Chapter 5: The Medium Auction

"Huff..."

Qi Xiu exhaled a deep breath, slowly pressing his hands down, concluding a complete cultivation cycle.

His spiritual power remained at the peak of the second level of Qi Refining, showing no signs of breaking through. Occasionally, he would gain some insight, only to be harshly suppressed by the iron threshold of his current cultivation stage.

Slightly disappointed, he quickly came to terms with it. The reality of his stagnant cultivation was something he had long accepted. All the knowledge he had accessed told him that surpassing the third level of Qi Refining, the first significant threshold in cultivation, was impossible in this lifetime.

Qi Xiu couldn't advance in his cultivation due to his "life essence."

For a cultivator, the "life essence" is the most crucial factor determining the cultivation speed. The more "life essence" a person has, the more chaotic their "spiritual roots," resulting in a slower absorption of spiritual energy.

The "life essence" resides in the cultivator's sea of consciousness and is innate, corresponding with the cultivator's spiritual roots. It can be an element, a spiritual beast, or an object.

For example, suppose a cultivator's "life essence" is the wood-attribute [Sea Buckthorn Grass]. In that case, they have a single life essence and a single wood spiritual root, making their cultivation speed significantly faster than most.

If their "life essence" includes an additional object-attribute [Demon Slayer Sword], they then have a dual life essence with wood and object spiritual roots, slowing their cultivation compared to having a single root.

Another example is if their "life essence" comprises [Sea Buckthorn Grass] and [Soul Nourishing Wood], both wood attributes, they would have dual life essences but a single wood spiritual root, with a cultivation speed somewhere between the previous two examples.

The strength of the "life essence" also dramatically impacts the cultivator.

For instance, a cultivator with the "life essence" of the [Demon Slayer Sword] will develop more powerful innate abilities compared to someone with the [Sea Buckthorn Grass]. In a duel using these innate abilities, the former is likely to have a significant advantage.

However, this isn't always the case. Personal understanding, usage skills, and the interplay of various talents can be major variables. Therefore, inquiring about another's life essence and innate abilities is considered highly impolite and often interpreted as hostile in the cultivation world.

The influence of "life essence" on cultivation is too complex to summarize. Cultivators across countless worlds have developed myriad methods to cultivate their "life essence" and harness the innate abilities it provides. The knowledge is vast and seemingly endless.

However, before reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, cultivators cannot visualize their "life essence" in their sea of consciousness. Hence, for Qi Refining cultivators, finding a similar object to contemplate and assist in cultivation is crucial.

Regardless of the cultivation stage, having a suitable "companion object" is always essential.

Qi Xiu's misfortune lay in his "life essence" and "companion object." He had a single life essence and spiritual root, which should have promised a bright future. However, his life essence was the [Red-Bottomed Horse Monkey].

The [Red-Bottomed Horse Monkey], an infrequent spiritual entity capable of manipulating yin and yang, understanding human affairs, and possessing grand entry and exit abilities, exists in only a handful of worlds. Despite its powerful innate abilities, its rarity made finding a "companion object" impossible for Qi Xiu.

Over the years, Qi Xiu had tried various monkeys, apes, and even some plants and objects as potential "companion objects," but none could help him mirror his life essence and aid in his cultivation. Thus, the third level of Qi Refining, the so-called first significant threshold in cultivation, remained an insurmountable chasm for Qi Xiu.

Qi Xiu had come to terms with this. He knew that in most sects, most outer disciples never advanced beyond the third level, yet they lived busy, happy lives, marrying, raising families, and caring for their loved ones.

While their status wasn't high, they were still far superior to ordinary people. Compared to those with great talent and lofty ambitions, their lives were simpler but still desirable.

An outer disciple performing menial tasks in a sect would lead a life of luxury and comfort compared to the mundane world. Practicing longevity techniques like the Changchun Technique, they could enjoy seven to eight decades of worldly prosperity, even if they lived as a simple farmer with a couple of wives.

With such thoughts, Qi Xiu mused, "Once this matter is resolved, I should find a wife and start a family. No matter what, life must go on. Becoming a simple farmer wouldn't be too bad. In the outer sect, there was an old man who worked the spirit fields. He married his ninth concubine at eighty. For me... perhaps one wife and two concubines would suffice."

Lost in his whimsical thoughts, Qi Xiu suddenly sensed something and stood up, walking to the table. He pressed a hidden mechanism above the table leg, and the door to his room silently opened.

In inns catering to low-level cultivators, each room typically had a protective array that would alert the occupant of any approach, preventing unwanted intrusions.

A mortal attendant carrying a food box entered, respectfully greeted Qi Xiu, and set the meal on the table before bowing again and leaving.

