Cultivating Immortality in a World of Chaos

“One thousand three hundred spirit stones!”

“Thirteen hundred and fifty spirit stones!”

The mid-grade spirit artifact attracted good bidding, likely due to the high-quality items featured at the beginning of the auction.

Moreover, most bids came from Foundation Establishment cultivators!

Fang Xi silently observed their posturing, and eventually, the Blue Cloud Five Mist Silk sold for fourteen hundred spirit stones to a cultivator in one of the private booths.

“Violet Wood Pill - A medicinal aid for wood attribute spiritual root cultivators, assisting breakthroughs from Middle to Late Qi Refinement stage. Divided into three sets, with one pill per set, starting bid at three hundred spirit stones. First set…”

With a hint of smile, Ouyang Zhen continued the auction proceedings.

Leaning back in his soft chair, Fang Xi marveled at the grandeur of this large-scale event.

A variety of Step-Breaking Pills, premium medicinal pills enhancing magical energy…

Curiosities…

It was truly overwhelming and dazzling to behold.

“Unique Treasure - Violet Accumulation Bracelet! An exceptional item combining both offensive and defensive capabilities, recently unearthed from ancient cultivation ruins. Requires minimal magical energy consumption, suitable for Foundation Establishment cultivators, boasting power surpassing even high-grade spirit artifacts. Starting bid at two thousand spirit stones, with increments not less than one hundred spirit stones each!”

After nearly an hour, Ouyang Zhen showcased a distinctive purple bracelet adorned with intricate mystical patterns, emitting abundant spiritual light, clearly indicating its extraordinary nature.

“Two thousand one hundred spirit stones!” immediately called out an elderly voice.

“Two thousand two hundred spirit stones!”

The Foundation Establishment cultivators present showed keen interest in this ‘Violet Accumulation Bracelet’, quickly driving the price to a lofty 2,900 spirit stones!

“Three thousand five hundred spirit stones!” Suddenly, a confident young man’s voice resonated throughout the hall, overpowering all other bidders.

Everyone turned towards the private booth where the window was open, revealing a Foundation Establishment cultivator seated inside. He wore a sea-blue mage robe and donned a jade crown, with striking features and piercing eyes. Holding a jade folding fan, he exuded an air of elegance, akin to a carefree noble gentleman. Unfazed by the crowd’s attention, he gracefully bowed with a broad smile on his face.

“It’s actually him?”

“The crown prince of Yue Kingdom’s Song Clan - Song Qing!”

“I heard that originally, he managed the Bamboo Grove Market branch of Ten Seas Pavilion. His exceptional performance surpassed all competitors, securing his position as the Song Clan’s heir apparent. Since then, his cultivation base advanced rapidly, reaching unstoppable momentum, and he achieved Foundation Establishment at just over thirty years old! He is hailed as a rare genius among the Yue Kingdom’s clan cultivators!”

Fang Xi observed Song Qing, his eyes subtly deepening as he listened to the murmurs from all around.

He never expected that a mere shopkeeper at 10,000 Seas Pavilion would now become the crown prince of the Song Clan and achieve Foundation Establishment!

This person indeed held a grudge against him!

However… patience was still required!

‘Yes, but this individual reaching Foundation Establishment confirms that the Longevity Technique I have is genuine, with no hidden omissions. After all, he truly swore the Vow of Heart’s Demon back then!’

For a cultivator who disregards the Dao path and shows little interest in advancing their cultivation, the Vow of Heart’s Demon holds relatively weak constraints.

But Song Qing was different!

Since he could successfully cultivate after taking such a vow, achieving Foundation Establishment, it clearly indicated the truthfulness of his oath!

‘Yet, the Song Clan… likely still possesses the original Longevity Technique!’

Fang Xi felt determined to obtain it.

Moreover, having cultivated the Longevity Technique, he aimed to eliminate any potential risks.

After all, if discovered as the one who initially purchased it, coupled with his previously ordinary aptitude suddenly transforming into an ‘Azure Wood Spirit Body,’ serious complications could arise. There was even a risk of exposing his golden finger!

