43: A bridge so close yet so far!

Having scouted the location last night, he had already confirmed that the auction would be held in the magnificent seven-story building in the center of the market, which was in an extremely conspicuous location.

The auction would begin tomorrow, so there was no time to lose.

Lu Xian instructed Du Qinghong to act immediately, then donned his mask, stabilized his Qi at the seventh level of Qi Refining, and calmly walked toward the auction house.

In this market filled with a mix of fish and dragons, having a cultivation level that was too low was actually more conspicuous.

Being one level higher than the average standard could both serve as a deterrent and avoid drawing unnecessary attention.

The day had fully brightened, and people were coming and going on the streets.

Lu Xian looked up and saw that the wind and snow were blocked from the market by a huge, invisible barrier; a second-tier defensive Grand Formation was set up overhead.

He strolled up to the front of the central building.

"Luoxia Hall, the name is quite nice."

He did not hesitate and calmly walked through the main gate.

The first-floor hall was extremely spacious, with only Spiritual Wood tables and chairs arranged on both sides; there were a few quiet rooms in the depths.

Just as he was wondering why there was no one to receive him, one of the doors opened, and a beautiful woman wearing the standard robe of the Lin Family walked out.

"Fellow Daoist, the auction does not begin until tomorrow. May I ask if you have urgent business?"

The woman had a delicate face and graceful manners; she lacked the arrogance common among children of noble families and was instead quite courteous.

Lu Xian felt slightly relieved; the children raised by great Families truly possessed extraordinary bearing.

He cupped his hands and said: "This Han is a Loose Cultivator. I heard that your Family is still collecting items for the auction, so I came to inquire."

Upon hearing this, Lin Youlan frowned. The collection of auction items had long since ended, and the list had already been confirmed.

It seemed this person was indeed an ill-informed Loose Cultivator.

What kind of treasure could he possibly have in his hands?

Although she did not hold much hope, she still asked according to the rules:

"I do not know what item Fellow Daoist Han wishes to consign. For a first-tier Spirit Medicine, it must be worth at least three hundred Spirit Stones to be eligible."

In truth, Lin Youlan was just asking casually and intended to politely decline after receiving the answer.

But the next moment, Lu Xian's voice transmission left her stunned.

"This one is prepared to consign a first-tier top-grade Spirit Medicine, the heavenly star flower!"

Lu Xian was concise and went straight to the point.

"What, a heavenly star flower? Are you sure it is top-grade?"

Lin Youlan was surprised, then immediately realized her slip of the tongue.

"Fellow Daoist, please follow me to the quiet room to discuss in detail!"

She was excited in her heart; she had not expected to encounter such an unexpected surprise.

If it were real, and handled properly, it could serve as one of the final ten auction items.

By then, her contribution to the Family would be significant.

Lu Xian nodded slightly; the situation was within his expectations.

No one would refuse a top-grade Spirit Medicine, especially a rare main ingredient like the heavenly star flower.

Inside the quiet room.

Lin Youlan's gaze swept over Lu Xian's mask from time to time, as if trying to see the appearance beneath it to investigate his background.

"Cough... Fellow Daoist, do you wish to see the Spirit Medicine, or do you wish to see This Han?" Lu Xian reminded her.

"The Spirit Medicine!" Lin Youlan replied without hesitation. "Please take it out, Fellow Daoist. No one will disturb us here; your safety is guaranteed. My Lin Family would not covet such a small thing."

Lu Xian waved his hand to take out a specially made jade box and used the Object Manipulation Technique to steadily send it to her.

Lin Youlan took it, her eyes full of joy, and carefully pushed open the lid.

A Spiritual Plant with sparkling starlight and a strange shape lay quietly inside. Closing her eyes to perceive it, a rich power of starlight rushed toward her!

First-tier top-grade, without a doubt!

Lin Youlan could not suppress the corners of her mouth, and her speaking speed quickened: "Fellow Daoist Han, there is no problem. How do you intend to trade it?"

"The auction items at Luoxia Hall are acquired in two forms. First, settlement on the spot according to market price; second, participation in the auction, where Luoxia Hall deducts twenty percent of the transaction price as commission."

This heavenly star flower was of excellent quality. If a high-grade Alchemist were to process it with superior auxiliary medicines, it would not be impossible to refine a top-grade Star Radiance Spirit Pill!

"What is the market price?" Lu Xian asked.

