After that declaration, the auction hall fell into silence once again. The price was simply too steep for most Loose Cultivators. But beyond that, there was another, subtler reason for the lack of response.
Herbalists were rare to begin with, and among Loose Cultivators, many regarded them as little more than glorified spirit farmers. They failed to recognize the true value of an inheritance from a true professional.
Several breaths passed before an elderly man finally raised his voice.
"One thousand spirit stones!"
He had a weathered face, deep wrinkles, and long white hair and beard. His robes were simple but clean, and his eyes glimmered with cautious determination.
Before the murmurs of the crowd could fully stir, Wei Xin's voice cut through the hall like a clear chime.
"One thousand five hundred!"
The hall immediately fell silent again this time out of sheer shock. It was a leap no one expected.
The beautiful auctioneer didn't hesitate. She raised her hand and began the count.
"One thousand five hundred going once!"
"Going twice!"
"Going thrice!"
"Sold! Congratulations to Private Room 102!"
As the crowd whispered and speculated, the auctioneer gestured to a nearby attendant, who respectfully handed the jade slip to a maid. Moments later, she arrived at their room and presented it with a small bow.
Wei Xin carefully examined the slip, running her fingers over the engravings as her divine sense probed the contents. After a few moments, she nodded in satisfaction.
With a flick of her hand, a neat pile of spirit stones appeared on the table.
"Here's the payment," she said nonchalantly.
The maid carefully counted them, then offered a polite bow.
"Thank you for your purchase," she said as she quietly left the room.
As soon as the door closed, the cold and composed expression that Wei Xin always wore melted away. A rare excitement danced in her eyes. Without another word, she placed the jade slip between her brows and immersed her divine sense into it.
Lan Rui watched her closely. After several breaths, she removed the slip and tucked it into her storage bag, a radiant smile spreading across her face.
"I didn't expect to get it for such a low price," she said, almost in disbelief.
Lan Rui was startled. "Low price?"
She let out a soft chuckle. "Yes, quite low. If a high-ranking herbalist had been present, or even someone who understood the value of this inheritance, the price would have skyrocketed."
He frowned in confusion. "But Sis Wei… isn't it just a more detailed version of a manual? Even if it holds a lifetime of knowledge from a Second Rank Herbalist, there must be others like him in the world. So why is it considered so expensive?"
She shook her head gently, her tone turning serious. "You underestimate what an inheritance truly is. Not all herbalists are willing to share the fruits of their life's work. Many take their knowledge to the grave. Some hide their inheritance in remote cave dwellings, sealed behind formations, waiting for a fated successor to discover them. It's rare for such a legacy to appear in a public auction."
"The value of a Second Rank Inheritance can rival that of a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivation technique. And in some cases like Alchemist inheritances they can even surpass it in price."
Lan Rui was stunned.
A Foundation Establishment Cultivation Technique!
Those were the breathing methods and energy circulation patterns used by cultivators who had already reached the Foundation Establishment Realm. Such techniques were scarce, highly protected, and incredibly difficult to acquire.
For most Loose Cultivators, it was an insurmountable wall. That's why so many who managed to break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm would willingly join large sects. The sects welcomed them with open arms.
Why wouldn't they? Gaining a Foundation Establishment cultivator for free was a massive boon. All the sect had to do was provide a suitable technique and assign them to guard the sect resources point like spirit mines, marketplaces, or supply caravans. Cheap labor, loyal and powerful.
Wei Xin continued. "If even one well-backed herbalist or wealthy buyer had taken an interest, the price might have easily risen to five thousand spirit stones or more."
She sipped her tea and added casually, "In that case, I might've called in a favor from the Li Family to buy it for me."
Lan Rui's eyes widened. Her words brimmed with quiet confidence, as if her worth was unquestionable.
And truthfully… she was right.
If the Li Family thought they could secure a genuine Second Rank Herbalist for just five thousand spirit stones, they would likely leap at the opportunity. The investment was nothing compared to the potential gains.
The auction continued, item after item paraded across the stage. Without them realizing, time flowed swiftly. The sun had risen high afternoon already bathed the auction house in golden light.
At last, the auctioneer stepped forward once again, a graceful smile on her face as she addressed the crowd.
"We have now reached the end of the first half of today's auction. Unfortunately I must take my leave now. Thank you all for your enthusiasm and participation thus far."
With a final bow, she stepped off the stage.
Then, from the rear of the platform, a new figure emerged, an elderly man with stark white hair, but a frame that radiated strength and stability. His eyes were calm, but his presence weighed heavily on the room.
His cultivation level couldn't be sensed but everyone instinctively felt it. The pressure, the stillness in the air it was unmistakable.
A Foundation Establishment Realm Cultivator had taken the stage.
The old man coughed lightly. "Ehem, this old man will oversee the second half of today's auction."
Silence swept across the crowd. Not out of fear but respect.
He tapped his storage bag, and a black shield emerged, glowing faintly with spiritual light. Its surface bore white linings that shimmered like flowing mercury, and embedded in its center were several dark, glossy serpent scales.
"This artifact is a Second Rank Low Grade Magic Item, Dark Scale Shield. Forged from rare Second Rank White Iron Ore and embedded with the scales of a Second Order Black Serpent, it offers both resilience and spiritual defense."
"The starting price is six thousand spirit stones. Bidding may begin."
The moment the shield appeared, every Foundation Establishment Cultivator in the room leaned forward, their eyes gleaming.
'A defensive-type magic item!'
Lan Rui turned to Wei Xin in surprise. "Sister Wei, why are defensive-type artifacts so rare compared to others?"
She answered without taking her eyes off the shield. "Because the materials needed to refine a defensive artifact are often twice or sometimes even three times as much as those required for offensive or utility types. Most of those materials could instead be used to craft two or three offensive artifacts of the same rank."
She took a calm sip of her tea. "Even with higher material costs, the selling price of defensive artifacts can't exceed their grade. So the profit margin is low. That's why artifact refiners usually avoid making them."
She glanced at the shield again. "For a Second Rank Magic Item, the prices are steep. A Low grade item can fetch anywhere from six to ten thousand spirit stones."
"For Middle grade items usually range from twelve to twenty thousand. And as for High Grade ones… they're incredibly rare. Prices start around thirty thousand and can soar beyond forty thousand spirit stones."
Lan Rui nodded, absorbing every word.
As they finished speaking, a voice echoed from one of the private rooms on the second floor.
"Six thousand!"
Before anyone could react, another voice barked out, rough yet domineering.
"Hmph! Are you joking? If you're that penniless, you shouldn't even be bidding!"
Even though the private rooms were protected by concealment arrays, the crowd instantly recognized the voice.
It belonged to none other than the Crimson Blade True Cultivator.
"Eight thousand!" he declared.
.....