123: Chaos

Zhou Leren approached the table and chairs in the room, turned, and took a seat.

On the table were already brewed spiritual tea and spiritual fruit, along with a hot-stamped leaflet.

Zhou Leren picked up the leaflet and began to peruse it carefully.

The leaflet naturally contained a list of all the treasures for this auction.

Among them, various Magical Artifacts and Spiritual Artifacts naturally constituted the majority.

However, besides these, there were still many other treasures, such as Spiritual Materials and Cultivation Techniques.

The variety was quite rich; most of these items were likely consigned by other Cultivators.

Zhou Leren pondered that if he acquired treasures he did not need in the future, he could also consign them to such an auction.

While contemplating this, his eyes continued scanning the list.

"Hmm?"

Zhou Leren let out a soft exclamation.

His gaze settled on a particular entry.

"luan fa sword..."

Zhou Leren spoke softly, reading the name of the treasure aloud.

"A Medium Grade second-rank spiritual artifact that can carry spiritual power, transform it into Sword Qi, and also possesses the effect of disrupting the flow of others' spiritual power."

Reading the description of this treasure, Zhou Leren’s heart stirred slightly; it bore some resemblance to the Spiritual Artifact his grandfather had used during his lifetime.

It seemed that the cheng fa sword was also a product of the Artifact Refining Pavilion.

"If possible, I will bid for and acquire this luan fa sword."

The appearance of this luan fa sword also shared many similarities with the cheng fa sword.

Having made his decision, Zhou Leren continued reading the list.

Following this were some High Grade second-rank spiritual artifacts and treasures; although they were powerful, their prices were extremely expensive.

"The final item, a pinnacle second-rank spiritual artifact..."

Zhou Leren saw that the final item meant to anchor the auction was actually a pinnacle second-rank spiritual artifact.

This pinnacle second-rank spiritual artifact was just a special designation; although it was still a second-rank spiritual artifact, due to factors like Materials or refining techniques, it was significantly stronger than a High Grade second-rank spiritual artifact.

This is why it received this designation.

Zhou Leren felt his heart heat up; who could resist a powerful treasure?

However, even if he managed to acquire this pinnacle second-rank spiritual artifact, given his current cultivation, he would likely only be able to unleash half a strike at most before exhausting his spiritual power.

This was precisely because Zhou Leren cultivated the complete Puhua Yuanlun Scripture, making his spiritual power more condensed and profound compared to standard second-rank Cultivation Techniques.

If it were any other Early Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator, they likely wouldn't even be able to unleash half a strike.

Zhou Leren only thought about it for a moment; this pinnacle second-rank spiritual artifact would likely be the main focus of contention for all the major powers.

Especially those Foundation Establishment Stage powers that lacked a Golden Core Stage True Person to oversee them.

Obtaining this treasure could serve as a foundational asset, protecting the Family from defeat.

After Zhou Leren thoroughly reviewed the leaflet, he placed it back on the table.

His Divine Sense drifted out, but since the other private rooms were shielded, Zhou Leren did not commit any taboo acts, merely taking note of the layout of the first and second floors.

The second floor also consisted of private rooms.

Judging by the auras emanating from them, they all appeared to be Foundation Establishment Stage Great Cultivators.

As for the main hall on the first floor, it was already packed with Qi Refining Stage Cultivators.

Some were in groups, while others were solitary.

Their attire varied; some were completely concealed, while others were open and straightforward.

There were many such varieties, too numerous to mention.

This auction was a reflection of the myriad aspects of life in the Cultivation World.

Zhou Leren felt a sense of realization.

He increasingly felt the importance of strength.

His demeanor grew more composed; he did not become complacent because he had achieved the Foundation Establishment Breakthrough at such a young age.

Just as Zhou Leren inwardly cautioned himself, the noise below suddenly quieted, and a wave of Foundation Establishment Stage authority swept the venue, marking the official start of the auction.

"Star Net Shield..."

A Medium Grade first-rank defensive Magical Artifact with decent defensive power.

On the high platform below, an auctioneer began the introduction.

Immediately after, an Artifact Refining Pavilion Disciple held up a small cyan shield and placed it on the elevated table in the center of the platform for everyone to observe clearly.

Following this, the auctioneer channeled spiritual power into it from afar, slightly activating its might for everyone to sense.

Some of the Qi Refinement Stage Cultivators below were excited, having clearly taken a fancy to this treasure.

The shouts of bidding were continuous, but as the Spirit Stones slowly increased, the number of people vying for the treasure gradually dwindled.

Although Zhou Leren had no interest in this first-rank Magical Artifact.

