On the stage
A servant slowly approached with a tray in hand. A crystalline Jade Slip stood quietly upon it. Zhao Huai knew that the cultivation method he had been waiting for had arrived.
Judging by its high-end packaging, this was clearly a cultivation method of no low grade.
"This cultivation method is called the Soul-Subduing Mind Technique. After cultivating it, one can strengthen one's spiritual power. It is a rare technique focused primarily on increasing spiritual power, though its contents are somewhat too profound and abstruse."
Li Yuanxing pointed at the Jade Slip and introduced it to the guests below the stage.
"A spiritual-type mind technique? It truly is rare."
"Soul-Subduing Mind Technique... the name does sound familiar. I seem to recall that over a century ago, the renowned Sole-Mind Dao Sect became famous for this very mind technique. I heard that quite a few sect disciples used it to suppress vast numbers of demons and devils."
"The Sole-Mind Dao Sect? It declined long ago. The immortal path remains evergreen because it can constantly renew itself, casting off the old and bringing forth the new. Their cultivation methods became outdated ages ago. No wonder they fell into decline."
Quite a few cultivators and wandering heroes in attendance discussed it eagerly, recounting the Soul-Subduing Mind Technique's past. Many believed that such an unorthodox cultivation method was merely a minor path, unable to grace the grand stage.
Zhao Huai naturally heard these words. He felt that there should not be many people competing for this technique, so obtaining it ought to be much easier.
At the same time, without making a sound, he had already begun tossing his copper coins.
Fortune and misfortune depend upon each other. Let us see. Divination Sign One: Dao Heart United as One, Cultivating Both Divine and Martial Paths. Faced with an unknown cultivation method, you choose to bid for it. The guidance you receive is: "Fortune." Tracing Guidance: This is a suppressive mind-technique cultivation method. Divination Sign Two: The Speaker Has No Intent, but the Listener Takes It to Heart. You intend to abandon this fallen cultivation method. The guidance you receive is: "Misfortune." Tracing Guidance: The listener's origins are improper, and their purpose is impure.
"One of the few cultivation methods available. It seems I'll still have to fight for it."
Zhao Huai's sharp gaze swept across the auction hall, and he spotted four mysterious men wearing masks. In the sweltering heat, he had no idea why they had to cover their faces, as though they were ugly beyond belief.
Their clothes were astonishingly uniform, so they were likely from the same faction. Every one of them stared at the Jade Slip, the gleam in their eyes nearly spilling over.
It seemed there were still people who recognized its worth. He could not let down his guard.
Zhao Huai thought to himself.
"The starting price for the Soul-Subduing Mind Technique is five thousand taels, or five hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones. Each bid must increase by no less than one-tenth of the original price."
Li Yuanxing raised his hand and announced, "The bidding begins immediately!"
"Six thousand taels!"
Among the four seated together, the first masked young man raised his hand and directly added a thousand taels.
This price still startled many people in the hall. After all, cultivation methods were unlike pills, talismans, and magical artifacts—practical and direct in their use.
There was a chance that one could not learn a cultivation method, could not master it, or that it would be incompatible with one's constitution. Thus, they were often highly specific.
"Six thousand five hundred taels."
A hard-featured middle-aged merchant smiled as he raised the bid as well.
"It wouldn't be bad to buy it for a collection. After all, it was once the inheritance of a great immortal sect. Perhaps I can bask in a little immortal aura."
"Eight thousand taels."
The masked young man raised his hand again, increasing the price expressionlessly.
This time, he had added two thousand taels!
Everyone, including the middle-aged merchant, looked somewhat astonished.
"We truly need this cultivation method. I hope everyone will give us some face." The masked young man transmitted his words with True Qi. His voice was incomparably hoarse and dry, unpleasant to the ear, as though it could not possibly have come from a human. It was utterly strange.
At the same time, the masked young man carried the pressure of a high-level cultivator, making those around him scarcely dare to breathe.
Thus, no one immediately called out another bid. After all, spending more than eight thousand taels on a cultivation method one might not even be able to learn—would that not be a bloody loss?
