A week passed in the blink of an eye.
During that short period, the entire Cloud Mist Market had fallen into a strange frenzy.
The source of everything—
The Dragon Lock Pill.
What began as a simple rumor had rapidly spread throughout neighboring markets, cultivation families, and rogue cultivator circles.
A medicinal pill capable of delaying bodily decline.
A pill capable of extending a cultivator's peak condition.
A pill that could grant an additional chance at Foundation Establishment.
For old cultivators trapped at Qi Refinement Late Stage, such a treasure was worth more than ordinary spirit medicines.
After all—
Spirit stones could be earned again.
Opportunities could be found again.
But lifespan and vitality?
Once lost, they rarely returned.
Because of this, the upcoming auction organized by the Hundred Flowers Auction House had become the most anticipated event in recent years.
---
Before sunrise on the day of the auction, countless cultivators were already gathering outside the auction house.
The usually bustling streets of Bing Region had become completely packed.
Loose cultivators.
Family cultivators.
Mercenary groups.
Martial artists.
Alchemists.
Talisman Masters.
Even hidden experts who rarely showed themselves could be seen moving through the crowds.
The atmosphere was extraordinarily lively.
Various discussions echoed from every direction.
"I heard there are twelve Dragon Lock Pills."
"Twelve? Are you sure?"
"My cousin works inside the Hundred Flowers Alliance. He confirmed it personally."
"Hmph! Even if there are twelve, do you think ordinary people like us can afford one?"
"Forget the pills. I heard there'll be Foundation Establishment treasures today."
"The Dragon Lock Pill is still more important. Ten extra years might be enough for a breakthrough."
As countless voices discussed excitedly, cultivators continuously entered the massive auction house.
---
The Hundred Flowers Auction House stood at the very center of Bing Region.
The building occupied nearly an entire district.
Seven magnificent floors rose into the sky.
Golden formations shimmered faintly across the walls.
Several enforcement teams patrolled continuously.
At the entrance alone, two Foundation Establishment cultivators stood guard openly.
Such a display was enough to deter most troublemakers.
Nobody was foolish enough to cause problems here.
Not unless they wished to challenge the authority of the Hundred Flowers Alliance.
---
Inside the auction hall, the scene was even grander.
Thousands of seats stretched outward in neat rows.
Every seat faced the enormous auction platform at the center.
Above the ordinary seating area were dozens of luxurious private rooms.
Each room was concealed behind powerful formations.
Divine senses could not penetrate.
Sound could not escape.
Even the occupants themselves remained hidden.
These private rooms belonged to true powerhouses.
Cultivation families.
Sect representatives.
Foundation Establishment experts.
The true competitors of today's auction.
---
Among the crowd sat a completely ordinary-looking man.
His face was plain.
His cultivation aura was weak and unremarkable.
Nothing about him attracted attention.
Naturally—
This person was Lin Sheng.
Using a disguise prepared in advance, he blended perfectly into the crowd.
Looking around calmly, Lin Sheng couldn't help feeling slightly surprised.
The attendance far exceeded his expectations.
Everywhere he looked, there were cultivators.
Some carried powerful spiritual fluctuations.
Others hid their strength deliberately.
A few even caused slight warnings within his mental field.
Foundation Establishment cultivators.
And not just one or two.
Clearly, the Dragon Lock Pill had attracted significant attention.
Lin Sheng remained calm.
This outcome was exactly what he wanted.
The more people interested in the pill—
The higher the final price would become.
---
Time passed quietly.
Soon, the auction hall became completely filled.
Not a single empty seat remained.
Even some late arrivals were forced to stand at the back.
Then—
The lights dimmed slightly.
The entire hall gradually quieted.
Conversations ceased.
Thousands of gazes turned toward the auction stage.
A moment later—
A graceful figure slowly walked onto the platform.
Instantly, countless eyes brightened.
The woman wore a flowing crimson dress.
Her skin resembled polished jade.
Her waist was slender.
Her movements elegant.
A faint smile rested upon her lips.
She wasn't necessarily the most beautiful woman present.
But she possessed a mature charm that attracted attention effortlessly.
Even many older cultivators couldn't help staring twice.
Lin Sheng merely shook his head inwardly.
"They really know how to do business."
A beautiful auctioneer naturally encouraged people to spend more spirit stones.
Human nature had always been like this.
---
The woman smiled gently.
"Greetings, fellow Daoists."
"My name is Qing Yue."
"I shall be presiding over today's auction."
Her voice carried spiritual energy.
Every person in the hall heard her clearly.
Seeing everyone's attention focused upon her, Qing Yue nodded with satisfaction.
"Without further delay."
"Let the auction begin."
---
A servant immediately carried a jade tray onto the stage.
A cloth covered whatever rested beneath it.
Even divine senses couldn't penetrate due to the formation covering the tray.
Many cultivators immediately became interested.
Qing Yue lifted the cloth gracefully.
A bronze shield appeared.
Spiritual light circulated across its surface.
The aura it emitted was clearly extraordinary.
"A Rank-One Mid Grade Defensive Treasure."
"It can withstand multiple attacks from Qi Refinement Mid Stage cultivators."
"Starting bid."
"Five hundred low-grade spirit stones."
