CHAPTER 607: CHAPTER 592: LOSING EVERYTHING! [REQUEST FOR SUBSCRIPTION]

"The Tier Five Top-Grade Spirit Pill [Fire Phoenix Profound Pill], a bottle containing five pills, can greatly enhance the cultivation of fire element cultivators. It is effective even for late-stage Golden Core cultivators. The starting price is 800,000 lower-grade spirit stones, with each bid increase no less than 10,000 lower-grade spirit stones."

At the grand auction in Jade Capital City, as the auctioneer announced the name and purpose of the upcoming item for auction, Zhouyang, who was sitting in a private VIP room, suddenly had a bright gleam in his eyes.

"One million spirit stones!"

He directly raised the bid by 200,000 spirit stones without hesitation.

In fact, Zhouyang did not lack elixirs to refine his cultivation. Whether it was from his early days in the Kunxu Realm, or in the [Dome Heaven Immortal Realm], or from the relics of Golden Core stage cultivators he had slain over the years, he had acquired many such elixirs.

These elixirs were entirely sufficient for him to consume within the Golden Core stage.

However, he wasn’t the only one in need now; his Dao companion Xiao Ying also required these spirit pills. With his assistance, using the "Qianyang Immortal Light" to refine magical power and cleanse the erysipelas from within, Xiao Ying could also frequently take spirit pills to enhance her cultivation, just like him.

As a result, the supply of such spirit pills with him was clearly insufficient now.

Moreover, although he had a large number of cultivation-refining spirit pills, there were very few of such high quality as this [Fire Phoenix Profound Pill]. Given the chance to obtain such a top-grade spirit pill suitable for himself, he certainly had no reason to pass it up.

Currently, he was a millionaire with nearly ten million spirit stones in wealth; a million spirit stones were already insignificant to him.

However, this was the grand auction in Jade Capital City, known as the most magnificent auction in the past thousand years. At this moment, there were as many as one to two hundred Golden Core stage cultivators gathered here, even seven or eight Nascent Soul stage cultivators.

Items like the [Fire Phoenix Profound Pill] were not only eyed by him, Zhouyang.

Therefore, someone quickly outbid him.

"1.2 million spirit stones."

Zhouyang raised the bid for the second time, directly increasing by 100,000 spirit stones over his competitor’s bid.

With this, all other bidding sounds ceased; apparently, they all gave up the idea of competing with him.

1.2 million spirit stones were no small amount; not every Golden Core stage cultivator could, like him, be worth millions.

Having won the [Fire Phoenix Profound Pill], Zhouyang later continued to make several bids, mainly for some elixirs or spirit herbs.

At the same time, the few Tier Five magical artifacts he put on consignment at the auction were also sold, helping him recoup the spirit stones he spent, with even a slight surplus.

"The next auction item is a [Qilin Vermilion Fruit]. I don’t need to elaborate on its function. The starting price is 500,000 lower-grade spirit stones, with each bid increase no less than 10,000 spirit stones."

Midway through the grand auction, finally, another treasure piqued Zhouyang’s interest.

He glanced with an unusual glint at the auctioneer holding the bright red spirit fruit, and a figure of a middle-aged man in white surfaced in his mind.

[Qilin Vermilion Fruit] was extremely rare and elusive, and it was highly improbable for two people to naturally possess such treasures in the same place.

Therefore, it was evident that this [Qilin Vermilion Fruit] at the grand auction was the one previously consigned by Master Bai Lu during the exchange meeting Zhouyang had attended.

And being a Nascent Soul stage cultivator, the other party should theoretically not lack spirit stones, and wouldn’t need to sell such a precious spiritual object like the [Qilin Vermilion Fruit].

However, such an illogical thing did indeed happen, and the underlying implications were certainly worth pondering over.

"It seems that the final item at this grand auction, the pièce de résistance, should be a Tier Six spiritual artifact; otherwise, Master Bai Lu wouldn’t need to consign the [Qilin Vermilion Fruit] to recover spirit stones."

Zhouyang speculated silently, yet he did not miss the chance and immediately joined the bidding.

Spiritual fruits like these, which could directly boost cultivation after consumption and were without any side effects, were always sought-after commodities.

After all, unlike Zhouyang, ordinary cultivators couldn’t disregard the existence of erysipelas. Even if they had sufficient cultivation-refining spirit pills, they wouldn’t dare to consume them consecutively.

