After the time it takes for two incense sticks to burn, the place was packed with people.
There were even a few people standing to the side.
The auction has begun.
A handsome young man dressed in blue robes arrived at the high platform in the center of the hall. He cupped his hands and said:
"I am Li Yun from the Li family. Welcome everyone. I am in charge of this auction. I would like to express my gratitude to all of you for gracing us with your presence!"
The supporters behind this auction were some families in Cangyang County, and the Li family was pushed forward by many families.
The Qin family naturally also invested, otherwise they wouldn't have been assigned fixed seats.
Li Ming glanced at Li Yun on the stage. His cultivation level was not high, only at the second level of Qi Refining. He figured his talent was not outstanding, otherwise he wouldn't have come here to be the host.
Then Li Yun didn't waste any words and went straight to the point:
"The auction is now beginning. The first item up for auction is a martial arts manual obtained by a mysterious person."
Then, a disciple came forward carrying a tray with an ancient book on it.
"This cultivation technique is called the Crimson Flame Technique. It is extremely suitable for martial artists who cultivate fire-attribute qi. The Crimson Flame True Qi cultivated from it is fierce and domineering. It is definitely an excellent cultivation technique!"
"Enough to cultivate to the peak of the Qi Condensation stage."
"Condensing Qi? Not bad."
"I haven't heard much about this cultivation technique, but the Li family's reputation is still commendable."
"This is the level of performance right from the start?"
Some martial artists whispered among themselves with interest, but there wasn't much enthusiasm.
For independent cultivators, there is no such thing as changing cultivation methods on short notice. Only some small families consider whether to adopt a cultivation method as a method for inheritance.
The Crimson Flame Technique is powerful but rare, making it barely usable as a legacy for many small families and sects.
"What are the drawbacks of this technique?"
Immediately, someone in the audience raised a question.
Li Yun did not hide the drawbacks at all, and said frankly: "The true qi cultivated by the Crimson Flame Technique is too fierce. If one has a weak constitution, one cannot practice it. Therefore, the starting price is 800 taels."
The starting price is 800 taels!
"So I'm still a penniless wretch!" Li Ming's lips twitched slightly. He had thought that with a net worth of nearly 2,000 taels of silver, he was already a wealthy man in his own right.
"900 taels!"
"1100 taels!"
...
Bidding was incessant, and the "Crimson Flame Technique" was quite popular. Even Qin Yun, who was next to Li Ming, made a bid, but then fell silent after seeing that the price was a bit too high.
Finally, he was captured by a masked man in black, who cost him 2,000 taels of silver.
The martial arts techniques that Li Ming used next were not particularly advanced, and he sold them for 800 taels of silver.
Li Ming sighed, "There are still so many rich people."
Later, some pills and weapons were sold, but most of them were also sold.
Then Li Yun auctioned off another martial arts technique: "Ladies and gentlemen, the next martial arts technique is called 'Sword Nourishing Technique.' It is a special secret method that has no requirements for aptitude or comprehension, and its power is astonishing once mastered!"
"There was once an unknown Qi Refining Realm martial artist who used this secret technique to directly kill a Qi Condensation Realm expert!"
"What?"
"A mere Qi Refining Realm cultivator can kill a Qi Condensation Realm cultivator with this?"
"Hmph, if it were really that powerful, would it be available for sale?"
As soon as Li Yun finished speaking, the people below couldn't sit still any longer.
Li Yun coughed and added, "Of course, this secret technique can kill enemies beyond one's cultivation level, but it does have limitations, namely, it can only be used for one strike."
He paused, then continued, "Moreover, the process of nurturing a sword requires the martial artist's own essence, energy, and spirit. The longer the time, the more blood and energy are consumed, and the greater the power of this strike."
"If you want to use this technique as a trump card, then this secret method can be considered very powerful."
"Starting bid: 400 taels."
In fact, Li Yun deliberately concealed one point: when this Qi Refining Realm martial artist, due to spending all his time cultivating his sword, not only neglected his cultivation but also became depleted of Qi and blood, he swung this sword and his days were numbered.
