Chapter 11: The Auction

Lin Yang weaved through the crowd and stepped into the suddenly resplendent Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion.

“Well, if it isn’t Daoist Lin!” called out Wang Yukai, greeting him with enthusiasm. “I was beginning to think you wouldn’t come!” He ushered Lin Yang inside. “Come, Daoist Lin, I’ve reserved a private room just for you.” With that, Wang Yukai led Lin Yang upstairs to a chamber on the second floor.

“Please, Daoist Lin, have a seat. Xiao Li, bring tea for our honored guest!” Wang Yukai called to the attendant waiting outside.

“No need to trouble yourself, Daoist Wang. Please, see to your other matters,” Lin Yang replied.

“Ah, forgive me for my discourtesy, then. Please, take your time to look around.” Wang Yukai handed Lin Yang a small, gold-edged booklet.

“Xiao Li, do your best to accommodate Daoist Lin’s requests. If you neglect our distinguished guest, you’ll answer for it.” With these instructions, Wang Yukai stepped out, quietly closing the door behind him.

Lin Yang glanced through the booklet in his hand. The very first page listed a Foundation Establishment Pill, though it was scheduled as the final item of the auction. The second page described a high-grade first-tier flying sword—an exceptionally lethal weapon. Such swords were rare; even many Foundation Establishment cultivators used only superior first-tier swords. This flying sword was indeed a treasure.

The other items were of little consequence, merely uncommon curiosities for the average attendee. Sweeping the room with his spiritual sense, Lin Yang detected at least a dozen peak Qi Refining cultivators, and even a Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion had come to oversee the proceedings.

“Heavens, with this sort of turnout, it seems the Foundation Establishment Pill is beyond my reach.” Sitting in his chair, Lin Yang flipped through the booklet, his mind wandering, his soul adrift and preoccupied.

“Welcome, fellow cultivators, to the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion. Let us waste no words and begin the auction,” Wang Yukai announced, clapping his hands.

A servant entered, carrying a red tray upon which the flying sword glimmered brilliantly under the light. The blade’s edge shimmered with a deadly sharpness, leaving no doubt of its lethal nature.

“This is a top-grade first-tier offensive flying sword, forged by a master swordsmith from Heaven’s Gate Sect. Among Qi Refining cultivators, it has no equal. With this sword, you stand undefeated,” Wang Yukai praised the sword to the skies.

The crowd’s excitement mounted. “Manager Wang, hurry up and start the bidding!”

Seeing the atmosphere was right, Wang Yukai declared, “We begin with our first item: the top-grade first-tier flying sword, ‘Rainbow Arc.’ Starting bid: 400 spirit stones.”

“450,” came the first bid.

“Ah, Cheng Kun, why so weak today? Did you spend too much time last night with your little wife?” jeered his rival, Duan Chenglong, proprietor of the Accumulated Virtue Hall.

Duan Chenglong was a one-eyed, fierce-looking man, his white cloak emblazoned with a large character for ‘Virtue.’ The Accumulated Virtue Hall was anything but benevolent—it was a gambling den and loan shark operation. Duan Chenglong was himself a peak Qi Refining cultivator. He and Cheng Kun, both from Tai’nan Valley, clashed frequently, neither willing to yield. This month alone, they’d already brawled three times.

“If you can’t afford it, don’t bid! Duan Chenglong, why bark like a dog? Or did your wife discipline you at home?” Cheng Kun’s retort drew laughter, for Duan Chenglong’s wife was notoriously formidable, her authority and martial prowess even greater than his, keeping him firmly in line.

Cheng Kun, on the other hand, owed his independence to a few brothers at the tenth level of Qi Refining; otherwise, Duan Chenglong might have swallowed him up long ago. Cheng Kun was bald, his chest bare save for three scars—like claw marks from a wolf.

Suddenly, from the top floor of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion, an overwhelming aura swept through the hall. “For my sake, I suggest you all behave yourselves,” came a chilling voice.

