Cultivating immortality begins with formations.

Lu Yuan fell into a reverie.

Jiang Zhi's eyes suddenly turned cold: "Let me tell you, I've never heard of a proper cultivator doing this kind of thing. You must not go astray and become one of those Tribulation Cultivators."

"If you need spirit stone flowers, you can tell me... lending you some is no problem."

She clearly misunderstood.

Although his words were stern, they were full of concern.

Lu Yuan shook his head: "Wealth can be a powerful motivator. I am only at the fourth level of Qi Refining, but I have accumulated some spirit stones because I am skilled in formations. Now that the market is becoming more popular and there are all sorts of people, I am afraid of being targeted, which is why I am looking for this item."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhi glanced at him and said softly, "Since you know that your cultivation level is low, you should stop practicing formations and work hard to break through to the late stage of Qi Refining as soon as possible."

"You don't understand."

Lu Yuan smiled and replied, "For me, formations are a form of cultivation."

However, Jiang Zhi also reminded him that he only had a little over a year left to live, and if he could not break through in time, his life would be in danger.

Or else...

The only option is to take out two Five Elements Mist Arrays and go to the Emerald Mystery Treasure Shop to exchange them for a Longevity Pill.

"Sister Jiang, I need to ask you to forge another magical artifact for me..."

Jiang Zhi said irritably, "Don't push your luck. I didn't charge you spirit stones the first time, but this second time... hmph, I'm very expensive."

Lu Yuan never intended to get something for free, and said with a smile, "Sister Jiang, please give me a friendly price. I have an elder who will be turning ninety in three months, and I would like to ask Sister Jiang to make a protective robe as a birthday gift."

Hearing his serious expression, Jiang Zhi also nodded solemnly and said, "Okay, come and pick it up in three months."

"As for spirit stones..."

She suddenly smiled slyly: "Then it will be deducted from your future share."

"Um... okay!"

Lu Yuan readily agreed.

……

After Jiulingfang Market was divided into inner and outer cities, the atmosphere of cultivation became very active.

Being inactive is unacceptable!

The city entry tax and stall tax are more than 50% higher than before.

This has also significantly increased the costs of living and spiritual practice.

In order to continue cultivating on the current second-tier spiritual vein and eventually on the third-tier spiritual vein.

Whether it's independent cultivators, families, or sects, everyone is putting in their best effort and wholeheartedly engaging in infighting.

With the Azure Lotus Sword Sect stationed in the market, security was not an issue, and the market economy of the market was instantly revitalized.

Although it is still somewhat rough, it has basically met the expectations of the Azure Lotus Sword Sect.

Only in this kind of environment.

Undercover and covert struggles are inevitable, and there are signs that they are about to unfold in full force.

The Zhou and Wang families, in particular, were getting increasingly angry with each other.

Foundation Establishment elders have already started to make their moves, showing signs of a fight to the death.

The newly established Nine Lotus Society in Jiuling Market played a role, with several Foundation Establishment inner disciples of the Azure Lotus Sword Sect mediating the dispute.

Neither the Zhou family nor the Wang family dared to refuse them.

On the surface, the two sides shook hands and made peace, but in reality, they began a new kind of competition.

That is talent and resources.

At this auction, the ten Foundation Establishment Pills that the Azure Lotus Sword Sect offered at once became their primary target.

During this period, Lu Yuan accumulated more than a thousand low-grade spirit stones.

His goal was to obtain longevity pills.

It is the complete set of array diagrams and patterns for the two first-order arrays mentioned in the auction brochure.

……

"As expected of the number one sect in the Azure Lotus Domain, they really have a big hand, giving away ten Foundation Establishment Pills right off the bat."

"If I could get one..."

"You poor guy at the third level of Qi Refining, you get the Foundation Establishment Pill today, and your corpse will appear in the mountains tomorrow."

"I would be willing to smell the fragrance of the Foundation Establishment Pill before I die."

"..."

The cultivators in Jiuling Market were mostly talking about the auction hosted by the Qinglian Sword Sect.

Meanwhile, various factions are also eager to make their move, aiming for the Foundation Establishment Pill.

At this moment, Lu Yuan had nearly four thousand low-grade spirit stones in his storage bag.

This happened a few months ago.

It was a fortune he never dared to dream of.

And then came the day of the auction.

The Jiuling Market was bustling with activity, exceeding everyone's expectations.

Spiritual light flashed across the sky, and flying magical artifacts and celestial birds descended from time to time.

The auction will be held on the top floor of a newly built five-story pavilion next to Dengxian Square in Jiulingfang City.

Lu Yuan did not choose to go with Manager Luo, but made up an excuse and came alone.

He donned the Thousand Illusion Mask, disguising himself as a hunched old man.

After the verification of funds, Lu Yuan paid ten low-grade spirit stones, received an identity token, and entered the auction.

"I didn't expect this auction to be so high-level; you need at least two hundred low-grade spirit stones to participate..."

The auction held in the market previously could be participated in as long as you had one hundred low-grade spirit stones.

Lu Yuan couldn't help but feel extra anticipation for this auction.

After taking a seat, I looked around.

The top-floor attic was extremely spacious, with thousands of seats arranged in a fan-shaped staircase surrounding the auction stage.

Above the auction stage, there are also VIP rooms suspended.

From the outside, it didn't look this big; it's clear that a spatial array was used.

Lu Yuan couldn't help but feel a little sad.

The entire spatial array is incredibly precious; he hasn't even mastered a single spatial array pattern yet.

A long time passed.

"Fellow Daoist, please have some tea."

A beautiful maidservant serves tea.

Lu Yuan came to his senses and realized that almost all of the thousands of seats at the auction were occupied.

"Clang..."

A clear bell rang out.

Then, a beam of light descended onto the auction stage, the light dissipated, and a human figure appeared.

Lu Yuan stared intently at the man, observing his figure and appearance.

He was in his early thirties, slightly overweight, with broad shoulders and a thick waist.

Her eyes were narrowed into two thin arcs, with the corners drooping slightly, giving her an exceptionally friendly look.

"Fellow Daoists, I am Sun Qi, an inner disciple of the Azure Lotus Sword Sect. I will be presiding over this auction. I want to reiterate that any means of interfering with the normal conduct of the auction are strictly prohibited. Specific details are also stated in the promotional brochure..."

Sun Qi squinted, cupped his hands in greeting to the audience, and continued with a smile on his round face:

"Anyone who dares to offend will be expelled from the auction at best, and their cultivation will be abolished on the spot at worst."

After speaking, he unleashed his aura without restraint, revealing his Foundation Establishment stage cultivation to the fullest extent.

The powerful aura instilled fear in everyone present.

"Mid-stage Foundation Building"

"He's actually in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage!"

"Still so young..."

"So this is the Azure Lotus Sword Sect!"

At the auction, a low gasp of surprise rippled through the crowd, and then the group of independent cultivators began to whisper amongst themselves.

As if recalling Sun Qi's words, a few breaths later, the entire auction fell silent again, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

"Enough with the small talk, let's begin the auction."

"The first item up for auction is the low-grade spiritual weapon, the Frost Sword. This sword is made primarily of Ice Soul Profound Ice. The sword itself has freezing damage, and its sword energy can automatically transform into several ice spikes when released. The starting bid is 800 low-grade spirit stones."