Chapter 49: The Second-Tier Golden Sword Talisman

At the auction, an elderly man with a full head of white hair slowly ascended the platform. This man, in the Great Perfection stage of Qi Refining, appeared to be even older than Lin Shigong.

Upon seeing the old man, someone in the crowd exclaimed, "I didn't expect it to be Elder Ruan hosting the auction. The treasures this time must be extraordinary!"

Many cultivators unfamiliar with Elder Ruan asked their neighbors about him.

"Elder Ruan is a gold-level auctioneer who has been in the auction business for nearly fifty years. He has hosted hundreds of auctions and handled countless treasures. He hasn't participated in an auction in nearly ten years. With him presiding, the items up for auction must be remarkable!"

Hearing this explanation, the auction hall buzzed with excitement, but the crowd soon quieted down, indicating Elder Ruan's significant reputation.

"Greetings, fellow cultivators. I am Ruan Jingtian. Welcome to this auction. I won't bore you with the rules—highest bid wins. If you don't have enough spirit stones, other treasures can be used as collateral. Without further ado, let the auction begin."

After Ruan Jingtian finished speaking, a beautiful woman dressed in red ascended the platform. She was charming, with a fair neck and a seductive sway to her hips. She carried a tray covered with a red cloth, hiding its contents.

Many cultivators in the hall had their eyes fixed on her, whether for the treasure she carried or for her beauty, it was unclear.

Ruan Jingtian, unfazed by the crowd's reaction, spoke loudly, "The first auction item is a set of mid-tier first-tier spiritual tools, the Five-Child Mysterious Water Beads."

The seductive woman unveiled the cloth, revealing five beads, each the size of a baby's fist, in a beautiful azure-gray color.

"The Five-Child Mysterious Water Beads, each a mid-tier spiritual tool. When activated together, they can create a massive wave a hundred feet high to trap enemies and unleash multiple ice arrows. These beads are versatile tools for both trapping and attacking. The starting bid is 350 spirit stones, with each increment no less than five spirit stones."

Hearing the introduction, Lin Tianming admired the item but felt that his own superior Earth Shattering Sword set made these beads unnecessary for him. He decided not to bid, though many cultivators in the hall were eager to start.

The auction room became lively as numerous cultivators began placing bids.

"I bid 360 spirit stones," called a cultivator at the sixth level of Qi Refining.

"360 stones for this? What a joke. I bid 370 spirit stones," jeered another.

"380 spirit stones."

"400 spirit stones."

"480 spirit stones."

…

After over ten rounds of bidding, the Five-Child Mysterious Water Beads sold for 480 spirit stones to a white-robed cultivator, likely practicing a water-based technique, ensuring he could fully utilize the beads' power.

Lin Tianming couldn't help but note that the beads' price seemed inflated. Although they were high-quality, they fetched about ten percent more than they typically would.

The first item's value set a high bar, stirring excitement for the subsequent treasures.

"Next item, a mid-tier first-tier defensive spiritual tool, the Diamond Armor, crafted from the hide of a high-tier first-tier Silverhorn Lizard. Its defense is exceptionally strong. The starting bid is 80 spirit stones, with each increment no less than five spirit stones."

"90 stones."

"100 stones."

"110 stones."

…

"135 stones."

The armor was finally sold to a seventh-level Qi Refining cultivator.

Ruan Jingtian continued to introduce items: pills, talismans, spiritual tools—everything a Qi Refining cultivator might need. Prices steadily climbed, and the auction hall's atmosphere grew increasingly fervent.

Lin Tianming didn't participate, finding the items less impressive compared to what he already possessed. Half a year ago, these treasures might have excited him, but not now.

"Now, we move to the final ten highlight items. Fellow cultivators, keep your eyes peeled!" Ruan Jingtian's announcement heightened the room's anticipation, with many cultivators, who had yet to bid, focusing intensely.

"The first highlight item is a high-tier first-tier pill, the Marrow Cleansing Pill. Three pills in total, auctioned one at a time. Starting bid, 110 spirit stones, with increments no less than five spirit stones."

The seductive woman returned to the platform, displaying a pill from a jade bottle, her delicate fingers holding it for everyone to see.

One of the private rooms quickly called out, "120 stones."

…

"170 stones."

The room buzzed with astonishment. After a fierce bidding war, the first Marrow Cleansing Pill sold for 170 spirit stones to a private room cultivator.

The remaining two pills also fetched high prices of 160 and 155 spirit stones, respectively, with only one pill going to a cultivator in the main hall.

Lin Tianming was surprised at the popularity of the Marrow Cleansing Pills, making a mental note of their worth.

The auction proceeded with each highlight item surpassing the previous in value. The third item, a bottle of Barrier Breaking Pills, fetched high prices, with each pill going for no less than 180 spirit stones.

"The fourth highlight item is a lower-tier second-tier Golden Sword Talisman. Activating this talisman releases a golden sword light with the power equivalent to a full-strength strike from an early Foundation Establishment cultivator. Starting bid, 220 spirit stones, with increments no less than ten spirit stones."

Ruan Jingtian's introduction spurred immediate bids from the private rooms.

"230 stones."

"240 stones."

After six rounds, the price climbed to 290 spirit stones.

Lin Tianming decided to bid. He had numerous high-tier first-tier talismans and his spiritual tools, but lacked something with the power to challenge a Great Perfection stage Qi Refining cultivator. A second-tier talisman could tip the scales in his favor.

"320 spirit stones," he called, hoping the substantial increase would deter others.

Another private room responded, "340 stones. If anyone bids higher, I'll withdraw."

The hall fell silent.

"350 spirit stones," Lin Tianming called again, determined to secure the talisman.

After the final countdown, no further bids came, and Lin Tianming won the Golden Sword Talisman.

He handed his spirit stones to the auction staff, who verified the amount before tossing the talisman to him.