Spirit Bamboo in Hand

Several days later.

Lan Chang'an and Zhao Siyao agreed to attend the large-scale auction held every few years in Yellow Dragon Immortal City.

Lan Chang'an had attended auctions of this scale before.

Back then, I was still in the Qi Refining Realm.

The auction house had Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivators and Pseudo-Core True Person who watched the entire process from the sidelines, not daring to bid.

"At the large-scale auctions in Yellow Dragon Immortal City, the highest-level cultivators are usually Pseudo-Core True Person, with the most likely being early-stage Golden Core Realm just joining in the fun."

Lan Chang'an was confident; this time, he was on solid ground.

As long as he doesn't release his Divine Sense casually, ordinary Core Formation True Person won't be able to detect his abnormality.

The auction was held in the main hall in the center of the inner city.

"Esteemed esteemed guests, please proceed to the Mysterious-Character VIP Platform '."

After Lan Chang'an showed his VIP Token from the Yellow Dragon Pavilion, a tall female cultivator respectfully led the way.

The auction was organized by Yellow Dragon Mountain.

The Mysterious-Character VIP Platform is similar to a semi-suspended pavilion, which can accommodate five or six people and is attended to by maids throughout the event.

Lan Chang'an and Zhao Siyao sat side by side, both dressed in white, their appearances and demeanors impeccable.

Those unaware of the situation might assume the two were a couple practicing dao companion arts.

"Junior Sister Zhao."

"Fairy Zhao."

Among the Foundation Establishment cultivators from nearby sects, some greeted Zhao Siyao.

"Fairy Yaoyue?"

Lan Chang'an had keen senses, and even without releasing his Divine Sense, he could vaguely hear some discussions.

Zhao Siyao is quite famous, not only in Golden Cloud Valley, but also in the middle circles of the Liang Kingdom's sects.

"If Daoist Lu is worried about causing trouble, Siyao can find another place."

Zhao Siyao pursed her lips, swayed her skirt, and made as if to get up and leave.

"No need. We've known each other for decades; our friendship can withstand scrutiny."

Lan Chang'an waved his hand, realizing that the woman was just teasing him and didn't really intend to leave.

It's only because the two have known each other for so long that the elegant and aloof "Fairy Yaoyue" never makes such jokes in front of outsiders.

Decades ago, this woman harbored resentment over the renaming of the Gathering Immortal Pavilion.

After Foundation Establishment, Lan Chang'an's ability to protect himself greatly increased, and he no longer had to walk on thin ice as he did when he was at the Qi Refining Second Layer.

Having cultivated to the Foundation Establishment Realm, one wouldn't be so brainless as to attract the hatred of suitors simply from seeing the two of them sitting together.

At the Yellow Dragon Auction, cultivators from all sides gathered.

The powerful aura of Foundation Establishment Late Stage, Pseudo-Core True Person, appeared in the upper stands and private rooms.

"The people from Yellow Dragon Mountain have arrived!"

A low murmur rippled through the hall, and many cultivators stood in awe.

A powerful aura of False Core descended upon the scene.

A burly, bald man in a purple shirt, resembling a giant beast, brought a sense of oppression to the entire audience.

For an ordinary Foundation Establishment Realm, meeting this person's gaze is like being struck by lightning.

"He Yuanwu, the fourth disciple of True Person Yellow Dragon, is at the False Core Formation level. It is said that he also cultivates body refinement."

Lan Chang'an recalled the person's information.

Among True Person Yellow Dragon's disciples, two were at the False Core cultivation level, and He Yuanwu was one of them.

The rest were mostly at the mid-to-late stage of Foundation Establishment.

Beside He Yuanwu was a stunningly beautiful woman in a moon-white dress, with long, pale purple hair, possessing an air of ethereal elegance and aloofness.

It was Fu Xuemei, the last disciple of True Person Yellow Dragon.

He Yuanwu, Fu Xuemei, and their group of five went to the top-level Heaven-Character Private Room.

