Chapter 141: Grand Auction (Seeking Monthly Votes)
Chapter 141: Grand Auction (Seeking Monthly Votes)
Three years later.
As White Peace Immortal City's decennial Grand Auction drew near, the flow of people within the immortal city noticeably swelled.
Even various private exchange gatherings were in full swing, their frequency significantly higher than before.
Fang Xi also seized this rare opportunity to offload all of his conspicuous ill-gotten gains, his spirit stones in his storage bag soaring to seven thousand!
With his spoils dealt with, Fang Xi was in high spirits and went directly to the rogue cultivator stall area, perusing each stall one by one.
Although he had never stumbled upon a hidden gem, a person must always have dreams; who knows, maybe they'll come true!
“High-grade artifacts for cheap. . . ”
“Specialties from the Myriad Beast Mountain Range, come and take a look, everyone. . . ”
...
After looking all the way through, Fang Xi helplessly discovered that he simply wasn't destined for it!
He had dabbled in all four arts of cultivation, and with his Divine Consciousness, he could essentially appraise the value of any item on a stall with a single glance.
And he reached a conclusion: there was practically no chance of finding a bargain!
“The reason finding a bargain becomes a legend is precisely because it is exceedingly rare, exceedingly uncommon. . . ”
“Never mind, I'll just honestly go to the auction and buy things at high prices. . . ”
Fang Xi was about to leave.
Suddenly, his eyes flickered, and he stopped at a talisman stall.
“Daoist friend, are you looking to buy talismans? All of mine here are fine goods! ”
Behind the stall, a fifty-something-year-old old woman promoted her wares.
“They are good. . . ”
Fang Xi picked up a 'Cold Wind Talisman', feeling the thick, crisp texture of the talisman paper and the smooth brushstrokes upon it. Undoubtedly, this was a fine talisman!
“What's the price? ”
“A first-order high-grade Cold Wind Talisman, it can summon cold winds to freeze enemies. It's an area-of-effect attack, priced at twenty-five spirit stones! ”
The old woman skillfully recited the price.
Her temples were frosted with white, and deep crow's feet creased the corners of her eyes, but from her features, one could faintly discern the beauty of her youth.
“If the guest purchases five or more, there's a discount! ”
Seeing Fang Xi take out spirit stones, the old woman quickly added with a smile, a hint of fawning in her manner.
‘Time truly is a butcher's knife. . . ’
Fang Xi gazed at this scene, his heart filled with emotion: ‘The fiery-tempered Fairy Lu Zhi from Green Bamboo Mountain market back then has now become so worldly and mercenary. . . ’
Yes, Fang Xi had recognized her.
This woman selling talismans at the stall was none other than Lu Zhi, the widow of Talisman Master Zong whom Chen Ping had relentlessly pursued!
“Old acquaintances meeting, yet Fairy Lu doesn't seem to recognize me. . . ”
Fang Xi suddenly chuckled softly.
He was out for a stroll this time, not to fence stolen goods, so he hadn't donned the Daoist Wood persona; this was his true identity.
“Hmm? ”
Lu Zhi suddenly looked up, gazing at the youth who resembled a jade tree of fragrant orchids, her eyes filled with surprise and uncertainty.
This face, she did find it somewhat familiar. The powerful memory of a cultivator finally allowed her to trace the source of this familiar feeling from her numbness: “You are. . . from Green Bamboo Mountain market. . . that spirit farmer? ”
“Precisely, it's been years since we parted, how has Daoist friend Lu been? ”
Fang Xi asked with a smile.
Lu Zhi, however, suddenly felt a pang of shame.
She had wasted away many years, still at the sixth level of Qi Refinement, grown old and faded, while the youth before her remained ageless, his cultivation even surpassing hers, having already entered late-stage Qi Refinement!
This couldn't help but make Lu Zhi feel a sense of the vast changes wrought by time.
“Alas. . . passable, I suppose. ”
At that moment, it seemed as if a thousand words were lodged in her chest, but in the end, they could only transform into a single sigh.
“Oh, how is Daoist friend Chen Ping doing? During the great chaos in the market back then, I could only flee for my life in haste, and don't know his whereabouts. . . ”
Fang Xi wore an expression of regret.
