Yellow Court Daoist-Chapter 222 - 208 The Auction Begins

Lu Qingfeng and Zhou Yuan escorted Dong Liu, Xiangyunzi, and others down from Chuyun Mountain and returned to the cave dwelling.

"Old Man knows Elder Lu never does something he's uncertain of."

"But, only just advanced to Third-rank, is it—"

Zhou Yuan sat opposite Lu Qingfeng, frowning slightly.

Lu Qingfeng had taken on a big responsibility, accepting from Dong Liu not only the Gao Jade, Spirit Stones, and various materials but also demanding the Xuan Turtle Shield. If the refining were to fail, even if Dong Liu didn't make an issue of it, it would still greatly impact Lu Qingfeng's reputation.

"No matter."

"I am confident."

Lu Qingfeng smiled, saying to Zhou Yuan.

In the game, he had spent over a millennium studying the way of Artifact Refining, establishing a solid foundation. He had lingered at the stage of a Fourth-rank Artifact Refiner for a long time, almost reaching the Fifth Order.

With such expertise, if he were to fail in refining a mere Third-rank Magical Artifact, it would indeed be a disgrace to the years he had toiled.

It was because he was absolutely confident that Lu Qingfeng dared to take it on, even demanding the Xuan Turtle Shield from Dong Liu's hands.

Refining it successfully would not be a problem.

Pleasing Dong Liu would be effortless.

Lu Qingfeng could even make a small profit.

Not to mention the remaining materials, just the bulk of the Gao Jade was enough for Lu Qingfeng to make a move for Dong Liu. Plus, there were eighty to ninety Spirit Stones; even for a Third-rank Artifact Refiner, to have such a yield from one job was considered plentiful.

"Elder Lu being confident is good."

Seeing this, Zhou Yuan felt slightly relieved.

...

Zhou Yuan stayed in Lu Qingfeng's cave dwelling for a while before immediately departing.

With less than half a month left until the auction, Zhou Yuan needed to move around Gathering Immortal Square more, making connections with masters from all quarters.

Meanwhile, promoting Lu Qingfeng's name.

Lu Qingfeng stayed in his cave dwelling.

Either delving into the game to comprehend wonderful methods or cultivating in reality.

As for Alchemy and Artifact Refining,

The Third-rank Magical Artifact that belonged to Dong Liu was completed by Lu Qingfeng in less than three days, casually tossed into a storage bag.

As Zhou Yuan 'visited friends' outside, Lu Qingfeng's reputation gradually spread. More and more cultivators sought Lu Qingfeng for Alchemy and Artifact Refining.

Mostly for Third-rank Spirit Pills.

Fewer sought Third-rank Magical Artifacts.

Compared to Spirit Pills, Magical Artifacts were more precious, their materials harder to come by. Entrusting them to a recently promoted Third-rank Artifact Refiner inevitably caused some worries.

Even for Spirit Pills, they were relatively rare.

Only after Lu Qingfeng refined one or two furnaces of Third-rank Spirit Pills did those seeking Alchemy gradually increase.

Time quickly passed, another ten days gone.

Only three days left until the start of the Xuanyuan Auction.

On this day.

Lu Qingyu led Qingyu down from Chuyun Mountain, heading towards Purple Pouch Mountain where Loose Cultivators gathered.

Purple Pouch Mountain was filled with jacaranda trees, their bluish-purple blossoms covering the branches, a spectacular sight.

Plus, the shape of the mountain resembled a lotus pod.

Hence, it was named Purple Pouch Mountain.

Positioned at the southeast extension of Gathering Immortal Square, Purple Pouch Mountain gathered numerous Loose Cultivators. Various stalls dotted the mountain like seeds on a lotus pod.

"Said he'd take me out for fun before we left, but ended up cultivating all the way, and then spent days in the cave dwelling once we arrived at Gathering Immortal Square."

"This is the first time you're actually taking me out!"

Qingyu walked beside Lu Qingfeng, murmuring nonstop.

On Peak Rain Mountain, his elder brother said he'd take her out for a stroll, yet they rushed through the journey for a month and a half. It was a fleeting glance at best passing by Cold Frost Pond, Seven Star Connected Waterfalls, among other places, without a chance to properly see them.

