As long as a Cultivator’s pockets were deep enough, they could buy any resource they desired at this grand event—provided they were, indeed, deep enough.

"Husband, take a look. This is the list of resources for the auction. It doesn’t need to be kept secret anymore."

Xue Qingtan took out a palm-sized Azure Jade Talisman and handed it to him.

This Jade Talisman was an exquisitely refined Magical Artifact, which could be used to look up information on the various treasures and resources that would soon appear.

Ling Changqing looked it over. There were indeed many good items inside, but he didn’t see any particularly astonishing rare or Exotic Treasures.

Of course, Ling Changqing wasn’t disappointed. The list of treasures in the Jade Talisman was only partial; many other precious items would not be displayed on it.

They would only be brought out during the bidding. This was a deliberate arrangement by the Xingyun sun Commerce Association to create a sense of mystery and anticipation, thereby increasing the event’s popularity.

The third item to appear was a set of twenty-four Golden Light Talismans, all of which were Second Rank High Grade Talismans.

Due to their decent attack power, these Talismans were quite popular among Minor Sects and Small Clans, who would try to stockpile some whenever they had the chance.

Ling Changqing glanced at them and paid them no further mind. He and Qin Yun could both draw these Talismans, and the family treasury already had a batch in storage. There was no need to buy them from outside.

Ling Changqing and his lovely companions were not interested in the next few items, letting them fall into the hands of other Cultivators.

As the heavy curtains on the high stage were drawn open once more, a squad of twelve Daoist Soldier Puppets appeared before all the Cultivators present.

They were about ten feet tall with bronze sinews and iron bones, equipped with a Heavy Axe and Giant Shield, and exuded a cold, murderous aura.

The twelve Daoist Soldier Puppets were clearly refined by the same person. They all possessed Quasi rank Three combat power, equivalent to Pseudo Core Cultivators. Furthermore, they were skilled in Array Formation Attacks. As long as their owner commanded them properly, they were veritable killing machines on the battlefield.

"We’re getting them!"

Ling Changqing said without hesitation. At her current level, Ling Yuzhu was not yet capable of Refining such Daoist Soldier Puppets.

"We definitely have to get these. They’ll be very useful for the family."

Ling Qiyue smiled, secretly shooting a glance at Xue Qingtan.

The last time Ling Changqing had wanted to buy a large number of these high-level Daoist Soldier Puppets to bolster the family’s strength, Xue Qingtan, who was usually completely obedient to him, had politely refused.

Ling Changqing understood. A commerce association was a place inseparable from calculations of profit. The best resources would naturally not be sold so casually, and Xue Qingtan couldn’t just unscrupulously open a back door for him.

For any high-quality resources, the association’s upper management would usually consider putting them up for auction, where the highest bidder would win. This was the only way to maximize the association’s profits.

In any case, there was no shortage of buyers for such precious Daoist Soldier Puppets. With some careful internal maneuvering, the association could definitely sell them at a price higher than the market rate at the auction.

"...Fellow Daoists, the starting bid for this squad of Daoist Soldier Puppets is two thousand five hundred Middle grade Spirit Stones, with a minimum increment of one hundred Middle grade Spirit Stones. Those who are interested may begin bidding!"

The beautiful woman in the golden robe on the high stage finished her introduction and announced with a smile.

"Two thousand six hundred!"

A True Pill Cultivator with sharp eyes stood up in the hall.

"Two thousand seven hundred!"

An androgynous voice called out from a private room somewhere.

"Two thousand eight hundred!"

Another burly, disheveled man leaped onto his seat and shouted loudly.

Round after round of bids rose and fell, and the price quickly soared past the four thousand mark, still continuing to climb.

"Four thousand three hundred!"

At Ling Changqing’s instruction, Tang Qiu Yao began to join the bidding.

"Four thousand four hundred!"

A cold and arrogant voice came from another private room.

There was never a shortage of bidders for an asset that could significantly enhance a faction’s hard power.

Furthermore, if one faction obtained this force, the leaders of the surrounding factions would likely feel uneasy. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

"Four thousand five hundred!"

...

"Four thousand six hundred!"

Tang Qiu Yao unhurriedly raised the bid. In any case, the Ling Family was determined to get this item today.

"Four thousand eight hundred!"

...

Once the price broke through five thousand Middle grade Spirit Stones, the voices of the competition noticeably dwindled.

In the end, Tang Qiu Yao acquired the twelve excellent Daoist Soldier Puppets for five thousand six hundred Middle grade Spirit Stones. This meant that from now on, the Ling Family had an additional group of Pseudo Core-level combatants.

