"This Body Nourishing Art is an unranked body refinement technique. The starting bid is one hundred low-grade spirit stones, with a minimum increment of five stones per bid."
"One hundred and five low-grade spirit stones..."
Despite Yan Ruhai's warning about the technique's difficulty, it remained highly sought after by cultivators. Not only could they practice it themselves, but its lack of cultivation base restrictions made it ideal for ordinary members of their clans.
The price quickly soared past two hundred spirit stones.
"Three hundred low-grade spirit stones," Wei Zhong finally bid.
"Any further bids, Fellow Daoists? Three hundred spirit stones once, three hundred spirit stones twice... three times! Sold!"
Wei Zhong exhaled in relief. Fortunately, no foolhardy bidder had challenged him, allowing him to secure the technique. "Three hundred spirit stones... let's hope this brings some surprises."
The auction continued with various rare and exotic treasures, including many spiritual materials Wei Zhong didn't recognize. He had no intention of bidding on any of them.
"Finally, the grand finale of today's Yan Clan Auction: three First-Tier Life-Extending Pills. Each pill extends the lifespan of a Qi Refining cultivator by five years, a Foundation Establishment cultivator by three years, and has no effect on Core Formation cultivators. The starting bid for the first pill is three hundred low-grade spirit stones, with a minimum increment of ten stones per bid."
With the fall of Yan Ruhai's hammer, the auction officially began. Wei Zhong witnessed the most spirited auction he had ever seen.
"Three hundred and fifty spirit stones!"
"Four hundred spirit stones!"
...
Both Loose Cultivators and clan cultivators went wild over the Life-Extending Pills.
In the blink of an eye, the price soared to eight hundred spirit stones, with the first pill claimed by the Li Family from their elevated pavilion.
The subsequent two pills fetched even higher prices: nine hundred and eleven hundred spirit stones, respectively, secured by the Chen Family and a Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Wang Clan.
These Life-Extending Pills are far more precious than I imagined. Though I could afford one, I have my own methods for extending my lifespan by reducing my cultivation level. It's best not to draw unnecessary attention to myself.
"This concludes today's auction. Thank you all for attending. Fellow Daoists who have successfully bid may collect their items from me. All others may now depart in an orderly fashion."
Yan Ruhai, seeing the final Life-Extending Pill sold, declared the Yan Clan Auction a resounding success.
Wei Zhong collected the Body Nourishing Art and left the auction hall. Instead of heading straight to his Spirit Field, he made his way to the Yan Family Market City.
Located within the Yan Clan's inner territory, far from the peripheral spirit fields and temporary markets, the Yan Family Market City served as a trading hub for the clan's spirit farmers and disciples.
Patrolled by the Yan Clan's Enforcement Team, all forms of combat were strictly prohibited.
"After acquiring the auctioned items, it's best to seek refuge here," Wei Zhong thought. "Even if I avoid being robbed by robber cultivators, it's wise to prevent any spilled blood from staining my robes."
He carried all his possessions with him. Losing his small spirit field mattered little; he could always cultivate another. After decades of farming, Wei Zhong was an experienced hand.
"I still need to check out the Beast Taming Method... Oh, right, I forgot about Nine-Colored."
Never mind, he thought. Few would be interested in a mixed-blood spirit beast anyway. Let it fend for itself.
If I survive this, I'll reward it with extra spirit rice afterward.
As Wei Zhong had anticipated, many cultivators were ambushed by mysterious robber cultivators after the auction.
They moved in small groups, often led by high-level Qi Refining cultivators, against whom ordinary loose cultivators stood no chance.
"This is Yan Clan territory! How dare you attack here?" the masked cultivator with a wolf's face snarled, glancing at the surrounding wheat fields before fixing his gaze on the loose cultivator's robes.
"Heh, I wouldn't dare provoke the Yan Clan directly," the wolf-masked cultivator sneered. "But with your meager strength, you won't last until their Enforcement Team arrives."
The loose cultivator's expression shifted abruptly. "Wait! I'll offer you my Storage Pouch. Spare my life, please?"
