12: Chapter 12 Linhai Auction

He had already entrusted the Spirit Beast Farm on Xuanling Island entirely to Li Zifan. Li Fanchen, who had worked for him for several years, was not left unrewarded; besides gifting him an Innate Pill, he also gave him an adult Semi-Spirit Dog.

That day, Li Changqing prepared to set off to attend the Linhai Auction to purchase some necessary cultivation supplies. He was allowed to leave Xuanling Lake for seven days each quarter, but when leaving, he had to fully activate the Formation to ensure the safety of Xuanling Island.

Li Changqing had now saved up some Spirit Stones and naturally wanted to find ways to enhance his own strength or earn more Spirit Stones through other channels.

His cultivation had reached the eighth layer of the Qi Refining Stage, and the strength of the Flying Purple Nether Scorpion, Xiao Hei, was not to be underestimated. Although he still needed to maintain a low profile in his actions, he no longer needed to be timid in everything he did.

The Linhai Auction was held in the county seat of Linhai County, about two thousand li away from Xuanling Lake, and was jointly organized by the three major forces of Linhai County.

Unlike Anping County, Linhai County had three Foundation Establishment forces: the Seawater Gang, the Zhang Family, and the Earth Dragon Gang.

Among them, the Seawater Gang was the most powerful, possessing two Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivators. The leader, Leader Dugu Ming, was at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, while the vice leader, Vice Leader Duan Zhushan, was at the Foundation Establishment Early Stage. In addition, there were several Qi Refining Cultivators and hundreds of Martial Artists. The Seawater Gang was mainly active in the major ports and outer sea areas of Linhai County.

The Zhang Family was a cultivation Family whose business was raising low-grade Spirit Beasts, and there was one Foundation Establishment Middle Stage Cultivator in the clan.

The Earth Dragon Gang was a gang formed by a group of Loose Cultivators and Martial Artists, and the leader, Deputy Leader Tai Lie, was at the Foundation Establishment Early Stage.

Because Linhai County was close to the sea and rich in resources, it was relatively prosperous, with an endless stream of active low-grade Cultivators and Martial Artists. Therefore, the leaders of the three forces decided to jointly hold an auction every ten years in Linhai County, targeting Qi Refining Cultivators and Innate Martial Artists to attract popularity.

It was rumored that several high-quality treasures would appear at this auction, and the Li Family would also send some clansmen to participate, but Li Changqing did not intend to act together with his clansmen.

The auction would be held in three days. Xuanling Lake was not too far from Linhai County; with his current cultivation, flying on his sword would take him at most two days.

Xuanling Island was protected by a Formation; as long as he was not away for too long, there would basically be no problems. However, before setting off, Li Changqing still needed to greet Li Zifan and give instructions on some matters.

So, Li Changqing called Li Zifan over.

After Li Zifan arrived, Li Changqing told him that he would be leaving for a few days to handle some matters, told Li Zifan to Cultivate well, and gave him instructions on some tasks that needed to be done.

After bidding farewell to Li Zifan, Li Changqing headed straight in the direction of Linhai County.

On the way, Li Changqing also encountered several Qi Refining Cultivators of varying cultivation levels, but no entanglements occurred.

After flying for several hours, it was getting late. He stopped in a remote mountain forest. Looking at the map in his hand, this place was still more than 1,100 li away from Linhai County, so Li Changqing prepared to find a place to rest and replenish the spiritual power consumed during the day's journey.

The next day, just as the sky was faintly brightening, Li Changqing got up from a cave and continued his journey. More than five hours later, he arrived at his destination.

Linhai County seat was built near the sea. The city walls were five or six zhang high, and the circumference of the city walls was probably over a hundred li. The tall city gate was engraved with the two characters "Linhai," looking solemn and imposing.