“Indeed, you're also Old Chen's friend. . . He's currently. . . ”
Lu Zhi's face grew even more bitter: “He's doing alright, I suppose, but he has important matters keeping him, so it's inconvenient for him to go out. . . ”
‘Oh? It seems Lu Zhi's relationship with Chen Ping is still quite good; does she still not know the truth about the blood sacrifice that awakened his spiritual body back then? ’
Upon hearing this, Fang Xi's heart stirred.
“As for Chen Ping's friends, Jiu Xuan Shang Ren long ago reached the end of his lifespan and passed away, and Di Qi couldn't escape the great disaster, perishing during the market's chaos. . . ”
Lu Zhi actually still knew about Chen Ping's fair-weather friends, which made Fang Xi's heart tremble upon hearing it.
Jiu Xuan Shang Ren was quite lucky to escape the market's chaos, but he couldn't escape the limit of his lifespan.
And Di Qi's fate was even worse, perishing directly in the market's chaos. It's unknown if he was collateral damage, or if his own greed was at fault. . .
“Alas. . . cultivating for decades, half of my old acquaintances have withered away. ”
Fang Xi sighed and said to Lu Zhi: “Should you see Brother Chen another day, please extend my regards. ”
“Mother. . . ”
Just then, a tall, black-robed male cultivator approached, his cultivation at the seventh level of Qi Refinement, a faint trace of malevolent aura clinging to him. He glared at Fang Xi: “Who is this person? ”
“He's an old friend of Mother's. . . ”
Lu Zhi shook her head, not wanting to say more: “Have you brought the materials to Mother yet? ”
“Of course, they're all here! ” The black-robed male cultivator quickly took out a storage bag.
...
Evening.
The rogue cultivators manning stalls packed up one after another, preparing to return and meditate in cultivation.
Lu Zhi likewise put her talismans into her storage bag, walking very slowly, and as she walked into an alley, she saw Fang Xi.
“Daoist friend Lu, your words earlier today seemed to have some unspoken meaning? ”
Fang Xi stood with his arms crossed, as if he had been waiting there for a long time.
Lu Zhi looked around, found no one, and then stepped forward a few paces, lowering her voice: “Chen Ping said you were his good friend, so I'll trust you this once. . . Chen Ping's situation is very bad now; he's imprisoned somewhere, drawing talismans day and night, and his lifespan has been greatly diminished, his end is nigh within these two years. . . ”
This point, Fang Xi was not surprised in the slightest.
After all, Chen Ping possessed the Blood Talisman Spirit Body, naturally suited for the Dao of Talismans. It's possible his talisman art cultivation has already advanced to the second-order; he was truly an excellent tool-person!
When encountered by a powerful family, they would inevitably be squeezed to death!
“Is it the Green Leaf Xu Family? ”
He speculated.
The Green Leaf Xu Family, the power behind Mingqing Pavilion. Fairy Yun Meng was also part of this power back then.
Overall, they were the most likely to be holding Chen Ping captive.
“You know? ! ”
Lu Zhi was startled.
“I had some slight suspicions, but unfortunately, my strength is insufficient, and I can't save this old friend. . . ”
Fang Xi sighed and turned to leave.
He had waited here merely to inquire about an old friend's current situation.
Chen Ping had been quite decent to him back then, and if it was within his means, he naturally wouldn't mind lending a hand.
Alas. . . he had yet to reach Foundation Establishment.
And the Green Leaf Xu Family was a Foundation Establishment power; the disparity between them was too vast. He could only offer his apologies. . .
Lu Zhi watched Fang Xi's departing back, but harbored no complaints, only letting out a faint sigh.
Even as a cultivator, she had experienced too many instances of powerlessness; such was the helplessness of life. . .
...