"Too late."
The wolf-masked cultivator waved his right hand, and the other Robber Cultivators behind him immediately activated their magic tools, unleashing a barrage of attacks on the loose cultivator.
"Ah! I'll fight you all to the death!"
Similar scenes unfolded repeatedly across the outskirts of the Yan Clan.
Meanwhile, the Yan Clan Enforcement Team, responsible for maintaining order, remained holed up within the clan's inner district, turning a blind eye to the chaos outside.
This was the Yan Clan's long-standing tradition. Each auction attracted countless loose cultivators, and the small clan simply couldn't contend with such a multitude of Robber Cultivators. After all, those capable of bidding for spiritual treasures should naturally possess the strength to protect them.
Having acquired the Beast Taming Method, Wei Zhong headed to the Spring Breeze Pavilion, the Yan Clan's most renowned establishment.
The Spring Breeze Pavilion, the Yan Clan's most popular business, offered a wide range of services—both refined and sensual. Patrons could enjoy music and entertainment or indulge in foot massages.
"Ouch! Gently, gently! You're trying to shatter my old bones, aren't you?" Wei Zhong groaned.
The night passed without incident. The next morning, as dawn broke, Wei Zhong left the Spring Breeze Pavilion. The turmoil surrounding the auction seemed to have subsided, but he decided to check in with Yan Wenbo to be safe.
"Ah, Brother Wei, you've arrived!" Yan Wenbo greeted him.
"Brother Yan, I brought you some Yellow Spirit Bud tea I recently acquired..." Wei Zhong offered.
"Nonsense, Brother Wei! Now that you're here, there's no need for gifts," Yan Wenbo replied.
Wei Zhong smiled and placed the tea leaves on the table. Yan Wenbo accepted them, and the two men settled down for a cup of tea.
"I wanted to ask you about last night's troubles, Brother Yan," Wei Zhong said.
Hearing this, Yan Wenbo gently set down his teacup and sighed softly.
"Could something serious have happened?" Wei Zhong asked.
Yan Wenbo nodded. "Just as you suspected, Brother Wei. Robber Cultivator attacks are common, but this time was different."
"Oh?" Wei Zhong's expression turned wary. He was grateful for his prudence in seeking refuge within the Yan Clan's inner compound.
Yan Wenbo refilled his teacup and continued, "After the auction ended, many cultivators were targeted by Robber Cultivators. Various groups practically surrounded the Yan Clan, their numbers far greater than before. Not only were there numerous small teams led by high-level Qi Refining cultivators, but even Foundation Establishment cultivators made an appearance."
"Hiss!"
Wei Zhong sucked in a sharp breath.
"As luck would have it, this Foundation Establishment Tribulation was directed at Deacon Wang of the Azurewood Sect. The Robber Cultivator's dark arts were exceptionally profound; he defeated and gravely wounded Deacon Wang before our Yan Clan's reinforcements could arrive. Deacon Wang fled and disappeared, and the Robber Cultivator reduced his disciples to bloody skeletons on the spot."
Yan Wenbo glanced oddly at Wei Zhong. The recent dispute over the Second-Tier Foundation Establishment Pill at Market City was hardly a secret.
Wei Zhong cleared his throat and asked, "Could this incident affect the Yan Clan?"
"Uncertain. The Upper Sect's stance is beyond the comprehension of a mere Qi Refining cultivator like myself. However, even if reprimands are issued, our Yan Clan did attempt a rescue. The Robber Cultivator's power was simply too great, and our efforts proved futile. At worst, the Upper Sect might criticize us for our failure, but they couldn't possibly hold us excessively accountable."
"Rest assured, Brother Wei. This won't affect you personally."
Hearing this, Wei Zhong felt relieved.
"Thank you, Brother Yan. This Daoist will take his leave now."
"Brother Wei, why not stay a while longer?"
"No, I'm concerned about my family's spirit field and need to return and check on it."
Wei Zhong clasped his hands in a farewell salute and departed.