"..."

Luo Qingxuan looked surprised, as if weighing her options, but ultimately remained silent.

Ling Changqing let out a sigh of relief. The item was finally his.

A moment later, the Spirit Treasure Fragment—as it was known to outsiders—was brought over by the Commerce Association Steward and his men.

Ling Changqing paid the bill, grabbed the pearl, and absorbed it directly into his body.

Deep within his sea of consciousness, the Era Star Palace spat out a chaotic Spiritual Light that enveloped the pearl, directly melting, refining, and devouring it.

A silent message, exuding a mysterious Dao Rhyme, appeared:

[Master of the Era Star Palace: Ling Changqing]

[Bone Age: 45/997]

[Cultivation: Early stage Golden Core]

[Destiny: 195+457]

[Blessed Fortune: 186+343]

Ling Changqing’s expression froze for a moment before wild joy surged through his heart.

After refining the Ancient Spiritual Treasure fragment, the Era Star Palace seemed to have taken a powerful tonic. Its Luck and Fortune had increased by fifty points, and Ling Changqing’s own Luck and Fortune had also seen a significant boost.

Another change was that the Grotto Heaven Blessed Land inside the Era Star Palace was slowly expanding. It grew from its original two-li radius to five li before stabilizing again.

"This thing is quite good. It saved me at least two hundred years of recovery time."

Gong Ling said, still savoring the feeling. Her appearance was more vivid and bright, and her aura had grown even stronger.

"Don’t worry, there will be more opportunities like this in the future."

Ling Changqing said with a smile.

Gong Ling nodded, sized him up for a moment, and continued,

"Master, you now have two choices. The first is to gain another five hundred years of Lifespan. The second is to upgrade your Spirit Root Talent to a Celestial Grade Spirit Root. Which will you choose?"

Both choices would benefit Ling Changqing immensely, but the latter was clearly more significant.

Ling Changqing mused, "In that case, I’ll choose the Spirit Root Talent?"

"Very well."

Gong Ling nodded slightly. With a wave of her hand, a brilliant, magnificent, and mysteriously profound chaotic starlight descended, enveloping Ling Changqing within it.

[Spirit Root: Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, Bottom Grade Celestial Rank 2/50000]

The benefits of a Celestial Grade Spirit Root Talent were self-evident. It meant Ling Changqing’s future growth would be faster, and his path would be smooth all the way to the Divinity Transformation Realm, free of any bottlenecks.

Even among the top factions in Yuzhou, disciples with Celestial Grade Spirit Root Talent were as rare as a phoenix feather or a qilin’s horn—a truly uncommon sight.

Ling Changqing suppressed his excitement and continued to watch the auction.

As several more treasures were sold, a complex and beautiful palace dress appeared on the high platform. It was deep purple with gold-embroidered brocade clusters, shimmering with spiritual light.

It was a Middle Grade Magical Treasure.

The entire dress emanated a dense life aura. Not only was its Defense exceptionally strong, but it also had a series of wondrous effects, such as resisting Heart Demons, preserving one’s youth, and aiding in healing and recovery.

"This treasure doesn’t seem to be on the list, does it? It must be a rare and wonderful item."

Ling Qiyue remarked with a slight smile and a raised brow, a hint of surprise in her voice.

"Let’s get it first, then you all can decide who gets to use it."

Ling Changqing said. Ling Qiyue herself already owned a set of robes at the Middle grade Treasure Level, while the clothes worn by the other women were still at the Spiritual Artifact Level.

"Alright, it’s a deal then."

Tang Qiu Yao said with a smile. She actually felt the palace dress would suit her quite well.

According to Xue Qingtan, at an auction of this level, a Middle Grade Magical Treasure was already the best kind of treasure one could expect.

To find anything better, one would have to go to the auctions held by the top factions in Yuzhou.

"...The starting bid for this palace dress is eight thousand Middle grade Spirit Stones, with a minimum increment of one hundred. Interested fellow Cultivators may begin bidding!"

the beautiful woman in the golden robe announced.

Even for a Golden Core Master, this price was not cheap, but the value of a Middle Grade Magical Treasure was self-evident.

Thus, someone in the crowd immediately called out:

"Eight thousand one hundred!"

"Eight thousand two hundred."

"I bid eight thousand three hundred."

...

In just a short while, the price soared past the ten-thousand mark, with more than a dozen Cultivators still unwilling to give up.

For a treasure that could significantly enhance a Cultivator’s strength and increase their chances of survival, any Cultivator with the means would naturally compete for it.

Moreover, the refining of a Magical Treasure was a long, arduous process that consumed immense time and effort. Coupled with the scarcity of Third Rank Middle Grade Artifact Refiners, the palace dress seemed all the more valuable.

"Eleven thousand."

Tang Qiu Yao called out.

The crowd fell silent for a moment before someone continued the bidding: "Eleven thousand five hundred."

"Twelve thousand."

Tang Qiu Yao remained unfazed.

"Twelve thousand five hundred!"

...

After another back-and-forth, the price successfully approached the fifteen-thousand mark.

By now, fewer than ten Cultivators still had the means to compete, including Luo Qingxuan.

Compared to the transaction records for past Middle Grade Magical Treasures, this figure was not particularly outrageous.

"Sixteen thousand."

Tang Qiu Yao couldn’t be bothered to drag it out with them any longer and directly bid a round number.

At this, two more Female Cultivators reluctantly gave up, leaving only a few people struggling to hold on.

In her private room, Luo Qingxuan glanced in their direction, puzzled. She had a vague feeling that something was off, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on what it was.

After a moment of thought, she asked the Maid beside her, "What is the background of the guests in that private room?"

Seeing the other party hesitate, she directly tossed out a handful of Spirit Stones.

Only then did the Maid reply, "I hear it’s the Ling Family Patriarch, the master who controls the entire Feiyu Sea Region."

"I see."

Luo Qingxuan nodded and did not continue bidding.

With the wealth of the Deep Sea Dragon Race, she was not lacking in treasures of this level. She had only been bidding for fun.

Outside, by the time the price soared to eighteen thousand Middle grade Spirit Stones, the last few competitors had unwillingly withdrawn from the bidding.

"We finally got it."

Tang Qiu Yao sighed in relief, her heart still trembling a little. It was the first time she had ever spent so many Spirit Stones in one go.