At the auction, Lan Chang'an saw some familiar cultivators, such as Zhou Qingxuan, Alchemist Hua, and Refiner Gu Lai.

Huang Tankong, the Foundation Establishment Ancestor of the Huang Family.

Alchemist Lin Ye Xiaodan Small Pill Peak of Wuqi Mountain was also present.

This does not include some mysterious individuals who are hiding their identities.

Lan Chang'an knew quite a few cultivators in Yellow Dragon Immortal City, but he couldn't greet them all; he mostly just nodded in acknowledgment.

"This is the Yellow Dragon Auction. Fellow Daoists from all over Liang Kingdom are welcome to attend."

On the auction stage, a silver-haired elder in the Foundation Establishment Realm spoke, his deep voice resounding throughout the hall.

After the rules were announced, the auction officially began.

"The first item in this auction is the ' Jade Azure Pill,' a Breakthrough Pill for the Qi Refining Late-Stage. The effects of Breakthrough Pill are self-evident..."

A tall, elegant female cultivator in palace attire came up carrying a tray.

The Jade Azure Pill was something that even Lan Chang'an and Li Erqing, who were in the Mu Family at the time, couldn't get even after waiting in line.

This was just the first item auctioned at the Yellow Dragon Auction as a warm-up.

The second item up for auction is a high-grade defensive magical Law Artifact.

The third item is a Tier 1 High-Grade Flying Boat.

The fourth item up for auction is a second-tier Spiritual Ore.

Before the auction, Lan Chang'an had made a large-scale purchase, and today he has a specific target.

Other auction items will not be sold easily.

Too many bids can easily reveal one's wealth.

Towards the end of the first half of the auction, two exceptional magical Law Artifact appeared.

Numerous Foundation Establishment cultivators eagerly participated in the bidding, creating a lively atmosphere.

"Would you like me to lend you a thousand Spirit Stone?"

Lan Chang'an could see that Zhao Siyao was interested, but he was a little short on money.

At this auction, Zhao Siyao only participated in bidding for pills and refining materials, neither of which were particularly valuable.

Although Zhao Siyao was a disciple of the Pseudo-Core True Person, she did not receive any real help within the sect.

She lacked cultivation skills and had to use most of her Spirit Stone for her own cultivation.

"Fine, I'll take the Spirit Stone from you. I can't pay them back anytime soon."

Zhao Siyao glanced at him, her eyes clear and bright, and shook her head with a smile.

Lan Chang'an did not force him.

His relationship with Zhao Siyao was already good enough; it was not advisable to deepen it further.

Zhao Siyao wasn't unable to afford a top-grade magic Law Artifact. Her main goal was to save Spirit Stone by adding materials to her current Iron Net Umbrella and refining it into a top-grade magic Law Artifact.

As the auction entered its second half, Lan Chang'an finally got his long-awaited target.

"The next item up for auction is a rare, Second-Order High-Grade spirit wood called ' Golden Nan Spirit Bamboo.' This wood contains spiritual energy and is an excellent material for crafting Law Artifact, especially those for the Law Artifact of Music."

The elderly man with silver hair explained.

The female cultivator in palace attire, wearing white silk gloves, presented a section of dark green Spirit Bamboo, about ten feet long, with golden threads subtly visible.

"Golden Nan Spirit Bamboo!"

Lan Chang'an's eyes lit up slightly, concealing his surprise.

The bark of the Golden Nan Spirit Bamboo is an excellent raw material for Second-Order Talisman Paper.

But few people do this because it's too cost-effective.

As a type of bamboo, the Golden Nan Spirit Bamboo is only about the thickness of a fist, and its bark cannot be used to make many Talisman Paper.

Its best use is in crafting ritual Law Artifact for the pursuit of happiness.

"Golden Nan Spirit Bamboo, starting bid 700 Spirit Stone, minimum increment 10 Spirit Stone."

"Seven hundred and fifty Spirit Stone."

