Chapter 1273: Qingjiao Flag and Jinyang Flame Crystal

Pinnacle of the Azure Lotus

"The Wang family of Azure Lotus? Is that the family of the Azure Lotus Immortals?" a coarse male voice suddenly boomed.

The young woman in the red dress gave a faint smile and replied, "There isn't a second Azure Lotus Wang family in Nanhai, no, in the entire Dongli Realm! This set of puppet beasts was crafted by the Azure Lotus Immortal, daughter of the Azure Lotus Immortals. We've personally tested them; this set of puppet beasts, when working together, can contend with a Nascent Soul cultivator. However, there's still a significant gap compared to a true Nascent Soul cultivator. If any fellow Daoist can simultaneously control this set of Four Symbols Puppet Beasts, they would be a rare opponent among their peers."

Because of Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan's reputation, Wang Qingqing was known by many cultivators as the Azure Lotus Immortal.

The claim that they could contend with a Nascent Soul cultivator was merely theoretical. Using this set of Four Symbols Puppet Beasts against a true Nascent Soul cultivator would be tantamount to seeking death.

"The Azure Lotus Immortals famously ventured deep behind enemy lines, wreaking havoc and returning unscathed, reportedly by employing a complete set of Tier 4 puppet beasts. Our merchant guild went to great lengths to acquire this set. Esteemed seniors, do not miss this opportunity! Currently, fewer than five factions can sell complete sets of puppet beasts, and such sets rarely circulate outside their own circles. This is a unique chance that won't come again." The young woman in the red dress spoke with an alluring tone. The Divine Weapon Palace in Nanhai, the Thousand Mechanisms Sect in Donghuang, and the Three Flames Palace in Beijiang could all refine complete sets of puppet beasts, but they rarely sold them externally, usually for internal use. The Eight Directions Merchant Guild had done remarkably well to obtain this set of Four Symbols Puppet Beasts.

Decades ago, when the foreign tribes stirred up trouble in Nanhai, the Azure Lotus Immortals became famous in a single battle. The Eight Directions Merchant Guild intended to profit by leveraging their renowned name. The complete sets of puppet beasts sold by the Wang family were of no poor quality, and combined with the fame of the Azure Lotus Immortals, the profit was certainly substantial.

"One million!""One point one million!""One point two million!"

The competition was fierce, and the price steadily climbed.

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan were somewhat surprised, never expecting that the puppet beasts they had sold would appear for auction here. Wang Changsheng recalled Wang Qingqing mentioning that a merchant had pre-ordered a set of Four Symbols Puppet Beasts, which had taken her seven years to complete and cost over a million spirit stones to produce.

The Four Symbols Puppet Beasts were ultimately acquired by the rough-voiced man for a staggering price of three million two hundred thousand spirit stones, making them the highest-priced item sold to date.

After the Four Symbols Puppet Beasts were sold, the young woman in the red dress sat down, and Wang Mengyang stood up. Without any preamble, he took out an exquisite black jade box and extracted a palm-sized black command flag from it. Ghastly ghost faces were faintly visible on its surface.

"This is the Thousand Ghost Banner, a magic treasure that has absorbed over a thousand spirits, including a Core Formation stage Ghost King. The starting bid is one million spirit stones, with each increment no less than one hundred thousand."

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan had no interest in ghost-type magic treasures. While Ye Haitang cultivated ghost-type magic arts, Wang Changsheng could refine ordinary ghost-type magic treasures for her.

Wang Mengyang successively presented other auction items, mostly specialties from Donghuang. In terms of value, they could not compare to the items presented by the two Core Formation stage cultivators before him, nor in quantity. The most valuable item he brought out was a set of four flying daggers, which sold for a high price of two million three hundred thousand.

After the flying daggers were sold, Wang Mengyang returned to his seat. An elderly man with a hawkish face soared onto the circular high platform. Judging by his aura, he was clearly a mid-Nascent Soul stage cultivator. He cupped his hands to the cultivators present and announced, "This old man is Jin Zhengguang, and I will be overseeing the auction of the grand finale items. The first item is three Heavenly Beast Pills, to be auctioned separately. The starting bid for each is five hundred thousand spirit stones, with each increment no less than one hundred thousand."

Heavenly Beast Pills were equivalent to the Soul Nurturing spiritual items for cultivators. When consumed by spirit beasts, they could increase the chance of advancing to Tier 4, making them highly popular among cultivators who raised spirit beasts. Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan both raised spirit beasts and began bidding. Unfortunately, the competition was too intense, and the three Heavenly Beast Pills sold for one million two hundred thousand, one million three hundred thousand, and one million four hundred thousand respectively.

