29: Fierce bidding and provocation from the remnants of the Black Wind

The atmosphere at the auction grew increasingly fervent, with items being sold one after another, and prices constantly climbing.

There was the 'Juling Array Plate' that could boost Cultivation speed, 'Golden Sore Medicine' for external injuries, and various mid-to-high-grade Ores and Magical Artifacts… Liu Shan occasionally made bids, acquiring some rare Materials needed to refine high-grade Magical Artifacts, but he always knew when to stop, focusing his main energy on waiting for the Foundation Establishment Pill.

The Foundation Establishment old man from Black Wind Hall also made several bids, purchasing two Medicinal Pills that could enhance Cultivation, spending lavishly, clearly having a deep reserve of wealth.

"Next, the third-to-last item to be auctioned at this auction will be—" Hong Yue's voice carried a hint of mystery, "I believe many friends will be interested. It is—a complete Incomplete Manual of the high-grade Cultivation Technique, 'Burning Sky Skill'!"

A maid brought up a Jade Slip, and Hong Yue opened it. Inside was a Jade Slip glowing with red light.

"'Burning Sky Skill' is an ancient fire-attribute Cultivation Technique. Although it is only an Incomplete Manual, it is enough to support a Cultivator's Cultivation up to the Foundation Establishment Stage! The starting bid is five hundred thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones, and each increment must not be less than fifty thousand!"

"Five hundred thousand!" A gasp swept through the crowd. Although it was only an Incomplete Manual, the value of a high-grade Cultivation Technique was still astonishing.

"Five hundred fifty thousand!"

"Six hundred thousand!"

"Seven hundred thousand!"

Bidding voices rose and fell, quickly breaking through one million. Ultimately, this Incomplete Manual of the 'Burning Sky Skill' was bought by a red-robed Cultivator in the VIP section for one million two hundred thousand.

Liu Zhi watched, dumbfounded: "One million two hundred thousand… that's insane."

Liu Shan, however, was calm: "The value of a high-grade Cultivation Technique is naturally high. For major powers, this amount of Spirit Stones is nothing." He was more concerned about the upcoming items.

Hong Yue waited for the hall to quiet down, then smiled and said: "The next item is a treasure prepared for Alchemists—a hundred-year 'Ice Lotus Seed'!"

The Ice Lotus Seed was brought onto the stage, pure white throughout, exuding a biting cold Qi. It was one of the main Materials for refining high-grade healing Medicinal Pills.

In the end, it was purchased by a white-bearded old man for eight hundred thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

"Alright, the moment everyone has been eagerly awaiting has arrived!" Hong Yue's voice carried a hint of excitement, "The grand finale item of this auction—the Foundation Establishment Pill!"

As her words fell, a specially made Jade Slip was brought onto the stage. Before the Jade Slip was even opened, a rich Medicinal Pill fragrance permeated the air, invigorating all the Qi Refinement Stage Cultivators present!

"A Foundation Establishment Pill! It really is a Foundation Establishment Pill!"

"My heavens, it's finally here!"

"No matter what, I must get it!"

The atmosphere in the hall instantly reached a climax, and even the Cultivators in the VIP section sat up straight, their gaze fixed on the Jade Slip.

Hong Yue carefully opened the Jade Slip. Inside lay a golden, Dragon eye-sized Medicinal Pill, its surface covered with intricate Pill patterns, exuding a heart-pounding Spiritual Qi fluctuation.

"This Pill was personally refined by a Third-Grade Alchemist, with a purity of up to ninety percent. It can increase the success rate for a Qi Refinement Peak Cultivator to Breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Stage to thirty percent!" Hong Yue's voice was seductive, "Starting bid is one million Low-Grade Spirit Stones, and each increment must not be less than fifty thousand!"

"One million one hundred thousand!"

"One million two hundred thousand!"

"One million five hundred thousand!"

The price soared like a rocket, breaking through two million almost instantly!

Most of the bidders were Cultivators from the VIP section, especially the middle-aged man from the City Lord's Mansion and the old man from Black Wind Hall, whose bidding was the most intense.

"Two million five hundred thousand!" The man from the City Lord's Mansion spoke calmly, his voice not loud, but carrying an aura of authority.

The bidding in the hall immediately paused. Two million five hundred thousand was already beyond the reach of many people.

"Three million!" The old man from Black Wind Hall spoke with a sinister tone, directly increasing the bid by five hundred thousand, clearly determined to win.

The man from the City Lord's Mansion frowned, not immediately raising his bid.

Liu Shan's palms were also sweating. He only had one million eight hundred thousand Spirit Stones, completely unable to participate in this level of bidding.

"Father…" Liu Zhi also noticed the situation, a hint of dejection on his Face.

