Wanfa Daojun, starting from the Little Cloud and Rain Technique

Chapter 478 Auction (Bonus Chapter 22)

One month later, at the Wei's Treasure Talisman Shop.

Ji An hurriedly entered the shop. He had come from the Spirit Pill Pavilion and had just exchanged the pills he was refining for high-grade spirit stones.

Wei Xianglin ushered him into the VIP room and said:
"Senior, there's an auction tonight, you haven't forgotten, have you?"

"How could I possibly forget something so important!"

Ji An shook his head. If he didn't seize the opportunity to buy a spot, he would have to wait another twelve years, which he couldn't afford.

In that case, the only option would be to use earth-遁 (earth-遁 is a technique used in Chinese fantasy novels) to travel deep into the mountains and search for any possible spiritual realms.

Ji An wasn't very confident about hitting the jackpot.

Furthermore, the Earth Escape Technique cannot penetrate deep underground for extended periods. If one cannot travel to a certain depth, such a spiritual realm will not be discovered at all.

He took out the purification talisman he had drawn and said solemnly:

"To increase my stake by even one high-grade spirit stone, I must convert the talisman into cash."

"so much!"

When Wei Xianglin saw the two stacks of purification talismans placed on the table, his eyes widened in surprise.

He gestured with his hands for a few moments, then tentatively asked:

"There must be more than 230 talismans in total, right?"

Ji An nodded affirmatively, "There are two hundred and forty in total, including sixty mid-grade talismans. It's a pity that I can't draw top-grade talismans. I always feel like something is missing."

“A second-grade high-quality talisman is already very good,” Wei Xianglin knew the reason why he couldn’t draw a top-grade talisman.

The clan chief once mentioned that the Purification Talisman was passed down from the Buddhist cultivators of the Western Continent. The Buddhist cultivators' cultivation methods are completely different from those of the Daoist sects, and the nature of their magical power is different from that of cultivators. This is also why cultivators cannot draw top-grade talismans.

A talisman maker who can create superior talismans is a top-tier individual.

The opponent's first attempt at drawing second-tier talismans resulted in not a single low-grade talisman; most of them were high-grade talismans, demonstrating an extremely rare and exceptional talent.

Wei Xianglin counted the number of talismans. "Senior, according to the price we agreed on, sixty mid-grade talismans cost 14,400 spirit stones, and one hundred and eighty high-grade talismans cost 50,400 spirit stones."

After deducting the 30,000 spirit stones owed, we need to pay you 34,800 spirit stones.

"Okay, exchange for three high-grade spirit stones."

"Senior, are you not planning to take any more talisman materials?"

"Let's talk about it after the auction."

Wei Xianglin pondered for a moment and said:

"How about this, in order to support your competition for a spot in the Spirit Realm, the spirit stones you owe will not be deducted for the time being, and I will exchange them for five high-grade spirit stones for you, senior."

"Very good, thank you."

The more chips the better, Ji An will accept them all.

"You're too kind, senior. We won't charge you the extra two hundred spirit stones for the exchange fee. We wish you success in the auction."

Wei Xianglin took out five high-grade spirit stones. The other party was willing to bid at the auction, so his action was an indirect contribution to the family.

Auction organizers prefer a situation where everyone has a need and at least two monks are willing to bid.

The last rays of the sun disappeared into the vast night, while the Red Rock Immortal City was brightly lit.

At the end of the cloud-like steps, a white mist rose up, and on either side of the two-zhang-high vermilion gate stood several jade pillars as thick as water buckets.

The pillars are carved with dragons and phoenixes, and the gold paint outlines the dragon scales and phoenix feathers, with the textures showing in the finest detail.

Several cultivators lined up on both sides of the gate, with a cultivator at the Chaoyuan stage standing at the front.

Ji An walked slowly to the door, where he saw the four large golden characters "Wei Family Villa" on the plaque above the door.

He arrived half an hour early, half an hour before the auction was scheduled to begin.

After handing over the jade pendant, he asked softly:
"Fellow Daoist, how many cultivators have been invited to this auction?"