In this case, the value of treasures like the [Qilin Vermilion Fruit], which could directly elevate cultivation without any future concerns upon consumption, was self-evident.

In the end, even with Zhouyang’s wealth, he had to give up the bid. He watched as the treasure was claimed by a mysterious cultivator after the price climbed to 1.3 million lower-grade spirit stones.

And in the subsequent auctions, Zhouyang’s guess seemed to be confirmed, as several other treasures brought forward by Master Bai Lu that day were also auctioned.

This time, he did not give up. He directly purchased one jin and seven liang of [Geng Metal], spending another 1.7 million lower-grade spirit stones for it.

In reality, Zhouyang also wanted to acquire the following seven drops of [Cold Jade Essence], but so many people contested for this item, and several cultivators practicing ice element techniques were especially determined to obtain it. The price surged, and after careful consideration, Zhouyang decided to withdraw from the bidding.

The emergence of these treasures also sparked a climax at this grand auction, as one after another extremely rare treasures were put up for bidding by the auctioneer.

Among those treasures, many also caught Zhouyang’s eye, but since they weren’t urgently needed and each became pricier than the last, he ultimately restrained himself and did not make a bid.

Until the grand finale treasure of the auction was brought out, he could no longer remain calm.

"Next item for auction is the first of three grand finale treasures of this event, a Tier Six Lower Grade Spirit Pill—Fetus Nurturing Pill. Its preciousness need not be elaborated by me. The only requirement is by the consignor’s special request, bidding for this item can only be done using Top-grade Spirit Stones, with a starting bid of one hundred Top-grade Spirit Stones and each increase must be no less than five Top-grade Spirit Stones!"

It appeared!

Zhouyang clenched his fists, standing up abruptly from his seat, his eyes sharply focused on the crystal ball projector towards the auctioneer holding the treasure.

It was a pale purple spirit pill as large as an egg, placed inside a transparent crystal jade bottle, surrounded by wisps of purple mist, extremely magical.

This was the Tier Six Lower Grade Spirit Pill, Fetus Nurturing Pill, enough to drive all Golden Core Stage cultivators to madness.

Like its name suggests, it assists Ninth-Layer Golden Core cultivators in nurturing the Nascent Soul and increases the success rate of Nascent Soul Formation.

Although it doesn’t match the success rate of the Holy Infant Fruit in Zhouyang’s possession for helping with Nascent Soul Formation, its reputation surpasses that of the Holy Infant Fruit by countless times.

After all, the Holy Infant Fruit is a treasure unique to the Kunxu Realm, blooming and fruiting only once every eight hundred years, with only a few cultivators able to acquire it each time.

The Fetus Nurturing Pill, however, is a spirit pill that cultivators can refine, with sects from various major cultivation realms capable of producing it. Occasionally, a couple might circulate through auctions, just like this event.

"Is this the unfinished sentence from Master Jade Dragon that day? Does this mean the Fetus Nurturing Pill was indeed brought by Yuqing Daoist Sect as the grand finale treasure for this auction?"

Zhouyang sat back down, thoughtfully looking at the spirit pill in the auctioneer’s hands, listening to the sky-high bids being shouted, and did not rush to act.

He was determined to acquire this Fetus Nurturing Pill, as its function is unique and does not overlap with the Holy Infant Fruit, making it perfect for use during his future Nascent Soul Formation.

But its preciousness is obvious, so there’s no need for him to hastily bid. Better to let others raise the price first, then strike decisively, creating a more shocking effect and discouraging competitors from challenging him.

"One hundred and fifty-five Top-grade Spirit Stones! Any Fellow Daoist willing to continue bidding? This is the Fetus Nurturing Pill, a supreme treasure capable of nurturing a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator; acquiring it with spirit stones is absolutely worthwhile!"

"Great, a Fellow Daoist has bid one hundred and sixty Top-grade Spirit Stones. This price for a Fetus Nurturing Pill is absolutely profitable!"

"One hundred and eighty Top-grade Spirit Stones! Fellow Daoist from Vip Room 59 has bid one hundred and eighty Top-grade Spirit Stones, anyone willing to offer a higher price? The opportunity comes but once, missing it now means you may not see such chance in the next few hundred years!"

