Spells Grinding: From Basic Sparks to Divine Arts

Chapter 275: Securing with Heavy Gold

Qin Lu was no longer the destitute loose cultivator of his youth. He was a man of means.

Excluding his fixed assets, his liquid capital alone exceeded 50,000 Spirit Stones. Such liquidity was rare even among established Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Consequently, when competing for a [Foundation Establishment Pill] priced in the low thousands, he felt the calm assurance of a predator who knew he was the biggest beast in the jungle.

The bidding in the hall continued, though the momentum began to drag.

When the price hit 2,000 Low Grade Spirit Stones, the clamor in the main hall died down significantly. For the vast majority of Qi Condensation cultivators, such a sum was an insurmountable cliff.

“2,300 Spirit Stones!” A raspy voice echoed from a corner of the main hall.

Qin Lu glanced down through the one-way screen. The bidder was a figure shrouded entirely in black robes, face hidden in deep shadow. The aura was cautious, almost paranoid.

2,300… that’s already above market value.

Ding!

Qin Lu didn’t hesitate. He struck the brass bell, signaling an immediate raise.

“Excellent! Room Bing-Six offers 2,350 Spirit Stones!” the beautiful auctioneer announced, her voice amplifying the tension.

A hush fell over the venue.

The implication was clear: a Foundation Establishment Senior in the VIP boxes had entered the fray. This usually signaled the end for anyone on the floor.

Heads turned toward the black-robed figure, waiting for a counter. To everyone’s surprise, the figure slumped slightly and remained silent. The weight of competing against a VIP was too great.

“2,350, going once!” The auctioneer scanned the room.

Silence reigned.

“Going twice!”

“Sold!”

The first [Foundation Establishment Pill] was secured.

“Not bad. Only slightly above the standard price.”

Qin Lu leaned back, satisfied.

Moments later, a Wanbao Pavilion attendant entered the booth, carrying a lacquered wooden box with deferential care.

“Senior, your item.”

Qin Lu opened the box, verifying the pill’s spiritual signature. Confirming its authenticity, he swept it into his storage Magical Artifact with a smile. With a flick of his wrist, a pile of Spirit Stones materialized on the table.

Wanbao Pavilion operated on a strict “cash on delivery” basis for each item—a rule Qin Lu appreciated for its efficiency.

Transaction complete, the attendant bowed and retreated.

The auction continued. The three [Foundation Establishment Pills] were spaced out to maintain engagement, meaning the next one wouldn’t appear for another dozen lots.

As the event progressed, the quality of items steadily climbed. Common goods vanished, replaced by rare materials and artifacts that priced out the lower-level cultivators. The Qi Condensation juniors could only watch as spectators, their eyes widening at the treasures they could not touch.

Taking advantage of the lull, Qin Lu’s group went on a shopping spree.

Wu Zhengtian successfully bid on a movement technique manual focused on burst speed.

Gu Can spent a fortune on a Second Grade High Grade Magical Artifact—a magnificent silver spear. The shaft shimmered with a cold, metallic light, and the tip exhaled a faint, frosty mist that made onlookers shiver. It was a massive upgrade from his old First Grade weapon.

Qin Lu also made a personal acquisition: a defensive artifact known as the [Ice Vein Soft Armor].

Costing 6,300 Spirit Stones, it was a Second Grade High Grade artifact. Resembling a vest of translucent, liquid chainmail, it was incredibly soft to the touch. When worn, it seemingly vanished against the skin, offering immense protection without hindering movement. It perfectly plugged the gap in Qin Lu’s purely offensive repertoire.

Eventually, the atmosphere tightened again.

The cooling, scantily-clad auctioneer brought another tray onto the stage. The second [Foundation Establishment Pill] had arrived.

“1,800!”

“2,000!”

“2,300!”

The bidding was far more aggressive this time. Two other VIP boxes joined the fray, their bells chiming in a chaotic rhythm against the shouts from the floor.

The price rocketed past the market average in seconds.

Qin Lu remained unmoved. He adopted a strategy of “suppression.”

Ding!

Every time someone bid, Qin Lu’s bell rang instantly. No hesitation. No calculation time. Just an immediate, crushing counter-bid.

He projected an aura of infinite wealth—a signal that he didn’t care about the cost, and that competing with him was a waste of time.

It worked. At 2,800 Spirit Stones, his opponents folded.

He had secured the second pill.

His aggressive tactics drew resentful glares from the Qi Condensation cultivators below, who stared up at the opaque glass of Room Bing-Six with envy and frustration. Qin Lu ignored them. In the world of cultivation, if you couldn’t compete, you could only blame your own lack of resources.

With his primary goals achieved, Qin Lu didn’t leave.

The finale was approaching. The catalog described the final lot as a Third Grade Magical Artifact—a treasure most people would never see in their lifetimes.

The hours ticked by until the auction dragged into the early morning. Finally, the lights dimmed, and a familiar figure descended onto the stage.

Feng Tong had returned.

The reappearance of the Golden Core manager electrified the weary crowd. Cheers and whistles erupted; the main event was here.

“Hehe…”

Feng Tong beamed, basking in the attention. “Time flies, my friends. We have arrived at the grand finale. It is my honor to present a true treasure—a Third Grade Magical Artifact!”

“Behold!”

Feng Tong pointed a finger toward the vaulted ceiling.

A beam of light descended, coalescing into a small, hovering object that landed gently in his palm.

It was a verdant green leaf, no larger than a human hand. Its surface was etched with intricate, glowing runes that seemed to pulse with a mysterious rhythm.

“This is the [Shifting Green Leaf]. A Third Grade Middle Grade Magical Artifact. A spatial Dharma Treasure.”

Feng Tong’s voice was light, but his words hit the crowd like thunder.

“By injecting Spiritual Qi, one can instantly teleport from their current location to a point several thousand miles away. It is the ultimate life-saving trump card.”

A collective gasp swept through the hall. Eyes burned with feverish desire. Instant teleportation? A range of thousands of miles? This was a second life!

However, Feng Tong’s next words doused the flames of hope for ninety-nine percent of the room.

“Starting bid: 20,000 Low Grade Spirit Stones!”