Chapter 65: First-Grade Divine Firmament Talisman Treasure “Earth Shrinking Talisman”

The auction continued.

Li Meng found the next few items unremarkable. They were either low-grade or mid-grade magical treasures, the kind of standard fare that flooded the cultivation world. Not a single high-grade or top-grade treasure appeared, let alone a true Spirit Treasure.

Nearly a hundred items had been hammered down, yet the so-called “grand auction” felt strangely muted.

“Senior Brother, isn’t that Junior Sister Qi Wei?”

In the adjacent private booth, Wen Huanhuan nestled in her husband’s arms. She peeked over the balcony railing, her eyes narrowed with curiosity as she observed the pair next door.

Junior Sister Qi Wei seemed unusually intimate with that burly man.

Qi Wei was famous for her reclusive nature. No one had ever heard of her being close to anyone. Whenever Wen Huanhuan saw her, the girl was always alone, her eyes seeming to look through everyone as if they were made of glass. Even if you greeted her, she would merely nod once before walking away.

Han Li turned his head, glancing at the two figures—one tall and rugged, one small and delicate—on the neighboring seating platform.

“Junior Sister Qi Wei is the True Disciple of the Supreme Elder from Masked Moon Peak,” he said quietly. “Her background has always been mysterious. It’s best not to inquire too much.”

Wen Huanhuan gave a charming smile and nuzzled against her Senior Brother’s chest. “But I’m curious, Senior Brother!”

Curious as she was, she didn’t press further. However, she filed the image of the male cultivator away in her mind. A man daring enough to compete against a Nascent Soul Ancestor likely had the backing of Supreme Elder Nan Gongwan. That made him dangerous.

“The next item up for auction is lot number ninety-one!”

Mu Jiu’er’s voice rang out, sharper and more excited than before.

“A Talisman Treasure! A first-grade Divine Firmament Talisman Treasure—the Earth Shrinking Talisman!”

As the announcement echoed through the hall, an uproar ensued. The polite murmurs exploded into shouts of disbelief.

“What? A first-grade Divine Firmament Talisman Treasure?”

“The State of Zhao hasn’t seen a talisman of this grade in a thousand years!”

“Is the Joyous Union Sect insane? They’re actually auctioning such a treasure?”

“Exactly! If they kept it for their own prodigies, it would guarantee their safety during their growth period!”

The Golden Core cultivators in the lower levels buzzed with frantic discussion, their gazes fixed on the auction stage with fervent heat. Even the elites in the middle tiers wore expressions of genuine astonishment.

The Divine Firmament “Earth Shrinking Talisman” was legendary. It could ignore any restriction or formation, allowing the user to traverse vast distances instantly. Such a life-saving tool would make even Nascent Soul cultivators covetous.

If it were merely a talisman, that would be one thing—talismans burned up after a single use. But a Talisman Treasure was different. Although it would degrade over time, its number of activations far exceeded that of a regular talisman. It was a reusable miracle.

“The starting bid is no less than 30,000 spirit stones! Minimum increment is 1,000!”

“Fellow Daoists, this item has a connection with this old man. Could you grant me some face? 40,000 spirit stones!”

Before the Golden Core cultivators below could even open their mouths, a Nascent Soul Ancestor from the upper level slapped a bid down. The Golden Core cultivators promptly shut their mouths. This was no longer their game.

“Old Monster Cao, how much is your face worth? You’ve been selling it for so long, it must be all sold out by now! 50,000 spirit stones!”

“So Nephew Feng wishes to compete with this old man? 55,000 spirit stones!”

“The contemporary prodigy of the State of Zhao resides in our Qingxu Sect, Old Monster Cao. Whoever you buy this for will be a waste. This treasure has no connection with you. Give up! 60,000 spirit stones!”

“Nephew Feng, you are mistaken. The century mark approaches. Who will emerge victorious in the next ‘Prodigy War’ remains unknown! 70,000 spirit stones!”

“Could it be your Thousand Crane Valley? Hah! 80,000 spirit stones!”

