Chapter Fourteen: The Auction Venue
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Lan Bing demonstrated each step while explaining it, including how to extract the essence from various spiritual materials, how to extract it more efficiently, and how to combine the materials so as to maximize the properties of the potion.
Mo Xuan noticed techniques here that differed from those he had encountered before. Unable to understand them, he asked, “Why is that necessary?”
The proportions had already been measured. Would it not be enough to mix everything together? Why go to such lengths to combine the ingredients so cautiously, bit by bit?
“You don’t understand. If you want the highest possible purity, you must keep breaking the materials down and refining them with spiritual power, just as I’m doing. Otherwise, even if you merely temper the surface a hundred times, there will be no substantial change.”
Lan Bing suspended the essence of the spiritual materials in the air with her spiritual power, then circulated her mental energy and cut it into countless tiny fragments. After tempering it in this manner for nearly half an hour, she slowly fused everything together until it finally formed a liquid potion.
“There. Aside from restorative potions, every type of medicinal pill can also be prepared in potion form. They simply need to be stored in specially treated containers.”
As the final drop fell into the bottle, a faint, secluded fragrance spread through the air. It was the distinctive scent of a top-grade potion. At the same time, an aura of spiritual power surged around it, inspiring anyone who drew near to instinctively reach out with their senses.
“Wow, you’re incredible!”
Mo Xuan’s admiration for the woman before him grew deeper by the day. She was only in her twenties, yet not only had she reached the Earth Profound Realm, she had also achieved such astonishing accomplishments in potion-making. He felt extraordinarily fortunate, as though he had stumbled upon a priceless treasure.
“That’s nothing. If not for that incident, I might have become an apothecary and lived out the rest of my life in peace.”
As she spoke, Lan Bing’s expression gradually became sorrowful.
“That incident…” Mo Xuan wanted to ask more. He knew that perhaps his presence had caused her to recall something unpleasant, which was why she had become so melancholy.
“Focus on your studies!”
“Then, Sister Bing, since you’re so amazing, what rank of apothecary are you?”
“Go away. That’s not something you should be asking…”
The next day!
Following Lan Bing’s instructions, Mo Xuan took the five bottles of top-grade third-tier restorative potion to the auction house, intending to earn some interest in return. He also wanted to see whether the auction house had any cultivation techniques suitable for him. If he found one, he would be able to refine top-grade potions more quickly.
Luo Chuan City was a district belonging to the Kester Kingdom, one of the three great kingdoms. On the Hongmeng Continent, the Kester Kingdom was considered an extremely powerful force. It stood in the same lineage as the other two great kingdoms and the four great academies.
Naturally, such matters were not Mo Xuan’s concern for the moment. He now stood outside the Wolinma Auction House.
This was one of the few auction houses in Luo Chuan City, and it practically handled the auctioning of every rare item found throughout the city.
There were not many people attending the auction at the moment, but the notice board outside announced that a grand auction would be held three days later.
That worked out well. At least he would not have to wait in line.
The auction house was quite large and well decorated, with its seating arranged in tiers.
The steps were fairly broad, and the entire venue was divided into three levels. The first level consisted simply of rows of seats, while the second and third levels contained individual private rooms.
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The auction platform stood in the center. A staff member escorted him to the appraisal room, a private chamber that was bright and spacious. It was not large, yet it felt unusually open.
A short distance away, across the table, sat the staff member on duty. He wore a pair of spectacles, and his face bore the marks of age.
He held something that appeared to be a type of crystal—judging from its appearance, a particularly rare one. He glanced sideways at Mo Xuan.
“What have you brought? Hurry up and hand it over.”
His tone was casual, carrying the impatient air of someone urging another to stop wasting time.
Mo Xuan merely smiled and took out the potions he had prepared the previous night. There were five bottles in total, but he handed over only one.
“This is a top-grade third-tier restorative potion.”
“Young man, don’t go making such—”
At first, the man thought Mo Xuan was boasting. But the moment he opened the bottle and examined its contents, shock flashed across his eyes, and his tone softened considerably.
“Cough, cough. I can’t appraise this item. Please wait a moment.”
The man quickly left and even had someone bring a pot of fine tea to Mo Xuan.
Before long, a woman who appeared to be in charge was invited over. She looked to be just over twenty. Dressed in a purple-red qipao that perfectly accentuated her curves, she moved with light, graceful steps and possessed an air of nobility.
She first examined the bottle, conducting a rough appraisal, then turned her gaze toward Mo Xuan.
“How many of these do you have?”
“Five, including that one.”
“Young brother, may I ask where you obtained them?”
“That doesn’t seem to be something you should be asking about.”
“You’re right. This is the first time our auction house has ever handled a top-grade potion. Would you be willing to set the starting price at ten thousand spirit coins per bottle?”
Mo Xuan thought for a moment. Lan Bing had told him the previous day that top-grade potions normally sold for at least ten times the ordinary price. Still, ten thousand spirit coins was acceptable. Someone else would raise the bid later anyway.
“Fine. But divide them into three lots and auction them in a two-two-one sequence.”
“No problem. My name is Tian Xi. If you ever need anything in the future, you can come directly to me.”
