Chapter 191: Auction
“Daoist friend, this is a second-rank high-grade pill.”
“Alright, let’s trade!”
During the grand event at the marketplace, Lin Chang’an changed his identity every day, exchanging all the talismans and pills he had accumulated during this period for cultivation materials and spirit stones he needed.
“The beast materials here are indeed much cheaper, and even items like magical artifacts and spirit artifacts are extremely affordable.”
Back in the Yue Kingdom, an ordinary spirit artifact started at five hundred mid-grade spirit stones, but here the price started at four hundred.
This time, he also took the opportunity to clear out many unsightly magical artifacts he had obtained in the Yue Kingdom.
Back then, those from Huang Shaohai and the Wang Clan, although not very valuable, were still better than gathering dust.
In the Yue Kingdom, he had feared drawing unwanted attention—after all, Huang Shaohai was connected to the Palace of Blazing Fire, and the Wang Clan was even more troublesome, being tied to a secret realm.
But now, here, he had no such concerns.
The Five Dragon Island marketplace grand event gathered countless cultivators of all sorts, dragons and snakes mixed together.
……
On the day the auction began.
In the skies, colorful lights of spells flashed.
Outside Five Dragon Island, spirit ships were docked one after another, each representing merchant guilds that had come.
At the same time, cultivators riding spirit beasts or flying swords could be seen everywhere.
“Good heavens, look over there, cultivators of the Seven Kingdoms Alliance have arrived.”
“What of it? The Long Clan of Five Dragon Island is no weaker, and they stand united.”
Blending into the crowd, Lin Chang’an looked enviously at the Golden Core cultivators being surrounded like stars around the moon.
The Golden Core cultivators from the Seven Kingdoms Alliance wore smiles as they cupped their hands toward the two Island Lords of Five Dragon Island.
Although the Seven Kingdoms Alliance had a large number of Golden Core cultivators, most were only in the early or mid stages.
After all, the Seven Kingdoms were relatively peaceful, and their resources were poor.
Moreover, after coming here, each local branch only loosely joined to form the so-called alliance. Everyone knew that under absolute interests, an alliance was nothing but a joke.
“Haha, welcome, Daoist friends of the Seven Kingdoms Alliance.”
The two late Golden Core Island Lords of Five Dragon Island, appearing as old men with kindly smiles, showed no concern about the Alliance at all.
After all, the Seven Kingdoms Alliance developing here had already infringed upon many interests.
And those clans and sects were by no means easy to deal with.
Furthermore, their loyalty lay with the Bihai Palace.
“The Island Lords are outer-sea Elders of the Bihai Palace, you’re too polite.”
Looking up at the lofty Golden Core cultivators, Lin Chang’an quietly encouraged himself.
One day, he too would become a Golden Core cultivator.
“The auction is about to begin, let’s go quickly.”
“Let’s go, let’s go.”
Disguised, Lin Chang’an entered the auction hall with a smile among the crowd.
After entering, however, a dark aura enveloped the place, blocking divine sense from probing. At the same time, everyone was handed a mask for disguise.
This time was different from Tianxuan City—here, his status as a second-rank high-grade talisman master did not grant him a private room.
He could only sit in the main hall with the majority of cultivators.
If he revealed that he had several thousand mid-grade spirit stones in his storage pouch, along with his identity as a second-rank high-grade talisman master, entering a private room would not be difficult.
“But this place is different from Tianxuan City. It’s better to stay low-key.” Lin Chang’an’s expression was calm as he secretly studied the formation of this auction.
……
Not long after, the seats in the auction filled with silhouettes.
Then, on the auction stage, a portly middle-aged cultivator stepped out, exuding the aura of a False Core cultivator.
This startled quite a few cultivators who had only been here a few years.
“I am Long Qian of the Long Clan! Greetings, Daoist friends. This auction will be hosted by me, and I hope each of you will obtain what you desire…”
The False Core cultivator spoke amiably, making Lin Chang’an nod in approval.
The Long Clan was indeed the family of the Five Dragon Island Lords. It was said that if they could continue to guard this place for another hundred years, they would gain the right to live in the inner sea.
With the ringing of a bronze gong, the auction officially began!
“Second-rank low-grade pills—healing, mana recovery, cultivation-enhancement—ten bottles each. Starting price per bottle…”
The opening item was already of the second rank, which made Lin Chang’an sigh. Clearly, most of today’s attendees were Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Even if there were Qi Refining cultivators present, they were likely here following their elders to gain experience.
“Blazing Fire Sword, a spirit artifact for Foundation Establishment cultivators. Starting price four hundred mid-grade spirit stones, each bid increase no less than…”
Indeed, every item at the auction was top-quality, making Lin Chang’an feel that this trip was worthwhile.
As for talismans and pills, he lacked none, and he even spotted a few bottles of pills that had once been circulated into the market by him.
As the atmosphere grew increasingly heated, even a second-rank Minor Barrier-breaking Pill appeared.
