Chapter 158: Frenzied Bidding

"Additional bids are limited to minimally 200 low grade spiritual stones as per the rules of this auction. All auctioned off treasures are to be paid with spiritual stones immediately………."

"…….the first treasure of this auction is….a low-grade Spirit cla.s.s Inferno Banner, an artifact treasure of both offensive and defensive nature; forged by the grand 7-tier blacksmith Han Wuya of the Spirit Cloud Continent back in his earlier days. Lowest bidding price starts at 3,000 low grade spiritual stones!"

After explaining the regulations of the auction, the first article was finally delivered up.

The jasper platform floating in the center of the hall, was clearly infused with a special formation array. The large chest auction hostess was clearly speaking with an uninterrupted, soft and gentle voice, yet everything was transmitted with great clarity to the audience.

As for the first article of this auction, it immediately roused the spirits of every cultivator on scene.

A true Spirit cla.s.s artifact!

Exhibited by the large-chested female cultivator, the Inferno Banner was 5 inches tall and 2 inches broad while emanating red glows entirely. Along its edges were lines of golden veins, with decorative lines that formed regiments of red clouds as patterns on the banner's surface. Fiery flaming energy boundlessly emitted out. One look was enough to note this wasn't an ordinary artifact.

A true Spirit cla.s.s artifact that was exceedingly hard to come by. Amongst the Heavenly Circuit Stage level 5 or Thought Division Stage experts Wei Suo had encountered previously, they only possessed 1-2 of such artifacts. Furthermore, the Thought Division Stage realm allowed one to simultaneously execute two of such artifacts. Hence, artifacts of such cla.s.s would no doubt entice a war amongst cultivators.

"4,000 low grade spiritual stones!" As expected, someone within the middle floor immediately bid after the large-chested woman's voice faded. Moreover, he directly inflated it by a 1,000 low grade spiritual stones.

As for Wei Suo, he wasn't interested in such an artifact because he already possessed true Spirit cla.s.s artifacts on hand. If he counted in his true energy exhausting Dark Demon Blade, he would have a total of 6 pieces. Moreover, he even possessed that Divine Six-Suns Firefork from Old Devil Qin, where its might vastly exceeded a normal low-grade Spirit cla.s.s artifact.

His plentiful wealth was something that not even heavily nurtured elite disciples of the ma.s.sive Thunder Heaven Sect or the Spirit Beast Palace could possess. Just like that Heaven's First Sect elite disciple back in Sky Valley's earthflame magma pool cave, he seemed to only possess a single low-grade Spirit cla.s.s defensive-offensive 'Golden character' artifact.

Moreover, he had even cultivated the Firecloud Flying skill, allowing him to conjure out a fire cloud. With might that would scale continuously alongside his cultivation level. Once he reaches Heavenly Circuit Stage level 5, its might would possibly surpa.s.s that of the Inferno Banner already.

Hence, Wei Suo utterly treated this first True Spirit cla.s.s artifact nonchalantly, merely observing how much could an object of this calibre fetch.

But when he heard the bidding price of that first cultivator, Wei Suo's brows twitched furiously.

That voice was exceedingly familiar, it unexpectedly mirrored Li Honglin's voice.

"4,500 low grade spiritual stones!" At the same time, a tapered voice sounded out from an upper floor esteemed patron booth not too far from Wei Suo's position.

"5,000 low grade spiritual stones." That voice from the middle floor esteemed patron booth resounded again.

"Wakao!" Hearing that voice, Wei Suo couldn't refrain from cursing.

"What's up?" Han Weiwei asked Wei Suo puzzledly.

Wei Suo glanced at Han Weiwei and replied, "If I haven't heard wrongly, that guy should be Li Honglin."

"No way?" Han Weiwei became slightly startled. If Nangong Yuqing was with Li Honglin now, then wouldn't this be the case of 'searching everywhere until one's iron shoes broke but to no avail, but accidentally finding it effortlessly?'

"5,500 low grade spiritual stones." A vigorous voice also joined the bidding war for this artifact.

"6,500 low grade spiritual stones!"

Once again, that voice from the middle floor esteemed patron booth echoed out. Wei Suo could fundamentally confirm Li Honglin was definitely inside. Moreover, he seemed to be rather bent on this artifact, repeatedly fuelling a thousand spiritual stones. Now, he only couldn't confirm if Nangong Yuqing was inside that same esteemed patrons booth.

