Cultivation begins with alchemy and collecting runes.

As usual, Li Xiuyuan took a Spirit Awakening Pill and began his cultivation for the day.

A surge of incredibly pure medicinal power exploded within his abdomen.

Li Xiuyuan activated the Golden Flame Burning Heaven Technique, slowly refining the medicinal power to strengthen his own [Crimson Flame Mystic Light].

The spiritual energy and medicinal power flowed through the limbs, bones, and internal organs, gradually transforming into pure, water-like magical power.

As the energy circulated through the dantian through each cycle, the energy within it was continuously refined and purified, until it strengthened the magical power within the dantian by several strands.

[Realm Level: Qi Refining Level 9, 45/100]

Li Xiuyuan put away the panel.

He turned his attention to the jade slip beside him.

He subtly probed in with his divine sense, and his expression became quite varied.

After a while.

"Just as I expected."

Li Xiuyuan burned the jade slip in his hand, a smile appearing on his lips.

A month ago, he made his first deal with Zhou Yao for a Spirit Gathering Pill. After inquiring around, he finally understood why this woman was so eager for him to refine Spirit Gathering Pills.

"According to the White Tiger Mountain sect rules, anyone who breaks through to the late stage of Qi Refining before the age of twenty can become a true disciple, with a status equivalent to an elder, and is also the first successor of each peak within the sect."

Zhou Yao went to such great lengths because she learned about the effects of the superior-grade Spirit Gathering Pill from Ye Hao.

This made her believe that she could break through to the late stage of Qi Refining before the age of twenty and have a chance to compete for the position of a true disciple.

Such Spirit Gathering Pills should indeed be supplied to the disciples of major sects and the descendants of immortal cultivation families.

For them, spirit stones are just a number; time is the real bargaining chip in the struggle for more resources.

"If we want to push the value of the Spirit Gathering Pill up further, we need to cooperate with large merchants like the Spirit Treasure Pavilion and hold several auctions to drive up the price."

Furthermore, is it really possible for Zhou Yao to refine 150 Spirit Gathering Pills in a month?

"I guess she has a special constitution, otherwise the medicine alone would have completely ruined her."

Putting aside everything else, Li Xiuyuan cultivates the "Golden Flame Burning Heaven Technique," specializing in the domineering Golden Flame Burning Heaven magic power.

Only five can be refined per day, and only one hundred and fifty can be refined per month.

Zhou Yao was still young and didn't seem to be a body cultivator. Although Li Xiuyuan was extremely curious, he wouldn't actually inquire about other people's cultivation secrets.

……

"Master Li, the family has acquired quite a few first-grade spirit fruits these past few days. Miss asked me to bring them over for you to try."

Outside the door, Zhou Yao's bodyguard, Zhou Hu, the middle-aged man who often came to Chunsheng Hall to buy Dragon Tiger Pills, walked into the hall carrying a large basket of green spiritual fruits.

Li Xiuyuan still couldn't figure out Zhou Yao's thoughts.

Since buying the Spirit Gathering Pill from him last month, he has been sending Zhou Hu to deliver things every few days.

Today it's first-tier spirit beast meat, tomorrow it's top-grade spirit tea, and the day after tomorrow it's some rare spirit herb.

These things would be considered top-tier treasures by ordinary cultivators.

Putting everything else aside, even Li Xiuyuan considered those three catties of Cloud Rain Spirit Tea precious, and he would always be willing to drink a little bit each time.

In the past few days, Li Xiuyuan used the excuse of "progress in cultivation" to reduce the number of pills he was given.

Zhou Hu, on the contrary, came even more frequently, almost every day. Each time he delivered the goods, he would leave without saying a word.

"Awoo!"

Li Xiuyuan swallowed a jujube and felt refreshed, all the fatigue from the past few days of cultivation vanished.

As soon as the spiritual fruit was swallowed, incredibly pure spiritual energy was generated, like a gentle stream, nourishing the meridians throughout the body.

"The fruits are all good, but I wonder what her owner is planning?"

