A Mortal's Journey to Immortality: Starting as a Rogue Cultivator

"By the way, after the items in our auction are sold out, we will also give all seniors and fellow Daoists time to trade freely. If there are any items that you want to exchange or sell at that time, you can display them and trade them on your own. We will not interfere."

Alright, enough chit-chat, let the auction begin.

Chapter 63 Auction

The auctioneer's voice was loud and clear, echoing throughout the room.

"The first item in this auction is the top-tier magic weapon, the Frost Sword. It was crafted by a Core Formation stage cultivator and incorporates the demonic soul of a two-headed raven. It possesses the Frost Mist technique with ice attributes, capable of altering the surrounding temperature and freezing enemies."

Frost Mist Technique is a beginner-to-intermediate level spell, but if this sword were forged with alchemical fire during the Core Formation stage and further enhanced by the Cold Crow Demon Soul, its power would likely be even greater.

It is a masterpiece among top-tier magical artifacts.

"Starting bid: 200 low-grade spirit stones."

"Four hundred!"

Almost the instant the auctioneer finished speaking, some clever people used their aura to intimidate their fellow traders.

"The Moon Concealing Sect is really generous, starting with a top-tier magic weapon with decent power."

Wang Li, who didn't fancy the sword, muttered to himself.

Ultimately, the sword was successfully sold for a high price of 660 spirit stones.

"The second item is a rare insect egg."

Insect eggs?

What's the use of this thing?

A murmur rippled through the crowd, with a dozen or so Foundation Establishment cultivators being the most active. The majority of Qi Refining cultivators, however, showed little interest.

Upon seeing this, the auctioneer frowned slightly, then coughed twice before flashing a bright and genuine smile:

"As you all know, it's best to perform blood sacrifices on spirit insects and spirit beasts from their very infancy, using their own blood and mind control techniques. This ensures their unwavering loyalty to their master. As for this insect egg, it's the egg of the Black-bellied Black Dove, a rare and precious insect ranked over three hundredth on the list of rare insects. This spirit insect..."

Those ranked in the thousands are the best of the best on the list of unusual insects.

It is truly remarkable to be able to produce such a spirit insect ranked around 300th.

"In future battles, with such helpers, it will be a two-on-one situation for those of the same level. If we really can't win, we can have our spirit pets cover our retreat, buying precious time for their owners. Everyone, please think this through."

However, even with the auctioneer's silver tongue, most Qi Refining stage disciples remained unmoved.

This situation is normal in some ways, but not entirely unreasonable in others.

Therefore, Wang Li tried his best to write down all these things in his notebook. He had a general idea of ​​what each of them had bought and what they would generally use them for.

Huh? Why are you paying attention to these younger guys?

Because there's a very high probability that some of them will be the ATMs for this Crimson Trial. Knowing a little bit about it beforehand will make things much easier later.

Afterwards, one top-tier magical artifact and rare material after another was unveiled, and the atmosphere at the scene gradually became lively. When the two thousand-year-old spiritual materials that Wang Li had consigned for auction also appeared at a high price, and when the auctioneer gave them a series of flowery praises, even the two late-stage Foundation Establishment appraisers in the back row were moved.

Wang Li was delighted to see this.

If he could tip, he certainly wouldn't be stingy with a few spirit stones as a small reward.

Ultimately, the 1,500-year-old cedar wood sold for over 2,000 spirit stones. The slightly younger oak wood only fetched 1,300 spirit stones. It's clear that with each increase in age, the price of spiritual materials skyrockets almost parabolically.

Of the many items that followed, Wang Li only made a move once.

It is a pair of high-grade magical artifacts called "Purple Light Sensing Beads".

Once crafted, this magical artifact comes in pairs. Not only can they release a protective light barrier, but if one bead is breached and destroyed, the other bead within a thousand miles will sense this and simultaneously break apart. It's quite fascinating.

This kind of magical artifact should be the most commonly used defensive artifact among the disciples of the Hehuan Sect of the Demonic Path.

Seeing it in the market of the Hidden Moon Sect really surprised him.

……

"Ahem, I suppose the previous trinkets weren't enough to satisfy everyone, after all, this is our Star-Picking Pavilion's monthly grand auction. So, let's begin the main event: the thirtieth item, a rare gem among top-tier magical artifacts, the Twelve Water-Stabilizing Pearls!"

This treasure was crafted from the innate gems atop the heads of twelve high-ranking demonic beasts called "Bulbasaur." All twelve gems originated from the same source, each a fine high-ranking magical artifact, capable of displaying the brilliance of a superior high-ranking magical artifact. When used as a set, they surpass many rare top-ranking magical artifacts. In terms of value, it rivals even the most exquisite minor top-ranking magical artifacts.

"Starting bid: 300 low-grade spirit stones!"

The scene immediately erupted in excitement.

Wang Li was so excited that she almost stood up.

These twelve water beads were practically tailor-made for him.

"Wait, don't rush, don't be impatient, and don't reveal your needs."

But the surrounding cultivators were anxious.