"7,000 low grade spiritual stones." That tapered voice cultivator unhurriedly added another 500 spiritual stones.

"7,500!"

"8,500 spiritual stones."

"…."

Following the incessant bids of several cultivators, the value of this artifact exceeded 10,000 low grade spiritual stones in a flash.

"12,000 low grade spiritual stones!"

Eventually, with the seemingly abundant spiritual stones wealth Li Honglin possessed, no one else vied with him after his final bid. Thus, this Spirit cla.s.s artifact was sold to Li Honglin.

During this period, Wei Suo spectated with an expressionless face. Yet his eyes flickered and none could guess what he was thinking.

"The second article of our auction, is the Soulguard Ancient Talisman. It can allow cultivators below the realm of Golden Dan Stage, to be transported for over 10,000 li within a day for 3 times. Starting bid of 2,500 low grade spiritual stones."

Wei Suo appeared to be emotionally moved when the second auctioned article was announced.

The Soulguard Ancient Talisman!

When travelling through transportation arrays, an ordinary cultivator may experience feeling unwell. Even for small scale transportation arrays that spanned a few hundred li, it may bring feelings of unwell to cultivators as well.

If one were to consecutively travel for over ten times, the ordinary low level cultivators would feel as if his body and divine sense had reached their limits. Just like if Wei Suo travelled through a mid scale transportation array that spanned a thousand li, he would feel giddy and nauseous as well.

Thus, for cultivators beneath the Thought Division Stage, one was confined to only roughly 10,000 li within a day of using transportation arrays. If one utilized a large scale transportation array that spanned 10,000 li straight, a single transport would inevitably cause the cultivator to have to rest for an entire day before recovering.

Yet in ancient times, there was a sect known as the True Soul Sect that created a talisman that could protect one's divine sense from receiving the intense backlash of spirit energy from utilizing transportation arrays. As long as one employed this talisman while travelling, it could allow a low level cultivation to employ a large scale transportation array for three times a day.

This second article of this auction was truly exceptionally beneficial for cultivators having to rush through long distances.

Otherwise, if one had urgent matters that required travelling from one end of the Heavenly Profound Continent to the other end, while only being able to employ a large scale transportation array once per day, one would minimally require 1-2 months of travel.

The existence of such ancient talismans were spa.r.s.e in this world. Moreover, it would certainly be useful in the future. After several jolting thoughts in his mind, Wei Suo figured that if its ultimate valuation didn't exceed 10,000 low grade spiritual stones, he would purchase the talisman.

"3,000 low grade spiritual stones!"

"4,000 low grade spiritual stones."

"……"

"11,000 low grade spiritual stones!"

"13,000 low grade spiritual stones!"

Wei Suo swallowed his saliva in disappointment. Just like the first Inferno Banner, the tremendously useful Soulguard Ancient Talisman broke through Wei Suo's valuation within a flash.

Ultimately, this Soulguard Ancient Talisman was sold off for 1,000 low grade spiritual stones higher than the Inferno Banner. It was snagged by a lackadaisical sounding female cultivator of an upper floor esteemed patron booth.

"The Silver Magic Ring!"

"……."

"The Violetsun crystal!'

"The Thousand Catty Vessel!"

This ma.s.sive auction of the Spirit Treasure Lane was truly extraordinary. The true Spirit cla.s.s artifact, Thousand Catty Vessel, actually appeared here.

This artifact stirred Wei Suo's heart. Not only was this artifact an uncommonly heavy crus.h.i.+ng artifact, once it was activated, it would enlarge manifold and crush down onto the opponent with astounding weight. If one couldn't evade, or didn't possess any Spirit cla.s.s or above divine light screen artifact, even a Spirit cla.s.s artifact s.h.i.+eld would be forcibly slammed down. It wouldn't be a problem to flatten one into a meat paste.

However, within a breath, the valuation caused Wei Suo to turn speechless. In the end, an austere voice actually successfully placed a bid of 20,000 low grade spiritual stones.

"For the following article, we have two maps detailing the outskirts of the Heavenly Dome. It was drafted with close to half a year of time, and should be extremely precise. One pertains to the distant White Bullock Wastelands, and the other the nearer proximity of Mount Mang. Both maps would be sold together, with a starting bid of 3,000 low grade spiritual stones."

