337: Xuanfeng Sanren, the ceremony begins (two in one)

“One hundred thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stones!”

“One hundred twenty thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stones!”

...Almost as soon as the bidding began, the entire Auction hall’s price doubled, and the bids continued without a moment’s pause.

Although its Rank was not as high as the Star Body Tempering Art from earlier, one Cultivation Technique was uncultivable, while the other could be Cultivated to the Early Stage Golden Core, making their values vastly different.

Not to mention, the Nine Nether Profound Wind Scripture was also a rare wind-attribute Cultivation Technique for special Spiritual Roots, making it extraordinarily precious for both Family Cultivators and Sect Cultivators.

Lin Shiming sat in his seat, glanced at Lin Hou, and reluctantly gave up his plan.

He had originally thought he could acquire it for tens of thousands of Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, but now it seemed that even if the Lin Family brought out all of its Spirit Stones, they might not be able to win the Auction.

The Qingxuan Sect truly lived up to its reputation for grand gestures, not only offering a Cultivation Technique for special Spiritual Roots but one that could also be Cultivated to the Golden Core Realm.

For many Loose Cultivators and Purple Mansion Families, this was an offer they couldn’t refuse, even if it meant losing everything.

Lin Shiming couldn’t help but turn around; inside the Purple Mansion Cultivator’s private room, the bidding continued to soar.

In a blink of an eye, it reached one hundred fifty thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stones.

And the Cultivator who made the bid was even standing in the private room.

“One hundred eighty thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stones!”

With this latest bid, the entire Auction hall began to fall silent. One hundred eighty thousand was almost the limit for a Profound Rank top-grade Cultivation Technique.

Many Cultivators recognized the standing Cultivator as Xuanfeng Sanren, one of the ten famous Daoists of the Eastern Domain, a Purple Mansion Late Stage Cultivator.

Xuanfeng Sanren’s name was extremely prominent among Loose Cultivators, but it was not a good reputation; rather, it was a fearsome one. Ordinary small Families and small Sects avoided him like the plague!

Xuanfeng Sanren had once achieved the feat of slaughtering a Purple Mansion Family.

“Is there anyone who can bid higher than Xuanfeng Sanren?” Azure Bamboo Taoist asked with a smile, not paying attention to the bidder.

But as silence reigned and no one spoke, Azure Bamboo Taoist struck the hammer, and the Nine Nether Profound Wind Scripture officially fell into Xuanfeng Sanren’s hands.

“Congratulations to Xuanfeng Sanren for securing the first guidance slot from True Person Zixuan, Junior Martial Uncle!” Azure Bamboo Taoist congratulated again.

Xuanfeng Sanren cupped his hands, a smile on his face.

The Auction of the Nine Nether Profound Wind Scripture brought the Auction to an unprecedented Peak.

This undoubtedly made more Cultivators look towards the remaining two spirit platforms.

Even Lin Shiming was filled with anticipation.

Under everyone’s gaze, Azure Bamboo Taoist once again unveiled a spirit platform.

As the spirit platform was unveiled, a palm-sized golden thunder talisman appeared on it. Spiritual seals permeated the thunder talisman, and one could vaguely see a magnificent palace hidden within.

Just one more glance, and everyone felt as if their hearts were suddenly struck by heavenly thunder, rumbling incessantly, as if they had personally ascended to the Nine Heavens Thunder Pool, with thunder echoing and shaking them for a long time, unable to extricate themselves.

Finally, they broke out in a cold sweat, collapsing into their seats, their bodies limp!

It was like experiencing an apocalyptic Lightning Tribulation!

Azure Bamboo Taoist carefully held up the Spiritual Talisman, his eyes filled with divine light, and began to introduce it in detail.

“I believe many Cultivators have already guessed upon seeing this. This talisman is precisely the Nine Heavens Heavenly Tribulation Talisman, which only Thunder Talisman True Person can refine! And it is Thunder Talisman True Person who specially consigned it for Auction to celebrate the Qingxuan Sect’s Golden Core Ceremony!”

“This talisman can serve as a Talisman Treasure, capable of slaying an Immortal Master, or as a Spiritual Talisman, capable of helping one cross the Golden Core Tribulation!”

