Family Rise: Beginning with Grandfather.

Chapter 821 Auction

"Alas, I know that Fellow Daoist Yang is kind-hearted, so I can only shamelessly beg Fellow Daoist Yang to take care of my grandson in the future!"

"Of course, I will not let Fellow Daoist Yang waste his time. The only thing my Yao family can offer is this talisman master inheritance. I hope Fellow Daoist Yang will accept it!"

Yao Fu looked at Yang Zhengshan with a pleading expression, as if Yang Zhengshan would take care of his grandson if he accepted the jade slip in his hand.

In fact, Yao Fu was not a fool. As the saying goes, old people become shrewd. He had lived for over a hundred years, so how could he not know the wickedness of people's hearts?

During this period, although he deliberately made friends with many people, there were only three people for whom he was truly willing to share his family's talisman master heritage, and Yang Zhengshan was honored to be one of them.

The reason he thought so highly of Yang Zhengshan was that, through his interactions with Yang Zhengshan and Yu Qingyi, he discovered that they were not as greedy as the others.

Those people were eyeing their family's talisman master inheritance. Although their family's talisman master inheritance only consisted of a few first-tier talismans, it was still a very rare inheritance of the various arts of cultivation for those rogue cultivators.

Looking at Yao Fu's pleading face, Yang Zhengshan felt a pang of pity. He could understand Yao Fu's thoughts, but unfortunately, he couldn't help Yao Fu take care of Yao Cheng.

He sighed softly and said, "Senior Yao may not know, but I do not intend to settle down in Lianxin Valley. I will only stay in Lianxin Valley for a few months before leaving."

He would feel bad about it, but he wouldn't be that kind-hearted person.

Yao Fu's legacy as a talisman master meant nothing to him, and he had no time to take care of a junior he wasn't even familiar with.

Besides, he has a large family to support; he doesn't have the energy to take care of other people's children and grandchildren.

"This..." Yao Fu didn't expect Yang Zhengshan to refuse so decisively, but it was precisely because of Yang Zhengshan's decisiveness that he wanted Yang Zhengshan to help take care of his grandson even more.

“Fellow Daoist Yang, since that’s the case, I won’t insist. I will still give this talisman master’s inheritance to you, as if I’m doing this on behalf of my grandson to establish a good connection with you,” Yao Fu said.

Yang Zhengshan glanced at Yao Cheng beside him. Since things had been said so clearly, it would seem rather unreasonable for him to refuse again.

"Very well, as long as Senior Yao doesn't feel that I've taken advantage of you!" Yang Zhengshan said.

"Hehe, it's just a third-rate talisman master's inheritance, nothing special!" Yao Fu immediately showed a warm smile when he saw that he had agreed.

He handed the jade slip to Yang Zhengshan and then took his leave.

Yang Zhengshan saw them off as they left the cave, and watching their departing figures, he couldn't help but feel a little emotional.

Life is not easy!
Ordinary people are busy all day long with the daily necessities of life, martial artists fight to the death for cultivation resources, and immortal cultivators spend their entire lives striving for the unattainable path of immortality.

Ultimately, we're all the same.

……

Yao Fu's matter was just a minor episode for Yang Zhengshan and did not have any impact on him.

As for the talisman inheritance that Yao Fu gave him, it was still somewhat useful. The Golden Light Talisman and the Swift Movement Talisman were talismans that were not found in the talisman master inheritance of the Spirit Source Land.

Although these two types of talismans are only first-tier talismans, they have added another layer of depth to the talisman heritage of the Spirit Source Land.

Therefore, Yang Zhengshan remembered this favor. As for whether he would have a chance to repay it, that would depend on whether he would have another chance to meet Yao Cheng in the future.

Anyway, he didn't agree to Yao Fu's request to take care of Yao Cheng; he just went along with Yao Fu's words and formed a good relationship with Yao Cheng.

Time flies, and before we knew it, the date for the auction held by the Baiyun Chamber of Commerce had arrived.

