The first item to appear on the high platform was a Flying Sword of the High Grade Spiritual Artifact level, suitable for a Late stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

However, most Loose Cultivators were short on cash. Even for a Pseudo Core Cultivator, using such a Flying Sword wouldn’t be considered a downgrade.

"...Fellow Daoists, this sword was personally refined by our Commerce Association’s own Third Rank Artifact Refiner. Its main material is Celestial Flame Bright Seal Copper, making it a perfect match for Sword Cultivators who practice Fire Attribute Techniques..."

The beautiful woman in the golden robe described the Flying Sword’s many virtues in a soft, bright voice.

"Does anyone want it?"

Ling Changqing looked at the confidantes by his side.

Tang Qiu Yao and the others were already Golden Core Masters, so they naturally had no use for it. Only Ling Bingyun and those at her level needed to consider it.

However, the Cultivation Techniques most of the women practiced were primarily of the Water Attribute, so they weren’t a good match for this Flying Sword.

Dressed in a bright red gown, the lovely and radiant Mu Yu Xin thought for a moment before mustering her courage to speak:

"Since the other sisters don’t need it, I’d like to try bidding on it. May I?"

"Of course."

Ling Changqing nodded. The young lady of the Mu Family had only joined them recently and was still a bit timid in her mannerisms. It was rare for her to make a request of him.

Her current Cultivation was at the Middle stage Foundation Establishment, making it a slight stretch for her to use this Flying Sword. But with Ling Changqing’s help, it wouldn’t be long before she advanced to the Late stage Foundation Establishment.

"...The starting bid for this Flying Sword is two hundred Middle grade Spirit Stones, with a minimum increment of five. Interested Daoists may now place your bids!"

The beautiful woman in the golden robe concluded.

A voice immediately rang out from the hall below: "Two hundred and ten!"

"Two hundred and fifteen!"

A slightly shrill voice followed close behind.

"Two hundred and twenty!"

Another middle-aged man hesitated before bidding.

Soon, the bidding surpassed the three hundred mark, but some Cultivators still refused to give up.

According to the one-to-one hundred exchange rate, three hundred Middle grade Spirit Stones were equivalent to thirty thousand Low grade Spirit Stones. For a Loose Cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Level, this was no small sum.

Ling Changqing wasn’t in a hurry. He waited until the price approached four hundred, by which time the number of competing Cultivators had clearly dwindled, before signaling for Mu Yu Xin to make her move.

"Three hundred and seventy-five!"

Mu Yu Xin bid cautiously.

The private room was equipped with a special restrictive array that distorted her voice as it traveled outside, making it impossible for others to identify its source.

This prevented the potential danger of being targeted by those with malicious intent.

"Three hundred and eighty!"

Another voice called out.

"Three hundred and eighty-five!"

Mu Yu Xin raised the bid again.

After several more rounds of bidding, when Mu Yu Xin called out a price of four hundred and fifty Middle grade Spirit Stones, the hall finally fell silent.

It wasn’t that no one could afford to keep going, but rather that spending too much on the very first item would leave them powerless if a better Weapon appeared later.

The beautiful woman in the golden robe asked three times, and seeing no further bids, she brought down the gavel, finalizing the sale.

This price for a High Grade Spiritual Artifact-level Flying Sword was neither high nor low, roughly in line with the usual market rate.

A moment later, a Commerce Association Steward entered the private room with two maids in colorful dresses, followed by a True Pill Cultivator guard.

"Senior, this is the Flying Sword you requested."

The Commerce Association Steward said respectfully, holding up an ornate, antique Sword Box.

He himself was only a Pseudo Core Cultivator; facing a room full of Golden Core Masters, he naturally wouldn’t dare to be disrespectful.

Ling Changqing took it and inspected it. After confirming there were no issues, he handed it to Mu Yu Xin.

Beside him, Tang Qiu Yao immediately took out the full amount of Middle grade Spirit Stones and gave them to the Commerce Association Steward, completing the transaction.

"Thank you, Husband."

Only after the Commerce Association Steward had taken his leave did Mu Yu Xin put away the Sword Box, a radiant smile on her face as she spoke.

"You’re still missing a decent Defensive Spiritual Artifact. If a suitable one comes up, I’ll get it for you."

Ling Changqing said gently.

"Mm, o-okay."

Mu Yu Xin’s Yu Yan reddened slightly. ’This man really is generous with me,’ she thought. ’It’s just like during Dual Cultivation... he always holds nothing back and won’t stop until I’m completely full. But I have to admit, the feeling is quite pleasant, and my Cultivation speed has increased a lot.’

The second item to appear on the high platform was the Second stage Heavenly Flower Life extending Pill, and there were three of them.

Taking one Celestial Splendor Longevity Pill could extend one’s life by five years, but it was only effective the first time. Subsequent uses would have a greatly diminished effect.

Among low-level Cultivators, this item was an extremely popular resource, just like the Foundation Establishment Pill.

This was especially true for the old men and women of the Foundation Establishment Stage who were nearing the end of their natural lifespans. They wouldn’t hesitate to empty their entire life savings in exchange for a chance at another five years of life.

However, with two Third Rank Alchemists, Ling Qiyue and Ling Changqing, the Ling Family no longer had any shortage of such resources.

Besides satisfying the family’s internal needs, Ling Changqing could also sell a portion of the Life extending Elixirs he refined to the Commerce Association each year in exchange for other resources.

After a dozen or so rounds of bidding, the three Life extending Elixirs were won by a Golden Core power from a nearby sea region.

"Qingtan, what level of auction would this be considered within the Commerce Association?"

Ling Changqing asked.

"This would be considered a Regular Auction! A Mid-level Auction is held every three years, and a Grand Auction might only happen once a decade!"

Xue Qingtan explained with a smile.

The rules for various auction houses were actually more or less the same, differing only in scale and frequency.

The Xingyun sun Commerce Association’s auctions were divided into different categories, such as Regular, Mid-level, and Grand Auctions. The higher the level, the more valuable the items that would appear.

For example, at the once-a-decade Grand Auction, many rare and precious resources that were seldom seen might appear on the stage.

For instance, items like quality Middle to High Grade Magical Treasures, elixirs of Quasi Rank Four or higher, Daoist Soldier Puppets, Combat Spirit Companion Cubs, Spirit Medicines and Treasures, and even Middle to Upper Grade Profound Level Cultivation Method Scriptures could all potentially make an appearance.