NOVPUB
Chapter 1203: Chapter 1070: Gift_2
Fortunately, the number of Integration cultivators wasn’t too many, which allowed Li Taichang and the others to breathe a sigh of relief.
It wasn’t that they were being stingy, but the number of Seventh-Rank Spiritual Objects was limited, and the Chamber of Commerce couldn’t produce so many at once. Naturally, the Li family’s preparations were inadequate.
After everyone had eaten and drank their fill, it was finally Li Zhirui’s turn to appear.
When no one noticed, Li Zhirui had already appeared on the top of the sermon platform, seated cross-legged on a straw cushion, exuding a faint Mahayana pressure that immediately silenced the crowd.
For a long-standing sect like the Qingzhu Sect, they couldn’t help but change their expressions the moment they felt the pressure, their hearts overwhelmed with shock.
’Is this truly the pressure of a cultivator who only broke through to the Mahayana realm a few years ago?’
Li Zhirui ignored everyone’s reactions and did not bother to remind them either. He simply began speaking on his own, discussing how to break through the Void Refinement Realm more quickly.
Though the topic was on a lower cultivation level, at least he didn’t gloss over it with superficial Divine Powers or techniques.
Even those who had already stepped into Void Refinement, or even those who had broken through to Integration, were captivated, showing expressions of deep absorption, as if they had gained significant insights.
Over half an hour later, Li Zhirui stopped his sermon. Before anyone could react, he vanished just as suddenly as he had appeared.
At that moment, Li Taichang stepped forward, saying, "Thank you, Fellow Daoists, for braving the long journey to attend Ancestor Rui’s Mahayana Grand Ceremony. Since we have all gathered here, we thought it would be a great opportunity to host an auction. If you are interested in participating, please wait a moment."
"This auction might be different from others you’ve attended. In addition to the items prepared by our family, all of you are welcome to contribute items as well. If you wish to do so, you can inform our attendants. They will guide you to a private, secluded area to ensure your anonymity."
This arrangement had been made clear in the invitation beforehand, and they had also sought Li Zhirui’s approval.
Without this prior agreement, even Li Taichang wouldn’t have dared to take such a bold step.
As soon as Li Taichang finished speaking, many cultivators left their cloud beds.
About fifteen minutes later, the cloud beds began to move, thick fog forming to veil everyone from view, preventing their identities from being exposed.
"The auction officially begins now!"
The initial auction items were prepared by the Li family. Items provided by other sects and factions were still being prepared. Additionally, the Li family needed time to appraise them.
The first item to appear was used mainly to heat the crowd. To this end, the Li family contributed three bottles of top-grade Seventh-Rank Precious Pills.
The moment the auctioneer introduced them, the atmosphere became fiery, and the eyes of Integration cultivators burned with fervor as the bidding prices climbed steadily higher.
It was a known fact that high-grade Precious Pills were extremely rare in the outside world—to the point that they were almost never seen on the open market.
Now the Li family had offered three full bottles. Predictably, it drove everyone into a frenzy.
After rounds of intense bidding, the three bottles were sold at exorbitant prices to three different factions.
With such a stellar opening, the following Spiritual Objects were equally well-received, and the site’s atmosphere gradually reached its fever pitch.
"Up next, we have an Eighth-Rank Spirit Seed imbued with the highly rare attribute of Space Power. While we do not yet know what kind of Spiritual Object it will grow into, its exceptional grade and rare spatial attribute alone make it extraordinary."
The auctioneer’s voice was filled with excitement as he tried to rouse the emotions of the cultivators below, hoping for a heated bidding war.
However, the response was lukewarm; only a few cultivators called out bids.
After all, it was just a Spirit Seed. No one knew how many years it would take for it to mature. Moreover, the price was exorbitant.
But for the Li family, this situation was excellent news!
According to the adjustments made by Da Qing in the "Earth Spirit Tao Record," to carry it around freely meant that the contracted Spirit Seeds had to possess Space Power.
Over the years, the Li family had been secretly collecting spatial Spirit Seeds, but their harvests were minimal. Even Seventh-Rank Spirit Seeds were incredibly rare, let alone an Eighth-Rank one.