On this day, Yang Zhengshan and Yu Qingyi came to Lingyu Tower again.

"Sir, the invitation you are holding is for a private room. Please follow me!"

A beautiful maid led Yang Zhengshan and Yu Qingyi to a private room on the second floor.

Although they came to Lingyu Tower this time, it was not the previous shop, but a palace behind the shop.

This hall is somewhat similar to a banquet hall. The first floor is very spacious, with more than twenty tea tables and an auction stage facing south. The second floor has twenty private rooms, from which you can overlook the entire first floor.

"The private room is protected by a concealment spell that even a Foundation Establishment cultivator cannot see through. If you do not wish to reveal your identity, you can activate the concealment spell! Our guild will keep your identity confidential!"

"If you require any service, please ring the bell, and we will immediately arrange for someone to serve you!"

"In addition, if you need to pawn items, please feel free to contact us. Our Baiyun Chamber of Commerce also does pawn business!"

After the maid led Yang Zhengshan and Yu Qingyi to the private room, she explained the facilities inside and the rules of the auction.

Yang Zhengshan nodded slightly to indicate that he understood, and the maid bowed and left the private room.

"Why do they also offer pawn services?" Yu Qingyi asked, somewhat puzzled.

Yang Zhengshan activated the concealment barrier and laughed, "I was worried that we didn't have enough spirit stones."

Yu Qingyi suddenly realized, "They really know how to do business!"

"Hehe, they're professionals!" Yang Zhengshan chuckled as he took out the catalog of items to be auctioned and looked at it.

The Baiyun Chamber of Commerce auction was divided into two parts: an open auction and a closed auction.

Generally speaking, the Baiyun Chamber of Commerce prepares three to five final auction items for each auction. These final auction items are reserved for the end and are auctioned by blind auction.

As for why the auction is conducted covertly, there are two reasons. First, it prevents anyone from using their power to intimidate others, thus ensuring that independent cultivators are not deterred from bidding against the six major immortal cultivation families of the Qingli Dynasty. Second, it protects the privacy of the guests. At the auction, they will do their best to provide protection for their guests, including but not limited to concealing their identities.

As for those who left the auction venue, that's none of their business.

The invitation included a list of items to be auctioned openly, but did not specify any items to be auctioned privately.

Yang Zhengshan was very curious about the items that the Baiyun Chamber of Commerce was auctioning off in this secret auction.

He had inquired and learned that the final items auctioned by the Baiyun Chamber of Commerce were always extremely rare and valuable.

About 15 minutes later, all the seats on the first floor were filled.

There were no private rooms on the first floor, so everyone wore a bamboo hat, which was a magical artifact that could effectively conceal one's aura and appearance.

Yang Zhengshan tried it and found that even his spiritual sense could not penetrate the bamboo hat.

"This is really interesting!" Yang Zhengshan exclaimed.

A moment later, a slightly plump man dressed in a white robe walked onto the auction stage. He had crow's feet around his eyes and a particularly kind smile on his face. However, his eyes were exceptionally deep, and wherever his gaze fell, one could feel a faint sense of pressure.

"A late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator!" Yang Zhengshan said calmly, his expression turning solemn.

Yu Qingyi's expression also became solemn.

There was a slight commotion in the first-floor meeting room, with many people whispering among themselves.

After listening for a few moments, Yang Zhengshan confirmed the man's identity.

Yun Ge Zhenren, the thirty-eighth disciple of Baiyun Zhenjun.

Golden Core cultivators can be called True Lords, and Foundation Establishment cultivators can be called True Men.

It is said that True Lord Baiyun had fifty-two disciples, but only twelve are still alive today. True Lord Yunge is one of the top three disciples among these twelve.

Golden Core cultivators have a lifespan of three thousand years, which is enough to be considered long-lived, while Foundation Establishment cultivators only have a lifespan of three hundred years. Therefore, True Monarch Baiyun easily outlived dozens of his disciples.