A jug of [Spring Spirit Wine], a bowl of spirit grain rice, and two small dishes, all faintly radiating spiritual energy, were laid out. These low-level spiritual ingredients cost two first-grade spirit stones. Such refined meals were common for inner disciples, but Qi Xiu hadn't indulged since leaving the sect.

Qi Xiu felt drained after ten days of busy trading and sleepless nights. With the auction tomorrow, he hoped to get the Foundation Establishment Pill. The journey back to the sect would be much longer and more dangerous. Gritting his teeth, he spent the two spirit stones to rejuvenate his spirits for the arduous journey ahead.

He savored the meal, shaking his head and enjoying the flavors. Finishing the last drop of spirit wine, he reluctantly called for the innkeeper to clear the table.

After meditating for a while, Qi Xiu estimated it was time and prepared to head to the auction house.

Qinghe Market wasn't as large as a cultivation city, so he soon arrived at the auction house. As the largest monthly event in Qinghe Market, the medium-scale auction attracted three times the usual crowd, bustling with activity.

Approaching the entrance, Qi Xiu saw two groups from unknown sects meeting at the door. The leading cultivators exchanged loud greetings while their disciples stood respectfully behind them. Others, blocked by their presence, waited patiently without complaint.

"At least late-stage Foundation Establishment!" Qi Xiu thought. Despite his low cultivation, he could recognize the demeanor of powerful cultivators. He waited along with the others.

"Please!"

"After you!"

After a while, the two senior cultivators finally entered, and Qi Xiu followed the resuming flow of people inside.

The auction hall, familiar to Qi Xiu from previous visits, had two levels: private boxes upstairs and general seating downstairs, arranged in a fan shape around the stage.

Holding his pre-purchased ticket, Qi Xiu found his seat in a corner of the general seating area. He couldn't afford to buy anything but hoped to gain some insight.

Naturally, his main concern was the price [Golden Light Cymbals] would fetch. To keep the auction lively, key items were spread out, and as a decent piece for Qi Refining cultivators, [Golden Light Cymbals] was scheduled for the middle segment.

The auction stage resembled a theater, with a Qi Refining cultivator presenting various small items for bidding. The starting prices were low, a tactic to attract early attendees. The hall buzzed with activity as people found seats and placed bids.

As the crowd settled, more valuable items began to appear. The first significant item, a high-grade first-level flying sword, caused a stir. The bidding quickly escalated, eventually becoming a battle between upstairs boxes, closing at three hundred second-grade spirit stones.

Qi Xiu watched with envy. Flying swords were highly sought after for their speed and low spiritual energy consumption, suitable for both flight and combat.

"Tsk tsk, no wonder they are dream artifacts for killing and escaping. A flying sword can be exchanged for three Foundation Establishment Pills."

Qi Xiu and the other general seating cultivators watched with complex emotions as the sword was carried to one of the boxes upstairs.

The auction continued, with the atmosphere fluctuating between calm and excitement. Soon, it was time for [Golden Light Cymbals] to be auctioned.

"Second-grade low-grade magical artifact, [Golden Light Cymbals]! This metal-attribute artifact combines offense and defense!"

The auctioneer, a middle-aged man, spoke clearly through a unique array ensuring everyone in the hall heard him. He lifted [Golden Light Cymbals], displaying them before carefully handing them to another cultivator for demonstration.

As the demonstration began, the auctioneer detailed the artifact's attributes.

"…can transform into a shield, offering substantial defense, capable of withstanding high-grade first-level attacks and, with increased spiritual energy consumption, low-grade second-level attacks…"

The artifact's mediocre attributes led to a lukewarm response. When the demonstrator activated the artifact, releasing a golden beam that hit the testing stone, confirming its low-grade second-level attack power, the audience showed slight interest.

"Lastly, note that this attack consumes significant spiritual energy, allowing a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator only three uses. The starting price is fifty-five second-grade spirit stones, with one-stone increments. Any bids?"

Despite the auctioneer's attempt to highlight the artifact's strengths, Qi Xiu's heart sank. The artifact's high energy consumption and moderate power left few interested.

After a tense silence, a hand lazily rose from the front row.

"Good! Fifty-five stones! Any higher bids?"

The auctioneer called out. Another pause followed, and he continued, "Fifty-five stones, once!"

Someone from another direction raised the bid. "Fifty-six stones! Any higher?"

"Sixty!"

The hoarse voice from an upstairs box sounded like music to Qi Xiu's ears. The auctioneer quickly shouted, "Box G, sixty stones! Any higher bids?"

The hall fell silent again. Typically, once a box placed a bid, general seating cultivators refrained from competing.

"Seventy!"

Another box increased the bid, causing a buzz among the attendees as they speculated about potential rivalries.

"Seventy! Seventy stones! Box W offers seventy stones! Any higher bids?" The auctioneer's voice grew hoarse with excitement.