ragginovel Chapter 80: Biyang Sect
Chapter 80: Biyang Sect
Upon hearing this, Liu Ximing's eyes lit up, and he exclaimed repeatedly:
"It's Mid-Autumn Festival, and there will be various small activities on board, as well as a grand auction tonight. You can go and take a look."
Li Wu nodded slightly upon hearing this, and immediately had Liu Ximing lead the way to the auction house.
Along the way, Liu Ximing kept introducing the route:
"Tonight's auction is said to be specially prepared by the Biyang Sect for the Mid-Autumn Festival. It is much more grand than a regular small auction. I heard that the grand finale is a spiritual item at the Core Formation level, which has attracted cultivators from several surrounding counties."
Li Wu paused, raised an eyebrow, and asked in surprise:
"A spiritual object that has already reached the Core Formation stage? The Biyang Sect is really generous."
However, his main purpose this time was for thunder-attribute spiritual objects; he wasn't very interested in anything else, even if it was a Core Formation item.
Li Wuwei nodded slightly, said nothing more, and followed her through several corridors, where the view suddenly opened up before them.
The auction was held in a large hall in the center of the ship, which was already packed with people, numbering at least several hundred cultivators.
The hall is divided into three levels. The first level is for ordinary seats, which are densely packed with people.
The second floor contains private rooms, specially prepared for Foundation Establishment cultivators. A beaded curtain hangs in front of the door, through which one can vaguely see the figures inside.
The third floor is the VIP seating area, supposedly prepared for Core Formation cultivators, but it's empty tonight, clearly indicating that no such important figures are attending.
Li Wu glanced around and saw that seven or eight private rooms on the second floor already had their beaded curtains hanging low, indicating that people had arrived early.
"Senior, let me take you to verify your identity so we can go to the second floor."
As Liu Ximing spoke, he led Li Wu to a cultivator from the Biyang Sect. After Li Wu revealed his Foundation Establishment cultivation, he easily ascended to the second floor.
"Senior, your seat is the third room on the left on the second floor."
The cultivator handed over a jade token and respectfully said:
"I will wait outside. Please call me anytime if you have any instructions, senior."
Li Wu took the jade token and entered the private room.
The private room was decorated with great elegance, with spiritual tea and fruits laid out on a rosewood table, and soft animal hides on the floor.
Through the beaded curtain, the scene inside the hall was clearly visible, while those outside could not see inside, making it quite private.
As soon as Li Wugang sat down, he heard a soft laugh coming from next door, the voice delicate and sweet:
"Oh, this fellow Daoist is quite unfamiliar. May I ask which family's outstanding individual you are?"
Li Wu glanced sideways and, through the beaded curtain, vaguely saw a female cultivator in red sitting in the next private room. She had a bright and beautiful face, and her peach blossom eyes looked at him with a half-smile.
He cupped his hands slightly and chuckled softly:
"Qing Shi Men, Li Wu greets fellow Daoist."
Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in the female cultivator's eyes, then she covered her mouth and smiled:
"Qingshimen? You must be the recently rising Thunder Cultivator Li Wu? I am Su Wanqing, an outer sect steward of the Biyang Sect. Greetings."
Li Wu nodded, a slight thought stirring in his heart.
It's not surprising that people from the Biyang Sect are here, since this Sky Tour is Biyang Sect territory.
Su Wanqing then said:
"Fellow Daoist Li, which item has caught your eye at this auction?"
Just as Li Wu was about to reply, he suddenly heard the bell in the hall toll three times, and a clear voice resounded throughout the hall:
"Fellow Daoists, on this Mid-Autumn Festival, the Biyang Sect has prepared many spiritual items, hoping that you will all receive the spiritual items you desire."
The crowd looked in the direction of the voice and saw a middle-aged Taoist priest standing on a high platform in the hall. He was dressed in a blue Taoist robe, with a thin face and an extraordinary demeanor.
"I am Zhou Changfeng, an outer sect elder of the Biyang Sect. I will be presiding over today's auction."