His younger siblings at home were being looked after by his father, so he didn't need to worry about them and wouldn't compete with Qi Refining Stage Cultivators for this Medium Grade first-rank Magical Artifact.

As time passed, the atmosphere in the venue grew heated.

The treasures became more and more enticing; some were excited, some were dejected, and some were indecisive.

This act of buying and selling was also a profound subject.

Although Zhou Leren did not participate, he was deeply moved.

He gained much knowledge from this trip.

What is learned from books is ultimately shallow; to truly know something, one must practice it personally.

Only through personal experience can one gain deep insight.

"A Medium Grade second-rank spiritual artifact, the luan fa sword, its function..."

A cyan longsword, three feet and three inches long, emitted spiritual light and floated above the high platform.

The characters 'Luan Fa' were engraved on the hilt.

By this time, the auctioneer on the high platform had been replaced by a Foundation Establishment Stage Great Cultivator.

While continuously introducing the item, his gaze swept toward the private rooms on the second and third floors.

By this point, people in the main hall on the first floor rarely spoke, and some had even left early.

Among those who remained, most were Late Qi Refining Cultivators.

"One hundred Mid-Grade Spirit Stones..."

From the second floor, an aged voice sounded, the tone quite firm, and the bid was extremely unambiguous.

In the other private rooms, although some Foundation Establishment Cultivators were tempted, this person's determined demeanor caused them to hesitate.

"Two hundred Mid-Grade Spirit Stones."

Zhou Leren spoke softly; his voice was not loud, yet it spread throughout the entire venue.

"An existence from the third floor..."

The owner of the aged voice looked somewhat hesitant at this moment.

Although he greatly desired this Spiritual Artifact, continuing to compete might risk offending the person on the third floor.

After a moment of hesitation, the person ultimately gave up and did not speak again.

If it had been in his younger, more vigorous years, as long as it wasn't a Golden Core True Person in person, he would have undoubtedly fought for it.

But now, he could not.

The man sighed inwardly, then began selecting a new target.

The second-rank spiritual artifacts were not limited to just the luan fa sword; he would simply choose another one.

Surely, he wouldn't encounter someone from the third floor competing for every single item he picked...

Hearing Zhou Leren's voice, the venue immediately quieted down.

The same was true for the other private rooms on the second floor.

As for the third floor, the Cultivators from the major powers all had their own considerations and did not speak up to compete either.

Inside the private room where Elder He and Elder Ming were located.

Elder Ming stopped Elder He, preventing him from speaking.

The major powers on the third floor generally gave each other Face.

Since this was Zhou Leren's first time bidding, this scene unfolded.

"Don't alert the enemy."

Elder Ming said softly.

Bidding now would make the intention of targeting him quite obvious.

Elder He hesitated for a moment, understood the reasoning, and then relaxed.

"If we kill him, it will naturally be ours."

Elder Ming chuckled as he spoke.

Hearing this, Elder He nodded with a smile, his gaze fixed on Zhou Leren's private room, looking extremely expectant.

With no one competing, the luan fa sword naturally fell into Zhou Leren's possession.

Before long, there was a knock on the door.

Zhou Leren’s spiritual power surged out, opening the door.

He took the luan fa sword into his hand, handed over the Spirit Stones, and then closed the private room door again.

Although the luan fa sword and the cheng fa sword shared the same origin, they still possessed some subtle external differences.

Zhou Leren looked at it for a moment, then placed the luan fa sword into his Storage Pouch.

Afterward, the aged voice bid several more times.

It was hard to say whether his luck was poor or his taste was simply too good.

Every item he selected was contested by someone from the third floor.

However, the desired outcome did not occur.

As the final pinnacle second-rank spiritual artifact was auctioned off, the auction hosted by the Artifact Refining Pavilion completely drew to a close.

Besides acquiring the luan fa sword, Zhou Leren also successfully bid on a technique for object-based flight.

After a brief examination, he felt somewhat satisfied.

Although the Puhua Yuanlun Scripture integrates offense, defense, and containment, speed is not its strong suit.

Therefore, Zhou Leren had intended to bid on this object-based flight technique to compensate for this slight deficiency.

Zhou Leren walked out of the auction house, arrived at the Treasure Artifact Pavilion, found Elder Cao, and communicated with him for a long time.

Afterward, he left Wanping City and headed toward the Artifact Refining Pavilion.

After Zhou Leren departed.

Two figures also left Wanping City.

They looked in the direction Zhou Leren had gone, exchanged glances, each harboring doubts, but still silently followed him.