Everyone's desire to buy was aroused by that scoundrel of an auctioneer.

They completely forgot how hard the other person had worked before.

What?

Thinking of his own jade beaded silk, and then considering the consumption of spiritual energy by a complete set of magical artifacts: he had an idea.

"Can these beads be disassembled and used separately?"

Wang Li asked curiously.

"Of course! Isn't that precisely what makes a complete set of magical artifacts so appealing?"

Auctioneers love shills like this.

"That's great. Now, let me ask two more questions: If these beads are disassembled and used, they will still be high-grade magic artifacts. But since we can't control all twelve beads at the same time with our divine sense, can they still unleash the full power of a high-grade magic artifact? When they are broken one by one by a powerful top-grade magic artifact, can they withstand the attack without being damaged?"

Ah this...

Everyone knew perfectly well that a cultivator's spiritual sense was limited.

Even though the twelve beads share the same origin, the sheer number means that while the amount of spiritual energy consumed will be reduced, it won't be as easy as a Divine Spirit controlling four magical artifacts. For an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator, controlling two or three magical artifacts simultaneously is the limit; any more would be a burden and could even severely impair their ability to defend themselves against their surroundings.

If this is the case in the Foundation Establishment stage, then it's even more true in the Qi Refining stage.

Furthermore, a high-level magic weapon is still a high-level magic weapon. No matter how complete the set is, if it is targeted by a powerful top-level magic weapon, and the opponent has enough magic power and is determined to launch a fierce attack, it can still destroy it one by one.

This is a fundamental flaw.

These two points alone, once pointed out by Wang Li, instantly calmed everyone down: Yes, even if it is comparable to a minor top-grade item, it still requires the ability to unleash its power.

"Fellow Daoist, that's not fair."

Someone's displeased divine sense transmitted a message to Wang Li's ears.

Wang Li raised his eyes, glanced at one of the two late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators backstage, and his lips also moved slightly:

"I want this item; if it fails to sell, I'll offer nine hundred spirit stones!"

Upon hearing this, the other person's eyes lit up, and then they nodded with a barely perceptible smile.

Although it didn't reach the initial target price of 1,200 spirit stones, 900 is enough to recover losses and make a small profit.

After all, this thing was originally a failed attempt at refining a certain matching magical artifact.

In the end, the item didn't fail to sell and was bought by Wang Li for 630 low-grade spirit stones. The frustrated late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator was furious, but there was nothing he could do.

After all, that's the rule they set themselves.

"Congratulations to this fellow Daoist for acquiring this treasure at an incredibly low price."

The auctioneer was naturally annoyed, so he said something strange that would attract hatred.

"Tch, is this how your firm treats its customers?"

Aside from unorthodox cultivators and a small number of wicked rogue cultivators who specialize in murder and robbery, the cultivation world of Yue Kingdom is generally quite peaceful. Even the disciples of the seven major sects, though they engage in plunder, wouldn't prey on those close to them. Wang Li, who has been with Huangfeng Valley for many years, understands this perfectly well.

"Fellow Daoist misunderstands. My Star-Picking Pavilion is not petty. Xiao Wu, let's begin the next item for auction."

Another elder, a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, smoothed things over.

The matter was thus dropped.

"when……"

The sound of the gong instantly dispelled the slightly tense atmosphere.

And the middle-aged auctioneer, his face flushed, uttered a few intriguing words:

"As you all know, iron essence, copper essence, silver essence, etc., are all raw materials for magical treasures that can only be extracted from thousands of metals by experts at the Core Formation stage, right?"

Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up.

"Does your bank have some rare gold items up for auction this time?"

"The thirty-first item, a top-tier, exquisite magical artifact: the Heaven-Covering Bell!"

Before anyone could ask, the middle-aged auctioneer quickly added:

"This treasure was crafted by a master craftsman, possessing extraordinary power. It can be used for both offense and defense, and can be made large or small, even to trap enemies. Most remarkably, a considerable amount of copper essence was later added to the bronze bell, making it exceptionally sturdy. Starting bid: three hundred spirit stones."

A bell that covers the sky?

The bronze bell of Xuanle?

Chapter 64 The Auction Ends

Regardless of whether it's that bronze bell or not, let's take it first.

With nearly three months remaining, following the route planned on the map, we can quickly sweep through the area and return to Yellow Maple Valley. After that, we should have about ten days. In those ten days, we can easily make another trip to the small spirit mine in the northeast corner guarded by the Foundation Establishment elder surnamed Yu.

"Five hundred spirit stones."

The one making the bid was not Wang Li.

The price immediately stunned most of the cultivators present. Apart from the twenty-odd Foundation Establishment cultivators, no one else had any intention of competing for the bell.

"Five hundred and ten spirit stones."

Some people have tried it out.

"Five hundred and fifty spirit stones."

The first bidder gave no one else time to react, raising the price again without even flinching. And subsequently, no matter how others bid, he would immediately beat them. The price quickly climbed to seven hundred low-grade spirit stones.