C19 Immortal Treasure Fragment

The resonant clang of the gong reverberated throughout the auction hall, crystal clear to all in attendance. A booming voice filled the space, announcing, "The auction is about to commence. Please make your selections accordingly."

Simultaneously, a massive screen unfurled in the sky above, broadcasting the scene within the Shadow and Visual Projection Hall. Three figures stood at the center of the hall, commanding the attention of the crowded room. A single glance from them sent shivers down the spines of those present.

What was the level of these three? Ning Xiaofan's eyes caught the shimmer of blue Spiritual Energy dancing around their forms. Could they be Ancestors from the Core Formation Stage? It was no surprise the event was so grand.

One of the elders stepped forward with authority, "Ladies and gentlemen, we are honored to oversee today's auction. Should anyone dare to disrupt the proceedings, we will not hesitate to pursue and eliminate the offender, no matter where they may hide."

"Xiaofan, do you know the origins of these three?" someone whispered.

"I'm not sure. Did you catch what they said?" Xiaofan replied, his curiosity piqued.

As the elder receded, a captivating young woman emerged, her movements graceful and alluring. She appeared to be in her late teens, her vitality and confidence radiating to the audience below.

With a beaming smile, she addressed the crowd, "I have the pleasure of hosting today's auction. My name is Feng Ling." Her name was as melodious as her voice, both as enchanting as the sound of wind chimes.

"To all Upper Immortals present, we have several exciting items today, treasures that can enhance one's Spiritual Root. We invite your earnest participation."

With a striking chime, the auction began.

"Our first lot is a magic treasure for Foundation Stage cultivators—a Rank 2, Grade Three item, truly the finest of its kind."

A tri-colored feather fan materialized in the air, and a monk's hands flickered with spiritual light. With a flick of the fan, a fierce whirlwind erupted, so powerful it could be felt even through the firmament above.

"This magic artifact is produced by the renowned Wanling Mountain's Energy Refining Pavilion, crafted by the legendary Ling Xuan, the most esteemed artifact refiner in the Rosefinch Continent. It's said that he's just one step away from ascending to the rank of a High-Level Artifact Saint, a title so rare that there may only be a handful across the entire continent, not to mention those of even higher mastery," the auctioneer announced.

The audience, both on-site and off, listened with rapt attention and respect. The ability to witness this auction drew hundreds of thousands to the event.

"This three-colored feather fan can summon a demonic wind, comparable to a full-force attack from someone in the Late Period of the Foundation Stage. We'll start the bidding at 1,500 Low Grade Spirit Stones, and each bid must increase by at least 100 Spirit Stones."

No sooner had the girl finished her announcement than someone in the crowd raised their token. "I bid 2,000."

"2,500," came another voice.

Ning Xiaofan appraised the item but concluded it wasn't as fine as his Heart Questioning Sword. Plus, as the first lot of the auction, it was decent but not exceptional.

"2,600."

"2,600 going once, twice, sold! This item is sold for 2,600 Spirit Stones. Staff, please facilitate the exchange."

"Next up, we have a feather garment..."

Laughter rippled through the crowd. "Ah, I mean feathers, not rain. Please, have a closer look."

"This is a Grade Nine, Rank 1 robe. Present it to your beloved, and it will accentuate her beauty, making her even more reliant on you, even more..."

The crowd watched as a vibrant feather robe took flight, shimmering with spiritual light, its style rivaling that of Earth's finest fashions.

The auctioneer's voice carried a playful undertone, her ability to entice the crowd undeniable. With just a few words, the young men, including Ning Xiaofan, were visibly stirred.

Meanwhile, Fatty was on the verge of dozing off, and Lin Bo continued to munch on beef. "Brother, don't stuff yourself."

"Mm, Mr. Ning, would you like a piece?"

"Just keep going..."

Ning Xiaofan was at a loss for words.

"The White Feathers Clothing will start at 5,000 Spirit Stones. If you're interested, please raise your sign."

"I bid 5,100 Spirit Stones."

