Chapter 48: The Auction
As the auction approached—
The flow of people in the marketplace increased day by day. Many demon-hunting squads had also returned, waiting for the auction to begin.
The Zhou family could be said to have turned their fortunes around. Not only did they now have a Foundation Establishment cultivator, but they also became a living advertisement for the two major sects, truly flourishing with prosperity.
“Brother Lin, my boy was tested and found to have a mid-grade spiritual root.”
That day, Li Erniu was beaming with joy, speaking excitedly.
Upon hearing this, Lin Chang'an was momentarily stunned. Then he smiled and offered his congratulations. “I didn’t expect that child to have a mid-grade spiritual root. He’s bound for great things.”
Zhou Yifan—this child was now twelve years old, the age at which spiritual roots could be tested.
In the world of cultivation, during childhood, only the presence or absence of spiritual roots could be detected. For a specific grading of the roots, the body needed to reach around twelve years of development.
Of course, some major sects and clans possessed higher-level instruments and methods capable of testing even in childhood.
Looking at Li Erniu’s delighted expression, Lin Chang'an couldn’t help but feel a wave of emotion.
“A mid-grade spiritual root really is an enviable talent.”
Thinking of this, Lin Chang'an chuckled inwardly. Perhaps he would have been envious in the past, but now, he had a far better future.
Especially with his deepening comprehension of the Evergreen Art—although he still possessed a low-grade spiritual root, the perfect compatibility had already pushed his cultivation speed to nearly rival that of a mid-grade root.
“Erniu, you really are something.”
The Young Marquis Shen Lie also smiled and congratulated him while teasing the child in his arms. There was a glint of hope in his eyes, wishing that his own child’s spiritual root wouldn’t be inferior.
After all, both he and his wife possessed spiritual roots.
However, upon seeing Erniu so happy, Lu Qingqing’s brow furrowed slightly, a trace of worry flickering imperceptibly as she secretly transmitted her voice to Lin Chang'an and her own husband.
“Yifan, that child... born into the Zhou family—who knows if it’s a blessing or a curse.”
Sure enough, as a woman, Lu Qingqing was more perceptive. Even Lin Chang'an only reacted then, watching the overjoyed Erniu with a faint sigh in his heart.
Zhou Yifan, due to his upbringing and temperament—if he had a low-grade root, he could have led an ordinary life.
But it had to be a mid-grade spiritual root. If the Zhou family could provide matching resources, that would be fine. But if they put themselves in his shoes—would it really be fair?
“What a pity. The two slots within the clan have already been decided this time.”
Li Erniu was still smiling, envisioning a future where his son would rise to prominence.
Lu Qingqing seemed to recall something and let out a soft laugh, teasingly saying,
“Erniu, you can’t afford to delay the child’s future. With Yifan’s talent, whether he joins a sect or learns a trade, it shouldn’t be difficult. One of these days, I’ll ask Sister Yun for you.”
Hearing this, Li Erniu didn’t think much of it. Instead, he smiled broadly and cupped his hands.
“It really takes a careful mind like Little Junior Sister’s. Yifan really can’t walk the same path I did.”
Watching this scene, Shen Lie winked and nudged Lin Chang'an, seemingly proud, as if saying, "Look at my wife—clever, right?"
Lin Chang'an was impressed as well. Truly, women were born masters of acting. Her mind worked fast, and in the blink of an eye, she had already thought of a solution, without tearing through that last layer of pretense.
“Fellow Daoist Lin, Fellow Daoist Shen, Little Junior Sister.”
Wei Buyi spotted them from afar and approached with a wide grin. When he saw Li Erniu, a smug smile crept across his face.
Li Erniu responded with an irritated nod. The two seemed fated to clash—their personalities just didn’t mesh.
“What? Erniu’s child has a mid-grade spiritual root?”
Upon hearing this, Wei Buyi widened his eyes and stared at Li Erniu, while Li Erniu wore a triumphant expression, as if he had just won a bout.
Unwilling to lose, Wei Buyi scoffed sourly, “So smug. My girl has a spiritual root too.”
Wei Buyi had married a widow and later had a daughter. Over the years, thanks to his skill in alchemy, his income was quite decent.
But he simply couldn’t stand Li Erniu. Wei Buyi turned his smiling face toward Lu Qingqing and Shen Lie, teasing that maybe their families should be joined through marriage in the future.
