41: Chapter 0041 Foundation Establishment Pill

"Seniors, Fellow Daoists, greetings!"

"I, Luo Yao, am in charge of hosting today's auction. I'm sure everyone here knows the rules; if you're unclear, feel free to ask the maidservant beside you. Without further ado, let's begin!"

Luo Yao's voice fell.

A brightly dressed maidservant stepped onto the stage, carrying the first auction item.

"An appetizer should look like an appetizer. I hope you Seniors and Fellow Daoists will show your support and liven up the atmosphere."

"The first auction item, please feast your eyes upon it: a top-grade Magical Artifact from the Nether Ghost Sect, the Soul-Extinguishing Blade. Once unleashed, it shakes the spirit and strikes terror into the hearts of enemies."

Luo Yao personally demonstrated its power.

The long blade in his hand let out a howl like a vengeful ghost. The maidservant was instantly pale and trembling, as if her Soul had left her body, drawing bursts of cheers.

"The starting price for the Soul-Extinguishing Blade is one thousand Spirit Stones, with each increment no less than one hundred."

"I bid two thousand Spirit Stones!"

"Two thousand one hundred."

A top-grade Magical Artifact, and from the Nether Ghost Sect at that.

Its true value was at least three thousand Spirit Stones. Bidding an extra thousand right off the bat wasn't an issue, and it could suppress those with lower bids.

"Two thousand four hundred."

"Two thousand eight hundred."

"Three thousand one hundred."

In private booth number thirteen, Gu Huan sat in a blind spot by the window, trying his best not to show his face. He listened as the price slowly rose. As it reached the end, fewer people were calling out, and a result was soon reached.

"Sold for three thousand nine hundred Spirit Stones. Congratulations to the Fellow Daoist in booth number one."

"The next auction item: a century-old Ice Spirit Flower, a primary Material for refining foundation establishment pills."

A medicinal herb for refining foundation establishment pills.

Although precious, fewer people could use it, so the competition was clearly not as fierce as before.

In the end, it fell into the hands of a Cultivator in booth number twenty for one thousand one hundred Spirit Stones.

The third item...

The fourth item...

When it came to the fifth item.

Gu Huan heard a familiar and pleasant voice participating in the bidding—it was actually Yun Zheng.

"I... I bid eight hundred Spirit Stones."

"Nine hundred."

"I... I bid one thousand Spirit Stones."

"One thousand one hundred."

Gu Huan raised an eyebrow, noticing only one person was competing with her. The bidding was quite casual, suggesting they either didn't care about the Spirit Stones and were teasing her, or were intentionally driving up the price.

"A damaged top-grade Magical Artifact, the White Jade Golden Brush."

"At most, it's worth fifteen hundred!"

On the other side.

Yun Zheng's small face was flushed red, and she gripped the hem of her skirt in anger.

The White Jade Golden Brush was only useful to Rune Artists. It was obvious there wasn't a second Rune Artist here besides her, yet someone was being spiteful and constantly bidding against her.

It should have cost seven or eight hundred Spirit Stones, but now it had exceeded a thousand.

"Little sister, stop bidding."

"Big brother means no harm; I just want to buy it and give it to you. As for the price, it'll be using this brush to paint a picture on your body. How about it? Quite a bargain, isn't it?"

The voice came from booth number one.

The quiet auction hall immediately erupted into an uncontrollable uproar.

"Good sister, don't hesitate. It's just painting a picture, not using you to vent."

"A single painting worth over a thousand Spirit Stones, what a deal! It makes my legs go weak just hearing it."

"You must cherish this opportunity! The Young Master is a Foundation Establishment Cultivator from the Yin Hall."

Behind the Ghost Mist Market was the Yin Hall.

Behind the Yin Hall was the Nether Ghost Sect.

That was how Qian Siyue had explained it.

The so-called Yin Hall was distributed throughout the cultivation world, exactly ten of them, with unfathomable foundations.

From booth number one, not only did a male voice emerge, but a seductive female voice also rang out.

Gu Huan didn't find it unfamiliar; it was that woman, Li Xuaner.

"One thousand... two hundred."

Yun Zheng did not waver and continued to compete.

A man's laughter then came from booth number one, sending chills down people's spines.

