Chapter 1272: Kuiyin Cold Water and Golden-eyed Sea Ape

This is not the legendary Ascension Brew, but rather the Golden Ginseng Elixir Wine, a spiritual wine improved from the Heavenly Immortal Brew's formula. It significantly enhances cultivation. For Nascent Soul cultivators, consuming this wine is equivalent to several years of diligent cultivation. Brewed over more than a decade, it uses five thousand-year-old spiritual herbs as primary ingredients and dozens of five-hundred-year-old spiritual herbs as secondary ingredients. The starting bid is 100,000 spirit stones, with increments of no less than 50,000.

As a spiritual wine capable of boosting cultivation, effective even for Nascent Soul cultivators, this jar was comparable to a Tier 4 cultivation-enhancing pill. It sparked fierce bidding among many cultivators.

Guang Dongren, known for his love of wine and meat, would certainly appreciate a spiritual wine that boosted cultivation.

“Four hundred thousand!”

Wang Changsheng's voice was hoarse, a deliberate disguise. As items at underground auctions often had questionable origins, the cultivators present understood the importance of concealing their wealth. Wang Changsheng certainly didn't want his voice to be recognized.

“Five hundred thousand!” A sharp male voice suddenly rang out. Because of the soul-concealing cloaks, Wang Changsheng couldn't discern the bidder's identity.

“Six hundred thousand!” Wang Changsheng pondered for a moment before adding 100,000 spirit stones to the bid.

“Seven hundred thousand.” The man's voice was resolute and forceful, indicating his determination to secure the jar of Golden Ginseng Elixir Wine.

At 700,000 spirit stones, the price already far exceeded that of a Tier 4 cultivation-enhancing pill. While Wang Changsheng could continue bidding, the other party's tone clearly indicated their determination to win. Besides tonight's underground auction, the official auction would be held in two days, where even more valuable items would be available. For Wang Changsheng, Tier 4 spiritual water was the best medicine.

“Forget it, husband,” Wang Ruyan transmitted. “This person is likely a true wine connoisseur. Even if you raise the bid, they will probably continue. For someone like that, a jar of fine wine is simply too tempting.”

Wang Changsheng nodded and refrained from bidding further. Even without Wang Changsheng's participation, other cultivators continued to bid. After several rounds of competition, this jar of Tier 4 spiritual wine was finally sold for the staggering price of 900,000 spirit stones.

The sale of the Golden Ginseng Elixir Wine ignited the atmosphere in the venue. The second item up for auction was three bottles of Tier 4 spiritual honey, brewed by spiritual bees, which could be used for alchemy.

“Next up is a set of Profound Light Mirrors, a magical treasure suitable for both offense and defense,” announced the auctioneer. “The Golden Light Mirror is an offensive treasure of immense power, while the Silver Light Mirror is a defensive treasure whose protection cannot be easily breached even by early Nascent Soul cultivators. The starting bid is 400,000 spirit stones, with increments of no less than 50,000.”

One exquisite item after another appeared before the cultivators. Each was a rare treasure, fetching high prices. Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan were also greatly impressed, seeing many unusual and bizarre items they had never encountered before. Wang Ruyan successfully bid on two types of talisman-making materials.

After approximately a quarter of an hour, and following the sale of an alchemy cauldron, the middle-aged scholar took out a palm-sized blue gourd and announced loudly: “Five hundred *jin* of Tier 4 spiritual water, Kuiyin Cold Water. This is an excellent material for refining artifacts and concocting pills. The Zhenhai Sect, once among the Ten Great Sects of the South Sea, had a secret location, the Kuiyin Cold Cavern, specifically producing Kuiyin Cold Water. I needn't elaborate on the uses of this spiritual water. The starting bid is 300,000 spirit stones, with increments of no less than 100,000.”

“Kuiyin Cold Water!” Wang Changsheng's eyes narrowed, and a determined expression appeared on his face.

The Zhenhai Sect was a powerful and extensive organization. After its destruction, its territories, excluding the main sect headquarters, were divided among other factions, including several caverns that produced spiritual water. According to the cultivation insights left by previous generations of the Zhenhai Sect, cultivators who practiced the 《Kui Water True Scripture》 and refined cold spiritual water would imbue their attacks with chilling energy, thereby enhancing their offensive power.