...

On the auction platform, the auctioneer’s voice climbed with the price, each call more impassioned and infectious.

Zhouyang calmly watched without bidding until the price lingered at one hundred and eighty Top-grade Spirit Stones for a while, then he finally made his move.

"Two hundred Top-grade Spirit Stones! Unbelievable, a Fellow Daoist has bid at this price; they’re surely a true connoisseur. I’d say the Fetus Nurturing Pill is worth this price, but whether they ultimately win it depends on other Fellow Daoists’ willingness to concede!"

Within the VIP room, Zhouyang heard the auctioneer’s last words and felt like slapping him.

Concession for others?

Ridiculous!

Which Golden Core Stage cultivator would willingly give up such a treasure like the Fetus Nurturing Pill and concede to others’ fortune?

Sure enough, following the auctioneer’s speech, someone quickly raised the bid again, albeit by only five Top-grade Spirit Stones.

"Two hundred and twenty Top-grade Spirit Stones!"

Zhouyang gritted his teeth, adding fifteen more Top-grade Spirit Stones on top of the competitor’s bid.

Currently, he owned a total of two hundred and thirty-four Top-grade Spirit Stones, which was about his limit.

If even so he cannot acquire the Fetus Nurturing Pill, he could only regrettably bid farewell to this spiritual object.

Honestly, as the bidding progressed, Zhouyang suspected that his competitors might not be Golden Core Stage cultivators but Nascent Soul Stage cultivators.

Golden Core Stage cultivators generally are unlikely to have this many Top-grade Spirit Stones, even those Ninth-Layer cultivators from elite major sects.

Top-grade Spirit Stones are useful even for Nascent Soul Stage cultivators, so they are prioritized for Nascent Soul Stage cultivators over Golden Core Stage cultivators even by those elite sects occupying spirit stone mines.

Zhouyang couldn’t believe any Golden Core Stage cultivator could accumulate as many Top-grade Spirit Stones before reaching the Nascent Soul Stage as he has.

"Two hundred and twenty-five Top-grade Spirit Stones! It seems neither of the two VIPs wants to let go; let’s see if the guest from Room 41 will raise the bid again? Can they afford to increase?"

The auctioneer’s comments voiced the thoughts of the spectators. At this moment, cultivators in various VIP rooms focused intently on the projection artifacts before them, awaiting the answer.

"Two hundred and thirty-five Top-grade Spirit Stones!"

Zhouyang let out a heavy breath, betting all his Top-grade Spirit Stones, and called out an ultimate bid.

The number of top-grade spirit stones he had on him was only two hundred thirty-four, and actually, the price he called out had already exceeded his ability to pay.

However, since he was only short by one top-grade spirit stone, he believed the auction house would likely show some leniency, allowing him to exchange other spirit stones for payment.

Even the auctioneer seemed to sense his racing heartbeat and didn’t say much more. She simply repeated the price for him, patiently waiting for the final outcome, just like him.

"Two hundred thirty-five top-grade spirit stones once!"

"Two hundred thirty-five top-grade spirit stones twice!"

"Congratulations to the esteemed guest in Room 41 for successfully bidding for the [Fetus Nurturing Pill]!"

Phew!

As the auctioneer announced the outcome of this auction round, Zhouyang’s clenched fist relaxed, and a look of relief appeared on his face.

Spending two hundred thirty-five top-grade spirit stones to purchase a [Fetus Nurturing Pill]; it’s hard to say whether it was a gain or a loss. Regardless, let’s not mention that this price could even buy a Tier Six Lower Grade Spirit Pill or a Tier Six Spiritual Artifact.

Zhouyang could only hope that the treasures he acquired at such a high cost would truly assist him in successfully refining the pill and forming the infant, propelling him into the ranks of the realm’s elite cultivators in the future.

After the [Fetus Nurturing Pill], the auctioneer quickly presented the second grand treasure, a Tier Six treasure, [Ten Thousand Years Flame Essence Jade], with a stunning final price of three million two hundred fifty thousand low-grade spirit stones!

"Next comes the ultimate treasure of this grand auction; the value of this item is undoubtedly the most precious one ever auctioned by me. To witness this treasure being auctioned off from my hand is indeed a lifelong honor!"

