44: Chapter 44 Auction Turmoil, Extraterrestrial Metal

Heavenly Star City is truly the largest gathering place for Cultivators in the Northern Region.

The streets are wide and lined with shops. The Cultivators coming and going are at least at the Late Stage of Qi Refining, and those at the Foundation Establishment Stage can be seen everywhere. Occasionally, one can even feel a powerful aura belonging to a Core Formation True Person flashing by.

Walking on the street, you are like a drop of water merging into the ocean, completely inconspicuous.

You do not wander around, but head straight for the most magnificent building in the city center—the Heavenly Star Auction House.

The guards of the auction house are all Cultivators at the Late Foundation Establishment Stage, each with a fierce aura and sharp eyes.

You present the VIP token that your Third Senior Brother, Qian Duoduo, obtained for you in advance through his connections, successfully entering the auction house. A beautiful attendant leads you into an independent private box on the second floor.

The location of the private box is excellent, overlooking the entire auction hall. Through a layer of specially made one-way crystal, you can clearly see the situation outside, while people outside cannot peek into the box at all.

"Tsk tsk, the life of the wealthy is just so simple and unadorned."

You lean comfortably on the soft animal hide sofa, pick up the Spirit Tea served by the attendant, and take a blissful sip.

Soon, the auction officially begins.

An old man wearing a brocade robe, with a cultivation level at the Early-Stage Core Formation, walks onto the high platform. He is the host of this auction.

He has no superfluous nonsense; after a brief introduction, he directly announces the appearance of the first auction item.

An attendant brings up a tray, on which sits a bottle of Medicinal Pill.

"The first auction item, a High Grade treasure pill, the 'Purple Mansion Spirit-Nourishing Pill', can assist Cultivators at the Late Foundation Establishment Stage in increasing their chances of breaking through to the Core Formation Stage. The starting price is 10,000 Low-Grade Spirit Stones, with each increment no less than 1,000!"

"Hiss—"

This first item causes a commotion in the hall.

A Medicinal Pill that can increase the chances of Core Formation is an irresistible temptation for any Cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Stage.

"11,000!"

"13,000!"

"I bid 20,000!"

The price begins to soar all the way.

You sit in the private box, watching coldly. This level of Medicinal Pill no longer holds any attraction for you.

In the end, this bottle of Medicinal Pill is bought for the high price of 35,000 Spirit Stones by a Cultivator at the Great Perfection of the Foundation Establishment Stage who looks to be near the end of their Lifespan.

The following few auction items are all rare Magic Treasures, Cultivation Techniques, or high-level Talismans, each causing fierce bidding wars.

You do not make a move throughout the entire process, just waiting quietly.

You use your powerful Divine Sense to quietly scan everyone present, silently noting down those with deep pockets who might be your potential competitors.

Finally, after the auction has been going on for two hours, the host clears his throat and says in an exciting tone: "Next to appear is one of the grand finale treasures of this auction!"

It's here!

Your spirits lift, and you sit up straight.

You see two burly men working together to carry a huge iron cage covered with a red cloth onto the high platform.

"This auction item is somewhat special. It is a... Yao Beast cub possessing the Bloodline of an ancient exotic beast!"

The host rips off the red cloth.

In the iron cage, a peculiar Yao Beast, only the size of a small calf, covered in cyan scales, with a spiral single horn on its head and wings on its back, is curled up in the corner, looking at the surrounding humans with a pair of golden vertical pupils filled with fear and vigilance.

"This beast is named 'Wind-Thunder Qilin'! Once mature, it can reach the Fourth Rank, comparable to a Nascent Soul Old Ancestor! It can manipulate the power of wind and thunder, its speed is as fast as lightning, and its combat power is boundless! Most importantly, it has extremely high intelligence. If raised from a young age and after it acknowledges its Master, it will be loyal forever and will be the most powerful aid on your immortal path!"

"Wind-Thunder Qilin!"

The entire auction hall explodes.

Greed and fanatical light appear in everyone's eyes.

A Yao Beast that can grow to the Nascent Soul level in the future! What a Heaven-Defying Opportunity this is! If one can obtain it, it is equivalent to having an extra bodyguard and fighter at the Nascent Soul Stage!

"The starting price is 100,000 Low-Grade Spirit Stones! Each increment must be no less than 10,000! Now, let the bidding begin!"

"100,000!"

As soon as the host finishes speaking, a domineering voice comes from the most prestigious private box on the third floor, directly doubling the price.