...
While the four chatted in the marketplace, Wei Buyi suddenly noticed something and broke into a smile.
“Young Master Huang.”
Wei Buyi ran up with a beaming smile, fawningly attaching himself to a person dressed in luxurious robes.
Seeing this, Li Erniu scoffed disdainfully, but Lin Chang'an only smiled without saying a word.
Each had their own way of life—man had his path, and rats had theirs. One couldn’t deny another’s means of survival as wrong.
“So, you're an old acquaintance of Fairy Yun.”
The man across approached, dressed in an ornate magical robe, courteously greeting everyone, and they all returned the gesture.
“This is Young Master Huang.”
Wei Buyi eagerly introduced him to the group, secretly transmitting a message to them:
“Huang Yuntian is his father and currently a steward of the Palace of Blazing Fire here in the marketplace. Best not offend him.”
However, at this close range, Lin Chang'an’s eyes flickered with a strange glint. From this seemingly modest and courteous noble youth before him, he sensed several faintly distinct fluctuations of magical power within his body.
Ever since his comprehension of the Evergreen Art had broken through to the Supreme Realm, his senses had become even sharper.
“Fairy Yun and my father came from the same sect.”
In front of outsiders, Huang Shaohai wore a modest smile as he greeted the group.
“The auction is about to start, let’s head in.”
As the auction neared, everyone began making their way inside.
...
This auction was of a higher standard. Participants were required to prove possession of at least one hundred spirit stones or items of equivalent value to gain entry.
After all, there were too many unaffiliated cultivators hoping to watch the excitement. If everyone were allowed in, the venue simply couldn’t accommodate them.
To ensure privacy and safety among cultivators, the auction employed formations that concealed magical fluctuations and blocked divine sense probing.
Each person wore an identical theatrical mask. In the dim lighting, they easily lost track of one another. When Lin Chang'an realized this, he was secretly alarmed.
“So this is the power of a formation... truly wondrous.”
Meanwhile, some cultivators from major clans or sects sat openly on raised platforms with no attempt to hide themselves.
It served as a symbol of identity and strength.
Beneath the banners representing the two major sects were independent VIP viewing stands, followed by the various great clans.
“Look, even Fairy Nǐshang from the Pavilion of Mystic Sound is here.”
“I heard she’s already at the late stage of Foundation Establishment.”
“Fairy Yun from the Palace of Blazing Fire is here too.”
There was a buzz of chatter among the crowd. Sitting on his meditation cushion, Lin Chang'an also noticed this prodigy of the cultivation world, one whose name he had heard early on in his journey.
Fairy Nǐshang wore a multicolored palace robe, ribbons flowing around her, with elegant brows and refined features. A veil covered her face, revealing only a pair of eyes as luminous as moonlight.
Even behind the white veil, a hazy, flower-like beauty could be glimpsed. Her breathtaking, ethereal presence couldn’t be concealed.
Beside her, Yun Yao of the Palace of Blazing Fire wore a plain white martial outfit. The two sect fairies contrasted sharply—
One had brows like distant peaks and a heroic bearing; the other, draped in resplendent court attire, appeared graceful and dignified—each with her own charm.
Buzz!
With the sound of a copper gong, the semi-circular auction hall opened.
“Welcome, fellow Daoists, to the Bamboo Mountain Marketplace Auction. This humble girl, Han Lin'er of the Pavilion of Mystic Sound, will be presiding over today’s event.”
A pure-looking young maiden smiled sweetly as she clasped her hands in greeting, her voice as melodious as an oriole’s song.
“What a grand gesture. She’s already at late-stage Qi Refinement.”
Lin Chang'an was secretly startled. Though the formation suppressed sensory detection, Han Lin'er had deliberately released a wave of pressure to assert the power of her sect.
A female cultivator at the ninth level of Qi Refinement doing this kind of work—was that not a display of strength?
“This auction is jointly hosted by the Palace of Blazing Fire and our Pavilion of Mystic Sound. Rules forbid divine sense threats, malicious bidding, or private collusion... Anyone disturbing the order should first consider whether they can afford to offend our two great sects!”
Just a moment ago she was solemnly introducing her sect. In the next breath, her gentle voice, laced with veiled threats, echoed across the hall with a smile on her face.