Many Foundation Establishment cultivators had been stuck at mid-stage for years. Though hopeless for Core Formation, they still wanted to fight for late-stage Foundation Establishment.
“Next up is a top-grade spirit artifact halberd. Needless to say, its power is immense, but Daoist friends should be cautious when bidding—it is especially suited for body cultivators…”
When even artifacts for body cultivators were auctioned, Lin Chang’an marveled that the trip was truly worth it.
In Tianxuan City, body cultivators were as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns. He had not expected to see so many bidders here.
Moreover, top-grade spirit artifacts appeared one after another—things that would never be sold publicly in Tianxuan City.
Treasures of all kinds came on stage: jades from sea beasts, deep-sea treasures—many things Lin Chang’an had never even heard of.
“A top-grade spirit artifact costs three to four thousand mid-grade spirit stones, while quasi–third-rank talisman brushes and pill furnaces are priced about the same.”
After all, the forging of top-grade spirit artifacts involved techniques used in refining magical treasures, and even some magical treasure materials were added.
Lin Chang’an pondered silently. He had only been here for two years, and his cultivation expenses were never small.
At present, he had only managed to save over four thousand mid-grade spirit stones in his storage pouch. It seemed he could only prioritize purchasing a talisman brush.
After all, his priority now was to elevate his talisman skills to the third rank.
“As expected, coming here made me realize—I’m still just a pauper.”
Lin Chang’an sighed softly. For many arts cultivators, he was already considered wealthy.
But compared to those with powerful backgrounds, his foundation was still lacking.
As for the beast-hunting cultivators, their wealth was unpredictable—one night poor, the next night rich. Perhaps they might strike it big in one hunt, but he felt no envy, for that wealth was earned with their lives on the line.
“The difference in foundations will fade as my cultivation rises. In the future, I alone will be worth an entire sect.”
After all, in the Hundred Arts of Cultivation, the further one progressed, the more valuable and rarer they became.
“Next is a quasi–third-rank talisman brush, starting at three thousand three hundred mid-grade spirit stones!”
“Three thousand four hundred!”
“Three thousand five hundred!”
When the brush he needed appeared, Lin Chang’an began bidding, but once the price exceeded three thousand seven hundred, he immediately gave up.
“After all, quasi–third-rank brushes are not just one or two. There’s no need to waste an extra hundred or two spirit stones.”
With so many expenses ahead, Lin Chang’an had no choice but to budget carefully.
Even the income from his spirit fields needed to be calculated precisely when he returned, though the chance of being cheated was small.
After a while, when the second quasi–third-rank brush came up, Lin Chang’an won it with a bid of three thousand seven hundred mid-grade spirit stones.
In an instant, his storage pouch was nearly emptied.
“I really do miss the days of running the black market in Tianxuan City.”
Looking at the brush in his hand, Lin Chang’an could not help but feel nostalgic.
Back then, the black market had brought him great profit. Now, here, he could only rely on his own two hands to earn spirit stones.
But loss always came with gain.
At that moment, a bottle of pills appeared, making many Foundation Establishment cultivators in the hall reveal fervent expressions.
“This is a quasi–third-rank pill that can enhance cultivation. All its ingredients are third-rank. Unfortunately, the alchemist, a third-rank master, made a mistake, lowering the pill’s grade.
But even among quasi–third-rank pills, this is top-quality. Starting price is…”
The auction hall erupted in an uproar. Many cultivators shouted bids, some even offering equivalent resources.
Lin Chang’an, too, felt desire. With this pill, he might break through to late-stage Foundation Establishment faster.
But alas, his pouch was empty. In the end, the bottle of pills went to a cultivator who traded beast materials for it.
“One must not envy. That was obtained through life-and-death battles.”
Lin Chang’an secretly shook his head.
In the Sea Abyss of Beasts, there had never been a shortage of three or five Foundation Establishment cultivators joining hands to hunt demon beasts.
There were even sects and large clans whose cultivators, more than a dozen Foundation Establishment in number, banded together and used formations to assist in hunting third-rank demon beasts.
Though demon beasts were powerful, the strength of human cultivators precisely lay in their weakness, which was why they relied on talismans, pills, formations, magical artifacts, and other means.
When the auction ended, countless cultivators filed out of the venue, their identities concealed by formations.
But the grand event at Five Dragon Island had just begun—the auction was merely the first round.
The auction also provided a safe place for Foundation Establishment cultivators to trade resources while hiding their identities.
However, after looking at the spirit stones in his pouch, and realizing he had no high-grade resources to exchange, Lin Chang’an could only shake his head and sigh.
“Still poor… This time I’ll go back and cultivate steadily, strive to break through to late Foundation Establishment soon, and then plan for Core Formation.”
On the bustling streets of the marketplace, Lin Chang’an wandered around, finally buying an advanced illustrated record of sea abyss demon beasts and gathering some recent intelligence before preparing to return.