The appearance of this Eighth-Rank Spirit Seed represented the possibility of countless Li family members contracting Eighth-Rank Spirit Seeds in the future!
Thus, Li Taichang, sitting below the stage, immediately called out, "Five million Spirit Stones!"
Five million Spirit Stones for a Spirit Seed—this was an astronomically high price, even for an Eighth-Rank Spirit Seed.
Many cultivators were stunned upon hearing the bid, showing expressions of surprise and curiosity.
"Six million Spirit Stones!" The next bid came almost impatiently.
Li Taichang raised an eyebrow at the response, immediately understanding what was happening.
It was nothing more than a ploy by another faction that had caught wind of the Li family’s interest in spatial Spirit Seeds. If they happened to possess an Eighth-Rank Spirit Seed, they would naturally seize the chance to inflate its price and make a fortune from the Li family.
That faction clearly intended to exploit this moment to squeeze a higher price from the Li family.
But this was precisely why Li Taichang had organized the auction in the first place!
Thus, he didn’t feel the slightest hesitation. While spending millions of Spirit Stones on an Eighth-Rank Spirit Seed with no guaranteed outcome might seem wasteful to others, it was a critical investment in the Li family’s future.
"Eight million Spirit Stones! If Fellow Daoists wish to continue raising the price, I’m afraid I’ll have no choice but to concede."
The Spirit Seed was indeed important, but Li Chengsheng wasn’t a fool. This offer far exceeded its worth. If the bidding continued, they might as well send someone to annihilate that faction and seize the Spirit Seed for free.
"Do you think the Li family is bluffing, or have they genuinely decided not to pursue the bid further?"
In a secluded area, a few Void Refinement cultivators from the faction selling the Spirit Seed communicated telepathically.
"It’s definitely a bluff! The Li family has spent years and countless Spirit Stones seeking advanced spatial Spirit Seeds. Now that they’ve finally encountered one, how could they give up so easily?"
Another cultivator shook his head and argued, "I think it’s very likely true. And don’t forget, we’re still on the Li family’s turf. This auction is being hosted by them; we can’t hide our identities!"
"If the Li family genuinely decides not to bid further, we could end up provoking them to outright robbery. In my opinion, it’s best to stop while we’re ahead. After all, the Spirit Seed was stumbled upon by chance, and eight million Spirit Stones is already a fortune."
The threat of robbery left the others visibly shaken, and they quickly fell silent, refusing to escalate the bid any further.
In the end, there were no other factions stepping in to disrupt, allowing the Li family to successfully acquire the Spirit Seed!
The subsequent auction items were either meticulously selected treasures from the Li family or rare items offered by other sects. Each one drew fervent interest from the attendees.
During the process, the Li family also bid successfully on several valuable items that were absent from their collection.
Time flew by amidst the sound of bids, and soon it was time for the final auction item.
When the auctioneer received the description card, his expression froze momentarily before he announced, "This is undoubtedly a supreme treasure! Far more valuable than any of the previous items!"
These words instantly captured the attention of all the cultivators present.
The auctioneer lifted the red silk to reveal a three-inch Treasure Bead, exclaiming passionately, "This is a Magical Treasure that controls a Seventh-Order Secret Realm!"
"What?!"
"How is that possible?!"
"Who would be willing to part with such a priceless treasure?!"
When its original owner announced their intention to auction it off, the Li family had immediately wanted to claim it outright, regardless of the terms.
But the owner had refused, insisting on auctioning it and setting certain conditions.
The Li family couldn’t resort to robbery in broad daylight, so they had no choice but to agree.
"A Seventh-Order Secret Realm control Magical Treasure comes with no bidding price. Those who wish to participate must enter the Secret Realm, clear out the Devil Beasts within, and gather at a designated location in one year to re-enter the realm."
"The condition is that upon exiting the realm, participants must hand over fifty percent of their harvest. They may choose which items to give up, but high-grade Spiritual Objects must account for at least half."
The auctioneer continued, "The Spiritual Objects will be handed over to the Li family, who will act as trustees and distribute them afterward. Once this matter is concluded, the control Magical Treasure will be gifted to the Li family free of charge."
