Chapter 260

Chapter 260: Determined to Succeed

By the time Li Hui and Su Qing’er return to the Wave Breaking Cone, it is already noon the next day.

At the banquet, different sects offered gifts. After some earlier displeasure, when presented with a big-headed ghost, he waved his hand and said there was none, promising to prepare something later.

However, as they left the Lotus Pavilion, Noble Concubine Wan sent palace maids and eunuchs to closely attend to the disciples from all sects, clearly indicating an increase in surveillance.

Seeing the young master return, Huo Qiniang hurriedly approached and said, “There’s news about the Qian Yuan Black Gold. It will be auctioned in ten days at the Warm Breeze Pavilion’s triennial auction. I heard someone desires it very much.”

“Oh? We actually encountered Qian Yuan Black Gold; it’s crucial for my cultivation of profound skills. We must secure it! No matter the cost, we must secure it!”

“But…” Huo Qiniang’s face showed concern.

“There are no ‘buts’! Within ten days, focus entirely on selling talismans and alchemy supplies, and continue borrowing from Longde Bank. Have Long Yun accompany you to secure this treasure.”

Huo Qiniang nodded, “I understand. We will spare no expense to secure the Qian Yuan Black Gold. But there’s also another item at the auction that the young master wishes to collect—a treasure known as the Innate Five Elements Divine Stone.”

“What?” Li Hui nearly bit his tongue in surprise. No wonder he noticed Qiniang looked troubled earlier; the Innate Five Elements Divine Stone consumes a large amount of fragments of treasures and promises to elevate the Five Ghosts Transportation Talisman to the Three Transformation Talisman.

The Three Transformation Talisman! It crosses so many levels—low-grade, medium-grade, high-grade, one transformation, two transformations, until reaching three transformations, just a step away from the Divine Talisman level. Previously, Li Hui might not have had such a strong urge, but after this night banquet, he desperately needed to enhance the Five Ghosts Transportation Talisman.

“Secure the Innate Five Elements Divine Stone at all costs! Temporarily halt the acquisition of ores and local products and focus on accumulating spiritual shells and Five-Color Fortune Coins.”

“Understood!” Huo Qiniang received the command and hurried off to make arrangements.

Li Hui knew he couldn’t remain idle; he had to work at an eighteen-fold speed for talisman-making over the next ten days. Regardless, having the silver snake bracelet amplifies his abilities more than any other talisman maker, with the success rate now reaching ninety-five percent and the consumption at an almost negligible level, yielding even greater profits.

However, Qian Yuan Black Gold is extremely rare and can significantly enhance a large number of top-tier magical artifacts for artifact masters. Yet, to cultivate the Ideal Body to the same standard required for mid-Gather Spirit, it also necessitates Qian Yuan Black Gold—and in substantial amounts. It’s easy to imagine how fierce the bidding will be; a bloody battle is inevitable.

In terms of practicality, the Innate Five Elements Divine Stone isn’t as valuable as Qian Yuan Black Gold, yet it is favored by ordinary practitioners at the Bosa stage for its ability to enhance soul transformations.

Competing against Bosa stage practitioners in bidding is nerve-wracking, and he even considers not letting Huo Qiniang participate. It must go through Longde Bank instead, to avoid any potential troubles.

Having made a significant profit in the Grand Xuan Dynasty, Li Hui initially felt quite proud. Now he realizes that money doesn’t come easy. If he could use Aofeng Sect’s war nest drum as collateral with the bank, he would sign the contract without hesitation.

In just ten days, a large shipment of low-tier spirit talismans spread from the port market. Due to Huo Qiniang’s major acquisition of blank talisman paper and talisman ink, the market prices began to surge, subtly squeezing their profit margins.

Low-tier alchemy supplies also increase in price, while the prices for eight-pattern and nine-pattern spirit pills surprisingly decline.

