137: The Fire Spirit Ring is now on sale. Do you want to buy the Foundation Establishment Pill?

The Bai Family had long been fully prepared, with Hongyu Pavilion's endorsement, a Magical Artifact capable of impacting the Artifact Refining market quietly appeared in the world.

Baiyan Country, Bai Family Market.

White Egret had finished tidying up the rooms inside and out, setting up the entire shop. She had heard some rumors within the Family, seemingly related to her, specifically her relationship with Chen Cuo, which made her heart surge with emotion, but in the end, she could only sigh.

Although the final outcome was not what she desired, at least the operating rights for this shop in the Baiyan Country Market still fell into her hands.

The Bai Family did not harshly criticize her, only instructing her to cultivate diligently. Chen Cuo's Breakthrough to Peak Qi Refining, and his recent performance in the Bai Family, had become increasingly noticeable. White Jade Orchid clearly saw her as the crucial link, the important bond, between the Bai Family and Chen Cuo.

Without this shop, the Magical Artifacts in her hand would have no place to be sold. Besides the fixed share that had to be given to the Bai Family, she had spent all the savings her father left her and all she had accumulated in Xueshan City on the High Grade Magical Artifacts she purchased from Chen Cuo.

If she didn't have this wealth, relying on her current situation of having no connections, no real power, and no Cultivation, when would she be able to accumulate enough resources for Foundation Establishment? That Foundation Establishment Pill was an exorbitant price.

"Shopkeeper, should this notice be posted?" the assistant behind her asked. He was a Martial Artist she brought from Two World Mountain, a servant raised by the Bai Family.

"Post it, and change the plaque on the door! We'll officially open tomorrow."

A recruitment notice was posted, and the shop's name was changed to Bailu Smithy.

Immediately after, White Egret finished her preparations and officially entered the operational phase, following the same model as in Xueshan City: recruiting workers, selling Magical Artifacts, and taking custom orders.

Of course, most importantly, with the Bai Family as her backer, she had no shortage of goods. Due to White Jade Orchid's special care, the share she needed to hand over to the Bai Family was very small, allowing most of the income to go into her own pocket.

She also had two treasures to guard the shop: two Fire Spirit Rings.

Since this shop primarily focused on low-level Artifact Refining, catering to low-level Loose Cultivators and even Innate Martial Artists, a High Grade Magical Artifact of the first tier, priced at eight hundred Spirit Stones, was already an exorbitant price.

Not everyone could afford it.

White Egret was able to get two rings due to Bai Luochen's special consideration, but it wasn't intentional favoritism. Although this market wasn't large, it could influence three countries, and many Loose Cultivators came and went, expressing a willingness to spend here.

Among them were not a few wealthy individuals, and Bai Luochen also intended to make the Fire Spirit Ring famous. Distributing two of them in this crucial hub was reasonable.

It was just unclear when they would sell.

...

Within the Lingbao Mountain Inner Sect, the original Sect Magical Artifact Exchange Pavilion had a new item added: the Fire Spirit Ring!

"A first-tier High Grade Magical Artifact, suitable for Cultivators from Qi Refining Third Layer to below Peak Qi Refining. Function: amplifies flame power, controls Earth Vein Fire."

"Price: One hundred Contribution Points!"

"Ah, what the heck, a first-tier Magical Artifact, so expensive!" Several Inner Sect Disciples wandering around the mountain gate happened to stroll into Hongsheng Tower. This building was under Hongyu Pavilion, responsible for selling Magical Artifacts, but it was for Lingbao Mountain Inner Sect Disciples and only accepted Contribution Points, not Spirit Stones.

One Contribution Point was roughly equivalent to ten Spirit Stones, so one hundred Contribution Points were worth one thousand Spirit Stones.

However, the price wasn't calculated that way. One Contribution Point could be exchanged for ten Spirit Stones, but ten Spirit Stones could not be exchanged for a single Contribution Point, because Contribution Points within the Sect meant Cultivation resources, which were even more important than Spirit Stones.