Zhou Changfeng glanced around, smiled slightly, and with a flick of his sleeve, a jade table appeared out of thin air on the high platform, upon which rested a white jade bottle. He then proclaimed in a clear voice:
"The first item up for auction is a Foundation Establishment Pill, the [Condensing Essence Pill]. It can save a Foundation Establishment cultivator ten years of arduous cultivation. The starting bid is 500 spirit stones, and each bid must be at least 50 spirit stones higher."
These words immediately caused an uproar in the hall.
Although they knew there would be a great treasure today, the fact that the first item was a Foundation Establishment Pill still surprised many people.
"Six hundred spirit stones!"
"Seven hundred!"
"Eight hundred!"
Prices soared, quickly surpassing one thousand.
Li Wu sat in the private room, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and looked indifferent.
Before long, at the auction, the Condensation Pill was finally sold to a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator for 1,600 spirit stones.
The next few items were all elixirs and magical artifacts. Although they could be considered rare items, they were only at the Qi Refining level and did not cause much of a stir.
As the seventh item was brought to the stage, Zhou Changfeng's voice rose several decibels:
"Ladies and gentlemen, the next item in this auction is one of the highlights of today's event."
After saying that, he lifted a piece of brocade on the jade table, revealing a purple stone the size of a fist.
The stone shimmered with purple light, and faint lightning patterns could be seen within it, emanating wisps of lightning-attribute spiritual energy.
"Thunderstone!"
A gasp of surprise immediately rang out in the hall.
Zhou Changfeng looked at the crowd's reaction with satisfaction and said loudly:
"This stone was formed from mountain rocks shattered by heavenly lightning and nurtured for a hundred years. The heavenly lightning power it contains is extremely pure, making it a supreme treasure for tempering magical power and breaking through bottlenecks. It is especially beneficial to lightning-attribute cultivators!"
"Starting bid: 2,000 spirit stones; each bid must be at least 100 spirit stones higher."
A moment later, a voice rang out:
"Two thousand one hundred!"
"Two thousand three hundred!"
"Two thousand five hundred!"
Prices soared, but Li Wu didn't rush to bid. He simply held his teacup and listened quietly.
Upon boarding the ship, he took almost all the spirit stones that Qing Shimen had accumulated over the years, totaling a full eight thousand spirit stones!
They are very wealthy.
After observing for a while, Li Wu noticed that everyone was raising prices little by little. He frowned slightly and immediately called out:
"Four thousand five hundred spirit stones!"
This immediately raised the price significantly, effectively excluding those financially strapped Foundation Establishment cultivators from the competition.
The Qi Refining cultivators below watched this scene with amusement, whispering and discussing amongst themselves.
"Four thousand five hundred spirit stones? Which cultivator is this? So generous!"
"Judging from the sound, it's coming from a private room on the second floor. It must be some Foundation Establishment senior."
"Tsk tsk, a Heavenly Thunder Stone may be rare, but it shouldn't be worth this price, right? This senior is probably a Thunder Cultivator, determined to obtain this item."
On the high platform, a hint of joy flashed in Zhou Changfeng's eyes as he announced loudly:
"The fellow Daoist in the third room on the left has offered 4,500 spirit stones. Is there anyone else bidding?"
The hall fell silent for a moment.
The people who had previously bid fell silent. The price was already far beyond the value of the Thunderstone itself, and it would be unreasonable to raise it any further.
Li Wu remained calm, picked up his teacup, and took a small sip.
He had made up his mind before he came here that he would take down the lightning-attribute spiritual object no matter what.
It doesn't matter if it costs a few more spirit stones.
After two years of seclusion, I will be able to find He Yu again to obtain spirit stones.
After all, that was his purpose in establishing the Qing Shi Men.
Just then, a lazy voice came from another private room on the second floor:
"Five thousand spirit stones."
Another commotion erupted in the hall.
Li Wu raised an eyebrow and looked in the direction of the sound. The beaded curtain of the private room was lowered, making it impossible to see the person inside. He could only vaguely see a figure leaning against the back of a chair, looking quite casual.
"Five thousand one hundred." Li Wu answered calmly without hesitation.
Five thousand five hundred.
The voice remained unhurried, seemingly unconcerned about the price.
Li Wu narrowed his eyes slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said:
"Six thousand."
The hall erupted in chaos.
Six thousand spirit stones—this is an amount that many Foundation Establishment cultivators couldn't afford even if they gave up their entire fortune.
