Chapter 257: Auction, Preparing for the Hunt
After more than twenty years of upheaval in the Five Dragon Island Sea Region, the marketplace gathering was finally being held once again.
Merchant ships from various forces also rarely reappeared in the Five Dragon Island Sea Region, and ultimately docked at the port.
During this period, Hu Jin had become quite sought after, visited by numerous major forces.
Of course, at the very least, one had to be a False Core Cultivator—Foundation Establishment cultivators had no qualification to pay him a visit.
"Old Lin, this is the catalogue for this auction. Take a look. If there's nothing you want, there's no need to attend."
In the pavilion, Hu Jin spoke in a casual tone, while Lin Changan was filled with emotion, realizing the great changes brought about by powerful strength.
Back when he was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he never enjoyed such treatment.
But after reaching Core Formation, the entire auction catalogue was delivered directly into his hands.
Only after forming a core could one truly experience the influence that strength brought.
As Lin Changan opened the catalogue and flipped through it, he couldn't help but frown. Hu Jin, noticing this, asked curiously:
"Old Lin, don't tell me you're really in urgent need of some treasure?"
"Not exactly. I just feel like I might not have enough spirit stones."
Lin Changan shook his head. It wasn't that he was being overly cautious, but he simply preferred to err on the side of caution.
He had already told others that he owed a favor and managed to obtain a mid-grade third-rank demon core. If he kept acquiring more, it might raise suspicions.
"So what is it you've taken a fancy to that has you so tempted?"
Lin Changan didn’t beat around the bush. He directly opened the catalogue and pointed to three particular items.
"Third-rank Tranquil Spirit Talisman Inheritance, low-grade third-rank Spirit Brush, and Formation Insights."
As Lin Changan directly listed the three items, Hu Jin's eyes widened.
"Old Lin, you really are greedy!"
Others only knew Lin Changan as a third-rank Formation Master, assuming he was merely a high-grade second-rank Talisman Master.
But Hu Jin knew better. Back when they joined forces to hunt the third-rank Emerald Alligator Turtle, Lin Changan had revealed his ability to craft Talisman Treasures.
And the ability to craft Talisman Treasures was indicative of third-rank talismanic skills.
"But Old Lin, your talent and comprehension are just too unreasonable."
Hu Jin looked at Lin Changan with a hint of envy—he was a third-rank Talisman Master, who, relying on sheer comprehension, had later caught up to become a third-rank Formation Master.
Such talent wasn’t something ordinary people possessed.
Of course, Lin Changan’s situation wasn’t implausible. In the cultivation world, many had their talents buried due to a lack of resources in the early stages, never discovering their potential.
Some didn’t realize it until old age.
By then, it was too late. This kind of situation was far too common in the world of cultivation.
Especially in the path of formations—an area purely reliant on comprehension. Yet it remained out of reach for most ordinary cultivators, burying countless geniuses.
Someone like Lin Changan, who walked step-by-step through the Talisman Path and later discovered his talent in formations during Foundation Establishment, was quite normal.
"Alright, you're the only one who knows about my third-rank talismanic skills. I haven’t told anyone else."
Looking at the playful Hu Jin, Lin Changan shook his head helplessly.
In the cultivation world, prodigies were as numerous as oxen. His small accomplishments were nothing in comparison.
Of course, that only referred to what he had revealed.
"The Third-rank Tranquil Spirit Talisman targets the primordial spirit, capable of making cultivators lose control over their bodies, but it’s mostly effective against weaker opponents. Its practical use is limited."
As Hu Jin said this, his tone paused slightly as he looked at Lin Changan with a strange expression, as if remembering something from when they parted ways.
Lin Changan had hidden himself in the Fog Sea of Tongtian, and considering his cultivation method, which was inherently suppressive toward sinister spirits...
"Of course, inside the Fog Sea of Tongtian, it works excellently against sinister spirits. It also has miraculous effects in sealing spiritual items."