"What's the use of that!"
"I told you, where would you find such a powerful secret technique?"
Any martial artist with a modicum of ambition would generally not attempt to cultivate this secret technique, since the path of martial arts is all about sharp and relentless pursuit.
If you don't pursue breakthroughs when you're young and full of energy, why try to train when you're old? It's just a way to hasten your death.
Even if they were used to train suicide soldiers, it wouldn't be a waste.
Spending so much time and money just for a single strike at the Condensation Realm... is not worth it.
However, Li Ming's eyes flickered slightly. This thing was useless to others, but he had a body of jade bones and a continuous flow of qi and blood. The qi of Yi wood could further promote the recovery of his qi and blood. For him, it was just something to cultivate in his spare time.
If someone with far superior cultivation were to attack him, it might give the opponent a pleasant surprise.
"I'm supposed to be a master of both swords and sabers, shouldn't I at least have some swordsmanship to show off?"
"I bought it!"
Li Ming shouted, "I'll take the 400 taels!"
"Someone actually wants it?"
"I don't know, maybe they have too much money to spend?"
The crowd watched with amusement.
Qin Yun was slightly worried and wanted to offer some advice, but ultimately remained silent.
"Great! Congratulations on winning the bid for 'Sword Nurturing Technique'."
Li Yun quickly confirmed that if he could avoid bidding on this item, he would be making a profit!
The items that followed became increasingly expensive, as the auction drew to a close.
The final item up for auction was several Blood-Renewing Pills, which could greatly enhance martial arts cultivation.
In the end, Miss Qin, who was by Li Ming's side, spent several thousand taels of silver to win him over.
All I can say is that with a rich woman all around him, poverty limited Li Ming's imagination.
After the auction, Li Ming found the middle-aged man in charge and, after deducting his share and the cost of winning the sword-raising technique, took away 350 taels of silver.
He had only taken a few steps outside the door when he noticed someone following him.
"Oh, is this guy here to kill me?"
However, as Li Ming quickened his pace, he hadn't gone far when he saw Miss Qin following behind.
A low exclamation came from behind: "The Qin family is a tough nut to crack!"
"Forget it."
"The Qin family has a Grandmaster in charge, we can't afford to offend them, let's run!"
Li Ming felt his vision disappear completely, and he was completely dumbfounded: "..."
Something's not right with this script!
Are you short of money and not trying to make it?
Don't you know what "fortune favors the bold" means?
"Sigh, it seems these brothers are unwilling to be generous!"
Li Ming felt a pang of disappointment; there weren't many good people like the Five Blood Bandits anymore.
Seeing that Li Ming seemed somewhat disappointed, Qin Yun politely asked, "Brother Li, did Qin Yun do something wrong?"
"No, I just overestimated people's courage."
Back at the Qin residence.
Even food doesn't taste good anymore.
Li Ming returned to his room, took out the book "The Art of Sword Cultivation" worth 400 taels from his pocket, and began to read it.
After a while.
"This 'sword nurturing technique' is a bit strange, but there's still room for further development."
Li Ming found it increasingly interesting the more he looked at it.
The person who developed this secret technique may not have had a broad vision, but their ideas were quite good.
The content is simple: it describes how to nurture a sword with the essence, energy, and spirit of a martial artist, so that the sword can accumulate an unparalleled sword aura over a long period of time.
It also includes a sword technique, the widely known "Sword Drawing Technique".
In this way, when drawing the sword, not only is it fast, but all the power is concentrated at one point. If the sword master is imbued with sword intent, it can achieve the effect of earth-shattering and heaven-cleaving with a single sword strike.
Of course, this is just empty talk.
In theory, it can be nurtured indefinitely, but in reality, the sword body has limitations and most likely has a limit.
However, when Li Ming saw this secret technique, he inexplicably thought of a move called "Heaven-Slaying Sword Drawing Technique". If he were to achieve a certain level of cultivation and perfect this secret technique, he wondered if this sword could truly "slay the heavens".
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