Mortal: Starting with the Falling Cloud Sect, I proved my Dao through gacha pulls.

That ancient teleportation array was located in an abandoned mine deep in a vast wasteland in the northeast of the Yue Kingdom.

The Yue Kingdom was located south of the Xi Kingdom, and several smaller kingdoms separated the two countries, the largest of which was the Yuanwu Kingdom.

His route was to first cross the Yuanwu Kingdom and then head straight for the mine.

This world is vast and boundless, with beautiful mountains and rivers, countless wonders, each with its own unique charm.

Su Mu did not urge the Rainbow Shuttle to travel at full speed. Instead, he slowed down and leisurely enjoyed the scenery along the way.

Having cultivated for many years, this was the first time he had calmed down and carefully observed the magnificent landscape of the cultivation world. His mind became clear and enlightened, and he even experienced a subtle improvement.

When passing through towns and markets, he would put away his Rainbow Shuttle, switch to an inexpensive flying sword, and enter the city discreetly. He would either experience the local customs and culture or casually purchase the spiritual materials he needed, living a very carefree and leisurely life.

Enjoying the scenery and customs of various countries along the way, the journey was quite leisurely and pleasant.

Two months later.

In the Baihong Mountain market of Yuanwu Kingdom, Su Mu was selecting medicinal herbs in a herb shop.

However, the medicinal herbs sold in the shop were of shallow age and mediocre quality, and none of them caught his eye. He shook his head slightly and was about to turn around and look for another shop when a shop assistant quickly stepped forward to stop him.

"Please wait, sir!"

The waiter had a big smile on his face and spoke in a solicitous tone.

"You've come at a really bad time. In a few days, Baihong Mountain will hold its once-in-a-lifetime auction, which will be personally hosted by the local Yumen sect. The high-quality spiritual herbs you're looking for are already sold out in ordinary shops and have all been taken to the auction. If you really want them, you might as well come to the auction in a few days and give it a try."

"An auction in the cultivation world?"

Upon hearing this, Su Mu immediately became quite interested. Since his transmigration, he had never personally experienced such a scene, and judging from what the shopkeeper said, there would certainly be no shortage of rare spiritual materials present.

Having made up his mind, he thanked the waiter and returned straight to the inn, waiting for the auction a few days later.

"This auction in the cultivation world is an essential part of the experience."

Su Mu muttered to himself, a slight chuckle creeping onto his face. He certainly didn't want to miss such a classic scene; perhaps he could even pick up a bargain from it.

three days later.

The largest auction house on Baihong Mountain was bustling with activity. Su Mu raised his hand and showed a plain-colored ring. After the guards at the door examined it, they immediately bowed and let him through.

This ring was issued yesterday by the Huayu Sect for verification of qualifications. Only cultivators with a net worth of 500 spirit stones or more are eligible to enter and participate in the auction.

Upon entering the auction hall, one finds it already bustling with people and filled with noise.

Su Mu followed the number to find his private room, sat down casually, and secretly scanned his surroundings with his divine sense.

All the cultivators present were at least at the early Foundation Establishment stage, and the guardians sitting on both sides of the auction stage had unfathomable auras, having already stepped into the Pseudo-Core Formation stage.

After about half an incense stick's time, everyone had arrived. An elderly man in a Taoist robe slowly stepped onto the stage and shouted in a booming voice.

"Fellow Daoists, please quiet down!"

The old man's gaze swept across the entire room, his aura heavy and imposing. "I hereby declare that during the auction, private fights and disturbances are strictly prohibited. Anyone who violates this rule will be considered an enemy of the Huayu Sect and will be hunted down by the entire sect!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a chilling and imposing aura spread out, and the entire room fell silent instantly.

Seeing that no one dared to object, the old man's expression softened slightly, he smiled gently, and announced loudly:

"In that case, the Bai Hongshan Auction officially begins!"

"First item up for auction: a superior-grade magic weapon, the Golden Cleaver! It's imbued with the Golden Light spell. Starting bid: 200 spirit stones! Each bid must increase by at least 20 spirit stones!"

"I'll offer two hundred and thirty spirit stones!"

"Two hundred and fifty spirit stones!"

"I'll offer three hundred!"

......

Su Mu sat upright in the private room, observing coldly. The items in the first few rounds of bidding were of ordinary quality and were nothing to him, so he simply closed his eyes to rest and wait for something truly worth bidding on.