Previously, he had made a fortune at Paifeng Island and Blue Moon Island, acquiring various spiritual items and treasures. Now, he is putting all available items on sale, as he doesn’t want any surprises…

Before he knew it, ten days had passed, and he saw countless luxurious ships racing toward the Grand Xuan Dynasty’s largest port, Yongquan City.

From time to time, sword lights streaked across the sky, indicating that Condensed Essence Stage practitioners were riding their swords to arrive.

The Grand Xuan Dynasty flourishes, with waves of fire cooking and strong fortunes at play. Even though the Hongmo Sect captures practitioners, they do not venture deep inside, so the level of prosperity in this territory remains undiminished. In fact, due to many practitioners fleeing their homelands to escape here, the area has grown even more populated and robust.

With the sun high in the sky, the Wave Breaking Cone reached Yongquan City.

By this time, the auction had already started, and the Warm Breeze Pavilion presented the first item for bid—a tiger-shaped bronze cauldron. It was said that if you inserted spiritual incense and lit it, it could keep the aroma lingering for three days, maximizing the effects of various spiritual scents.

If Guang Jin were to see this, he would certainly demand Li Hui secure this cauldron at all costs.

Long Yun had already entered, accompanied by two bank attendants. The triennial event at the Warm Breeze Pavilion is no trivial matter; although it pales in comparison to the royal auctions, it is much more accessible to ordinary practitioners. At least the entry threshold is not as high, allowing businesses of all sizes to bid, making it even livelier than the royal auction.

“Five thousand spirit shells!”

“I bid eight thousand!”

“Ha! You think you can secure the Chongxin Spirit Cauldron with eight thousand? This is an exotic treasure, rare and priceless! I’ll offer twenty thousand; if you disagree, come on then!”

The bidding starts unexpectedly intensely, causing Long Yun to frown slightly. He has benefited greatly, needing to leverage his position at the bank to secure treasures. However, after just a few glances, he noticed the presence of higher-ups from other major banks, including Feng Ling, Fu Lin, and Shen Yuan, who hold positions far above his own. It seems they are also obligated to acquire these treasures.

This is how the cultivation world operates; demand dictates everything. It seems today’s auction will indeed see a fierce competition.

Settling down to wait patiently, time flies until it’s the afternoon. Suddenly, someone loudly announces: “Attention, everyone! We are about to auction the precious Qian Yuan Black Gold. This treasure is quite remarkable. It is said to have come from the Three-Legged Golden Crow of Azure Sky, which fought a battle with its natural enemy, leading to a heroic act. One of its eyes exploded, and the fireball fell to the earth, incinerating the land for miles. The metal formed after years of wash and transformation, hidden underground until it emerged as a few pieces of Qian Yuan Black Gold.”

“Enough talk! We all know how precious Qian Yuan Black Gold is. No need to mention a starting price; I’ll directly bid three hundred Five-Color Fortune Coins.”

Wow! Bidding starts at three hundred Five-Color Fortune Coins. That’s astonishing! Long Yun’s face turned ugly as he was about to bid, but then someone roared, “Get lost! I’ve amassed enough magical artifacts waiting for today! Six hundred Five-Color Fortune Coins, plus two hundred top-grade Golden Wind Miao Jade!”

Long Yun was stunned; this level of competition exceeded all expectations.

Suddenly, a voice reached his ears: “Brother Long bids two thousand Five-Color Fortune Coins; today, it’s either them or me!”

Li Hui was still on the ship but his heart raced, knowing that the obstacles were considerable, so he used the talisman formation to sense the auction’s situation; indeed, it far exceeded his plans. Even if he couldn’t secure the Innate Five Elements Divine Stone, he must acquire the Qian Yuan Black Gold.

“Two thousand Five-Color Fortune Coins!” Long Yun’s lips trembled. He had never imagined he would participate in such a grand event. A hundred pairs of eyes aimed squarely at him; if their gazes were swords, they would turn him into a pincushion.

“Who? Who dares to challenge me?” the earlier bidder roared.

Li Hui would also be shouting in anger if he lost this opportunity; it all comes down to who has more reserves. Money can move gods!