54: You come to the auction

The interior of the Qingxuan Auction House was extremely spacious, with a large azure stone platform at the very front, on which rested a stone table covered with red silk.

Thousands of seats were arranged in order in the hall in front of the stone table, with the foremost area naturally reserved for Loose Cultivators and Qi Refining Families.

Slightly further back was the area for Foundation Establishment Families, half a meter higher than the Loose Cultivator platform, separated by dedicated screens, and with some Spirit Fruits placed on the tables.

Some Foundation Establishment Loose Cultivators were also in this area.

The luxurious rooms on the second floor were for Purple Mansion Cultivators or Purple Mansion Families.

This Qingxuan Auction event naturally featured more than just Foundation Establishment Pills; there were also Fourth-tier treasures as the finale, attracting quite a few Purple Mansion Cultivators.

This was why the Qingxuan Auction was one of the Qingxuan Sect's most prominent events.

The rooms on the third floor were exclusive chambers prepared for Golden Core True Persons, though Golden Core True Persons rarely attended any event. Yet, even if they didn't come, these rooms would always be reserved as a sign of respect for Golden Core True Persons.

After a short while, the hall was already packed. Although most Cultivators exercised restraint, some still whispered and conversed, making it a bit noisy.

Lin Shiming, sitting in the back, could easily observe the behavior of some Loose Cultivators in the front.

Many Loose Cultivators wore veils that blocked Divine Sense to prevent their identities from being revealed. Even some Qi Refining Families and Foundation Establishment Families who felt their strength was insufficient did the same.

What made the Lin Family members frown slightly was that the Huang Family was situated just beyond the screen not far from them. Huang Yunqi's fierce eyes once again glared at Lin Xianzhi.

Lin Xianzhi slightly closed his eyes, completely ignoring him, which made Huang Yunqi of the Huang Family's expression grow even uglier, his eyes practically spitting fire.

As a Late Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator, he naturally wouldn't get angry so easily, but with two highly promising Foundation Establishment juniors and many high-ranking Qi Refining members of his Family all dead at the hands of the Lin Family, and even the illusory heart grass for refining Foundation Establishment Pills snatched by the Lin Family, he simply couldn't calm down.

As an elderly Foundation Establishment Cultivator in an azure Daoist robe walked onto the stage, a sharp bell rang, and the scene immediately quieted down. The Auction finally officially began:

"Thank you, Fellow Daoists and Seniors, for your presence. I am He Xuan, the steward of the Auction House, and I will be overseeing today's Auction. The rules for this Auction are the same as before: the highest bidder wins. Those short on Spirit Stones can use treasures as collateral or even Auction them on the spot!"

His voice was not loud, but it was clearly amplified by a Spell, making it exceptionally clear to everyone.

"Without further ado, today's Auction begins directly!"

"Today's first item is a High Grade Second-tier ice silk Spirit Armor!"

"The preciousness of Spirit Armor should not need much explanation from me. It can even defend against a single strike from a High Grade Spirit Sword, making it a life-saving treasure for Qi Refining Cultivators. The starting bid is three thousand Spirit Stones! Each bid must not be less than one hundred Spirit Stones!"

As He Xuan's voice fell, the scene immediately erupted in chatter. Kicking off with a High Grade Second-tier Spirit Armor immediately got the Peak Qi Refining Cultivators excited, and even many Foundation Establishment Cultivators showed great interest.

A High Grade Second-tier Spirit Armor's value could almost rival a Third-tier Magical Artifact. Even if a Foundation Establishment Cultivator didn't need it themselves, they could give it to their relatives or juniors.

With a High Grade Spirit Armor, a Qi Refining Cultivator would have an extra layer of protection!

Even the Lin Family, Lin Xianzhi, glanced at it, seemingly considering whether to acquire it.

However, the skyrocketing price made him shake his head and give up.

"Four thousand Spirit Stones!"

"Five thousand Spirit Stones!" Bids rose one after another, continuously!

..."Nine thousand!"

Finally, nine thousand Spirit Stones were paid by a Foundation Establishment Family. This price was almost beyond the scope of High Grade Magical Artifacts; even a Low Grade Third-tier Magical Artifact would only cost around ten thousand Spirit Stones.

The first Auction item selling so hotly was an eye-opener for many Cultivators.

He Xuan was also clearly satisfied with the Auction of the first Magical Artifact. He stroked his white beard lightly, then took out a Spirit Talisman from the nearby counter. He had seen this Spirit Talisman before; Lin Shijie also had one.

"Next is a High Grade Second-tier Earth Evasion Talisman! This is almost essential for treasure hunting. The starting bid is eight hundred Spirit Stones, with each increment not less than one hundred Spirit Stones!"

The Lin Family possessed the Jade Slip for crafting Earth Evasion Talismans, so they opted to observe. In the end, it fell into the hands of a Loose Cultivator for one thousand seven or eight hundred Spirit Stones.

The price was naturally a bit inflated, but stimulated by the High Grade Second-tier defensive Magical Artifact, everyone unknowingly bid higher.

Before long, He Xuan took out a Jade Box from a mahogany tray that was brought over.

As soon as the Jade Box opened, a Spirit Fruit, deep purple in color, appeared.

"A High Grade Second-tier Spirit Fruit, the purple flame fruit. This is the main ingredient for the barrier breaking pill. Any Family Cultivator or Alchemist present can bid for it, saving years of arduous cultivation, reaching Peak Qi Refining before sixty, and making Foundation Establishment within reach!"

"The purple flame fruit starts at eight hundred Spirit Stones, with each bid not less than one hundred!"

As the purple flame fruit was put up for Auction, Lin Shiming clearly noticed Lin Shijie's breathing quicken. With a barrier breaking pill refined from the purple flame fruit, his elder brother Lin Shijie's chances of Foundation Establishment would greatly increase, possibly even reaching Foundation Establishment before forty!

How could he not be excited?

"One thousand two hundred Spirit Stones!" Lin Xianzhi naturally noticed Lin Shijie's state and finally made an offer.

And he directly added four hundred Spirit Stones.

Almost simultaneously with Lin Xianzhi's bid, Huang Yunqi of the Huang Family, from behind the nearby screen, also spoke:

"One thousand five hundred Spirit Stones!"

"One thousand eight hundred Spirit Stones!" Lin Xianzhi offered again, and this was already the upper limit for the purple flame fruit's Auction price.

"Two thousand Spirit Stones!" However, Huang Yunqi continued to bid, then turned his head, seemingly wanting to observe Lin Xianzhi's expression.

But he was clearly disappointed.

Lin Xianzhi, still calm and collected, raised his bid to two thousand five hundred Spirit Stones!

"Two thousand six hundred!" Huang Yunqi bid again.

This time, Lin Xianzhi simply chose to sit back in his chair, closing his eyes slightly, and made no further bids, never once looking at Huang Yunqi.

Ultimately, the purple flame fruit was won by Huang Yunqi, but there was no joy on his face; instead, it grew even more purple. He felt as if all the Foundation Establishment Cultivators here were laughing at him.

He, a dignified Late Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator, was not even looked at by Lin Xianzhi! How utterly arrogant!

At the same time, he had also overpaid for the purple flame fruit.

With the purple flame fruit taken by the Huang Family, Lin Shijie was visibly disheartened. At this moment, to Lin Shiming's surprise, Lin Xianzhi spoke to him:

"Shiming, you will be in charge of bidding for all subsequent items!"

"Remember to call out a couple of times for each item!" Before Lin Shiming could react, Lin Xianzhi added.