A few days passed in the blink of an eye.
During this time, more and more cultivators from surrounding regions continued to arrive, all drawn by the rare opportunity to attend this pill auction.
By the day of the auction itself, over a dozen Foundation Establishment cultivators had gathered, along with many late-stage Qi Refining cultivators representing various factions, all converging upon the Sanhui Market.
If these cultivators were to join forces and exert even a fraction of their strength, they could probably plow through the entire Chidi Mountains without much resistance!
Such a grand scene was nearly unprecedented for this remote mountain region.
For the struggling Qi Refining cultivators who spent their days fighting over scraps of territory, it was likely the first time in their lives they had ever seen so many Foundation Establishment cultivators gathered in one place.
It was, without a doubt, an eye-opener!
During this period, the local factions of the Chidi Mountains lived in constant fear terrified that the slightest misstep might offend one of the visiting Foundation Establishment cultivators and bring about their destruction.
None of them even dared hope that Li Ye might stand up to protect them.
Among the scattered cultivators, many had fled the market overnight, retreating deep into the mountains.
They feared that something might go wrong during the auction, sparking a massive battle among the Foundation Establishment elites that would leave them caught in the crossfire dead before they even knew what hit them.
The fact that all this was stirred up by a single man only deepened the awe and reverence the entire Chidi region held for Li Ye.
In the past, Xu Pingyang had seemed like a dominant force holding the title of a Foundation Establishment cultivator and commanding dozens, nearly a hundred, mountain peaks across the region. He ruled like a little mountain king, his word law.
But in truth, he was only dominant in his tiny corner of the world.
Even when interacting with Foundation Establishment forces from other nations, he was always the subordinate one.
Alone attracting such a high-profile visit like this when the Ma Battalion came through the region before, they only dealt with Xu Pingyang because they had no other local contacts.
In reality, they looked down on cultivators like Xu Pingyang, who clung to such a backwater place.
Now, however, the Foundation Establishment cultivators who had arrived held themselves with courtesy and were making an effort to build good relations with Li Ye.
This level of respect and initiative was something the people of the Chidi Mountains had never seen before.
In just under a year since taking over Pingyang Mountain, Li Ye had already instilled a level of influence and fear far beyond anything Xu Pingyang had achieved in a lifetime.
Now, any order Li Ye gave was met with total cooperation. The locals were so obedient it was almost comical like people who could tell just from the sound of footsteps whether to bow or run.
This newfound order had also taken a significant weight off Luo Feibai's shoulders, as everything was now running more smoothly than ever.
.....
"Fellow Daoist Duan!"
"Fellow Daoist Fang!"
One by one, Foundation Establishment cultivators wrapped in protective auras stepped into the auction venue.
Those familiar with each other greeted politely with cupped fists and entered together.
Upon seeing Duan Ruisheng, the Foundation Establishment cultivator surnamed Fang couldn't help but chuckle.
"I didn't expect you to show up as well, Fellow Daoist Duan. If I remember correctly, you cultivate the Sharp Gold Sword Art… This Firecloud Pill and Earth-Calm Pill don't suit your element. You came all this way just for them?"
"Even if these pills aren't compatible with my cultivation, there are still other spirit pills on offer, aren't there?" Duan Ruisheng replied casually, his gaze sweeping the surroundings.
"If I can win a few, they could still come in handy someday."
"Well, you've got a point…"
The cultivator surnamed Fang laughed in agreement. "In that case, I hope you'll go easy on me later and let me face one less competitor."
"Ah, now that won't do…"
Duan Ruisheng waved his hand and laughed. "Since I'm already here, how could I not join in the fun? If I do manage to win a bid, I could always trade the pills for something more suitable for myself."
He had already mentally prepared himself to act as a plant bidder, so dropping a few lines like this before the auction officially started came quite naturally.
Hearing this, the cultivator surnamed Fang wasn't sure if Duan was being serious or just playing along. He chuckled awkwardly.
"If all the fellow Daoists here are thinking the same way, we might just see someone lose their temper and start a fight on the spot…"
"And if a fight breaks out, so what?" Duan Ruisheng's tone turned a bit more serious, and he gestured subtly to their surroundings.
The Fang cultivator, who had also been quietly observing, became a bit more solemn.
"To think that Fellow Daoist Li who has yet to show himself not only excels in pill refining but also has such skill in formations…"
"This spiritual vein is only first grade, and yet he's managed to lay down a second-grade formation with this kind of effect… Anyone thinking of stirring up trouble in here better think twice."
"My earlier worries were unnecessary."
Setting up formations to ensure auctions go smoothly is a common practice those with no ill intent naturally have nothing to fear.
The two chatted idly as they made their way into the main auction hall and eventually split up to head to their respective private rooms.
Similar conversations were happening among many of the other arriving cultivators.
Even though the profits at stake were tempting, the presence of this second-grade formation served as a powerful deterrent. Many thoughts of mischief or forceful action quietly faded away.
A second-grade formation personally overseen by a formation master was more than capable of trapping multiple Foundation Establishment cultivators, even if only briefly.
Anyone foolish enough to cause trouble might very well lose their life under its suppressive force!
…
"In the past, I thought the protective formation around his mountain gate was nothing special. But seeing this setup today… I realize now the depth of his true formation skill."
Inside one of the private booths, a cultivator spoke with admiration.
"Breaking through to Foundation Establishment in his thirties, with second-grade proficiency in both alchemy and formations he's a dual talent. Even in our Jiuding Valley, we don't have someone like that… This Li Ye is becoming more and more worth recruiting."
The speaker was tall and powerfully built, with a square face, thick brows, and deep-set eyes. He had an upright, striking appearance.
Even the subtle flow of his spiritual energy carried a sharp, distinctive aura that made it clear he was no ordinary man.
The other two cultivators in the room, a man and a woman, responded with flattery:
"Indeed, his talents are impressive. But compared to you, Fellow Daoist Deng who reached the Foundation Establishment without relying on any pills or spiritual materials, and was recognized by Senior Jiudingzi himself as a future Core Formation hopeful he still falls short!"
Hearing this, Deng Tiancheng's brows furrowed slightly.
Back then, he had only attempted such a desperate breakthrough because he had no other options.
Though it had brought him great benefits, hearing others constantly bring it up wasn't something he particularly enjoyed.
What's more, the way these two immediately disparaged Li Ye after he had just praised him trying to curry favor rubbed him the wrong way.
He shot a cold glance at the pair and said in an unfriendly tone:
"We just happen to be traveling together. With your kind of character, you're unworthy of being my friend let alone of carelessly judging someone like Li Ye, who has mastered both pill and formation arts."
"If either of you keeps running your mouth and making enemies on my behalf, don't blame me for being rude."
His words left no room for saving face.
The man and woman, who had still been wearing flattering smiles, suddenly stiffened and flushed with embarrassment.
"You…"
But after that "you," they couldn't seem to get out another word Deng Tiancheng's presence was too overwhelming. Under his gaze, they didn't dare speak again.
Just then, movement on the stage drew everyone's attention.
The rotund figure of Luo Feibai, who had gained a bit of gravitas over the past few days, walked out with a warm smile and greeted the crowd:
"I am Luo Feibai, today's auctioneer. Greetings to all fellow Daoists!"
"Before we begin, let me emphasize once more: the second-grade pills on offer today must be bid on using second-grade pill formulas, secret techniques, or rare spiritual plant seeds and similar items."
"Those who present suitable items will have a clear competitive edge."
"If there are no further questions then let the auction begin!"
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