“Nephew Feng, don’t stumble over women. It’s not worth it, not worth it at all! Hah! 90,000 spirit stones!”

And so it began again—the veiled barbs, the ancient grudges, the sarcasm dripping like poison.

Down below, Li Meng listened with great interest. It was better than any opera.

“Old Monster Cao! Why drag me into your bidding war?”

An exasperated female voice rang out from one of the upper booths.

“Hah! Did I say anything? Fairy Xu, don’t put words in my mouth. Oh? When did Fairy Xu start colluding with Nephew Feng?”

“You… you…”

“Senior Sister, don’t be angered. He’s deliberately provoking you. 100,000 spirit stones!”

“Amitabha. This old monk has a connection with this treasure. I ask both benefactors to grant me some convenience. 150,000 spirit stones!”

All voices from upstairs fell silent.

On the auction stage, Mu Jiu’er blinked, momentarily at a loss. Why was Master Hui Ci from Jinshan Temple joining the fray? The monks usually stayed out of these squabbles.

“Old Monk Hui Ci! You have broken your precepts!” Cao Yuan’s voice boomed.

“Amitabha. What does Benefactor Cao mean by this?”

“You have broken the precept against desire and the precept against greed. As an ascetic monk, joining in the fun is one thing… but why go this far?”

“Benefactor Cao jests. Today, this humble monk will not debate doctrine.”

“Forget it, forget it. Since Master Hui Ci rarely shows interest in worldly objects, this old man naturally must grant him this small favor. Master, please proceed.”

Was it over?

On the auction stage, Mu Jiu’er inwardly sighed in relief. A professional smile graced her lips as she turned in a graceful circle.

“150,000 spirit stones, once! 150,000 spirit stones, twice! 150,000 spirit stones, sold! Congratulations to our esteemed Senior for winning the first-grade Divine Firmament Talisman Treasure, ‘Earth Shrinking Talisman’!”

It actually sold for 150,000 spirit stones?

On his balcony, Li Meng narrowed his eyes slightly.

A single Talisman Treasure for 150,000 spirit stones… The cost to refine such a thing was only a few thousand at most.

A hundredfold profit.

Li Meng’s heart raced. How could he not be tempted?

However, he quickly doused the flames of greed with cold logic.

Sitting back on his couch, Li Meng fell into deep thought. Flawless pills and Divine Firmament Talismans could appear occasionally, but they absolutely must not flood the market.

Especially Divine Firmament Talisman Treasures. If too many appeared, he would become a target for every Nascent Soul monster in the State of Zhao.

Stay low-key… low-key… low-key…

Li Meng silently chanted the mantra. He couldn’t let momentary impulse drive him to his grave.

The auction continued.

In the subsequent rounds, Li Meng didn’t remain idle. Whenever crafting materials came up, he placed bids if they caught his eye. If the price was right, he secured them; if not, he let them go without hesitation.

The materials appearing here weren’t high-tier enough for his future ambitions, but they were useful for practice. The prices weren’t exorbitant either, mostly hovering around twenty thousand spirit stones.

“The next item up for auction is lot number one hundred three: one thousand-year Longevity Fruit!”

As Mu Jiu’er’s words fell, fervent gazes from both upstairs and downstairs converged upon the stage like iron filings to a magnet.

“It’s actually a Longevity Fruit! The Joyous Union Sect has such grand ambitions, even offering such a treasure!”

“It’s only a thousand-year fruit… capable of refining only the lowest grade longevity pills. What a pity.”

“Still, a Longevity Fruit over a thousand years old isn’t easily found.”

Golden Core cultivators on all levels stared covetously at the tray held by the Foundation Establishment attendant.

It was a piece of spiritual flora resembling a human infant in shape, somewhat similar to ginseng but fuller, more rounded. Its entire body was crystalline and translucent, glowing like white jade.

“The starting bid is twenty thousand spirit stones! Minimum increment is one thousand!”

As Mu Jiu’er’s announcement ended, the auction hall plunged into a deathly silence.