Hu Jin continued, and this was exactly what Lin Changan valued.
It wasn't very practical against cultivators of the same level—unless the opponent was heavily injured, then this talisman could exert control.
However, what he had in mind was the Sinister Spirit Beast King within the Fog Sea of Tongtian. That purely sinister spiritual body would be a perfect match.
"This Third-rank Tranquil Spirit Talisman isn’t very practical, so even if it includes talisman insights, the final auction price probably won't exceed ten thousand mid-grade spirit stones."
Hu Jin pondered and offered a fairly objective estimate.
"But this low-grade third-rank Spirit Brush is another matter. It’ll go for at least fifty thousand mid-grade spirit stones, worth as much as an ordinary magical treasure."
The more Hu Jin spoke, the more he noticed Lin Changan’s odd expression and blurted out, "Old Lin, don’t tell me you want me to handle this!"
Lin Changan simply smiled and nodded.
"The Tranquil Spirit Talisman shouldn’t be a problem. But the Spirit Brush and Formation Insights—I can probably only get one of them. I’ll have to trouble you with the other, Old Hu."
At most, Lin Changan had just over sixty thousand mid-grade spirit stones. That included the generous gifts from his Core Formation ceremony...
And his earnings from formation work over the past few years.
After all, after advancing to Core Formation, he hadn’t been lavishly consuming third-rank pills, so he had saved up quite a bit.
"I knew it."
Hu Jin shook his head with a sigh, then stated his own condition.
"But Old Lin, I can’t help you for free. In the future, you’ll have to help me keep an eye out for Metal of the Five Elements here in the Five Dragon Island Sea Region."
"Metal of the Five Elements!?"
Lin Changan was stunned for a moment, then quickly realized that after becoming a Core Formation Cultivator, many started refining magical treasures.
"Alright, I’ll have the Lu Clan and others keep an eye out."
The two exchanged glances and both smiled.
Favors and connections, especially among Core Formation Cultivators, meant many things could be handled with mutual assistance.
This was why, once one fell behind, estrangement often followed.
Because with the disparity in cultivation realms, the daily needs for cultivation and even discussion topics no longer aligned. Over time, the gap would naturally show.
As for Hu Jin, his spirit stone reserves weren’t much either. He had only recently formed a core and, even though he belonged to Bihai Palace, had just crafted his life-bound magical treasure. He still owed quite a bit in spirit stones.
...
Several days later.
The Five Dragon Island marketplace gathering was in full swing, and the auction that evening drew in a large number of cultivators.
Even many cultivators from the Fog Sea of Tongtian came, concealing their faces and suppressing their auras.
"Fellow Daoist Lin."
"Fellow Daoist Hu."
When Lin Changan and Hu Jin arrived chatting and laughing, many Core Formation and False Core Cultivators smiled and cupped their hands in greeting.
Many couldn’t help but feel secretly envious—this Lin Formation Master and Fellow Daoist Hu really had an extraordinary relationship.
But thinking deeper, their bond had started back during their Foundation Establishment stage, and they had advanced together to the Core Formation Realm.
It must be said—such lifelong camaraderie was exceedingly rare in the cultivation world.
In response to the greetings, Lin Changan nodded with a smile.
Since Hu Jin’s arrival, Lin Changan had noticed that many now treated him with even more respect—for instance, Xu Lingfeng of Xuanyin Pavilion, who used to be quite proud.
Even he now greeted Lin Changan with a polite smile.
"Come, come, Fellow Daoist, this way please."
With Lin Changan nodding and smiling to all the Core Formation Cultivators, everyone entered the auction venue together.
Now that Lin Changan was a Core Formation Cultivator, his status had changed, and naturally, he no longer had to squeeze in with the crowd below.
Instead, he took a seat in one of the auction’s private rooms.
Forces from all sides were gathered, and among those below were some who concealed their cultivation—many simply couldn’t show themselves openly.
Some were eyeing specific treasures and needed to hide their identities.
