92: Chapter 92 First Arrival in Liuli City, Auction Storm

Liuli City was truly worthy of its title as the core city of the Northern Region.

As Ye Tian passed through the massive city gate, which stood dozens of zhang high, he felt a surge of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi that was more than ten times denser than in Qingmu Town, instantly refreshing his spirit.

The streets inside the city were as wide as plazas, spacious enough for ten carriages to travel abreast, and the ground was paved with "Qinggang Stone" that was as smooth as a mirror.

Looking around, there were countless shops with colorful signs and banners, selling everything from ordinary Medicinal Pill and weapons to rare treasures, Yao Beast Materials, and Cultivation Technique Jade Slip; it was a dazzling array of goods, with everything one could imagine.

The streets were packed with pedestrians, among whom were many Cultivator; those in the Qi Gathering Realm were everywhere, and one could even sense the presence of Ningyuan Realm experts, whose strength was far greater than that of Tu Qianshan back then.

Compared to this place, Luo City could truly only be considered a remote, backwater town.

Ye Tian restrained his aura and blended into the flow of people.

He first found a clean and tidy inn named "Yunlai Ju" to stay at and requested a quiet, high-end room. The daily room rate was as high as ten Low-Grade Spirit Stone, which showed just how high the cost of living was in this place.

After settling in, Ye Tian did not rush out to wander. Instead, he sat in his room to meditate and regulate his breath, recovering from the exhaustion of crossing Duanfeng Mountain and adjusting his state to its Peak.

Afterward, he took out the Ningyuan Realm Yao Beast core obtained from the Golden-Armored Zhen Beast. Feeling the surging, pure demonic power within, he formulated a plan.

"This item isn't very useful for my direct Cultivate, but it should be able to fetch quite a few Spirit Stone."

Ye Tian knew well that in such a prosperous place, one could barely take a step without Spirit Stone.

He needed Spirit Stone to purchase necessary supplies, especially any high-level Cultivation Technique and Martial Skill he might encounter.

Over the next two days, Ye Tian did not expose his Ningyuan Realm cultivation base. Instead, he wandered through the major shops and trading markets of Liuli City with the aura of a Qi Gathering Late Stage Cultivator.

He first sold some of the Qi Gathering Realm Yao Beast Materials he had harvested in Duanfeng Mountain, exchanging them for several hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stone.

Afterward, he focused on inquiring about information regarding Cultivation Technique and Martial Skill, especially movement-type Secret Manual, while keeping an eye out for any clues related to "Overlapping Wave Fist."

However, the results left him somewhat disappointed.

There were plenty of ordinary Yellow Rank Cultivation Technique and Martial Skill, but the slightly better Profound Rank Cultivation Technique, especially those of the movement type, were exorbitantly priced, often costing thousands or even tens of thousands of Low-Grade Spirit Stone.

As for "Overlapping Wave Fist," after asking at several large Cultivation Technique shops, the shopkeepers all stated they had never heard of any subsequent chapters for this fist technique, considering it merely a widely circulated Yellow Rank fist technique with limited potential.

"It seems that finding a suitable Cultivation Technique and movement technique will not be an easy task."

Ye Tian mused silently, yet he was not discouraged.

He believed that since Liuli City was so vast, there must certainly be Opportunity to be found.

On the evening of the third day, while Ye Tian was resting in a teahouse, he overheard a conversation between several Cultivator at a neighboring table.

"Have you heard? Wanbao Tower is holding their monthly auction tomorrow!"

"Wanbao Tower? That's one of the top three major chambers of commerce in Liuli City! Their auctions must have plenty of good items!"

"It's said that quite a few good items will be released this time, including even some incomplete Secret Manual unearthed from an ancient Cultivator Immortal Cave!"

"Incomplete? What use is that?"

"You don't understand. Some incomplete pieces, if passed down from ancient times, hold immense value even if they are incomplete. You might even be able to comprehend something from them…"

Wanbao Tower auction? Incomplete pieces from an ancient Cultivator Immortal Cave? These keywords immediately caught Ye Tian's attention.

He calmly paid his bill and left, then inquired about the location of Wanbao Tower.

Wanbao Tower was located on the most prosperous central street of Liuli City. It was a nine-story pavilion that covered a vast area, and those who entered and exited were either wealthy or noble.

Ye Tian paid the ten Low-Grade Spirit Stone entrance fee and was able to enter the first-floor lobby.

The interior was even more magnificent, displaying all sorts of rare treasures that were truly dazzling.

Ye Tian directly stated his intention to participate in tomorrow's auction.

He was received by a sharp-looking, middle-aged deacon with a cultivation base at the Qi Gathering Ninth Stage.

"Young hero, tomorrow's auction is a grand monthly event for our Wanbao Tower. To participate in the bidding, you must verify your assets to ensure you possess at least five thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stone or assets of equivalent value."

The deacon said with a smile.

Five thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stone! That was no low threshold.

Ye Tian's expression remained unchanged. After a moment of contemplation, he took out the core of that Golden-Armored Zhen Beast.

"What is this worth?"

Upon seeing the core, surprise flashed in the deacon's eyes. He accepted it with both hands and, after carefully sensing it, his attitude became noticeably more respectful: "A gold-attribute Yao Beast core at the Peak of the Ningyuan Realm Early Stage! The energy is pure, and it's perfectly preserved! This item is estimated to be worth around eight thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stone! You are fully qualified to participate in the auction, young hero."

