Auction Begins!

On the first day, after an hour of study, Li Qingyuan truly felt that Fellow Daoist Gong Yuan had not been exaggerating.

With First-grade Top-rank Talisman Paper, success was success, and failure was failure.

The difficulty was more than twice that of drawing Tier 1 High-grade Talisman Paper. It demanded extremely high comprehension, and the resources required were several times greater.

To successfully draw First-grade Top-rank Talisman Paper, obtaining the method was merely the first step. Guidance from a renowned teacher was even more important.

For these lessons, Li Qingyuan had naturally prepared the materials in advance: First-grade Top-rank Talisman Paper materials and First-grade Top-rank talisman ink.

This was Willow Crane City. The Market was vast, with many merchant guilds, and the auction had gathered thousands upon thousands of cultivators. So long as one had Spirit Stones, such materials were not difficult to buy.

Taking this opportunity, Li Qingyuan also secretly bought his Old Dad some pills that could raise the cultivation of those in the Qi Refining Stage and speed up their cultivation.

Such as Qi Nourishing Pills, Minor Foundation Pills, as well as Qi and Blood Pills and Tiger Strength Pills specially made for body-refining cultivators.

As for a First-grade Top-rank talisman brush, it belonged among First-grade Top-grade Magic Tools. Li Qingyuan could not buy one for the moment, and even if he did, he could not use it openly before others.

During the five days of Zhao Tu's guidance, Li Qingyuan drew talismans ten times each day during that hour.

Ten attempts a day, ten failures a day—dozens of Spirit Stones went up in smoke every day.

Fortunately, he had a solid foundation and plenty of Spirit Stones. Otherwise, he could not have afforded such burning.

Moreover, whenever Zhao Tu had time, Li Qingyuan seized the chance to ask him questions and voice the points that troubled him.

Furthermore, Li Qingyuan had a sweet tongue and high emotional intelligence. He also catered to Zhao Tu's tastes by bringing fine spiritual wine to his door, leaving behind a favorable impression.

Coupled with the spiritual insight and talent he displayed while learning talisman drawing, as well as his studious and inquisitive nature, he won Zhao Tu's great appreciation. Thus, Zhao Tu was willing to give him extra guidance.

Unfortunately, First-grade Top-rank Talisman Paper was ultimately exceedingly difficult to succeed with.

After five consecutive days of study, one hour each day and ten sheets of talisman-paper material consumed each day, Li Qingyuan had not successfully drawn one even once.

On the final day, when the lessons ended, Li Qingyuan cupped his hands in salute and said, "Many thanks to Elder Zhao for your guidance over these five days. This junior has benefited immensely."

Zhao Tu looked at Li Qingyuan with considerable appreciation. "Young Friend Qingyuan, with your talent and your age, so long as you persist without wavering on the path of talismans, you will surely achieve something in the future."

"Alas, if my family had a descendant as outstanding as you, why would I need to fight with all my might..."

At this point, Zhao Tu stopped and waved his hand. "Go."

Li Qingyuan cupped his hands. "This junior takes his leave."

Zhao Tu watched Li Qingyuan walk away, then said softly, "If the timing were not wrong, this old man truly would have liked to accept him as a disciple and pass on my mantle."

"Alas~"

In the blink of an eye, early on the sixth day, the auction began.

That morning, Li Qingyuan said to Li Guangao, "Grandpa Clan Leader, the items being auctioned at this auction are basically things needed by Late Qi Condensation cultivators. For your grandson, I have no use for them, and I cannot afford them either."

"Besides, after purchasing the Pure Yang Sword Talisman from Elder Zhao Tu, the family's Spirit Stones have basically been exhausted."

"Your grandson will not be going to watch this auction."

Li Qingyuan said, "While cultivators are gathered in Willow Crane City during this time, I intend to rent a stall to sell talisman paper and earn Spirit Stones for my cultivation."

Li Guangao felt both gratified and guilty. "Good child, the family has held you back."

"Alas!"

When a child was too much of a wastrel, people and dogs alike despised him.

When a child was too sensible, the elders felt both gratified and guilty.

Li Guangao said, "This old man will not go watch either. Grandpa Clan Leader will set up a stall with you."

"Don't."

