After reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, Luo Chen primarily consumed Low-Grade Rising Dragon Pill.
With the help of the powerful Medicinal Power, continuous use, and other auxiliary resources, he advanced from the Foundation Establishment Second Layer to the Foundation Establishment Third Layer in just three years.
However, after advancing to the Foundation Establishment Third Layer...
His cultivation speed slowed down again.
Or rather, it's not that it's "slowed down," but rather that as one's cultivation level advances, the amount of spiritual energy required at each stage increases.
Compared to the increased upper limit, the original fixed cultivation speed will naturally lead to a slow increase in the progress bar.
In this situation...
Luo Chen tried to solve the problem, but ultimately he was powerless to do so.
The mainstream cultivation pills released by the major sects are only of the low grade.
Even if he had the money, there was nowhere to buy it!
Fortunately, there's still the auction!
"Although it's not a mid-grade Dragon Ascension Pill, the medicinal power of a mid-grade Qi Harmony Pill should still surpass that of a low-grade Dragon Ascension Pill by a considerable margin."
"This item is of great use to me!"
Luo Chen wouldn't let this opportunity slip by, so he decisively joined the bidding.
With ample cash flow and strong auction experience.
Luo Chen quickly purchased thirty bottles.
He spent nearly 40,000 Spirit Stone in total.
Keep in mind that this is only Mid-Grade Harmony Qi Pill, thirty bottles, costing nearly 40,000 Spirit Stone, which works out to over 1,300 spirit stones per bottle.
Another deal with an exceptionally high premium!
But there's no other way; exchanging Spirit Stone for time comes at this price.
After taking thirty bottles, Luo Chen decided to stop while he was ahead.
He did not participate in the subsequent seven auctions.
"Although I still really want more, thirty bottles will last me almost a year."
"If we continue the auction, it will be easy to offend others."
Without Luo Chen's involvement, the subsequent transaction prices for Mid-Grade Harmony Qi Pill decreased significantly.
However, the auction atmosphere was even more enthusiastic than before.
Each bid wasn't high, but the bidding was fierce, and in the last two bids, the price rose again.
Seeing this scene, Luo Chen was filled with emotion.
He wasn't the only one who understood these principles.
However, the mainstream cultivation pills of medium and even high grade have always been strictly controlled by major sects.
Everyone understands the logic, but it's truly a case of high demand but no supply!
"Thirty bottles may last me for a while, but what about after that?"
"We can't keep waiting ten years to film just one year's worth of usage!"
Although his immediate worries were gone, after experiencing the simulation of the Heart Questioning Mirror, he habitually started to look at things from a longer-term perspective.
We've seen it, but for now, there's no better solution.
The auction is still ongoing.
The later the journey, the more valuable the resources become.
Previously, it was Mid-Stage Cultivator like Luo Chen and Lu Rong, who were in the Early Foundation Establishment Stage, who were competing for it.
But now, Late-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivators have also become active.
Even those Golden Core Immortal began to make their moves one after another.
Luo Chen gradually fell silent.
until!
"Brother Luo!"
"Yes, I know."
The Tier 3 Healing Pill that Kang Xian Qiong needed have appeared.
There were many bidders at this auction.
Luo Chen expended a great deal of effort and spent a large sum of money to acquire it.
"Fellow Daoist Kang, I apologize. It cost five thousand Spirit Stone more than I anticipated."
Kang Xian Qiong quickly shook her head, her face filled with excitement and gratitude.
"It was already quite an achievement to be able to bid on it. If it weren't for your help, I'm afraid I wouldn't have been able to get my hands on this item at all."
Thank you, thank you so much.
Luo Chen smiled and accepted the thanks.
As Kang Xian Qiong said, even if the other party had enough Spirit Stone, it would be difficult to win the bid for this item.
These large-scale auctions are no longer just about comparing financial resources.
Because their personal information was disclosed.
Often, the way each person bids also has a flavor of tailoring the offer to the individual.
Luo Chen was able to bid for this item for Kang Xian Qiong not only because of the high price, but also because he used the name of the Luo Tian Association and the momentum he had built up from his previous bids.
Everyone knows he's rich.
When he's determined to win, most people simply can't compete with him.
If it were just about demanding high prices, that would be fine, but unfortunately, Luo Chen had to stop several times along the way.