Whether it was Cultivation Technique excerpts, rare mineral materials, Artifact Refining secret techniques, various Sect missions, or the sale of Magical Artifacts like this, all were priced in Contribution Points.

Qiu He's stated acquisition price was an eighty percent discount when selling to Inner Sect Disciples, but he turned around and increased the price by twenty percent in Contribution Points. He truly had a rotten conscience.

However, the Bai Family wanted Spirit Stones, so an eighty percent discount was still not a loss for them.

Currently, within the Sect, the three major Families could send one Family member as an Inner Sect Disciple every ten years. They were generally not considered priority for cultivation and were marginalized by the Sect, thrown into peripheral departments to fend for themselves.

Family Disciples often prioritized their Family over the Sect, and the Inner Sect Disciple quota was merely a means for Lingbao Mountain to win over people's hearts. There was truly no need to have high expectations.

Furthermore, for a Family like the Bai Family, true Geniuses would not be sent from a young age. For example, Bai Tang, with her Aptitude, Lingbao Mountain would cultivate her wholeheartedly, and in that case, she might not prioritize Family interests.

Generally, those sent were Family members with mediocre Aptitude.

For such individuals, there was little hope for Foundation Establishment. In the past hundred and eighty years, due to various reasons, there were still three Bai Family Disciples in the Sect: Bai Wangdao from the Second Branch, Bai Luopu from the First Branch, and Bai Shuya from the Third Branch.

The current situation was that they were all quite old and still doing minor, less important tasks within the Sect.

However, today, with the sale of the Fire Spirit Ring, Bai Wangdao quickly sensed something different.

The reason was that the Pavilion Master of his department actually began to show concern for him, with a clear tone of wanting to befriend him.

Although Bai Wangdao's Cultivation had been stuck at Qi Refining Ninth Layer, unable to advance, he was an extremely quick-witted person. It was likely that some new change had occurred in the Bai Family, prompting the other party to change their attitude.

As he was deep in thought, Bai Luopu suddenly came to visit.

"Uncle, many Disciples in the Sect today have been asking me about the Fire Spirit Ring. This Magical Artifact seems to have been newly sold to the Pavilion by our Family, but the price is still quite high. They all want to go through us to purchase this item!"

Bai Luopu said straightforwardly. He didn't get the news much faster than other Disciples, but the information that the Fire Spirit Ring came from the Bai Family had already spread. The item's sudden popularity was due to a Middle Stage Qi Refining Disciple who, after purchasing the Fire Spirit Ring, used it to subdue an exotic flame within his body and successfully refined a first-tier High Grade Magical Artifact.

Now, the few people who were originally on the periphery of the Sect suddenly had many close friends, all wanting to go through them to get some discount.

One hundred Contribution Points were not easy to accumulate. Qingfengzi and Qiu He had set the price quite high, so some people were testing the waters and asking Bai Wangdao, but they didn't even know what was going on!

Bai Luopu had no choice but to come to his nominal uncle to discuss this matter, to see if he could inquire about it when he returned home.

Bai Luochen probably forgot about the paths of his uncles and Seniors in the Sect and didn't arrange this route.

These matters were handled by the Bai Family; Chen Cuo did not participate much in pricing and sales. After he guided the Bai Family's Artifact Refiners daily, many people's skill in refining Fire Spirit Rings improved. Not only that, but many of his ingenious ideas also brought a small shock to the Bai Family's Artifact Refiners.

Sales were just a matter of routine. The quantity of fifteen Fire Spirit Rings per month, compared to the entire Bai Family, earned an insignificant amount of money, like a drop in the bucket.

Yet, two tenths of the annual tax had to be paid, clearly a concession. To whom?

Naturally, to Qingfengzi.

With Qingfengzi's complete protection, this business would certainly proceed smoothly.

Moreover, this quota of fifteen Fire Spirit Rings per month was set with the Sect. Once the Artifact Refining proficiency improved in the future, the quantity would definitely increase.