“This treasure starts at one hundred fifty thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, and each bid must not be less than ten thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stones!”

The Foundation Establishment Cultivators in the Auction hall, and even a large group of Purple Mansion Cultivators, were all dumbfounded!

This time, the treasure was truly too shocking. This Nine Heavens Heavenly Tribulation Talisman could not only be used to overcome the Golden Core Lightning Tribulation, but it was also equivalent to a single strike from a Golden Core Lightning Cultivator. Even the lofty Golden Core True Persons coveted it.

Lin Shiming was also a bit stunned, but he understood that this was probably the Qingxuan Sect warning the other Four Sects that the Spirit Talisman Sect stood with the Qingxuan Sect from beginning to end.

This treasure couldn’t even be called an Auction item; here, it was merely a formality!

And the last remaining treasure, without a doubt, was probably the treasure consigned by the Spirit Beast Sect.

“One hundred sixty thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stones!”

“One hundred eighty thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stones!”

As the Auction progressed to these finale treasures, a dramatic scene unfolded: fewer and fewer Cultivators were bidding, and the bidding time became longer and longer.

Only in the private rooms on the second floor were core Sect Daoists and Elders bidding.

The bids seemed to have been pre-arranged, so calm and peaceful!

It was entirely a formality!

But for the True Person Clones from the other Four Sects, they had no choice but to consider the reasons behind it.

One must know that they had been continuously inquiring about the Spirit Talisman Sect’s stance and probing the Spirit Beast Sect’s intentions.

If the Three Sects united, let alone the Golden Core Ceremony, they wouldn’t be able to create any momentum and would only serve to enhance the Qingxuan Sect’s reputation.

Even on the day True Person Divine Machine truly achieved the Dao in the future, they might not be able to truly stop him.

The Nine Heavens Heavenly Tribulation Talisman ultimately fetched a highest Auction price of two hundred eighty thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stones.

The last Auction item was also no surprise: a fifth-Rank demon king descendant, a collateral descendant of the Six-Flame Azure Ox Demon King, a Three-Flame Azure Ox.

Its starting price was also as high as one hundred fifty thousand Spirit Stones, and its final bid price was also two hundred eighty thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stones.

For the Cultivators attending the Auction, the Auction of the last two finale treasures was too uneventful. After the initial surprise, they were not as impressive as the first three finale treasures.

It even seemed as if even True Person Zixuan’s guidance had been predetermined, which naturally disappointed the Cultivators present.

But for the Cultivators of the Zhengyang Alliance, Heavenly Demon Sect, Corpse Refinement Sect, and Ten Thousand Swords Sect, it was undoubtedly a torment.

The Auction also concluded perfectly with Azure Bamboo Taoist’s final gesture.

However, for Lin Shiming, his gains from this treasure hunt were also considerable. The Profound Rank Secret Realm treasure map and the Star Body Tempering Art Cultivation Technique were both rare and precious treasures.

Of course, it also attracted the attention of many Cultivators.

As soon as the Auction ended, many Cultivators headed out of the Auction hall. There were quite a few treasures auctioned this time, and there were many Demon Sect Cultivators present.

This made the Cultivators who acquired treasures inevitably more cautious. Most of them walked together, then dispersed within Qingxuan City, disappearing without a trace.

Lin Shiming also blended in, walking with Lin Hou, feeling the faint Divine Sense of Huangmei Sanren (Yellow-Browed Loose Cultivator) on his body.

Lin Shiming shook his head noncommittally, not caring in the slightest.

If Huangmei Sanren (Yellow-Browed Loose Cultivator) could follow him for ten years, perhaps he would give the other party a second look.

After finding the equally stunned Lin Zewen and Lin Zeli in the square, they returned to the Laiyue Restaurant together.

As soon as they returned to the restaurant, Lin Zeli was still chattering about the Auction, and Lin Zewen was also extremely puzzled, especially about the Auction of the last two treasures.

Lin Hou, on the other hand, had been regretting the Profound Rank top-grade Cultivation Technique, the Nine Nether Profound Wind Scripture.

