Mortal Cultivator: Lin Tianzun

Chapter 98 Underground Auction (Part )

"Next, I will present to you an auction item that can be called a rare treasure - the refining method of the ancient flying treasure 'Flying Moon-Grabbing Boat'!" The auctioneer stood on the stage, his voice passionate and surging. The uncontrollable excitement seemed to be able to directly penetrate into everyone's heart. In an instant, the atmosphere of the entire auction hall was completely ignited.

In an instant, the once-quiet auction hall erupted like a calm lake upon which a boulder had been dropped, erupting into turbulent waves. Everyone's gazes were filled with wonder and curiosity, and the murmurs of discussion surged like a tide, one wave after another. After all, ancient flying treasures were extremely rare, and the method for refining them was even more priceless. To possess one would be like holding a shortcut to a higher realm.

"The starting price is 10,000 low-level spirit stones!" The auctioneer's voice was still echoing in the hall when a Jindan stage cultivator with a burly figure and a powerful aura couldn't wait to stand up. His face was full of a look of determination, and he shouted at the top of his voice: "11,000 low-level spirit stones!" The sound was like the ringing of a huge bell, echoing continuously in the spacious hall, making people's eardrums hurt.

"Eleven thousand and fifty low-level spirit stones!" In the corner of the auction hall, a gloomy cultivator in a gray robe, unwilling to be outdone, raised the bid at a breakneck pace. He narrowed his eyes slightly, staring intently at the jade slip on the stage, symbolizing the refining method, as if stalking prey. Undisguised greed shone in his gaze.

"Twelve thousand low-level spirit stones!" Another Jindan stage cultivator joined the fierce competition. He was slowly playing with an exquisite storage ring in his hand, looking relaxed and contented, as if these low-level spirit stones were nothing but a drop in the bucket in his eyes and not worth mentioning at all.

The price shot up like a flaming rocket, each bid plucked at the crowd's heartstrings. As the competition intensified, the temperature in the auction hall seemed to rise as well. Everyone's breathing became rapid and heavy, and the entire space was filled with tension.

"Thirteen thousand low-level spirit stones!" The clear voice of a stern-faced female cultivator suddenly rang out. She was sitting in a prominent position in the front row, wearing a bright red dress, like a blazing flame. She exuded a powerful aura that made people dare not look directly at her.

The price kept climbing with no sign of stopping, with everyone chasing each other, refusing to give in. Every bid was accompanied by a suffocating tension; every bid made the atmosphere grow increasingly tense, as if the air was freezing.

Finally, after a fierce and intense competition, a cultivator in the middle stage of the Jindan stage successfully won the refining method of the Feitian Lanyue Boat by bidding a whopping 28,050 low-grade spirit stones. The moment the auctioneer's hammer slammed down, the audience erupted in gasps and enthusiastic applause. The cultivator breathed a sigh of relief, a smug smile on his face. He walked steadily onto the stage and solemnly accepted the jade slip carrying infinite possibilities. His eyes were filled with cherishment and excitement, as if he were holding the dream he had been pursuing all his life.

The auction proceeded with measured, orderly progress, as each rare, unique, or exotic item was presented. The auctioneer's powerful voice echoed through the hall, drawing the bidding to a relentless rhythm. However, none of the items that came through caught Lin Fan's eye. He sat quietly in a corner, his expression impassive, his gaze calmly observing the bustle of the stage, occasionally turning the storage bag in his hands. The items stirred no emotion, no interest in them whatsoever.

Finally, as the auction drew to a close, the auctioneer cleared his throat, his voice rising suddenly, a hint of mystery and boundless anticipation. "Well, distinguished guests! Next, the final item of this auction will be presented—the Hidden Spirit Veil magic weapon! This magic weapon is incredibly powerful. It allows the user to conceal their aura. Whether it's practicing in secret, quietly exploring secret realms, or concealing their whereabouts in times of danger, it can exert miraculous effects beyond imagination. It is absolutely a rare treasure in the world! Now, the starting price is 10,000 low-level spirit stones!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire audience erupted in excitement, like a tinderbox. A tall, muscular Jindan-stage cultivator took the lead in bidding. He abruptly stood up, his sturdy arms raised high his bidding paddle, and his voice thundered: "Eleven thousand low-level spirit stones!" His demeanor seemed to declare to everyone that he was determined to obtain this Hidden Spirit Veil today, and no one else could snatch it away.

"Eleven thousand and fifty low-level spirit stones!" A slender female cultivator standing across from me shouted, unwilling to be left behind. Her eyes gleamed with a fiery light as she stared intently at the Hidden Spirit Veil on the stage, a gaze that seemed to allow her to snatch it from the stage and claim it as her own.

The price kept rising, and the bidding continued. "Twelve thousand low-level spirit stones!" "Twelve thousand five hundred low-level spirit stones!" Each bid increase made the atmosphere more tense, and everyone's heartbeats accelerated rapidly, as if they were about to burst out of their throats.

Lin Fan sat in a corner, his brows slightly furrowed, his eyes revealing a resolute determination to achieve his goal. He pondered the crucial importance of this Spirit-Hiding Veil to his future path of cultivation, whether evading powerful enemies or exploring those perilous and mysterious ruins. After a moment's deliberation, he took a deep breath and announced, "Fifteen thousand low-level spirit stones!" His voice wasn't loud, but it was clear and powerful, echoing throughout the hall like a gust of wind, drawing glances of surprise and curiosity from many.

