"What did the Sect say?"
Lin Family.
Lin Shui looked at the junior below and asked.
At this moment, the atmosphere in the room was extremely heavy.
Just then, Lin Hao, the Lin Family Patriarch, stepped forward two paces.
"Old Ancestor, they said they would only act if they had precise intelligence on the robber cultivators. The Sect is currently entangled with some matters and cannot spare any resources."
"Hmph!"
A hint of unwillingness flashed across Lin Shui's face.
However, with the Family juniors present, he didn't say much.
It seemed the Sect had some understanding of the robber cultivators here.
They understood that the opponent was severely injured, and his strength was no longer at its Peak.
There were also Foundation Establishment Families here.
Therefore, they didn't want to waste time.
But what about the resources my Lin Family sends to your Sect every ten years!
They wouldn't even help with this small matter.
Or perhaps the situation on the Sect's side was even more critical.
Lin Shui didn't know.
Nor did he want to know.
The affairs of those large Sects didn't concern him.
However, the robber cultivators problem was pressing.
"Strengthen the Patrol Team's power and patrol range. Let's do that for now."
"Yes, Old Ancestor."
Just as Lin Shui was about to return to Cultivate.
Lin Hao called out to him.
"Old Ancestor, there is one more thing."
"What is it?"
"It's time to prepare for the next auction."
Hearing it was about this matter.
Lin Shui rubbed his brow, a headache coming on.
"You continue to handle these. If there isn't enough manpower, go find the Meng Family and the Zhou Family. This auction always brings us a lot of resources and connections."
"Even with the robber cultivators, it cannot stop."
"You go arrange it first. If it doesn't work, come back and tell me, and I'll personally go talk to the Meng Family and the Zhou Family."
After speaking, Lin Shui did not linger.
He was truly afraid there would be more troubling matters below.
Because of caring for the Family, his own Realm had slowed down considerably.
If he had Cultivated without distractions, he would have already reached Foundation Establishment Stage - Middle Stage by now.
Watching the Old Ancestor leave.
Lin Hao also felt a bit helpless.
As the Patriarch, he worried about even more things than Lin Shui.
But with the Old Ancestor's command, he could only go handle it first.
… …
"That bustling activity, that must be the Lin Family's Patrol Team."
"More than that, there are also the Zhou Family and Meng Family's."
"What are they doing?"
"What are they doing? The auction is about to start soon, and there's still a robber cultivators outside. The three major Families definitely need to be more vigilant."
"…"
Looking at a team of Cultivators moving away.
Su Bai listened to the surrounding discussions.
She also felt a hint of tension.
It seemed the matter with that robber cultivators was indeed quite serious.
Fortunately, her Formation would arrive today!
She touched her Storage Pouch.
Inside were the Formation Plate and Formation Flag that Xu Changge had given her.
And what Xu Changge had said when she gave them to her.
"This is a High Grade Rank One Formation, the Maze Wind-Sand Formation. The Formation Plate controls the Formation Flags to deploy the Formation."
"However, deploying the Formation takes a bit of time."
"When you use it, it's best to set it up beforehand, or have someone help you stall for time."
Although this Formation was a maze Formation.
It didn't mean it had no offensive capabilities.
Inside, not only was there wind and sand obscuring vision, but there were also wind blades swirling around to hinder the enemy's movements.
It's just that its power wasn't as strong as a Formation primarily focused on killing.
"The situation is tense recently, and I'm also too lazy to go out."
She aimed to quickly Breakthrough to Qi Refining Stage - Sixth Layer.
Although the difference in minor Realms within the Qi Refinement Stage wasn't significant.
With each improvement, her spiritual energy would grow stronger.
This feeling of becoming stronger made Su Bai somewhat unable to stop.
Soon.
Five years passed.
Su Bai had already reached Qi Refining Stage - Sixth Layer.
Although her Realm improvement was slow, every step was steady and solid.
Looking at the sound transmission talisman floating in the air.
Su Bai grabbed it in her hand.
Inside was a message Xu Changge had sent her.
Inviting her to attend this year's auction.
After thinking about it, Su Bai decided to accept the invitation.