A bidder raised his token, which glowed with spiritual light. The Spirit Stones within would be deducted accordingly. During the auction, one could only use the Spirit Stones they had saved beforehand, with the final bid not exceeding ten times the amount in their token. To bid on an item, one needed to ensure they had enough Spirit Stones saved up.

Under the staff's guidance, Ning Xiaofan transferred all 20,000 Spirit Stones into his token, which gave him a spending limit of 200,000. He knew he'd need to replenish the Spirit Stones after the auction.

The token was responsive; if the amount exceeded 5,000 Spirit Stones, it would emit a green light with each bid, as long as it stayed within the limit. A red light, however, signaled that the limit had been breached, and bidding would be halted.

"I bid 5,300 Spirit Stones," one bidder called out.

"I'll raise to 6,000," another countered.

The room fell silent, the tension palpable, until a voice from a second-floor private room cut through, "Tianyu Pavilion desires this item. Our bid is 10,000." The crowd below went quiet, wary of the Pavilion's reputation—no one dared to challenge them.

Ning Xiaofan assessed his own resources and chose not to compete; his 20,000 Spirit Stones seemed meager against their casual bid of 10,000. He sighed inwardly—comparisons could be disheartening—but life goes on.

"The White Feathers Clothing goes to Tianyu Pavilion," the auctioneer announced. "Please proceed with the exchange."

"The third lot is a fragment of a Spiritual Moon, oozing with spiritual energy. A master appraiser has confirmed that the energy is akin to that of a spiritual spring, capable of sustaining for at least a century."

The crowd recognized the value of the artifact fragment. Though not brimming with energy, it was a boon for those in the Foundation Stage—a man-made spiritual spring for daily absorption.

"System, begin the appraisal," commanded a voice.

"Affirmative, appraising now..."

As time ticked by, the auctioneer beamed and declared, "Bidding for the Spiritual Moon fragment starts at 10,000 Spirit Stones."

A wave of murmurs rippled through the audience, a mix of surprise and intrigue.

"What's this?"

"A magic artifact fragment?"

"How much?"

"10,000."

"I'll bid 12,000."

Just as Ning Xiaofan was about to call out 13,000, he heard someone from a private room on the second floor offer 20,000.

"I bid 21,000."

The crowd below seemed to have lost their minds. This item was impressive. Placed in a home, it would act like a spiritual spring, nourishing the body with spiritual energy daily. What a treasure!

The price kept soaring.

"What do I do?"

"Thirty thousand Spirit Stones..."

Has this fragment not been appraised yet?

"Ding! The magical artifact fragment has been successfully appraised. It is a fragment of the Universe Lock, an Immortal-grade treasure. The specific function of the fragment is unknown, but its value is beyond measure."

What in the world? What's happening? A treasure beyond measure, and it's a piece of the Qian Kun Lock? This is something worth competing for, but I have nothing to offer. What do I do?

"System, how many Cultivation Points do I currently have?"

"Master, you have 4 Cultivation Points, 3 Skill Points, 8 Merit Points, 29 Charm Points, 4 Cultivation Points, 8 Reputation Points, and 304 Spirit Stones."

I can still exchange for 2 more Cultivation Points. That's the only option.

"System, exchange for two Cultivation Points."

"Master, you have successfully exchanged for two Cultivation Points, at the cost of 20 Charm Points."

Now with six Cultivation Points, let's see how my luck fares.

"System, initiate the draw."

"Master, the lottery has begun."

The massive roulette wheel emerged in his mind again, amidst the chaos and the misty skies, shimmering with a rainbow's glow.

"Ding! Congratulations, Master, you've won a Powerful Pill."

Sigh, there goes one Cultivation Point. Damn! The Powerful Pill might be somewhat useful, but it's not something I can test! It's practically useless.

"Ding! Apologies, Master. You have not won any items."

Another point down the drain.

"Ding! Apologies, Master. You have not won any items."

Ning Xiaofan was on the verge of a breakdown. What now?

"Ding! Apologies, Master. You have not won any items."

Damn it, this is frustrating. They were all looking at him as if he were a fool.