On the auction stage, the auctioneer said these words with a radiant expression while waving her hand to retrieve an item from the storage ring.

It was a fiery-red bone whip, the whip’s body forged from unknown biological bones, brimming with metallic quality.

"Tier Six Lower Grade Spiritual Artifact [Flame Dragon Whip], crafted using the dragon bone of a Tier Six Lower Grade Flood Dragon Red Fire Jiao, refined with Tier Six Spiritual Gold [Fire Separation True Gold], and after eighteen years of artifact gestation, finally extracted."

The auctioneer held the fiery-red bone whip’s grip, deepening her voice to slowly unveil the origins and history of this artifact.

Afterward, she raised the fiery-red bone whip high towards the crowd, and loudly proclaimed: "Tier Six Lower Grade Spiritual Artifact [Flame Dragon Whip], starting price three million low-grade spirit stones, with each bid increase not to be less than one hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones!"

This is a Tier Six Spiritual Artifact!

Its mere starting price already eclipses all Tier Five Spiritual Artifacts.

Whether it’s an artifact or elixir, once reaching Tier Six, they become unattainable by spirit stones alone.

The presence of Tier Six Spiritual Artifacts at this auction, in Zhouyang’s view, was not only to elevate the auction’s prestige but likely also to give Nascent Soul Stage cultivators from the Profound Purity Dao Alliance and from top-tier sects like Yuqing Daoist Sect and Profound Sun Immortal Sect a chance, an opportunity to obtain a Tier Six Spiritual Artifact.

Just like the [Fetus Nurturing Pill] previously, Master Jade Dragon had subtly hinted to him, and sure enough, it ended up in his hands.

And Zhouyang believed he wasn’t the only Golden Core Stage cultivator who received such hints, otherwise, there wouldn’t have been so many cultivators bidding earlier.

"Five million spirit stones!"

"Five million eight hundred thousand spirit stones!"

"Six million spirit stones!"

...

On the auction stage, the auctioneer’s voice climbed in intensity, and the numbers she announced grew increasingly shocking.

Even for someone like Zhouyang who once held a fortune of tens of millions, hearing this price made his heart race and his mouth dry.

"This is Feng Bailu from Lu Ming Valley, and I hope my fellow Daoists can be generous and fulfill me this time. I will surely be endlessly grateful and remember this kindness from all of you!"

A low voice suddenly overshadowed the auctioneer’s and reverberated through the auction hall, as Master Bai Lu felt overwhelmed and tried appealing to emotions, hoping to persuade others to abandon the bid.

But evidently, even Zhouyang knew that the face of a newly promoted Nascent Soul Stage cultivator like him could never sway others from relinquishing interests in a Tier Six Spiritual Artifact.

The fact remained; soon a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator involved in the bidding mockingly replied, "Heh, Fellow Daoist Feng, are you kidding? Who among us doesn’t need Tier Six Spiritual Artifacts? Why would we abandon it for your words? If you can’t afford the spirit stones, then wait for another chance!"

Though the others didn’t speak as harshly as this person, nor uttered a word, their silence essentially represented their standpoint.

In a certain VIP room, Master Bai Lu’s face turned iron blue as he clenched his fists, his eyes full of fury.

Despite forming his infant over two hundred years ago, apart from his lifebound spiritual artifact, he still lacked a second Tier Six Spiritual Artifact.

As such, his strength at the Nascent Soul Stage level was almost at the bottom of the rankings.

This is also the direct reason why those Nascent Soul cultivators now dare to show him disrespect.

He naturally refused to let things continue this way, so over the years, he has been inquiring everywhere about Tier Six Spiritual Artifacts. He even lowered his stature to attend exchanges among Golden Core juniors, but so far he has gained nothing.

This time at the grand auction, the "Flame Dragon Whip" is the Tier Six Spiritual Artifact he has the best chance of acquiring, so how could he be willing to watch the opportunity slip away?

"Fine, you forced me to this! Let’s see who’s more ruthless!"

His expression hardened, and he suddenly said loudly, "Fellow Daoists present, listen well! Feng swears by his own and Lu Ming Valley’s reputation: as long as any Daoist is willing to lend Feng five million lower-grade Spirit Stones, Feng promises to repay the Spirit Stones within three hundred years and offer a favor in return one time without charge!"

Boom!

A stone stirs up a thousand waves.

