Chapter 113: Auction

This second-grade mid-tier talisman weapon flew faster than a mid-tier flying magical artifact. While mid-tier flying magical artifacts could only be controlled by Foundation Establishment cultivators, this talisman weapon could be operated by cultivators in the Qi Refining stage. In a way, it was comparable to a high-grade flying magical artifact, drawing competitive bids from many Foundation Establishment cultivators. It finally sold for 1,500 spirit stones.

The second highlight item was three high-grade second-tier demon cores, which sold for 3,200, 2,900, and 3,100 spirit stones, respectively.

After the three high-grade second-tier demon cores were auctioned off, Chen Fu retrieved five palm-sized red porcelain bottles. He announced loudly, "This is Blazing Fiend Qi, a fire-attribute Earth Fiend energy. Blazing Fiend Qi enhances fire-attribute spells. Each bottle has a starting bid of 1,000 spirit stones, with subsequent bids increasing by no less than 100."

"One thousand!""One thousand one hundred!""One thousand three hundred!"...

Although Earth Fiend energy was known to be harmful to the human body, its ability to aid in Foundation Establishment drew bids from many cultivators, including Wang Changsheng.

He had carefully considered the situation. With so many powerful factions participating in the auction, 40,000 spirit stones might not be enough to win a Foundation Establishment Pill. He decided it would be wiser to bid on other spiritual items that could aid in Foundation Establishment.

Blazing Fiend Qi was a fire-attribute true fiend energy. Since Wang Changfeng cultivated a fire-attribute technique, he could use the Blazing Fiend Qi to achieve Foundation Establishment.

Many Foundation Establishment cultivators were present at the auction, leading to fierce competition.

The five bottles of Blazing Fiend Qi sold for 7,500, 7,900, 8,000, 8,200, and 8,400 spirit stones respectively. Wang Changsheng successfully acquired three bottles for a total of 24,600 spirit stones.

The fourth highlight item was a low-grade second-tier spirit beast, a Three-legged Fire Crow, which sold for 4,000 spirit stones.

"Next, the fifth highlight item. Five bottles of Purple Jade Spirit Water, with a starting bid of 1,000 spirit stones. Each subsequent bid must increase by no less than 200 spirit stones."

"One thousand two hundred!""One thousand five hundred!""One thousand seven hundred!"...

While Purple Jade Spirit Water was not as potent as a Foundation Establishment Pill, it was significantly better than True Fiend Qi, leading to intense bidding. Wang Changsheng successfully acquired a bottle for a high price of 12,000 spirit stones. Chen Changsheng also secured a bottle, paying 13,000 spirit stones.

The sixth highlight item was a set of seven formation talismans capable of deploying the high-grade second-tier Seven Stars Demon Extermination Array. The Liu family from Yuezhou acquired them for 5,000 spirit stones.

The seventh highlight item was a set of nine wood-attribute flying swords, each a high-grade magical artifact, collectively known as the Azure Bamboo Swords. A woman in a green palace gown purchased them for 10,000 spirit stones.

Wang Changsheng noticed a small sword emblem on the woman's sleeve, the symbol of the Sword Palace of Chu. As the foremost of Chu's four great sects, he was surprised that a Sword Palace disciple was attending the Jade Field Dharma Assembly.

Chen Fu retrieved over a dozen glowing red command flags and three circular jade plates, then announced loudly, "The eighth highlight item is the array deployment tools for the high-grade second-tier Blazing Flame Array. It can be activated by five Foundation Establishment cultivators and possesses immense power. The starting bid is 10,000 spirit stones, with each increment no less than 500 spirit stones."

"Ten thousand!""Eleven thousand!""Twelve thousand!"...

Array flags, plates, and similar deployment tools were extremely expensive. However, array flags simplified deployment, whereas using raw materials was much more troublesome; even a single misplaced component could prevent the array from activating.

This set of deployment tools for a high-grade second-tier array ultimately sold for a staggering 43,000 spirit stones. The buyer was none other than the Wang family.

Chen Fu retrieved five porcelain bottles of various colors and placed them on the table before him.

"Foundation Establishment Pills!" someone exclaimed loudly.

Instantly, all eyes were drawn to the five porcelain bottles, gleaming with intense desire.

"There are five Foundation Establishment Pills," Chen Fu announced, "to be auctioned individually. Each pill has a starting bid of 10,000 spirit stones, and each increment must be no less than 1,000 spirit stones."

"Ten thousand!""Twelve thousand!""Thirteen thousand!"...

Bids echoed relentlessly. Wang Changsheng felt a pang of relief, grateful that he had heeded Wang Shuhan's advice and instead acquired other spiritual items for Foundation Establishment.

The five Foundation Establishment Pills sold for exorbitant prices of 43,000, 42,000, 45,000, 47,000, and 49,000 spirit stones, respectively.

