’Are there really this many items?’

Xiao Chen thought back. There were indeed quite a few cultivators in that row of small cabins who had consigned items for the auction.

’It seems that because there were too many items, they simply split the auction into two halves.’

"We pay our respects, Daoist!"

"We greet you, Daoist!"

Suddenly, a wave of respectful greetings rang out.

Xiao Chen put down the Painting Album, rose to his feet, and bowed along with everyone else.

He then saw a cultivator in red robes, who looked like a young man, striding briskly down the stairs from the floor above.

The man was brimming with youthful energy, giving no hint that he was already one hundred and sixty-one years old.

A faint smile on his face, Master Ming Yue walked to the nearest table and smoothly raised a glass of Spirit Wine.

"I, Gu Lihui, have never been good with pretty words. Today, I have just two for you—pure joy!"

"I won’t ramble. Everything that needs to be said is in this glass of wine."

"Everyone, please drain your glasses with me!"

The moment they saw him raise his glass, everyone else had already raised their own.

"We congratulate you, Daoist! May your path to immortality be long and prosperous!"

The crowd of cultivators also drained their glasses. For a moment, the hall was filled with a festive air, and both host and guests were thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Xiao Chen watched the surrounding cultivators, all of them bowing their heads in reverence.

’To be honest, I can’t help but feel a sliver of envy.’

’So this is what it means to be a Golden Core True Man!’

’Fortunately, with my Augment, the day I achieve Core Formation myself won’t be too far off.’

’When that time comes, I could consider holding a ceremony like this too.’

Master Ming Yue only made a brief appearance and did not linger, soon returning to the top floor.

Less than a Quarter Hour later, the first half of the auction began.

The first item up for auction was none other than the Top Grade, Dharma Artifact Level folding fan.

The Foundation Establishment auctioneer from Qianzhu Market announced loudly, "Distinguished guests, the Wind and Fire Three-Fold Fan you see before you is a top-tier Magical Artifact from Quanzhou."

"Its front side commands fire, its back side commands wind, and each has Triple distinct transformations."

"When activated, wind and fire rage together, making it a truly first-rate offensive weapon."

...

As it was the first item, the auctioneer spent a full half of a Quarter Hour on the introduction.

Only then did he announce the price: "The starting bid for this item is one thousand Spirit Stones. Each bid increment must be at least one hundred."

’Hmph, the same old trick to warm up the crowd.’

’Even though it was a Top Grade Magical Artifact clearly worth over ten thousand, the starting price was set conspicuously low.’

This naturally prompted several cultivators to start bidding.

Of course, since everyone present was a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, the participation wasn’t as frenzied as it would be with Loose Cultivators.

Just a few people took turns raising the bid, and the price quickly climbed to eleven thousand Spirit Stones.

At this point, the Foundation Establishment members from the many smaller families could no longer afford to compete.

It wasn’t just a question of having enough Spirit Stones. The key issue was that even if certain families could pool their resources, they wouldn’t be willing to spend it all on a single item.

But to many people’s surprise, the competition for the very first item immediately became white-hot.

The three major Commerce Associations took turns driving up the price, and the six great families of the Azure Flame Sect refused to yield.

In just a short Quarter Hour, the price of the Wind and Fire Three-Fold Fan soared from eleven thousand to thirty-one thousand.

Xiao Chen opened his Storage Bag and used his Divine Sense to take stock of his own wealth.

All told, he currently had a total of twenty-one thousand, one hundred forty-three Spirit Stones.

Before this, he’d thought he was quite rich.

’I never would have imagined it... I’m already out of the running for the very first item.’

It wasn’t as if the fan was his goal in the first place; after all, he already had the Fire-Storage Treasure Gourd.

’But it’s a clear reminder that I’m just not poor, at best. Compared to these great families, I’m not wealthy by any means.’

"Thirty-one thousand Spirit Stones, going once! Any other interested Daoists?"

Mei Yong, who wasn’t far away, raised his hand. "Thirty-six thousand!"

’How much?’

Xiao Chen whipped his head around to look at him. ’The Sect Leader is that rich?’

’But he quickly realized... surely he’s using the Sect’s Spirit Stones?’

Following that train of thought, he observed more closely.

Sure enough, the bidding continued.

And after Mei Yong placed his bid, the only ones who continued were the Sect Leaders of the Azure Flame Sect and the Four Seas Sect.

’I get it. I totally get it.’

’This isn’t an auction. This is clearly a gift-giving ceremony.’

In the end, the Wind and Fire Three-Fold Fan was driven up to a price of sixty-six thousand, six hundred Spirit Stones and was successfully won by the Four Seas Sect.

Xiao Chen saw Mei Yong look as if he intended to raise his hand again, but ultimately, he didn’t increase the bid further.

The prices for the subsequent items dropped back down, alternating between several thousand and even just a few hundred Spirit Stones.

Soon, it was time for the item Xiao Chen wanted: the Six Harmonies Divine Water.