But it would not be sold to the Inner Sect. The entire Lingbao Mountain, the entire Dragon Tooth Region, would be his Bai Family's dumping ground. Of course, this would have to wait until Chen Cuo became a true successor, complementing each other.

In a flash, it was a year later. The name of the Fire Spirit Ring was officially launched, becoming popular throughout Lingbao Mountain's inner and outer Sects, and radiating to the surrounding Loose Cultivator areas. The high selling price was nothing.

After all, too many people wanted to improve.

The Bai Family had already made a fortune from this item, but with the additional taxes and Chen Cuo's share, this year could only barely be considered breaking even.

However, next year, they would be fully profitable and bring the Bai Family back to its Peak.

However, White Jade Orchid was having a headache at this time. Bai Tang's path to Foundation Establishment seemed to be less than smooth. Bai Tang's Cultivation had long reached the limit of transformation.

But even White Jade Orchid could see that Bai Tang's state was unstable. Foundation Establishment was not just about having enough power; one would also encounter other tribulations. Heaven and Earth are unkind, treating all beings as straw dogs.

Cultivators cultivating the Dao are going against Heaven, and naturally, many tribulations will befall them. The three Foundation Establishment trials are just conditions, not tribulations.

During the Foundation Establishment period, you may suffer calamities. The calamities are diverse, including external calamities and internal calamities.

External calamities are natural disasters and man-made misfortunes. Internal calamities can be a disturbed mind, Qi Deviation, encountering a Heart Demon, and so on!

Bai Tang had a heavy burden in her heart. Her recent performance had been very obvious: her mind was unstable, which was completely unfavorable for Foundation Establishment.

And in these aspects, White Jade Orchid couldn't help her; she could only rely on herself.

On the other hand, White Jade Orchid could provide more assistance in other areas. Even for the Foundation Establishment Pill, which was essential for Foundation Establishment, White Jade Orchid had prepared one. With abundant financial resources and connections, she managed to acquire one.

This pill was crucial for the success rate of Foundation Establishment. It had a price but no market, often fetching exorbitant prices at auctions, and one also had to worry about others killing and plundering for it.

White Jade Orchid had put in a lot of effort to get one. Originally, she planned to expend resources to find one for Chen Cuo as well, once he agreed to marry White Egret.

Now, Chen Cuo could only find a way himself.

Chen Cuo was also conflicted. He was hesitating whether he should buy one, even though his powerful Qi and immortal foundation gave him confidence that he could achieve Foundation Establishment without relying on Medicinal Pills.

But the Bai Family knew his background. Achieving Foundation Establishment with a Foundation Establishment Pill could already be called a Genius, but achieving Foundation Establishment without a Foundation Establishment Pill would simply be a Prodigy.

Chen Cuo was a Cultivator who had returned to his true Martial Dao, and he came from the Jueling Realm. If he truly had such Heaven-Defying Aptitude, it would be too attention-grabbing!

Moreover, with the aid of a Foundation Establishment Pill, Breakthrough would be easier, and it was nothing to be ashamed of.

After Chen Cuo understood this, he prepared to find a way. If he could find an auction for Foundation Establishment Pills, he could go join the fun.

Whether it was buying with money, snatching, or even setting a trap, as long as no Golden Core Cultivator made a move on him, what harm was there in taking a risk?

Having the Bai Family as a backing, it was naturally different from a Loose Cultivator having no path to follow. In the Bai Family, Bai Luochuan had an excellent personal relationship with him, and Bai Luochuan's information was also the most well-informed.

Asking him for information was always effective!

...

Three months later, Golden Dragon Chamber of Commerce!

Chen Cuo had changed his appearance and was sitting in the VIP private room.

The Golden Dragon Chamber of Commerce was a second-tier force that spanned the entire Dragon Tooth Region of the West Continent. Its territory encompassed Three Mountains and Four Sects. However, this Chamber of Commerce merely focused on doing business everywhere, existing as a neutral entity among the various forces.

Bai Luochuan had his own intelligence channels and knew that there was a large auction here today, and among the auctioned items was a Foundation Establishment Pill.