"Zhou Hu, don't leave yet. What exactly does your young lady mean? If she doesn't explain herself today, I really won't dare to eat this fruit anymore."

As the saying goes, one should not accept a reward without merit.

In the past two weeks, Zhou Hu has frequently delivered goods, and Li Xiuyuan has gradually become familiar with him, so he is no longer as reserved as before.

"Master Li, please don't overthink it. Miss knows that you've been busy with your breakthrough these days and haven't had time to refine pills, so she sent me to offer her condolences."

It's the same old story: sincere tone, perfunctory attitude, but never telling the truth.

Li Xiuyuan replied irritably, "Since nothing's wrong, that's good."

She was so composed; could Li Xiuyuan's patience be less than that of a mere young girl?

……

Li Xiuyuan sat cross-legged, finished refining the last trace of Qi-enhancing pill's medicinal power in his body, exhaled a breath of turbid air, and opened his eyes after finishing his practice.

Open the panel:

[Realm Level: Qi Refining Level 9, 49/100]

Feeling his cultivation level improve once again, Li Xiuyuan smiled with satisfaction.

He is now close to achieving the perfect Qi Refining stage, and at this rate, he should be able to reach it in less than a year.

Li Xiuyuan got up and left the training room, then headed towards the Wanbao Chamber of Commerce in the market.

Today is Wanbao Chamber of Commerce's large-scale auction, held once every five years.

It is said that high-grade Foundation Establishment Pills will be available for sale at this auction, which can increase the probability of Foundation Establishment by 40%, and there will be more than one.

Li Xiuyuan was determined to obtain this item, and over the years...

He had amassed a large sum of spirit stones through Chunshengtang; he could afford not just one Foundation Establishment Pill, but even three or five.

……

Wanbao Auction House is a high-profile event, located in the most central area of ​​the inner city.

Participants must have a net worth of at least two hundred spirit stones or equivalent spiritual items.

This directly excludes poor, independent cultivators who intend to join in the fun.

Li Xiuyuan was an inner disciple of the Blazing Fire Sect and also the person stationed in the Pill Hall, so he was naturally among the invited guests and used the VIP passage, without needing to verify his identity.

Li Xiuyuan went to a private box on the top floor of the venue and took in every move of the auction from inside.

It is an excellent viewing spot.

In the center of the venue, tables and chairs were arranged at intervals of two zhang (approximately 6.6 meters).

Li Xiuyuan ate the spiritual fruits and drank the spiritual tea served by the maid, looking down at the entire venue.

He quietly extended his divine sense and discovered that four or five cultivators with profound auras were hiding in the four corners of the venue.

"Er!"

Before Li Xiuyuan's divine sense could even reach one of the people, that person instantly looked in Li Xiuyuan's direction, and a powerful pressure shot towards him, making him feel as if he were being pricked by thorns.

Fortunately, the pressure dissipated quietly upon seeing the VIPs in their private room, allowing Li Xiuyuan to finally breathe a sigh of relief.

"This must be a Foundation Establishment cultivator, or even someone at the mid-stage or higher, otherwise I wouldn't feel such a powerful sense of oppression."

Li Xiuyuan wiped the sweat from his brow and put away his previous dismissive attitude.

He then withdrew his divine sense and scanned the venue with his eyes, spotting many familiar faces.

Gu Tianle and Xiao Huo sat in the center of the venue.

Xiao Huo smiled and naturally saw Li Xiuyuan sitting in the VIP box in the stands.

"This Brother Li is indeed of a very high status, as he is sitting in the top-floor private room."

Seeing Li Xiuyuan sitting in the top-floor private room, Gu Tianle couldn't help but sigh a couple of times.

Xiao Huo's eyes also showed the same emotion, as if he was pondering something.

……

Half an hour later, the entire venue was packed.

hum!

A soft white light descended from the sky and landed directly on the auction stage, like the sun.

"Welcome, fellow Daoists, to the Wanbao Chamber of Commerce. I am Qian Duoduo, and I will be hosting this auction."