Just then, Mo Chu's Spirit Vision suddenly caught a detail—when the old man from Black Wind Hall made his bid, his left hand subconsciously pressed on the Storage Pouch at his waist. The Spirit Stone fluctuations inside the Pouch indicated his limit was probably around three million five hundred thousand, and there were also several bottles of Medicinal Pills with mixed auras inside, seemingly some kind of forbidden medicine that overdrawn Cultivation!

He wrote two words on Liu Shan's palm with his tail: "Bid higher."

Liu Shan was startled, then immediately understood Mo Chu's meaning—the Black Wind Hall old man's funds were limited!

He took a deep breath, suppressing the hesitation in his heart, and said loudly: "Three million one hundred thousand!"

His voice was not loud, but it was exceptionally clear in the quiet hall.

Everyone's gaze instantly focused on him, with surprise, doubt, and also disdain—a Qi Refinement Eighth Layer Cultivator, actually daring to participate in the bidding for a Foundation Establishment Pill?

The Black Wind Hall old man suddenly turned his head, his sinister gaze fixed on Liu Shan, as if to devour him: "Brat, are you looking for death?"

Liu Shan met his gaze without fear, and said calmly: "At an auction, the highest bidder wins. Is there a rule that Qi Refinement Stage Cultivators cannot bid?"

"Good! Very good!" The old man laughed in extreme anger, "Three million two hundred thousand!"

"Three million three hundred thousand!" Liu Shan raised the bid without hesitation.

"Three million four hundred thousand!" The old man's Face grew increasingly ugly.

"Three million five hundred thousand!" Liu Shan followed up again, secretly feeling fortunate—luckily, he had accumulated quite a few Spirit Stones through Artifact Refining, plus the income from selling Magical Artifacts earlier, he could barely scrape together three million five hundred thousand.

The Black Wind Hall old man's Face completely darkened. He stared intently at Liu Shan, a hint of killing intent flashing in his eyes, but he did not make another bid—three million five hundred thousand was already his limit.

The man from the City Lord's Mansion looked at Liu Shan, then at the Black Wind Hall old man, a playful smile curling on his lips, and did not participate in the bidding.

Hong Yue observed for a moment, and seeing no one else bidding, she called out loudly: "Three million five hundred thousand, first call!"

"Three million five hundred thousand, second call!"

"Three million five hundred thousand, third call! Sold!"

"Congratulations to this Fellow Daoist for successfully acquiring the Foundation Establishment Pill!" Hong Yue said with a smile.

Liu Shan let out a long breath, his back already drenched in cold sweat. Although he had acquired the Foundation Establishment Pill, he had also completely offended the Foundation Establishment Stage old man from Black Wind Hall.

"Father, we got it! But that old guy…" Liu Zhi was excited but also full of worry.

"Let's talk after we get the Medicinal Pill." Liu Shan said in a deep voice, "Let's leave here first."

He immediately stood up, preparing to go to the backstage to pay and retrieve the medicine.

Just then, the Black Wind Hall old man suddenly stood up, blocking his path, and said sinisterly: "Brat, leave the Foundation Establishment Pill, and I can let you die a quicker death."

His Foundation Establishment Stage pressure instantly released, crushing towards Liu Shan!

Liu Shan's Face changed drastically. He quickly circulated his Spiritual Qi to resist, but the gap between the Qi Refinement Eighth Layer and the Foundation Establishment Stage was like a chasm. He was instantly enveloped by the pressure, his blood and Qi churning, almost unable to stand steadily.

"Father!" Liu Zhi and Wang Lan cried out, wanting to go forward to help, but were pushed back by the pressure.

The surrounding Cultivators all retreated, showing expressions of watching a good show. No one was willing to interfere in a fight between a Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator and a Qi Refinement Stage Cultivator.

The man from the City Lord's Mansion picked up his teacup and leisurely sipped it, as if it had nothing to do with him.

"You refuse a toast and choose a forfeit!" A cruel glint flashed in the Black Wind Hall old man's eyes. His right hand formed a claw, carrying a sharp gust of wind, and grabbed towards Liu Shan's Storage Pouch!

Just at this critical moment, a black figure shot out like lightning!

Mo Chu!

He no longer concealed his strength, and his Spiritual Domain instantly released!

Centered on him, the Spiritual Qi within twenty zhang instantly became viscous. The Black Wind Hall old man's Spiritual Qi circulation immediately stagnated, his movements delayed by half a breath!

"A mere Spiritual Seed Yao Beast, dares to stop me?" The old man roared, waving his left hand, and a majestic Spiritual Qi slapped towards Mo Chu!

Mo Chu did not retreat but advanced, fully activating his Spiritual Qi Manifestation!

