The Auction proceeded very efficiently.
The five High Grade Foundation Establishment Pills were all auctioned off within 300 breaths.
The last Foundation Establishment Pill had its Auction price soar to 180,000 lower spirit stones and was once again purchased by a bidder with a number within the top 30, likely a participant from a VIP room.
The Qi Refining Late Stage Cultivators seated in the main hall had somber and dejected expressions.
All five Foundation Establishment Pills were bought by Foundation Establishment Families or Foundation Establishment Cultivators; these Loose Cultivators, being weak and isolated, lacked the financial resources to compete with them.
"The five Foundation Establishment Pills have been auctioned. Don't be discouraged, everyone. This Pavilion will hold another Auction on this day next year, and at that time, there will still be Foundation Establishment Pills up for bidding. Everyone should prepare well. If you can't get it this time, you'll definitely have a chance next time. Next, we will Auction a few Third-Tier Spiritual Artifacts that will help you hunt Yao Beasts and acquire Cultivation resources," Zhuang Gongxie announced with a smile, comforting the crowd.
As soon as Zhuang Gongxie finished speaking, the teleportation array on the Auction stage shimmered, and a red light appeared.
The next second, a fiery red crescent-wheel Spiritual Artifact floated on the Auction stage, emitting terrifying high temperatures, with red illusory flames occasionally darting out from it.
"This is a Third-Tier High Grade Spiritual Artifact, the Blazing Essence Wheel, refined by our Pavilion's Artifact Refining Guest Elder, Master Li, using Fire Cloud Iron and Vermillion Flame Essence Crystal, through the Divine Refining method. Its artifact patterns are solid, and its quality is perfect. This artifact has the effect of enhancing spirit through fire, can be used for both offense and defense, suitable for both close combat and ranged control. Its artifact pattern, 'Mimicry,' allows it to materialize as a spirit," Zhuang Gongxie said with a smile, introducing it in detail to the audience below.
Subsequently, Zhuang Gongxie released his Divine Sense, attached it to the Blazing Essence Wheel, and with a wave of his hand, the Blazing Essence Wheel immediately transformed into a firebird, spiraling in the air with great spirituality, lifelike, spreading its wings towards the stage below to display its agile form, yet without leaking any high temperature.
"Due to environmental restrictions, I cannot demonstrate its full power, but this artifact is already a Third-Tier High Grade Spiritual Artifact, and its powerful spirituality speaks for itself. If a Qi Refining Late Stage Cultivator wields this artifact against a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, he will not be at a disadvantage. If it is in the hands of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, he will even have the power to fight against a Third-Tier Yao Beast," Zhuang Gongxie introduced with a smile.
"What a formidable Blazing Essence Wheel! I, Lin, would give my all for it!"
"Who is this Master Li? He can actually refine such a Spiritual Artifact. What a pity, this artifact doesn't match my Spiritual Root!"
"Senior Zhuang, stop talking, let's start the bidding!"
"This artifact is a perfect match for me, Fellow Daoist Mu, if you don't have enough Spirit Stones to bid, could you lend me some?"
"It's truly impressive that Wanbao Pavilion can invite such an Artifact Refining Guest Elder!"
"..."
With Zhuang Gongxie's introduction, the Qi Refining Cultivators, who were previously dispirited from failing to bid on the Foundation Establishment Pills, became excited again, engaging in lively discussions. Some even immediately sought to borrow Spirit Stones from Fellow Daoists on the spot, determined to participate in the bidding for this Spiritual Artifact, even if it meant selling everything they had.
"The starting bid for this artifact is 150,000 lower spirit stones, with a bidding time limit of 120 breaths! The bidding begins," Zhuang Gongxie announced, looking towards the two rows of VIP rooms.
Upon hearing this, a collective sigh rose from the Qi Refining Late Stage Cultivators in the audience hall. Such a high starting bid clearly indicated that it was beyond their reach.
As expected, after Zhuang Gongxie announced the start of the bidding, the bid price in the bidding tokens instantly soared to 300,000 lower spirit stones, eliminating the vast majority of followers at the scene, leaving only three or four people still bidding.
"Fellow Daoist No. 5, bidding 430,000 lower spirit stones, last 10 breaths, is there anyone else bidding!"
"No. 8, No. 8 bids 450,000!"
