Free Web NovelChapter 158: Chapter 148: Tier Two of Body Refining, Profound Spirit Talent
In the Earth Pavilion, Lin Changheng’s tightly shut eyes snapped open. A sharp glint, like a flash of lightning, shot through them as he peered through the Spiritual Mist at the platform below.
On the enormous White Jade Auction Platform, the Female Cultivator smiled as her red lips parted to speak:
"This is the Five Elements Returning Origin Pill Scripture, a Tier Two Middle Grade Alchemy Inheritance from a fallen Alchemy Clan. It has been passed down to the present day, but sadly, the clan’s descendants have no talent for Alchemy. It’s a true pity! Facing an urgent matter and lacking Spirit Stones, they have decided to put it up for auction..."
As she introduced the item, the Female Cultivator even wove in a bit of its history.
’But Lin Changheng knew this was just a tactic to boost the item’s credibility. Such a story of changing fortunes could also stir emotions and draw more attention.’
"The starting bid is one thousand Lower Grade Spirit Stones, with a minimum increment of one hundred. The bidding starts now!"
The Female Cultivator had barely finished speaking when a flurry of bids erupted throughout the hall.
"One thousand one hundred!"
"One thousand three hundred!"
"One thousand five hundred!"
The price climbed steadily, quickly breaking the two-thousand mark.
Lin Changheng sat quietly in the Earth Pavilion, his fingertips lightly tapping the armrest, his expression calm.
His gaze swept over the bidders below, passing over the Cultivators making offers as he searched for his true rivals.
Soon, he noticed a clear female voice persistently bidding from an adjacent Earth Pavilion.
It was also shrouded in Spiritual Mist, obscuring his view.
Lin Changheng assumed his rival was a Female Cultivator. He had no idea, however, that a slender Male Cultivator wearing a Bronze Mask was sitting inside. The man never spoke, but between each bid, he would give a slight nod. At his signal, the scantily clad Maid in his lap would immediately shout out the next price.
"Two thousand seven hundred!"
"Three thousand!"
When the price soared to three thousand Lower Grade Spirit Stones, the hall gradually fell silent. This number had already exceeded what most Cultivators, or rather, the families behind them, could afford.
Only a few sporadic bids followed.
"Three thousand one hundred."
"Hmph, three thousand two hundred!"
After the price sluggishly crept up to three thousand five hundred, the Female Cultivator surveyed the room, about to begin her final call—
"Three thousand eight hundred."
A clear, cold voice suddenly rang out from above. The Cultivators below looked up toward the source, only to see the mist in that Earth Pavilion stir slightly, revealing no one.
In the other private room, the Bronze Masked Cultivator shoved the Maid off his lap and shot to his feet. He wiped his damp fingers on a piece of her discarded clothing, a hoarse, cold snort coming from beneath his mask. "Four thousand!"
"Four thousand three hundred." The voice from the Earth Pavilion remained calm, as if discussing some trivial matter.
The masked Cultivator clenched his fists, his knuckles cracking. He shot a murderous glare in the direction of the voice, but ultimately, he decided to give up.
He had reliable information that a Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object would be the final item of the Auction. The competition for it would be fierce, and he couldn’t afford to waste his Spirit Stones and weaken his position.
On the White Jade Platform, the Female Cultivator called out three times. Receiving no further bids, she struck her gavel. "Congratulations to our honored guest in the Earth Pavilion!"
Having secured the Inheritance for four thousand three hundred, Lin Changheng’s expression finally relaxed.
He had been worried that the "Female Cultivator" would get swept up in the moment and fight him to the bitter end. That would have been a disaster.
This wasn’t just a Tier Two Middle Grade Alchemy Inheritance; for him, it was a crucial step in his plan for Foundation Establishment.
He had to obtain it, no matter the cost.
If the bidding had gone to the bitter end, he would have been severely weakened even if he had won.
Fortunately, when he heard a deep, hoarse male voice suddenly emerge from the other private room in the last two rounds, he felt a sense of relief.
Before long, an elderly man at the Ninth Layer of Qi Cultivation knocked on his door to deliver the auctioned item.
’How convenient.’
’At previous Auctions, I always had to go backstage to collect my winnings. Not only was it a hassle, but I risked missing other items.’
After accepting the Spirit Stones, the old man formed a hand seal and opened the wooden box that had been sealed by a Restriction, revealing a pale green Ancient Jade Scroll and a yellowed Demon Skin Letter.
Lin Changheng took the items, inspected them briefly, and nodded. "Not bad."
"Then I will take my leave. The Auction is still in progress, so I won’t disturb you further."
The transaction was complete. The old man withdrew, thoughtfully closing the door behind him.
He sat for a while longer. After another seven or eight items had been sold, a particularly precious piece that interested everyone was brought out, sparking a bidding frenzy. At that moment, Lin Changheng, having altered his appearance, immediately slipped away.
He didn’t have the slightest desire for the final item, nor was he the least bit curious about the possible Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object or Foundation Establishment Pill.
’I don’t have enough Spirit Stones, so it’s pointless to even think about it.’
Lin Changheng was focused on one thing: getting back safely and discreetly. After all, he was carrying a Tier Two Alchemy Inheritance worth over four thousand Spirit Stones.
He hurried back to the Inner City but didn’t go straight home. Instead, he took a few detours through the streets, repeatedly making sure no one was following him. Only then did he revert to his original appearance and head for his residence.
...
「Three days later.」
Lin Changheng paid another visit to the Huangliang Residence, a Spirit Wine Tower in the center of the Inner City.
This was where Chef Zeng worked.
He was here as agreed to pick up the Essence Blood from the Tier Two Demon Beast, the Jade Wave Spirit Turtle.
The tower stood five stories tall, constructed from Spiritual Sandalwood, giving it an air of ancient elegance. Stepping inside, one was met with a dazzling magnificence, reminiscent of the inner chambers of the Imperial Palace.
At the same time, a rich Spirit Fragrance wafted through the air, enough to make one’s mouth water.
"Welcome, sir! Are you here for a meal? How many in your party?"
A waiter immediately hurried over, a broad smile plastered on his face.
"I’m not here to eat. I’m here on business."
Lin Changheng chuckled.
"Business? What kind of business?" The waiter paused, suddenly wary. ’Coming to a Spirit Wine Tower for business and not a meal?’
