Chapter 441 The Auction Ends
One month later, in the Land of All Living Beings.
Inside the two halls, the auction resumed.
After the owner of this place came to this land of all living beings, the general store would be updated with new products every now and then, and an auction would be held every few years, only the scale and size of the auctions would vary.
The intervals between them are irregular, ranging from three to five years, seven or eight years, to one or two years.
At the same time, the so-called "size" does not refer to the grade, but rather to the number and quality of the nine-level resources.
Therefore, whenever an auction is held here, regardless of its scale, many beings at the ninth level will come – whether they are ninth-tier rare beasts or human beings who have reached the highest level.
The last auction was held eight years ago, and the last few auctions have not been very large in scale.
But it is said that this time is different. Putting aside other resources, there will be a total of thirty level nine resources!
This is unprecedented!
Therefore, even more cultivators came.
In addition to the month of preparation time, some cultivators and rare beasts who made friends on other continents also sent messages to their friends.
However, the new rules are a bit strange.
We need materials with Yin-Yang and Five Elements attributes.
Fortunately, all the creatures who have been operating here for many years have a lot of wealth on hand, and their influence on various continents has long since developed to a very powerful level, so even if they spend some time collecting, they can still get a lot.
Since the auction didn't require payment entirely in the form of refining materials, only one item was needed each time, which served as a "stepping stone," they didn't need to worry too much.
However, more is always better, and the quality of the refining materials should also be high.
After all, the final interpreter of the auction is the master of the Two Palaces. If the bidding for the same resource becomes deadlocked, they can choose to bid on the resource themselves—it is reasonable for them to choose the one with more refining materials.
As a result, all continents became busy.
Countless merchant guilds across the continent are all mobilizing, sending high-quality refining materials in the same direction.
For the sake of their business, they certainly won't give up everything, but without a doubt, they'll pick out the best pieces...
The amount prepared by one continent or one being may not seem like much, but when so many continents are put together, it becomes a terrifying number.
·
The auction has officially begun.
The people in charge of the auction were the two owners of the place.
Qiu Sui'an and Qin Changning.
The two men, still smiling, faced the crowd and began the auction, just as they had done every time before.
Qiu Suian smiled brightly and said, "The resources to be auctioned this time are level seven to level nine."
Qin Changning smiled slightly and said, "The auction will now officially begin. The first item is a Grade 7 superior-grade Xuan sword, with a starting price of 30,000 mid-grade Xuan stones. Each bid must be at least 100 mid-grade Xuan stones higher."
Qiu Suian continued, "According to the rules of the venue, you can bid directly with refining materials, or you can bid on one item first and then bid on the rest with black stones." He looked around and said, "Everyone, you can start bidding now."
After the words were spoken, many human cultivators in the "grids" began to bid!
"One level-six refining material costs 40,000 mid-grade Xuan stones!"
"Fifty thousand! And add a level six refining material as well."
"Fifty-five thousand! Level six refining material."
Interspersed among them were the roars of rare and precious beasts.
Some of those beast roars came from rare beasts that had befriended humans—they sometimes wanted to give gifts to their friends, after all; others came from contracted rare beasts—perhaps their owners were away and they were bidding on their behalf, or perhaps the contracted rare beasts had simply acquired the Gate of All Beings, or perhaps there were other reasons.
Their bids were also very loud and assertive.
The two auctioneers on the auction stage could hear every single bid.
Until the final price is reached...
·
This auction featured a large number of items, including hundreds of level seven items and dozens of level eight items.
In addition, the competition for level nine resources is particularly fierce, and many refining materials are also included in the bidding process, which also requires valuation... The whole process is more complicated and takes much longer than before.
Therefore, the entire auction lasted for a full day and night!
However, whether they were cultivators or rare beasts, many of them obtained their desired items here.
The mystic stones and high-quality refining materials that they had specially accumulated also ended up in the hands of the two auctioneers.
·
During the auction, Zhong Cai and Wu Shaogan also put out some resources with regenerative abilities and remaining supplies for bidding. After the discerning creatures noticed this, many were eager to try their luck and prepared to contact the two privately.
This kind of thing often happens at auctions in the past.
Sometimes, the renewable resources that the two of them take out are actually all that can be taken out completely, while the rest are still being regenerated. They don't even have "one portion" left, but many cultivators still don't mind.
The couple sold it as well.
But this time was different. The two had to go back and check if there were enough resources in the ancient city—if not, they would have to hold another auction.
So, I'm quite eager.
So much so that as soon as the auction ended, the two of them took the resources, opened the Gate of All Beings, and left.
·
The couple first returned to Qianyuan Island.