"Item number thirty-third: Minor Fire Spirit Pills, two bottles in total. Consigned for auction by an anonymous fellow Daoist. Consuming these pills can help cultivators comprehend fire-based spells. Fellow Daoists practicing fire-based techniques should not miss this opportunity!"

Starting bid: 400 spirit stones!

"Minor Fire Spirit Pill? I've never heard of such a pill before, that it can directly enhance one's comprehension of spells?"

"Hmm, I seem to have seen this pill's name in some ancient, fragmentary text. I never imagined such a pill actually existed!"

"If it truly has such miraculous effects, then we must definitely compete for it!"

An uproar immediately erupted in the audience, and the gazes of the cultivators toward the auction stage instantly became more fervent.

"I'll offer five hundred spirit stones!"

"Five hundred and eighty spirit stones!"

Seeing everyone bidding up the price, Su Mu in the private room raised the corners of his mouth slightly, a faint smile appearing on his face.

These two bottles of Minor Fire Spirit Pills were just things he casually refined in his spare time. He had quite a few similar unorthodox but practical pills hidden away, so today's scene was not entirely unexpected.

"Eight hundred spirit stones. My Fu family will take these two bottles of pills."

A calm yet authoritative voice slowly drifted from another private room, silencing the once noisy auction hall.

"The Fu family? Aren't they based on Zidao Mountain? How did they end up in Huayu Sect's territory?"

"Hmph, they're probably up to no good. The Fu family recently allied themselves with the Demon Flame Sect, and buying these fire-element pills is most likely to curry favor with the Demon Flame Sect."

"Silence! The Fu family has always been arrogant and petty. Don't say anything, or you'll get yourself into trouble."

Despite the discussions, no one dared to raise the price further.

The member of the Fu family seemed quite satisfied with the effect, slowly rose, and said loudly:

"I wonder if the fellow Daoist who refined this pill is present? My Fu family is willing to purchase any remaining pills you possess, or directly request the pill formula. If you are willing to submit to my Fu family, you will certainly be rewarded with wealth, honor, and cultivation resources!"

After he finished speaking, he took his seat.

The old man on the auction stage had a slightly somber expression, and his tone was neither warm nor cold:

"Fellow Daoist Fu, these two bottles of pills are yours. I never expected the Fu family to travel so far to Baihong Mountain. We are truly flattered."

His words were barbed, but he dared not truly offend them. The Fu family, backed by the Demon Flame Sect, was currently at the height of its power, and the Rain Transformation Sect was unwilling to easily antagonize them.

Su Mu narrowed his eyes in the private room, inwardly scoffing at the recruitment pitch.

He knew exactly what kind of people the Fu family were.

Without making a sound, he had already secretly made a mental note of the Fu family.

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the auction items that appeared one after another gradually improved, and each item was quite valuable.

Su Mu stopped watching coldly and took action at the right time, bidding on several hundred-year-old spiritual herbs and a number of rare refining materials before sitting down again to wait.

Just then, the old man on the auction stage suddenly looked strange. He lowered his hands slightly and solemnly presented the next item for auction.

"The seventy-second item: a six-thousand-year-old Crimson Essence Fruit Tree! The spiritual fruit produced by this tree can greatly purify a cultivator's own magical power. If it can be successfully cultivated, it will be an extraordinary stroke of luck. Fellow cultivators, do not miss this opportunity!"

"A six-thousand-year-old Crimson Essence Fruit Tree? Must I have misheard! The Rain Transformation Sect is actually auctioning off such a treasure? Have they gone mad?"

"Such spiritual roots are almost extinct; where did the Rain Transformation Sect find them? This matter is too strange!"

"Fellow Daoist, please refrain from speaking nonsense. How could such a precious treasure appear in the world so easily? Please tell us the truth!"

The crowd below erupted in an uproar, with all the cultivators displaying expressions of surprise and doubt, and discussions rising and falling.

Seeing this, the old man coughed twice, his expression slightly unnatural: "Please calm down, everyone. There's a reason why our Huayu Sect is putting this item up for auction. Please take a look!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the old man flicked his finger, and the long jade box in front of him slowly opened.

Inside the box lay a section of dark brown branch, about ten inches long, withered and lifeless, no different from ordinary rotten wood.

Everyone: ......

Where did this fire poker come from!