When that large-chested female hostess produced the two auctioned articles, Wei Suo immediately stood up.

This was finally his aim. To reach the maps of the Duanlong Cliff, one required the inclusion of the map district around Mount Mang.

"Han Weiwei, help me bid for that object." Wei Suo immediately calmed down and whispered to Han Weiwei.

"Alright!" That la.s.s was all along a shopping maniac, and was already itching to death after spectating so many wondrous artifacts. It was just that she didn't bring along much spiritual stones, and was unable to purchase any. Upon Wei Suo's request, Han Weiwei instantly answered with incomparable excitement.

"4,000 low grade spiritual stones!"

"4,500 low grade spiritual stones!"

"5,000 low grade spiritual stones!"

Wei Suo drew in a breath of chilling air. Just three bids after Han Weiwei had spoken out, the valuation had already soared to 5,000 low grade spiritual stones.

"6,000 low grade spiritual stones!" Han Weiwei adorably cried out.

"Ah, truly a wastrel." Wei Suo instantly felt a searing heartache. Shouldn't she just add on 500, why jump by a thousand with one breath.

"7,000 low grade spiritual stones." At this moment, another female voice drifted out from another upper floor esteemed patron booth. This voice belonged to that lackadaisical lady, the same one that bought the Soulguard Ancient Talisman.

"8,000 low grade spiritual stones." Just when Han Weiwei was about to bid, another tranquil and calm male voice echoed out. It was from the esteemed patron booth directly opposite Wei Suo, and partic.i.p.ated into the bidding war.

Observing Wei Suo's gestures, Han Weiwei immediately inflated the price. "9,000 low grade spiritual stones."

"15,000 low grade spiritual stones." What caused an uproar with the crowd, was that the lackadaisical sounding female actually chuckled gently and declared such a frightening valuation.

This valuation immediately caused Han Weiwei and Wei Suo to become stunned.

This wasn't because the valuation was unacceptable by them. Instead, the rate of bidding was truly too outrageous.

At this moment, the entire crowd was sh.e.l.l shocked. Instead, that lackadaisical voice echoed out once more. "Why, Dong Qingyi, do you also desire these two map pieces?"

Chapter 159: Rainbow Stone

"Dong Qingyi? The young master of East Victory?"

Wei Suo's eyes flickered suspiciously. Soon after, a gentle chortle and a calm male voice resounded out from the esteemed patron booth opposite him. "This one does hold great interests for the two map pieces."

"Since that's the case, I can use 70,000 low grade spiritual stones to purchase those two map pieces." The female cultivator's lackadaisical voice chillingly declared. "How high are you willing to go?"

According to theory, her words were indeed not in accordance to the auction's regulations. Nevertheless, not a single one in the auction hall voiced any objections. Instead, they all drew in cold gasps of air.

70,000 low grade spiritual stones!

Using 70,000 low grade spiritual stones to procure two map pieces. That was truly an excessively terrifying valuation! That amount of spiritual stones alone, would suffice to purchase 4-5 Spirit cla.s.s artifacts.

That large-chested beauty of the Spirit Treasure Lane merely smiled faintly as she awaited. It seemed that this scenario wasn't strange to her.

Instead, Wei Suo's complexion became astoundingly ugly.

This was clearly not a topic regarding the valuation of both maps. It was instead both cultivators giving rent of their past grievances, attempting to compete against each other.

"Ahhh, what an insane amount." While the auction hall was still filled with gasps of chilling air, that male voice forced out a laugh and replied, "Just a trifling two map pieces, I am willing to fork out 90,000 low grade spiritual stones."

90,000 low grade spiritual stones!

A ruckus erupted in the entire hall. Within the silvery light screen of the hall, many female cultivators cast envious and admiring gazes apart from their shock.

To carelessly announce procuring two map pieces for 90,000 low grade spiritual stones. Such a sum was truly too frightening.

Many female cultivators who didn't understand Dong Qingyi well, immediately committed his name to memory.

"Morons!" Wei Suo was so infuriated his complexion turned green.

90,000 low grade spiritual stones. With Dong Qingyi's current cultivation, how long would he have to take to earn that under normal circ.u.mstances. He was clearly relying on his East Victory, throwing out spiritual stones that other disciples toiled laboriously for with their lives.

More critically, Wei Suo needed that map.