"Not many, only six including you, fellow Daoist."

How many people have arrived yet?

"Senior was the last one to arrive."

Ji An grinned. He thought he had arrived quite early, but he turned out to be the last one.

After examining the jade pendant, the cultivator bowed slightly and said:

"Fellow Taoist, please come with me."

He made a hand seal, and the gate slowly opened.

“Please,” he said, and the two walked side by side.

As they stepped into the courtyard, the door slowly closed again, and the monks on both sides remained waiting outside, not following them.

After walking along a wide passageway that could accommodate two carriages side by side, the two arrived at a grand hall, which was as bright as day.

A gentle breeze blows, and the iron horse under the eaves neighs softly.

Ji An stepped into the main hall and saw a dozen egg-sized luminous pearls arranged on the dome.

Several chairs were arranged in an arc, and people were sitting on them. Opposite them was a platform two feet high.

As he strode in, everyone turned to look at him.

Ji An smiled and nodded, while the others reacted differently.

Some responded with smiles, some with blank expressions, and others gave him a few cold glances.

Ji An didn't care. Today, all the people who came were his competitors. He sat down in an empty seat and waited quietly.

A moment later, an elderly cultivator with white hair strode into the main hall, lightly leaped onto the platform, and said in a strong voice:
"I am Wei Tianhua, the sixth elder of the Wei family. This auction is for a spot to receive the Nine Netherworld Land."

Now that everyone we invited has arrived, let's not wait aimlessly; the auction will begin early!

One of the cultivators laughed and said, "Good, I like the Wei family's straightforwardness."

Ji An remained silent. He was a man of few words, and every word he spoke later would be a flow of wealth, so he conserved his energy.

Wei Tianhua then said:

"The time to enter the Nine Netherworld is three months. When the time is up, the magic array patterns will display a dazzling red light."

"You must return on time, or you will be trapped in this Netherworld. I have never heard of a cultivator who missed their return time returning to the surface alive."

"The Nine Netherworld is not without danger. It may harbor yin spirits or ghosts. You will have to deal with these on your own. We will not be responsible for any accidents that occur inside."

"Before the auction, we need to go over the basic rules again."

First, malicious bidding is prohibited.

If a bidder fails to produce sufficient items at the end of the auction, they will be fined half the auction price.

Trust me, the Wei family will be able to recover this loss.

Second, the auction accepts all kinds of second-tier high-grade resources and high-grade spirit stones. If the resources and high-grade spirit stones offered by two cultivators are of similar value, the choice belongs to the Wei family.

Third, the starting price for a spot is sixty high-grade spirit stones, and each bid must be at least five high-grade spirit stones higher.

Fourth, bidders must not make threats against other bidders.

Wei Tianhua scanned the crowd below and asked again:
"Is there anything else unclear? Feel free to ask, and I'll add more information as needed."

"No, let's begin."

Everyone became tense. The cultivators who came here all had urgent needs, and with more wolves than meat, it was extremely difficult to obtain a spot.

"Okay, to make it easier to distinguish, starting from my left, they are number one, number two, and number six. The time for everyone to think about their bids will be limited to one hourglass."

I now declare the auction open!

As he spoke, he took out a small hourglass and began to time it.

Ji An is number six.

Someone immediately spoke up without hesitation:

"Sixty high-grade spirit stones."

Eighty yuan!

"Eighty-five yuan!"

"Ninety yuan!"

"One hundred dollars."

Without an auctioneer setting the stage, the atmosphere immediately became intense.

If you miss this opportunity, you'll have to wait another twelve years. How many twelve-year periods does one have in a lifetime?
All those present were fifth-stage Chaoyuan cultivators, quite wealthy; otherwise, they wouldn't have been invited. Of course, the Wei family would investigate the invitees' financial situation; otherwise, what would a bunch of poor people gain from bidding?
It's important to know that purchasing a spot costs a considerable amount. Although many cultivators enter the Spirit Realm and become completely useless, unable to comprehend the divine meaning of the mutual generation of earth and metal, they didn't think that way when they entered.

Wei Tianhua listened to the quote with a serious expression, but his heart was filled with joy.

