Immortality begins with upgrading buildings

Chapter 229 Half and Half [Seeking Monthly Tickets]

Ji Yuan only glanced at it briefly before looking away.

Now that he has changed his appearance, it's not appropriate for him to go up and say hello. He can only wait until the auction ends to see how things go.

Not long after.

He was then led by the female cultivator to a private room on the second floor, where a small spirit-gathering array was set up, and fresh spirit fruits were placed on the table.

There was even a small bed for resting next to it.

If only Senior Sister Dong were here too… The thought was quickly dismissed by Ji Yuan, who dared not entertain such thoughts.

"This auction will last for quite a while, so if you need anything, please feel free to send me a message."

After the female cultivator finished speaking, she handed over a white communication talisman with both hands.

Ji Yuan casually took it and put it into his storage bag. "Alright, you can go back to your work."

"Yes, this junior will take his leave."

After the female cultivator bowed and left, Ji Yuan closed the door and activated the restrictions inside the room. From then on, he could see the situation outside, but the outside could not see what was inside his room.

He stood by the window, looking down at the Foundation Establishment cultivators in the lobby on the first floor.

His gaze lingered on one person for a moment.

Master of Qinghe Island.

To be precise, it should be Senior Brother Qinghe.

Back when Ji Yuan was still in the Water Dragon Sect, before he had even established his foundation or become a disciple, he accepted Hua Yaoyue's task of collecting wine at the Thousand Machine Hall.

The Lord of Qinghe Island was the one in charge of this task.

It could even be said that Ji Yuan's later acquaintance with Hua Yaoyue was thanks to the matchmaking efforts of Qinghe Island Master.

After Ji Yuan successfully established his foundation, the two exchanged messages several times. When Ji Yuan went to Qianji Hall, he also drank tea in its back room a few times.

But since there was no real connection between them, their relationship gradually drifted apart.

For the past two years, the two haven't seen each other much.

But Ji Yuan's storage bag now contains his communication talismans.

Ji Yuan never expected that she would meet him again in Lanshan City, thousands of miles away.

'But how did he get here?'

Ji Yuan stood on the second floor, sizing him up.

At this moment, the Lord of Qinghe Island was sitting at an angle, his right hand dangling on the chair in front of him, chatting with another middle-aged man about something, both of them with smiles on their faces.

But most of the time, it was the Qinghe Island Master who was talking, and the other person would only occasionally chime in.

This situation usually indicates that... Island Master Qinghe wants to befriend the other party, but the other party doesn't seem to have much interest in it.

Ji Yuan looked around for a while and then realized that the seat where the Qinghe Island Master was sitting was not his.

Because a female cultivator wearing a light green dress came up behind him. After she got to the spot, she checked the location several times before speaking to the Qinghe Island Master.

The Qinghe Island Master quickly stood up, bowed his head and apologized a few times, then said goodbye to the middle-aged man before turning to leave.

After leaving the center of the hall, he went to the right side of the hall and stood in the shadows.

Since Ji Yuan happened to be in a position to see it, he took a few more glances.

The Lord of Qinghe Island stood there for about half an incense stick's time, until a maid from the auction house walked up to him and whispered a few words in his ear.

He immediately followed the maid and left.

The direction they were heading was still the inner hall of the auction house.

Ji Yuan only looked away when his figure completely disappeared from Ji Yuan's sight... It was a bit strange. At first, he thought that the Lord of Qinghe Island had come here to attend the auction.

But once he was kicked out of his position, Ji Yuan felt that it might not be the case.

When the female cultivator came looking for him, Ji Yuan assumed that she was in the same private room on the second floor as him.

But judging from the way they spoke... that's not the case. This Qinghe Island Master doesn't seem to be here to attend the auction; rather, he seems to be an insider at the auction house.

"Could it be that Senior Brother Qinghe has taken on some kind of job, earning extra money at this auction house?"

Ji Yuan didn't know why.

Although he was somewhat curious, he wouldn't ask.

Everyone has their own life, as long as it doesn't bother him, that's fine.

He then waited in the private room for about an hour, around 7:00 AM. Seeing that all the seats in the hall were full, the auction began amidst cheers.

The auction began with a tedious bidding and shouting process.

Moreover, the items put up for auction here are usually not very valuable, with prices mostly below 500 mid-grade spirit stones, including many Foundation Establishment Pills with one pattern.

Seeing that Ji Yuan had no intention of bidding, he sat down in the private room to rest.

The first half of the auction lasted for a full day.

Ji Yuan also noticed that most of these items were being bid on by the people sitting in the hall.

There were very few bidders on the second floor, and not a single bidder on the third floor.