More than a dozen black Spiritual Qi spears materialized out of thin air, carrying a whistling sound, and shot towards the old man like a torrential rain! At the same time, the golden horn on his forehead lit up, and an invisible Spiritual Qi impact slammed fiercely into the old man's Sea of Consciousness!

"Trifling tricks!" The old man snorted disdainfully. Spiritual Qi formed a shield, blocking the Spiritual Qi spears, but the Spiritual Qi impact caused a sharp pain in his mind, and his movements were delayed again!

Now!

Liu Shan seized this fleeting opportunity, blocking himself with his Thunderclap Saber, while secretly mobilizing the power of the cloud cauldron order!

"Om—!"

A golden Cloud Cauldron shield instantly appeared in front of him. Although it was only a small shield, it also contained the power of the Cloud Cauldron!

"Bang!"

The old man's claw struck the shield, emitting a loud sound. The shield shook violently but did not break!

"The aura of the Yun Ding Sect?!" The old man looked at the shield in surprise, a hint of doubt and greed flashing in his eyes, "Are you related to the Yun Ding Sect?"

Mo Chu took the opportunity to counterattack, circling behind the old man like a black lightning bolt. His fangs, carrying a dark blue venom, bit fiercely at his hind leg!

"You're looking for death!" The old man cried out in pain, turning around and slapping at Mo Chu with a palm!

Mo Chu was prepared. Using the obstruction of the Spiritual Domain, he flexibly dodged, while again releasing a Spiritual Qi impact!

The old man was entangled by Mo Chu, and for a moment, he couldn't take down Liu Shan, his Face growing increasingly ugly.

The surrounding Cultivators all showed surprised expressions—they hadn't expected this Spiritual Seed Yao Beast to actually be able to contend with a Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator for a moment!

"Enough!" The man from the City Lord's Mansion suddenly put down his teacup and said calmly, "Wangyue City prohibits private duels. If you want to fight, get out of the city and fight."

His voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable authority.

The Black Wind Hall old man's Face changed. Although he was arrogant, he did not dare to disrespect the City Lord's Mansion.

He glared at Liu Shan and Mo Chu with resentment, and snorted coldly: "Very good, you two just wait! My Black Wind Old Demon's debt will be settled sooner or later!"

With that, he turned and flicked his sleeves, departing.

The crisis was temporarily averted.

Liu Shan quickly put away the shield, gratefully glanced at Mo Chu, then cupped his fists to the man from the City Lord's Mansion: "Thank you, City Lord, for your help."

The man from the City Lord's Mansion waved his hand, and said calmly: "This City Lord is merely upholding the rules of Wangyue City. You all take care of yourselves."

Liu Shan dared not stay. He immediately took Liu Zhi and Wang Lan and hurried towards the backstage.

After paying the Spirit Stones and receiving the Foundation Establishment Pill, the three quickly left Jubao Pavilion and rushed towards Looking at Moon Tower.

Along the way, Liu Shan vigilantly observed his surroundings, fearing that the Black Wind Old Demon might ambush them.

Mo Chu's Spirit Vision was also fully activated, scanning for any movement, ensuring there were no ambushes.

Fortunately, the journey was safe, and they successfully returned to Looking at Moon Tower.

Closing the door, Liu Shan immediately set up a warning Formation, then took out the hard-won Foundation Establishment Pill and placed it on the table.

Looking at the golden Medicinal Pill, the three of them remained silent, but their eyes were filled with the relief of having survived a disaster and anticipation for the future.

"With it, I have hope of Breaking Through to the Foundation Establishment Stage." Liu Shan clenched his fists, "But the Black Wind Old Demon definitely won't let this go. We must leave Wangyue City as soon as possible and find a safe place to Breakthrough."

"Let's go now!" Liu Zhi said.

"Good!" Liu Shan nodded, "No time to lose, pack up immediately."

They quickly packed their luggage, without the slightest reluctance, and taking advantage of the night, quietly left Looking at Moon Tower, sneaking towards the direction outside the city.

The night in Wangyue City was still bustling, but for them, it had become a place of trouble.

Obtaining the Foundation Establishment Pill was both an opportunity and a crisis.

Next, they not only had to Face the pursuit of the Black Wind Old Demon but also find an absolutely safe place to assault that crucial stage that would determine the Family's fate—the Foundation Establishment Stage!

Mo Chu coiled on Liu Shan's shoulder, looking back at the brightly lit Wangyue City, a cold glint flashing in his snake eyes.

Black Wind Old Demon?

He and Liu Shan had experienced countless life-and-death situations and had never feared any threat.

This time, it was the same.

As long as Liu Shan could successfully Breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Stage, any price was worth it.