Even Core Formation patriarchs would be immensely intrigued by the rapid development of an Azure Wood Spirit Body!

‘But, the timing isn’t right yet…’ Fang Xi shifted his gaze away from Song Qing, stifling a bored yawn.

“So it’s the young master of the Song Clan. Very well, let’s grant them some face…”

“Haha, I am the patriarch of the Maple Leaf Han Clan. How fares the health of the Song Clan’s patriarch?”

Indeed, the Song Clan’s influence was significant; all Foundation Establishment cultivators ceased their bidding.

Of course, it might also be because the price for the Violet Accumulation Bracelet had reached its peak, allowing Song Qing to secure it effortlessly.

“With my master’s reputation guaranteeing fairness, each auction will strictly prohibit any use of coercion…”

Ouyang Zhen let out a cold snort, subtly jabbing at Song Qing before continuing with the auction.

The next items brought forth were various spirit beast eggs and young pets.

Storm Falcons, Dual-headed Earth Lizards, Thunder-horned Pythons…

Fang Xi watched with keen interest, noting that several of these mythical beasts could match Foundation Establishment cultivators when fully grown.

However, for ordinary rogue cultivators, the ongoing cost of feeding and caring for such creatures was substantial. Additionally, mythical beasts have long lifespans, often taking many years to mature.

As a result, most purchases were made by family-based cultivators.

In numerous cultivator clans, after the patriarch passes away, they would either voluntarily release the spirit pet’s contract or create a Beast Control token, ensuring the pet guards the clan for decades, if not centuries!

After the spirit pets concluded their auction, another batch appeared, consisting of cultivation techniques, secret arts, and even legacies related to the four arts of cultivation.

Fang Xi glanced through them but found no technique or secret art of particular interest.

As for legacies?

“Only tier-2 paper talisman crafting… seems like there’s a significant restriction on advanced techniques within the cultivation world.”

Fang Xi merely observed without purchasing any.

Finally, just as he was growing bored, Ouyang Zhen’s voice echoed through the hall: “A single Dragon Transformation Ginseng, aged two hundred and twenty-two years, a crucial ingredient for refining Foundation Establishment Pills. Starting bid at eight hundred spirit stones, with each increment not less than fifty spirit stones!”

“Nine hundred spirit stones!”

In the main hall downstairs, a rogue cultivator at Peak Qi Refinement couldn’t resist shouting their offer.

“One thousand spirit stones!”

The atmosphere instantly became lively, with bids rising rapidly from various directions, quickly reaching one thousand two hundred spirit stones.

“One thousand three hundred spirit stones!”

Naturally, Fang Xi joined in with his own bid.

This price had already surpassed the usual cost of Dragon Transformation Ginseng.

“One thousand three hundred fifty spirit stones!”

From a private booth, a young man gritted his teeth and raised the bid.

Beside him, an elderly figure sighed, “Hui nephew, one thousand three hundred fifty spirit stones is the maximum support your family can provide. If anyone further increases the bid, you must be prepared to let it go.”

“Uncle, with this Dragon Transformation Ginseng and our family’s stored Jade Spirit Liquid, I’ll have all the auxiliary materials for the Foundation Establishment Pill. Once someone offers a tier-2 monster core, we can collaborate on pill concoction. If at least two pills succeed… I will finally reach Foundation Establishment. Giving up now would be unbearable!” Yun nephew clenched his fists, silently praying.

The price was already quite high.

However, moments later, a calm voice rang out again, “One thousand four hundred spirit stones!”

This bid seemed like the final straw that tipped the balance, causing the young man to slump back in his chair, his face drained of expression, eyes losing their shine…

“Hmph… Another fool, probably a rogue cultivator without proper connections…” In another private booth, Song Qing chuckled dismissively, “With the right channels, both Dragon Transformation Ginseng and Jade Spirit Liquid together wouldn’t cost more than fifteen hundred spirit stones. The truly hard-to-find item is the tier-2 monster core! Our clan has prepared multiple sets of auxiliary ingredients, but finding the monster core remains challenging…”

His gaze shifted towards Beast Mountain, subtly revealing a mix of longing and fear.

