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Chapter 68: Chapter 68: Sea Suppressing Bell
The auctioneer opened the array that shrouded the tray, allowing everyone to see the withered yellow leaf.
An ancient and profound aura blossomed, countless golden talismanic scripts simultaneously shining bright, vibrating the air, with intermittent chants resonant as the tolling of a great bell echoing.
"This technique, it doesn’t seem quite ordinary..."
Li Quanqing stroked his chin, pondering what exactly was amiss.
A cultivator wrapped tightly behind him suddenly revealed the truth: "So it’s the cultivation scripture of the Immortal Monks from the West Desert, no wonder they’re auctioning it off."
"What those bald donkeys love most is to lure others into practicing Buddhist laws, and if one’s Dao heart isn’t firm, it’s very easy to be converted into a Dharma Protector Vajra."
So that’s how it is, a Buddhist scripture?
Li Quanqing suddenly realized.
It’s said that in this world, there was originally only the Immortal Path tradition.
Later, an unrivaled genius proclaimed a True Seed of Immortal Path, and declared that he had been taught the Tao by a Saint in his dreams. After enduring myriad hardships, he journeyed to the west to obtain the True Scripture.
Ultimately, he established the line of Immortal Monks in the West Desert, converting numerous Demon Beasts and great demons, turning the barren desert into an oasis of life.
Finally, his merits and virtues complete, a Dharma wheel of radiant light emerged behind his head, and he broke through the void, ascending and departing.
Be that as it may, this "Withered Leaf Meditation Technique" was still extremely popular. Let alone those Loose Cultivators, many small families have never even touched a Foundation Establishment technique.
Plus, this cultivation technique has no elemental restrictions; cultivators of the Five Elements Spirit Root can start practicing it.
It was finally auctioned off for the high price of seven thousand Spirit Stones.
Li Quanqing was astounded, suddenly feeling that he truly was poor as could be.
"A first-rank high-grade Purple Splendor Pill, produced by an Alchemy Master from the Wang Family, can assist Qi Refining Late Stage cultivators in advancing their cultivation..."
The auction continued, and the next items weren’t as explosive as the Foundation Establishment Techniquem but rather were of normal standard.
Li Quanqing only occasionally made a bid, buying some Jade Scrolls and Elixirs and Spirit Grass related to cultivating Spiritual Beasts, just to broaden his horizons.
"A Six-Tusked White Jade Elephant, at Qi Refining Great Perfection realm, with a lineage hailing from the West Desert, with a docile nature, and a longevity that makes it particularly suitable as a clan’s guardian Spiritual Beast..."
A massive creature was led onto the auction stage, standing there like a wall of white jade, its legs so thick that regular people weren’t as tall as its small legs.
Bathed in the light, the White Jade Elephant’s skin was tough and thick, nearly without visible fine lines, and its six wide knife-like tusks soared skywards, exuding a majestic and imposing presence.
The cultivators from the East Sea were mostly witnessing such a Demon Beast for the first time, all of them curious, never imagining that such gigantic Spiritual Beasts existed on the mainland.
The nature of this Six-Tusked White Jade Elephant was truly docile, even when lead and examined, it did not show annoyance, contentedly chewing on something that seemed like sugarcane.
Whenever it finished eating, someone nearby would continue to feed it, making sure the Spiritual Beast remained calm and quiet.
Seeing this scene, many clan leaders from small families were all stirred.
This was a Qi Refining Great Perfection realm Demon Beast, and with its huge body and Demon Energy, if it were to wear Magic Artifact battle armor, it could be invincible in the Qi Refining Realm.
Moreover, with a long lifespan, it could be regarded as a half-step Foundation Establishment level cultivator.
It was definitely an unparalleled choice for protecting a family’s legacy!
Li Quanqing sat comfortably in his seat, watching the crowd engage in frenzied bidding, their excitement almost palpable.
"I wonder if I could feed this Six-Tusked White Jade Elephant until it reaches the Foundation Establishment Realm, would I receive a Light Group reward?"
