Thinking of the Li family, Loong Xingtian suddenly froze, realizing... the Li family hadn't placed a single bid just now?
That seemed unusual... Li Yanghui of the Li family was advanced in years and had suffered a failed Core Formation attempt several years ago. If he didn't attempt it again soon, he might miss his chance entirely. Moreover, Li Yanghuang was also already at the peak of Foundation Establishment. Logically, they should be equally desperate for a Qingxu Pill. Why hadn't they reacted at all?
"Conserving their strength?" Loong Xingtian's brow furrowed slightly as a possibility struck him, making him murmur suspiciously, "Could it be that there's something later they consider absolutely essential, forcing them to preserve their funds?"
...
The bidding for the two Qingxu Pills had also stirred Lin Feng's emotions. The intense competition, where bids leaped by hundreds of thousands, felt incredibly thrilling. For a moment, he had almost been tempted to join in himself.
He wasn't entirely opposed to seizing the opportunity to secure a Qingxu Pill. However, considering he was only at the first level of Foundation Establishment and still far from Core Formation, there was no need for such urgency. According to his plans, by the time he reached the peak of Foundation Establishment, he should already be in a larger, more prosperous place. There, as long as he had spirit stones, acquiring a Qingxu Pill shouldn't be difficult. Furthermore, the Loong family had clearly been determined to win one of the pills, so it wouldn't have been appropriate for him to compete against them.
"The first auction item was the Qingxu Pill. I wonder what other treasures are coming up later..."
Lin Feng thought to himself, his anticipation for the subsequent auction items growing.
Indeed, the appearance of the Qingxu Pill had propelled the auction to a minor climax right from the start. Now, the cultivators in the hall were highly excited. Though they hadn't obtained the Qingxu Pill, they were eager and ready for the treasures yet to come.
The host, Shilan, was evidently very satisfied with this atmosphere. After the graceful maiden carried away the pill, he spoke loudly again, "The Qingxu Pill auction is concluded. We now present the second auction item..."
As he spoke, another maiden walked up beside him carrying a tray. He lifted the red cloth covering it, revealing an orange jade slip. "This second auction item is an art technique, named 'Quicksand Art'. I believe many fellow Daoists are familiar with it? It is an extremely practical Earth-element art technique, rated at Human-rank Mid-grade. The starting price is ten thousand low-grade spirit stones. Bidding may commence!"
Compared to the Qingxu Pill, this mere Human-rank Mid-grade art technique seemed much less significant. However, this was precisely what suited many cultivators present – items of a higher tier were simply beyond their means, leaving them only as spectators to the wealthy families' competitions. What use was that? Items of this slightly lower tier were often their actual targets for attending.
The Human-rank Mid-grade "Quicksand Art", when cast by a Foundation Establishment cultivator, would likely be comparable to a Level Two Quicksand Talisman. Lin Feng wasn't particularly interested. He merely watched the others bid with amusement.
In terms of liveliness and intensity, the bidding for this second item even surpassed the first. However, the prices involved were completely incomparable. After a fierce contest, the final price settled at a mere thirty-eight thousand low-grade spirit stones, won by an independent cultivator.
The third auction item followed, a defensive inner armor of top-grade Artifact Treasure quality. Lin Feng was equally uninterested.
Then came several more auction items in succession, none catching Lin Feng's eye.
"The next auction item is a rather unique art technique," Shilan announced as a new item was presented. "It is named 'Hidden Element Art', a Human-rank Top-grade concealment-type art technique. Moreover, it is said this 'Hidden Element Art' is actually one part of the renowned 'Tri-Element Art', a signature technique of the once-famous 'Tri-Element Sect' of Liang Kingdom. The 'Tri-Element Art' comprises three volumes: 'Element Perception', 'Hidden Element', and 'Element Simulation'. This 'Hidden Element Art' is the middle volume. While its effectiveness is somewhat diminished when practiced alone, it remains Human-rank Top-grade. Legend states that if all three volumes are cultivated together, they fuse to form the true 'Tri-Element Art', which is at least Earth-rank Mid-grade."
He concluded the introduction: "The starting price for this item is one hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones. Bidding may now begin."
"Huh?!"
Upon hearing Shilan's introduction, Lin Feng's eyes suddenly lit up, a look of surprise and suspicion flashing across his face.
"'Tri-Element Art'?! Element Perception, Hidden Element, Element Simulation?!" He silently repeated the terms in his mind. "Is there any connection to the 'Element Perception Art'? Could it be that the 'Element Perception Art' is also one volume of this 'Tri-Element Art'?"
Shilan's words instantly reminded Lin Feng of the "Element Perception Art" he had obtained from Li Sha. It coincidentally contained the words "Element Perception". The difference between "Art" (术) and "Technique" (诀) was minor. If it wasn't mere coincidence, then his "Element Perception Art" was very likely one volume of the so-called "Tri-Element Art"!
"Whether it is or not... I should bid for it and see!!"
After a moment's thought, Lin Feng made his decision. Even if this "Hidden Element Art" had no relation to his "Element Perception Art", the technique itself was worth acquiring. Arts that concealed one's true elemental aura were uncommon and highly practical. If he ventured out into the wider cultivation world later, he would need such a technique.
When navigating the cultivation world, one of the cardinal rules was never to easily reveal one's true strength. If faced with an enemy, possessing a concealment art could cause them to misjudge his strength, giving him an immediate advantage. When actual combat ensued, it could catch them completely off guard.
"One hundred and ten thousand low-grade spirit stones!"
"One hundred and twenty thousand!"
"One hundred and twenty-five thousand!"
"One hundred and forty thousand!"
"..."
In the brief moment Lin Feng was pondering, the bidding had already begun. As he had anticipated, many desired this kind of aura-concealing technique. Numerous factions and independent cultivators swiftly joined the fray.
Even Loong Xingtian and the Zhao Patriarch from earlier placed bids. However, this time, their participation didn't deter others. The competition grew fiercer, and the price quickly soared to two hundred and eighty thousand low-grade spirit stones.
"Three hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones!!"
Suddenly, a new voice joined the bidding. Its appearance caused many to pause momentarily, heads turning to locate the source.
Seeing nearly everyone looking his way, Lin Feng felt a flicker of nervousness but offered a friendly nod – he was the one who had just called out the bid.
"Oh? Young Friend Lin is also interested in this technique?" Loong Xingtian looked at Lin Feng with slight surprise, then smiled. "Well then, I shall not stand in the way of another's desire..."
Lin Feng returned the smile. "Then I thank Senior Loong."
"..."
Around them, after realizing Lin Feng was the bidder, the expressions of many cultivators turned peculiar – a mix of surprise and hesitation. Strangely, no further bids were called out.
Even the Zhao Patriarch seemed to hesitate. He pondered for two seconds, then laughed heartily, "Since Fellow Daoist Lin desires this item, my Zhao family will not deprive you of it."
Lin Feng was momentarily taken aback, then clasped his hands respectfully towards the Zhao Patriarch. "Then I thank Family Head Zhao for your consideration."
He understood their reasoning: they didn't wish to compete against him and risk causing displeasure, hence their voluntary withdrawal. The hesitant cultivators were likely thinking the same.
So, I already have this much 'face'...
Lin Feng couldn't help but feel a surge of pride at the thought.