An overweight old man in a yellow robe, with a ruddy complexion, smiled and cupped his hands to the cultivators on and off the stage.

"This auction strictly prohibits any behavior that disrupts the order of the auction, such as spiritual threats, malicious bidding, collusion, etc. Those who violate the rules will be expelled from the venue, and those who violate the rules will have their cultivation abolished on the spot."

"Enough with the small talk, let's get to the first item up for auction, the 'Purple Cloud Pill'."

"As everyone knows, the 'Purple Cloud Pill' is the best breakthrough pill for advancing to the mid-stage of Qi Refining. Ten pills will be auctioned today, with a starting bid of one hundred spirit stones per pill and a minimum increment of five spirit stones."

Before the words were finished, a pretty maid walked onto the stage carrying a tray.

"Purple Cloud Pill!"

"I never expected the first item up for auction to be a breakthrough pill!"

The cultivators on the field were excited and each spoke up.

Although the Purple Cloud Pill is a breakthrough pill for the mid-stage, which family or force doesn't have descendants?

Such elixirs that help people break through barriers have always been highly sought after.

"One hundred and fifty!"

"two hundred!"

For a moment, bids were made one after another, coming from all directions of the venue.

Ultimately, the first Purple Cloud Pill was auctioned off to one person for 300 spirit stones, equivalent to the value of a mid-grade magic weapon.

The remaining nine Purple Cloud Pills were then snapped up.

"The second item up for auction is the mid-grade magic weapon, the 'Golden Bamboo Sword'..."

The elderly man in the yellow robe introduced the situation with a smile.

"This set of magic swords is a complete set of magic weapons, forged from first-grade mid-level Vajra Bamboo and refined iron."

Those cultivators in the mid-to-late stages of Qi Refining had greedy looks in their eyes.

Li Xiuyuan's expression shifted. The complete set of Golden Bamboo Swords was more powerful than ordinary high-grade magic weapons, making it a top-quality magic weapon of the same level.

But it was of little use to him.

Even if he had another high-grade magic weapon, it wouldn't significantly improve his strength.

He only wants Foundation Establishment Pills at this auction; he'll leave the rest to fate.

Soon, many cultivators bought up the rare and precious auction items.

This brought the atmosphere of the entire auction to a climax.

"The fifteenth item in this auction is a top-grade Tier 1 Fire Lotus Spirit Fish. There are three in total, each of which is a mature spirit fish."

"The spiritual energy of this spirit fish is gentle, which is of great benefit to cultivators who practice fire magic. If one consumes the spirit fish and combines it with a suitable cultivation method, it is not an exaggeration to say that one's cultivation can advance by leaps and bounds."

"Furthermore, this fish is said to have the ability to locate and probe underground fire. If you are a fellow cultivator who wants to create your own underground fire for alchemy and weapon crafting, then you can't miss it!"

"A top-grade first-tier spirit fish? It can probe the earth's veins and identify subterranean fire?"

Many cultivators were not very interested, but those who practiced fire magic were all in high spirits.

Many cultivators who had been dozing off suddenly became alert!

"A top-grade, first-tier Fire Lotus Spirit Fish. It is said that this creature is a companion spirit beast of the Heavenly and Earthly Spirit Fire. Starting bid: 500 spirit stones, with each bid increment no less than 10 spirit stones."

"Alas, this is not a legend. In the past thousand years, no one in the Chu Kingdom has ever actually found the Heavenly Spirit Fire."

The old man in the yellow robe looked excited and shouted loudly.

"Six hundred spirit stones!"

An elderly man with white hair, who was at the ninth level of Qi Refining, couldn't wait to make a price offer.

Adding 100 spirit stones at once, that's really generous!

However, this price did not deter other cultivators who intended to compete.

"Six hundred and fifty!"

"Six hundred and eighty!"

"Seven hundred!"

In a short while, the price of a Fire Lotus Spirit Fish doubled from the starting price.

