The Grand Auction

For some time after that, Shen Jingchuan stayed in Spirit Creek Market.

He now knows that the Wang Household has sent people into Spirit Creek Market, both openly and secretly, to keep an eye on him.

Last time, two cultivators at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer perished outside. If the Wang Household sends someone again, they will certainly not send low-level disciples to their deaths; at least a master at the Qi Refining Great Perfection will come. As for whether that Foundation Establishment Ancestor will personally take action, he couldn't guess.

Fortunately, the market town had its own rules, and with True Person Moxuan in charge, the other party dared not make a move in the city.

Shen Jingchuan decided to stay put in the market, spending his days browsing, inspecting, and selling goods, and returning to his courtyard at night to cultivate in seclusion. He became even more discreet than before.

The Cultivation Method was already wondrous, and with the addition of high-grade pills and Spirit Gathering Formation Plate, although his cultivation level hadn't broken through in a month, his foundation had become much more solid and robust, and he had already sensed that he was approaching the critical point.

He also prepared twenty Life-Extending Pills, enough for four years, for the purpose of modern auctions.

He also found a gift for Meng Ke's mother in the market: a jade pendant about half the size of a playing card, with a warm and lustrous color and a defensive formation engraved inside.

It is the most common defensive magic Law Artifact used by high-level cultivators in the market for important mortal family members, and it can be bought for fifteen Spirit Stones.

The jade pendant doesn't require cultivators to activate it; when worn by ordinary people, the array will automatically activate and create a protective shield if attacked. When worn close to the body, it can also slowly absorb Spiritual Qi and nourish the body.

The protective shield that this jade activated on its own could only withstand a full-force attack from Early Stage of Qi Refining.

Shen Jingchuan picked out three pieces in one go and threw them into the light sphere when he got back.

After one night, the three jade pendants leveled up. He called Huan'er over to test them himself, and they should be able to withstand a full-force attack from Qi Refining Late Stage cultivator.

Such protection, on Earth, means that knife cuts, bullets, car accidents, and other emergencies would not harm the wearer.

He was very satisfied with the betrothal gift he gave to his future mother-in-law, Meng Ke's mother should be satisfied too.

Shen Jingchuan then realized that this protective jade pendant needed to slowly absorb Spiritual Qi to be properly nourished, and the Spiritual Qi on Earth was too thin to work.

He selected three exquisite sachets, placed the three jade pendants inside, and then put five Spirit Stones into each sachet.

Wearing Spirit Stones close to the body, the subtle Spiritual Qi they emit is beneficial to the mortal body; the jade pendant, being near the Spirit Stones, can also absorb them daily. The consumption from nurturing them alone, barring any attacks, means these five Spirit Stones will be enough for it to use for a long time.

Moreover, the sachet is worn close to the body without being conspicuous, making it perfect.

The three sachets were carefully packed away and placed into the Storage Ring.

His business didn't stop for the past month. Knowing that there were eyes watching him from the shadows, he became even more cautious, always changing his appearance and demeanor before going out.

They only buy low and sell high in small batches; once the pills, talismans, and seeds are upgraded, they are resold. They never dare to buy or sell large quantities at once.

He had considered acquiring the Law Artifact, but ultimately didn't dare to— the Law Artifact's appearance was almost unchanged before and after the upgrade, and there was only one of its kind; it would be too easy for someone with a keen eye to spot the flaws.

After a month, he had gained more than 50,000 Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

In order to deal with the Wang Household, he searched the market at high prices and finally found three high-grade attack talismans. He then used light orbs to upgrade them to the best grade, which gave him more confidence.

But what he really wanted was a second-tier talisman.

Talismans are divided into ranks, with the first rank corresponding to Qi Refining and the second rank to Foundation Establishment. The old ancestor of the Wang Household is a genuine Foundation Establishment cultivator; as for the one currently watching him in the shadows, no one knows who it is.

The few scrolls he held, no matter how excellent they were, were still only at the first rank. He had no idea whether they could break through the Spiritual Power protection of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, or whether he could kill the opponent in one strike.

The difference between first-order and second-order is enormous.

He searched every talisman shop, Law Artifact stall, and auction house in Spirit Creek Market, and found every single second-tier attack talisman he could find.

Even a low-grade second-tier item would be fine, but I just can't find one.

In the past two days, Shen Jingchuan noticed that things were different in the market. There were more and more people on the streets every day, including cultivators speaking various accents, and most of them were unfamiliar faces.

He was strolling around without makeup when he bumped into Accountant Wu.

Accountant Wu saw him first, cupped his hands in greeting, and smiled broadly.

"Young Master Shen, you seem quite relaxed."

"Oh, Mr. Wu."

Shen Jingchuan immediately put on a worried expression and sighed:

"I'm just bored... but I don't dare to leave. There are people watching me, how could I dare to go?"

"Hey, don't overthink it, it's nothing."

Accountant Wu waved his hand and lowered his voice:

"As long as you stay in the market, they can't do anything to you. What difference does it make where you stay? They can't just stay here forever. You can find another opportunity to leave eventually."

As he spoke, he winked at Shen Jingchuan.

Shen Jingchuan nodded, looking like he had learned something.

Suddenly remembering something, Accountant Wu moved closer.

"By the way, Young Master Shen, there's something I wanted to tell you. In five days, it's the annual grand auction of Spirit Creek Market, the biggest one of the year. You might want to go and take a look; you might just come across something that can be used against Foundation Establishment cultivators."

"Oh?" Shen Jingchuan was taken aback. "How come I haven't heard of this?"

"Haven't you noticed there are more people these past two Celestial Person?" Accountant Wu smiled and pointed around. "They're all here for this auction."

Shen Jingchuan instantly understood. "So that's what happened!"

Accountant Wu then took out an exquisite invitation from his pocket and handed it over.

"I happen to have a VIP invitation here. I'll arrange a private room for you, quiet and discreet. You can bring Miss Xiao with you."

"That's wonderful." Shen Jingchuan reached out and took the gift, bowing slightly. "Thank you for your trouble, Mr. Wu."

He thanked him verbally, but without making a sound, he took out a small porcelain bottle from his Storage Ring and put it into Accountant Wu's hand.

"It's just a small token; thank you for taking care of me these past few days."

Accountant Wu, exchanged a few polite words and accepted the item. While turning around, he secretly uncorked the bottle and peeked inside. There lay a pill inside, its fragrance rich and mellow; it was another High-Grade Qi Gathering Pill.

Accountant Wu clicked his tongue inwardly in amazement.

This Young Master Shen is truly generous and magnanimous.