Clearly, he wasn't some hothead who would recklessly set prices just because he had money.
What if the price really gets raised?
Luo Chen suddenly didn't want it anymore.
But they themselves will be the ones who suffer the loss.
After fulfilling his promise to Kang Xian Qiong, Luo Chen felt a sense of relief.
I've basically gotten all the items I needed.
I really enjoyed spending money today.
He planned to remain a mere spectator for what followed.
It's not because of insufficient funds, nor because those things aren't good enough.
It's not because of the participants, but because there are many he can't afford to offend.
"The Thousandfold Seal, Low-Grade Magic Treasure, for the third time at 55,000!"
"Congratulations, Fellow Lian Cang from Ailao Mountain!"
Looking at the Magic Treasure that had been sold, Luo Chen felt a pang of envy.
He knew about this Magic Treasure.
The Repeating Seal in his own Storage Bag was originally made with the aim of creating the Thousandfold Seal, but it was renamed because he failed.
The Repeating Seal attacks were somewhat clumsy.
But the Thousandfold Seal doesn't have as many drawbacks.
He may envy him, but he has no intention of competing with Lian Cang.
Because the other party is Golden Core Cultivator!
This isn't the only item up for auction.
The value of subsequent auction items increased.
Even Mid-Grade Magic Treasure appeared, which was auctioned off to a Golden Core Immortal from Azure Pill Valley for 350,000.
Such an exorbitant price is astonishing!
Those around Luo Chen, including Sima Hui Niang and Kang Xian Qiong, were stunned.
Even the usually composed Wang Yuan lost his composure, a rare occurrence.
They couldn't imagine how many years it would take them to accumulate enough Spirit Stone to buy such a Mid-Grade Magic Treasure weapon.
Aside from murder and robbery, I can't think of any other way to obtain this treasure.
Only Luo Chen remained calm.
It's only a few hundred thousand Spirit Stone.
If he saves up for a few more years, he can buy it through legitimate means.
Just like that Golden Core Immortal in Azure Pill Valley, didn't he also buy the treasure he wanted with the spirit Spirit Stone he had painstakingly earned over many years?
"Maybe it's not that hard."
"Most cultivators from Azure Pill Valley know a few Pill Refinement Art, and their speed in acquiring wealth is no less than mine."
What ordinary cultivators find unimaginably expensive is just a drop in the ocean for them.
That's what he thought.
That's what the Golden Core Immortal of Azure Pill Valley did too.
The purchased Magic Treasure numbered three: two low-grade and one mid-grade.
His generosity far surpassed that of the other Golden Core Immortal.
Time flows slowly.
The auction reached its climax when the Heartless Immortal finally produced a Transformation Dragon Pill and Ice Phoenix Pellet!
" The Transformation Dragon Pill comes from Azure Pill Valley, Ice Phoenix Pellet comes from Ice Fortress; both are Tier 3 Pill."
"Combined use of this medicine, along with my Ice Fortress Secret Art, can increase the Core Formation Stage by 10%!"
"The starting bid is 10,000 Spirit Stone. Please proceed!"
These words caused a sensation throughout the venue!
Inside the private room, everyone from the Luo Tian Association was breathing rapidly.
Including Luo Chen.
However, he ultimately suppressed the longing in his heart.
Transformation Dragon Pill are not hard to find; they are a specialty of Azure Pill Valley and are sometimes sold outside the area.
Ice Phoenix Pellet are relatively rare and are generally only available within Ice Fortress.
However, considering its price, as Tier 3 Pill, it's only a few thousand Spirit Stone per bottle.
One of them costs only a few hundred Spirit Stone.
The combination of the two, yet a starting bid of ten thousand, was priced high, mainly due to the secret technique that Ice Fortress had revealed.
"It can increase the chance of Core Formation Stage by 10%!"
With a sigh, Luo Chen said calmly, "Don't think about it. This is something we can't get involved in."
The people around him were taken aback, but seeing the source of the rising and falling bids in the room, they all tacitly dismissed their inappropriate thoughts.
They were all Great Cultivator in the Late-Stage Foundation Establishment!
Chu Kui, whom Luo Chen knew, was among them.
Although the Old Ancestor of the Rolling Dragon Ridge Zheng Family was only at the Foundation Establishment Sixth Layer, he also boldly joined the bidding.
