The various items at the auction...
...opened Su Bai's eyes.
She couldn't help but call it satisfying.
The Cultivators below were all talented individuals.
Every single one of them could squander a fortune.
If she robbed them, wouldn't she strike it rich instantly!
No wonder so many people were willing to become robber cultivators after an auction.
Though the risk was great, the harvest was equally massive.
Xu Changge watched the expressions constantly shifting on Su Bai's face.
Perhaps because there was nothing she wanted below, she struck up a conversation with Su Bai again.
"Fellow Daoist Su, is there anything you've taken a fancy to? If there is, just say the word; I can lend you some Spirit Stones."
Su Bai, who was thoroughly enjoying the spectacle...
...heard Xu Changge say this beside her.
She refused directly.
"No, no. Fellow Daoist Xu, being able to bring me here to broaden my horizons is already the best help you could give me."
She already owed one favor.
That indicated Su Bai's willingness to associate with Xu Changge.
But if she continued to be helped by the other party...
...once the favors piled up, it would be impossible to distance herself from the relationship later.
Xu Changge also heard the sense of detachment in Su Bai's words.
She didn't pressure her.
After all, the two of them were now acquainted.
There would be plenty of opportunities to deepen their relationship in the future.
The auction proceeded slowly.
Although the items that came out weren't as stunning as the first Tier 2 Spiritual Wood...
...they were still very precious items.
There were various High Grade and Peak Grade Magical Artifacts that only those in the Qi Refining Stage - Late Phase could use.
As well as Medicinal Pills useful for the Qi Refining Stage - Late Phase.
There were even Formations.
Su Bai even saw a Tier 2 Formation-Breaking Talisman.
This Formation-Breaking Talisman was effective even against Tier 2 Formations.
It could weaken a Formation's power or even tear a hole in it.
And for this Purple Bamboo Auction to dare sell a Formation-Breaking Talisman...
...they naturally had confidence in their own market's Mountain-Guarding Grand Formation.
The Purple Bamboo Immortal Market's Formation was built upon a Tier 2 Spiritual Vein.
Unless a Golden Core Stage Cultivator arrived in person, it could maintain its operation for several years.
Even if a Tier 2 Formation-Breaking Talisman struck the Purple Bamboo Immortal Market's Formation and managed to break it...
...the spiritual energy from the Tier 2 Spiritual Vein could patch it up.
Therefore, it wasn't much of a threat to the Purple Bamboo Immortal Market.
But when Su Bai saw this Formation-Breaking Talisman...
...for some reason, her heart began to throb.
She had an ominous premonition.
"Maybe I'm just being paranoid..."
"Hmm? Fellow Daoist Su, is something on your mind?"
"It's nothing, Fellow Daoist Xu. This auction is truly lively."
"It's alright. It's about the scale of a typical auction in Tianyun City."
Su Bai had been startled by the Formation-Breaking Talisman and thought of many bad things.
She was discovered by Xu Changge, who had been secretly observing her.
She wanted to brush it off.
She didn't expect to hear news about Tianyun City.
Tianyun City was a Holy Land for Loose Cultivators.
The strongest person and the City Lord there was a Golden Core Immortal Master.
Fan Tongzhi, known as True Person Changbai.
This Xu Changge had indeed seen the world.
Just as Su Bai intended to ask Xu Changge for more information...
...she saw Xu Changge reveal a meaningful smile.
She turned her head, which had been watching Su Bai, back toward the auction stage.
At this moment, Su Bai realized something.
It had always been Xu Changge showing goodwill toward her.
Except when she had a question she needed answered, she generally wouldn't initiate a conversation with Xu Changge.
Is this...
...testing my attitude?
Su Bai then gave a cough.
She opened with:
"Fellow Daoist Xu, is the auction in Tianyun City very impressive?"
"..."
Xu Changge didn't speak.
She remained staring at the auction stage.
Then Su Bai pulled out a Low-Grade Spirit Stone and stuffed it into Xu Changge's hand.
Xu Changge was stunned.
What did this mean?
Su Bai smiled slightly and parted her red lips:
"Consultation fee."
This amused Xu Changge.
Xu Changge had thought Su Bai would grasp her intention...
...and speak a bit more from the heart when talking to her, without such strong purpose.
She hadn't expected Su Bai would simply be unwilling.