The robber cultivators still hadn't been caught.
The auction at Purple Bamboo Immortal Market, however, was becoming increasingly popular.
It was basically held once a year.
Each time was exceptionally lively.
She wanted her strength to improve even faster.
She needed other assistance.
For several years now, there hadn't been any major problems reported from the auction.
This indicated that the three major Foundation Establishment Families were doing a good job.
So, it would be good for her to join in the fun.
To see if there was anything she needed there.
Moreover, she wasn't alone.
She had companions.
Even if there were robber cultivators, they wouldn't be so foolish as to directly rob a Qi Refining Stage - Late Phase Cultivator.
Su Bai followed what the sound transmission talisman said.
She went directly to the entrance of the Purple Bamboo Auction.
She saw Xu Changge already waiting there early.
Yang the Old Daoist, Lu Ning, and Shen Fang were also there.
"Apologies everyone, I'm late."
Su Bai said with some apology, walking towards them.
Xu Changge had a smile on her face.
"No, we just gathered. All right everyone, let's go in."
Led by Xu Changge.
A group of five entered the auction.
This was Su Bai's first time at this auction.
From the outside, it looked very luxurious.
Like a huge circular barrel-shaped building surrounded by various strange buildings.
Upon entering the auction.
There were dedicated staff to guide Cultivators to the auction hall.
However, Xu Changge took out a token.
The group did not go to the main hall but were led to a private room.
Xu Changge's action made Su Bai raise an eyebrow.
This girl's identity was indeed not simple.
Private rooms at the auction were not accessible to just anyone.
Either you were a distinguished guest of the three major Foundation Establishment Families.
Or you had a special status.
Or you had spent enough at this auction.
Regardless of which.
In Su Bai's opinion, she was a major backer.
After the group entered the private room and took their seats.
Xu Changge looked at Su Bai.
"Fellow Daoist Su's Realm has improved again. Qi Refining Stage - Late Phase is not far off."
Hearing the compliment, Su Bai smiled in response.
"Alas, Qi Refining Stage - Late Phase is a threshold. Who knows how many Loose Cultivators are trapped at this step, unable to advance an inch in their lives. I'm still far from it."
"On the contrary, Fellow Daoist Xu's Realm has reached Qi Refining Stage - Ninth Layer. Foundation Establishment is within reach!"
Su Bai also flattered the other party.
"Hehe, Fellow Daoist Su, what are you saying? You Cultivate steadily, it's just a small Bottleneck."
The two of them continued to praise each other in this manner.
Yang the Old Daoist saw Xu Changge and Su Bai chatting happily.
He proactively sat with Lu Ning.
Allowing Xu Changge to chat happily with Su Bai.
While the group chatted, the auction quickly began.
An Old Daoist appeared on the auction stage.
"Welcome, Fellow Daoists. This old man is today's host, Meng Fei."
"No more idle talk, let's begin directly!"
"Presenting the first auction item, the Rank Two Spiritual Wood, Purple Blood Vine. It is an excellent Material for making talismans or refining Spiritual Artifacts. The starting bid is five hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones, with each bid not less than fifty. Let's begin."
Meng Fei's hosting experience was clearly very rich.
After a simple self-introduction, he quickly made the atmosphere lively with just a few sentences.
It clearly had appeal for many Qi Refining Stage - Ninth Layer, and even Foundation Establishment Cultivators.
Su Bai watched the people below continuously bidding.
She thought, this auction is indeed lively.
Looking at Meng Fei, one could also see the importance the three major Foundation Establishment Families placed on the auction.
This old fellow was the Grand Elder of the Meng Family, with Qi Refining Peak Realm.
He was powerful and experienced.
There were rumors that he could even fight against a Foundation Establishment Stage - Early Stage without falling into a disadvantage.
Moreover, to hype up the atmosphere, the first auction item was a Rank Two Spiritual Wood.
The first item was such a treasure.
The auction was very well prepared.
Making people full of anticipation for the items to come.
Although Su Bai didn't dare to casually inquire about others' privacy at the auction.
But according to news from previous years.
Each auction could attract several Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivators.
The private rooms, like the one Su Bai was currently in, were prepared for them.