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Chapter 622: The Sinister Old Tree Demon
Chapter 622: The Sinister Old Tree Demon
"This auction is quite innovative, catering to the thousands of cultivators present."
"If they were to auction off fourth and fifth-grade treasures one by one, it would be quite a waste of time."
Standing on the meteorite, Lu Chen mused to himself.
Naturally, he focused on the spiritual herb section of the auction, which included the Spirit Herbs.
Additionally, he kept an eye on the artifacts and materials. After all, with so many high-level spirit plants in his Spirit Field, he needed all the help he could get. If he came across any ghostly artifacts, Buddhist artifacts, or useful materials, he would try his hand at acquiring them.
"There's even a little game involved," he noted with a lift of his lips.
"If any of those unknown objects turn out to be Spirit Herbs, wouldn't they be within my easy grasp?" Lu Chen thought to himself. After all, his unique ability could be considered a matter of cause and effect. As long as he planted the seeds, he would gain information about the spirit plants, no matter how rare or scarce they might be.
The items presented by the Hailou Merchant Guild's treasure tower were sure to be extremely rare and precious, and their grades shouldn't be too low, or they wouldn't live up to the reputation of high-level artifacts.
He didn't have to worry about attracting trouble after acquiring them either. With the protection of the guild's cultivators and high-level artifacts, plus the concealment of the meteorite's restrictions, he wasn't afraid of others finding him.
As he pondered, several beams of light suddenly illuminated the information in front of his feet, revealing details about the treasures soon to be auctioned.
Lu Chen glanced at them and saw that the first item in the Spirit Herb section was a rare fourth-grade spirit plant, which didn't interest him much. So he maneuvered the meteorite to the Artifact Zone.
Below the light screen, a cultivator in the early stages of pill formation was attracting other cultivators by introducing the treasures up for auction:
"This treasure is a fifth-grade Sword Pill. It can be directly refined and integrated into the body to enhance one's cultivation in the Sword Dao. Alternatively, it can be refined together with a fifth-grade flying sword to create an artifact. The starting bid is three thousand low-grade spirit stones, and each increase must not be less than one thousand low-grade spirit stones."
"Can't afford it," Lu Chen shook his head as he gazed at the sword pill, which was radiating sword aura and spinning rapidly.
He had once obtained a third-grade sword pill from the first sword grass he planted, which he later integrated into a fourth-grade wind and thunder sword. So he was quite curious about this fifth-grade sword pill, but the moment he heard the price, his interest waned.
"Once the sword grasses in my Spirit Field mature, I'll be able to obtain sword pills even better than this one," he thought, his ears filled with the relentless bidding calls, a hint of sourness in his tone.
After looking around, he spotted a fourth-grade Spirit Herb seed about to be auctioned in the Spirit Herb zone, so he maneuvered the meteorite to his desired destination.
"The Earthfire Heart Lotus Spirit Herb, who would've thought I'd see it here," he murmured.
After a few spirit herbs were auctioned off, the cultivator in the Spirit Herb zone took out a fiery red spirit herb seed. Within the seed, one could faintly discern swirling clouds of deep red smoke.
"The Earthfire Heart Lotus Spirit Herb, a fourth-grade variety unique to the Eastern Wasteland. The mature lotus seeds can purify evil and abnormal energies, reducing the risk of deviation for cultivators. It is highly effective. The starting bid is three thousand low-grade spirit stones, and each increase must not be less than two hundred low-grade spirit stones."
"Three thousand two hundred spirit stones," Lu Chen called out, recognizing the familiar spirit herb.
"Three thousand six hundred spirit stones," another cultivator bid.
"Four thousand spirit stones. I'm quite interested in this Earthfire Heart Lotus. Fellow daoists, please give me some face," a Foundation Establishment cultivator who hadn't concealed his appearance or aura spoke up.
The bidding continued, and within a few dozen breaths, the price had surpassed five thousand low-grade spirit stones.
"It's a good thing I already have several Earthfire Heart Lotuses planted in my Spirit Field. Before I left my sect, I also obtained the method to condense its seeds," Lu Chen thought to himself. In his opinion, the price had already exceeded his expectations, and it wasn't worth spending a large sum to acquire a spirit herb he already possessed.
In the end, the Earthfire Heart Lotus Spirit Herb was won by the Foundation Establishment cultivator for a price of five thousand six hundred spirit stones.
The Spirit Herb zone mostly featured various mature spirit herbs, with spirit herb seeds being relatively scarce. Occasionally, there were fourth-grade spirit herbs, but they didn't hold much appeal for Lu Chen.
His Spirit Field already boasted an abundance of spirit herbs, including over a dozen varieties of fifth-grade herbs. Cultivating them was a strenuous daily task, so he had lost interest in ordinary fourth-grade spirit herbs.