"Hahaha!"

"What an interesting little sister. This Young Master likes girls like you. Unlike other Hehuan Disciples, I can smell the pure fragrance of a virgin on you. You're truly a top-grade specimen among top-grades."

A single stone stirred up a thousand ripples.

Only then did everyone realize they were from the Hehuan Sect. They all widened their eyes and peered out the windows, as the Hehuan Enchantresses were quite famous.

"So it's a Fairy from the Hehuan Sect. I've long looked forward to meeting you."

"Long looked forward? No! In my view, it's 'longing for an itch'. Hehuan Fairy, 'longing for an itch, longing for an itch'."

"Hahaha..."

"Hmph!"

Qian Siyue was furious, her hmph sounding like thunder.

Her Foundation Establishment cultivation poured out like a tidal wave, turning the faces of some Qi Refining Cultivators pale. The loud laughter vanished instantly.

People weren't stupid.

Joking and jeering could happen anytime.

But one must never provoke the wrath of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator at a time like this.

"Whether I'm itching or not is none of your damn business. Why don't you take a look at yourselves in a puddle of your own piss? With your ugly, shriveled faces, I'd find it disgusting even if you served as my Cauldrons."

In fact.

It wasn't only Hehuan Disciples who would use Cauldrons for Plucking to Cultivate.

Other demonic sect Disciples and Loose Cultivators, especially male ones, also used Cauldrons for cultivation.

It was just that the Plucking Techniques they practiced were mostly fragmented and incomplete, not as refined or reaching Perfection like the Hehuan Plucking Techniques. The fate of Cauldrons falling into their hands was often more miserable, rarely lasting more than six months to a year.

Of course.

It also depended on the cultivation level of the Cauldron.

"Fellow Daoist has quite the mouth. You're not the only Foundation Establishment Cultivator here. Don't be so arrogant, or you might end up becoming someone else's Cauldron instead."

Qian Siyue looked toward booth number one.

She retorted without hesitation.

"If you're not satisfied, let's settle it with our skills and see who becomes whose Cauldron."

"Fellow Daoist Qian, don't bully the newcomer. This is someone else's territory, at least show some respect. If you disrupt the auction, don't blame me for not being mindful of our old ties."

A third Foundation Establishment Cultivator spoke up.

His cultivation aura was the most powerful in the entire hall.

Qian Siyue's expression changed slightly, and she tactfully stopped speaking.

"My thanks to this Fellow Daoist for speaking on my behalf. Please rest assured, everyone, the auction will continue."

"Young Master, the Senior in booth number six has bid one thousand two hundred Spirit Stones. Will you continue?" Luo Yao wiped away some sweat, finally managing to interject.

"I won't follow. Consider it an apology to Fellow Daoist Qian for spoiling everyone's mood."

Luo Yao nodded.

He struck the gavel.

In booth number six, Yun Zheng's face was full of excitement. She clenched her pink fists and turned her head, but seeing Qian Siyue's dark expression, she immediately stood obediently to the side.

"The Spirit Stones for the White Jade Golden Brush will be deducted from the talismans you draw."

"Yes, Master."

Yun Zheng sighed softly. The new brush could improve her talisman-making efficiency, but the corresponding workload had also increased.

Glancing at booth number thirteen, Gu Huan seemed to have vanished into thin air; no one could be seen.

The auction continued.

The sixth item...

The tenth item...

When it came to the eleventh item.

Gu Huan suddenly looked up, his dark pupils trembling slightly.

"To prepare for today's auction, this old man did his utmost to obtain two foundation establishment pills. Fellow Daoists in the Qi Refining realm, listen closely: two pills, only two. Once you miss this chance, who knows when the next will come."

"I, Luo Yao, wish you all success in reaching Foundation Establishment in advance. Let the auction begin."

"The first foundation establishment pill, starting price three thousand Spirit Stones, with increments no less than five hundred."

Luo Yao intentionally kept the starting price low to encourage more people to participate. The more intense the competition, the easier it was for people to get caught up in the heat of the moment, ensuring the final price wouldn't be low.

However.

Just as his voice fell.

A calm and clear voice immediately rang out from booth number thirteen.

"Twelve thousand!!!"

...