You scan with your Divine Sense and find a middle-aged man wearing a luxurious purple robe with an unfathomable aura sitting in that box. Late Core Formation Stage!

"150,000! This Wind-Thunder Qilin, my Heavenly Demon Valley wants it!" A cold voice comes from another private box.

"Hmph, what is Heavenly Demon Valley? My Beast Taming Manor bids 200,000!"

The giants of the major Sects all begin to enter the fray.

The price soars crazily at a heart-stopping speed.

250,000... 300,000... 350,000!

Watching this crazy scene, you also click your tongue in wonder.

"Damn, these major Sects are really rich. The 500,000 my Master gave me is just a drizzle compared to them."

You are not actually interested in this Wind-Thunder Qilin.

Raising a Yao Beast is too troublesome and requires spending resources; it is far less practical than Cultivating yourself.

In the end, this Wind-Thunder Qilin is successfully bought by the purple-robed middle-aged man for the sky-high price of 480,000 Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

After this, a few more treasures are auctioned, and finally, it is the turn of your goal for this trip.

"Everyone!" The host takes a deep breath, his voice even trembling slightly, "Next is the last, and also the most mysterious, grand finale treasure of this auction!"

An attendant walks onto the high platform cautiously, carrying a jade box made of ten-thousand-year black ice.

Even through the jade box, one can feel a bone-chilling, sharp aura rushing towards one's face.

"What is hidden in the box is an eight-tael piece of divine metal mined from the core of a star from beyond the Nine Heavens! Its hardness and sharpness are rarely seen in the world! Whether used for forging a Flying Sword or a Lifebound Treasure, it is a supreme material!"

"geng metal from beyond the heavens! The starting price is 200,000 Low-Grade Spirit Stones! Each increment must be no less than 10,000!"

"200,000!"

"250,000!"

"300,000!"

The price begins to soar crazily once again.

The eyes of all Sword Cultivators and Artifact Refiners turn red.

You do not rush to make a move, just watching coldly.

You notice that those bidding this time are mostly people in the private boxes on the second floor, as well as some Loose Cultivators at the Core Formation Stage in the hall. The giants of the major Sects on the third floor seem to have little interest in this item.

"Very good, many powerful competitors are missing."

The price is soon raised to 350,000.

At this price level, the voices of many people begin to become sparse.

Just at this moment, you finally make your move.

"400,000."

Your calm voice emanates from the private box, clearly resounding throughout the entire auction hall.

Increasing the bid by 50,000 at once makes the scene instantly quiet.

Everyone looks towards your private box, wanting to know which wealthy fellow it is.

"420,000!" An old voice rings out from a corner of the hall.

"500,000." Without hesitation, you once again raise the price by a notch.

Hiss—

The whole hall gasps once again.

Who is this person? Why does their bidding sound like they are just playing around?

That Loose Cultivator at the Early-Stage Core Formation has a face that turns green and white, and in the end, reluctantly sits back down.

"500,000 once! 500,000 twice!"

The host begins to strike the gavel.

You are happy inside; it seems you will be able to secure it.

However, just at this moment.

"550,000."

A cold and arrogant voice comes from the private box next to yours.

You frown and scan over with your Divine Sense.

You see a young man sitting in the neighboring box, wearing a black sword robe, holding an ancient long sword in his arms, his whole body exuding a sharp Sword Intent.

His cultivation level is actually also at the Late Foundation Establishment Stage!

"Damn it, where did this unexpected interloper pop out from?"

You curse inwardly.

"560,000." You do not show weakness and continue to raise the bid.

"600,000." The voice next door is still in that indifferent tone, as if 600,000 Spirit Stones are just a number in his eyes.

Your heart sinks.

Oh no, you've hit a tough nut. This guy looks determined to get this geng metal from beyond the heavens.

The 500,000 given by your Master has bottomed out. You have emptied out your own savings, and all told, you only have about 600,000.

"610,000!" You grit your teeth and report your limit.

This is your last trump card. If the other party adds more, you will have to give up.

The whole hall holds its breath, watching the duel between you and the neighboring box.

There is silence for a moment in the neighboring box.

Just when you think he is going to give up.

"620,000."

That cold voice rings out again.

He only added 10,000.

But this is the last straw that breaks the camel's back.

It is full of provocation and humiliation.

"Damn it!"

You smash your fist hard onto the table in front of you.