96: Chapter 96 Obtaining the Foundation Establishment Pill and Sweeping Away Spiritual Materials

The sound of a bell rang out.

The noisy hall fell silent instantly, as everyone's gaze converged on the central white jade platform.

A noblewoman dressed in a purple palace dress, still possessing great charm, stepped onto the stage.

She had a Foundation Establishment Early Stage cultivation.

Every frown and smile of hers carried a seductive intent.

It caused countless young virgin Loose Cultivators to become intoxicated.

This woman was none other than the famously beautiful Purple Fairy of Yellow Ox Immortal City, the chief auctioneer of Yellow Heaven Pavilion.

"Fellow Daoists, it has been a long time."

Purple Fairy's voice was amplified by a Formation, making it clearly audible.

"The once-every-five-years grand event has begun once again."

"Without further ado, I know everyone is waiting anxiously, so here is the first auction item."

With a wave of her jade-like hand, two maidservants carrying trays walked onto the jade platform.

The red cloth was lifted.

A dark gold Medicinal Pill the size of a longan sat atop the silk, its surface flowing with a jade-like luster.

"One genuine foundation establishment pill, starting at three thousand Spirit Stones!"

The moment those words were spoken.

The venue instantly erupted!

"The Immortal City's strength is indeed profound. It was not in vain for this old man to travel a thousand miles; there really is a foundation establishment pill!"

"A foundation establishment pill! To think it's the very first item!"

Soon, someone called out a bid.

"I am determined to get this pill! Three thousand five hundred Spirit Stones!"

"Heh, Fellow Daoist, that's too pathetic. Adding only five hundred each time, how long will it take to finish the bidding? I bid six thousand Spirit Stones!"

"You... six thousand five hundred Spirit Stones."

"Eight thousand."

"I am Ash Bone. I advise everyone not to play around in front of my White Bone Sect. I bid ten thousand Spirit Stones!"

"Hiss."

The sound of people sharply inhaling cold air rose from all sides.

It was not only because Ash Bone, the Head Disciple of the White Bone Sect, had made a move.

But also because they were shocked that the auction price had reached ten thousand so quickly.

Those who could pass the capital verification to enter the venue were already among the most capable of the Loose Cultivators.

Yet they hadn't expected their entire net worth to be just a fraction of the auction price.

They whispered among themselves.

"I heard the White Bone Sect specializes in the business of corpse collection, selling the limbs and internal organs of Cultivators at high prices. They've made a fortune. Seeing them today, they are indeed wealthy."

"For such an outrageous thing, are there no Righteous Path Cultivators to crusade against them?"

"Crusade? White Bone Immortal Master is a genuine False Core Cultivator, and the eighteen bone Disciples under him are none of them easy to deal with."

"What about the Chixiao Sect? Don't they claim to be a righteous sect?"

"The Chixiao Sect? Ever since the Great Power War, they've been turning a blind eye, acting like a turtle hiding in its shell. Why would they take action?"

"What Great Power War?"

"Sigh, how many years have you been in seclusion? You don't even know about such a major event..."

Purple Fairy ignored the clamor below.

She took out a small gavel and struck the stand in front of her.

"Ten thousand Spirit Stones once. Is there anyone else bidding?"

"Wait, Zhou Yu, eleven thousand."

The Zhou Family had also joined in.

Under the 'lead' of the White Bone Sect, the VIP boxes on the second and third floors finally joined the bidding.

The Loose Cultivators on the first floor were no longer involved.

The price rose steadily.

"Eighteen thousand! Zhou Family, is it? If you have the guts, add one more time, and our White Bone Sect will yield this foundation establishment pill to you!"

Ash Bone of the White Bone Sect stood by the floor-to-ceiling window.

On his clean-looking face were two bloodshot eyes as he glared through gritted teeth at the opposite box.

Zhou Yu sat with her legs crossed, her slender calves faintly visible beneath the hem of her skirt. Her upper body was voluptuous, and the lines of her face were soft.

The curve of her lips was elegant and restrained, not flashy but naturally charming.

Though both were charming mature women, her style was completely different from Purple Fairy's flamboyant one.

This drew the gazes of the male Cultivators, who refused to look away even when their necks grew sore.

However, she did not place another bid.

Seeing this.

The gavel in Purple Fairy's hand fell.

"Eighteen thousand Spirit Stones, once."

"Eighteen thousand Spirit Stones, twice."

"Twenty thousand!"

A clear, ethereal voice came from the third floor.

It struck everyone's hearts like an earth-shattering event.

