The Rakshasa Sect? A Golden Core power from the neighboring Netherworld Prefecture? How did they manage to attract Golden Core sects even from this Outer Prefecture?
Clearly, the Azurewood Sect's earlier statement had no effect on the Rakshasa Sect's bidding.
"Ten thousand low-grade spirit stones," the Rakshasa Sect representative countered. "If your Azurewood Sect has the resources, feel free to outbid us. Why resort to flaunting your reputation to intimidate us?"
Yao Zheng Sheng remained composed, fully aware that his words had achieved nothing but provoke the Rakshasa Sect's hostility.
As the two sides continued their verbal sparring, Shan Qin, the female cultivator in a flowing silk robe on the platform, announced, "If True Disciple Yao can provide the items our Chamber of Commerce requires, we would gladly gift him the Dustfall Pill. Moreover, we have additional Divine Soul treasures we would be willing to trade with the Azurewood Sect."
It was only then that Wei Zhong realized the Azurewood Sect representative was none other than Yao Zheng Sheng, the sect's newly appointed First True Disciple and the star of the ongoing Core Formation Ceremony.
Yao Zheng Sheng's expression shifted slightly in his private chamber as he turned to Lu Yibin beside him.
So the Cloud Gathering Merchant Guild isn't holding a grudge? They were just waiting for the Azurewood Sect to show up.
If even an organization like the Cloud Gathering Merchant Guild coveted something, it couldn't possibly be insignificant.
The cultivators in the auction hall wore varied expressions. The Rakshasa Sect representative, who had made the initial bid, flushed crimson with barely suppressed fury.
He dared not lash out. The Cloud Gathering Merchant Guild, a Nascent Soul-level power, was far beyond the Rakshasa Sect's ability to offend. Moreover, the Azurewood Sect's proposal—using their own treasure to offset the price of the Soul Nourishing Pill—was perfectly within the auction's rules.
Still, what kind of treasure could possibly warrant such a straightforward exchange for this precious pill?
"Fellow Daoist Shan, you jest," Yao Zheng Sheng replied calmly. "The Azurewood Sect possesses no such item. If we did, wouldn't we have offered it directly to your esteemed Chamber of Commerce? Securing a connection with a Nascent Soul powerhouse like the Cloud Gathering Merchant Guild would be a golden opportunity for a Golden Core sect like ours."
Shan Qin chuckled softly. "If that's the case, then let's pretend I never mentioned it. Please continue with the bidding."
"Ten thousand low-grade spirit stones," Yao Zheng Sheng countered, a hint of worry flickering across his face.
The seed of suspicion had been planted: that the Azurewood Sect harbored a priceless treasure. It was only a matter of time before Demonic Cultivators, concealing their identities, came probing.
"Eleven thousand low-grade spirit stones," the Rakshasa Sect representative retorted, a flicker of pain crossing his face. Clearly, his resolve was faltering.
The two bidders continued to raise their offers until the Azurewood Sect's True Inheritance disciple finally secured the Soul Nourishing Pill for thirteen thousand spirit stones.
This exorbitant price undoubtedly stunned Wei Zhong, the unsophisticated Loose Cultivator who had never witnessed such a transaction before.
A single Medicinal Pill fetching such a staggering price? That Female Cultivator Shan is truly ruthless, cornering the Azurewood Sect with just a few well-placed words. Could it be that the sect has offended her in some way?
"Our next item is a Second-Tier formation: the Azure Lotus Array of Azure Waters. The azure waters provide defense, while the azure lotus serves as the offensive core. It's perfectly suited for Foundation Establishment cultivators guarding their Immortal's Caves..."
A formation?
Wei Zhong's heart leaped with joy. This is exactly what I need!
"The starting bid is two thousand low-grade spirit stones, with minimum increments of one hundred."
The moment the announcement was made, cultivators immediately began bidding.
"Two thousand low-grade spirit stones!"
"Two thousand two hundred low-grade spirit stones!"
...
Wei Zhong listened to the escalating bids before finally entering the fray himself. The auction price steadily climbed until it reached four thousand spirit stones, which Wei Zhong ultimately secured.
This Second-Tier formation is far more expensive than a Second-Tier magic artifact. Of course, that's partly because the Dao of Formations isn't thriving in Wild Plains Prefecture.
In a private booth overlooking the auction hall, Luo Mingyan recognized Wei Zhong at a glance.
"What's this, Junior Brother Luo? Do you know this person?" Yao Zheng Sheng asked.
Luo Mingyan nodded. "He's a descendant of an old friend of mine. He recently achieved Foundation Establishment as a Spirit Farmer."