“Despite paying a hefty premium, I finally managed to secure it… Well, if being overcharged is what it takes…” Fang Xi sighed with relief and leisurely observed the auction floor.

However, the next item caught him completely off guard.

“A tier-two high-grade ‘Gale Golden Blade Array’, complete with formation disk and flags, freshly crafted… Simple to operate yet astonishingly powerful, suitable as a mountain protection array covering several dozen square miles… A rare and exceptional piece.”

Ouyang Zhen smiled broadly while displaying shimmering formation flags one by one. “Starting bid at three thousand spirit stones. This opportunity must not be missed for those seeking to protect their clan or establish a market.”

Fang Xi’s eyes instantly lit up.

He could not possibly set up a tier-two high-grade formation himself. Moreover, the ‘Gale Golden Blade Array’ excelled in combat; when fully activated, even late-stage Foundation Establishment mythical beasts trapped within its deadly sector would struggle to survive!

Of course, most Foundation Establishment beasts possess intelligence and wouldn’t foolishly venture deep into such an array.

But Fang Xi was different!

He could ensure that any beast entering immediately falls into the deadly sector!

“With this array, acquiring a monster core will be as effortless as picking fruit from a bag…”

Fang Xi’s eyes gleamed momentarily, but upon noticing Song Qing’s private booth, his expression turned somber.

Having witnessed this individual’s nature, Fang Xi knew he was no benevolent character. Exposing such wealth would easily make him a target.

“Let’s wait and observe some more…”

Fang Xi held back, while the bidding frenzy for this formation intensified among the Foundation Establishment powers, quickly surpassing four thousand spirit stones!

After calculating his resources, Fang Xi decided to abandon any bid attempt. At most, following recent sales of illicit goods, he had accumulated seven thousand spirit stones. However, considering previous purchases and current expenses, he now only possessed over three thousand low-grade spirit stones.

It wasn’t about competing; simply put, he couldn’t afford it!

In the end, the tier-two high-grade formation sold for a staggering five thousand spirit stones, acquired by a newly established Foundation Establishment clan urgently needing a mountain protection array.

A few more auction items passed before Ouyang Zhen presented another set consisting of a formation disk and flags:

“A partial tier-two mid-grade ‘Divine Second Wood Thunder Array’… Several formation flags are missing, and the formation disk has been damaged but subsequently repaired, retaining some of its original power…”

Fang Xi gazed at the green formation flags, feeling somewhat hesitant.

Suddenly, a woman’s voice echoed from one of the private booths: “What is the coverage range of this array? Can the life and death gates be altered?”

Her questions touched upon crucial aspects, suggesting she might be an array master herself.

Fang Xi’s ears perked up, listening intently as Ouyang Zhen responded somewhat awkwardly, “The coverage of this array has been reduced to approximately six hundred meters (two hundred yards), and its concealment capabilities have weakened significantly. However, most other restrictions remain largely intact…”

“Six hundred meters?” The female array master let out a dismissive laugh, asking no further.

Several experienced cultivators also sighed audibly.

Typically, when fully operational, a Tier 2 array could cover several miles or even tens of miles in radius!

Only six hundred meters? That’s barely above a first-rank level - hardly useful!

Moreover, with diminished concealment abilities, it would be challenging to hide effectively. Even if deployed as a trap in the wilderness, few mythical beasts would foolishly venture inside.

Essentially, it seemed quite useless.

“Cough, cough… Next is the tier-two mid-grade ‘Incomplete Divine Lightning of Second Wood Formation,’ starting bid at fifteen hundred spirit stones! Each subsequent bid must not be less than twenty spirit stones increment!” Ouyang Zhen appeared somewhat helpless; the formation had been damaged by its owner while hunting mythical beasts outside, leaving them no choice but to abandon it for auction. At least selling the materials salvaged some value compared to outright scrapping it!

As expected, there was minimal competition among the cultivators below…

After sporadic bids, a guest from one of the private booths secured the formation for sixteen hundred spirit stones.

Ouyang Zhen heaved a sigh of relief, his face once again brightening with a smile. “Ladies and gentlemen… we now come to the final, highlight item of our large auction…”