A few minutes later.
Aksai watched intently as the auctioneer stepped up to the podium, a gleam of excitement in his eyes. The auction house fell silent in anticipation.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” the auctioneer began, “we now present a truly unique item: the Wings of Bunzi. This mid-grade, 2nd-order water-element artifact is suitable for both Spirit Refining Perfectionists and Foundation Building Experts. A rare and precious artifact indeed.”
A murmur of interest rippled through the crowd as the auctioneer unveiled the artifact. It took the form of a serpent, coiled gracefully, shimmering with a faint blue hue. The serpent’s eyes glowed with an otherworldly light.
“The Wings of Bunzi,” the auctioneer continued, “have a fascinating history. Said to be crafted by a long-forgotten artist that got inspired from a water deity, these wings can double the speed of their user in the air, making them an excellent choice for fleeing from risky situations. When activated, the serpent attaches to the user’s back and unfurls wings made of a flimsy water layer, giving the appearance of ethereal fairy wings.”
Aksai’s interest piqued as he envisioned the wings in action. The ability to increase his speed so drastically could be invaluable. Especially in the Eternal Beast Dynasty where the dangers lurked everywhere.
“The seller of these wings is only interested in exchanging the artifact for rare 2nd-order cultivation resources,” the auctioneer announced. “Here is the list of required items: Spirit Lake Lotus, Silver Moon Moss, Blue Serpent Bones, and Purple Twilight Stalks.”
Aksai’s eyes widened slightly. He cultivated Purple Twilight Stalks at the Everwood farm using its special perks.
‘Thanks, old man. For giving me that painting,’ he offered a silent prayer to his father in his mind, a smile gracing his lips. Everwood farm was a gift that kept on giving.
Silently, the Spirit farmer reached into his storage ring and withdrew a few stalks of the herb. With a confident stride, he approached the auctioneer and handed over the stalks.
The auctioneer took the stalks, examined them briefly, and then gave a nod of approval. He quickly contacted the seller. After a moment, the auctioneer’s face lit up with a smile.
“It appears we have a successful exchange,” he announced to the crowd. “The Wings of Bunzi now belong to this gentleman.”
Aksai felt a wave of satisfaction wash over him as the auctioneer handed him the artifact. The lifeless serpent felt cool to the touch, and he could sense the latent power within it.
‘The trip to the Eternal Beast Dynasty should be a tad bit safer with this artifact,’ Aksai thought to himself before saving the artifact in his storage ring.
“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your attention,” the auctioneer said, concluding the exchange. “We will now proceed with the rest of the auction.”
Aksai quietly returned to his seat. He knew that this artifact would be a game-changer for him, providing him with a valuable edge in future endeavors.
After all, the SPirit farmer was very peculiar about his safety. He felt no shame from running away from a fight if it was too disadvantageous for him to continue.
***
The auction event went on.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” the auctioneer began, his voice resonating through the hall, “we have something truly extraordinary up for bidding next. A unique item that fell from the heavens themselves—a meteor stone from the Southern Shiju Mountain Range.”
A large cloth-covered object was wheeled onto the stage, drawing curious murmurs from the crowd. With a dramatic flourish, the auctioneer unveiled the stone.
It was an imposing, jagged mass, twice as tall as a normal person. This stone was covered in strange, intricate patterns that seemed to shimmer in the dim light.
“This meteor stone,” the auctioneer continued, “is unlike anything we’ve ever seen. It is not conductive of Spirit essence, making it unsuitable for conventional artifact creation. However, we believe that with a creative approach, it could serve as a valuable alchemy ingredient.”
The crowd’s excitement waned, replaced by skepticism.
“Non-conductive to Spirit essence? Why don’t you sell this crap to mortals? Haah!”
“I… I expected something better from this auction house. But this…”
“Hehehe… it must be a joke. Why would anyone buy that?”
Whispers of doubt filled the air as people began to lose interest.
Aksai, however, remained focused on the stone, his mind racing.
‘This feeling… There’s no doubt.’
As he observed it, he felt a strange restlessness in the Silver Qi within his body. It was as if the Qi was responding to the presence of the meteor stone.
Aksai’s eyes narrowed as he quickly reached a conclusion: the stone might not conduct Spirit essence, but it could potentially be conductive of Qi. This realization sent a thrill through him, and he knew he had to acquire it.
The auctioneer, sensing the crowd’s waning interest, tried to rekindle their enthusiasm.
“I understand that this stone’s unique properties might not appeal to everyone, but imagine the possibilities! In the right hands, it could unlock new alchemical breakthroughs. It… It could act as a neutralizing agent in pill formation recipes or a damper in some other artifact. Plus–”
The auctioneer said many things about the stone’s potential uses. However, one could tell that he didn’t sound too sure himself.
The room remained largely disinterested, giving Aksai the perfect opportunity. He raised his hand, catching the auctioneer’s attention.
“Ah, we have a bidder!” the auctioneer exclaimed, a note of relief in his voice. “Do I hear a counterbid?”
The room remained silent, and Aksai’s bid stood unchallenged. The auctioneer banged his gavel. “Sold! To the gentleman over there.”
Aksai felt a wave of satisfaction as the meteor stone was wheeled over to him.
‘Hahaha. It’s good that Spirit cultivators don’t know anything about Qi cultivation. Otherwise, I would have been in a lot of trouble for this.’
He knew he had made a significant acquisition, one that others had overlooked. The Silver Qi within him still buzzed with excitement, confirming his suspicion about the stone’s unique properties.
Aksai couldn’t help but smile to himself. ‘Finally, I’ll be able to create a Qi Sword for my Argent Body Realm body cultivation’ he thought to himself.
***
With the passage of time, the auction continued.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” the auctioneer’s voice boomed, “our next item is a 2nd-order fire-element talisman, along with its creation recipe. This talisman is capable of unleashing a powerful fire attack, making it a formidable tool in any cultivator’s arsenal.”
A small, intricately designed talisman was brought to the stage, its surface glowing with a faint, fiery aura. Next to it, an ancient-looking scroll was unrolled, displaying the recipe for creating such a talisman. The crowd leaned in, eyes gleaming with interest.
“This talisman,” the auctioneer continued, “is not only a potent weapon but also comes with a rare recipe for those who wish to craft their own. It’s an invaluable resource for alchemists and talisman crafters alike.”
Aksai’s interest was piqued. The ability to create his own fire-element talismans could prove incredibly useful. He knew that having the recipe would allow him to produce multiple talismans, enhancing his combat capabilities significantly.
The auctioneer began the bidding, and hands shot up across the room. The competition was fierce, with cultivators eager to obtain both the talisman and its recipe. Aksai waited patiently, assessing the enthusiasm of his fellow bidders. As the price climbed higher, some began to drop out, unable to keep up.
When the bidding reached a particularly high amount, Aksai decided it was time to make his move. He raised his hand, his expression calm and confident. The auctioneer acknowledged his bid with a nod.
In the end, Aksai managed to get his hands on the 2dn-order fire-element talisman as well as its recipe as well.