Chapter Twenty-Four: The Auction (Part One)

At that moment, a vortex formed within the belly of the "Golden Chalice," spinning slowly at first, then gradually quickening, only to slow again, as if savoring a meal with deliberate, unhurried bites. As the vortex expanded, the cauldron’s shaft emerged between its two handles, standing upright and piercing into its belly, inserting itself into the very heart of the swirling energy, turning in sync with the vortex.

The vortex grew ever larger, as though the cauldron could no longer contain it. Suddenly, with a pop like the removal of a wooden stopper from a bottle, the vortex reversed, its tip forming a small opening at the center. Through this opening, a suction force reached toward the golden sphere. The golden spiritual radiance enveloping the sphere was drawn into the cauldron, where it confronted the true essence within, mutually repelling.

Liu Junhuai’s skin prickled with increasing intensity, the electrical currents surging through his body almost bursting forth, the pain on his skin’s surface growing sharper and more unbearable. Terror mounted in his heart, and he began to question whether cultivating the "Primordial Shield Cauldron" was truly the right path.

Just as he considered giving up, the vortex inside the cauldron abruptly collapsed, and the golden spiritual radiance began to merge with the cauldron’s true essence. All discomfort vanished, replaced by a refreshing clarity that spread through his body. As the golden essence grew richer within the cauldron, he sensed the "Golden Chalice" trembling with excitement.

In a flash of thought, the golden true essence circulated throughout his body with the operation of the "Primordial Shield Cauldron," enveloping Liu Junhuai in a halo of golden light. The golden essence flowed naturally within him, as blood through veins.

Yet the golden radiance remained rather thin; Liu Junhuai felt it lacked a certain depth and solidity. Nonetheless, the cultivation had succeeded, and he couldn’t help but feel proud. With results achieved, the subsequent practice became increasingly smooth, and before he realized it, several full cycles had passed. He could sense the golden light weaving itself together, growing more substantial.

Feeling the auction was about to begin, Liu Junhuai composed himself and left the All-Encompassing Pavilion.

This auction was held at the Shangyu Chamber of Commerce, located at the entrance to the marketplace. Dusk was falling, many stalls had already withdrawn, yet the number of cultivators on the streets continued to increase.

The Cloud Valley was the headquarters of the mighty Sea Sky Pavilion, and it served as the central hub for pill refining and equipment forging in both Phoenix Ridge Country and the entire Western Region. It was the first threshold for entering the cultivation world, the pivotal transition for martial artists becoming cultivators.

In Pingdu City, a seventh-rank martial artist had already entered the early innate stage, the local pinnacle, but even so, the Foundation Establishment stage was still a legendary realm. Here, however, Foundation Establishment cultivators were numerous, thanks to the connection between Phoenix Ridge Country and neighboring Mojue Country via the Yunluo Mountains. Most cultivation sects from both nations had established themselves on either side of the mountains, with Cloud Valley at their intersection.

The host of this auction, the Shangyu Chamber of Commerce, was a massive organization established by more than a dozen cultivation sects from both countries. Thus, the triennial auction attracted the participation of countless experts from these sects.

For this auction, Liu Junhuai did not deliberately conceal his cultivation level; sometimes, hiding one’s realm could be seen as a provocation.

The Shangyu Chamber of Commerce occupied a large estate at the marketplace’s entrance. The square within was crowded, heads bobbing, yet the atmosphere remained subdued.

As the premier power for thousands of miles around, none dared question the Chamber’s strength; even the Sea Sky Pavilion, a tiger among giants, was merely one participant among many.

Because the auction was divided into several venues, entry required a redwood invitation. The hall was enormous, easily accommodating five or six thousand people, and was already filled to capacity. After inquiring about the use of private rooms and paying fifteen thousand lower-grade spirit stones, Liu Junhuai secured a modest chamber.

Half an hour later, when a Foundation Establishment elder in green robes stepped onto the central auction stage, the triennial auction officially commenced.

With a gentle cough, the elder smiled broadly at the crowd, clasped his hands, and announced, “I am Qi Fengtian, the specially invited auctioneer for the Shangyu Chamber of Commerce. I trust everyone is here today to bid for precious cultivation resources. But before we begin, allow me to explain the rules.”

After emphasizing a few points of etiquette, the first item was unveiled.

Qi Fengtian pointed to a tray shrouded in red cloth. “Our first appetizer today is the Earth-grade superior treasure, Purity Gourd. Before I introduce the item, let me tell you a story.