It hasn't been long, and the price has already reached half the cost of purchasing a spot.

Let's get to it!

With something on his mind, he couldn't maintain a serious expression, and a smile crept onto his lips.

Realizing that this was inappropriate, he immediately suppressed his smile and tried to become serious.

Pretending to be tough is tiring, as is pretending to be serious; he endured it with great difficulty.

The auction price kept rising steadily, quickly reaching 80% of the purchase cost.

Wei Tianhua's gaze swept over Ji An's location, his brows furrowing slightly; the other party hadn't made a single bid.

He recalled the other person's information and remembered that the other person was a candidate recommended by the family's talisman shop, and was said to have outstanding talisman-making skills.

He subtly and carefully observed the other person's expression, and felt much more at ease.

Based on his years of experience in auctions, the other party was likely the kind of ruthless character who would only make a move at the very end.

The monks' offers slowed down, and some began to include resources in their offers.

A veiled female cultivator called out:
"One hundred and fifty high-grade spirit stones, plus one Earth Marrow Pearl."

She took out a stone bead that emitted a warm, yellow glow. This was an unwritten rule of the auction: if resources were to be used as a bargaining chip, their authenticity needed to be verified.

The Earth Marrow Pearl is a second-tier top-grade spiritual item, and Wei Tianhua knew that this meant the real competition was about to begin.

He jumped off the platform, walked to the female cultivator's side, took the spirit pearl, examined it carefully, and then said in a deep voice:

"The Earth Marrow Pearl is of excellent quality, valued at thirty-five high-grade spirit stones. Are you interested?"

The female cultivator nodded, "I'm willing."

Wei Tianhua said loudly:
"Fellow Daoist Number Two has offered a price equivalent to 185 high-grade spirit stones."

Not long after he finished speaking, a cultivator dressed in an ochre yin-yang fish-patterned Taoist robe spoke up:

"Five catties of Six Yang Divine Soil, plus one hundred and fifty-five high-grade spirit stones."

Wei Tianhua recognized the other party; his name was Zhang Daoyan, a well-known puppeteer in the Immortal City who could refine second-tier top-grade puppets.

It is said that the other party is over four hundred years old. Such cultivators do not have enough lifespan, so they are willing to compete for a spot regardless of the cost.

If the other party cultivates a special technique or has taken a longevity pill, their remaining lifespan may reach 150 years.

But time is the most expensive thing, and if they miss the opportunity, it will be difficult to go further.

If a cultivator's vital energy shows signs of decline, it almost certainly means they will never be able to break through to a higher realm.

Wei Tianhua examined the Six Yang Divine Soil and said:

"Five catties of second-grade top-quality spirit soil, worth forty high-grade spirit stones."

Zhang Daoyan nodded. "I agree."

"Fellow Daoist Number Four bids 195 high-grade spirit stones."

The price climbed again, and after a fierce competition, only three people continued bidding.

After the female cultivator made another bid, Zhang Daoyan gritted his teeth and made another bid:

"Ten catties of Six Yang Divine Soil, plus two hundred spirit stones."

Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Zhang's lifespan is not long enough, and he is determined to secure this spot.

Wei Tianhua's face immediately darkened, and he said:

“Fellow Daoist Zhang, this is against the rules. If you utter similar remarks again, the Wei family will expel you.”

The tone of the other party's words already contained a threatening intent, which would interfere with other people's normal bidding.

"Please forgive me, I was in a hurry."

Zhang Daoyan appeared to sincerely admit his mistake, and then said with a smile:

"Everyone should make their bids without hesitation."

That being said, Ji An clearly sensed that the others were much more cautious in their bidding.

Ultimately, the bidding process stopped.

Wei Tianhua watched the fine sand in the hourglass flow away rapidly, soon passing halfway, and shouted:
"Ten catties of Six Yang Divine Soil, one Wu Earth Divine Pearl, and two hundred high-grade spirit stones."

That's equivalent to 310 high-grade spirit stones. Any further bids?