The 500 *jin* of Kuiyin Cold Water attracted bids from multiple cultivators, including Song Xiruo. She was an artifact refiner, and Kuiyin Cold Water was an excellent cold-attributed material for artifact refining. Adding a small amount of Kuiyin Cold Water when refining cold-attributed magical artifacts could significantly increase the success rate.

“One million!” Wang Changsheng called out loudly, his voice slightly hoarse. This price far surpassed those of other bidders; one million far exceeded the true value of Kuiyin Cold Water. For others, Kuiyin Cold Water was merely a material for alchemy and artifact refining, but for Wang Changsheng, it was a spiritual substance that aided cultivation.

“I bid one million one hundred thousand!” Fang Mu's voice suddenly rang out. Many people looked towards him, but Fang Mu's expression remained calm, as if he hadn't noticed.

Wang Changsheng frowned and said, “One million two hundred thousand!”

Fang Mu looked towards Wang Changsheng's location, pondered for a moment, and then said nothing more.

Wang Changsheng secured the 500 *jin* of Kuiyin Cold Water for 1.2 million spirit stones. He leaped onto the circular platform, took the blue gourd, and pulled out the stopper. A surge of extreme cold energy burst forth, causing the temperature within a hundred-zhang radius to plummet instantly. Wang Changsheng quickly reinserted the stopper, and the intense cold energy dissipated. The Kuiyin Cold Water was even better than he had imagined. He put away the blue gourd, paid the spirit stones, and returned to his seat.

The middle-aged scholar settled back into his jade chair. The young woman in red stepped forward, and with a clap of her hands, eight burly men carried a massive black iron cage onto the stage. Inside was a gigantic ape covered in black fur, its eyes golden, baring its fangs.

“The Zhenhai Sect's guardian spirit beast was the Zhenhai Ape,” she announced. “This Tier 3 mid-grade Golden-Eyed Sea Ape possesses a trace of the Zhenhai Ape's bloodline. While it does not possess the immense divine abilities of the Zhenhai Ape, it is incredibly strong, adept at water escape techniques, and has high growth potential. It is an excellent choice for guarding homes and protecting compounds. The starting bid is 400,000 spirit stones, with increments of no less than 100,000.”

A hint of confusion appeared in Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan's eyes. First the Kuiyin Cold Water, and now the Golden-Eyed Sea Ape... Was this a coincidence, or was someone plotting against them? If it was a plot, did someone know their cultivation techniques originated from the Zhenhai Sect? It seemed prudent to be more cautious.

Most cultivators present had not heard of the Zhenhai Sect, let alone the Zhenhai Ape. However, trusting the reputation of the Eight Directions Merchant Alliance, they eagerly placed their bids. The Golden-Eyed Sea Ape was finally sold for the high price of 1.1 million spirit stones. Wang Changsheng felt that the voice of the cultivator who successfully bid on the Golden-Eyed Sea Ape bore some resemblance to Murong Bo's. The Murong Royal Clan excelled at controlling insects and beasts, so it was not surprising for Murong Bo to acquire the Golden-Eyed Sea Ape.

After the Golden-Eyed Sea Ape was sold, the young woman in red took out three glowing red flying knives and announced: “A set of Scarlet Light Blades. The starting bid is 500,000 spirit stones, with increments of no less than 100,000.”

As time passed, the atmosphere in the venue grew increasingly fervent.

After another quarter of an hour, the young woman in red flipped her delicate hand, and with a flash of spiritual light, four shimmering golden metal spheres appeared in her palm. After a whirring of gears, the four metal spheres transformed into four armored figures, each wearing different colored armor. These figures had vacant eyes and a metallic sheen on their bodies, clearly revealing them to be puppet beasts. Upon closer inspection, each bore a blue lotus mark on their shoulders.

“A set of Four-Symbols Puppet Beasts, crafted by the Wang Family of Azure Lotus in the South Sea,” she announced. “Each puppet beast is a Tier 3 mid-grade puppet. Together, this set of Four-Symbols Puppet Beasts can deploy the Four-Symbols Demon Slaying Array. The starting bid is 1,000,000 spirit stones, with increments of no less than 100,000.”