Chapter 36: Golden Core

As soon as the words fell, a cultivator spoke up: "This treasure suits my tastes perfectly. Three thousand five hundred spirit stones!"

"Who wouldn't be tempted by such a treasure? You think you can take it for a mere three thousand five hundred spirit stones? Pure delusion! I bid four thousand spirit stones."

The price climbed continuously until it reached five thousand spirit stones, at which point the pace of bidding slowed down. Even so, the amount made Li Zhirui gasp. "Five thousand spirit stones can buy a high-grade second-tier magical tool. Is this tool really worth it?"

"This treasure can accelerate cultivation speed. That alone makes it worth the current price."

Although a cultivator's lifespan increases to four sexagenary cycles after breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage, the difficulty of the breakthrough is more than ten times higher than in the Qi Refining stage.

If one possessed the Spirit Gathering Jade Pendant, even if it only increased cultivation speed by half a percent, it would save a Foundation Establishment cultivator decades of time. This might allow them to glimpse the mysteries of the Golden Core before their passing.

Of course, such a possibility was minuscule, but people must have dreams—what if it actually happened?

Ultimately, the Twin Fish Jade Pendant was secured by a Foundation Establishment cultivator at the high price of six thousand eight hundred spirit stones.

"The second auction item is ten sticks of high-grade first-tier Soul-Calming Incense. The starting bid is one thousand spirit stones, with increments of no less than one hundred spirit stones per bid."

Once lit, Soul-Calming Incense allows a cultivator to quickly calm their mind and enter a state of cultivation, while also providing protection against inner demons. However, this item was not common; firstly, incense masters were rare, and secondly, the item's ability to guard against inner demons was so vital to cultivators that it was often pre-ordered by major factions to train their own disciples, leaving little to circulate in the open market.

"One thousand five hundred spirit stones!" Li Zhirui attempted to bid once, but was quickly outbid. When the price of the Soul-Calming Incense exceeded two thousand spirit stones, Li Zhirui stopped following.

Li Shilian spoke up, "If you want this item but do not have enough spirit stones on hand, you can borrow some from the family."

"No need. The price is too high, and Soul-Calming Incense isn't of great use to me," Li Zhirui replied, shaking his head in refusal.

He was currently cultivating steadily and did not suffer from any issues regarding inner demons; there was no need to spend so many spirit stones on Soul-Calming Incense.

Li Shilian nodded noncommittally and said nothing more.

The subsequent auction featured dozens of spiritual items, including spiritual pills, magical tools, talismans, and other common supplies used by cultivators, as well as some precious materials.

During this time, Li Zhirui placed several bids, eventually securing a piece of high-grade first-tier Water-Sinking Wood for three hundred spirit stones and a set of alchemy techniques for three thousand spirit stones.

Water-Sinking Wood could be used to make incense, similar to Soul-Calming Incense, though its effect was many times weaker.

"Combine, Extract, Refine, Nourish, Separate, Condense! Six types of alchemy mantras!" Li Zhirui grinned broadly. Although this jade slip was not cheap, for him, it was absolutely worth the price!

In truth, the three thousand spirit stones were primarily spent on the "Extraction Pill Mantra" and the "Nourishing Pill Mantra," because the other four mantras were the absolute basics that any alchemist would know.

The functions of the "Extraction Pill Mantra" and the "Nourishing Pill Mantra" were just as their names suggested: the former could further extract essence and reduce pill toxins, while the latter could nourish the spiritual pill and enhance its medicinal potency.

"Are you that happy?" Li Shiren found it difficult to understand how an alchemy technique bought for three thousand spirit stones could make the usually reserved Li Zhirui display his emotions so directly.

"Let's put it this way," Li Zhirui organized his thoughts and smiled. "In the past, the Jade Spirit Pills I refined could only sell for three spirit stones per pill. But if I use this method, I can ask for four!"

Three thousand spirit stones seemed like a lot, but he could earn it back by refining just a few hundred batches of pills.