However, he did not come with Bai Luochuan but changed his appearance and came alone. The number of Foundation Establishment Pills was limited, with only three being auctioned. Each time, each pill would fetch tens of thousands, or even more.

Bai Luochuan also intended to join the fun, but he did not plan to bid on the Foundation Establishment Pill. Although he wished to secure a Foundation Establishment Realm for himself, his strength was insufficient, and he was still far from the Great Perfection Qi Refining Realm.

He had the will but lacked the power, what a pity!

Chen Cuo was currently using his Faceless Talent, combined with his cultivation of Qi Concealment Technique, to attend the auction himself.

His displayed Cultivation was unremarkable, only Qi Refining Ninth Layer. His actions were, of course, for fishing. A child holding gold would surely attract covetous eyes.

At this moment, he looked like a refined Young Master, appearing like a Family Disciple who knew nothing.

"Three thousand five hundred Spirit Stones!"

Chen Cuo shouted loudly, his behavior slightly arrogant. The item currently being auctioned was an Earth attribute Yao Beast, still just a Yao Beast egg, yet it already exuded the aura of a first-tier High Grade Yao Beast.

If nurtured well, it might even have the hope of becoming a Golden Core Yao Beast.

Because this Black Blood Qilin had a shallow Qilin Bloodline, if it could bear his Earth Spirit Dao, the Five Elements Dao would have Five Spirits protecting it, and the Great Dao would be within reach.

The Earth Spirit, originally in the true form of Mantis Fist, but at his current Realm, the Mantis true intent was too inferior. Moreover, Earth attribute Mantis Yao Beasts were too difficult to find. With his current Cultivation, changing the foundation of Spirit Demon Five Animal Play was easy.

The Earth of the Five Elements had become the Qilin Unification Fist, combining various boxing techniques and based on the Earth Elemental power, which completed the previous deficiencies.

The Five Elements true intent could not have any weaknesses or deficiencies, as this concerned the future planning of the Great Dao. Meeting a suitable Yao Beast egg for auction today was also a stroke of Opportunity.

The bidding price of three thousand five hundred Spirit Stones had already far exceeded the highest bid of those present. This price was more than enough to purchase a second-tier Magical Artifact, so why buy a first-tier Yao Beast, let alone a Yao Beast egg?

In the eyes of many Cultivators, Chen Cuo was just a wealthy Family Disciple who knew nothing.

The Black Blood Qilin was successfully acquired.

"The highlight item of this auction, the first Foundation Establishment Pill! This auction house conducts auctions fairly and justly. If anyone attempts to intimidate others with their power, do not blame me for being impolite!"

"Starting bid is five thousand Spirit Stones. Each bid must not be less than five hundred Spirit Stones. Bidding starts now!"

The Foundation Establishment cultivator in charge of the auction, Daoist Azure Dragon, snorted coldly. During the previous auction, some people had brought up their Sect or Family names to deliberately suppress prices, which was why he specifically warned them.

The three Foundation Establishment Pills were auctioned interspersed with other items, instantly bringing the auction house atmosphere to a climax.

"Six thousand Spirit Stones!"

"Six thousand five hundred Spirit Stones."

"Eight thousand Spirit Stones!"

The scene was bustling, with bids rising and falling. In just a moment, the price of the Foundation Establishment Pill reached over ten thousand Spirit Stones.

Chen Cuo, of course, participated. The bidding for the first and last pills was undoubtedly the most intense. Chen Cuo had considerable liquid assets, and it was just one Foundation Establishment Pill.

"Twenty thousand!"

He shouted unhurriedly. This price was almost at its Peak. There were still two Foundation Establishment Pills left, and everyone desperately brainwashed themselves, telling themselves there were still more, still a chance.

So they gave up bidding, and the Foundation Establishment Pill smoothly fell into Chen Cuo's hands. Of course, at this moment, some interested parties had already begun to inquire about Chen Cuo's background.

But he was not flustered at all, sitting calmly like a fisherman on a Diaoyutai, showing no sign of wanting to leave early.