Then, the two of them went out of the room, summoned a few attendants, and explained to them some matters concerning the handling of the many medicinal herbs in the mountains. They then returned to the room and prepared to enter the ancient city.
But before it could even begin, someone suddenly came and knocked on the door.
It turned out that a servant came to report: "Young Master Dongxiao has been waiting for a long time."
Zhong Cai was taken aback.
He recalled that he had not seen Dongxiaozai at the previous auction.
Wu Shaogan, knowing Zhong Cai well, had already asked on his behalf, "When did he arrive?"
The attendant respectfully replied, "We arrived yesterday and stayed here for a while. We left briefly but returned shortly afterward."
Because the couple claimed to be in seclusion, their attendants rarely came to disturb them.
After learning about this, Wu Dongxiao decided to wait here, also staying indoors and only instructing his attendants to inform his two uncles when they emerged from seclusion.
The attendant responsible for entertaining him had been watching the situation closely. He only rushed over after seeing the couple stroll out – he wouldn't have dared to knock if the couple hadn't just closed the door.
After listening, Zhong Cai understood somewhat.
That kid must have something to ask them, but when he arrived he found them in "seclusion," so he went to check out the Land of All Beings and learned that they were holding an auction...
Zhong Cai said, "Please invite him over."
The attendant responded and quickly left.
·
Before long, a tall young man strode over, exuding a heroic and dashing air. Coupled with his handsome face, he was full of masculine charm.
It's very attractive at first glance.
Meanwhile, many male and female cultivators on the island were secretly watching him.
It's quite interesting, actually.
Both Zhong Cai and Wu Shaogan were better looking, especially Wu Shaogan, whose handsomeness was indescribable and dared not be looked at directly.
But the island's servants never dared to harbor any other thoughts about the two.
It's mainly aimed at Wu Shaogan.
Perhaps they had some strange premonition, because even though Wu Shaogan was so handsome, they didn't feel any affection for him.
As for Zhong Cai...
Zhong Cai had a very good temper and was a handsome and lively young man, so he should have been very likable. However, his attendants usually didn't even give him a second glance, and they were always very respectful when they interacted with him.
Although Zhong Cai himself didn't think much of it, in his heart, Lao Wu was the most handsome man in the world, and he also remembered that Lao Wu used to be very popular. But later, he didn't know when it started, it seemed that no one dared to approach Lao Wu anymore, which was very strange.
Old Wu is exactly the same as before...
Zhong Cai later became too lazy to think about it anymore.
Anyway, as long as he and Lao Wu are together, that's enough. Nobody else is after Lao Wu. Although he thinks they have no taste, it saves him trouble.
·
That being said...
The tall, handsome young man in front of us always seemed to attract a lot of attention whenever he appeared, making people want to stick their eyes on him.
Very appealing.
Even some male and female followers who, over time, attached themselves to the two men and reached the Spirit Transformation Realm would develop feelings for him.
Although this goodwill wasn't very obvious, and they didn't deliberately try to associate with him, it was definitely there.
Without affecting Mr. and Mrs. Zhong, we will try our best to make things convenient for this person.
·
This person was none other than Wu Dongxiao.
He walked towards them with great presence and charm, but as he got closer to the Zhong and Wu couple, his aura and alluring demeanor gradually diminished.
When he finally stood before the couple, he was no different from any other day.
He remains handsome, extraordinary, and charismatic.
But there was still a hint of something from the heart.
·
Wu Dongxiao scratched his head, looking several degrees dumbfounded.
"Uncle Zhong, Uncle," he whispered, "You're back!"
Zhong Cai couldn't help but laugh.
Yes, they're both standing here, so of course they've come back.
Wu Dongxiao seemed to realize that he had been making small talk, so he chuckled twice before speaking seriously, "I came to tell my two uncles that I'm going out to train."
Zhong Cai raised an eyebrow: "Just you alone?"
Wu Dongxiao nodded and said with a hint of regret, "I recently heard some news that I could go and see what's going on. I originally wanted to go with my senior brother, but he's in seclusion and won't be out for another year or two, so there's no time to wait."
As their cultivation levels increase, there will indeed be times when they won't be able to go out for training together.
This isn't the first time.
However, this was the first time Xuanbing had been in seclusion for such a long time.
·
Zhong Cai subconsciously looked at Wu Shaogan.
Wu Shaogan understood and took out a small box.
Zhong Cai handed the box to Wu Dongxiao and asked him to open it and take a look.
Wu Dongxiao did as instructed.
Inside the box were several strange talismans, some oddly shaped objects resembling mystical artifacts, and a small array plate.
After careful examination, he recognized them all.