After a while, his spirits lifted as he saw the cultivator presiding over the Spirit Herb auction take out a peculiar little sapling.
The entire sapling was black, and though it was just a young seedling, its bark was deeply wrinkled, resembling an old woman. One could vaguely make out the outlines of facial features, as if the tree were asleep.
Clearing his throat, the cultivator presiding over the auction introduced the peculiar little tree to Lu Chen and the others, "This spirit plant is called the Sinister Old Tree Demon. It was obtained by a Golden Core cultivator from a secret realm in a distant land, and it is ranked as a fifth-grade treasure.
It is said that this variety of spirit plant possesses a strong offensive capability, not too dissimilar to demonic beasts. The Sinister Old Tree Demon has a certain degree of spiritual awareness and, during its growth, takes on a sinister and ferocious appearance, hence its name."
"During the cultivation process, it can be tamed to guard a cave abode or treasures. Once it matures, the heartwood it condenses is an extremely rare fifth-grade treasure that can enhance a cultivator's physical body, greatly increasing their body's resilience and recovery ability. It can also assist in cultivating certain special divine abilities."
"The starting bid is 10,000 low-grade spirit stones, and each increase must not be less than 500 spirit stones."
"Let the auction begin!"
Lu Chen's heart stirred as he gazed upon the bizarre spirit plant, which bore a slight resemblance to humans.
"A fifth-grade spirit plant and such a rare variety, too. I must find a way to get my hands on it."
As he pondered, several cultivators had already started bidding, and the price quickly rose to 15,000 low-grade spirit stones.
"16,000!"
A cultivator in the early stage of the Golden Core phase called out nonchalantly.
"16,500," a Foundation Establishment cultivator hiding in the shadows hesitated for a moment before joining in.
"18,000!"
The Golden Core cultivator didn't hesitate to raise the stakes significantly.
"18,500," the Foundation Establishment cultivator hesitated a little longer, knowing that this fifth-grade spirit plant was highly compatible with his cultivation technique. If he were to obtain it and nurture it to maturity, his strength would undoubtedly increase considerably. Even though the price had already exceeded his limit, he still wanted to give it one last try.
"20,000! I am determined to win this spirit plant. Any fellow cultivators who wish to compete, I will go all the way."
The Golden Core cultivator spoke confidently, assuming he had already secured his victory.
However, the atmosphere soon turned silent as the spirit plant's rarity and compatibility appealed to only a select few cultivators. The price of 20,000 low-grade spirit stones had already surpassed most cultivators' expectations, and no one dared to raise the bid further.
"20,000 low-grade spirit stones once!"
The auctioneer scanned the crowd, and as no one responded, he was about to call it a second time when a clear voice rang out from the corner.
"22,000 low-grade spirit stones."
It was Lu Chen who had waited for the competition to settle down before making his move, and he did so decisively by raising the bid by a substantial 2,000 spirit stones, demonstrating his unwavering determination to acquire the fifth-grade sapling.
"Fellow cultivator, you are quite the big spender."
The Golden Core cultivator, taken aback by Lu Chen's sudden appearance, felt annoyed as he had assumed victory was within his grasp.
He attempted to probe Lu Chen's meteorite with his spiritual sense, but the restrictions surrounding it blocked his efforts, revealing nothing.
"Fellow cultivator, I, too, have a keen interest in this Sinister Old Tree Demon. Let us compete fairly, and let the spirit stones decide."
"Agreed!"
The Golden Core cultivator's heart burned with frustration.
"23,000 spirit stones."
"Adding another 2,000, 25,000."
Lu Chen replied calmly.
"Fellow cultivator, why must you do something that benefits neither of us?"
"26,000," the Golden Core cultivator hesitated for a moment before calling out again. This price was already a significant markup for a fifth-grade spirit plant, and any higher would be unreasonable.
"28,000."
Lu Chen's tone remained indifferent as he continued the bid.
The spirit plant was invaluable to him, and he was willing to pay an even higher price if necessary. After all, a single light group held several times the value of the spirit plant itself.
"Very well, I concede."
Glaring at Lu Chen, who had kept his appearance hidden, the Golden Core cultivator felt embarrassed and immediately flew away on his meteorite.
"28,000 once! 28,000 twice! 28,000 three times! Sold!"
"Congratulations, fellow cultivator!"
Recognizing that no higher bids would be forthcoming, the Hailou Merchant Guild cultivator swiftly concluded the auction.
A smile appeared on Lu Chen's face as he successfully acquired the sinister and rare fifth-grade spirit plant, the Sinister Old Tree Demon.
(End of Chapter)
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