One day later.

The old cultivator who was presiding over the auction stepped down, and a young and beautiful woman took her place; she was also a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Ning Shanshan had also introduced Ji Yuan to him; she said he was the number one Foundation Establishment cultivator in the Yu Ling Sect, and the Daoist partner of Senior Ye Chen.

Her name is He Qianyue. Because of her good looks and the fact that she is Ye Chen's Daoist partner, she is quite famous throughout the territory of the Yuling Sect.

Just like now, as soon as He Qianyue came up, many people in the lobby on the first floor greeted her.

They kept calling her "Fairy He" as if they were very familiar with each other.

He Qianyue greeted them one by one, and then said with a smile that the auction was tiring and that everyone should rest for an hour first.

Immediately afterwards, a series of maids dressed in short skirts filed in, each carrying a refreshing spiritual tea and some delicious spiritual fruits.

Ji Yuan and his group on the second floor were no exception... This auction house is quite efficient.

Moreover, Ji Yuan, standing on the windowsill, also saw that several women wearing short skirts went into the private room on the second floor and never came out again.

It seems I should learn some Taoist techniques from these wealthy Foundation Establishment seniors.

After a one-hour break, the auction resumed, and what followed was considered the intermission. The items were all quite good.

Items such as two-pattern Foundation Establishment Pills, some high-grade spiritual artifacts, some second-tier formations, cultivation techniques that can lead directly to the Golden Core stage, or some rare intermediate-level spells, etc.

The auction lasted for another day, and Ji Yuan gained a lot of knowledge. During the auction, he also made a purchase, spending 1080 mid-grade spirit stones to buy two Heavenly Thunder Seeds.

He didn't find anything else that appealed to him.

However, he made a lot of money from those two-pattern Foundation Establishment Pills.

Including the 6 he offered, a total of 9 two-pattern Foundation Establishment Pills were auctioned at this auction, with each one priced at 800 mid-grade spirit stones or more.

These alone made Ji Yuan a fortune.

Not to mention there are also two Foundation Establishment Pills with one pattern.

He estimated that the spirit stones from selling Foundation Establishment Pills alone would be enough to cover the cost of buying Millennium Spirit Milk, and there would even be a surplus.

As for the spirit stones in the storage bag, they were meant to be used to buy the corpse of that third-tier dragon.

The second day of the auction has ended.

The real highlight comes on the third day... because the items auctioned on this day will be the most anticipated and important ones.

This included the 10 drops of millennium-old spiritual milk that Ji Yuan had been longing for, as well as the corpse of that third-tier dragon.

"I'm sure all of you distinguished guests are eager to get started, so let's skip the break and begin our grand finale auction."

The auction was hosted by He Qianyue once again, and she looked very graceful in a light green gradient dress.

"Next, please welcome our first and final item—the supreme spiritual artifact, the Fire Dragon Banner!"

"The closing auction will follow the same old rules."

No starting price.

As soon as she finished speaking, a lazy voice rang out from the second floor, "1000 mid-grade spirit stones."

"1100 mid-grade spirit stones."

"..."

It was only at this final auction that Ji Yuan truly understood what it meant to spend money like water. The price of any item here was over 2000 mid-grade spirit stones.

Ji Yuan wanted every single item in the final auction.

But wanting something is one thing, actually getting it is another.

As items were auctioned off one by one, the 10 drops of Millennium Spirit Milk that Ji Yuan needed soon arrived.

It was still a young female cultivator wearing a pink short skirt, revealing her long, snow-white legs, carrying a jade plate with a jade bottle on it, which was then presented on the auction stage.

He Qianyue smiled and said, "Next up for auction is our Foundation Establishment stage life-saving treasure—Millennium Spirit Milk!"

"As you all probably know, even if a Foundation Establishment Peak cultivator's dantian is empty, a single drop of Thousand-Year Spirit Milk is all it takes to instantly restore them to their peak condition."

"Moreover, this thousand-year-old spiritual milk isn't just effective for us Foundation Establishment cultivators, it can even..."

He Qianyue looked up towards the third floor, took a deep breath, and said, "It would also be of great use to a Golden Core cultivator!"

As soon as she finished speaking, she gently tapped the bidding gavel on the table.

"Ten drops of Millennium Spirit Milk, auction begins now!"

As soon as she finished speaking, several voices came from the private room on the second floor where Ji Yuan was located.

"2000 spirit stones."

"I'll offer 3000."

"Just go for it, 4000."

"..."

With just a few words, the price of those 10 drops of millennium-old spiritual milk was almost raised to its due value, deterring other Foundation Establishment cultivators who wanted to join in the fun.