Even for those powerful and influential families, it would take a long time to consider spending so many spirit stones to buy a single spiritual item.
After all, they are not like Li Wu, who can freely control the resources of a sect.
In the next private room, Su Wanqing's peach blossom eyes widened slightly, her red lips parted as if she wanted to say something, but she held back, only picking up her teacup and looking at Li Wu's private room with great interest.
The competitor on the other side was silent for a moment, then suddenly chuckled:
"Six thousand five hundred."
Li Wu's expression remained unchanged, but a slight thought stirred within him.
This person raised the price so readily, either because they are very wealthy or because they were deliberately inflating the price.
However, he was determined to get it, and he didn't mind paying a higher price.
"Seven thousand." Li Wu's voice remained calm.
The hall was completely silent.
Everyone held their breath, waiting to see who would emerge victorious in this bidding war.
After a long while, that lazy voice finally rang out again, but with a hint of a smile:
"Since you are so fond of this item, I will not oblige."
After saying that, there was no more sound.
Zhou Changfeng waited a moment, and seeing that no one else was bidding, he immediately called out loudly:
"Seven thousand spirit stones, first time! Second time! Third time! Sold!"
"Congratulations to the fellow Daoist in the third room on the left for winning the Heavenly Thunder Stone!"
Li Wuwei nodded slightly, his face revealing neither joy nor anger, but he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Seven thousand spirit stones, although more expensive than expected, I finally got them.
Before long, a waiter brought in a jade tray, on which was the Thunderstone.
Li Wu took out spirit stones to pay the bill, put the Thunderstone into his storage bag, and then revealed a slight smile.
From the next private room, Su Wanqing's voice drifted over:
"Friend Li, you are very generous. You spent seven thousand spirit stones to buy a Thunderstone. Even in our Biyang Sect, not many people would be willing to do that."
Li Wu smiled faintly and said softly:
"What one needs for cultivation, how can one be willing or unwilling to give up?"
Upon hearing this, Su Wanqing covered her mouth and smiled, her eyes sparkling, and said:
"Fellow Daoist Li is right; it is I who am vulgar."
She paused, then said:
"However, now that you have obtained the Heavenly Thunder Stone, I suppose the next few items will not appeal to you? The grand finale item is a Core Formation spiritual item, but at your current level, it is probably not of any use to you."
Li Wu smiled faintly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
Having achieved his goal, he indeed showed little interest in the subsequent auction items.
However, since we're already here, we might as well see what good stuff the Biyang Sect has to offer.
Subsequently, many more items appeared, sparking a bidding war, before the final item was quickly brought up.
"Ladies and gentlemen, now for today's grand finale!"
As he spoke, he waved his sleeve, and a white jade bottle about a foot tall appeared out of thin air on the jade table. The bottle was crystal clear, and a shimmering liquid could be vaguely seen flowing slowly inside.
The hall fell silent immediately, and everyone's eyes were fixed on the white jade bottle.
Zhou Changfeng looked around, then slowly lifted the seal on the bottle, and a dense, almost tangible spiritual energy instantly spread out.
"This substance is called [Heavenly Essence Elixir], which can help Foundation Establishment cultivators at the peak of their cultivation to condense their Golden Core, increasing their chances of breaking through to the Core Formation stage by at least 10%!"
These words caused an uproar throughout the hall.
Increasing the chance of forming a Core Formation by 10% is a spiritual item that countless Foundation Establishment cultivators crave.
Even the cultivators who were originally just there to watch the spectacle couldn't help but stand up and crane their necks to look.
Li Wu was also slightly startled, a strange light flashing in his eyes.
A spiritual item that can increase the probability of forming a core is definitely a rare find in Danfeng Continent.
"The Biyang Sect really has a grand scheme."
Li Wu shook his head, but this spiritual object was not meant for him.
After all, he cultivates the Purple Mansion Golden Core Dao, and what he needs to break through is the Purple Mansion, not the Core Formation.
In the end, the Heavenly Origin Spirit Liquid was sold for a sky-high price of 34,000 spirit stones to a mysterious cultivator who remained silent throughout the auction in the private room on the far right of the second floor.
