Spells Grinding: From Basic Sparks to Divine Arts

Chapter 274: Mist Hidden Flying Sword

Qin Lu had long since understood the price of the [Foundation Establishment Pill].

Although precious and rare, the [Foundation Establishment Pill] was ultimately still a Second Grade Pill. Its market price was not exorbitant, generally around two thousand Spirit Stones.

For Qin Lu, such a sum was already negligible.

“Alright, let the auction begin now! Allow me to present the first lot of the day!”

Feng Tong’s voice boomed from below, his robust tone easily reaching every corner of the hall.

As his words fell, the curtains behind the stage parted. Two stunning female cultivators walked out, holding a wooden box between them. They were dressed in daringly cut robes that left little to the imagination, their movements full of enchanting grace.

Resting in the box was an exquisite crimson longsword.

The appearance of the alluring attendants immediately stirred the crowd of Loose Cultivators in the main hall. Wolf whistles and raucous cheers erupted as men tried to provoke a shy reaction from the beauties.

However, these women were clearly veterans. Their expressions didn’t falter in the slightest. Instead, they cast sultry, soul-stirring glances back at the crowd, sending the atmosphere into a frenzy of howls.

“Hehe…”

Feng Tong chuckled lightly, unbothered. With a subtle flick of his wrist, the longsword levitated from the box.

“Fellow Daoists, gaze upon this treasure. This is the [Mist Hidden Flying Sword], a Second Grade Middle Grade Magical Artifact. It is a true flying sword!”

“When fully powered, this blade can match the flight speed of a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator. Furthermore, it doubles as a formidable combat weapon, with quality not inferior to specialized Second Grade Middle Grade offensive artifacts. Travel and combat combined in one—extremely convenient.”

“The starting bid for this sword is… two thousand Low Grade Spirit Stones! Each increment must be no less than one hundred!”

The moment the price was announced, the private boxes on the second and third floors erupted.

Ding!

Ding!

Ding!

The crisp chimes of the bidding bells rang out in rapid succession.

A Second Grade Middle Grade flying sword was typically a finale item at many auctions. To bring it out as the opening act immediately ignited the crowd’s excitement.

While the VIPs in the boxes waged a war of wealth, the Loose Cultivators in the main hall below fell silent. This level of financial competition was far beyond their reach.

“Sect Leader, should we bid?” Cao Mo asked excitedly, clearly swept up in the atmosphere.

“No. It’s useless to me.” Qin Lu smiled and shook his head gently.

He had no interest in the blade. He already possessed the [Silver Sand Sword], a high-quality artifact that was excellent for both Sword Riding and combat. While the [Mist Hidden Flying Sword] might be marginally better, the [Silver Sand Sword] was more than sufficient for his current needs. There was no reason to waste Spirit Stones.

Qin Lu looked at his three disciples, who were practically glued to the screen watching below. “You three can use the bell to bid later. There will be many Magical Artifacts suitable for Qi Condensation cultivators coming up.”

“Mhm!” The three nodded vigorously.

“However… do you have the funds?” Qin Lu asked.

“Yes!” Feng Xi turned around, her face serious. “I have over three hundred Spirit Stones…”

“I have over four hundred!” Wu Zhengtian chimed in.

Cao Mo spread his hands with a helpless look. “Ah, then I’m the poorest. I only have two hundred.”

“Hehe…” Qin Lu laughed. “Don’t worry. Bid with confidence. I will sponsor each of you with an additional five hundred Spirit Stones.”

“Ah! Thank you, Sect Leader!”

“Heehee~ Master is the best!”

“Ho ho! Then I’m definitely getting a Magical Artifact!”

The three disciples cheered, their eyes shining with renewed eagerness.

“Brother Qin,” Gu Can leaned in, flashing a cheeky grin. “Everyone gets a handout, why am I left out?”

“You?” Qin Lu glanced at him. “You have more Spirit Stones than I do. Don’t play poor with me.”

“Hehe! You saw right through me.” Gu Can laughed shamelessly.

While they bantered, the bidding for the [Mist Hidden Flying Sword] concluded.

The final price was three thousand four hundred Low Grade Spirit Stones.

A collective sigh rippled through the hall. The wealth was truly staggering.

Once the sword was sold, Feng Tong retreated behind the curtains, replaced by a younger female auctioneer to handle the subsequent items.

Qin Lu realized: Feng Tong only handled the heavy hitters. The bulk was delegated to others.

Although young, the new auctioneer was a Foundation Establishment cultivator with considerable experience. With a few words, she took control of the rhythm and kept the momentum going.

Time flowed by. The sun shifted from its zenith to the western horizon.

Inside the hall, the clear voice of the auctioneer never wavered. Item after item was presented, sparking waves of excitement. Bids flew, prices climbed, and transactions were sealed.

Over the course of the afternoon, Cao Mo and the others used their sponsored funds to win several items that caught their fancy.

Inside the VIP box, Wanbao Pavilion provided impeccable service, delivering food and fruits so guests could feast without missing the action.

The atmosphere waxed and waned—sometimes quiet, sometimes raucous, sometimes tense.

Finally, Qin Lu saw what he had been waiting for.

“Lot number one hundred and twenty-three: Second Grade Pill—[Foundation Establishment Pill]!”

“Hehe, everyone knows what this is. It is a staple of every auction. I need not elaborate on its effects—simply put, it increases the success rate of Foundation Establishment!”

“It is a necessity for any cultivator at Qi Condensation Perfection. Old rules apply: Starting bid is one thousand Spirit Stones. Minimum increment is fifty!”

The moment her voice fell, the main hall exploded with shouts.

“One thousand one hundred!”

“One thousand one hundred fifty!”

“One thousand two hundred!”

“…”

The bids came fast and furious, scattered throughout the ground floor.

The VIPs on the second and third floors remained silent. Most were already Foundation Establishment cultivators; the pill was useless to them.

Qin Lu extended his spiritual sense. The bidders below were almost exclusively at Qi Condensation Perfection, with a few Ninth Layer cultivators.

Seeing his target, he wasted no time. He waved his left hand, using qi to lift the bell from the table, then tapped it with his right hand.

Ding!

A crisp chime rang out.

…