As for the private rooms above, most Core Formation Cultivators of major forces were present, unable to hide their identities due to their status.
This time, Xuanyin Pavilion sent Liu Ruyu, Xu Lingfeng, and Lin Changan—three Core Formation Cultivators—to attend.
As the auction began, the atmosphere became lively.
Inside the private rooms of the Core Formation Cultivators, all were composed, calmly waiting for the final highlight items.
...
In one of the rooms—
"Well, Old Lin, how does it feel sitting here in a private room?"
Next to him, Hu Jin wore a broad smile, sipping spirit tea as he teased.
But this time, in the face of Hu Jin’s teasing, Lin Changan’s expression was unusually solemn.
This feeling of looking down from above—those figures below seemed to reflect his past self.
“There’s a sense of pride and spirit, yet also some melancholy, as if I’m seeing myself once among the masses below.”
Facing Lin Changan’s melancholy, Hu Jin beside him also nodded and said:
“Yes, when I broke through to Core Formation, the change in status also gave me that same complex feeling. Clearly, I felt elated and full of pride, yet I still felt a trace of sorrow for my former self.”
As the two joked with each other, the auction below grew even more intense.
Unfortunately, the treasures that once fascinated him now felt somewhat dull, which made Lin Changan sigh.
This was because he had grown stronger, and his circle had changed. Treasures that were once incomparably precious now seemed dispensable, even unworthy of his attention.
“As expected, people are the most fickle.”
As the auction progressed, items of quasi–third-rank quality began to appear, and even true third-rank items.
“Up next is a magical treasure in the truest sense. Although slightly damaged, it is undoubtedly a most precious item.”
With the auctioneer’s excited announcement, he immediately drew the attention of many False Core and newly advanced Core Formation cultivators.
Magical treasures were undeniably valuable. Even damaged ones could be slowly repaired, if one had the means.
“A low-grade third-rank magical treasure—this auction really is something.”
Upon seeing the magical treasure brought on stage, Lin Changan couldn’t help but show a rare hint of temptation.
Despite having a decent foundation, he actually only had one offensive magical treasure. He lacked both attack and defense in balance.
Unfortunately, his current top priority was improving his spiritual root and the quality of his True Core to speed up cultivation.
“Thirty-three thousand mid-grade spirit stones! Anyone else?”
“Thirty-three thousand mid-grade spirit stones, once… twice… sold!”
As the treasure was sold, many Core Formation cultivators present showed interest.
After that, various third-rank spiritual items appeared—treasures that could attract Core Formation cultivators.
“Up next is an inheritance of the Third-rank Tranquil Spirit Talisman, including insights from a third-rank Talisman Master. Starting bid: ten thousand mid-grade spirit stones!”
As the auctioneer shouted, the scene remained relatively quiet.
On one hand, cultivators with third-rank skills were rare; on the other, the Tranquil Spirit Talisman was rather niche with limited practical use.
Though the interest was lacking, the elderly auctioneer remained enthusiastic as he introduced it—after all, many treasures weren’t lacking in value.
They were simply too niche, and some had failed to sell before.
“Ten thousand five hundred mid-grade spirit stones!”
“Eleven thousand mid-grade spirit stones!”
Sparse bidding finally began, but was soon overtaken as Hu Jin called out the price of eleven thousand mid-grade spirit stones.
Many Core Formation cultivators naturally noticed who had placed the bid—after all, everyone in the private rooms above knew who was seated where.
Upon seeing that it was a Core Formation cultivator from Bihai Palace’s Disciplinary Hall, any cultivator who was even slightly thoughtful fell silent.
“Eleven thousand mid-grade spirit stones—sold!”
With the shout, Hu Jin rose slowly with a beaming smile, cupping his hands toward the other private rooms in the air.
“Many thanks to all Fellow Daoists for yielding.”
Hu Jin offered no explanation, and no one in attendance was curious.
After all, in a major power like Bihai Palace, making connections with others naturally required catering to their preferences.