He was secretly shocked; this young man appeared to be only at the Qi Gathering Late Stage, yet he could produce a Ningyuan Realm Yao Beast core. Either he had a powerful background, or his strength was hidden extremely well.

Ye Tian nodded: "That is excellent. Please hold this core at your establishment as a deposit."

"No problem! This is your VIP token. With this, you may enter the auction hall on the second floor tomorrow."

The deacon respectfully handed over a silver token.

At noon the next day, the second floor of the Wanbao Tower auction hall was already packed.

The hall was circular, with a high platform in the center surrounded by tiered seating. Above, there were rows of private boxes, clearly prepared for those of higher status.

Ye Tian found an inconspicuous seat toward the back and sat down to observe silently.

There were at least several hundred people present, with the lowest cultivation base being at the Qi Gathering Late Stage. Nearly thirty percent were Ningyuan Realm Cultivator, and there were even a few hidden auras that made Ye Tian feel a trace of pressure!

"Clang!" A crisp bell rang out, and the entire auction hall instantly fell silent.

Then, an elderly man in brocade robes with a gentle expression walked slowly onto the high platform. His aura was profound; he was actually a Ningyuan Realm expert!

"I am Mo Yuan, the chief auctioneer of Wanbao Tower. Welcome, Fellow Daoist, to this auction…"

After a brief opening statement, the auction officially began.

The first dozen items up for auction were mostly rare medicinal herbs, fine Spiritual Artifact, special Ore, and the like. Although the competition was fierce, they did not arouse much interest in Ye Tian.

He waited patiently.

"...The next item up for auction is the Profound Rank Low Grade movement technique, 'Liuyun Step'!"

Mo Yuan's words caused Ye Tian to perk up.

A light cyan Jade Slip was presented.

"This movement technique was created by Immortal Master Yunyou. When performed, one's body is like flowing clouds, unpredictable and adept at short-range maneuvering. The starting price is three thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stone!"

Immediately, bidding voices rose one after another.

Movement technique Secret Manual were always highly sought after, and the price quickly climbed to five thousand Spirit Stone.

"Five thousand five hundred!" Ye Tian spoke for the first time.

"Five thousand eight hundred!"

"Six thousand!"

In the end, this "Liuyun Step" was won by a Ningyuan Realm Middle Stage Cultivator for a price of seven thousand two hundred Spirit Stone.

Ye Tian frowned. This price exceeded his expectations, and he felt that this movement technique was not the most ideal choice, so he did not continue to bid.

Subsequently, a Profound Rank Low Grade fist technique, "Huben Fist," appeared. It was powerful and fierce, but it followed the path of overwhelming with brute force, which did not align with the path of combining hardness and softness and layering dark energy that Ye Tian pursued, so he gave up on it as well.

The auction was halfway through, and Ye Tian still hadn't made a purchase; he couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.

Was he going to return empty-handed this time?

Just then, Mo Yuan's voice sounded again, carrying a hint of mystery: "The next item up for auction is quite special. This item is not a complete Cultivation Technique, but an incomplete piece obtained from an ancient Cultivator Immortal Cave. According to our appraiser, its material is ancient, and it is suspected to be the middle portion of a fist technique Secret Manual, but its specific name and grade are unknown."

A maid brought up a rosewood tray, upon which rested a dull-colored, irregularly shaped, ancient Jade Slip. The surface of the Jade Slip was cracked and seemed as though it might shatter at any moment.

"Incomplete piece of a nameless ancient fist technique, starting price: one thousand five hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stone!"

Mo Yuan announced the price.

A commotion arose in the hall.

"An incomplete piece? And a nameless fist technique at that? What use is this?"

"One thousand five hundred? That's too expensive; who knows if it's just junk?"

"Items from Wanbao Tower shouldn't be too bad, but the risk is too great…"

Most people were uninterested.

After all, few people were willing to take a risk on something of uncertain value.

However, the moment Ye Tian's gaze touched that ancient Jade Slip, his heart gave a violent jolt!

The chaos bead within his body, which had been calm for a long time, suddenly pulsed with a hint of agitation!

And what shocked him even more was that the rhythm emitted by this Jade Slip resonated with Overlapping Wave Fist!

This feeling was too familiar; it was exactly the same as when he had first come into contact with Overlapping Wave Fist.

"Could this incomplete piece be related to Overlapping Wave Fist?!"

Ye Tian's heart was in an uproar, but he remained calm on the surface.

He suppressed his excitement and carefully sensed the Jade Slip with his Divine Sense.

Although he couldn't peek at the specific contents within, that familiar "Overlapping Wave" Concept and the continuous, lingering rhythm could not be wrong!

This was likely the missing middle volume of "Overlapping Wave Fist," or perhaps even a higher-level follow-up Cultivation Technique!

"I must have it!" Ye Tian instantly made up his mind.

This was different from other skills, as he would need to learn other Martial Skill from scratch! But Overlapping Wave Fist was the first Martial Skill he had mastered, and he had already practiced it to Great Perfection, knowing it by heart. If he could obtain the subsequent chapters, he would be able to significantly increase his combat power in a short period.