"Fellow Daoist No. 2 has made a bid, it is now 480,000 lower spirit stones, last three breaths! If no one bids, this artifact will belong to..."
"Congratulations to Fellow Daoist No. 5, for successfully acquiring the Blazing Essence Wheel for 500,000 lower spirit stones."
Time passed bit by bit, Zhuang Gongxie passionately called out prices, and when the time was up, he finally brought down the gavel, announcing the Auction result for the Blazing Essence Wheel.
In the audience, the Qi Refining Cultivators who were watching the excitement were all envious, covetous, and immensely jealous. They also desperately wished to obtain that exquisite wheel Spiritual Artifact, but after a few rounds, they were unable to participate.
"Fellow Daoists who didn't get the Blazing Essence Wheel, please don't be discouraged. In this Auction, our Pavilion has prepared many Third-Tier Spiritual Artifacts, and many of them are exquisite Spiritual Artifacts refined by Master Li. Next, we have two Third-Tier Spiritual Artifacts – the Crimson Gold Spiritual Swords," Zhuang Gongxie announced with a smile, comforting the crowd.
As soon as he finished speaking, two golden Spiritual Swords were again teleported onto the Auction stage.
"Crimson Gold, isn't Crimson Gold a Second-Tier Artifact Refining Material? How can it be used to refine a Third-Tier Spiritual Sword?"
"It's really a Third-Tier Spiritual Sword!"
"..."
Upon hearing Zhuang Gongxie's introduction, the audience below once again engaged in heated discussion.
"That's right, Crimson Gold is indeed only a Second-Tier Artifact Refining Material. Ordinary Artifact Refiners can only use it to refine Second-Tier Spiritual Swords. However, our Pavilion's Master Li possesses exquisite Artifact Refining techniques and is proficient in the Art of Divine Refining, breaking through the limits of Materials and successfully refining it into a Third-Tier Low Grade Spiritual Sword. Both Spiritual Swords have extremely strong spirituality. If a Fellow Daoist who Cultivates a Metal-element Cultivation Technique and has a Metal Spiritual Root wields them in battle, not only will their power double, but they also have the ability to assist in Cultivation," Zhuang Gongxie said with a smile, introducing them in detail to the audience below.
"One Crimson Gold Spiritual Sword, starting bid: 80,000 lower spirit stones, bidding time limit: 60 breaths! The bidding begins," Zhuang Gongxie then announced.
Upon hearing this, the eyes of the Qi Refining Cultivators below all lit up. This starting bid was not expensive, and immediately, many people enthusiastically bid to participate.
Before long, the two Crimson Gold Spiritual Swords were auctioned off for 140,000 lower spirit stones and 158,000 lower spirit stones, respectively.
Next, four more exquisite Third-Tier High Grade Spiritual Artifacts refined by Master Li appeared, immediately attracting several Foundation Establishment bigwigs from the VIP rooms who competed fiercely for them.
During this Auction, the reputation of 'Master Li,' this Artifact Refining Great Master, completely spread throughout Gangyang City.
"I heard that this Master Li comes from the Hundred Refinements Sect and is Great Master Ouye's Junior Brother!"
"Really? Is Wanbao Pavilion connected to the Hundred Refinements Sect?"
"This Master Li is truly amazing! Several Third-Tier High Grade Spiritual Artifacts encompassing the Five Elements attributes, his Artifact Refining skill has truly reached its peak!"
...
Listening to a few Cultivators nearby discussing 'Master Li,' Li Mu felt a bit exasperated, unsure of what to say.
The auctioneer invited by Wanbao Pavilion was not only skilled at identifying Spiritual Artifacts but also proficient in the 'art of hype'! By continuously auctioning the Spiritual Artifacts he refined, he had successfully made 'Master Li' famous.
However, with this hype, Li Mu indirectly gained many benefits.
The five Spiritual Artifacts Li Mu refined all sold for high prices. For each Third-Tier High Grade Spiritual Artifact sold, he received a 20% commission. The higher the selling price, the more he earned. Coupled with the two Crimson Gold Spiritual Swords, his earnings from this Auction exceeded one million lower spirit stones.
Of course, after deducting the value of the Artifact Refining Materials Li Mu used to refine a set of Five Elements Third-Tier Spiritual Swords and a Third-Tier Yao Beast Puppet Materials, he would probably have about half left.
This was a considerable sum, and Li Mu was now more confident to participate in the upcoming bidding.