84: Auction

Another book test is here!

Let me show you the new cover! (Image in the comment section)

I don't know why I can't post images or comments.

Given that it's been a bit watered down recently, I'll update an extra chapter tomorrow.

We can only go to the Chaotic Star Sea after taking care of Xin Ruyin, everyone!

Lin Feng gently tapped his fingertip, and a wisp of Divine Thought quietly emerged, attaching itself to the black-robed figure in the distance.

Having done all this, he leaned back comfortably in his chair, his gaze calmly fixed forward, patiently waiting for the auction to begin.

Not long after, a soft jingle of ornaments sounded.

A middle-aged female Cultivator in a red cheongsam gracefully ascended the high platform.

She was about thirty years old, with enchanting eyes and slightly parted red lips, her voice carrying a hint of mature charm.

"Little sister Liu Fei welcomes all Fellow Daoists to this underground auction."

Her voice seemed to possess a magical quality, instantly quieting the previously noisy atmosphere in the venue. Many Cultivators' gazes were fixed on her, their breathing growing heavier.

"Fairy Liu is too kind. It is our honor to have Fairy preside," a Cultivator who looked like a local prominent family member in the front row responded loudly, drawing a chorus of agreement.

Liu Fei chuckled softly, her gaze shifting as she exchanged a few pleasantries with the familiar local Cultivators, displaying her smooth demeanor in every gesture.

After the atmosphere was stirred, an old man in a gray robe slowly walked onto the high platform and stood beside Liu Fei.

The old man's face was gaunt, but his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's, and a powerful aura emanated from his body.

"Greetings, Elder Yao!"

"Elder Yao, how are you?"

Below the stage, many Cultivators rose, bowing respectfully to the old man, their expressions extremely deferential.

Lin Feng's Divine Sense swept over him, and the old man's Qi Refining twelfth-level Great Perfection cultivation was nowhere to hide.

In this small capital of Yue Country, he could be considered a master.

He withdrew his Divine Sense, his gaze subtly sweeping across the entire venue.

Besides this Elder Yao, the highest cultivated individual in the venue was a Cultivator also clad in a black robe, whose aura was obscure.

Foundation Establishment Early Stage.

Lin Feng understood, and he sent out another wisp of Divine Thought, silently landing on the Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

Only after doing all this did he completely relax, ready to watch the show.

On the high platform, Liu Fei took out a jade box and introduced it softly.

"The first item for auction is a bottle of essence blood from a Level 1 Mid-Grade Yao Beast, the Iron-Arm Ape. The starting bid is thirty Spirit Stones."

Elder Mo, standing by, added in due course: "Iron-Arm Ape essence blood is fiery in nature. It can be used to refine Body Tempering Medicinal Pills, or it can be directly absorbed by Fellow Daoists who Cultivate Metal-attribute Cultivation Techniques, with a certain chance of strengthening the Physical Body."

His voice was hoarse and deep, yet it enlightened many Loose Cultivators below the stage.

Evidently, for these inexperienced Loose Cultivators, Elder Mo's explanation was crucial.

"Thirty-five Spirit Stones!"

"I bid forty!"

"Forty-five!"

Bids rose one after another, and the atmosphere instantly became heated.

Lin Feng looked at the Cultivators who were red-faced from arguing over a bottle of low-grade Yao Beast essence blood, feeling a bit bored.

His gaze occasionally drifted towards Qi Yunxiao in the corner.

That fellow was still sitting upright, but the knuckles of his hands, resting on his knees, were slightly white from gripping, clearly indicating that his inner self was not as calm as his exterior suggested.

Time slowly passed.

Low-grade Magical Artifacts, Materials, and Medicinal Pills were presented on the high platform one by one, and then bought by the Cultivators below at various prices.

More than two hours later, as the last item was hammered down, Liu Fei announced with a charming smile.

"This auction session has concluded. Thank you, Fellow Daoists, for your patronage."

However, as her voice fell, nearly ninety percent of the Cultivators in the venue remained motionless, their gazes intently fixed on the high platform.

Everyone knew that the real main event was only just beginning.

Elder Mo stepped forward, announcing loudly: "Now, the free trading time officially begins! The rules remain the same: Fellow Daoists who wish to exchange treasures, please come up to the stage yourselves!"

As soon as his voice fell, a plump figure eagerly pushed through the crowd, being the first to rush onto the high platform.