"Twenty thousand? Did I hear that right? No matter how rare this foundation establishment pill is, it's not worth that price."

"Who would dare to openly oppose False Core powers like the Zhou Family and the White Bone Sect?"

Following the voice and looking up.

In a box on the third floor, a slim and graceful young girl was staring intently at the jade platform.

"It's Chu Linger of Yellow Ox Immortal City. They've gotten involved in this too."

"No wonder. Even the host has personally taken the field."

The crowd discussed fervently.

When Ash Bone heard the bid, he was about to fly into a rage and issue a threat.

But when he saw it was Yellow Ox Immortal City, he was instantly speechless.

His expression flickered with uncertainty.

The hand he had raised finally lowered.

"I say, Junior Sister, this foundation establishment pill is clearly not worth that price. You haven't taken any Disciples, so what are you buying it for?"

Xiong Meng's puzzled voice came from a nearby box.

This instantly triggered speculation.

"That's right, Senior Chu hasn't been in the Foundation Establishment stage for long. What use does she have for a foundation establishment pill?"

"She couldn't be a shill for the auction, here to drive up the price, could she?"

Speculative voices grew louder.

Purple Fairy solemnly restated: "The auction will not employ shills. Regardless of whether one is from the Immortal City or not, any item bid for must be purchased, otherwise, the bidder will be blacklisted and barred from future meetings."

"More words are useless."

"Twenty thousand Spirit Stones, once."

"Twenty thousand Spirit Stones, twice."

"Twenty thousand Spirit Stones, thrice. Sold!"

A short while later.

The auction house sent a specialist to the box.

The payment and goods were cleared.

The first foundation establishment pill, at a price marked up several times over, ended up in Xu Changsheng's hands.

"Well done."

Although Chu Linger felt stifled, her pretty face wore a flattering smile: "It is this Servant Girl's honor to satisfy Master."

The subsequent auction items were not as explosive as the foundation establishment pill.

"Peak Grade Magical Artifact, Edgeless Ruler, starting at eight hundred Spirit Stones."

"Grade 1 realm-breaking Medicinal Pill, yellow dragon pill, starting at four hundred Spirit Stones."

...

Xu Changsheng did not have Chu Linger bid for any Grade 1 items; his goal was not there.

"Grade 2 Low Grade Spiritual Plant, Vein Tempering Vine. It has Body Refining effects and can also be given to Spirit Beasts to increase their blood vitality."

"Hmm? Take this."

"Yes."

In the end, Chu Linger secured the item for one thousand nine hundred, outbidding Xiong Meng.

Xiong Meng's puzzled voice came from the other box.

"Junior Sister Chu, you have no Spirit Beasts and are not a Body Refiner. What do you want this for?"

"Since Senior Brother Xiong is so short on cash, you might as well leave early to avoid making a fool of yourself."

"You!"

As a Body Refiner, Xiong Meng had high expenses and no professional craft to earn a living, so he was indeed short on funds.

Chu Linger successfully bid for two more stalks of Body Refining spiritual materials later on.

Xiong Meng exhausted his Spirit Stones and only managed to win one stalk.

"Damn it, I'll have to go into the mountains to hunt beasts again."

The auction continued.

"Wind Dark Stone, a Grade 2 Medium Grade spiritual material. It is a special wind-attribute material. Bidding starts at one thousand five hundred Spirit Stones."

"One thousand eight hundred."

"Two thousand."

"Two thousand five hundred!"

Bids came one after another.

The Spirit Beast Bag at Xu Changsheng's waist suddenly twitched.

Ink Shadow sent a vague intent.

"You want this?"

"Indeed, I was just wondering if wind-attribute spiritual items would help you advance."

He commanded, "Fellow Daoist Chu, bid for this."

It was eventually secured for three thousand five hundred Spirit Stones.

...

Later, Xu Changsheng had her bid for a Grade 2 Low Grade Beast Essence Pill.

It cost nearly ten thousand Spirit Stones.

Seeing that it was getting late.

He lightly patted Chu Linger's slender shoulder. "Fellow Daoist Chu, let us go."

The latter was confused. "Ah? Master, the auction is only halfway through. Why are we leaving now? I heard that Grade 3 items will appear at the end."

His brow chilled. "Hmm?"

She dared not disobey. "This Servant Girl was wrong. We shall leave at once."

However, just as they stepped out, Xiong Meng's box door also opened.

He grinned and said, "Junior Sister Chu, the good show is still to come. Why are you leaving already?"