Chapter 54: Laughable Duel of Ego, Foundation Establishment Pill
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An ancient pill formula…
It was the first time Yu Xian had encountered something like this.
One must understand: the methods, processes, and effects of pill refining improve over time. The ultimate goal of alchemy is to use the fewest materials and spiritual herbs to create the most effective elixirs.
With generations of refiners improving old recipes, each version becomes better than the last—this is the natural progress of alchemy and artifact forging.
But that didn’t mean that ancient or even prehistoric pill formulas were worthless. Many potent pills and powerful recipes had been lost to time.
And without those lost recipes, no improvement could be made—how could anyone make something better if the foundation was gone?
What’s more, ancient pills often carried mysterious effects—some unknown, some potentially incredible.
If you got lucky, refining such a pill could result in an instant breakthrough, marrow cleansing, and transformation into a true genius among cultivators.
If you were unlucky… instant death wasn’t off the table either.
In short—very interesting.
Yu Xian had always been fond of alchemy and particularly enjoyed studying pill formulas.
Of course, he knew very well that with his current skill, he wasn’t even capable of altering the formula for something as simple as a Fasting Pill.
If he dared to modify even one ingredient, the result would be pure waste.
But that didn’t stop him from studying them seriously.
Only through such study could he truly internalize the knowledge and refine his craft.
One day, with deep understanding and accumulated insight, he could have a flash of inspiration, create his own pill, and become a grandmaster alchemist.
So, Yu Xian slowly raised his hand: “One hundred and fifty-five spirit stones.”
As soon as he moved, the other four Floor Masters simultaneously took note.
Zhang Xiaoling’s enchanting eyes sparkled, and with seductive charm, she said,
“Bidder number 141 has offered 155 spirit stones. Any other bids? This is an ancient pill formula, after all. Even if you don’t use it for refining, it’s of great collector’s value.
If I weren’t entrusted with this auction, I’d be tempted to buy it myself~.”
“Hahaha! Since the Fairy Ling likes it, I’ll buy it and give it to her!”
From the distance, a man in the peak of Qi Condensation laughed loudly and bid: “Two hundred spirit stones!”
That amount was enough to buy a decent Grade 2 pill.
Many who had originally considered bidding gave up on the spot.
Ancient pill formula—it sounded impressive, but in reality, it was likely just junk.
Zhang Xiaoling’s eyes twinkled as she turned to the man.
“Brother Feng, so generous~ Thank you!”
But the corner of her gaze never left Yu Xian, her tone sweet as honey:
“Two hundred stones, going once…”
“Three hundred.”
Yu Xian calmly raised his bid again, voice unwavering.
The entire hall fell silent.
It wasn’t that people couldn’t afford 300 spirit stones.
It was that the value didn’t match the cost.
If someone paid a million coins for gold, no one would be surprised.
But if someone paid a million for a pile of dung—everyone would be shocked.
That’s what this felt like: spending three hundred stones on a worthless pill formula?
Clearly this man had too much money to burn.
Zhang Xiaoling giggled charmingly, “Bidder 141 offers 300 spirit stones—going once…”
At this, the previously laughing bidder, Feng Chang, turned cold.
He looked toward Yu Xian and said icily,
“I bid on this to offer it to Fairy Ling and earn a smile. What are you bidding for, friend?”
“Daoist Feng,”
Before Yu Xian could respond, Chu Yiwu spoke up gently:
“Our auctions in Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion are based on merit, not motive. Please don’t break the rules.”
“Hmph.”
Feng Chang chuckled darkly, “I was just curious. Unless… this fellow likes Fairy Ling too?”
Zhang Xiaoling’s cheeks flushed pink. “Don’t tease, Daoist. I’m not worth 300 spirit stones…”
“I think you are. I like the fairy. She knows this.”
Her face turned redder, full of shyness.
But Feng Chang now stared coldly at Yu Xian. “Since you like to raise the bid, fine. Four hundred.”
“Five hundred.”
Yu Xian still looked composed—utterly calm.
He didn’t even hesitate.
Feng Chang’s eyes narrowed sharply. A sinister edge appeared in his expression.
If he failed to win this pill formula and present it to Zhang Xiaoling, he’d suffer immense loss of face.
He’d never be able to hold his head up before her again!
He clenched his teeth and shouted, “Six hundred!”
“Seven hundred,” came Yu Xian’s instant reply.
It was like a drumbeat back-and-forth—one hit after the other, no pause.
He didn’t hesitate?
Didn’t even consider?
From the side, Jiang Liu and the four Pavilion Masters smiled subtly.
Zhang Xiaoling’s face turned crimson, her demeanor bashful and demure—like a maiden torn between two suitors.