Lin Shiming also gave a few bitter laughs. The Nine Nether Profound Wind Scripture was indeed beyond his expectations, but fortunately, he had already purchased a Yellow Rank top-grade wind-attribute Cultivation Technique. Although Lin Shiyuan might not be as strong as Lin Shilei in the early stages, he would always be able to find a more suitable Cultivation Technique once he reached the South Sea Cultivation World.

After another discussion, Lin Shiming returned to his room, opened the Formation layers, and entered the Grotto-heaven World.

Lin Shiming took out the Jade Slip containing the Star Body Tempering Art Cultivation Technique. As soon as the Jade Slip was in his hand, Lin Shiming noticed its peculiarity: it was a slightly smaller jade tablet.

Many spiritual patterns were engraved on it, but the method of opening it was similar to a Jade Slip!

Lin Shiming felt a bit novel, and his Divine Sense naturally entered the Jade Slip.

However, unlike other Jade Slips that recorded Cultivation Techniques, a shocking star map slowly unfolded before his eyes.

Lin Shiming couldn’t describe what kind of star map it was; he just felt it was boundless and profound, and that feeling of insignificance arose spontaneously!

Stars filled his vision, boundless and endless.

But apart from that, it was unremarkable.

The Cultivation Technique secrets recorded next to it were even pitifully few, only describing how to absorb the power of starlight and how to condense a starlight divine body!

However, there was no mention of how the power of starlight was born!

But the Rank of the Cultivation Technique was clearly marked.

After reading it several times, Lin Shiming began to Cultivate.

Suddenly, Lin Shiming felt a tiny bit of starlight power appear. He opened his eyes and saw that the Star Spirit Shell had appeared beside him at some unknown time, and countless star spirit floss fell around him.

“It really works!” Lin Shiming exclaimed in surprise.

The Star Body Tempering Art was naturally several levels more powerful than the Mountain Ape Body Refining Art.

After a brief period of Cultivation, he could feel his body had become much stronger.

And one must know, he was now a Purple Mansion Body Cultivator; every bit of strength his body gained represented a few more points of combat power.

Moreover, Lin Shiming didn’t need to worry about insufficient Body Tempering spiritual medicine; he only needed to continuously provide spirit water and spirit soil to the Star Spirit Shell.

He even had confidence that his Body Cultivator strength might reach the Mid Purple Mansion Realm earlier than his Qi Cultivator strength.

However, after Cultivating for most of the day, Lin Shiming frowned again.

The Cultivation progress was indeed gratifying, but the consumption of star spirit floss was also enormous. Not only was the star spirit floss produced by the Star Spirit Shell completely absorbed, but even the previously stored star spirit floss was completely consumed!

And the earth-attribute Spiritual Vein and water-attribute Spiritual Vein in his Grotto-heaven World were only at the third Rank, so the spirit soil and spirit water produced were simply not enough for the Star Spirit Shell to devour. Naturally, the star spirit floss produced also became scarce.

Lin Shiming had no choice but to stop Cultivating. After rewarding the Star Spirit Shell with a handful of spirit soil and spirit water, he took out the Profound Rank treasure map.

During the black market transaction, Lin Shiming had already discovered that the location on this treasure map was somewhat similar to Sea Bird Island, which they had previously conquered!

And the annotated text was clearly from the South Sea Cultivation World.

Now, spread out before him, it made him even more convinced.

With a Profound Rank Secret Realm, the Lin Family in the South Sea Cultivation World would no longer have to worry about lacking Cultivation resources.

Lin Shiming carefully put away the treasure map, placed it on the high platform, and pondered with a frown.

The appearance of the Nine Nether Profound Wind Scripture still made him believe that there was a high possibility of a problem with the Cultivation Technique.

And the fifth-Rank Spiritual Vein Gathering spirit platform also indicated that True Person Divine Machine might choose to Breakthrough within these ten years.

For Lin Shiming, this was really not good news.

After a moment of silence, a green seed appeared in Lin Shiming’s hand.

This seed was none other than the Sword Grass seed that the Taiyi Sword Grass had given Lin Shiming, and it was also what the Taiyi Sword Grass had once asserted could reach the sixth-Rank Magic Treasure level.