"It is about between 1000 and 1200. You know, Fellow Daoist, although the value of the finished Medicinal Pill is high, the path of Alchemy carries great risks. No Alchemist can guarantee one hundred percent success in pill Formation. This price is very reasonable..."

Lin Youlan explained in detail; if she could acquire it directly, her contribution would be greater...

Unfortunately, Lu Xian had already inquired clearly before coming.

A top-grade heavenly star flower had not appeared in Qingyun County for nearly thirty years, so the value of this item should be higher.

"The bottom price is 1500 Spirit Stones. If it is this price, we trade on the spot. Otherwise, we will follow the auction process, and This Han will collect it afterwards."

"This..." Lin Youlan was conflicted.

According to her estimation, this medicine could easily fetch two thousand Spirit Stones at auction; there were plenty of children sent by Foundation Establishment Families who would snap it up.

But in that case, the Lin Family's profit would be thin—no more than a few hundred—merely earning a reputation.

"Allow me to request instructions, just a moment..." Lin Youlan had not finished speaking.

An old woman's voice came from outside the door: "No need, this old woman will take it for 1500 Spirit Stones!"

The door was pushed open.

Lu Xian glanced at Lin Youlan speechlessly. Wasn't it supposed to be absolutely safe and undisturbed?

Lin Youlan looked embarrassed: "Lady Suxin, why have you come?"

"If I didn't come, you would still be dilly-dallying there. Such a treasure is just right for me to use for Alchemy! Little Lanlan, your cultivation is advancing; don't you also need such assistance?"

The old woman named Lin Suxin had a hunched figure and her aura was restrained yet unfathomable; she was clearly a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

Her gaze toward Lin Youlan was extremely kind.

Lu Xian's expression was calm.

He had seen many Foundation Establishment Cultivators; unless there was a fundamental conflict, the other party would not cause trouble without reason.

"Kid, fifteen hundred Spirit Stones, take them!" Lin Suxin threw out a large bag of Spirit Stones.

Lu Xian caught it steadily. After scanning it with his Divine Sense to confirm there were no errors, he put it into his Storage Pouch but did not leave immediately.

"What? You are not leaving yet? Do you want me to see you out?"

"I would not dare. This one only heard that those who consign items can obtain the catalog of this auction to take a look..." Lu Xian said directly.

To him, this item was more important than the consignment itself.

"So it was for this trivial matter. Little Lanlan, give it to him!"

Lin Youlan apologized and handed Lu Xian an exquisite booklet and a token:

"Fellow Daoist Han, please take this token to the B-3 private box for tomorrow's auction. If there is anything you fancy, feel free to participate in the bidding."

Lu Xian nodded, took the two items, and walked away quickly.

"Grandmother! By barging in so suddenly, where does that leave the reputation of my Luoxia Hall?" Inside the room, Lin Youlan complained.

"To hell with reputation! I don't know what those old guys up there are thinking, messing with all this pretentious nonsense. If you ask me, just raise the market taxes by fifty percent and acquire all rare Materials at a thirty percent discount—it would save worry and effort!"

"How can that be! If the Foundation is unstable, the talent will all run off to the Cangye Sect. In the long run, the gap will only grow larger..."

"Bah..."

Lu Xian returned to the inn.

He opened the auction catalog, and the first page clearly read:

Auction Item No. 1: First-tier top-grade teleportation array diagram — A Bridge ofSo close yet so far.

Starting bid: Six hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

Below was the introduction to the Formation:

This array diagram has an extraordinary origin; it is a reversed and simplified version of the ancient wondrous Formation "So close yet so far".

Its core mystery lies in the word "Bridge," which can connect two ley lines!

One only needs to set up the array base in a place where the ley lines connect to borrow the majestic and stable power of the earth to construct an invisible bridge of space.

The teleportation range can reach a thousand miles, and a single charge only requires the consumption of twenty Low-Grade Spirit Stones; one arrives in an instant!

It is truly an excellent reliance for low-tier Cultivators to save their lives, escape, and make long-distance raids.

Its potential far exceeds that of ordinary first-tier Formations!

"It feels like marketing jargon, just to raise the price?"

Lu Xian finished reading it carefully; the teleportation effect was within expectations, but he remained skeptical about the claim of it being "derived from an ancient wondrous Formation."

"If it were truly the original So close yet so far, I fear it would be at least a fourth-tier Grand Formation... However, if I set up the [teleportation room] and then upgrade it, what would the effect be?"

Although this Formation was the first auction item, no one could stop Lu Xian from taking it!