Later, Lin Changan also bid on two third-rank spiritual items—these were items Hu Jin needed, and he was merely bidding on his behalf.
The subsequent appearance of the low-grade third-rank Spirit Brush, which was at the level of a magical treasure, came with a price nearly equivalent to one.
Hu Jin finally secured it for nearly sixty thousand mid-grade spirit stones.
This pained Lin Changan a little. Had he not sold the quasi–third-rank Spirit Brush he didn’t need and some other items earlier...
His storage pouch might truly have been empty.
He had considered this carefully. The various formation jade slips and insights from Xuanyin Pavilion had yet to be fully digested, so if there was an opportunity now, getting a third-rank Spirit Brush was ideal.
After all, with Old Hu’s help, such opportunities were rare.
In the future, should he need formation-related items, he could acquire them openly.
Inside the private room, Lin Changan received the third-rank Spirit Brush and the inheritance of the Tranquil Spirit Talisman, revealing a satisfied smile.
Hu Jin also obtained two spiritual items. The two exchanged glances, then smiled and sipped their spirit tea.
At their level of cultivation, there were very few things that could still attract them.
“Old Lin, you really are willing—you even put up that third-rank pill for auction.”
When he saw a third-rank pill with fading medicinal potency on the auction stage, Hu Jin immediately recognized it. Wasn’t that the pill they obtained in the secret realm?
“Old Hu, I’m a Formation Master. I don’t usually go out adventuring. Keeping that pill on hand is a waste—I might as well trade it for some spirit stones.”
Lin Changan shook his head with a smile. It wasn’t that he wanted to sell it—his Regenerative Body meant he never needed healing or mana recovery pills.
Moreover, due to the passage of time, the pill’s medicinal efficacy was diminishing every moment.
Besides, he had kept a portion—only part of it was put up for auction.
“I can refine third-rank pills myself. The ingredients are just hard to come by.”
Lin Changan muttered quietly. These past few years, relying on his identity as a third-rank Alchemist Wen, he had not only maintained his reputation but also intercepted many spiritual herbs and pills.
Why keep the old ones when he had new ones to use?
“Up next is a Core Formation Spirit Item!”
As the Core Formation Spirit Item appeared, many Core Formation cultivators revealed solemn expressions.
After all, many of them had family members or sects. Core Formation Spirit Items were always considered strategic resources—no one ever found them excessive.
While the many Core Formation cultivators present began bidding fiercely for the Core Formation Spirit Item, Lin Changan, on the other hand, looked calm as he lowered his head to study the jade slip of the Tranquil Spirit Talisman.
“The Third-rank Tranquil Spirit Talisman might seem a bit useless to ordinary cultivators, but to me, it’s just right.”
With the Wind-Chirp Bird in his possession, hunting the Sinister Spirit Beast King was much simpler and safer than hunting other beasts of the same rank.
Now, with another Tranquil Spirit Talisman as a trump card, its suppressive effect on sinister spirits would be even stronger.
“A mid-stage third-rank demon beast has immense combat power. Though my strength isn’t weak, relatively speaking, hunting a Sinister Spirit Beast King of the same level is safer.”
At this moment, Lin Changan silently pondered. A yin-attribute demon core from a Sinister Spirit Beast King was of considerable value—enough to trade for a demon core of the same rank, with some leftover.
It seemed he needed to start searching for clues to the Sinister Spirit Beast King’s lair next.
As for the auction—there were no more items that tempted him. Or rather, he had no more spirit stones.
It’s the end of the month—seeking your support with monthly tickets.
Starting today, the release schedule will return to two chapters a day. The author’s father is recovering well and will be out of the ICU in a few days, though it may take some more time before discharge.
If recovery goes well next month, he’ll need to get a stent. This incident really gave the author a scare—health truly is the foundation of everything. Fellow Daoists, take care of your bodies while you’re still young.
The author is also planning to adjust his routine and start exercising soon.