Besides these, there were several other powerful beings whose origins he couldn't recall.
This is a grand event for cultivators in the Late-Stage Foundation Establishment.
Early and Mid-Stage Cultivator at the lower levels could only watch helplessly.
The Golden Core Cultivator at the top watched coldly, seemingly unmoved.
In the end, this Core Formation Spirit Medicine fell into the hands of a man with rosy lips, white teeth, and a handsome face.
"That's Xuan Yu, the actual manager of Peach Mountain."
"I heard he's Male Concubine of the Peach Blossom Ancestor of the Hundred Flowers Palace, and is extremely favored!"
Sima Hui Niang suppressed her excitement and quietly explained the other party's background to Luo Chen.
Upon hearing this explanation, Luo Chen suddenly understood.
As expected, it Core Formation Spirit Medicine, something that ordinary cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage could not possibly covet.
Look at all those people fighting over it just now!
Most of them have backgrounds with major sects, or are either collateral branches or vassals.
This Xuan Yu, though not a disciple of the Hundred Flowers Palace, is Male Concubine of the Peach Blossom Ancestor of the Hundred Flowers Palace, and even manages a Peach Mountain on her behalf.
In comparison, how could other independent cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage compete with it?
Chu Kui's dejected expression was extremely noticeable in his line of sight.
Shaking his head, Luo Chen stood up.
Let's go!
"If we want to participate in the competition for Core Formation Spirit Medicine, it will be at least one or two hundred years before it's our turn."
He viewed it with detachment.
But the others weren't so calm.
Many people lingered, looking longingly at the smug Xuan Yu as they left.
Even if it only increases the chance of forming a Core Formation Stage by 10%, it's still an increase of 10%!
The difficulty of Core Formation Stage is a thousand times greater than that of establishing the Foundation!
This kind of hardship is difficult for anyone who hasn't experienced it firsthand to truly understand.
One can get a glimpse of this from the very few Golden Core Cultivator in the Jade Cauldron Domain.
Within the Jade Cauldron Domain, there are millions upon millions of Qi Refinement Cultivator, and several thousand Foundation Establishment cultivators as well.
However, the combined number of Golden Core Cultivator across the seven major sects does not even exceed one hundred!
This is truly one in ten thousand, or even one in a hundred thousand!
The reason why there are so few Golden Core Cultivator is because Core Formation Stage is extremely difficult.
Xuan Yu has now obtained a Core Formation Spirit Medicine, and has the support of the Peach Blossom Ancestor.
It is highly likely that decades from now, there will be a significant chance of achieving the Golden Core.
At that time, he will be able to truly join the Hundred Flowers Palace as Golden Core Immortal, becoming the fourth person in the Hundred Flowers Palace besides the three Golden Core!
After leaving the private room, Luo Chen, led by Sima Hui Niang, headed straight for a side hall of the Ice Wave Palace.
This is the place specifically for delivering goods Spirit Stone.
After all, such large-scale auctions involve far too many resources, making it impossible to deliver them on the spot after a single transaction.
Therefore, all the money was accumulated and settled after the auction ended.
Upon entering the room shielded by the array, Luo Chen took out 90,000 Low-Grade Spirit Stone.
Twelve thousand of these coins were given to him by Kang Xian Qiong, specifically to pay for that Tier 3 healing elixir.
Besides that, the 78,000 Spirit Stone were what he spent at this auction.
"Fellow Daoist Luo, these are your belongings. You may check them on the spot."
The person in charge of settling accounts in this room is an old acquaintance of Luo Chen's.
Shi Boying of Ice Fortress.
Luo Chen smiled slightly, took the items, and instead of pretending to be generous, carefully checked them.
Shi Boying saw this but didn't take it seriously.
Since this involves such a large sum of Spirit Stone, everyone should take it seriously.
It has Warm Sun Gentle Fragrance and is of good quality; it seems to have been recently extracted from the Warm Sun Wood.
Tier 3 ore, no problem.
The Ice Silkworm Futon exuded a faint chill, and just touching it calmed Luo Chen's mind considerably.
The thirty Mid-Grade Harmony Qi Pill exuded a rich spiritual energy just from opening them, so their quality is definitely not an issue!