It was simply that there weren't many alchemists at this auction who understood the importance of alchemy techniques, or perhaps these mantras weren't considered that significant in their eyes; otherwise, Li Zhirui wouldn't have been able to secure them.

"Coming to this auction was truly the right choice!" Li Zhirui was very satisfied with his gains.

"Grandpa Shilian, if the family wants these two pill mantras, you only need to give me one thousand five hundred spirit stones."

Li Zhirui felt a deep connection to the family, but he would not allow his own interests to be harmed. Furthermore, after bidding on the alchemy techniques, he didn't have many spirit stones left; this was a perfect way to recoup his funds.

"Mhm, I will discuss this with your second brother," Li Shilian nodded in agreement.

Soon, the first half of the auction concluded.

During the intermission, specialized personnel would bring the won items to each person to complete the transactions.

The female cultivator who had served tea upon their arrival walked in carrying a jade tray and said, "Seniors, these are the spiritual items you previously bid on. The total comes to three thousand three hundred spirit stones."

"You can count the spirit stones," Li Zhirui said, unbothered by being overlooked a second time. After all, being ignored was normal when standing beside two Foundation Establishment cultivators.

The female cultivator's expression shifted slightly. She could tell that this Qi Refining cultivator was a favored individual with decent aptitude, but she didn't dwell on it; as an auction house manager, she had seen countless such young people.

However, she never expected that the person who had won two spiritual items would be this young cultivator.

Fortunately, she was experienced and quickly regained her composure, offering a gentle smile. "Congratulations, Fellow Daoist, on getting what you desired."

Li Zhirui gave a polite smile, then reached out to place the Water-Sinking Wood and the jade slip into his storage bag before turning back to his seat.

The female cultivator saw nothing wrong with this and left the room quietly.

Soon, the second half of the auction began!

Zi Yan, the female cultivator who practiced charm arts, walked onto the auction stage with a swaying, serpentine grace, introducing the opening item.

"A high-grade second-tier spiritual item: the Pure Dew Pearl. This treasure can autonomously absorb the essence of heaven, earth, sun, and moon, generating a small bowl of second-tier Pure Dew Spiritual Water every day." Zi Yan smiled enchantingly. "Consuming Pure Dew Spiritual Water can remove impurities from the body, and long-term use can even heal old ailments and hidden dangers. I am sure you all know how precious this treasure is."

The "impurities" she referred to were pill toxins, various naturally occurring toxins in the body, and the various residues accumulated in the body due to the inability to practice fasting before reaching the Golden Core stage.

"The starting bid is five thousand spirit stones, with increments of no less than two hundred spirit stones!"

To Li Zhirui, this was a very high price, but many cultivators still began bidding, and before long, the price exceeded seven thousand spirit stones.

"This treasure was nurtured by heaven and earth and is extremely rare. To think the Yuanming Sect would actually be willing to auction it off?" Li Shiren said in surprise.

With so many Foundation Establishment cultivators and Qi Refining disciples in the Yuanming Sect, wouldn't their demand for Pure Dew Spiritual Water be quite high?

"Watch your words!" Li Shilian glared at Li Shiren.

"Ten thousand spirit stones." Before these four words could even settle, the noisy and heated auction hall fell instantly silent.

This was because the voice had come from the third floor, which had not uttered a word since the auction began. The faint pressure within the words served as a reminder to everyone that the speaker was a Golden Core cultivator!

"Three breaths have passed, and no one has bid against me. According to the rules, this pearl should be mine, shouldn't it?"

Zi Yan's body trembled as her consciousness snapped back. She hurriedly said, "Congratulations to this Senior for winning the Pure Dew Pearl with ten thousand spirit stones."

Ten thousand spirit stones seemed like a lot, but if a Golden Core cultivator hadn't personally entered the fray, the price would definitely have gone much higher!

But who would dare to bid against a Golden Core cultivator?

There were several other Golden Core cultivators on the third floor, but it was obvious they did not wish to offend a peer over a second-tier spiritual item.