"one thousand!"

"One thousand one!"

An out-of-place voice joined in, instantly interrupting the group of bidders.

Who exactly is this person who can raise the price by hundreds of spirit stones at once?

Many people angrily looked toward where Li Xiuyuan was, following the sound, but their divine senses were blocked by a powerful membrane and could not penetrate it at all.

A seasoned veteran of Shanyang Market recognized the origin of the VIP suite on the top floor.

They immediately fell silent and went quiet.

However, some cultivators who were unaware of the situation wanted to start another dispute, but after being quietly reminded by the cultivators beside them, they stopped bidding.

But there are always reckless fools in the world who don't know their own limitations.

"One thousand two hundred!"

A cold snort came from the girl in white, whose cultivation was at the peak of Qi Refining, and she had added one hundred spirit stones.

"This fish is so beautiful! I'll buy it as a gift for my mother; it'll definitely outshine all my sisters'!"

Even if the Fire Lotus Spirit Fish is excellent, it is only a first-tier spirit beast and is not worth the effort of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

As for the effect of finding the spiritual fire of heaven and earth, few people believed it and only regarded it as a means for merchants to raise prices.

"One thousand four hundred!"

Li Xiuyuan calmly raised the price again, as if these spirit stones were nothing more than a number to him.

"Bang!"

"One thousand four hundred once, one thousand four hundred twice, one thousand four hundred three times."

"Alright, these three spirit fish belong to this fellow Daoist!"

Li Xiuyuan took in the scene before him, exuding an air of calm and composure.

He bought this item for no other reason than to use this top-grade spirit fish as a resource for his cultivation.

Although Shui Lian rewarded him with a lotus heart of earth fire, Li Xiuyuan was reluctant to use it.

After all, using second-tier spiritual materials to improve one's cultivation is too wasteful of resources. Although he is rich, he is not so arrogant.

Secondly, he also wanted to try to see if he could revive the Earth Fire Lotus Heart, as it concerned the Azure Lotus Earth Core Fire, a rare and precious spiritual fire of heaven and earth.

Even if the chances are slim, he's willing to give it a try, just in case he succeeds.

As luck would have it, he ran into the Fire Lotus Spirit Fish again, the legendary spirit fish that is said to be the companion of the Heavenly Fire.

Li Xiuyuan thought he was the "chosen one" favored by the heavens, so why did all the good things keep happening to him?

Some are happy, some are sad.

Elsewhere, the girl in white who was bidding against Li Xiuyuan kicked over the table in front of her, furious.

He stood up abruptly, turned around and said to the maid behind him, "Who is being so unruly?"

The maid behind her said in a panic, "Miss, this person came in through the VIP passage, and I didn't greet him..."

The woman in white, enraged, grabbed the incense burner from the table and was about to smash it at her, shouting angrily, "You useless lot, are you really just good-for-nothings? You can't even handle this little thing!"

The maid was immediately covered in blood, but thanks to her cultivation, she wouldn't lose her life from this minor injury.

He knelt down repeatedly, begging for mercy, "Miss, it's not that I haven't tried my best, but this person is a high-ranking disciple of the Blazing Fire Sect, and it's said that he's favored by a True Person. I really can't afford to offend him, so I dared not discuss this with him..."

As she spoke, the maid lowered her voice, secretly glancing at the woman in white before quickly lowering her head again.

The woman in white paused, as if she had thought of something.

Knowing that this person was someone of considerable importance and not someone she could easily offend, she helplessly paced around the house.

Unable to vent her pent-up anger, she walked to the table and smashed it to pieces with her fist: "I'm so angry!"

"Senior, congratulations on acquiring the precious Fire Lotus Spirit Fish."

At this moment, a guard at the early stage of Qi Refining escorted a maid to deliver the Fire Lotus Spirit Fish to Li Xiuyuan's private room.

Li Xiuyuan smiled and asked if he could have the fish checked. He found that the spirit fish was full of life and was indeed genuine before paying 1,400 spirit stones.