Chapter 68: Chapter 68: Auction House (Part 2)

The auction proceeded very efficiently.

Five top-grade Foundation Establishment Pills, in just 300 breaths, were all auctioned off.

The final pill was auctioned at a price that soared to 180,000 Lower Spirit, snatched away by a bidder within the top 30 numbers, presumably a participant from one of the VIP rooms.

Sitting in the hall, the late-stage Qi Refining cultivators wore gray and dejected expressions.

All five Foundation Establishment Pills were bought by Foundation Establishment clans or cultivators, and these weak and powerless loose cultivators couldn’t financially compete with them.

“The five Foundation Establishment Pills have already been auctioned off, but don’t lose heart. The pavilion will hold another auction on this day next year, and there will be Foundation Establishment Pills up for bid again. Prepare well this time, as there will definitely be another chance next time. Next, we will auction several tier-three spiritual artifacts to aid you in hunting demon beasts and obtaining cultivation resources.” Zhuang Gongxie smiled comfortingly to the crowd and announced.

As soon as Zhuang Gongxie finished speaking, the teleportation array on the auction stage flashed, revealing a red glow.

The next second, a fiery Half Moon Spirit Wheel hovered above the auction stage, emitting an intimidating high temperature, with occasional red virtual flame flickers emerging from it.

“This is a tier-three high-grade spiritual artifact – Flame Essence Wheel, refined by our pavilion’s artifact refining honored guest elder, Master Li, using Fire Cloud Iron and Vermilion Flame Essence, through the Divine Refining Technique. The artifact pattern is solid, the appearance perfect, and it has the effect of enhancing spirit through fire; it can be used for both attack and defense, suitable for both close combat and distant defense. The artifact pattern: mimicry allows it to manifest through spirit transformation.” Zhuang Gongxie explained with a smile, introducing it in detail to the audience.

Subsequently, Zhuang Gongxie released his divine sense, attaching it to the Flame Essence Wheel. With a flick of his hand, the Flame Essence Wheel transformed into a firebird, gracefully floating in the air, vividly spreading its wings towards the audience, displaying its spirited posture without leaking a hint of high temperature.

“Due to environmental constraints, I cannot demonstrate its power, but this is already a tier-three high-grade spiritual artifact, and its powerful spiritual energy speaks for itself. If wielded, a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator facing a Foundation Establishment cultivator would not be at a disadvantage. In the hands of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, even against a tier-three demon beast, it would stand a chance of victory.” Zhuang Gongxie introduced with a smile.

“Such a powerful Flame Essence Wheel, Lin has his heart set on it!”

“Who is this Master Li, able to refine such a spiritual artifact? It’s a pity this artifact doesn’t match my spirit root!”

“Elder Zhuang, stop talking and start the bid already!”

“This artifact is absolutely perfect for me, Fellow Daoist Mu, if I lack enough spirit stones to bid, could you possibly lend me some?”

“Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion can invite such an honored guest elder, truly impressive!”

“…”

With Zhuang Gongxie’s introduction, the initially low-spirited Qi Refining cultivators, feeling down due to failing to bid on the Foundation Establishment Pills, were once again excited, discussing fervently. Some even borrowed spirit stones from fellow daoists on the spot, determined to participate in the bidding for this spiritual artifact.

“The starting bid for this item: 150,000 Lower Spirit, bidding time limit: 120 breaths, bidding starts now.” Zhuang Gongxie looked towards the two rows of VIP rooms and announced.

Upon hearing this, the audience seats burst into sighs among the late-stage Qi Refining cultivators, expressing their thoughts that such a high starting bid was clearly beyond their reach.

Indeed, as soon as Zhuang Gongxie announced the start of the bidding, the bidding within the bidding orders instantly soared to 300,000 Lower Spirit, eliminating the vast majority of followers from the scene, leaving only three or four people in the bidding.

“Fellow Daoist No. 5, bids 430,000 Lower Spirit, final 10 breaths, is there anyone else to place a bid!”