"Ten thousand taels. It's mine."
A lazy voice rang out, carrying a faint yet unquestionable certainty.
It came from Zhao Huai, seated in the luxurious private room.
This immediately drew the attention of the guests present.
After all, no sound had ever come from that room before, yet now someone inside had actually spoken up to bid! No one knew which great figure from Jin Province sat within. What grand airs—his very first bid had leaped to ten thousand taels.
They all began to wonder if they had misjudged it. Was this cultivation method really that good?
"Good! Ten thousand taels! Does anyone wish to raise the bid?"
Seeing the Soul-Subduing Mind Technique being fought over, Li Yuanxing was surprised on the surface, but inwardly he was delighted. A cultivation method that had been gathering dust in inventory could sell for ten thousand taels—wouldn't that be a killing?
He immediately pressed the question, as though fanning the flames.
Upon hearing Zhao Huai's voice, a flash of viciousness passed through the masked young man's eyes. He glanced at the private room overhead, his expression turning hostile.
The other masked men around him all revealed questioning looks.
"Boss, should we kill him?"
"Don't cause trouble. It wasn't easy to come here, and there are powerful experts keeping watch." The masked young man shook his head, then raised his hand.
"Ten thousand taels, plus three hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones."
Zhao Huai, reclining on a fur lounge chair, even sat up slightly. Surprised, he said, "Ho ho, this one's the real deal. He's directly bringing out Spirit Stones."
He had still underestimated the other party's determination.
"Ten thousand taels, plus five hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones."
Zhao Huai followed decisively.
"Ten thousand taels, plus one thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones."
The masked young man's expression was utterly indifferent.
Seeing this situation, Zhao Huai could not help frowning.
He had run into a tough one. Could he be a shill? When Zhao Huai had come out this time, he had thought it would already be good enough if he could obtain a satisfactory cultivation method, so he had brought limited funds. Yet at this critical juncture, there was someone stubbornly competing with him for it.
If he truly wanted to fight for it, he could of course take out most of his fortune, but it was somewhat not worth it.
For a moment, he hesitated.
The old Zhao Huai would never have hesitated for even half a day. Money could be earned again; it was nothing more than dung.
But now, he had just gotten married and taken a new wife. His household was precisely at a time when money was needed. If he squandered it like this, would he be shaking the foundations?
"Brother, you look like you're in some difficulty?"
At that moment, the young man in dark green robes beside him, who had been silent for a long time, smiled warmly.
"It isn't a difficulty. I'm merely a little conflicted."
Zhao Huai gave him a faint glance and did not conceal anything, directly explaining the matter.
"How about I help you this once? Consider it making a friend."
"Oh?"
Zhao Huai watched him rather cautiously.
The dark-green-robed young man smiled helplessly and spread his hands. "Don't misunderstand. I merely want to find a teacher, one who can teach me how to cultivate Qi."
"Why are you looking for me?"
Zhao Huai asked in confusion.
The dark-green-robed young man wore a serious expression. "I have a feeling that you're very formidable."
"Ten thousand taels, plus one thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones, going once!"
Hearing the call, Zhao Huai knew there was no time left to think. He nodded. "Fine. I agree."
"How much can you offer?"
"Not much, but definitely enough to help you win this cultivation method." The dark-green-robed young man looked incomparably confident. Then he raised his hand and called out:
"Three thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones!"
The moment those words fell, the entire hall was stunned.
Three thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones—what kind of concept was that? The exchange rate between Spirit Stones and silver was one to ten. Three thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones meant a full thirty thousand taels of silver! That was practically an entire fortune!
One had to know that Jin Province's annual tax revenue was only ninety thousand taels of silver! Madness—everyone had gone mad!
Zhao Huai was also greatly surprised when he heard it. "Can you really manage that? This isn't a small sum."
"Rest assured, Senior."
The dark-green-robed young man turned his head and flashed a brilliant smile. Giving a thumbs-up, he said, "My father is the prefect. No problem."
Before you continue