"Fine, as long as you fork out 90,000 low grade spiritual stones, I won't vye for those two map pieces anymore." At this moment, that female cultivator didn't beat around the bush and urged. "Otherwise, don't compete with me for it."

"90,000 low grade spiritual stones." Dong Qingyi calmly announced. "I fork out 90,000 spiritual stones for the two map pieces."

"What should I do, do I raise?" Han Weiwei was similarly enraged and turned to Wei Suo. The first time trying to purchase something, and the price had inflated to such an extent. Moreover, she really loathed Dong Qingyi as well.

Wei Suo gritted his teeth and resolutely shook his head. "No need."

"The valuation of 90,000 low grade spiritual stones was exceedingly overrated. Perhaps if he could confirm that Duanlong cliff housed the Goldenspot Ginseng and the Blood Dragon, he would definitely stake everything in. But more crucially, everything was still an unknown.

Furthermore, he could still devise ways to search out the map pieces in the future. Towards such a valuation, it was definitely not worth it.

Except, having something forcibly s.n.a.t.c.hed away from right under his nose, he truly felt exceptionally depressed.

Now that he failed to acquire both pieces of map, he decided to look for other valuable objects he could acquire from this auction. Otherwise, it would really be a waste of his several hundred spiritual stones esteemed patron booth fee.

"The Ironburnt Wooden Sword!"

"Soaring Heaven Boat!"

"…….."

After gasps of exclamations, and after someone from the Spirit Treasure Lane delivered the map pieces to the opposite booth, the auction proceeded.

The following articles weren't very useful to Wei Suo at all. Yet Li Honglin had once again bidded for an artifact known as the Yellowcloud Magic Ring. It could conjure out regiments of yellow fog that could conceal one's figure, and supply a half-spirit cla.s.s defensive strength which could also corrode the opponent's artifact.

"For our next article, it is the Rainbow Stone. Starting bid of 5,000 low grade spiritual stones."

"Rainbow Stone! A Rainbow Stone is actually being auctioned!" Noticing that fist-sized Rainbow Stone in that large-chested female's hand on the floating jasper platform, even the gloomy faced, stoning Wei Suo reflexively gasped in shock.

"What? What use does a Rainbow Stone have?" Han Weiwei observed Wei Suo's intense reaction with awe. She had never heard of this Rainbow Stone before.

"This is a spirit stone that can be used to reconstruct a corporeal body. Some cultivators that trained in arts of soul possessing or departure will be actively seeking for such a spirit stone. Once their longevity expires but are still unable to reach a cultivation breakthrough, they will utilize this spirit stone to seek out a rebirth." Wei Suo explained. "It is said that most arts of soul possession or departure when seeking a rebirth, would be like running water where they have to start cultivation all over again. However, this spirit stone can raise the compatibility rate of a cultivator and the corporeal body he seeks. It can allow the cultivator to preserve a large portion of his former cultivation, and lessen many negative effects of possessing a new corporeal body. Besides, if the corporeal body doesn't suit him, his longevity would rapidly deplete once again."

"Ah, so it's like that." Han Weiwei frowned. Evidently, she was against something like soul possessing another body. "Why, Wei Suo, are you interested in that?"

Wei Suo hesitated slightly. In truth, he did possess genuine interest in this spirit stone. This spirit stone was one of the necessities that could a.s.sist the old man in congealing his form.

As Wei Suo's cultivation level continued to rise, it was high time he started preparing to a.s.sist the green gowned Old Man in congealing his form; because the Old Man wasn't left with much longevity years. As for the materials needed for form congealment, those materials weren't as useful as the likes of Amethyst Fox rose to other cultivators. However, they were still extremely scarce.

Like this Rainbow Stone, it was an object of peak rarity. Even the Old Man knew, the Day Bamboo Cult in the Cloud Spirit Continent had a spirit stone of the same category, known as the Goldbod Magic Imager. After the Old Man had inspected the ancient records, he affirmed that the Goldbod Magic Imager was still stored as a cult treasure of the Day Bamboo Cult. The Old Man then devised a plan that if Wei Suo couldn't find a replacement, then he would have to rob that cult sect after breaking through to the Golden Dan Stage. Never did Wei Suo expect, there would actually be a similar type of rock right here.

Furthermore, a Golden Dan Stage expert had surfaced in the Day Bamboo several decades ago. Attempting to steal would be an immeasurably treacherous task.