Master Bai Lu’s action of publicly borrowing to participate in the auction immediately took the atmosphere of the auction house to another climax.

It’s indeed rare for a Nascent Soul cultivator to be driven to such a point.

As Nascent Soul cultivators, Spirit Stones are just numbers to them; they have countless ways to earn Spirit Stones.

But now, Master Bai Lu, this Nascent Soul cultivator, has bent over for five million lower-grade Spirit Stones, not hesitating to lose face by publicly borrowing from cultivators with lower cultivation than himself, and moreover, swearing on his reputation and sect’s reputation.

Such an action, even Zhouyang had never witnessed before.

"Good for you, Feng Bailu. Are you completely shameless now? Do you know that what you’re doing is not just embarrassing yourself? You’re bringing disgrace to all of us fellow Daoists!"

Voices of anger and anxiety burst from the mouths of the Nascent Soul cultivators who previously mocked and ridiculed Master Bai Lu, their voices filled with rage.

"Indeed it’s outrageous, Feng Bailu, you should retract your words quickly. Otherwise, this matter will become an eternal joke, haunting you for life!"

A previously silent Nascent Soul cultivator couldn’t help but speak out, similarly expressing dissatisfaction with Master Bai Lu’s action.

But Master Bai Lu coldly chuckled, indifferent to their rebukes: "Whether Feng loses face is Feng’s own business, it doesn’t affect any of you. If any of you feel that Feng’s actions will rob you of your opportunity, feel free to do the same. Surely your names are more welcoming than Feng’s!"

"You..."

Several Nascent Soul cultivators were so infuriated by Master Bai Lu’s words that they were speechless.

They were not Feng Bailu, unable to stoop to such shameless acts.

Moreover, they feared that if they truly mimicked Feng Bailu, he would do something even more shameless, ensuring they could never show their faces to their peers again.

"Hmph, five million Spirit Stones are no small sum. Feng Bailu, you’re dreaming if you think these Golden Core juniors would lend you that many Spirit Stones."

The Nascent Soul cultivator who had earlier ridiculed Master Bai Lu snorted coldly, his words filled with sarcasm: "Of course, if you’re truly shameless, you could have these youngsters crowdfund, then promise each of them a favor to repay the debt."

However, Master Bai Lu didn’t respond to his ridicule, but quickly shouted, "I bid eight million lower-grade Spirit Stones!"

"Someone young can actually produce so many Spirit Stones!"

The Nascent Soul cultivator was both shocked and angered, his voice wavering.

His tone then changed, filled with shame and anger as he shouted, "Fine, let’s see how many Spirit Stones you have, Feng Bailu. I bid ten million lower-grade Spirit Stones!"

"Eleven million lower-grade Spirit Stones!"

Master Bai Lu shouted a new price without batting an eye, a price even Nascent Soul cultivators would be astonished by.

It’s important to note that a large Spirit Stone ore vein generally has a total reserve of ten to thirty million Spirit Stones. Master Bai Lu’s call meant a large Spirit Stone ore vein vanished!

"I bid one thousand... hehe, forget it, I won’t bid anymore. Since you’ve shamelessly discarded your dignity, Feng Bailu, I’ll help you and fulfill your wish. Moreover, you don’t worry, when we return, I’ll spread the news of your name throughout the Cultivation Realm, so all cultivators know the great name of Master Bai Lu!"

The Nascent Soul cultivator competing with Master Bai Lu, whether due to financial limitations or other concerns, did not continue to bid. Though withdrawing, he couldn’t resist mocking Master Bai Lu with today’s events to vent his anger.

Yet, Master Bai Lu, bold enough to take such action, clearly abandoned all his concerns, ignoring the words entirely, leaving the mocker unsatisfied.

After this individual gave up, other Nascent Soul cultivators remained silent, not raising the bid.

Thus, eventually, the Tier Six Lower Grade Spiritual Artifact "Flame Dragon Whip" ended up in Master Bai Lu Feng Bailu’s hands for the exorbitant price of eleven million lower-grade Spirit Stones.

Zhouyang, who had been anxious throughout, couldn’t help but let out a long breath upon witnessing this scene, "Phew, it’s finally over. I hope this investment won’t be in vain!"

From his words, it was clear that the cultivator who lent to Master Bai Lu was none other than himself.