The Jade Field Dharma Assembly, held only once every fifty years, always drew a massive influx of cultivators. With so many bidders, prices naturally escalated rapidly.

The Wang family successfully bid for one Foundation Establishment Pill. Chen Changsheng also participated in the bidding, securing a pill for 47,000 spirit stones.

From his storage bag, Chen Fu retrieved a foot-long green wooden box and placed it on the table.

Following auction custom, the most valuable items were always presented last.

Many cultivators wondered what could possibly be more valuable than a Foundation Establishment Pill.

Under the curious gazes of over a thousand cultivators, Chen Fu opened the wooden box, revealing a red-glowing talisman adorned with a small sword emblem.

The red talisman emanated astonishing spiritual energy fluctuations, clearly indicating it was no ordinary item.

"That's a Talisman Treasure!" an experienced cultivator exclaimed, recognizing the item.

"A Talisman Treasure!" A flash of surprise appeared in Wang Changsheng's eyes. Talisman Treasures were rumored to be artifacts refined by cultivators above the Core Formation stage, using their own magical treasures. They could be wielded by cultivators from the Qi Refining stage all the way up to Core Formation, possessing immense power and often referred to as the deadliest weapon below the Core Formation stage.

Such items were said to drain the spiritual essence of the magical treasure used in their creation. Thus, only a few high-level cultivators, nearing their end, would refine Talisman Treasures from their own magical artifacts to leave as life-saving measures for their descendants, making them incredibly rare and precious.

Wang Changsheng carefully observed that the Talisman Treasure's surface was enveloped in a faint red glow, resembling a protective barrier.

"Indeed, it is a Talisman Treasure," Chen Fu confirmed. "This is a first-grade Talisman Treasure, refined from a low-grade first-tier magical artifact, the Blazing Flame Sword. It possesses a spiritual halo and has never been used, meaning it can be activated multiple times. It is a life-saving tool and a precious heirloom for any clan. The starting bid is 10,000 spirit stones, with each subsequent bid increasing by no less than 2,000 spirit stones."

"Ten thousand!""Twelve thousand!""Fifteen thousand!"...

Hearing the bids, Wang Changsheng felt a pang of deep envy. With a starting bid of 10,000 spirit stones, the final price of this Talisman Treasure was sure to be high, likely no less than that of a Foundation Establishment Pill.

After more than a dozen rounds of fierce bidding, the Talisman Treasure finally sold for 43,000 spirit stones to Nangong Chen.

This acquisition suggested that the Nangong family, to which Nangong Chen belonged, possessed considerable influence.

After the Talisman Treasure was auctioned, Chen Fu loudly declared the auction concluded. The cultivators then began to leave the Jade Field Palace.

Outside the Jade Field Palace, Wang Changsheng instructed Wang Changge and the two others to return to their lodging, as he had some matters to attend to.

Wang Changsheng waited by the entrance for a while until Nangong Chen and Zhao Ningxiang emerged, chatting and laughing. Zhao Yutang walked alongside them.

Spotting Nangong Chen, Wang Changsheng quickly approached him and politely asked, "Fellow Daoist Nangong, might I have a word with you in private?"

Nangong Chen nodded and stepped aside with Wang Changsheng.

"Fellow Daoist Nangong," Wang Changsheng began, "do you happen to have any Meridian Nourishing Pills? I'd like to purchase a bottle; the price is negotiable."

Wang Changsheng transmitted his voice, his tone notably sincere.

Using fiend energy for Foundation Establishment was perilous. Without Meridian Nourishing Pills, the excruciating pain of torn meridians could lead to unconsciousness.

"Meridian Nourishing Pills are mid-grade second-tier elixirs," Nangong Chen replied via voice transmission, a look of difficulty on his face. "They require dozens of spiritual herbs and are quite difficult to refine, making them very rare. I don't have any on hand." His tone then shifted as he continued, "However, Fellow Daoist Wang, you are Junior Sister Zhao's cousin, and you even advised Junior Sister Liu on crafting puppet beasts. I might be able to assist, but the price could be a bit higher."

"A bit higher? How much?"

"Three thousand."

Wang Changsheng was somewhat displeased. The most expensive mid-grade second-tier elixirs on the market sold for just over 1,000 spirit stones per bottle, yet Nangong Chen was asking for 3,000 spirit stones. This was clearly an attempt to exploit him. However, Wang Changsheng was helpless. Meridian Nourishing Pills were exclusive to the Medicine King Valley and rarely sold publicly. While 3,000 spirit stones was a considerable sum, it was negligible compared to Wang Changfeng's safety.

"No problem. When can I pick it up?"

Nangong Chen smiled faintly and said, "In half an hour, let's meet at the entrance of the Jade Field Tower. We can complete the transaction there."

"Deal."

"It's settled then. I'll go check with my fellow disciples now. See you shortly."

Nangong Chen nodded and departed with Zhao Ningxiang and Zhao Yutang.