“Uncle Zhong, it looks like a teleportation talisman, and some talismans that seal off attacks, and mystic artifacts that store attacks… mystic artifacts that can explode?” Wu Dongxiao murmured, then flipped the array plate over again. “This is an eighth-level defensive array plate.”
Most of them can be used directly on the person, only the defensive array plate needs to be fixedly installed, which should provide protection for him when he is cultivating or resting.
Zhong Cai nodded: "Good eye."
Wu Dongxiao chuckled, then said quite naturally, "I'll take them all."
Then, he became more accustomed to writing IOUs and swearing oaths as required by custom.
After the oaths were almost finished, Wu Dongxiao asked, "These are all consumables. Except for the level eight array plate, they all need to be purchased. Uncle Zhong, please give me a price."
Zhong Cai smiled and said, "I know you want to save money. Don't worry, consider the array plate as rent to you."
Then he gave a number.
Wu Dongxiao also enthusiastically finished reciting the remaining oaths.
So he ended up with a mountain of debt again.
·
Speaking of this debt, Wu Dongxiao was also very helpless.
For the sake of safety on each trip, he actively sought out his two uncles to buy resources.
His two uncles were also willing to help him, so they would reserve resources that would benefit him for him first.
Therefore, Wu Dongxiao was grateful and kept issuing IOUs.
Even though his strength later increased dramatically and he was able to obtain resources from various channels, he would immediately sign new IOUs from his two uncles as soon as he paid off his debts.
Over time, Wu Dongxiao would come over every time he went out.
The IOUs were also getting bigger year by year.
It's never enough, it's never enough.
In the past, his senior apprentice would help him pay off his debts, but later his two uncles also caused his senior apprentice to incur debts. So the two of them became brothers in misfortune, struggling together to pay off their debts...
Besides that, his own methods of self-preservation also went wrong.
That is to say... his personal protectors.
Since arriving on the top continent, whenever Wu Dongxiao went out to train, he would always be teleported to a relatively far place. Those places might have heard of the Lingxian Sect and the War God Palace, or they might not have heard of them at all, and naturally they would not be afraid of the forces behind him.
After encountering trouble, the Dharma protector intervened multiple times to save his life.
Sometimes things are alright; once the Dharma protector intervenes, the problem is resolved smoothly. But more often, he encounters naturally occurring dangers in the mountains and wilderness that even Nirvana cultivators cannot handle.
His protector was gone.
In just a few years, apart from the damage that occurred in the secret cave many years ago, it had only been repaired for a short time when it collapsed again when he went out to train.
Then it reformed again...
Just a few months ago, it collapsed for the third time.
Wu Dongxiao was completely numb.
No fellow disciple had a personal guardian spirit that died younger than his.
Moreover, with such frequent losses, he couldn't very well let the sect clean up his messes all the time!
The Palace Master of Jinzong Palace had always been very kind to him. Even when he frequently created clones, he never gave him a hard time and continued to care for him... He felt bad about it.
Therefore, each time, he would also provide a lot of resources to help the Lord of Jinzong Palace quickly gather strength.
The Palace Master of Jinzong suffered significant losses from his repeated splitting of his soul, and even with these resources, it was impossible to compensate for the pain he endured from the splitting of his soul...
Therefore, Wu Dongxiao would also specifically seek out treasures that would benefit the Yuan Soul of the Jin Cong Palace Master.
This is another considerable expense.
Despite the repeated statements from the Palace Master of Jinzong indicating that it was unnecessary, Wu Dongxiao continued to do as he pleased.
...Otherwise, he would be crushed by guilt.
·
Thus, Wu Dongxiao was an atypical penniless man.
To save his life, he was always living paycheck to paycheck and in debt.
His tall stature was impressive outside, but whenever he returned to his room and looked at himself in the mirror, he always felt that he was a little hunched over.
That debt is really oppressive!
Therefore, Wu Dongxiao dared not stop.
He knew that his combat strength could be improved more quickly in battle, and that he needed to make money through unexpected encounters outside in order to pay off his debts. That's why he would go out to train after each period of recuperation.
But the final result was...
His combat strength has indeed improved as expected, but the debt may accompany him for the rest of his life.
·
After receiving the items, Wu Dongxiao began to report the matter.
"I'm going on a training trip this time, which may take a few years. If Senior Brother Xuan comes to find me, please ask my two uncles to give him this letter for me."
"With these offensive and defensive measures, I will definitely be safe."
"Is there anything Uncle Zhong wants? If I come across it, I'll definitely bring it back for him!"
Because the guardian spirits haven't been formed yet, he didn't have any to protect him this time, but with this box of things, he felt confident in protecting himself.
but……
After thinking for a moment, Wu Dongxiao carefully took out a round ball and handed it to Zhong Cai with both hands.
