Chapter 851: The Cicada Spiritwood
Chapter 851: The Cicada Spiritwood
"One hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones."
A cold voice shattered the eerie calm that had enveloped the venue.
"One hundred and ten thousand low-grade spirit stones," offered a familiar gentle voice, belonging to Shen Ye, a fellow sect member.
Having previously acquired a fifth-grade Sword Talisman, he couldn't resist bidding for this sixth-grade Minor Five Thunder Talisman as well.
"One hundred and twenty thousand low-grade spirit stones."
"One hundred and thirty thousand."
...
The Minor Five Thunder Talisman attracted far more interest from the cultivators present than Lu Chen had anticipated, and the bidding quickly escalated to one hundred and sixty thousand low-grade spirit stones.
Lu Chen wore a faint smile, observing the heated competition among the crowd.
While this sixth-grade talisman was precious, he had long since mastered the Five Thunder Right Law, and with his extended practice, coupled with the skill experience package granted by the light group, he had become extremely proficient in this thunder law.
Being able to unleash the Five Elements Spirit Thunder at any time, he didn't place much value on a single Minor Five Thunder Talisman.
Down below, Ding Qingwen's expression fluctuated as he warily surveyed his surroundings.
He was determined to obtain this Minor Five Thunder Talisman.
While the fifth-grade Thunder Escape Talisman could help a cultivator escape in critical moments, this sixth-grade talisman could aid in a counter-attack against an opponent, potentially reversing a dire situation.
The advantages were clear.
Especially for someone like him, who frequently traveled through various realm domains, the odds of encountering demons and evil spirits were high, and the powerful offensive capabilities of the Minor Five Thunder Talisman could serve as a trump card.
However, he noticed that his companion, Zhang Jiuzong, the Star Envoy of the Celestial Star Cave, Qi Wuheng, and other late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators remained silent, seemingly content to observe the changing situation.
"If only I had brought more spirit stones," he lamented inwardly.
Before coming here, he had merely been invited by Zhang Jiuzong and was curious about the chamber of commerce's guest alchemist. He had decided to join in on the fun along the way.
He had expected it to be a small-scale auction where his wealth would be more than sufficient to get whatever he wanted. But one after another, rare and precious treasures had appeared, rapidly depleting the spirit stones in his storage bag.
Now, he felt almost powerless to bid for the Minor Five Thunder Talisman.
"Fellow Daoist Zhang, could I borrow some spirit stones from you? I will express my gratitude after the auction," he transmitted to Zhang Jiuzong beside him.
"Apologies, but I don't have many spirit stones on me either. I'm afraid I can't help you, Fellow Daoist Ding," Zhang Jiuzong replied without even turning his head, his full attention on the Minor Five Thunder Talisman in Lu Chen's hands.
"One hundred and eighty thousand low-grade spirit stones," Zhang Jiuzong called out, seizing the right moment.
"One hundred and eighty-five thousand," Qi Wuheng chimed in from a short distance away.
At this auction price, the number of competing bidders decreased sharply.
Most of the cultivators present were of the wandering type, and their financial resources couldn't compare to those of Qi Wuheng, Zhang Jiuzong, and the like.
"Fellow Daoist Lu, I recall you mentioning before the auction that treasures could be exchanged for spirit herbs, right?"
Suddenly, a clear voice reached Lu Chen's ears.
Lu Chen was slightly taken aback and followed the voice to meet the deep gaze of Ding Qingwen.
"That's correct, but the spirit herb would still need to match the value of the treasure. If it falls short, the difference would have to be made up with spirit stones," he transmitted to Ding Qingwen, a hint of anticipation rising within him.
"Very well. I have a rare spirit herb here. Fellow Daoist Lu, please take a look," Ding Qingwen said, nodding.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, he used his spiritual sense to bring a peculiar spirit herb over to Lu Chen.
The spirit herb was transparent, and if not for Lu Chen's strong spiritual sense, it would have been easy to overlook its presence.
Its surface bore faint markings resembling cicada wings, exuding a reclusive and ethereal aura that made it easy to ignore.
Lu Chen signaled to Wen Qian below the stage to continue hosting the auction while he stepped aside. He cupped the transparent spirit herb in his palm, and a thin layer of Spirit Energy began to emanate from it.
Focusing his mind on the spirit herb, he instantly gained detailed information about this peculiar plant.
【Cicada Spiritwood: Its grade depends on cultivation and growth conditions, with the potential to reach as high as seventh-grade.】
【During its growth process, it requires nourishment from pure and rich spiritual energy and spirit springs. The demands for spiritual energy and springs increase as it develops.】
【At a certain stage, the spirit wood will molt a layer of bark, and after shedding, its grade will be elevated. Simultaneously, its ability to isolate spiritual energy and conceal itself will be significantly enhanced.】
【During the molting process, it will attract high-level strange insects from the void, so caution is necessary.】
【Molt a layer of cicada shell, and today I shall know myself as I am.】
"..."
"What a bizarre spirit plant is this?" Lu Chen muttered to himself.
"A wondrous spirit herb that molts like a golden cicada, and with each molt, its grade improves. It might even reach a seventh-grade level."
"Hmm, with my help, reaching seventh-grade is guaranteed."
He thought confidently.
"Now, I wonder if each molt will result in a light group reward? However, the initial molt might yield a low-grade spirit herb, which may not be entirely satisfactory."
"Moreover, it's worth noting that this Cicada Spiritwood has an exceptionally strong concealment ability, capable of masking one's aura. The light group reward it offers is likely related to this ability."
The more Lu Chen thought about it, the more pleased he became.
With this Cicada Spiritwood, the Clear Cicada Feather Garment he possessed, which concealed his aura and isolated divination-type divine abilities, could probably be upgraded significantly.
"Friend Ding, this spirit herb is indeed rare. With my extensive experience in dealing with various spirit plants, I cannot identify its specific variety."
Lu Chen transmitted his thoughts to Ding Qingwen, both as a show of humility and an attempt to suppress the price.
"Being both sixth-grade, regardless of how rare it is, its value shouldn't surpass that of my Minor Five Thunder Talisman, right? Friend Lu, why don't you name your price?"
He wasn't wrong. While the Cicada Spiritwood had the potential to reach seventh-grade, achieving that might be as difficult as a cultivator advancing from the Qi Refining stage to the Nascent Soul stage. The higher the grade, the more challenging it became.
"Twelve thousand low-grade spirit stones. What does Friend Lu think?"
Ding Qingwen estimated the probable selling price of the Minor Five Thunder Talisman and considered his own spirit stone reserves before making his offer.
"This price should be enough to purchase even the rarest and most extraordinary sixth-grade spirit herb."
"However, I, Lu Chen, am obsessed with all kinds of peculiar spirit plants. Today, I've taken a fancy to this spirit herb. So, as you suggested, if you succeed in bidding for the Minor Five Thunder Talisman, I'll offer twelve thousand low-grade spirit stones in exchange."
"But if the talisman slips through your fingers, I'll buy it from you at that price."
Lu Chen transmitted his reply with a smile.
"Good! With Friend Lu's assurance, the Minor Five Thunder Talisman is as good as mine."
Ding Qingwen's spirit lifted, and he felt confident about winning the bid for the talisman.
Whether it was Lu Chen examining the spirit herb or the two of them striking a deal, it all happened in a very short span of time.
There were still two or three others bidding for the Minor Five Thunder Talisman, and the price slowly climbed to twenty-two thousand low-grade spirit stones.
"Twenty-three thousand."
Ding Qingwen finally spoke up, raising the bid by a thousand.
(End of Chapter)
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