A clear, melodious female voice came from the upper right-hand side of the stands.

The speaker was a Foundation Establishment female cultivator with a serene demeanor, dressed in a flowing fairy-like dress.

The female cultivator was flanked by several beautiful female cultivators, each with her own unique charm.

Female cultivators from the Profound Sound Pavilion?

Lan Chang'an recognized his background but did not immediately participate.

"Eight hundred and twenty... eight hundred and fifty..."

The number of participants on site was sparse.

Golden Nan Spirit Bamboo is not a popular auction item, but it is relatively rare.

"One thousand Spirit Stone!"

The female cultivator in the immortal-like dress from the Profound Sound Pavilion gritted her teeth.

A thousand Spirit Stone isn't a huge sum for Foundation Establishment cultivator, but spending that many Spirit Stone on a single bamboo shoot is still quite extravagant.

"Gentlemen, why not give ' Fairy Wei ' of the Profound Sound Pavilion some face? One thousand Spirit Stone is already above market price."

In the VIP stands adjacent to the female cultivators of the Profound Sound Pavilion, a short-haired young man in a black cloak spoke with a smile.

The female cultivator in the immortal-patterned dress from the Profound Sound Pavilion gave a light snort, showing no emotion, but said nothing.

"One thousand Spirit Stone, anyone willing to offer more?"

The silver-haired old man held the mallet in his hand, his eyes scanning the surroundings. No one uttered a sound.

Perhaps because the price was too high, or perhaps out of respect for those two Foundation Establishment cultivators from the sect, they did not participate further.

"One thousand one hundred Spirit Stone."

A gentle and calm voice rang out.

Zhao Siyao looked surprised and glanced at Lan Chang'an beside her.

Previously, Lan Chang'an had not made a move, so it was unexpected that he would compete for the Golden Nan Spirit Bamboo.

The female cultivator in the immortal robe from the Profound Sound Pavilion glanced at Lan Chang'an and sighed.

"Daoist Lu, with your advanced age and newly established Foundation Establishment, why would you compete with a mere female cultivator for the Golden Nan Spirit Bamboo?"

The short-haired youth in the black smock, his eyes gleaming, said with displeasure.

A friend telepathically told him about Lan Chang'an's identity.

"This person is True Disciple of the ' Blazing Fire Palace,' so try to avoid conflict with him."

Zhao Siyao transmitted her voice.

The Blazing Fire Palace is Nascent Soul level cultivation force, supreme in the Cultivation World of the Liang Kingdom.

"Fellow Daoists, is there a rule for ladies to go first in this auction?"

Lan Chang'an asked in a calm tone.

The short-haired young man in the black overcoat froze for a moment.

Lan Chang'an did not know this person's identity beforehand.

However, regarding the Golden Nan Spirit Bamboo Treasure Talisman Plan, he would fight for it as long as no Pseudo-Core True Person was involved.

"Daoist Wu, this matter is none of your concern! Even if you were to bid for the Golden Nan Spirit Bamboo, this humble woman would not accept it."

The female cultivator in the immortal robe from the Profound Sound Pavilion said coldly.

The short-haired young man in the black smock smiled helplessly.

He clasped his hands in a fist salute to Lan Chang'an and said, "Daoist Lu, my words just now were somewhat abrupt."

It's alright.

Lan Chang'an breathed a slight sigh of relief; without this person's interference, he successfully obtained the Golden Nan Spirit Bamboo.

The reason he didn't dare compete for Foundation Establishment at the auction back then was precisely this.

A mere stalk of Spirit Bamboo almost caused an unexpected commotion and incurred the wrath of the disciples of the Blazing Fire Palace.

Moreover, it's the Foundation Establishment of strategic resources.

Lan Chang'an realized that the prestige of his advanced age and Foundation Establishment actually provided some protection, especially in public settings like this.

Lan Chang'an went to the back of the auction, paid with Spirit Stone, and obtained the Second-Order High-Grade Golden Nan Spirit Bamboo.