“No. 8, No. 8 bids 450,000,”

“Fellow Daoist No. 2 bids now, the current bid is 480,000 Lower Spirit, final three breaths! If there’s no bid, this artifact will belong to,”

“Congratulations to Fellow Daoist No. 5, who successfully acquired the Flame Essence Wheel with 500,000 Lower Spirit.”

Time ticked by as Zhuang Gongxie passionately called out the bids, and when the time was up, he finally dropped the wooden hammer to announce the result of the Flame Essence Wheel’s auction.

In the audience seats, the Qi Refining cultivators watching the excitement were all envious, their eyes filled with greed and jealousy. They too longed to obtain the Essence Wheel Spiritual Artifact, but after a few rounds, they could no longer participate.

“To those who failed to bid for the Flame Essence Wheel, don’t be discouraged. In this auction, our pavilion has prepared quite a few tier-three spiritual artifacts, many of which are exquisite works refined by Master Li. Next are two tier-three spiritual artifacts – Red Gold Spirit Sword.” Zhuang Gongxie smiled and reassured the crowd as he announced.

As soon as he finished speaking, two golden spirit swords were transmitted onto the auction stage.

“Red Gold, isn’t Red Gold a tier-two refining material! How can it be used to refine a tier-three spirit sword?”

“They really are tier-three spirit swords!”

“…”

Upon hearing Zhuang Gongxie’s introduction, the audience seats once again erupted into fervent discussion.

“Indeed, Red Gold is only a tier-two refining material. Generally, an artifact refiner can only use it to refine a tier-two spirit sword. However, Master Li of our pavilion, with superb artifact refining techniques and mastery of the Divine Refining Skill, has broken the material’s limits and successfully refined them into tier-three lower-grade spirit swords. The two spirit swords possess strong spiritual energy, and if wielded by fellow daoists cultivating gold element techniques and possessing Metal Spirit Root, not only would the power double, but it would also assist in cultivation.” Zhuang Gongxie explained in detail while looking at the audience with a smile.

“A Red Gold Spirit Sword, starting bid: 80,000 Lower Spirit, bidding time limit: 60 breaths! Bidding begins.” Zhuang Gongxie announced afterward.

Upon hearing this, the eyes of the Qi Refining cultivators below the stage lit up simultaneously, as the starting bid wasn’t too expensive, and many immediately began to bid.

It wasn’t long before the two Red Gold Spirit Swords were auctioned off at 140,000 Lower Spirit and 158,000 Lower Spirit respectively.

Next, four more exquisite tier-three high-grade spiritual artifacts refined by Master Li appeared, immediately attracting several Foundation Establishment elites in the VIP rooms to compete and bid for them.

During this auction, the reputation of ’Master Li’, the Artifact Refining Master, completely spread throughout Gangyang City.

“I heard that this Master Li is from the Hundred Refinements Sect, the junior brother of Master Ouyue!”

“Really! Is Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion now connected with the Hundred Refinements Sect?”

“This Master Li is truly amazing! Several tier-three high-grade spiritual artifacts encompassing five elements, his artifact refining skills have reached the pinnacle!”

…

Listening to the nearby cultivators discussing ’Master Li’, Li Mu found it somewhat amusing and didn’t know what to say.

The auctioneer hired by Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion not only had a sharp eye for spiritual artifacts but was also adept at the ’Dao of Hype’! Continuously auctioning the spiritual artifacts he had refined, thus making ’Master Li’ famous.

However, with such hype, Li Mu indirectly gained quite a few benefits.

All five spiritual artifacts refined by Li Mu sold at high prices. Selling one tier-three high-grade spiritual artifact earned him a 20% commission profit; the higher it sold, the more he earned. Coupled with the two Red Gold Spirit Swords, this auction broke his earnings past a million Lower Spirit.

Of course, he still had to deduct the cost of refining materials for a set of five-element tier-three spirit swords and the value of a tier-three demon beast puppet’s materials, leaving about half of it still intact.

This was quite a significant amount, and Li Mu was now more confident in participating in future bids.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep