Eternal Immortal Dynasty: Starting as a Petty Official

Chapter 176 Auction Observations, Gold Yuan Gang Stone (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

"Starting bid: 100 low-grade spirit stones. Each bid must be at least 10 low-grade spirit stones higher!"

"Wow! It's such a treasure!"

As the first item was brought to the stage, a surprised and delighted gasp immediately rang out from inside the private room.

Zhao Xian looked in the direction of the voice and saw that it was indeed his fellow Daoist Chen Yuanxiu.

Seeing that everyone was looking over, Chen Yuanxiu blushed and took a small sip of spiritual tea to cover his embarrassment.

"Yuanxiu, do you recognize this?"

Seeing this, Chen Yuancheng immediately spoke up to help her out of the predicament.

"Twelfth Brother, the Moon Essence Pearl originates from the coast of the East Sea. It is a pearl formed by a spirit clam absorbing the spiritual energy of the sun and moon!"

After putting down his teacup, Chen Yuanxiu's expression returned to normal. He then looked around at Zhao Xian, Xu Dekun, and the others and said with a smile.

"It is said that in Lai County in eastern Qingzhou, there are many families that raise spirit clams and make a living by opening them to extract pearls."

Chen Yuanqing, standing to the other side, added in a gentle voice.

"What are the effects of this Moon Essence Pearl?"

"The simplest way is to extract its spiritual energy to nourish one's cultivation; the second best way is to use it as a spiritual medicine to refine elixirs!"

""

"It is said that the famous beauty-enhancing elixir is made primarily from this ingredient!"

Upon hearing the words "beauty pill," Chen Yuanxiu's eyes also revealed a hint of eagerness.

Seeing this, Zhao Xian and the others understood the situation.

After all, for female cultivators, even if they become immortals and attain enlightenment, their appearance is still the most important thing!

Zhao Xian and the others had also heard of the famous beauty pill.

It is said that one beauty pill can keep one looking young for ten years.

If you continue to take it, even when your lifespan is about to end, you will still be able to maintain your youthful appearance!

"One hundred and fifty low-grade spirit stones!"

"One hundred and sixty low-grade spirit stones!"

"One hundred and eighty low-grade spirit stones!"

"5

""

After more than ten bids, the price of this century-old Moon Essence Spirit Pearl had risen to 280 low-grade spirit stones!

"Two hundred and eighty low-grade spirit stones! That's expensive!"

Chen Yuanxiu stared intently at the Moon Essence Pearl, muttering to himself.

"Yuanxiu, this price isn't much higher than what's sold in the market!"

"A hundred-year-old Moon Essence Pearl contains enough spiritual energy to propel a cultivator who has just entered the seventh level of Qi Refining to the eighth level!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Yuancheng smiled and replied.

"That's too expensive!"

"Two hundred and eighty low-grade spirit stones, even if I didn't eat or drink, it would take me five or six years to save them!"

Hearing Chen Yuancheng's words, Chen Yuanxiu said with a helpless expression.

"Fellow Daoist Yuanxiu, may I ask how much your monthly salary is?"

Having said that, Zhao Xian felt a surge of curiosity about the lives of cultivators from these cultivation families, and immediately asked with a smile.

"I am currently at the fifth level of Qi Refining, and my monthly salary is four low-grade spirit stones!"

Upon hearing Zhao Xian's question, Chen Yuanxiu didn't mince words and immediately replied with a grin, then looked at Chen Yuanqing beside her, "Sister Yuanqing's cultivation is one level higher than mine, so her monthly stipend should be five low-grade spirit stones, right?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Yuanqing immediately nodded and said with a gentle smile, "Yuanxiu and I tend to a spirit field in the clan, and we can earn some spirit stones every year!"

"As for family members like myself who hold official positions outside the mountains, we receive no monthly salary!"

At this moment, Chen Yuancheng also looked at Zhao Xian and said with a smile.

"Huh? Mr. Chen, your cultivation has reached the ninth level of Qi Refining, shouldn't your monthly salary be higher?"

Zhao Duan, who was standing next to Zhao Xian, asked with considerable surprise.

"Ah Duan, our cultivation families only enjoy a facade of glory!"

Before Chen Yuancheng could explain, Xu Dejing smiled helplessly.

Outside the private room, the century-old Moon Essence Spirit Pearl was finally sold for three hundred low-grade spirit stones, which was equivalent to the price of a mid-grade magic weapon.

"Next item..."

'

The auction continued, and one item after another fetched high prices thanks to the witty remarks of auctioneer Zhu Hongyu.

Some of the spiritual items that Zhao Xian was familiar with fetched prices at this auction that were several times higher than those sold in the market!

When Zhao Xian voiced his doubts, Chen Yuancheng and the others exchanged smiles and then began to explain to Zhao Xian.

"Bo Zhang, the higher the grade of a spiritual object, the rarer it is. Such rare spiritual objects are mostly bartered among high-level cultivators."

"Even if one or two pieces occasionally manage to slip through the cracks, they will naturally fetch an extremely high price at auction!"

"As for the high-level spiritual items sold in the market, most of them are just living advertisements to show off their wealth!"

"I see!"

Zhao Xian nodded slightly and said with a sigh.

"The highlight of this auction is an extremely rare treasure!"

At this moment, Chen Yuancheng looked at everyone again, keeping them in suspense.

"Mr. Chen, what treasure is it?"

Zhao Hongli asked with great curiosity.

"A Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object!"

Chen Yuancheng's expression turned serious, and he said in a deep voice.

"A Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object?!"

The group was shocked to hear this!

"Could it be a Foundation Establishment Pill?"

After muttering to himself, Zhao Hong pressed for an answer again.

"Ah Hong, the Foundation Establishment Pill isn't some kind of treasure!"

Upon hearing Zhao Hong's words, Chen Yuancheng was slightly taken aback, then chuckled and explained.

He certainly didn't think Zhao Hong was ignorant, after all, the Foundation Establishment Pill was very famous among the Daoists!

"By relying on Foundation Establishment Pills to forge a foundation, future cultivation will be difficult to advance. Apart from those rogue cultivators who have no other choice, very few cultivators take Foundation Establishment Pills to establish their foundation!"

"Of course, that doesn't mean Foundation Establishment Pills aren't treasures. One Foundation Establishment Pill costs three thousand low-grade spirit stones, and Yunlan Pavilion sells them with clearly marked prices!"

After explaining to Zhao Hong and the other young men, Chen Yuancheng looked at Zhao Xian and Xu Dekun again and smiled, "There are three treasures in total as the grand finale!"

"The first item is a high-grade magic artifact with nine layers of magical restrictions; the second is a low-grade Xuan-level array; and the third is a mid-grade Xuan-level spiritual item, the Golden Yuan Gang Stone!"

"Huh? How come there are so many treasures at this auction!"

After Chen Yuancheng finished speaking, Xu Dekun said with considerable surprise.

"In previous years, even the first high-grade magic artifact with nine layers of magical restrictions was enough to be the final, grand prize!"

"Mr. Chen, is something the matter?"

After a moment of reflection, Xu Dekun leaned closer to Chen Yuancheng and asked him in a low voice.

"Dekun, why have you become so cautious!"

"What's going on here!"

Chen Yuancheng immediately shook his head and said with a speechless expression.

"Refining a mid-grade Xuan-level spiritual item can forge a mid-third-grade Dao Foundation at most. Even with bad luck, it can still forge a low-third-grade Dao Foundation. Such a treasure is a prized possession, not only in Rongtai County but also in the entire prefecture city!"

"Yuan Cheng, don't try to deceive me!"

Xu Dekun was not an ignorant country bumpkin like Zhao Xian. He had already reached the ninth level of Qi Refining and was a highly valued core member of the Xu family. Naturally, he knew some secrets that were unknown to others.

"This thing came from the south!"

After a few moments of silence, Chen Yuancheng said with a helpless expression.

"Is it Xiao County or Nanzhou?!"

"Xiao County!"

"Has something happened again in Xiao County?"

"The Daoist people are causing chaos; several powerful clans have had their mountain gates breached by them!"

"This treasure was consigned for sale by the surviving cultivators who escaped from over there!"

"They've exchanged some spirit stones for land and houses; they're preparing to settle down in Rongtai County!"

At this point, Chen Yuancheng also let out a long sigh.

When these words reached the ears of everyone present, Zhao Xian, Xu Dekun, Xu Dejing, Chen Yuanzhang, and others also became much more solemn.

On the contrary, Zhao Hong and his three companions seemed unconcerned and continued to stare intently at the water mirror.

"Ronghuai County seems to be right next to Xiao County!"

"It seems that it will be quite difficult for Lord Chen to assume the post of magistrate of Ronghuai County!"

Suddenly, Zhao Xian mentioned Chen Sheng, the newly appointed county magistrate of Ronghuai, his words filled with worry.

"That's exactly what Bo-zhang said!"

Hearing Zhao Xian's concern for Chen Sheng, Chen Yuancheng felt a warmth in his heart and immediately sighed, "Bandits are rampant in Ronghuai County, and refugees from Xiao County have crossed the border into the area."

"The influx of refugees, coupled with clashes between them and local residents, makes the situation extremely difficult!"

"Bozhang, my uncle sent me a message a few days ago, asking me to ask you if you would be willing to take up a post in Ronghuai County?"

"He is willing to recommend Bozhang to the magistrate of Ronghuai County to continue serving as the county's military officer!"

At this point, Chen Yuancheng also looked at Zhao Xian, his eyes revealing a hint of anticipation!

"This~"

Zhao Xian hesitated for a moment, unsure how to answer.

I was already a sergeant in Rongtai County. If I went to Ronghuai County and continued to serve as a sergeant, wouldn't that be a waste of my time?

Moreover, his own Zhao family in Yangpingli had just begun to make some progress in Wohu Township. If he were to leave now, what would become of his family?

Seeing the conflicted look on Zhao Xian's face, Chen Yuancheng sighed inwardly.

If it were him, he wouldn't want to go to that quagmire in Ronghuai County either!

"Bozhang, there's no need to put me in a difficult position. Your uncle was just asking casually!"

Chen Yuancheng forced a smile, waved his hand, and laughed.

Xu Dekun, standing to the side, was at a loss for words.

After all, compared to the relationship between Zhao Xian and Chen Sheng, he, the former subordinate of the bandit chieftain, was much closer to Chen Sheng. On the other hand, the sisters Chen Yuanqing and Chen Yuanxiu were also sizing up the young cultivator opposite them.

This Fellow Daoist Zhao is so highly regarded by the Fourth Elder and the Twelfth Brother; one really can't judge a book by its cover!

Recalling what Chen Yuancheng had said when he invited them to the auction, both of them blushed!

Twelfth Brother is really something, rushing to send them away like this!

"The swords and sabers of Taizhou are unparalleled in the world; fellow Daoists must have already heard of this!"

"Among the fellow Daoists present today, there are many martial artists who cultivate the path of Qi and Blood Martial Arts. I need not elaborate on the benefits of a treasured sword to a martial artist!"

On the auction stage, Zhu Hongyu looked at the cultivators below with a beaming smile and said with a cheerful tone.

"Next item up for auction: a superior weapon forged by the Wu family of Mingjing, the Wind-Slaying Blade!"

'

After he finished speaking, a maid in a thin veil respectfully presented him with a long, narrow sword.

"A superior weapon, forged through countless refinements!"

Holding the scabbard, Zhu Hongyu looked him up and down several times before speaking leisurely.

He was also a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and in his youth he had achieved considerable skill in martial arts, so he naturally had a great fondness for famous weapons and treasured swords!

"Clang!"

The precious sword is drawn from its sheath, its cold light gleaming!

With a few swings, the blade lay horizontally, and the maid behind him plucked a strand of her beautiful black hair and placed it on the blade!

"call!"

With a gentle breath from her peach-blossom cheeks and sandalwood lips, her beautiful hair naturally split in two!

"To cut a hair in two with a breath, it's nothing more than that!"

Zhu Hongyu also offered a perfectly timed compliment.

"Starting bid: 500 low-grade spirit stones!"

"So cheap?!"

At that moment, a gasp of surprise came from VIP room number 18!

Xu Dejing stared wide-eyed at the wind-slaying blade reflected in the water mirror!

Zhao Hong, Huang Zhong, and the others stared intently at the precious sword, swallowing hard.

"Brother~"

Suddenly, Xu Dejing turned around and looked at his elder brother Xu Dekun, a hint of expectation in his eyes!

Xu Dekun looked at Xu Dejing's appearance with a sense of helplessness.

"Dejing, your brother doesn't have many spirit stones on him!"

"Don't be fooled by the starting bid of only 500 low-grade spirit stones; the final price should be around 1,500 low-grade spirit stones!"

At this moment, Zhao Xian also spoke up.

By this time, over a hundred items had been auctioned, and Zhao Xian had gradually figured out some patterns.

The starting price is usually about one-third of the final transaction price.

Sure enough, in just a few breaths, the price of this high-grade weapon-level Wind-Slaying Blade had already reached a thousand low-grade spirit stones, and it was getting higher and higher.

"Ugh!"

Seeing this, Xu Dejing could only sigh.

Zhao Hong and the other three also sighed repeatedly.

For a martial artist, seeing such a precious sword but being powerless to do so, and having to watch it slip away, is no different from the frustration of a Qi Refining cultivator like Zhao Xian seeing a Foundation Establishment spiritual treasure but ultimately missing out on it!

"One thousand six hundred and fifty low-grade spirit stones!"

Suddenly, a voice came from the top-level private room.

After these words were spoken, no more cultivators participated in the auction.

Seeing this, Zhu Hongyu immediately looked around at the cultivators present and continued with a smile, "Any fellow cultivators willing to bid? Top-grade weapons from Taizhou are truly a rare sight in our Rongtai County!"

Seeing that no one responded, Zhu Hongyu on the auction stage also looked somewhat helpless.

If the person in the private room had spoken later, they might have been able to push the price up even further!

Pity!

"Congratulations to fellow Daoist number six in the Heavenly Ranking for successfully bidding on this superior-grade weapon, the Wind-Slaying Blade!"

With a sigh, Zhu Hongyu also put on a smile and said.

"Thank you very much, Fellow Daoist Zhu!"

A deep, resonant voice also came from inside the private room.

Inside VIP room number 18, no one seemed particularly surprised.

After all, they were only in the Earth-class VIP box; above them were the Heaven-class VIP boxes reserved for Foundation Establishment cultivators and Innate Martial Artists.

As the auction progressed, even the top-tier VIP boxes continued to echo with bids!

"Judging from that voice, it must be that elder from the Wang family in the county town!"

Suddenly, Xu Dekun looked at Chen Yuancheng and said in a low voice.

"Yes, only the Wang family needs this top-grade weapon!"

Chen Yuancheng nodded and smiled faintly.

"This elder of the Wang family must be over a hundred years old by now!"

Zhao Xian, who was standing nearby, said with a smile.

"A martial artist with innate constitution has a lifespan of two cycles of sixty years. Even at the age of one hundred, when their vital energy declines, they are still not to be trifled with!"

Xu Dejing spoke with great reverence.

"Speaking of which, how many Innate Martial Artists do we have in Rongtai County?"

As if knowing what Zhao Xian was thinking, Zhao Hong asked with a smile.

"This~"

Xu Dekun hesitated for a moment, unsure how to answer.

"It should be no more than a handful!"

Chen Yuancheng continued.

"Ah! How come there are even fewer than Foundation Establishment cultivators?"

Zhao Duan and the others also showed a hint of surprise and looked at Chen Yuancheng and the others.

"The methods of internal cultivation are extremely rare; besides that, there's lifespan!"

"Foundation Establishment cultivators have a lifespan of three Jiazi (60 years), while Innate Martial Artists have a lifespan of only two Jiazi!"

"Currently, there are more than ten Foundation Establishment cultivators in the entire Rongtai County, and most of them have already passed the age of sixty!"

Chen Yuancheng was mild-mannered and had known Zhao Hong and the others for several years, so he naturally wouldn't ignore them and immediately explained the situation to them.

"What a pity! If only a Xiantian martial artist could live for three Jiazi (60 years)!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Bing sighed at the opportune moment.

After the Wind-Slaying Blade, the vast majority of the auction items that appeared afterwards ended up in the hands of the cultivators in the private rooms.

Only one item was captured by the rogue monk below!

That was a Foundation Establishment Pill!

In the end, it was auctioned off for a high price of 3,300 low-grade spirit stones!

It should be noted that in Yunlan Pavilion, a Foundation Establishment Pill costs only three thousand low-grade spirit stones!

Of course, Zhu Hongyu also said that this Foundation Establishment Pill was made by a master alchemist and was even more effective!

Zhao Xian didn't recognize the rogue cultivator who won the Foundation Establishment Pill, but from the congratulations from others, he understood that he must be a cultivator from Rongtai County!

It won't be long before Rongtai County has another Foundation Establishment cultivator!

Time passed slowly, and before we knew it, we had reached the final three treasures!

"The Flying Cloud Sword, with nine magical restrictions, is a masterpiece among high-grade magical artifacts!"

"I can't say much more. You'll know once you've won the bid and refined it!"

"Starting bid: 1,000 low-grade spirit stones!"

"Two thousand yuan!"

Before the words were even finished, a cultivator in the private room called out a price!

The unaffiliated cultivators in the venue couldn't help but gasp in astonishment upon hearing the price!

Is this the power of a Foundation Establishment cultivator?

"Two thousand two hundred yuan!"

"Two thousand three hundred yuan!"

In the blink of an eye, the initial bid was drowned out by the bids from others.

The rogue cultivators could only watch in shock as the price was pushed up to four thousand low-grade spirit stones!

Far exceeding the spirit stones required to purchase Foundation Establishment Pills!

"Four thousand five hundred yuan!"

Someone else shouted!

"Any fellow cultivators willing to offer a price?"

"Does anyone want to make another offer?"

Zhu Hongyu shouted twice, then raised the wooden mallet in her hand, ready to bring it down.

"Four thousand six hundred yuan!"

"Four thousand seven hundred yuan!"

"Five thousand dollars!"

"5

'

In the end, this high-grade magic weapon flying sword was sold for 5,700 low-grade spirit stones.

"With an additional three hundred low-grade spirit stones, I can buy two Foundation Establishment Pills!"

Looking at the flying sword, Chen Yuanxiu murmured to himself.

"Next item: a low-grade Xuan-level mountain-guarding array, the 'Cloud Sea and Wind Array,' starting bid 1,000 low-grade spirit stones!"

The entire room fell silent!

After an unknown amount of time, a cultivator finally offered a price: "Two thousand low-grade spirit stones!"

Soon after, a few more people made small bids, eventually pushing the price up to 4,500 low-grade spirit stones.

"What a pity about this grand formation!"

Seeing the confusion on everyone's faces, Chen Yuancheng continued to explain, "Those who made the bids just now were all cultivators from Yunlan Pavilion!"

"So that this grand formation won't go unsold!"

"In Rongtai County, there might not be a single family that can afford to use this Xuan-rank grand formation in decades!"

Upon hearing this, everyone understood!

"Wow, there are so many intricacies to this auction house!"

After Zhao Hong and the other young men learned the details, they were naturally quite surprised.

"Mr. Chen, did you sign up for the auction specifically for this Foundation Establishment Spiritual Stone?"