“Calculating his age, Chen Ping is a bit older than me. Back then, to upgrade the Barrier-Breaking Talisman, he expended thirty years of his lifespan. Now another thirty years have passed, he should only be in his eighties or nineties. . . ”
“The lifespan limit for Qi Refinement cultivators is two Jiazi cycles, which is around one hundred and twenty years. How could he suddenly be at his end? ”
“Oh, I forgot that if the Xu Family could force him once, they could force him a second time. . . Could it be that they also forced Chen Ping to upgrade some special kind of talisman, leading to his lifespan being almost completely exhausted now? ”
Fang Xi couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart regarding the methods of these Foundation Establishment families.
This was truly squeezing the 'tool-person' dry to the marrow!
Smoky Willow Alley.
“Daoist friend Fang, congratulations! ”
As Fang Xi arrived at the entrance, Su Lie happened to see him and immediately stepped forward: “Didn't you ask me to inquire about exchange gatherings? I found one being held in a teahouse, where 'Emerald Spirit Liquid' might be for sale. . . Of course, the seller said that if the bid doesn't meet their expectations, it will be sent to the Grand Auction. ”
“Many thanks, Daoist friend, please lead the way, let me meet the seller first! ”
Fang Xi was equally delighted and immediately clasped his fists in greeting.
He hadn't been without gains in these past three years either, having once acquired ten drops of 'Emerald Spirit Liquid' and a two-hundred-year-old 'Dragon Transformation Ginseng' under the identity of 'Daoist Wood' from a large merchant house.
However, the auxiliary medicine reserves for the Foundation Establishment Pill, naturally, the more the better, this naturally couldn't be given up.
He immediately followed Su Lie to the exchange gathering and found the seller.
After a private discussion, Fang Xi paid a satisfactory amount of spirit stones to the other party and obtained a small half bottle of 'Emerald Spirit Liquid'.
‘Hmm, the Emerald Spirit Liquid is almost sufficient, only the Dragon Transformation Ginseng still needs a bit more! ’
Fang Xi, awaiting the Grand Auction, secretly rejoiced in his heart.
He only collected auxiliary materials; compared to those Qi Refinement Perfected cultivators painstakingly seeking second-order demon cores, it was naturally much easier and less likely to attract attention.
‘In reality, if I were to exchange second-order demon cores, any auxiliary materials could be gathered instantly. . . ’
‘Alas. . . it would be too conspicuous. ’
Fang Xi's plan to slay demons and acquire cores had also been continuously refined, and he was just waiting for the Grand Auction!
...
One month later.
Fang Xi, in his 'Daoist Wood' persona, entered the inner city and arrived at the Grand Auction venue located at the foot of White Peak Mountain.
“Daoist friend, you hold a private box invitation, please follow me! ”
A charmingly smiling maidservant invited Fang Xi to the second floor of the venue.
Here, there were many elevated viewing platforms, overlooking the entire auction hall.
“Within the private boxes, guests' privacy is absolutely guaranteed, and after a guest successfully bids on an item, they can directly order it to be delivered to their box for transaction. . . ”
The maidservant walked while introducing the facilities and rules of the auction venue.
“Not bad. . . quite user-friendly. ”
Fang Xi nodded; White Peace Immortal City was indeed very considerate of its customers.
He sat down on a chair in the private box, quietly awaiting the auction's commencement.
Half an hour later, most of the seats on the first floor were filled.
Amidst a loud clang of a gong, a cultivator with a powerful, tiger-like stride, dressed in a purple dharma robe, with a slightly plump, round face looking very prosperous and amiable, yet with eyes like deep, tranquil pools, exuding natural authority without anger, ascended to the stage.
“It's actually this person hosting? ”
A faint stir rippled through the venue.
“White Peak True Man's eighteenth disciple—Ouyang Zhen? ! ”
Fang Xi looked at this person and felt a similar sense of anticipation.
This disciple of a Core Formation ancestor, his cultivation had surprisingly reached late-stage Foundation Establishment, truly capable of overawing the entire venue!
“Many thanks to everyone for gracing us with your presence, this Grand Auction now begins! ”
Ouyang Zhen's voice rang out in the ears of every cultivator present: “The first auction item—a mid-grade spirit artifact, the 'Azure Cloud Five Smoke Gauze'. It can protect the body, allow for flight, trap opponents, and attack. . . Starting price: twelve hundred spirit stones! ”
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