https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-75-Repairing-the-Green-Gourd-Starting-the-Auction/13509953/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-77-Natural-and-Man-Made-Disasters-Fenghou-Mountain-Incident/13509971/
Chapter 76: Splashing the Cash—Securing the Gold Foundation Building Spirit Herb
Chapter 76: Splashing the Cash—Securing the Gold Foundation Building Spirit Herb
The first auction item was a mid-grade defensive magic artifact—the Houtu Robe.
“This Houtu Robe,” the graceful auctioneer announced, holding up the artifact robe, “was personally crafted by the renowned artificer Master Qijian. It’s a masterpiece.”
“Over thirty jin of Thick Earth Sand were used in its creation, and the Earth Shield Technique inscribed within can withstand three attacks from a Great Perfection cultivator.”
“Additionally, six jin of Red Radiance Gold were infused during forging, significantly enhancing the robe’s durability. Even a direct hit from a Flying Sword would struggle to tear it.”
The auctioneer paraded the robe around the stage, letting the crowd admire it before stating, “Starting bid: one hundred spirit stones. Minimum increment: one spirit stone.”
“I’ll bid one hundred and twenty!”
A voice rang out immediately from behind Xiao Chen. He turned to see the young girl he’d encountered that morning, her hand raised eagerly, her face flushed with excitement as she clutched her fists to her chest.
The attention of the crowd had already thrilled her, as if she’d accomplished something monumental.
“One hundred and twenty-one!”
“One hundred and twenty-five!”
Lone cultivators in the audience joined the bidding frenzy. Though everyone knew mid-grade magic artifacts typically fetched hundreds of spirit stones—defensive ones even more—the low starting price was merely to warm up the crowd. Many penniless cultivators joined in for the thrill, knowing wealthy bidders would eventually settle the price.
Xiong Clan had even planted a bidder to ensure no joke bids succeeded. But before the plant could act, Ji Gongzi of the Ji Clan claimed the robe at six hundred spirit stones.
The auctioneer gestured warmly, “Welcome, sir, to inspect your purchase!”
A key feature of this auction was on-site verification and payment. A row of maids knelt at the stage’s edge, each holding a tray aloft to collect the spirit stones. Ji Gongzi ascended, gave the robe a cursory check, then waved his hand, depositing six full trays of spirit stones.
The sight of so many stones ignited murmurs below.
“That’s Ji Clan’s young master. No wonder he’s so generous—six great families’ wealth flows in his veins.”
“He’s a direct heir of Ji Clan. Spirit stones? Of course he’s swimming in them.”
“I earn one stone a month. To afford this robe, I’d need to save for fifty years…”
Xiao Chen had considered bidding but decided against it. He already possessed an Inner Sect-issued Magic Robe, but wearing it in public would reveal his identity. Still, he prioritized saving his resources for the Foundation Building Spirit Herb later. Besides, his Golden Armor Technique served as adequate protection.
After the warm-up, three more mid-grade artifacts and various pills, talismans, and low-grade artifacts followed. The former started at one hundred stones, the latter at one. The mid-tier items were claimed by Du, Guo, and Tian Clans in a suspiciously coordinated fashion, while the cheaper goods catered to the lone cultivators.
The crowd’s energy peaked when a Guo Clan miss secured a Five-Color Flowing Immortal Gown for nine hundred and sixty stones, sparking envy among female cultivators.
“Wow, that dress is so pretty!” the young girl clung to her grandfather’s arm. “Too bad it’s so expensive—nearly a thousand stones! Do you think the final item will sell for even more?”
“Hmm… these eighteen trays might not even hold it all!”
The old man chuckled, “We’re only halfway through. Wait till you see the finale. Last time, the final item sold for over two thousand stones.”
By the third watch of the You hour (around 5-7 PM), after three hours of bidding, the final item was unveiled. The crowd leaned forward, eager.
“Esteemed cultivators, our final item hails from the Central Regions—a thousand-year-old Sword Bamboo!”
As the red cloth dropped, a golden bamboo stalk gleamed on stage. Xiao Chen’s eyes sharpened. This was the Foundation Building Spirit Herb he needed! Though he required both Gold and Earth elements, the odds of this being Gold were two in five. Yet seeing it now, he felt a surge of joy—another step closer to forging his heavenly path core.
The auctioneer extolled its virtues, especially for sword cultivators. After a quarter-hour of hype, she declared, “Starting bid: one thousand spirit stones. Minimum increment: fifty.”
Before she finished, Xiao Chen raised his hand. “Two thousand!”
Silence fell. All heads turned, disbelief etched on their faces. Even the auctioneer double-checked, “Did you say two thousand, sir(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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