Li Qingyuan said, "Grandpa Clan Leader, you are now a Qi Condensation Level 7 cultivator. Your vision represents the family's vision, and your knowledge represents the family's knowledge."

"How can you not go?"

Li Qingyuan said, "Besides, once the auction is over, I still want to hear about what you saw and heard there."

Hearing this, Li Guangao nodded. "All right, then."

Qingyuan was right.

As the Clan Leader, his vision represented the family's vision, and his knowledge represented the family's knowledge.

Their family would one day rise to become a Second-rate Qi Condensation Family, a First-rate Qi Condensation Family, and perhaps even attempt to become a Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan. There were many things they ought to understand and see.

Before long, grandfather and grandson went their separate ways.

After Li Qingyuan turned into a corner, he vanished. A moment later, he reappeared, already dressed in black and wearing a mask, his cultivation altered to the Qi Condensation Fifth Layer.

He arrived near the auction venue and watched Grandpa Clan Leader enter. Only after waiting another two quarters of an hour did he stroll into the auction himself, paying ten Spirit Stones for an entry ticket.

Li Qingyuan thought, Grandpa Clan Leader, it is not that I mean to deceive you. It is just that the origin of these Five Thousand Spirit Stones on me is truly hard to explain.

But I also want to broaden my horizons, and I hope even more to bid on some good things that will aid my cultivation.

After deducting the three hundred Spirit Stones he had given to support Grandpa Clan Leader, as well as the several hundred Spirit Stones' worth of First-grade Top-rank Talisman Paper materials and First-grade Top-rank talisman ink he had bought—

He still had four thousand Spirit Stones on him.

Before long, Li Qingyuan entered the auction venue and found his seat according to the wooden plaque.

Forces from every side, greater families, cultivators from the various islands, and Rogue Cultivators of every stripe had all gathered here.

Mid Qi Condensation cultivators were as common as dogs, while Late Qi Condensation cultivators could be seen everywhere.

From time to time, the aura of a Qi Condensation Tenth Layer expert even swept past, drawing sidelong glances from the crowd.

At the same time, outside Willow Crane City.

Zhou Kui and his son Zhou Li descended atop a flying Spirit Beast, arriving at Willow Crane City.

Zhou Li asked, "Father, didn't you say this auction is a setup, a trap? Then why have we come?"

Zhou Kui was nearly sixty, yet his spiritual power was vigorous and his cultivation profound. He looked no older than fifty, with his vitality still flourishing.

Zhou Kui said in a low voice, "Precisely because of that, we must come."

"Everyone else has come. If we do not, would that not make us stand out?"

"Besides, the family has now reached a crucial stage in its plans. There can be no mistakes." Zhou Kui's gaze was deep, his expression stern.

Zhou Li nodded. "Your son understands."

Zhou Kui thought, The family's spirit vein is about to reach quasi-Tier 2, and I have already reached Qi Condensation Tenth Layer Perfection.

In a few more years, when the family's spirit vein advances to Tier 2 and my Qi Condensation Tenth Layer Perfection cultivation has been tempered to its utmost limit, I will take a Foundation Establishment Pill and surely be able to attempt Foundation Establishment.

Before long, father and son of the Zhou Clan arrived at the auction and entered a private VIP room.

Inside one VIP room, soundproof talisman paper covered the walls. It not only blocked sound, but also prevented Spiritual Sense from probing within.

Inside the room, a Purple Skirt Woman sat quietly drinking tea. A veil covered her face, her black hair cascaded like a waterfall, and her beautiful eyes shone like stars.

A maid hurried over and whispered into her ear, "Miss, Zhou Kui has arrived."

The Purple Skirt Woman smiled lightly. "Heh, that old fellow truly knows how to keep his composure."

"The Qin Family did not choose the wrong partner."

The maid said softly, "Second Master said that Qi Condensation Tenth Layer cultivators from the Liu Family, as well as the other four Foundation Establishment Immortal Clans, have also arrived."

"Furthermore, bandit cultivators from every quarter have changed their appearances and poured into Willow Crane City."

The Purple Skirt Woman took a sip of fragrant tea. Her eyes were bright and her teeth white as she chuckled. "Hehe, the show is beginning!"