The Qi Body Source Unification, and it is Tier 2 Body Tempering Cultivation Method. The seal is intact, and it has not been opened since it was confirmed to have entered the auction.
After taking stock, Luo Chen put the items away with satisfaction.
"Thank you for your trouble, Shi Dao You."
Shi Boying smiled and said, "It's not troublesome at all. It only happens once every ten years. I don't need to get involved in ordinary, small-scale auctions."
Previously aloof and unapproachable, Shi Boying's attitude towards Luo Chen became increasingly harmonious as she collaborated with Luo Chen and Tantai Jin.
There was always a smile during their conversations.
"Fellow Daoist Luo, are you planning to leave directly?"
"Yes, is there anything else?" Luo Chen asked curiously.
Shi Boying pointed in a direction, "I'm hosting a banquet at my Ice Fortress. Fellow Daoist, you might want to attend."
"Oh? A dinner party?"
"Yes, it's specifically for entertaining Foundation Establishment Cultivator attending the auction."
Luo Chen was curious, so Shi Boying gave him a special explanation.
It turns out that the dinner following the auction wasn't specially organized by Ice Fortress, but rather a customary event.
Almost every ten years, after the auction, the organizers would hold a banquet for cultivators from the Foundation Establishment stage to the Golden Core Cultivator.
The reason is quite simple.
At auctions, it often happens that when the atmosphere gets lively, people rush to bid, and then the person who won the bid regrets it or becomes dissatisfied.
There are also those who cannot compete with the other party in terms of price, but who genuinely lack the corresponding resources.
There were even fools who made outrageous claims, demanding exorbitant prices, only to be unable to produce the corresponding number of Spirit Stone in the end.
As a result, auctions are always followed by numerous conflicts and a messy aftermath.
There are numerous cases of people fighting fiercely inside and outside Sky Wave Immortal City over certain resources.
Therefore, the organizers would specially hold such a banquet.
Resources can be transferred at a low price to recoup costs.
It can provide an opportunity for people who are in dire need of a certain resource to exchange spirit stones for a resource of even higher value in exchange for Spirit Stone.
Those treasures that failed to sell at auction are occasionally brought out for re-auction.
It's fair to say that this banquet saved the organizers from many potential problems.
Some of the most talented disciples from various sects also attend these banquets.
He extensively cultivated his network of connections.
The second one was a conjecture that Luo Chen himself extended.
"Of course, some people are unwilling to participate and leave quietly, and Ice Fortress does not force them to participate," Shi Boying said.
After listening...
Luo Chen thought about it and realized that attending this kind of banquet was indeed necessary.
He wasn't the type to just work hard and cultivate himself; even without the resources he wanted to acquire, he could still build connections.
Previously, since they had just arrived in Sky Wave Immortal City, he and Luo Tian Association had kept a relatively low profile.
Now that Luo Tian Association stabilized and he himself has Foundation Establishment Third Layer, it's time to get to know some like-minded people.
The four essential elements for cultivating immortality are wealth, companionship, methods, and location.
He's always developing in all aspects!
"Thank you for the reminder, Shi Dao You. I will attend this banquet."
Without further ado, Luo Chen bid farewell to Shi Boying and left the house.
Once outside, they asked Wang Yuan and the others for their opinions.
Wang Yuan had no interest in socializing and planned to go straight back to study the book on the Qi Body Source Unification.
Duan Feng was the same; Feng Xia was waiting for him at home.
Sima Hui Niang wanted to go, but unfortunately, this banquet was only for cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage and above.
She has the status, but not the moral character, so she can't go.
Kang Xian Qiong, however, had no intention of participating whatsoever.
After receiving the healing medicine from Luo Chen, he couldn't wait to return to Mount Tai Market.
In this way, only Luo Chen remained to Ginseng the Ice Wave Palace banquet.
He didn't mind, and after bidding farewell to the four, he entered a dimly lit side hall led by a maid.
Perhaps it's because they came out early.
When we arrived at the banquet venue, there were only a handful of people present.
His gaze sharpened, and he saw Chu Kui drinking alone at the table.
"Fellow Daoist Chu, why are you sitting alone in this corner, drinking so bitterly?"
Chu Kui raised his eyes and gave a self-deprecating smile, "Isn't that a rhetorical question you already know the answer to?"