"Xiaofan, what's the matter?"

He only had one more chance to draw. If it didn't work out, he'd have to let it go.

"Ding! Congratulations, Master. You've obtained a Grade Three Retaining Youth Pill."

But what good was a Retaining Youth Pill? Who in their right mind would drop tens of thousands on such a worthless item?

"Don't worry about it. Keep an eye on Lin Bo for me. I'll step out for a bit and be right back."

"Sure thing, Xiaofan."

Without realizing it, Fanh Yichen had come to see Ning Xiaofan as more than a friend; he was family, true family.

Hearing the bidding reach 50,000 Spirit Stones, with fewer hands going up, Ning Xiaofan hurried to the appraisal room.

He knew that auction items required appraisal, and the appraisal room could also set the Spirit Stone limit for the auction. The auction house would make an advance payment before the bidding started.

"Quick, check how much this medicine pill is worth."

The old man looked troubled. The auction was underway, and only now he was asked to appraise? This was inconvenient.

"Is this a Grade Three Medicinal Pill?"

"Even a top-tier Grade Three? What kind of pill is this?"

"It's a Powerful Pill, it boosts strength tenfold. I just need it appraised."

Sweat beaded on Ning Xiaofan's forehead as he grew increasingly anxious. He needed Spirit Stones and time, or he'd lose the chance at the Immortal Weapon fragment.

"Hold on, I'll get someone."

The more urgent the situation, the more complications arose. This appraiser wasn't specialized in medicinal pills.

"Take it easy, young man. What's meant to be will be; what's not, won't come no matter how hard you try."

The elder's hand glowed briefly before another old man entered.

"Old Liu, is that a medicine pill you need appraised?"

"Yes, have a look. What's the value of this Powerful Pill?"

The old man examined the pill closely and exclaimed, "Hmm!"

"What's the matter?"

"This is a Rank 3 medicinal pill. Who among the ancestor masters crafted this?"

"Elder, what's the value of this pill?"

"It's hard to say. If someone is in the market for a Rank 3 medicinal pill, this is an excellent specimen. It could fetch a fair number of Spirit Stones."

"How much could it go for at auction?"

"At a minimum, a Rank 3 medicinal pill would start at 50,000 Spirit Stones. As for your Powerful Pill, its strength is hard to gauge, so we'll set it at 50,000 Spirit Stones as well."

"Elder, I have another pill for you to look at."

"Is it also a Rank 3?"

"Sir, this is a Retaining Youth Pill. I'm not sure if it can be auctioned, but I'm in urgent need of Spirit Stones. Please, make haste!"

"It's definitely auctionable. This could be considered a gem—a Grade Three Retaining Youth Pill, no less!"

Ning Xiaofan, desperate for funds, presses on. "Elder, how much could this pill net in Spirit Stones?"

"At the very least, 100,000. If there's interest for research, it could bring in even more."

"Ah, then please proceed with the auction. And if you could, raise the asking price a bit. Could the two pills together fetch 160,000 Spirit Stones?"

"Hmm, one moment. I'll inquire."

The elder communicates through a voice transmission and returns with a smile. "The Master agrees to the sale. And should you have more, the Master is willing to purchase them at the base price."

"Regrettably, I only have these two pills. If not for my pressing need for Spirit Stones, I wouldn't dream of parting with them."

The elder accepts Ning Xiaofan's token and, with a burst of light, 160,000 Spirit Stones are credited to his account, an advance from the Grand Meeting. The final settlement will follow the auction's conclusion.

"All set."

"Thank you, sir. I appreciate your help with the auction."

With the paperwork complete, Ning Xiaofan hurries back.

"This young man is quite wealthy, already possessing twenty thousand Spirit Stones, and now with premium spiritual pills. It's unfortunate they're only the Powerful Pill and Retaining Youth Pill. If they were something else, they'd be even more valuable."

"Ding! Congratulations, Master. Charisma has increased by 1 point."

The elder has done well. Ning Xiaofan makes a mental note to thank him after the auction. It's fortunate to have someone who can boost his Charisma.