Suddenly, Zhao Bing looked at Chen Yuancheng with curiosity and asked.

"Um?!"

Upon hearing Zhao Bing's question, Chen Yuancheng was slightly taken aback, but waved his hands repeatedly and said with a wry smile, "A mid-grade Xuan-level spiritual spirit is beyond my reach!"

"I swear, if I can obtain a low-grade Xuan-level spiritual weapon for Foundation Establishment, then I will have a profound affinity with the Dao!"

"Among the dozen or so Foundation Establishment cultivators in Rongtai County, those who can use a low-grade Xuan-level spiritual weapon for Foundation Establishment are extremely rare!"

At this point, Chen Yuancheng hesitated for a moment, then whispered, "When the Fourth Elder was establishing his foundation, he didn't use a low-grade Xuan-level spiritual weapon either!"

"I only refined a few high-grade Yellow-rank spiritual items, which increased my foundation somewhat!"

"I wonder what grade of Dao Foundation the Fourth Elder has cultivated?"

Xu Dekun, standing beside him, also asked curiously.

"How could I possibly know such a secret!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Yuancheng immediately waved his hand and said, "Senai."

"So, according to Chen Jun's guess, how many low-grade spirit stones would this Golden Yuan Gang Stone be worth?"

Zhao Duan nodded slightly, then asked again.

"Ah Duan, this kind of item can't be auctioned with low-grade spirit stones; it needs to be auctioned with mid-grade spirit stones!"

"Ha, I'd guess it's at least fifty mid-grade spirit stones!"

Outside the locked private room, Zhu Hongyu's shouts could also be heard.

"Fellow Daoists, next up is the most anticipated Foundation Establishment spiritual item of this auction: a mid-grade Profound Rank Golden Yuan Gang Stone!"

At this point, Zhu Hongyu clapped her hands gently, and a jade box slowly fell from the sky above the auction house.

"A mid-grade Profound-level spiritual essence, if refined by a Qi Refining Perfection cultivator, can forge a mid-grade Dao Foundation!"

"A mid-grade Foundation Establishment cultivator has the potential to advance to the Core Formation stage!"

"Fellow Daoists, without further ado, please take a look!"

Zhu Hongyu sighed softly, raised her hand and pointed, and the jade box opened.

A golden stone, about the size of a baby's fist, appeared before everyone's eyes!

A subtle, sharp aura gradually permeated the venue!

"A mid-grade metal-attribute Xuan-level spiritual weapon is an extremely rare find for a sword cultivator!"

"Fellow Daoists, the starting bid is thirty mid-grade spirit stones, and each bid must be at least two mid-grade spirit stones higher!"

"The lock's owner refuses to trade it for anything else; only mid-grade spirit stones are accepted!"

Let's begin!

Once the key words were spoken, no one in the hall dared to speak up in response.

After an unknown amount of time, a gentle voice echoed throughout the venue.

"Forty mid-grade spirit stones!"

When someone speaks, others will follow.

In the blink of an eye, the price of this Golden Yuan Gang Stone was pushed up to fifty mid-grade spirit stones.

"Fifty-five mid-grade spirit stones!"

During the land auction, someone raised the price by five more mid-grade spirit stones.

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound, and found that it was coming from the number one private room!

"Your Highness!"

Chen Yuancheng looked at Zhao Xian and spoke through telepathy.

Zhao Xian nodded slightly; no wonder the voice sounded familiar!

"Fifty-seven dollars!"

After a few breaths, another slightly hesitant voice raised the price, as if there were some concerns in their heart!

"Sixty dollars!"

The sound came from the number one private room in the "Heavenly" section.

Meanwhile, inside the second VIP box, a figure in a blue robe sighed softly, a hint of helplessness on his face.

If Chen Yuancheng and the others were together, they would surely recognize this person as the patriarch of the Chen clan of Yunwu Mountain!

Venerable Master Chen Chang!

"Congratulations to the fellow Daoist in the number one VIP box for achieving this!"

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