A murmur of sighs rose from the hall, a mixture of envy and regret.
Zhou Changfeng, his face glowing, said in a loud voice:
"Today's auction has come to an end. Thank you all for your support. During this Mid-Autumn Festival, the Biyang Sect has prepared spiritual tea and fruits at various points on the ship. Please feel free to enjoy yourselves."
The crowd rose and dispersed in twos and threes.
Li Wu also stood up, about to leave, when he suddenly heard Su Wanqing laughing next door:
"Fellow Daoist Li, tonight is the Mid-Autumn Festival. There will be a moon-viewing party on the deck. The Biyang Sect has prepared the finest spiritual wine and fruits. If you have nothing else to do, why don't you join us?"
Li Wulue pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly:
"Alright."
His purpose in coming to this Sky Parade was not only to search for lightning-attribute spiritual objects, but also to get to know more people behind the Biyang Sect.
Now that the other party's outer sect steward has taken the initiative to invite him, he naturally won't refuse this good opportunity.
The two left the private room, walked through the corridor, and headed towards a restaurant.
As for Liu Ximing, he naturally stopped following Li Wu.
After giving him several bottles of pills refined by Lu Sui, Li Wu let him leave.
Along the way, Su Wanqing chatted and laughed, occasionally introducing the scenery along the route, and she was quite enthusiastic.
Li Wu didn't talk much, occasionally responding with a word or two, always with a faint smile on his face.
As they reached a corner, a cultivator in a green robe approached them. He had sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, and an extraordinary air about him. Two attendants followed behind him.
Su Wanqing was slightly taken aback, then bowed and said, "Su Wanqing greets Senior Brother Zhou."
The monk in the blue robe was Zhou Changfeng, who had just presided over the auction.
His gaze swept over Su Wanqing, then landed on Li Wu, and he raised an eyebrow slightly:
"And this is...?"
"Li Wu from Qing Shi Men greets Senior Zhou," Li Wu said, cupping his hands in greeting.
Zhou Changfeng glanced at him, then suddenly laughed:
"So it was you who bid on that Thunderstone? Seven thousand spirit stones, what a grand gesture."
Li Wu said calmly:
"You flatter me, senior. It's just something I need for cultivation."
Zhou Changfeng nodded, didn't ask any more questions, just gave him a meaningful look, and then left with his servants.
Su Wanqing watched him walk away before whispering:
"Senior Brother Zhou is an outer sect elder of the Biyang Sect, with a Foundation Establishment Great Perfection cultivation. It is said that he is currently in seclusion attempting to break through to the Core Formation Realm. It is quite rare for him to come out and preside over the auction this time."
Upon hearing this, Li Wu raised an eyebrow, pondering to himself:
"An outer sect elder who has reached the Foundation Establishment stage? The Biyang Sect truly lives up to its reputation as the number one immortal sect in Danfeng Continent."
Inside the restaurant, dozens of tables were set up in the center, displaying spiritual fruits and wines. Many cultivators had already taken their seats, chatting and admiring the moon in twos and threes.
A full moon hangs high in the sky, its clear light shining down and reflecting off the lights on the ship, creating a truly unique atmosphere.
Su Wanqing led Li Wu to sit down at a table near the railing, where a servant served them spirit tea.
"Fellow Daoist Li, although this Mid-Autumn Festival moon-viewing party is not as grand as an auction, it has its own unique charm."
Su Wanqing picked up her wine glass, took a small sip, and smiled as her eyes sparkled:
"It's rare to see so many cultivators gathered together to exchange their cultivation experiences; it's quite a nice thing."
Li Wu nodded, raised his cup, and smiled:
"Fellow Daoist Su is right."
The two shared a drink, and Su Wanqing then began to introduce the cultivators present as if they were old friends.
"That white-robed elder over there is Chen Boyuan, the Grand Elder of the Luoxia Sect. He has the cultivation of the late Foundation Establishment stage and his Luoxia Sword Technique is quite famous in Danfeng Continent."
"The woman in black beside him is Zhao Lingxiu from the Xuan Yin Sect. She is also in the late stage of Foundation Establishment and is said to be cultivating an extremely rare Yin attribute technique."
"And over there..."