In truth, the Ling Family was not short on Daoist Soldier Puppets. Most of them were fortunate acquisitions Ling Qiyue had brought back from her travels, but they were normally kept secret and not shown to others.

"The association should have more of these internally, right?"

Ling Changqing asked, still wanting more.

Xue Qingtan smiled. "Of course there are, but even VIP clients can’t just buy them as they please.

If you want them, Husband, I can help you figure something out."

"Alright, we can talk about it later then."

Ling Changqing said no more. As long as he had enough Spirit Stones, there would always be a way to handle such matters.

However, the expressions on the faces of the Cultivators from the nearby sea regions were not very pleasant. The combat power of these Daoist Soldier Puppets was not to be underestimated.

The strength of the Changqing Continent’s Ling Family had increased again, which was definitely not good news for them.

The next item was a complete set of Core Formation Resources. Its quality was not bad, and it immediately caused an uproar in the hall.

For those at the Late stage Foundation Establishment, who wouldn’t want to attempt a breakthrough to Core Formation?

Even the most useless Pseudo Core Cultivators had a Lifespan one hundred years longer than Foundation Establishment Cultivators, to say nothing of the more powerful True Pill and Golden Core Realms.

"Should we make a move?"

Tang Qiu Yao asked cautiously.

"Definitely,"

Ling Changqing smiled. "Our family still has too few Core Formation Cultivators. This unfavorable situation must be reversed, bit by bit."

Core Formation Resources were far more precious than Foundation Establishment Pills, and the threshold for purchasing them was almost prohibitively high. Most of the time, there was simply nowhere to buy them.

Of course, Ling Changqing no longer needed to worry about this. As long as his lovely companions had Core Formation Resources to use, he couldn’t be bothered with anyone else.

..."This set of Core Formation Resources includes an authentic Crystal Condensation and Transcendence Pill and Primordial Pure Well Essence Water, as well as four other supplementary resources!

Its starting bid is one thousand Middle grade Spirit Stones, with a minimum increment of fifty. Those who are interested may begin bidding!"

The beautiful woman in the golden robe said with a smile.

"One thousand fifty!"

A Cultivator immediately shouted out in excitement.

"One thousand one hundred!"

Another smooth, elegant voice sounded.

"One thousand one hundred and fifty!"

"One thousand two hundred!"

Tang Qiu Yao only made her move when the price soared to one thousand eight hundred.

From the Ling Family’s standpoint, such a strategic resource could not be allowed to fall into the hands of neighboring factions. For every additional Core Formation Cultivator they gained, the pressure on the Ling Family would increase.

In any case, Ling Changqing didn’t lack Spirit Stones. He would just take it, considering it an early preparation for his Dao Companions.

...

In the end, after a series of fierce bidding, she suppressed all competitors, and the Core Formation Resources fell into Tang Qiu Yao’s hands as desired.

"Among you, whoever reaches the threshold of Core Formation first will get priority to use these Core Formation Resources. How about it?"

Ling Changqing said with a smile, referring to Ling Bingyun, Mu Yu Xin, and Song Xuelan.

"Don’t worry, Husband. None of us will slack off!"

Ling Bingyun said with a dazzling smile. Even if Ling Changqing hadn’t said anything, they were all secretly competing with each other, desperately trying to improve their own strength.

’Of course, we also have to serve our husband well. That’s the only way to receive more favor from Destiny.’

Ling Qiyue’s gaze swept over the women, and she sighed inwardly with emotion. ’As long as someone is by Ling Changqing’s side, the trajectory of their fate has been completely overturned.’

’Never mind others. Even Maids like Song Xuelan and Ling Menghuan are now Foundation Establishment Cultivators, and with quite a good foundation at that. They have room for further advancement in the future.’

At this moment, another treasure appeared, immediately catching Ling Changqing’s attention.

It was a fist-sized, perfectly round, earthy-yellow bead. Its material seemed like metal but wasn’t, like iron but wasn’t, and it had no Magical Power fluctuations whatsoever.

Upon closer inspection, the body of the bead seemed somewhat damaged and was clearly incomplete.

"Master, this Spirit Treasure Fragment is good. Can you help me get it?"

Gong Ling’s voice rang out.

"Of course, no problem!"

Ling Changqing smiled, staring intently at the bead.

The bead lay quietly on the Golden Silk Mingtan Wood Table. Its surface was faintly inscribed with profound and complex patterns, emitting a faint, ancient, and distant aura.

"...Everyone, this is an unknown Ancient Spirit Treasure Fragment. It was brought back ten years ago from a certain Secret Realm by one of our association’s predecessors, who went through hell and back to retrieve it..."

The beautiful woman in the golden robe introduced it unhurriedly.