After all, at this price level, a deal could be made at any time.

If you join the fun and bid, and accidentally win the bid... you'll be doomed if you can't afford the spirit stones later!

"This price isn't right? I'll take it, 4100 spirit stones."

A lazy male voice suddenly came from next door to Ji Yuan.

He also acquired the first and final item, the top-grade spiritual artifact, the Fire Dragon Banner.

This guy is probably a second-generation immortal like Li Changhe, what a scoundrel... Ji Yuan waited for a moment, and then someone else spoke.

"Young Master Qian, how about 4300 spirit stones for a face?"

"Haha, okay, it's rare to see something Brother Liu needs, so let's give it to Brother Liu then."

A burst of hearty laughter came from the private room next to Ji Yuan's.

As for the price, it's considered normal.

Ji Yuan stood by the window, his hands behind his back, silently looking at the high platform on the first floor.

Perhaps the cultivator surnamed Liu on the other side really had some influence, because after he said those words, no one else bid.

Seeing that auctioneer He Qianyue was about to strike the gavel, Ji Yuan had no choice but to call out, "4400 mid-grade spirit stones."

Before speaking, he deliberately stuck some phlegm in his throat, so his voice was very hoarse.

As soon as he opened his mouth, many cultivators on the first floor looked up at his private room, which made Ji Yuan feel a chill down his spine.

"Oh?"

The cultivator surnamed Liu opposite seemed somewhat surprised, but didn't say much. Instead, he shouted again, "4500."

Now that Ji Yuan has spoken, there's no reason for him to back down.

Just as he was about to speak, he heard a sound coming from next door.

"Fellow Daoist, are you perhaps from out of town? May I ask who is the person bidding across the street?"

Ji Yuan paused for a moment, then replied, "Who is it?"

"Liu Changle, son of Master Liu of the Yuling Sect."

...Damn it, I didn't expect the other side to be a Golden Core cultivator as well!

"As the offspring of a Golden Core cultivator, surely they wouldn't be lacking in 10 drops of millennium-old spiritual milk?"

"Who knows? I see you're a bit stubborn, so I'm just giving you a heads-up: he has a temper... That's all I have to say. It's up to you now."

The person opposite spoke in a strange way, and seemed to shrug, giving off a rather helpless feeling.

Thanks.

Ji Yuan didn't expect that the seemingly unapproachable fellow Daoist next to him would actually remind him, so after a slight hesitation, he still chose to continue bidding.

It's all anonymous auctions; at worst, you can just exchange everything for a shapeshifting talisman.

He didn't believe the auction house would dare to reveal his identity to others; if they dared to do that, the auction house would have gone bankrupt long ago.

So when He Qianyue had already struck the gavel for the first auction, Ji Yuan still called out, "4550 mid-grade spirit stones."

Even He Qianyue was somewhat surprised by his bid.

To Ji Yuan's surprise, Liu Changle on the other side actually spoke up:

"Alright, it seems you truly need this thousand-year-old spiritual milk. In that case, I, Liu Changle, will not compete with you and will simply give it to you."

Now it was Ji Yuan's turn to be surprised.

He originally thought that even if he could acquire this thousand-year-old spiritual milk, it would cost a fortune, and he might even offend Liu Changle... But he never expected that Liu Changle would be such a generous person.

"I truly need this thousand-year-old spiritual milk to save my life, so thank you in advance, Fellow Daoist Liu."

Since the other party offered a way out, Ji Yuan naturally had to reciprocate.

So he spent 4550 mid-grade spirit stones to successfully acquire the 10 drops of millennium spirit milk that he had been longing for.

After he successfully bid for the thousand-year-old spiritual milk, the man's voice came from the next private room again.

However, this time when he spoke, his voice carried a clear hint of amusement.

"Well, fellow Daoist seems to be a bold person. I didn't expect this couldn't scare you."

Ji Yuan knew perfectly well that this guy was just trying to scare people.

"Why is this so, fellow Daoist?"

Ji Yuan's voice carried a clear hint of displeasure.

"There's no need for so many reasons. He just finds you interesting to be an outsider. Brother Liu's temper is known throughout the entire Yu Ling Sect. If you keep refusing to let go, he will definitely give in to you."

Ji Yuan wasn't sure if the other party was telling the truth or not, so he just gave a perfunctory reply:

"Fellow Daoist Liu is a good person."

This time, the other side remained noncommittal, only offering a chuckle.

After the auction of the thousand-year-old spiritual milk, normally the next item should be the third-tier dragon, including its corpse, essence blood, and demon core.

This is the second to last item up for auction.