The moment her words fell—
The crowd erupted.
"Five hundred fifty!"
"Six hundred!"
"Six hundred twenty!"
"Six hundred fifty!"
"Seven hundred!"
Prices rose rapidly.
Within moments, the shield sold for over one thousand spirit stones.
Many cultivators sighed helplessly.
Defensive treasures had always been expensive.
After all—
Staying alive was more important than killing enemies.
---
The auction continued smoothly.
One item after another appeared.
Spirit herbs.
Rare ores.
Martial techniques.
Incomplete inheritances.
Beast eggs.
Magical artifacts.
Qi Nourishing Pills.
Every item triggered fierce competition.
The atmosphere became increasingly heated.
Yet Lin Sheng noticed something interesting.
The private rooms above remained silent.
Not a single bid came from them.
Clearly—
Those people were waiting.
Waiting for the truly valuable treasures.
---
Several hours passed.
The auction had already reached its midpoint.
At this stage, even ordinary treasures worth thousands of spirit stones began appearing.
The excitement within the hall only grew stronger.
Then—
A commotion suddenly erupted.
A servant carried a silver box onto the stage.
Qing Yue smiled.
"The next item."
"A Foundation Establishment spiritual treasure."
Instantly, the atmosphere changed.
Even the previously silent VIP rooms reacted.
---
The silver box opened.
Inside rested a pale-blue fruit.
Mist drifted around it continuously.
The surrounding spiritual energy visibly gathered toward the fruit.
Many cultivators inhaled sharply.
Qing Yue's voice echoed throughout the hall.
"Blue Spirit Fruit."
"One of the auxiliary treasures used during Foundation Establishment."
"It can increase breakthrough success by approximately thirty percent for water-attributed cultivators."
Boom!
The VIP rooms finally became active.
A calm voice emerged.
"Five thousand spirit stones."
Another voice followed.
"Six thousand."
"Seven thousand."
"Seven thousand five hundred."
The bidding war escalated rapidly.
Ordinary cultivators below could only watch helplessly.
Such treasures were beyond their reach.
Eventually, the fruit sold for nearly ten thousand spirit stones.
The hall buzzed with shock.
Yet everyone knew—
The main event had not yet arrived.
---
Time continued passing.
One Foundation Establishment treasure after another appeared.
A spirit root enhancing herb.
A flame crystal.
A foundation jade.
A rare spiritual spring essence.
Each treasure caused intense bidding wars.
The wealth displayed today left many rogue cultivators speechless.
Only now did they realize how rich major cultivation powers truly were.
---
Finally—
Qing Yue revealed a mysterious smile.
"The next item."
Her voice immediately attracted everyone's attention.
Even cultivators who had been meditating opened their eyes.
The entire hall gradually fell silent.
A strange tension filled the air.
Everyone knew.
It was coming.
---
Qing Yue slowly raised a jade box.
The moment it appeared—
Several concealed auras fluctuated slightly.
Even Lin Sheng sensed it.
Foundation Establishment cultivators.
They were paying attention now.
The entire hall became deathly silent.
One could almost hear a needle drop.
Then—
The jade box opened.
Twelve white pills rested inside.
Perfectly round.
Smooth as jade.
Several faint pill patterns decorated their surfaces.
Wisps of medicinal mist drifted around them continuously.
An astonishing medicinal fragrance spread throughout the hall.
Many older cultivators immediately stood up.
Their eyes widened.
Their breathing quickened.
Some even trembled slightly.
Qing Yue allowed the silence to continue for several moments.
Only after everyone's anticipation reached its peak did she finally speak.
"Premium Grade Dragon Lock Pills."
Boom!
The hall exploded.
The noise was far greater than any previous treasure.
Some cultivators even rose from their seats completely.
Many old Qi Refinement cultivators stared at the pills with red eyes.
Greed.
Desperation.
Hope.
Countless emotions filled the hall.
Qing Yue continued calmly.
"These pills can delay bodily decline."
"They preserve vitality."
"They lock one's essence."
"Each premium-grade pill can extend a cultivator's peak condition for approximately ten years."
The uproar intensified.
Ten years.
Not one.
Not three.
Ten whole years.
For an aging cultivator, that was equivalent to receiving another opportunity from heaven itself.
---
Inside one of the VIP rooms, an elderly man suddenly clenched his fists.
His white hair flowed behind him.
His aura fluctuated violently.
He had been trapped at Qi Refinement Ninth Layer for decades.
His lifespan was already nearing its end.
Yet now—
Hope appeared before him.
In another room, a family patriarch's eyes narrowed.
If his family's ancestor obtained this pill, the family's foundation could remain stable for another decade.
Elsewhere, hidden Foundation Establishment cultivators also stared intensely.
Even they had relatives, disciples, or descendants who could benefit from such a treasure.
---
Meanwhile, Lin Sheng sat quietly among the crowd.
Watching.
Observing.
Calculating.
Everything was proceeding exactly according to plan.
The greed.
The excitement.
The desperation.
All of it would transform into spirit stones soon.
A small smile appeared on his lips.
The Dragon Lock Pill had succeeded.
And judging from the reactions around him—
The final price might surpass even his original estimates.
The real battle...
Was only just beginning.