It was none other than the "Wind Venerable" whom Lin Feng had encountered earlier at the entrance.

He smugly cleared his throat, took out two glowing beast bones from his Storage Pouch, and slammed them heavily onto the table.

"Two leg bones of a Level 1 Peak-Grade Yao Beast, the Black Wind Wolf! I'm trading them for Medicinal Pills that can enhance cultivation, or offensive Talismans!"

He held his head high, looking as if he had a rare commodity.

However, there was a deathly silence below the stage.

Everyone looked at him with an expression as if he were an idiot.

Medicinal Pills? Talismans?

For Loose Cultivators, these two things were more important than their own lives. Who would trade them for a few broken bones?

Wind Venerable waited for a long time, and seeing no one respond, his face grew a bit awkward.

He snorted coldly, reluctantly put away the beast bones, and left the venue dejectedly amidst the silent mockery of the crowd.

Next, several more people came onto the stage, presenting similar items, which naturally also garnered no interest.

Until a white-haired old Cultivator walked onto the stage.

He tremblingly took out a jade box. Upon opening it, a refreshing medicinal fragrance instantly permeated the air.

"At least a three-hundred-year-old Blood Condensing Grass!" Elder Mo stepped forward to appraise it, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes as he loudly announced the age of the Spirit Medicine.

The stage immediately erupted in an uproar, and countless greedy gazes converged on that Spirit Medicine.

"This old man wishes to exchange it for a High Grade Magical Artifact. I wonder which Fellow Daoist is willing to part with one?" the white-haired old man said in a hoarse voice.

The scene fell silent again, but this time, the silence carried a hint of restless anticipation.

A High Grade Magical Artifact was also extremely precious to Loose Cultivators.

Lin Feng noticed that Qi Yunxiao in the corner suddenly tensed up.

His eyes were fixed on the Blood Condensing Grass, and his breathing became rapid.

Clearly, this Spirit Medicine was crucial to him.

But he seemed to be hesitating, perhaps feeling that the Spirit Medicine's age was still a bit low.

Or perhaps, he was wary of something.

Time passed little by little, and still no one came to the stage.

The white-haired old man's eyes revealed deep disappointment. He sighed and reached out to close the jade box.

"Wait!"

An urgent voice sounded.

Qi Yunxiao stood up and quickly walked onto the high platform.

Under the gaze of all, he took out a whisk from his Storage Pouch.

The whisk was entirely white, with spiritual light flowing around it, clearly not an ordinary item.

"High Grade Magical Artifact, Snow Silk Whisk." Qi Yunxiao handed the whisk to the old man.

The old man took it, infused it with spiritual power for examination, and bright light instantly burst forth from his cloudy eyes. He nodded repeatedly.

"Good! A good Magical Artifact! I'll trade with you!"

He unhesitatingly threw the jade box containing the Blood Condensing Grass to Qi Yunxiao, then put away the whisk, and left the venue laughing without looking back.

The transaction was complete.

Qi Yunxiao carefully put the jade box into his Storage Pouch, turned, walked off the high platform, and returned to his original seat.

Lin Feng watched this scene and secretly shook his head.

The transaction was complete, and he was carrying a valuable treasure. Instead of immediately fleeing, he actually dared to swagger back to his original seat?

Was he afraid others wouldn't know he had treasures on him?

No wonder this person died so early in the original work.

With such a Heart-Nature, it would be strange if he survived in this cruel Cultivation world.

Free trading continued.

To Lin Feng's surprise, Qi Yunxiao actually remained sitting there so calmly.

Half an hour later, another Cultivator came onto the stage and took out a four-hundred-year-old "Earth Dragon Root."

Qi Yunxiao made another move, successfully exchanging a Formation Plate for this Spiritual Plant.

At this point, some people in the venue looked at him not with mere greed, but with naked killing intent.

A Qi Refining seventh-level Loose Cultivator, carrying two century-old Spirit Medicines—in everyone's eyes, this was no longer a Cultivator, but a mobile treasure trove.

Finally, after sitting idly for another fifteen minutes, Qi Yunxiao seemed to sense that the atmosphere was off.

He stood up, pulled down the hood over his head, lowered his head, and quickly walked towards the exit of the venue.

The moment he moved.

In the venue, at least seven hidden gazes instantly locked onto him.

As Qi Yunxiao's figure disappeared into the darkness of the doorway, those seven figures closely followed him.