After arriving at Gathering Immortal Square, her brother yet again holed up in his cave dwelling.

No different from being on Peak Rain Mountain, just continuing in a different place.

Leaving Qingyu quite frustrated.

Fortunately, her elder brother finally remembered his sister today and took her out for a leisurely walk, or else Qingyu feared she might continue to stew in her own juices.

At the moment.

Although Qingyu was complaining, the joyful smile on her face was undeniable.

Her steps were light, even the noisy surroundings sounded like a pleasant symphony to her ears.

"You're grown up."

"The Gathering Immortal Square is so lively; if you like it, just come out and stroll by yourself."

Lu Qingfeng shook his head.

His time was heavily occupied by the game, and these days in Gathering Immortal Square, he had to establish his reputation as a Third-rank Artifact Refiner and Alchemist and network with various high-level practitioners.

Naturally, that left less time for Qingyu.

Today's outing was also because Qingyu had visited his cave dwelling with a sulky face, making a brief tour, prompting Lu Qingfeng to realize.

He took some time out to bring her to the bustling Purple Pouch Mountain for a walk.

"Hmph."

Qingyu huffed softly, ignoring Lu Qingfeng. She looked around, eyeing the various odd and peculiar items at the stalls. Occasionally, she stopped to look for a long time.

But was reluctant to buy.

Continuing forward.

Lu Qingfeng followed by the side, mostly listening to Qingyu speak.

His eyes, however, scanned over the stalls, identifying the details of various items.

Gathering Immortal Square brought together Loose Cultivators from all directions.

Local specialties, like Cold Frost Pond's Cold Light Fish, Cold Frost Spirit Pearl.

Like the Dianxing Stone from Star Luo Sea.

Like various Spiritual Medicines, various minerals.

Dazzling to the eye, too much to take in at once.

Under Daluo Cave Temple, all were exposed.

There were those who inflated their importance, those who dealt in deception. Yet, most still practiced honesty.

Only a very few buried 'true treasures' remained undiscovered.

Lu Qingfeng examined many stalls and saw many novelties, but not a single 'hidden treasure' was found. There were, however, some rare Spiritual Medicines and minerals, which Lu Qingfeng purchased.

He strolled around for almost half a day.

Lu Qingfeng purchased some rare materials, Spiritual Medicines, unusual Magic Artifacts, and Elixir Pills, feeling completely satisfied.

Lu Qingyu also made purchases, buying a few irresistible novelties, and the half-day company of her elder brother also made her content.

As for picking up bargains or getting into conflicts with others over bargains, such situations did not occur.

In fact.

When Lu Qingfeng was in the Changqing Realm, he traveled millions of miles and stayed in countless markets.

Such situations were indeed rare.

It's hard to come across even once in a hundred years.

At least he had never encountered it.

On a day without obligations, after browsing Purple Pouch Mountain, he accompanied Lu Qingyu to visit other areas of the Gathering Immortal Market.

Especially the Floating Islands and Suspended Palaces.

These places are mostly frequented by High-level Cultivators, the wealthy, or those with influential backgrounds. The businesses here are also quite expensive.

Lu Qingfeng leisurely strolled around.

Mainly the businesses concerning Magic Artifacts, Spirit Pills, and talismans. He wasn't interested in the first two as he was self-sufficient, but he did purchase some talismans for self-protection.

Among them was the 'Three Mountains Talisman' used by a Foundation Establishment Elder of the Demon Sect at Hundred Herbs Garden.

Third-rank talismans are precious and powerful, sometimes playing a crucial role in critical situations.

They set off early in the morning.

It was almost evening by the time Lu Qingfeng and Lu Qingyu returned to Chuyun Mountain.

Lu Qingfeng's purse was considerably lighter after the outing.

However, Lu Qingyu was still somewhat reluctant to leave.

...

Three days passed in a blink of an eye.

