Chapter 112: The Auction, Part 1

The sun set behind the western hills, and soon it slipped below the horizon, casting the sky into a gradual dusk.

At this moment, Starfall Island was as bright as day, illuminated by a myriad of lights that flooded the entire island.

Certain areas glowed with a pinkish hue, evoking a world of intoxicated revelry. No matter the realm or location, red-light districts existed everywhere.

What was once a public square had now transformed into a vast hall. The square had been remodeled into a circular structure, resembling a Roman coliseum with a roof.

At the center of the square stood a tall stage, elevated nearly six meters from the ground. Above the stage hovered a 360-degree hologram, leaving no blind spot.

It functioned like a computer screen, allowing spectators to clearly see everything at the center of the stage.

At the top were 48 private rooms, each equipped with powerful soundproofing arrays and formations that blocked spiritual perception.

The interiors of these rooms were decorated with dazzling grandeur, each already stocked with exquisite dishes, kept warm by embedded heating formations.

To ensure privacy, Lin Yang had installed an array that converted sound, preventing anyone from discerning who occupied adjacent rooms.

Once inside a private room, no one outside could know who was within. Lin Yang was determined that no leaks from the auction would lead to any assassinations.

The second floor housed 240 smaller private rooms, prepared for mid-stage Golden Core cultivators. At this time, every room on the second floor was fully occupied.

The first floor contained over twenty Nascent Soul cultivators, nearly half of the entire Star Palace's population. One-third were wandering cultivators or family disciples.

The remaining half were mostly in seclusion or simply uninterested in attending.

All the seats from top to bottom were filled to capacity. This auction hall, capable of seating nearly 100,000, was completely packed.

If counted precisely, there were probably close to 110,000 or 120,000 attendees, some even forced to stand on the floor to watch.

This gathering represented one-third of the power within the Inner Sea of the Chaotic Star Sea, including over 300 Nascent Soul cultivators.

Some Nascent Soul cultivators, unable to find private rooms, had no choice but to sit in the plaza.

Yet the entire auction maintained order: the stronger you were, the higher your seat.

To sit among the top floors required an invitation. Observing the family heirs in the Nascent Soul rooms made this clear.

It was already 9 p.m. When Lin Yang felt the atmosphere was ripe, he nodded to Ling Xiaotian.

Ling Xiaotian understood immediately—the nod was an invitation to take the stage and uphold the atmosphere.

He was there to intimidate the twenty or so Nascent Soul cultivators in the private rooms. Otherwise, if any of them caused trouble, Lin Yang alone might not be able to contain it.

Ling Xiaotian ascended the stage, and the crowd’s excitement peaked. The cultivators below erupted in cheers.

Raising his hands, Ling Xiaotian silenced everyone at once.

“Today, the Chaotic Star Sea is honored to welcome a master alchemist. Allow me to introduce this alchemist to you all.”

With that, Lin Yang stepped onto the stage and bowed to the crowd. Ling Xiaotian, perhaps unused to such situations, quickly descended without lingering.

“Greetings, fellow cultivators. I wish you smooth ascension on your immortal path and swift enlightenment leading to transcendence.”

“My name is Lin Yang, currently serving as the Star Palace’s alchemist attendant.”

“This auction is an opportunity to exchange knowledge with all of you, to advance our immortal paths together.”

“Without further ado, let us begin.”

As Lin Yang finished speaking, a stunningly beautiful Golden Core female cultivator stepped onto the stage.

She was a disciple of the Star Palace, invited by Lin Yang to act as the auctioneer, her beauty adding allure to the event.

As expected, the atmosphere surged with enthusiasm once more, tens of thousands cheering for her.

Her name was Ji Longyue, over 300 years old, yet only mid-stage Golden Core.

Though talented, after reaching Golden Core, resources mattered far more than innate talent.

Some had tried to recruit her into their families, but she understood that joining would only reduce her to a mere childbearing tool.

In this dark world of cultivation, only what one grasps with their own hands truly belongs to them. She refused to be swayed by empty promises.

It was precisely her fierce spirit that attracted Lin Yang, who offered her the auctioneer role with a commission.

Grasping this opportunity, she was overjoyed—Lin Yang promised her a 1% cut for every item she auctioned.

This was her chance to change her fate, leveraging her beauty and decent talent.

Had she succumbed to the temptations of the so-called cultivation families earlier, this opportunity would have been lost.

“Next, Sister Ji will conduct the auction for all of you.”

After introducing her, Lin Yang stepped down.

Ji Longyue took the stage, radiating an imposing aura. Her elegance and breathtaking beauty, adorned in a flowing red dress, captivated every gaze.

Every glance and smile seemed to ensnare souls.

Such beauty lowered people’s mental defenses. While she might not deceive the highest Nascent Soul cultivators, she could stir rivalry and jealousy among the Golden Core cultivators below.

“Esteemed cultivators, honored elders, I am Ji Longyue.”

“Let us not waste time; I know you are all eager.”

With a sharp clap, several attendants approached carrying a tray.

Ji Longyue unveiled a verdant sea ginseng.

Its vibrant green hue revealed it was over a thousand years old, with its medicinal properties perfectly preserved.

Not only was it a prime alchemical ingredient, but also excellent for nourishing the body.

“A thousand-year sea ginseng, medicinal properties intact. This specimen can even be replanted.”

“The starting bid is 1,000 spirit stones. To avoid hassle, each bid must increase by at least 100 spirit stones.”

The herbs on display were consigned by other cultivators. This auction not only sold Lin Yang’s own items but also offered free auctioning services to others.

Other auctions would surely take commissions, but Lin Yang knew that free services were the most valuable.

Even if free, the diverse rare materials would greatly enhance his reputation.

His only cost was a bit of time. Moreover, if each cultivator brought their rare treasures to Lin Yang’s auction, he could secretly acquire needed materials, saving himself substantial effort.

Once this marketplace operated smoothly, Lin Yang would have a steady stream of resources to continually strengthen himself and his team.

This would form a perfect cycle. When firmly established here, he could bring in his family.

In just a century, a clan could be built—assuming Lin Yang and his descendants worked diligently.

Otherwise, a mere handful of people would remain a household, not a true clan. At this level, a clan should number over a hundred.

He tallied his family: Lin Hu, Lin Shu, and his daughter—only four with the Lin name.

Building a clan was a daunting task. Fortunately, Lin Hu and Lin Shu were of marriageable age.

Once this was settled, he could push for their marriages; after all, they were already grown.

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