The thought crossed his mind, but it was impossible to test.
The bidding was too intense, surpassing that of the previous Withered Leaf Meditation Technique, with many Qi Refining family clan leaders and sect masters joining in.
It was finally auctioned off for the high price of eight thousand eight hundred Spirit Stones.
"So many Spirit Stones, enough to buy half a Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object..."
Watching the auction, even Li Quanqing felt a surge of temptation to rob them.
With such an aggressive price, the auctioneer couldn’t help but smile broadly as they introduced the next item, lifting a small bell the size of a fist that was water-blue in color.
"This is a damaged low-grade Spirit Bell called Sea Suppressing Bell, suited for cultivators who practice the Water Element Cultivation Method. It can release sonic wave attacks and also has the effect of protecting the soul."
A low-grade Spiritual Artifact?
As soon as these four words were announced, they immediately ignited the entire audience; all cultivators’ gazes heated up.
Spiritual Artifacts are exclusive to Foundation Establishment cultivators. They have their own spirit, can change size at will, and can be nourished with mana inside the Dantian.
The auctioneer channeled mana into it, and a surge of water-blue light flooded the space. The Sea Suppressing Bell quickly enlarged.
It transformed from the size of a fist into the size of a regular bronze bell. The body of the bell was as blue as the ocean, its surface etched with patterns that were blurred and unclear, hinting at its ancient age.
These twisted patterns intertwined, vaguely forming the ’Sea Suppressing’ Ancient Immortal Text.
"It’s really a Spiritual Artifact!"
There was an instant uproar inside the auction hall.
However, the cultivators quickly noticed something amiss.
This bell was too damaged, with a crack running through it, almost splitting it in two, and its spirit light dim, nearly shattered.
What’s more, the most important bell tongue was also missing, leaving behind only an empty shell.
"Without the bell tongue to strike and vibrate, can it still emit sonic wave attacks?"
Someone raised their doubt.
The auctioneer smiled unfazed, shrunk the Sea Suppressing Bell back down, and held it in hand to gently shake.
Clang! Clang!
Indeed, there were sound waves that emerged, transforming into shockwaves that rippled outwards, spreading like the vast ocean.
But the power was average; for Late Stage Qi Refinement cultivators, it could only cause dizziness.
"Esteemed guests, do not be disheartened. This was unearthed by a fellow daoist from ancient ruins, perhaps you might be destined to comprehend an exquisite method from ancient times!"
"Just the words ’Sea Suppressing’ alone tell us how extraordinary this Spirit Bell once was!"
The auctioneer was smooth-tongued, spinning tales she didn’t even believe herself.
However, Li Quanqing’s face showed a trace of interest.
When the bell sounded, he found the water-like ripples of the soundwave very familiar.
It was a type of Sword Qi!
Li Quanqing, who himself cultivated the Azure Water Sword Technique, was very familiar with this.
Indeed, it was some kind of water wave-shaped Sword Qi, not actual bell sounds, having form but no substance, directly affecting the soul.
"Could it be... a swordsmanship technique that tempers the Divine Soul?"
Li Quanqing’s eyes lit up, and besides, with the support of the Artifact Refining Hall, he might be able to restore the missing parts of the Sea Suppressing Bell.
Fortunately, the starting price for this damaged Spiritual Artifact was not high, only nine hundred Spirit Stones.
Li Quanqing ultimately secured it for one thousand eight hundred Spirit Stones.
"No money left, no money at all, it’s like I’m back to square one overnight!"
He touched the deflated Storage Bag, and his face wrinkled into a bitter melon expression.
Fortunately, the auction was also drawing to a close, and the last highlight treasure took the stage.
"A Second Rank low-grade Protecting Vein Pill, even if a cultivator fails a Foundation Establishment breakthrough, it can protect all the body’s meridians, retaining ninety percent of Cultivation, without falling on the spot."
"The starting price, three thousand low-grade Spirit Stones!"
The moment he heard the name of the Elixir, Li Quanqing patted his butt and left, without the slightest intention to participate in the competition.