A slight smile appeared on Zhang Daoyan's tightly pursed lips. He had been operating in the Immortal City for many years, and he had dealt with all the cultivators present except for one he didn't recognize.

In his view, this price was extremely high, far exceeding previous transaction prices.

Twelve years ago, he also successfully bid for a spot, spending 240 high-grade spirit stones. Unfortunately, he did not achieve a higher level of enlightenment in the Nine Nether Lands.

He had grasped three of the five elements' mutual generation, but his lifespan no longer allowed him to wait patiently; he could only grit his teeth and persevere.

This is his last gamble. If everything goes smoothly, he still has a chance to break through to the Golden Core stage; otherwise, forget about it.

Wei Tianhua's gaze swept across everyone's faces, lingering a moment longer on Ji An.

He roared inwardly, 'Buddy, it's your turn!'

Although the price was far beyond his expectations, who would complain about earning less spirit stones? Earning one more high-grade spirit stone would be great.

Ji An did not disappoint him and gently raised his hand:
"Two hundred and ninety-five high-grade spirit stones, plus two pieces of top-grade Azure Dragon Wood."

He was helpless, not expecting the price to be so much higher than he had anticipated. He had initially estimated that the high-grade spirit stones he had were enough.

After quoting the price, he took out the Azure Dragon Wood. The fish scale pattern on the outer bark of the spirit wood shimmered, and a blurry azure dragon shadow could be seen at the cut.

Wei Tianhua suppressed his excitement, jumped off the platform to examine the spirit wood, and when he probed it with his divine sense, he immediately heard a vast dragon roar.

He was an appraiser with in-depth knowledge of various spiritual materials. Although he had never encountered such a miraculous Azure Dragon Wood, he had heard of its extraordinary properties.

Wood is associated with growth and development. Second-tier top-grade Azure Dragon Wood has a self-repairing function. Although its repair ability is very weak and far inferior to that of third-tier spiritual materials, it still has this magical function.

"Fellow Daoist, these two pieces of Azure Dragon Wood are valued at thirty-five high-grade spirit stones. Do you agree?"

“Okay,” Ji An nodded, “it’s five yuan more than I expected.”

Zhang Daoyan expressed his dissatisfaction:
"Hehe, I'm a puppeteer. Even a second-tier top-grade Azure Dragon Wood wouldn't fetch this price."

He had handled many top-grade Azure Dragon Woods. Although they looked better, their size was a factor, and he was only willing to pay a maximum of twenty-five high-grade spirit stones to acquire them.

He suspected the other person was a shill!
Wei Tianhua retorted sternly:

"Fellow Daoist, be careful with your words. You are damaging the reputation of the Wei family."

“I also have considerable knowledge of spirit wood, and I request to participate in the appraisal.”

Wei Tianhua's face darkened; this was clearly a sign of distrust.

The other cultivators chimed in, "We support Fellow Daoist Zhang!"

Those who enjoy watching the drama never mind making things worse; they couldn't get a spot themselves, but they didn't want to see others get one easily either.

"This is a one-time exception. If any fellow bidder does the same thing again, I will disqualify you."

Wei Tianhua reached out his hand and said coldly:
"please!"

Zhang Daoyan ignored the other party's ugly expression. He was also helpless, as he didn't have many chips left.

He probed with his divine sense, and when the vast dragon roar rang out, his expression suddenly changed in surprise. This material was worth forty spirit stones!

Wei Tianhua, observing the changes in the other person's expression, said in a deep voice:
Was my assessment fair?

Zhang Daoyan's expression changed several times. He glared at Ji An and then turned to leave.

He could only afford ten high-grade resources; otherwise, he would have to sell the puppet.

In order to raise funds for the auction, he mortgaged the puppets he had made. Now he only has one puppet left, which is his last resort.

If he sells the puppet, his safety cannot be guaranteed when he travels.

Wei Tianhua ignored the other party's early departure and flipped the hourglass, saying:

"Fellow Daoist Number Six has offered the equivalent of 320 high-grade spirit stones. Are there any higher bids?"

He called out three times, and the hourglass flipped.

"make a deal!"

(End of this chapter)