Zhong Cai took it, examined it for a while, and asked, "What is this?"
Wu Dongxiao said cautiously, "It's a communication device that I obtained by chance."
·
This item is called: Lianxinzhu.
They are a pair.
Once the owner of the bead crushes it, a message can be transmitted to it.
This message must be delivered within ten breaths. If you stop, a mysterious force will sweep over you and transmit it to the mother bead, quickly informing its owner.
After the message is sent, the mother bead will also break.
It's a disposable item.
However, it has one advantage: no matter where the owner of the bead is, as long as they are on the same continent, the message can be transmitted.
Even if they are not on the same continent, the mother bead will still tremble gently as long as there is indeed news.
For example, if Zhong and Wu were in the Land of All Beings, the mother bead would tremble when the child bead broke. After they left the Land of All Beings, the mother bead would delay transmitting the message and then break on its own.
Therefore, it is also a very useful treasure.
It can be used to transmit very urgent messages.
·
After listening to Wu Dongxiao's explanation, Zhong Cai took the beads and carefully put them away.
Feeling at ease, Wu Dongxiao exchanged a few more words with the Zhong-Wu couple before taking his leave.
This time, he left the sect directly and headed straight for his destination.
Zhong Cai watched Wu Dongxiao for a while, then chuckled and said, "He gave us two beads like they were flags."
Wu Shaogan understood what this meant and smiled slightly: "Let's not worry about it. We'll find out in time."
Zhong Cai held Wu Shaogan's hand, not taking it too seriously.
It's perfectly normal for the main character to plant a flag.
If you don't insert yourself ten or eight times, you're simply not behaving like a main character.
Zhong Cai said with a grin, "Let's go! Let's get busy!"
Wu Shaogan smiled and grasped Zhong Cai's hand.
The two went back to their room and closed the door.
In the blink of an eye, the two entered the ancient city together.
·
The Zhong-Wu couple floated high in the sky, looking down at the countless buildings and the vast inner and outer city.
They brought out all the newly acquired refining materials and the materials they had prepared in the past.
After the ancient city's calculations, the number was finally sufficient.
Zhong Cai's expression was solemn.
Wu Shaogan threw all the refining materials in front of the city wall.
The two said together, "Let's start the upgrade."
The ancient city received the order, and a huge crater instantly appeared on the flat ground.
In a mere instant, all the refining materials were swallowed up by the pit!
At the same time, the surface of the crater quickly closed up, as if nothing had happened.
The whole process was completely silent, unlike the previous times when it was all very high-profile.
·
Zhong Cai held Wu Shaogan's hand.
Wu Shaogan put his arm around Zhong Cai's waist.
The two carefully observed the changes in the ancient city.
Suddenly, a dazzling light screen appeared on the city walls, enveloping the entire city.
On the dazzling, colorful light screen, black and white light also flowed.
This is precisely the characteristic manifestation of the Five Elements and Yin-Yang.
The entire city was filled with muffled rumbling sounds.
It was like thunder, but the thunder was contained deep within and did not come out.
It's as if all the changes are deep within it, making them elusive and impossible to trace.
·
The roar continued, and the light screen continued to expand.
The entire ancient city is constantly expanding—
But at that moment, the ancient city suddenly transmitted a message.
Should the ancient city be expanded proportionally?
Zhong Cai was taken aback and quickly asked, "What if I choose 'no'?"
The spirit of the ancient city continues to be passed on.
If you choose "No," then there are two options.
Firstly, according to the city lord's wishes, the size was fixed.
Secondly, a fixed size is initially established. Although the size can be freely changed afterward, each change requires the collection of certain resources for assistance.
Zhong Cai pressed further, "If we're going to gather resources, what kind would we need?"
The ancient city quickly compiled two lists.
One of the maps lists the resources needed to expand the ancient city; the other shows the scenario if it were to be reduced in size.
Zhong Cai looked at it carefully.
These required resources are not of high value, and he already has them on hand.
After that, you only need to save a few copies, and you can change them at any time.
It's a little more troublesome than a fixed size, but it saves you from other hassles.
Zhong Cai smiled and said, "There's no need to hesitate then." He turned to look at Wu Shaogan, "Right, Lao Wu?"
Wu Shaogan smiled and said, "Let's choose the second option."
Zhong Cai expressed her agreement.
The two quickly provided their responses.
The ancient city is not open to residents now, so it is actually a bit too big for the two of them.
So the couple not only didn't let the ancient city expand, but instead shrank it.
While the entire city was being transformed, its area was reduced to one-tenth of its current size.
In this way, it becomes even more convenient.
There was no objection from the ancient city.
As the light flashes, changes continue to occur.
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