Translator: AnubisTL
In the end, the white ape's bone spike sold for 430 spirit stones—neither high nor low, just a normal price.
Although it fell into the hands of a foundation establishment cultivator, it still stirred excitement among many qi refining realm cultivators.
Seeing that he had achieved the desired effect, Li Qing contentedly brought out his second auction item.
"This is a first-tier alchemy Inheritance. It not only contains pill refinement techniques and key principles but also includes several basic pill formulas, such as the Qi Replenishing Pill, Qi Transformation Pill, and Foundation Nurturing Pill—all essential for qi refining realm cultivators!"
Li Qing calmly held up a thick tome. This alchemy Inheritance had been acquired long ago and had been gathering dust at the bottom of his storage box. Now, he finally had a chance to sell it.
In addition to this, he had collected numerous other cultivation technique inheritances. His gains from Tianliang Mountain had been quite substantial.
These included inheritances for formations, talismans, and other cultivation techniques, all of which he had accumulated over the years while navigating the cultivation world.
Medicinal pills remained an indispensable part of the cultivation journey. Becoming a Pill Refiner, or at least mastering pill refinement techniques, was something nearly every cultivator attempted.
Unfortunately, due to the scarcity of inheritances and the preciousness of spirit herbs, becoming a qualified Pill Refiner required a substantial investment, barring many rogue cultivators from entering this path.
As Li Qing had anticipated, the moment this first-tier alchemy Inheritance was revealed, it immediately drew the attention of numerous qi refining realm rogue cultivators.
"The starting bid for this alchemy Inheritance is fifty spirit stones!"
On the market, a complete first-tier alchemy Inheritance, depending on the foundational pill formulas it contained, typically sold for between three hundred and five hundred spirit stones.
To Li Qing, these spirit stones might seem insignificant, but for the average qi refining realm rogue cultivator, this was an absolute fortune.
Now, seeing a complete alchemy Inheritance appear in the black market with a starting bid of just fifty spirit stones, many cultivators were filled with excitement.
Even one or two foundation establishment realm cultivators showed signs of interest. Clearly, despite having achieved foundation establishment, they still lacked a cultivation technique that could secure their livelihood.
At this level, the importance of mastering a cultivation technique became increasingly apparent.
After all, for a rogue cultivator without spirit stones, every step forward was a struggle.
"It's just a first-tier inheritance after all. If it were second-tier, I might consider competing, but never mind."
Many foundation establishment cultivators present shared this sentiment, ultimately deciding not to bid.
At the foundation establishment realm, only a Second-Tier Pill Refinement Inheritance held sufficient allure for them.
Soon, the bidding surged like a tidal wave. In a matter of moments, the first-tier alchemy inheritance in Li Qing's hand had been driven up to 330 spirit stones and was still climbing.
Amidst the crowd, two mysterious cultivators wearing wide-brimmed hats exchanged glances and whispered to each other.
"Young master, this man is no ordinary cultivator. Even in this chaotic environment, he can still discern the highest bid. No ordinary foundation establishment cultivator could achieve such a feat."
The young man, addressed as "young master," replied in a low voice, "Ignore him. Anyone who dares operate a black market under the Ghost Sword Sect's nose must be extraordinary."
"I'm more curious whether this clandestine black market is his own initiative, or if there's a higher power backing him."
With that, they fell silent again, resuming their observation.
Their lack of interest in the alchemy inheritance and their nonchalant attitude were intriguing.
"Four hundred and five spirit stones for the third time!"
"Congratulations, fellow Daoist! The first-tier alchemy Inheritance is yours!"
After speaking, Li Qing silently noted the person's identity, marking them with his divine sense.
If the buyer dared to renege on their bid or had merely been bidding for amusement, Li Qing wouldn't hesitate to remind them why this place was called the black market.
The auction continued. Li Qing still had plenty of items to sell, but after careful consideration, he decided that this first trade fair should set the tone, not become his personal auction.
"There's plenty of time ahead. No need to rush selling these trivial items. First, we need to establish the black market's true nature," Li Qing murmured to himself.
What was the true nature of the black market?
Darkness, of course!
Free from any faction's influence, beyond all regulation, where anything could be sold without fear of consequences.
This was the true black market.
Otherwise, if they kept selling ordinary goods by the book, what difference would there be from a regular market auction? Why would anyone bother coming here to buy anything?
"Heh heh, on my way here, I slaughtered a few foolish demonic path whelps and scavenged some magic artifacts of decent value from their corpses."
"Since it's the black market's opening day, I'll offer these to you fellow cultivators at a discounted price."
With that, Li Qing produced several magic artifacts he had obtained a month earlier from disciples of the Ghost Sword Sect.
Each artifact emanated the distinct aura of the Ghost Sword Sect's unique cultivation manual. Any cultivator who had even minimal contact with the sect's disciples could easily recognize it.
"The starting bid for each artifact is one spirit stone. Whether they sell for more or less depends on fate. Fellow cultivators, bid as you see fit."