It looked as if these two were truly fighting over her, clashing not just in price, but in wealth and pride!
“Seven… hundred… and fifty!”
Feng Chang gritted his teeth and spoke each word with icy venom.
“Eight hundred fifty.”
Even Feng Chang’s eyelids began twitching, a killing intent rising off of him.
The entire room fell silent.
Eight hundred fifty spirit stones. Not an unmanageable amount—most present could afford it.
But the value?
It was pure nonsense.
This wasn’t a duel for a treasure. This was two men throwing spirit stones into the void to win a woman’s heart.
But they were cultivators.
In the cruel world of cultivation, romantic feelings were a joke.
Fooling around with a female cultivator, spending a few stones to relax, was one thing.
But spending a fortune for a woman’s so-called affection—probably without even holding her hand?
Utterly ridiculous.
“Nine! Hundred!”
Feng Chang could barely hold it in, screaming with rage.
“One thousand.”
For Yu Xian, this number was nothing more than air.
For Feng Chang, it was like carving flesh from his bones—each raise a painful ordeal.
“Chu Daoist! He’s driving the price up on purpose! You’re not going to stop this!?”
Feng Chang finally snapped, yelling in fury.
“One thousand for a trash formula? He’s either crazy or malicious!”
Chu Yiwu frowned and said calmly,
“If he’s bidding without the stones to pay, we won’t let it slide.
But at auction, all is fair. If you can’t match it, then withdraw.
For all we know, he might think you’re the one raising the price maliciously.”
Zhang Xiaoling also spoke gently,
“Please, don’t be angry. I—I didn’t mean for this. It’s just a pill formula. I was just curious. Please, stop bidding…”
“Damn it!”
Her words made Feng Chang snap again. He glared at Yu Xian with murderous eyes.
“One thousand one hundred! Let’s go!”
But Yu Xian…
Said nothing.
He simply sat there, calm as ever.
In Yu Xian’s mind, this ancient pill formula was worth at most one thousand.
He saw the hatred and trickery in Feng Chang’s eyes—
He knew that if he bid even once more, Feng Chang would immediately stop bidding.
The formula would be his—but for a steep, manipulated price.
A bottom line is a bottom line. One thousand—not a stone more.
So Yu Xian went silent.
Everyone turned to look at him—some sneering, some mocking, some curious.
But he remained still.
Zhang Xiaoling glanced over, then smiled sweetly:
“One thousand one hundred spirit stones… Going once… Going twice…”
Feng Chang’s hands clenched into fists.
He won—but he didn’t look pleased. He looked like he was about to explode.
“Sold!”
Zhang Xiaoling smiled bashfully and announced the result.
One of the beautiful assistants approached with the pill formula.
“No need.”
Feng Chang took a deep breath and waved his hand.
“I said it was a gift for Fairy Ling. Let her keep it.”
“Thank you, Daoist Feng,” Zhang Xiaoling responded shyly.
“Then I’ll gratefully accept…”
Feng Chang forced a smile, then glanced again at Yu Xian.
His eyes were filled with killing intent.
It was hard for rogue cultivators to earn spirit stones—
and this bastard just made him bleed this much? Unforgivable.
Zhang Xiaoling flipped her hair behind her ear, smiled again, and continued:
“Let’s move on with the auction!”
Everyone turned their attention back to the platform, amusement still lingering.
As for Yu Xian, he had already closed his eyes again.
Besides that one ancient pill formula, none of the items that followed interested him.
To him, this was all junk.
After all, this was a rogue cultivator’s market—how many real treasures could there be?
Even if someone had a treasure, they would hide it.
Even if they didn’t know what it was, they’d go verify it first.
Rogues weren’t fools.
You don’t just stumble into ancient relics or divine pills by browsing a street market.
That kind of thinking? A joke among jokes.
—
What was to others a thrilling, heart-pounding auction,
was to Yu Xian dull and lifeless.
An entire hour passed.
Finally—it was time for the grand finale!
“Fellow Daoists, I’m sure you’ve all heard…
Today’s auction features some true treasures!”
Zhang Xiaoling, after an hour of talking, showed no fatigue.
On the contrary—her face glowed even more beautifully.
Sweat beaded on her neck, adding to her allure.
With a radiant smile, she declared:
“Since it’s a grand treasure, of course we saved it for last.
Fellow Daoists—feast your eyes!
First up—one pill: Mid-grade Foundation Establishment Pill!”
A white jade bottle appeared in her hand.
Inside—it held a single, glowing Foundation Establishment Pill.
The audience’s eyes instantly turned fiery with desire.
This—was the moment they had been waiting for!