"Not only do I know him," Luo Mingyan added, glancing at Shen Yuqi, "but the spirit wine recipe Senior Brother Shen holds came from him."
Shen Yuqi nodded in confirmation as Yao Zheng Sheng's gaze shifted to him.
"If he possesses such skill, why hasn't he joined our Azurewood Sect as a Guest Elder?" Yao Zheng Sheng wondered.
"Well..." Luo Mingyan hesitated, then rose and clasped his hands in a respectful bow. "Though he successfully reached Foundation Establishment, his potential is exhausted. He intends to spend his remaining years tending to his family affairs and enjoying his retirement."
"Exhausted his potential? Then forget it. First-Tier techniques won't make waves," Yao Zheng Sheng dismissed the matter.
Luo Mingyan inwardly wiped a bead of sweat from his brow, relieved that his senior brother hadn't pressed further. The conversation had reached its end. Yet, he secretly regretted speaking up for Wei Zhong. When I see him next, I'll extort a few jars of his spirit wine for this.
The auction continued, showcasing several more rare spiritual treasures that left Wei Zhong dazzled. He bid on a few items potentially useful for winemaking but refrained from further purchases.
"Finally, the highlight of this auction: a single Dustfall Pill. Depending on the cultivator's constitution, this pill can increase the probability of achieving Core Formation by 10% to 30%.
The starting bid is 10,000 Low-Grade Spirit Stones, with a minimum increment of 100 stones per bid."
As soon as the Dustfall Pill was announced, Yao Zheng Sheng swiftly rose to his feet.
The Cloud Gathering Merchant Guild is undermining the very foundation of the Azurewood Sect, he thought.
"A Dustfall Pill?" Wei Zhong, too, was seeing the physical pill for the first time. It was a precious elixir vital for cultivators attempting Core Formation.
Just as Qi Refining cultivators needed Foundation Establishment Pills to advance, Foundation Establishment cultivators required Dustfall Pills for Core Formation. This pill's significance far surpassed that of the Foundation Establishment Pill, and its appearance at the auction ignited a frenzy among the cultivators present.
"11,000 Low-Grade Spirit Stones."
"11,500 Low-Grade Spirit Stones."
The initial bid increase of 1,000 spirit stones was instantly crushed as individual Foundation Establishment cultivators and Golden Core powers in the VIP seats above, their eyes blazing with desire, began bidding fiercely in rapid succession.
"I must secure this pill," Yao Zheng Sheng declared firmly.
Driven by the cultivators' fervor, the price of the Dustfall Pill rapidly soared past 20,000 and then 30,000 Low-Grade Spirit Stones.
"33,000 Low-Grade Spirit Stones."
The bid came from the Rakshasa Sect member who had previously competed with Yao Zheng Sheng for the Soul Nourishing Pill.
"34,000 Low-Grade Spirit Stones."
The latest bid came from Han Bamboo City. According to the cultivators present, the bidder was Qingzhu, a disciple of Bitter Bamboo Daoist, the city lord.
"Thirty-five thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones," Qingzhu announced.
The voice didn't come from the auction platform above but from the Foundation Establishment seating area. A figure cloaked in black robes, concealing their face, had made the offer.
Wei Zhong speculated that this bidder was either a daring Loose Cultivator with exceptional skills or a member of a Foundation Establishment Family.
The price continued to climb rapidly, soon surpassing forty thousand. At this point, even the Rakshasa Sect and Han Bamboo City withdrew from the bidding. Only the Azurewood Sect and the mysterious Foundation Establishment cultivator remained in contention.
"Forty-two thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones," the mysterious bidder declared.
Upon hearing this offer, Yao Zheng Sheng finally hesitated. He tried to speak several times but ultimately remained silent. Now that the Azurewood Sect had firmly established itself in the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range and had already gathered the spirit medicines to refine a Dustfall Pill—the first of many—it no longer seemed worthwhile to bid further for this particular pill.
Noticing the Azurewood Sect's withdrawal, Shan Qin struck her wooden hammer. "Forty-two thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones... once... twice... thrice! Congratulations to this Fellow Daoist for winning the Dustfall Pill. This auction has now concluded successfully..."
The successful bidder swiftly completed the transaction and departed.
Yao Zheng Sheng turned to his fellow sect members. "Notify Martial Uncle and Grandmaster..."
Before he could finish, Shan Qin's voice echoed from below the platform: "True Disciple Yao, please wait! I have another matter to discuss with you regarding a transaction!"