"I have a friend that requires that, help me bid." After hesitating, Wei Suo still affirmed that if he could purchase it, he would purchase it first.

"Mn." Han Weiwei nodded and didn't ask further. At present, the bidding price had already soared to 13,000 low grade spiritual stones.

"14,000 low grade spiritual stones!"

"15,000 low grade spiritual stones!"

"….."

The bids continued pouring in endless streams. It seems that although many cultivators were against the ideals of Soul Possession Arts, many others desired to have a life preserving art as well. Besides, though such arts couldn't restore a person's cultivation, one could still preserve their knowledge and memories perfectly. As long as the corporeal body possessed had normal longevity, that would be akin to another chance at living.

"20,000 low grade spiritual stones!"

At this moment, Li Honglin's voice resounded out and caused Wei Suo's brows to hop.

"23,000 low grade spiritual stones." A tapered male voice casually added 3,000 low grade spiritual stones at one of the upper floor esteemed patron booth.

"25,000 low grade spiritual stones." Li Honglin was unrelenting.

Han Weiwei hadn't bid yet and opted to remain silent.

"28,000 low grade spiritual stones."

"三萬下品靈石。"

"30,000 low grade spiritual stones."

"35,000 low grade spiritual stones!"

"40,000!" Following Li Honglin's sky high valuation, the entire crowed turned silently. Then, that tapered voice snorted coldly and no longer bidded.

Han Weiwei glanced at Wei Suo, and noticed him nodding resolutely. Before that large-chested woman was able to concluded, Han Weiwei called out with cold austerity. "41,000 low grade spiritual stones."

"Oh?"

At this moment from Dong Qingyi's esteemed patron booth, a gentle 'oh' drifted out; as though amazed by Han Weiwei's offer.

"45,000 low grade spiritual stones!" Li Honglin once again bidded.

"46,000 low grade spiritual stones." Han Weiwei coldly added another thousand.

Anyway, she didn't even feel pain for squandering spiritual stones earlier on, now that she was spending Wei Suo's spiritual stones, she clearly had the impetuous of suppressing the other party. Instantly, Li Honglin became rather sluggish and didn't dare to bid any longer.

"50,000 low grade spiritual stones." At this moment, what caused Han Weiwei to learn from Wei Suo and curse 'your sister', was Dong Qingyi's echoing voice from the opposite booth.

Wei Suo's face instantly sank.

Indeed, after his voice faded, yet another female voice directly called out. "70,000 low grade spiritual stones."

"Hehe, since it's like that, I'll let you have the stone." It appears that Dong Qingyi no longer had sufficient spiritual stones, as he smirked and relinquished to the female cultivator.

"Do you still want it?" Han Weiwei couldn't help but ask Wei Suo. Besides, she was aware of how much spiritual stones Wei Suo had on hand. Moreover for this price, she truly felt it was extremely exorbitant.

"Go for it! Unless it exceeds 200,000, buy it!" Wei Suo was exceedingly gloomy. Anything that he had set his eyes on, had been interrupted by bickering wastrels. If he didn't manage to buy a single thing this time, he would surely feel additionally depressed. Moreover, Wei Suo felt that if he really fought for this Rainbow Stone, the old man would surely be moved till his tears overflowed. Perhaps, he may even work harder to provide him with advantages in life.

"Apart from Nangong Yuqing, which other friend does he have? For him to want this Rainbow Stone, it shouldn't be that Nangong Yuqing wants it right? Could it be that he is really buying it for her?" This notion welled up in Wei Suo's mind. However, such a notion had never existed in Han Weiwei's melon head.

After sn.o.bbishly pouting and considering that she had claimed this brat as her brother, Han Weiwei called out angrily, "71,000 low grade spiritual stones."

After calling out, n.o.body else in the hall placed further bids. Hence, with the valuation of 71,000 low grade spiritual stones, Wei Suo purchased the Rainbow Stone.

"Let's go!" After paying for the spirit stone and placing it into his Treasure Receiving Pocket, Wei Suo stood up and muttered to Han Weiwei.

"Wakao, are you afraid that Li Honglin will depart earlier, and you'll miss out if Nangong Yuqing is really with him, so you wish to wait outside?" Han Weiwei gloomily and firmly glared at Wei Suo. She could roughly guess what Wei Suo was thinking of.