“So this is what they call no major events recently?”
Looking at the reports, Lin Chang’an was speechless.
Sea beasts attacking merchant ships, a great clan suffering heavy losses, a Golden Core cultivator venturing deep into the Sea Abyss of Beasts, whose life or death remained unknown—suspected of dying at the maw of a demon beast.
Following the direction where that Golden Core cultivator disappeared, one might even obtain his inheritance.
Natural disasters striking, robber cultivators running rampant…
Reading the intelligence notes, Lin Chang’an could only sigh helplessly.
If this were back in the Seven Kingdoms, each of these would be a world-shaking event.
But here, they were dismissed as nothing major.
However, upon seeing some reports about nearby sea regions, Lin Chang’an frowned slightly.
“No wonder Five Dragon Island holds a grand marketplace gathering every ten years. It turns out this sea region produces Giant-bone Sea Fish Beasts, which migrate and rampage roughly every decade.”
Clearly, the grand event of Five Dragon Island was preparation for this beast tide.
The Giant-bone Sea Fish Beasts were enormous, their scales incredibly tough and difficult to deal with.
“They are also excellent materials for artifact refinement, and their meat is delicious. Every beast tide is both a feast for countless cultivators, and also a disaster.”
After finishing the intelligence, Lin Chang’an frowned again. He truly had no effective methods to counter these sea beasts.
Only brute force could prevail.
“But judging from the timing, this beast tide is still a year or so away—no rush.”
……
The Five Dragon Island marketplace event gathered countless cultivators, but many left once they had obtained what they desired.
After all, few had much spirit stones left on them. Staying here would be nothing but staring blankly.
“Daoist friend, are you leaving? If all goes well, we could travel together.”
“Any interested in hunting demon beasts together?”
Before leaving, many cultivators sought companions, whether to travel together or to agree to hunt demon beasts.
But Lin Chang’an had no such leisure. He directly rode his flying sword away.
Several cultivators secretly noticed him leaving.
“Boss, that kid just left alone.”
“Don’t act rashly. Do you dare provoke someone who dares travel alone here? It could very well be bait meant to lure greedy cultivators like you.”
A seasoned middle-aged Foundation Establishment cultivator, seeing the younger man’s greed, coldly snorted a warning, his brows heavy with caution.
Being a robber cultivator was not so simple.
“Boss, is it really that exaggerated? With the five of us working together, even a quasi–third-rank demon beast would have to bow.”
The young Foundation Establishment cultivator grumbled, regretfully watching one cultivator after another leave.
Sometimes, hunting cultivators was easier than hunting demon beasts.
But those who came here were all extremely cautious. With the beast tide looming, no one wanted to stir up more trouble.
……
The return journey proved smooth. On the way, the cultivators he encountered only exchanged wary glances.
Seeing Lin Chang’an traveling alone, some thought it a trap, others thought it boldness born of skill.
In any case, he encountered no random ambushes.
If anything, those robber cultivators cherished their lives even more, only acting when they were certain.
Halfway home, Lin Chang’an received a voice-transmission talisman from Old Hu.
Old Hu had emerged from seclusion, successfully breaking through to late Foundation Establishment.
Lin Chang’an flew all the way back to Yuling Island.
“Old Hu, congratulations on your cultivation advancing so greatly.”
“Don’t say that. Old Lin, your cultivation isn’t bad either. Let’s not be modest with each other.”
The two returned to the cave abode, where they found a letter left outside Lin Chang’an’s residence. Old Hu’s expression shifted slightly.
“This place is truly a troubled land. While you were away, Old Lin, a cultivator secretly came by, leaving this letter.”
With a puzzled expression, Lin Chang’an raised his hand and accepted the letter left outside his cave abode, as well as the one Old Hu handed him.
It was a letter from the Lu Clan. Its contents were simple.
They declared that the Lu Clan’s grudges with the three families were their own, and requested that outsiders not interfere. In the future, they promised generous gifts if not obstructed, and even greater rewards if aided.
They promised heavy benefits: shares in local merchant guilds, profits from island enterprises.
After reading both letters, Lin Chang’an raised his brows.
He had no desire to get entangled in clan disputes.
All he wanted now was stable cultivation.
“Old Lin, good choice. I think the same. Why meddle in such matters? As for so-called rewards, they sound nice but are nothing more than flowers in a mirror or the moon in water.”
Seeing Lin Chang’an choose to ignore the matter, Old Hu smiled broadly and waved his hand, showing he too had no wish to meddle.
Others might choose differently, but it no longer concerned them.
They only wished to cultivate in peace, and for the island, the balance of the three families might actually be better.
The two then discussed cultivation. Lin Chang’an listened to Old Hu’s insights from his breakthrough, and the topic soon shifted to the coming beast tide in a year or so.
For the two of them, the beast tide was also a fine opportunity to wait for prey.
After all, sea beasts coming to their doorstep were far safer to deal with than hunting them in the wild.