"Thank you all for coming. I won't waste any more words. Hehe, the auction is now in session!"

Master Yunge's gentle laughter echoed through the venue, giving everyone a feeling of being bathed in a spring breeze.

"The first item up for auction is the top-grade flying magic artifact, the Jade Cloud Boat! Hehe, that's right, this magic artifact was crafted by me. I originally intended to refine it into a magic treasure, but unfortunately my skills were not refined enough, and in the end I only managed to create a top-grade magic artifact!"

"The Jade Cloud Boat has twelve first-order magic arrays, including levitation arrays, wind-riding arrays, and protective arrays. It can protect the body, allow flight, and enable long-distance travel. Although it cannot be considered a magic treasure, it is already infinitely close to one!"

"The starting price is two thousand low-grade spirit stones, and each bid must be at least fifty spirit stones. Please bid!"

The first item is meant to warm up the crowd, so naturally, it won't be a cheap item to fool people.

The Jade Cloud Boat is a small flying boat that can carry more than ten people. It can be driven by magic or powered by spirit stones. Yang Zhengshan had seen flying boats before; the Xuanqing Sect had a large second-tier flying boat called the Glazed Cloud Boat, which could carry over a thousand people.

The jade cloud boat before him could not compare to the crystal cloud boat of the Xuanqing Sect, but it still made Yang Zhengshan feel a sense of excitement.

"Two thousand five hundred spirit stones!"

"Two thousand six!"

Two thousand eight!

"Three thousand!"

……

As soon as Master Yunge finished speaking, a series of bids rang out from the private rooms on the second floor.

It's not the first floor, it's the second floor.

Such magical artifacts are a luxury for Qi Refining stage cultivators. Those who can truly afford such artifacts are either from powerful backgrounds or Foundation Establishment stage cultivators.

The guests in the private rooms on the second floor were naturally led by the six great families of the Qingli Dynasty, and the rest were big customers like Yang Zhengshan who had spent tens of thousands of spirit stones at Lingyu Tower.

As for the guests on the first floor, they received invitations, not formal invitations. Generally, any cultivator in Lotus Heart Valley with some wealth would receive an invitation from Feather Pavilion, but outsiders could only obtain an invitation by making a purchase at Feather Pavilion.

Listening to the bidding around him, Yang Zhengshan asked Yu Qingyi, "How many spirit stones do you think is appropriate?"

Yu Qingyi rolled her eyes at him. "How would I know?"

Yang Zhengshan laughed heartily, immediately increased the price by five hundred, and shouted, "Four thousand!"

He really liked the jade cloud boat. Although it was only a top-grade magic artifact, Yang Zhengshan didn't have many usable magic artifacts.

As for whether the Jade Cloud Boat is worth four thousand spirit stones, the answer is yes.

Generally speaking, top-grade magic artifacts cost several thousand spirit stones, and top-grade magic artifacts with high practicality, such as the Jade Cloud Boat, can cost as much as six or seven thousand spirit stones.

Sure enough, as soon as Yang Zhengshan announced his price, it was drowned out by a barrage of bids.

"Four thousand five!"

"Five thousand!"

"Six thousand!"

Yang Zhengshan raised the price again.

This time, there were far fewer bidders.

However, someone still called out, "Six thousand five!"

"Seven thousand!" Yang Zhengshan turned his head to look at the location of VIP room number one.

Box number one should be the box belonging to the Lin family, the royal family of the Qingli Dynasty.

"Alright, the VIP in VIP room number 18 has offered seven thousand. Is there anyone offering a higher price?"

"Hehe, this magic artifact was personally crafted by me. I can guarantee that it is absolutely one of the best among top-grade magic artifacts!"

"Gentlemen, my reputation is still trustworthy!"

Master Yunge shamelessly started promoting his product. Yang Zhengshan's lips twitched slightly as he listened. Couldn't this guy just get straight to the point and deliver the final blow?

"Seven thousand for the first time! No more bids!"

"Seven thousand, the second time!"