Su Wanqing pointed them out one by one, and Li Wu followed her gaze, memorizing their appearances.
Although he remained outwardly calm, he was thinking to himself:
"There are twenty or thirty Foundation Establishment cultivators here, and I'm afraid most of the Foundation Establishment cultivators from the surrounding counties have come."
Seeing that he was looking at it so intently, Su Wanqing smiled and said:
"Fellow Daoist Li has already reached the Foundation Establishment stage at such a young age, cultivates thunder magic, and founded the Qing Shi Sect. He can be considered a prominent figure in Danfeng Continent."
Li Wu withdrew his gaze and said calmly:
"Fellow Daoist Su, you flatter me. I was just a bit lucky."
Su Wanqing covered her mouth and smiled, then continued:
"Fellow Daoist is too modest. But speaking of which, since you are a lightning cultivator and have obtained the Heavenly Thunder Stone, you must be about to go into seclusion for intensive cultivation, right?"
Li Wu shook his head and said:
"There's no rush."
Upon hearing this, Su Wanqing's eyes flickered, and she smiled as if it were unintentional:
"Speaking of which, Fellow Daoist Li's Qing Shi Sect has developed rapidly in recent years, acquiring several spiritual mountains, but..."
She paused, picked up her wine glass, and took a small sip, as if carefully choosing her words.
Li Wu's heart stirred slightly, and he pondered in his heart:
"It seems that the Biyang Sect has been paying attention to the Qingshi Sect for quite some time."
Li Wu remained expressionless and said calmly:
"Fellow Daoist Su, please speak frankly."
Su Wanqing put down her wine glass, slightly raised her peach blossom eyes, and looked at Li Wu's face, lowering her voice slightly:
"Qingshi Sect has only been established for a few years, and most of the cultivators in the sect are at the Qi Refining stage, with only Fellow Daoist Li, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, presiding over it."
"Although Fellow Daoist's cultivation is profound and his lightning techniques are sharp, a sect cannot be supported by just one person alone."
Seeing that he showed no displeasure, Su Wanqing continued:
"May I be so bold as to ask, fellow Daoist, have you ever considered finding a powerful backer for the Qing Shi Sect?"
Li Wuduan picked up his teacup and said softly:
"What Fellow Daoist Su means is..."
Su Wanqing smiled gently, took out a gold-embossed invitation from her sleeve, and pushed it in front of him, saying with a smile...
"One month from now, the Biyang Sect will hold an inner disciple selection ceremony at its mountain gate. Representatives from various forces in Danfeng Continent will be invited to attend. I have come on behalf of the sect to invite Fellow Daoist Li to attend."
She paused, then added:
"The sect leader of my Biyang Sect greatly admires you, fellow Daoist, and wishes to speak with you in person."
After hearing her words, Li Wuxin pondered:
"It seems that the Biyang Sect is indeed quite interested in me... probably because of the lightning techniques I possess."
Li Wu's gaze fell on the invitation, his mind racing.
Biyang Sect is the number one immortal sect in Danfeng Continent, with a profound foundation. It has several Core Formation cultivators and countless Foundation Establishment cultivators.
If we could establish a connection with such a behemoth, it would certainly be of great benefit to the development of Qingshimen.
But he also knew that the other party's offer of an olive branch was by no means a gesture of goodwill without expecting anything in return.
There must be an ulterior motive.
He looked up at Su Wanqing and said slowly:
"I am deeply honored by the personal invitation from the sect leader of Biyang Sect, but I wonder... what your sect wishes to discuss?"
Su Wanqing shook her head and said:
"I don't know about that, but rest assured, it's a good thing overall."
Li Wu pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly and said:
"In that case, I shall respectfully comply."
A hint of satisfaction flashed in Su Wanqing's eyes. She pushed the invitation forward again and said softly:
"Then it's settled. I'll be waiting for Fellow Daoist Li at the Biyang Sect's mountain gate a month from now."
The two drank a few more cups, and the moon-viewing party gradually became lively.
A monk took out a guqin and played it. The melodious music complemented the moonlight beautifully.
Some cultivators gathered in twos and threes, discussing the Dao and exchanging spiritual items, which, as Su Wanqing had said, was quite a unique experience.