In the end, she also gave Mo Xuan a VIP card, which made the trip worthwhile. Before leaving, he asked about cultivation techniques.
On the Hongmeng Continent, a cultivator’s potential was judged according to the rank of their Origin Spirit. Origin Spirits were divided into twelve grades, and they came in many different forms. Every cultivator possessed a different type.
Of course, potential did not equal strength. This was especially true after reaching the Three Heavenly Realms. In truth, cultivators whose Origin Spirits surpassed the tenth grade were already uncommon, and those above that level were rarer still.
Mo Xuan possessed a seventh-grade Origin Spirit. Unlike those of other people, his was not a physical form but a mass of black energy. When he had first been tested, it had appeared as a chaotic aura resembling a cloud of black mist. He had no idea what it truly represented.
Because he had never figured it out, he had not told Lan Bing. It was not that he distrusted her; he simply could not speak carelessly about such matters.
Through this experience, he had gained a rough understanding of his own shortcomings. He was reminded of the scene from the previous morning, when Feng Xiaoxiao had attacked him at the Feng residence. At the time, she had relied entirely on the overwhelming power of her eighth-level Spirit-Sealing cultivation to send him flying.
Looking back, he realized that he had been defeated purely through suppression of realm. He had no particular advantage in any other aspect. If he encountered someone of the same level—or someone only slightly stronger—he might have no choice but to rely on his illusion arts.
Yet that was not what he wanted. The Absolute Zero Domain consumed far too much energy. If he ever encountered a cultivator immune to illusions, he might find himself in serious trouble.
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He grew calmer and began to view the skill he had cultivated by accident with greater rationality. Although it allowed him to challenge opponents above his level, he could not rely on it too heavily and neglect the true foundation of the cultivation path.
For now, he absolutely needed a cultivation technique. Without one, too many things would be severely restricted. At worst, he could simply spend the time to cultivate another technique again in the future.
He could not determine what the mass of black chaotic energy truly was. Since he had been able to cultivate the Absolute Zero Domain, he wondered whether a technique related to speed might suit him. With that thought in mind, he asked around, but the answer he received was that no such technique existed.
Huanxi Town, the southern mountain region!
This was where the Mo family’s mine was located. Mo Xuan had originally planned to search for more of the resources he needed in Luo Chuan City, but he received a message from the Seventh Elder. Little Tiger had come to deliver it, and Mo Xuan had just happened to be leaving the Wolinma Auction House.
“What happened?”
Seeing Little Tiger running toward him, panting heavily and wearing a look of panic, Mo Xuan immediately realized that something serious had occurred.
“Young Master, something has happened at the mine. The Chen family has brought a large number of people and is trying to seize it by force.”
“What? Where is the Seventh Elder?”
Mo Xuan hurried toward the mine at top speed while continuing to question Little Tiger. He soon learned the general situation. Because Mo Xuan had severely wounded one of the Chen family’s elders the previous time, the Chen family had suffered a loss of combat strength. However, Lan Bing’s arrival had temporarily stabilized the situation. The enemy still held a considerable numerical advantage, though, and they even had a sixth-level Earth Profound elder assisting them. The circumstances therefore remained extremely unfavorable.
Mo Xuan had never expected the Chen family to mobilize such a powerful force simply for the resources at the mine. He had to get there as quickly as possible. Although Lan Bing was an eighth-level Earth Profound cultivator, she was only one person and could not watch over every part of the battlefield.
Moreover, each of the four great families of Luo Chuan City had at least four Earth Profound cultivators stationed within their ranks, along with several Earth Soul cultivators. If matters escalated, the consequences would be disastrous.
By then, the outskirts of the mine had already erupted into a chaotic battle. Lan Bing was surrounded by five Earth Soul elders from the Chen family and one sixth-level Earth Profound elder. Although she was not at a disadvantage, she had no opportunity to concern herself with the other areas.
Fortunately, the Chen family had deployed only part of its strength, and the battle remained relatively stable.
Even so, the Mo family was still stretched thin. The Chen family had never expected the Mo family to possess an eighth-level Earth Profound cultivator, and this sudden discovery left them at a disadvantage.
They had originally assumed the battle would be a one-sided slaughter and that they would soon seize the mine. They had never imagined Lan Bing’s strength would be so formidable. Most astonishing was her speed. Wielding two blades, she darted effortlessly among them, making their attacks extremely difficult to land.
After only a few exchanges, the Chen family had already lost two Earth Soul cultivators. Naturally, the Mo family’s losses were even more severe.
The Chen family’s Earth Profound elder was furious.
The mine was not far from Luo Chuan City. Traveling at his fastest speed, Mo Xuan arrived in roughly two hours, leaving Little Tiger far behind.
“Damn it. I let them off the last time, and I never imagined they would behave like this.”
Seeing how weak the Mo family’s current forces were, Mo Xuan finally understood one thing: one must never show mercy to enemies.
“Absolute Zero Domain—open!”
Mo Xuan walked forward step by step from a distance. Black energy coiled and drifted around his body as an immense force of mental energy spread outward.
With every step he took into the battlefield, a powerful illusion arose and gradually enveloped the entire area of combat. Mo Xuan let out a sigh of relief.
“Fortunately, I arrived in time. Nothing has gone terribly wrong yet!”
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