Chapter 23: The Auction (Part 1)

Lin Yang opened the door and saw Master Liu. He hurriedly invited him in.

“Senior Brother Liu, what brings you here so early?” Lin Yang asked, intrigued.

“It’s all because of you, kid. I only heard the ancestor’s instructions yesterday and found out you’re capable of refining such difficult pills. Is it because we’re not close? You didn’t bother to tell me, did you?” Master Liu teased.

“That’s not it. I just don’t think about these things much. It’s not because we’re not close,” Lin Yang replied, somewhat inept when it came to social niceties. He disliked indirect conversation, especially among his peers; with elders, it was easier to handle.

If it were a peer, their relationship could be considered distant.

“I know, but I truly didn’t expect you to reach such heights,” Master Liu admitted, still reeling from the information he’d received from Ancestor Linghu.

“It’s nothing remarkable. I rely on the blessings left by my ancestors; I’m merely a successor who inherited their legacy,” Lin Yang said, wary of others probing into his secrets.

Thus, he fabricated a story about acquiring an ancient inheritance, which made sense; so many rare and peculiar medicines could hardly be created by a young man in his teens.

Without the system’s decades, even centuries of systematic study and point allocation, he could never have achieved this. The explanation he offered was convincing, and though many coveted his opportunities, most cultivators weren’t foolish. They knew that accepting and successfully integrating a legacy was more important than the legacy itself. If someone tried to forcefully seize it, it would be like killing the goose that lays the golden eggs—a loss rather than a gain. This was also Lin Yang’s source of confidence.

In the future, Huangfeng Valley might try to bind Lin Yang with temptation, but before absolute strength, all bonds can be broken. Lin Yang was confident in his prowess.

“Inheriting a legacy is different from becoming one. You could found a new cultivation family in the future,” Master Liu remarked.

“All right, since the ancestor summoned me to meet you, why don’t you bring out the items you’ve prepared?” Master Liu prompted.

“Very well.” Lin Yang took out a storage pouch and placed all the items he intended for auction inside.

“There are some talismans I have left over, which I no longer need now that I’ve reached Foundation Establishment. I’ll sell those. Then there are pills to aid Qi training, ten bottles for assisting Foundation Establishment, and three Golden Essence Pills,” Lin Yang explained, introducing each item.

Master Liu visibly trembled at the mention of the Golden Essence Pills. He was already 170 years old and stuck at the late stage of Foundation Establishment. Attempting to break through to the Golden Core was nearly impossible, but these pills could increase the chance by twenty percent.

He remembered how Han ran great risks for a single Descending Cloud Pill and succeeded only after much effort.

Now, with this opportunity before him, Master Liu was determined to acquire it, even for a mere twenty percent chance. If he succeeded, his lifespan would increase by three hundred years; if not, he’d only lose thirty years of lingering existence.

“Brother Lin, how many of these Golden Essence Pills can you still produce?” Master Liu inquired.

“Well, I might not be able to gather the materials in the short term. But don’t worry, Master Liu—I always ask Senior Brother Zhang to collect medicinal herbs for me. If I succeed in making another batch, you’ll be the first to know.”

“No need for that. I just wanted to ask, so I know I should prepare some spirit stones to bid for it,” Master Liu replied.

Lin Yang thought for a moment. He still had two pills left, and was far from reaching the Golden Core stage himself. It wouldn’t hurt to sell one to Master Liu as a gesture of goodwill.

He decided on the spot. “Senior Brother Liu, I do have one pill reserved for myself, but you need it more than I do. You should have it.”

“That’s not right—this is your future,” Master Liu hesitated, torn between desire and propriety.

“I’m still young, and the Golden Core stage is a long way off. I’m sure I’ll be able to refine another batch in the future,” Lin Yang reassured him.

“In that case, take this storage pouch,” Master Liu said, handing his own pouch to Lin Yang. “I’ve been the sect leader for years. To be frank, I have some savings. Let me offer them to you, so as not to waste your kindness.”

Lin Yang accepted without fuss; he needed spirit stones anyway. “Very well, Senior Brother Liu, I’ll take it.”

“But let’s sit and talk first,” Lin Yang said, pulling Master Liu into a seat. They began chatting and joking.

A month passed quickly. Huangfeng Valley grew noticeably livelier. The news spread by Master Liu had caused a stir among the Foundation Establishment cultivators.

There were four or five hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators in total, and aside from those who couldn’t attend or those in the early stage who didn’t need the items, over three hundred returned to Huangfeng Valley.

Master Liu also brought out many treasures from the sect’s warehouse to serve as auction items, covering all trades and needs. Anyone coming here could find something they required. The sect issued a notice to Foundation Establishment cultivators: items auctioned would not be taxed as heavily as in the merchant guilds.

Even Ancestor Linghu, the Nascent Soul elder, contributed several millennial spiritual herbs.

Today was the day the auction began. Foundation Establishment cultivators, who were rarely seen, now emerged from their abodes. Flying swords occasionally streaked across the sky, though only cultivators above Qi Refining were permitted to fly in the air above Huangfeng Valley.

The main hall of the council had been fitted with numerous seats and an auction platform. Though there were still two hours before the auction started, nearly everyone had arrived.

Five hundred seats had been installed, and some cultivators brought their children or disciples to broaden their horizons.

Several private rooms were set up around the hall, clearly intended for Golden Core masters.

The topmost room was occupied by Ancestor Linghu himself.

Linghu’s personal presence was meant to win Lin Yang’s favor and gradually bind him to Huangfeng Valley. If he had a granddaughter or disciple, he would surely have offered her to Lin Yang.

Lin Yang didn’t mind Ancestor Linghu’s actions; after all, he was acting in Lin Yang’s best interest. It would be unreasonable to resent such kindness. Besides, he worried about keeping the Golden Core masters in line.

Now, with the Nascent Soul ancestor’s overwhelming presence above, who would dare cause trouble?

Lin Yang was now in the same room as Ancestor Linghu, who chatted with him about his childhood. Mostly, Lin Yang spoke while Linghu listened. To an outsider, they could have been mistaken for grandfather and grandson.

For all things in the world, time is truly worthless. One wishes to grasp it, but can only watch it slip away.

Soon, two hours passed. Master Liu took the stage personally.

“Thank you, fellow disciples, for taking time out of your busy lives to attend this auction. The rumors you’ve heard are true—this auction is hosted by our Nascent Soul ancestor, and the featured item is the Golden Essence Pill, which aids Foundation Establishment cultivators in breaking through to the Golden Core,” Master Liu announced.

“Let’s not waste words. We’ll start with the first auction item.” Master Liu was never suited to be a merchant; after all, management and economics are very different skills.