"Seven thousand for the third time!"

"Congratulations to the distinguished guest in Box 18 for winning this auction item, the Jadeite Cloud Boat!"

Yang Zhengshan breathed a slight sigh of relief; this auction had really been nerve-wracking.

Fortunately, he managed to acquire this jade cloud boat!

The auction continued, but the next items were rather ordinary.

Various pills for breaking through ranks, pills for increasing mana, various high-grade magic weapons, and various rare and unusual items, etc.

There were so many things that Yang Zhengshan was a little overwhelmed, but not many of them really interested him.

About half an hour later, a maid brought the Jade Cloud Boat to the private room. Yang Zhengshan paid seven thousand low-grade spirit stones to get the Jade Cloud Boat.

The small flying boat had not undergone any ritualistic refinement. It was only a little over a foot long and was shaped like a shuttle, wider at the top and narrower at the bottom, making it look similar to a covered boat.

"It looks pretty good. I'll refine it and try it out when I get back!" Yang Zhengshan tossed it into the study in the Spirit Source Land with great satisfaction.

Another half hour passed, the open auction ended, and the closed auction began.

"The first item in the blind auction is a mid-grade Foundation Establishment Pill. I won't go into the specific effects, cough cough. There are three Foundation Establishment Pills in this auction. The three highest bidders will be selected in the blind auction. Please place your bids!"

No low price, just an offer.

The atmosphere in the venue immediately became tense.

Foundation Building Pills are not top-grade magic artifacts.

For cultivators in the late stage of Qi Refining, the Foundation Establishment Pill represents an opportunity to step into the path of immortality.

A cultivator in the late stage of Qi Refining would never want to miss any opportunity to obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill.

Yang Zhengshan glanced at the crowd on the first floor, then picked up the jade slip in front of him and used his magic to inscribe the number 30,000 on it.

He naturally doesn't need Foundation Establishment Pills now; he still has one mid-grade Foundation Establishment Pill and one low-grade Foundation Establishment Pill.

However, he wouldn't complain about having too many Foundation Establishment Pills.

He now has five apprentices. In addition to Yang Jizhen, Ma Qiuyan, Cui Yang, and Ning Yun, he also took on another apprentice, Zhang Hexuan, last year.

Zhang Hexuan came from Shenmu Island and mastered the Green Wood Skill at the age of eight.

His ancestors were tenants of the Yang family. From Da Rong to Xingyue Island, and then from Xingyue Island to Shenmu Island, he was arguably the most loyal group of servants in the Yang family. Therefore, Yang Zhengshan directly took him under his wing.

Five disciples will require five Foundation Establishment Pills in the future.

Although Yang Zhengshan could still refine Foundation Establishment Pills in the future, he didn't mind preparing a few more, as the saying goes, it's better to be prepared than not.

However, he clearly underestimated the price of the Foundation Establishment Pill, and his bid yielded no results.

The final transaction prices for the three Foundation Establishment Pills were 48,000, 46,000, and 45,500 low-grade spirit stones, respectively.

"The second item in the closed auction is the mid-grade magic weapon, the Crimson Sun Sword. This sword is a rare magical weapon, most suitable for Foundation Establishment stage sword cultivators... Please place your bids!"

Yang Zhengshan filled another jade slip with 50,000 spirit stones, and then nothing more happened.

This mid-grade magic weapon was auctioned off for 88,000.

When Yang Zhengshan heard the transaction price announced by Master Yunge, he couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement.

Qi Refining stage practitioners use magic tools, while Foundation Establishment stage practitioners use magic treasures. Yang Zhengshan currently doesn't possess any magic treasures, so he genuinely wants to buy this one, even if it's unsuitable for him.

I didn't expect his bid to be so much lower than others.

Yang Zhengshan silently calculated in his mind that if he hadn't received the Lian family's windfall, the spirit stones he had accumulated in the Spirit Source Land over the years wouldn't have been enough to buy this mid-grade magic treasure.

(End of this chapter)