And the System prompt appeared again:

“Activate the Sword Grass seed in the outside world, and you will sense the whereabouts of the Yan Yang Sword!”

Lin Shiming was not unfamiliar with this prompt. Xie An had already received this prompt when he was in Qingyun Market, but at that time, he had not yet made up his mind to absorb this Sword Grass seed.

Now in Qingxuan City, he naturally couldn’t just sit back and do nothing. He wanted to refine the Sword Grass seed and make another deal with the Yan Yang Sword.

As Lin Shiming cast a spiritual spell, the Sword Grass seed flew towards his Purple Mansion, then circled once before falling into the sword dao seed... In the Small World, the Ten Thousand Swords Graveyard.

The Taiyi Sword Grass landed on the mountaintop. He frowned, looking at the black mist shrouding the surroundings.

He then looked into the distance and saw a giant tower that had been eroded for more than half, with a Daoist sitting at the tip of the tower.

Countless Spiritual Qi surged towards the giant tower, and auspicious clouds gathered around the Daoist’s body.

The Taiyi Sword Grass sighed and descended the mountain. Then, he suddenly spread his hands, a look of surprise on his face.

A point of green light began to slowly bloom!

...Another half month passed, and auspicious clouds hung high over the Qingxuan Sect. Countless flying cranes flew about, and immortal music resonated repeatedly.

In front of the Ascension Ladder, countless Cultivators looked up at the mountain, their hearts filled with yearning.

Today was the day of the Golden Core Ceremony, and countless Cultivators from the Eastern Domain ascended the mountain to offer congratulations.

The Ascension Ladder was undoubtedly a ladder for the Qingxuan Sect to display its grand Sect demeanor.

Lin Shiming, at this moment, was like Lin Xian Zhi looking at him fifty years ago, watching Lin Zewen and Lin Zeli ascend the Ascension Ladder, experiencing its profound mysteries.

After passing the Ascension Ladder, a grand banquet had already been set.

And the Cultivators responsible for cheering in the Qingxuan Sect also began to call out one by one.

“The Foundation Establishment Yun Family of Qing Province, Zhao Country, congratulates True Person Zixuan and Daojian True Person on their Golden Core Major Achievement, presenting a thousand-year Yun Tea and a thousand-year cold iron!”

“The Foundation Establishment Xu Family of Jin Province, Zhao Country, congratulates True Person Zixuan and Daojian True Person on their Golden Core Major Achievement, presenting ten flame crystals and three red lotus fruits!”

...Cheers of congratulations echoed throughout Qingxuan Mountain!

Lin Shiming and the Lin Family were naturally among them.

After the Foundation Establishment Families and Foundation Establishment Cultivators finished their cheers, it was the turn of the Purple Mansion Families and Purple Mansion Cultivators.

“The Purple Mansion Mu Family of Qing Province, Zhao Country, congratulates True Person Zixuan and Daojian True Person on their Golden Core Major Achievement, presenting two fourth-Rank Magic Treasures!”

“The Purple Mansion Ye Family of You Province, Zhao Country, congratulates True Person Zixuan and Daojian True Person on their Golden Core Major Achievement, presenting ten catties of Geng Metal and ten catties of fourth-Rank spirit tea!”

...Each cheer from a Purple Mansion Family was accompanied by auspicious clouds.

All ten major Purple Mansion Daoists were present, and more than thirty Purple Mansion Families arrived.

The treasures presented made Lin Shiming envious. He wondered when the Lin Family would also be able to hold such a ceremony!

And as the Purple Mansion Families and Purple Mansion Cultivators finished their greetings.

Azure Bamboo Taoist once again stepped out on Qingxuan Sect Mountain. He cleared his throat and spoke loudly.

“Heavenly Beast Zhenren of the Spirit Beast Sect congratulates Daojian True Person and True Person Zixuan on their Golden Core Major Achievement, specially presenting a fifth-Rank Profound Jade Sword and a portion of fifth-Rank wood spirit essence!”

“Thunder Talisman True Person of the Spirit Talisman Sect congratulates Daojian True Person and True Person Zixuan on their Golden Core Major Achievement, specially presenting a fifth-Rank heavenly thunder pearl and a fifth-Rank fire howl talisman!”

...