It was Li Cheng, the Foundation Establishment cultivator stationed at Tai’nan Valley, reputedly from the Li family of Yellow Maple Valley—the same family as Li Yuanhua, the Golden Core cultivator from the tales.

Under the pressure of his presence, everyone straightened up and fell silent, the lively atmosphere momentarily chilled.

At the window, Lin Yang’s outward calm belied the cold sweat trickling down his back. “To be so cowed by a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator… I still have a long way to go.” Clenching his fists, Lin Yang was overcome by a surge of emotion. The feeling of utter helplessness was unbearable. He swore to himself that one day, no one would ever be able to threaten him again.

Noticing the awkward lull, Wang Yukai quickly resumed his role. “This Daoist offers 450 spirit stones. Any higher bids?”

“Six hundred.”

“Six hundred and fifty.”

“Seven hundred.”

…

“Nine hundred and ten.”

“Any further offers? Does anyone else desire this top-grade first-tier flying sword?” Wang Yukai was elated; the price had already exceeded the usual by fifty percent. His commission for tonight was guaranteed.

“Nine hundred and ten, once!”

“Nine hundred and ten, twice!”

“Nine hundred and ten, sold!” Wang Yukai brought down the gavel with a solid thud.

“Congratulations to the Daoist who has won the Rainbow Arc Sword! Next, we present a Shattering Mirror Pill—this pill allows Qi Refining cultivators to break through a bottleneck, perfect for those stuck at an impasse,” Wang Yukai announced, swiftly moving to the next item.

The winner of the Rainbow Arc Sword was a cultivator shrouded head-to-toe in a black robe, his attire warding off spiritual probing—any attempt to sense his presence revealed only a void of black and white.

Wang Yukai presented the next item. “Starting bid: two hundred spirit stones.”

“Two hundred and fifty.”

“Two hundred and eighty.”

…

“Four hundred and ten.”

“Four hundred and ten, once!”

“Four hundred and ten, twice!”

“Four hundred and ten, sold! Congratulations to the Daoist who has acquired the Shattering Mirror Pill.”

At this point, Wang Yukai began to hasten the proceedings. Lin Yang, having nothing he wished to purchase, paid little attention.

The lots passed quickly, until only the Foundation Establishment Pill remained—a treasure that usually fetched around one thousand five hundred spirit stones.

“And now, our final item—the object of every cultivator’s desire: the Foundation Establishment Pill, capable of granting a Qi Refining cultivator a whole new life. With Foundation Establishment, one’s lifespan extends to two hundred years, and there is a faint chance to pursue the Golden Core stage.”

“May it help you ascend further along the immortal path.”

“Starting bid—one thousand spirit stones.”

“One thousand five hundred.”

“One thousand seven hundred.”

“One thousand nine hundred.”

The price had already reached the local peak for such a pill; any higher, and the buyer would surely suffer a loss.

“Two thousand!” Cheng Kun’s forehead was beaded with sweat, his jaw clenched in determination.

“Two thousand and one!” Duan Chenglong interjected at the last moment.

“You—!” Cheng Kun exploded in anger.

“Two thousand and fifty.”

“Very well, you win,” Duan Chenglong said, his tone bitter.

“Hmph, just wait—after I reach Foundation Establishment, you’ll be the first I deal with.”

“Heh, don’t think I don’t know you’re only a three-spirit-root cultivator. A single Foundation Establishment Pill won’t be enough for you,” Duan Chenglong scoffed. “You’re wasting your money.”

“That’s none of your concern. Just keep your neck clean and wait,” Cheng Kun retorted coldly.

When the auction concluded, Lin Yang noticed that all the peak Qi Refining cultivators had followed after Cheng Kun.

“It seems Cheng Kun is doomed. Who knows, in the end, who will possess the Foundation Establishment Pill?” With that thought, Lin Yang wandered away, heading home.