Seeing this, the other cultivators were even more motivated. The bidding continued without a break. "Fifteen thousand five hundred low-level spirit stones!" "Sixteen thousand low-level spirit stones!"

Lin Fan pursed his lips, a flicker of determination in his eyes, and spoke again: "Seventeen thousand low-level spirit stones!" His palms were now slightly sweaty, and he clutched his storage bag tightly, as if it were his last resort. Competition intensified, and the price continued to climb amidst the bidding. Finally, after another round of intense competition, Lin Fan gritted his teeth and shouted, "Nineteen thousand low-level spirit stones!" With this shout, the entire audience fell silent, as if time had frozen. Everyone's gaze turned to him, some in surprise, some in resentment, and still others filled with confusion.

The auctioneer quickly scanned the hall and saw that no one bid. He raised the hammer high and shouted, "Nineteen thousand low-level spirit stones at a time!" There was a brief silence, as dead as death, and no one answered.

"Nineteen thousand low-level spirit stones twice!" Still no one broke the silence. In the entire hall, only the nervous breathing of people could be heard.

"Nineteen thousand low-level spirit stones for three times! Deal!" With the hammer's resounding thud, Lin Fan finally secured the piece of Hidden Spirit Veil. He breathed a sigh of relief and slowly sat down, a pleased smile on his face, his eyes gleaming with excitement and satisfaction, as if all his hard work and dedication had finally been rewarded.

With the auctioneer's final hammer strike, this spectacular and climax-filled auction finally came to a close. The crowd in the bustling hall gradually began to disperse. Some monks left with their prized possessions, brisk steps and beaming with joy; others, with regretful expressions, hurried steps and dejected looks.

At this moment, the auctioneer spoke again: "Everyone, although the auction has ended, we have carefully prepared a private exchange for everyone to exchange the items you need. Here, you may come across the treasure you have been longing for and have been looking for for a long time! Those who do not want to participate may leave at this time."

As soon as the words fell, there was another small commotion in the hall. Some people showed hesitation, pausing to consider and weigh the pros and cons; others, without a second thought, simply walked out, determined to leave. Lin Fan, after a brief moment of deliberation, chose to stay. He knew that private exchanges often held many surprises; rare items that didn't show up at auctions might quietly turn up here. He had just won the Hidden Spirit Veil, the Green Wood Spiritual Resonance Fruit, and the "Vajra True Demon Body" technique. If he could find a few more ingredients at the exchange that would be helpful for refining elixirs and practicing the techniques, that would be fantastic.

Lin Fan sat quietly, watching the people coming and going, his expression calm yet filled with anticipation. His fingers tapped lightly on the armrest of his chair, his mind racing. Sometimes he thought about the items in his storage bag, wondering what he could offer in exchange; sometimes he wondered what rare finds he might encounter at the exchange. In this slightly noisy hall, he felt as if he were in his own little world, filled with longing for unknown treasures.

At the exchange meeting, the fifty or so remaining monks gathered around a large table, the atmosphere warm and full of anticipation. Each face was filled with eagerness and excitement, as if they were about to find an opportunity to change their destiny through this exchange.

Everyone took turns taking turns to present their items, then expressed their desire to exchange them. For a moment, the stagehands chattered nonstop, while the audience below closely followed, taking in every detail and occasionally whispering to each other about the value of the items. Time slipped away in this lively atmosphere, and after about an incense stick's worth, it was finally Lin Fan's turn.

Lin Fan walked steadily onto the stage, his posture erect and his expression calm and composed. He raised his hand and patted his storage bag. In a flash of light, three rare items were removed and placed steadily on the table. One was a thousand-year-old ice jade, its texture translucent and radiant, exuding a chill. In the light, it reflected a dreamy cold light, as if it contained the essence of a thousand years of ice and snow. Another was a thousand-year-old elixir, its fragrance rich and lingering, drawing a deep breath from the audience. The rich medicinal power seemed to instantly nourish the soul and invigorate the spirit. Finally, there was a piece of thousand-year-old black iron, shiny black, its surface covered with mysterious patterns. It was obvious at a glance that it was no ordinary object, as if it concealed countless unknown secrets.

Lin Fan then cleared his throat and spoke in a loud and clear voice, "Everyone, I have these three items here, and I'd like to exchange them for some spiritual herbs." He then listed the names of more than a dozen spiritual herbs, adding, "Whether it's seeds or seedlings, both are fine. I hope you can help me."

As soon as these words were spoken, the audience erupted in excitement. Everyone's gaze flickered between the items on display and Lin Fan himself, many alight with excitement. Soon, several cultivators, unable to contain themselves, rose to their feet and began bargaining with Lin Fan. The atmosphere grew increasingly heated as the exchange went on, the price fluctuating with each exchange. Lin Fan remained calm, skillfully maneuvering with ease, relying on his accurate assessment of the value of each item.

After some intense bargaining, Lin Fan successfully reached a deal with the three cultivators. He joyfully accepted the three spiritual herbs and carefully placed them in his storage bag, a satisfied smile on his face. Looking at his haul, Lin Fan secretly sighed, "This exchange meeting was truly worthwhile. Now, I'm one step closer to my goal of refining elixirs and practicing cultivation techniques."

(End of this chapter)