Standing in the distance and looking at the gate of Linhai County, Cultivators flew in from afar from time to time. It seemed that this auction had attracted many low-grade Cultivators from the surrounding areas. Seeing this, Li Changqing no longer lingered; he put on a mask, operated the technique within his body, and with a movement of his mind and body, flew towards the city gate.

After entering the city, Li Changqing strolled slowly through the city until near sunset, when he walked towards a restaurant in the city called the Yingxian Tower.

Yingxian Tower had two floors; the first floor was used to receive ordinary Martial Artists, and the second floor was used to receive Cultivators.

Walking straight to the second floor, Li Changqing found that there were not many Cultivators. As soon as he sat down, a youth with second-layer Qi Refining cultivation walked slowly forward and greeted him respectfully:

"Fellow Daoist, our restaurant has a variety of spirit dishes, including dozens of types of first-rank Spirit Beast meat, as well as our signature Golden Ganoderma Spirit-Nurturing Wine. I wonder what you would like?"

Seeing that the youth was articulate and hospitable, Li Changqing couldn't help but feel a sudden fondness for him. He smiled slightly and said, "Since you have spirit wine, I must taste it. Also, bring me a serving of Snow Fragrance Spirit Beef and a serving of Three-Turn Purple Flower Vegetables."

After the youth responded, he immediately went down to instruct the kitchen to prepare. After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, he brought up a pot of spirit wine and poured it into a wine glass.

Then he introduced, "Fellow Daoist, this wine is brewed by fermenting Purple Spirit Rice and adding ingredients such as hundred-year-old Golden Ganoderma. Please enjoy it slowly."

Li Changqing picked up the wine glass and instantly felt a breath of clear, spiritual energy rush towards his face, which was very different from the wine of the mortal world. A moment later, the two spirit dishes were served on the table.

Li Changqing ate and drank, feeling carefree and content by himself.

After eating and drinking his fill, Li Changqing paid the Spirit Stones and left the restaurant.

This meal cost him two Low-Grade Spirit Stones, which made his heart ache slightly. If his income hadn't increased significantly in recent years, he definitely wouldn't have been willing to eat it.

Night fell, and Li Changqing found an ordinary inn to stay for the night.

Early the next morning, after eating breakfast and tidying up his belongings, Li Changqing left his accommodation.

Today was the day the auction was officially held. On the streets, many Cultivators and Martial Artists had already gathered from all over, and the flow of people was much greater than yesterday.

Following the street, Li Changqing walked slowly to the entrance of the auction house. At this time, Cultivators were already beginning to enter the auction house one after another.

The auction house was a spacious and grand auction venue built jointly by the three forces of Linhai County. It was dozens of zhang in diameter, and hundreds of seats were already arranged inside the hall.

In front, there was a two-zhang-high auction stage, and on the auction stage was a wooden table about one zhang long.

At this time, many Cultivators and Martial Artists had already begun to take their seats in the auction hall. They were all Qi Refining Stage Cultivators and Innate Realm Martial Artists, and some, like him, were wearing masks or face covers to conceal their appearance. The auction had not yet officially started, and some familiar Cultivators were talking in low voices.

For an auction of this scale, there were no private rooms set up; all participants were seated in the main hall. This was Li Changqing's first time participating, so he found a remote corner and sat down.

Just as Li Changqing sat down to rest, more and more participants entered the auction hall. Watching the bustling crowd, he discovered that in the second row directly in front, the Li Family also had several clansmen participating in this auction, and the leader was his clan uncle, Clan Leader Li Huaming.

Among the more than five hundred Qi Refining Cultivators and Innate Realm Martial Artists in the auction hall, only about one-fifth were locals of Linhai County; the others were Loose Cultivators from other places, or Disciples of other Schools or Families in the surrounding areas.

Between the various forces in the cultivation world, as long as they were not in a hostile relationship, they usually did not prohibit personnel from other parties from entering their own open spheres of influence.

After all, the interactions between Cultivators and Martial Artists could promote greater local economic prosperity, allowing some cultivation resources to be circulated and supplemented among each other.