"Fellow Daoist Su, since you're asking, I will naturally answer."
"Tianyun City has Golden Core Immortal Masters presiding over it, and major merchant guilds are stationed there. Auctions of this scale happen once a month."
"Of course, if we're talking about the largest scale, it's none other than the decennial Tianyun Auction. Not only do Loose Cultivators from all over go there, but even people from the Six Upper Sects attend."
"The items auctioned there—Tier 3 treasures are common, and there are even Core Formation treasures like Monster Cores."
Xu Changge only said this much.
Her words were full of longing for the Tianyun Auction.
Su Bai also listened with a wandering mind.
Core Formation treasures.
Although they were far from her current level, it didn't stop Su Bai from indulging in a fantasy.
The two chatted slowly.
The little temper Xu Changge had shown earlier also gradually faded during their conversation.
Xu Changge treated people with sincerity.
She also saw that Su Bai was single-mindedly devoted to the Dao.
Naturally, she wouldn't make things difficult for her.
The reason Su Bai didn't open her heart directly to Xu Changge was that she felt having a bit of a connection was enough.
Xu Changge's Aptitude was excellent.
She was already a Foundation Establishment seed.
Su Bai was willing to invest a little friendship in such a person.
Perhaps in the future, she would have one more Foundation Establishment Stage backer.
While they were chatting...
...the auction below was still in full swing.
"Everyone, next up is a Body Refining Art. After appraisal, it is a method that can be cultivated to the Jindan Stage!"
Speaking to this point, Meng Fei's voice couldn't help but rise two notches.
A maidservant walked up carrying a tray.
A Jade Slip rested upon the tray.
Meng Fei appeared somewhat excited.
But the bidders below were instead unusually quiet.
They were even more indifferent than during the previous few auction items.
At this moment, someone spoke up.
"Hehe, a Jindan Stage Body Refining method. Setting aside the difficulty of cultivation, just think about how many resources would have to be consumed."
"Exactly. This Body Refining Art must have cultivation restrictions, otherwise it wouldn't be brought out!"
Hearing the words from below...
...Meng Fei clicked his tongue.
These people were each shrewder than the last; they weren't easy to fool.
Meng Fei sighed helplessly.
If it weren't for the fact that the cultivation resources he'd applied for for his grandson were a bit over budget...
...how could an old fellow like him, with one foot in the grave, be standing here making a scene?
It was all so his descendants could Cultivate to higher realms.
"Hehe, Fellow Daoists have a good eye."
"This Body Refining Art is called the 'Heavenly Calamity Illusionary Thunder Body Tempering Method'. It requires the Tier 3 spiritual wood Qingyun Thunder Bamboo or Tier 2 Thundercloud Essence Stones to simulate lightning for tempering the self."
As soon as Meng Fei finished speaking...
...the Cultivators below already started cursing.
"Tier 3 spiritual wood Qingyun Thunder Bamboo? Such a treasure is only held by the upper sect, the Qingzhu Sword Sect. That's a treasure they use to nurture Magic Treasure embryos! How could ordinary people use it! Or one would have to go further southwest to the Demonic Beast Mountain Range, but that's a narrow escape from death!"
"Exactly. And with such high requirements for treasures, how many layers can one even Cultivate! If one wants to reach the Jindan Stage, wouldn't they need an entire grove of Qingyun Thunder Bamboo! Who could afford to grow that stuff!"
"Furthermore, those Thundercloud Essence Stones are something one can only hope for but not seek. Unless one finds a place of rolling heavenly thunder like a Thunder Pool, it's impossible for them to be born. But generally, that stuff is only useful for refining Spiritual Artifacts related to the Thunder Spiritual Root. Who would be so bored as to go to such a dangerous place for no reason!"
"Exactly, exactly. Fellow Daoist Meng, are you perhaps making fun of us!"
The Fellow Daoists below were each well-informed.
They spoke of this Body Refining Art as if it were completely worthless.
However, Meng Fei still had to preside over the auction.
Thus, his cultivation base at the Peak of the Qi Refining Stage erupted.
He suppressed all the voices present.
"So, for this 'Heavenly Calamity Illusionary Thunder Body Tempering Method', the price is five hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones. Each bid must not be less than one hundred!"
"Fellow Daoists, please place your bids."