"This art was a body-tempering method of unknown grade. The starting bid was one hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones, with each raise no less than five Low-Grade Spirit Stones."
"One hundred and five Low-Grade Spirit Stones..."
Although Yan Ruhai had made it clear that this art was difficult to cultivate, it still drew the pursuit of quite a few cultivators.
Not only could they cultivate it themselves, but it also placed no restrictions on immortal cultivation level. Buying it for the ordinary members of one's lineage would be excellent as well.
In the blink of an eye, the price had risen past two hundred Spirit Stones.
"Three hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones."
Wei Zhong finally began bidding.
"Any fellow cultivators wishing to raise the bid? Three hundred Spirit Stones, going once. Three hundred Spirit Stones, going twice... Going three times. Sold."
Wei Zhong let out a long breath. Fortunately, no fool had tried to snatch it from him. He had successfully gotten the art in hand. Three hundred Spirit Stones—he hoped it would bring him a little surprise.
The following auction items were all sorts of rare and wondrous objects, including many spirit materials Wei Zhong did not recognize.
Wei Zhong had no intention of making a move.
"Lastly, the finale spirit treasure of this auction: three first-order Life Extending Pills. They can extend the lifespan of Qi Refining cultivators by five years and Foundation Establishment cultivators by three years, but are ineffective for Core Formation Cultivators. The first pill begins at three hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones, and each raise must be no less than ten Low-Grade Spirit Stones."
As Yan Ruhai's hammer fell, the auction officially began.
Wei Zhong also witnessed the liveliest auction spectacle of all.
"Three hundred and fifty Spirit Stones..."
"Four hundred Spirit Stones..."
Whether rogue cultivators or lineage cultivators, all went mad over this Life Extending Pill.
In the blink of an eye, the price rose to eight hundred Spirit Stones, and it was taken by the Li family in the airborne pavilion.
The next two reached prices of nine hundred Spirit Stones and one thousand one hundred Spirit Stones respectively, taken by the Chen family and that Foundation Establishment cultivator surnamed Wang.
It seems pills that extend one's lifespan are far rarer than I imagined. I may have the means to take one, but I have my own method of extending my life by lowering my cultivation. Better not draw this kind of attention.
"This auction has now concluded. Thank you all for attending. Fellow cultivators who won items may collect them from this old man. Everyone else may leave in an orderly manner."
Seeing the final Life Extending Pill sold, Yan Ruhai announced the successful conclusion of the auction.
Wei Zhong collected the Nourishing Body Art. Rather than flying back toward his Spirit Field after leaving the auction hall, he headed for Yan Family Market.
This market was where Yan family spirit farmers and Yan family disciples traded. It was located within the Yan family's inner territory, rather than on the outskirts like the Spirit Fields and temporary market.
The Yan family's Enforcement Team patrolled the area, and fighting was strictly forbidden.
Having won an item, he needed to come here and lie low from the storm. Even if he did not get robbed by Robber Cultivators, it was still best to avoid having blood splash onto him.
Wei Zhong carried all his possessions with him this time. It did not matter if that small Spirit Field was destroyed; he could simply plant it again. After farming for decades, Wei Zhong was highly experienced.
He also needed to look into Beast Taming Methods... He had forgotten Nine Colors.
Forget it. A mixed-blood spirit beast probably would not interest many people. It could only pray for its own luck.
If it survived afterward, he would reward it with a few more grains of Spirit Rice.
Just as Wei Zhong had expected, after the auction ended, quite a few cultivators were robbed by mysterious Robber Cultivators.
They traveled in groups of twos and threes, most led by high-level Qi Refining cultivators. Ordinary rogue cultivators were simply no match for them.
"This is Yan family territory, and you still dare make a move here?"
The Wolf-Masked Cultivator glanced at the surrounding Wheat Fields, then focused his gaze on the robe of the rogue cultivator before him.