Li Qing deliberately avoided mentioning that these artifacts had come from Ghost Sword Sect disciples. Such a blatant attempt to conceal their origin would only arouse suspicion. It was better to let others speculate.
Sure enough, someone soon sensed the aura's origin.
"This is the aura of the Ghost Fiend Art!"
The trembling words instantly plunged the crowd into deathly silence. Even a pin dropping would have been clearly audible.
The Ghost Fiend Art was a foundational demonic path cultivation manual of the Ghost Sword Sect, practiced by the vast majority of disciples upon entering the sect.
The aura on these artifacts couldn't be faked. It was undeniably the residual energy left by someone who had cultivated the Ghost Fiend Art for years!
By now, everyone understood the identity of the "demonic whelp" mentioned by the mysterious hooded figure before them.
It was none other than a disciple of the Ghost Sword Sect!
To slaughter Ghost Sword Sect disciples on their own territory and then brazenly auction off their magic artifacts—this was truly daring beyond belief!
Seeing this spectacle, Li Qing smirked and said, "Gentlemen, this is the black market."
As his words echoed through the hall, a collective gasp swept through the crowd.
They finally grasped the true meaning of the term "black market."
If even the spoils of killing Ghost Sword Sect disciples could be sold here—and on their own turf, no less—what limit could there possibly be to what could be traded?
In an instant, everyone's minds began to race with possibilities.
Just as the crowd hesitated over whether to bid, a young man wearing a conical hat let out a hearty laugh.
"Hahahaha! Excellent! This is a true black market!"
"So what if these are the spoils of killing a few Ghost Sword Sect disciples? What's there to fear? I'll buy all these magic artifacts today—two hundred spirit stones each!"
"From now on, I'll slaughter some more Ghost Sword Sect bastards and sell their loot here! Hahahaha!"
The voice, brimming with heroic spirit, revealed the speaker's unrestrained delight.
As soon as the words left his lips, the surrounding cultivators silently edged away.
Another foundation establishment cultivator, wearing a conical hat, sighed and transmitted a message: "Young Master, you shouldn't act so recklessly. You're making it too easy to expose our identities."
The heroic young master, whose divine soul was equally formidable, replied telepathically: "This is the black market. Who could possibly trace us here?"
"But—"
"No buts! The more black markets like this, the better it is for us. It's all benefits and no drawbacks!"
On the stage, Li Qing was slightly taken aback, never expecting someone to champion his cause so enthusiastically.
He had originally planned to have Shen Ningbing act as a shill, but now a wealthy patron had arrived!
Li Qing grinned inwardly, silently marking the conical-hatted youth in his mind. He resolved to sell the remaining "loot" to this generous buyer.
With the young man's bid unchallenged, the ownership of the Ghost Sword Sect disciples' personal magic artifacts fell to the conical-hatted cultivator.
The rogue cultivators present had their first impressions of this so-called black market firmly imprinted in their minds.
In the future, this place might become a lawless haven where anything could be bought or sold!
After all, identities were concealed here. Who would ever know it was you who sold it?
The earlier commotion over the magic artifacts had slightly dampened the atmosphere.
But Li Qing remained unfazed, knowing it was time to unveil his trump card!
"Ahem! Ladies and gentlemen, the final item I'm presenting tonight is called the Crimson Crystal."
"Many of you may never have heard of it, but I'll demonstrate its power firsthand!"
Taking a deep breath, Li Qing produced a flawless, crimson crystal from his robes.
In the darkness, the Crimson Crystal glowed vividly, instantly drawing all eyes.
This seemingly ordinary red crystal now radiated an eerie, soul-stirring aura—a captivating, malevolent energy!
"Such intense malevolent energy! It's almost overwhelming my mind!"
"Crimson Crystal? Never heard of it before. Is it an artifact refining spirit material?"
"It can't be an artifact refining spirit material. With such intense malevolent energy, even the most skilled artifact refiner wouldn't attempt to inscribe spirit patterns on it."
"..."
Hearing the murmurs of doubt, Li Qing chuckled softly and pressed his palm down in a calming gesture.
"I wonder if any fellow Daoists here have tamed Demon beasts? If convenient, could you summon them to sense this Crimson Crystal and observe their reactions?"
The Great Wilderness Domain lived up to its name, boasting a far greater number of Demon beasts than the Azure Ridge Domain. Sunward City, in particular, bordered the Giantwood Forest, a region teeming with these creatures.
Thus, it was no surprise that several cultivators present had tamed Demon beasts.
Soon, a few individuals retrieved their beasts from their spirit beast pouches.
"Squeak! Squeak!" A golden-tailed, earth-toned rat stood on its hind legs on a cultivator's shoulder, its cries urgent and high-pitched.
This was a treasure-seeking rat, naturally attuned to detecting precious treasures and spiritual objects.
"This is my spirit beast. It seems desperate to devour that Crimson Crystal!"
"Huh, my White-Feathered Snake is reacting the same way!"
"Mine too!"
"And mine!"
"..."
(End of the Chapter)
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