“In the immortal realm, there is a divine gourd treasure, within which a thread of light dwells. It stands over three yards tall, and atop it appears a seven-inch figure, complete with brows and eyes, from which two beams of white light shoot forth. That light descends and pins the enemy, rendering them unconscious. With a single command to the treasure, it turns above the enemy’s head, and their head falls to the ground.

“Having told the tale, let me speak of the Purity Gourd. This gourd can summon a white mist from within, which causes brief unconsciousness for three breaths. The starting price is six hundred mid-grade spirit stones, with a minimum increment of twenty. Let the bidding begin!”

One had to admit, the auctioneer’s eloquence was impressive. No sooner had his words fallen than the bidding soared.

Liu Junhuai knew well that the Purity Gourd was indeed a treasure, but the white mist inside could not be used without limit; its usages were finite and required re-forging once depleted. Were it limitless, it would not merely be an Earth-grade treasure, but rival the divine artifact of legend.

The first item, buoyed by the auctioneer’s florid speech, was bid up to two thousand one hundred mid-grade spirit stones.

With three crisp claps, Qi Fengtian summoned two graceful female cultivators, each carrying a jade tray draped in red cloth.

He unveiled the tray and announced, “This is the Yin-Yang Taiji Ring, an Earth-grade mid-tier weapon. There are two rings, each engraved with dragon and phoenix motifs, interlocking like the Taiji. When clasped, the rings lock together. This weapon can emit a ringing sound; upon seeing and hearing it, one’s limbs grow limp and bones soften. Starting price: five hundred mid-grade spirit stones, with increments of no less than twenty. Bidding starts now!”

“Five hundred and fifty!” Someone called out after a brief silence.

“Five hundred seventy!”

“Six hundred!”

…

Though many bid, most were young cultivators; the grand powers like Sea Sky Pavilion and Whale Island did not participate, for this Earth-grade mid-tier weapon was little more than a pair of exquisitely crafted dragon-and-phoenix couple bracelets.

After a while, the final price settled at nine hundred eighty mid-grade spirit stones.

“Well then, our two appetizers have been auctioned, and now we begin bidding for Master Shao Kaiyang’s Departure Pill.”

Qi Fengtian had barely finished speaking when the hall erupted in excitement. Master Shao Kaiyang was the foremost pill refiner in the Western Region, and the Departure Pill was a rare seventh-grade treasure. A single pill could grant a cultivator a second lease on life; many sects had attended solely for this, yet none expected such a prized item to appear so early.

“Seventh-grade Departure Pill: as long as a severely injured cultivator still breathes, this pill can save their life. Hence, it’s also called the Life-Stealing Pill, for it can reclaim a lost soul. Today, we auction twelve pills, split into four sets of three. Starting price: two thousand mid-grade spirit stones, with increments of no less than one hundred. Let the bidding begin.” Qi Fengtian, pleased by the crowd’s reaction, let a smile curl his lips.

“Two thousand five hundred!”

“Two thousand eight hundred!”

“Three thousand two hundred!”

In the blink of an eye, the first set surpassed three thousand, and this was before the major sects had joined in.

“Six thousand!”

“Six thousand one hundred!”

…

The bidding quickly soared past seven thousand. The sects had joined the fray. Liu Junhuai’s heart burned with excitement; he knew pill refining was lucrative, but never had he witnessed such feverish bidding or such lofty prices. His resolve to become a master alchemist was now unshakeable.

Ultimately, the first set of Departure Pills went for ten thousand mid-grade spirit stones, and each of the remaining three sets closed at roughly the same price.

After the Departure Pills were auctioned, Qi Fengtian summoned two stunning women carrying silver trays. Lifting the red cloth covering the trays, he announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, now comes today’s highlight.”

He paused deliberately before continuing, “The next items for auction are two immortal-grade divine herbs: Fiery Ganoderma, nourished by the molten fire of Infernal Fate, its body blood-red, capable of curing every form of cold-induced poison; and Mystic Pearl Grass, grown from the heart of deep-sea pearls, appearing only once every thousand years, its body dark blue, able to cure every manner of scorching poison. If both herbs are decocted and consumed together, one can achieve immunity to all poisons. Both herbs are bundled for auction, starting price: ten thousand mid-grade spirit stones, minimum increment five hundred. Let the bidding begin!”