"Heh. Naturally, I cannot afford to provoke the Yan family. But with your little strength, I fear you will not last until the Yan family's Enforcement Team arrives."
The rogue cultivator's expression changed.
"Wait! I'll offer up my Storage Bag. Can you spare my life?"
"Too late."
The Wolf-Masked Cultivator waved his right hand, and the other Robber Cultivators behind him immediately activated their artifacts and attacked the rogue cultivator.
"Ah! I'll fight you to the death!"
Such scenes played out time and again throughout the outskirts of the Yan family's territory.
Meanwhile, the Yan family Enforcement Team responsible for maintaining order had curled up within the Yan family's inner territory, turning a blind eye to the turmoil outside.
This was the Yan family tradition. Every Yan family auction drew countless rogue cultivators. How could a small Yan family contend against so many Robber Cultivators?
Since one had the strength to win a spirit treasure, one naturally had to possess the strength to keep it.
After purchasing a Beast Taming Method, Wei Zhong headed for the Yan family's most renowned Spring Breeze Pavilion.
Spring Breeze Pavilion was the Yan family's most popular business. Its services included both carnal and wholesome pleasures; one could listen to music at the pleasure house or have one's feet washed and massaged.
"Ah, lighter, lighter! Are you trying to pull apart these old bones of mine...?"
Nothing happened that night. The next day, before dawn had fully broken, Wei Zhong left Spring Breeze Pavilion. The turmoil from the auction had likely passed, but to be safe, he should still seek out Yan Wenbo and sound him out.
"Oh, Brother Wei is here."
"Brother Yan, these are Yellow Spirit Sprouts I just bought..."
"Oh, Brother Wei, you came already—why bring gifts?"
Smiling, Wei Zhong set down the tea leaves in his hand. Yan Wenbo accepted them, and the two sat around the tea table and began drinking tea.
"I also wished to ask Brother Yan about last night's vicious incident."
Hearing this, Yan Wenbo gently set down his teacup and sighed softly.
"Could something have gone wrong?"
Wei Zhong asked.
Yan Wenbo nodded.
"Just as Brother Wei said. Robber Cultivator incidents happen every time, but this time was somewhat different."
"Oh?"
Wei Zhong revealed a startled expression. Fortunately, he had been cautious and hidden within the Yan family's inner territory.
Yan Wenbo refilled his own cup of tea and continued.
"After this auction ended, quite a few cultivators fell victim to Robber Cultivators. The various bands of Robber Cultivators practically surrounded the Yan family from all sides, on a scale far greater than before. There were not only many small groups led by high-level Qi Refining cultivators, but even Foundation Establishment cultivators appeared."
"Hiss!"
Wei Zhong sucked in a breath of cold air.
"This Foundation Establishment Robber Cultivator happened to be targeting that Steward Wang from the Azurewood Sect. The Evil Arts he cultivated were profound. Before our Yan family could send aid, he had already defeated Steward Wang and severely wounded him. Steward Wang fled using an escape art, and his whereabouts are unknown. As for the disciples under him, that evil cultivator turned them into blood and bones on the spot."
At this point, Yan Wenbo looked at Wei Zhong somewhat strangely. The struggle over the Second-Order Foundation Replenishing Pill in the market was no secret.
Wei Zhong coughed lightly twice and asked, "Will this matter affect the Yan family?"
"I don't know. How could a minor Qi Refining cultivator like me fathom the attitude of the upper sect? But even if they hold us accountable, our Yan family did attempt a rescue. It was only that the evil cultivator's magical power was too strong, and we could not reach them in time. No matter what, they will not hold our Yan family excessively accountable."
"Brother Wei can rest assured. It will not affect you."
Hearing this, Wei Zhong was relieved.
"Many thanks, Brother Yan. This poor Daoist shall take his leave."
"Brother Wei, won't you stay a while longer?"
"No. I'm worried about the Spirit Field at home. I still need to go back and see how things are."
Wei Zhong cupped his hands in salute and departed.
Before you continue