches through different exits. Lu Zhao followed the stream of people from the general seating area and quietly slipped out of the Nine Abyss Pavilion through a side door.

The night was deep, and no one paid any attention to the ordinary guest with the ’Dinghai’ token.

He pulled his robes tighter, quickly merged into the flow of the Marketplace, and his figure soon vanished. His objective for this trip was complete. It was time to return to Cyan Rattan Stream.

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