"Xuanyuan Auction, held once every ten years, gathers all kinds of strange treasures collected by the Xuanyuan Sect's Luozhen Hall and artifacts and Elixir Pills refined by the Xuanyuan Sect's Artifact Making Hall and Combined Pill Hall. Items consigned by numerous Great Sects and thousands of Loose Cultivators from tens of thousands of miles around are also auctioned off."

"There's a variety of items in large quantities."

"There are ten auctions in total. Every three days one auction is held, each lasting at least two hours."

Zhou Yuan walked side by side with Lu Qingfeng, explaining to him.

Xuanyuan Auction is considered the most prestigious and reputable super-auction in the surrounding realms.

Xuanyuan Sect also aims to expand its influence through the Xuanyuan Auction, or to collect various treasures and Secret Techniques.

In past auctions.

Third-rank and Fourth-rank Magical Artifacts were common, and there even appeared Fifth-Order Magical Artifacts that incited frenzied competition among Jiedan True Men.

Various clever uses of Spirit Pills kept emerging, and their ranks were generally not low.

There were also many strange and wonderful methods.

Many rare materials.

Many precious Spiritual Medicines.

...

"A total of ten stages, each lasting at least two hours."

Lu Qingyu calculated on the side.

Assuming fifteen items are auctioned off per quarter-hour, at least eight hundred items would be up for auction.

Eight hundred items of Xuanyuan Auction level, that's certainly not a small number.

After all, there were existence like Fifth-Order Magical Artifacts among them.

"Before each auction starts, Xuanyuan Sect intentionally spreads some information about the items to attract more Cultivators to come."

"Like Purple Gold Copper, which is a precious material for refining High-level Magical Artifacts, is to attract nearby Artifact Refiners or High-level Cultivators."

"In addition, there is 'Dust Lowering Pill' which can enhance the chances for Spirit Void Practitioners to reach Core Formation, aimed at attracting Great Sects and even Jiedan True Men."

Zhou Yuan, who was more informed than Lu Qingfeng, knew the reason Lu Qingfeng attended the Xuanyuan Auction, and discussed it on the side.

Lu Qingfeng listened quietly.

He felt that Xuanyuan Sect indeed had a business mindset.

Hosting the auction, besides expanding influence, the month-long event also brought countless popularity and revenues to Gathering Immortal Square.

Even Lu Qingfeng spent a good amount in the market purchasing numerous talismans.

Other Cultivators, lacking the abilities to refine Elixir Pills and Artifacts, had to buy even more items. A single visit could deplete a decade's worth of savings.

Xuanyuan Sect certainly made a huge profit.

One auction event, multiple gains acquired.

The three headed towards the auction venue.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh!

They saw above Gathering Immortal Island, the Floating Islands in the void shifting places, changing positions.

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For a moment.

Immortal music played continuously, with a scene of immortals dancing and Divine Generals guarding.

"Quite the display."

Lu Qingfeng looked up and saw dozens of islands of various sizes arranged in the air, centered around one island that looked like a stage, with other islands spreading outward like a vortex.

It was a grand spectacle.

"Xuanyuan Sect always does this."

Zhou Yuan said with a smile.

Just using the Floating Islands as the auction site alone set it many standards above many other auctions.

As the commotion in the sky emerged, Cultivators from all over Gathering Immortal Island gathered.

Xuanyuan Auction had been held many times before, so the rules needed no reiteration.

Numerous True Qi Realm cultivators gathered consciously at various mountaintops below, not qualified to ascend to the Heavenly Islands. Each Foundation Establishment Cultivator rode the light of swords or tunneling light, heading to the outermost airborne islands. Each Foundation Cultivator had at most two True Qi Realm cultivators by their side.

However, there were also Foundation Establishment Cultivators who, with a Jade Dishware above their heads, went to the islands in the middle or even the most central island.

Clearly, they had influential backgrounds.

Jade Dishware was the symbol of qualification.

"Let's go too."

Zhou Yuan called out, and a gust of wind carried him towards an island in the middle.

Spirit Void Practitioners, mostly located in the middle.

As for the most central island, it has always been reserved by the high-ranking officials of Xuanyuan Sect, as well as prominent figures from various Great Sects, renowned Alchemists, Artifact Refiners, Jiedan True Men, and others.