They will wait until the dragon is auctioned off before they auction off the disciple slots for True Person Lingyu.

For some reason, He Qianyue, who was on the high platform on the first floor, seemed to have received a telepathic message. Her expression immediately turned somewhat unpleasant, and even her brows furrowed deeply.

For a moment, the entire hall was filled with whispers and discussions.

Ji Yuan also stepped forward and stood on the windowsill to look around.

"It seems something has happened."

The talkative voice came again from the private room next to Ji Yuan's.

After a moment of silence, He Qianyue suddenly bowed to the surroundings and forced a smile, saying, "I'm sorry, there was a slight accident. The rest of the auction will be handled by Uncle Wang."

After saying that, she hurriedly left the stage.

No sooner had she left than a streak of light flashed into the high platform, and the moment it appeared, the hall fell silent.

Without him.

With the arrival of a Golden Core cultivator, who would dare to act recklessly?

"I have met Master Heming."

The Foundation Establishment cultivators in the lobby on the first floor all stood up and bowed to the old man on the high platform.

Ji Yuan was also sizing up the newly appeared Golden Core cultivator, who was wearing a brocade yellow robe with a lifelike white crane embroidered on the chest. His beard and hair were all white, his body was slightly thin, and his face was covered with wrinkles.

"Please, everyone, there's no need for such formalities. Please have a seat."

Master Heming, with his hands behind his back, said, "Next, we will auction off Fellow Daoist Lingyu's disciple slot. As usual, there will be no starting price. The auction will now begin."

With a Golden Core cultivator here, there's no need for so much nonsense.

In short, let's start the auction right away.

...So it seems that something must have happened to Ye Chen and Cao Lang who went to slay the dragon?

Otherwise, why wouldn't they auction off the dragon's corpse?

Then, considering that He Qianyue had left in a hurry earlier, she was Ye Chen's Daoist partner, so she must have received some news.

If Ji Yuan could think of this, most of the others could probably guess it as well.

However, this did not prevent the auction from continuing, because as soon as Master Heming finished speaking, a soft female voice rang out from the third floor.

"100... high-grade spirit stones."

Ji Yuan was somewhat surprised when he heard the price.

10000 mid-grade spirit stones, such a steep price... And the price shouted from the third floor is for a Golden Core cultivator. It seems they're not giving Foundation Establishment cultivators a chance to learn from this.

"200".

Immediately afterwards, another rough voice rang out from the third floor.

The female cultivator continued shouting, "400."

"500".

"1000".

"..."

The price kept rising, and the auction for this spot seemed to have become a battle between the two of them.

This further solidified Ji Yuan's previous idea... These two people probably represent the Yu Ling Sect and the Corpse Driving Mountain respectively, and both of them are recruiting Ling Yu Zhenren.

Moreover, judging from the fact that Lingyu Zhenren was able to negotiate with the Six Immortals Sect, his strength must be extremely high, so it is understandable that the two Immortals Sects would go to such lengths to recruit him.

Prices are rising extremely rapidly.

Before long, the price had already soared to an astronomical 5000 high-grade spirit stones.

Only at this point did the rate of price increase slow down.

"Well then, Brother Xuanding, continuing to bid is just a waste of time. Why don't we just name our top price to save ourselves the trouble?" suggested the female cultivator on the third floor.

"Alright, then I'll listen to Ziqi."

The man with the gruff voice agreed, and then said loudly, "Our Yuling Sect is willing to offer 10000 high-grade spirit stones in exchange for Fellow Daoist Lingyu's discipleship."

The moment the price was announced, gasps of shock echoed throughout the lobby.

Even Ji Yuan found it hard to believe.

A top-grade spirit stone, still 10000 pieces.

It seems that the Yuling Sect really has no shortage of resources to invite this Lingyu Zhenren.

After Xuan Ding Zhenren announced the price, Zi Qi Zhenren of the Corpse-Driving Mountain remained silent for a long time.

It goes without saying that they were probably communicating with someone inside the door.

After a moment, Master Ziqi spoke again, "In that case, congratulations."

After saying that, a streak of purple light flew away from the third floor and disappeared without a trace.

Meanwhile, Master Heming on the first floor struck the auction gavel and announced loudly, "Congratulations to this distinguished guest for winning the discipleship of Master Lingyu."

A wave of applause erupted on the first floor.

Just then, a warm and mellow voice came from the third floor, "Fellow Daoist Heming, I just saw that young friend who was bidding leave in a hurry, and there's no trace of that dragon. Could something have happened?"

These words calmed the previously noisy auction down once again.

From next door, came the talkative, surprised voice.

"Huh, Master Lingyu is actually here."

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(End of this chapter)