"Next is a complete hide of a Tier 4 Sea-Devouring Whale. The starting bid is eight hundred thousand spirit stones, with each increment no less than one hundred thousand." Jin Zhengguang held up a huge blue beast hide and announced loudly. This hide was large enough to refine several complete sets of magic treasures. After fierce competition, it ultimately sold for a high price of one million three hundred thousand and was acquired by Song Xiruo.

The third grand finale item was a set of six flying swords, which sold for a high price of three million five hundred thousand.

"The final grand finale item is the Azure Flood Dragon Banner, a replica of the Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasure, the Azure Dragon Banner. The Azure Flood Dragon Banner is a Spirit Treasure that can unleash forty percent of the Azure Dragon Banner's power. The starting bid is one million spirit stones, and one-third of the final transaction amount must be paid in high-grade spirit stones." Jin Zhengguang took out a misty green command flag. A lifelike azure flood dragon pattern was embroidered on its surface, shimmering with radiant light and flickering with runes.

High-grade spirit stones were the superior choice for both meditation and setting up formations, serving as hard currency for Nascent Soul cultivators. The transaction price for a Spirit Treasure was usually around three million. Even at three million, one-third of the amount would be one million, which translates to one hundred high-grade spirit stones. Wang Changsheng had obtained the ruins of Zhenhai Sect, but even after it had been thoroughly plundered, its treasury only contained a few dozen high-grade spirit stones. He had participated in numerous large-scale auctions, and Spirit Treasures with forty percent of their original power were rarely seen. It was understandable that the refiner would demand one-third of the transaction amount be paid in high-grade spirit stones.

Wang Changsheng did not have many high-grade spirit stones; Wang Ruyan had a bit more, over twenty, but they usually were reluctant to use them.

"One-third of the transaction amount must be paid in high-grade spirit stones? That's at least a hundred high-grade spirit stones! Perhaps a sect could afford that, but who could an individual produce?" a cultivator complained.

"This Spirit Treasure was entrusted to us for auction by a fellow Daoist, and this is his requirement. If you cannot provide enough high-grade spirit stones, you may also use materials as collateral. Fellow Daoists, this is a Spirit Treasure that can unleash up to forty percent of the power of a Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasure. Acquiring it would make it a perfectly suitable sect-preserving or clan-preserving treasure." Jin Zhengguang's tone was filled with enticement. If not for the consignor's exorbitant price, he himself would have wanted the Azure Flood Dragon Banner.

Hearing this, the cultivators eagerly bid, and the Azure Flood Dragon Banner was ultimately acquired for a sky-high price of four million two hundred thousand. The cultivator who purchased the Azure Flood Dragon Banner had a voice somewhat similar to Murong Bo's, though Wang Changsheng could not be certain it was him.

A cultivator shrouded in green light flew onto the circular high platform and exchanged private messages with Jin Zhengguang.

"This fellow Daoist does not have enough spirit stones and intends to auction some items. All fellow Daoists are welcome to bid actively," Jin Zhengguang said before stepping aside.

A green porcelain bottle and a red jade box flew out from within the green light and landed on the jade table.

"One Heavenly Beast Pill and one Golden Sun Blazing Crystal, to be auctioned separately. The starting bid is five hundred thousand, with each increment no less than one hundred thousand. One-third of the transaction amount must be settled in high-grade spirit stones."

"Golden Sun Blazing Crystal!" Wang Changsheng was somewhat moved. Golden Sun Blazing Crystal was an excellent fire-attribute refining material, slightly inferior to Fiery Sun Divine Iron, but perfectly suitable for repairing the Fiery Sun Divine Pagoda. The Golden Sun Blazing Crystal was the size of a watermelon, large enough to refine an entire set of fire-attribute magic treasures.

Wang Changsheng spent a high price of eight hundred fifty thousand to purchase the Golden Sun Blazing Crystal. After buying it, Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan combined only had two high-grade spirit stones left.

The Golden Sun Blazing Crystal was quite large; after repairing the Fiery Sun Divine Pagoda, there should still be a significant amount left, which Wang Ruyan could use to refine talisman soldiers.

"Alright, now it's time for free exchange. Fellow Daoists are welcome to come up and exchange items. We do not charge any fees, and we are not responsible for any misjudgments on your part." After saying this, Jin Zhengguang sat down on a jade chair, while Wang Mengyang and the other two stood respectfully at his side.