Glancing at the auction catalog handed over by the maid, he browsed through the auction items.

These low-tier spiritual objects held no attraction for Shen Xuan.

The concluding Foundation Establishment Pill from the Fire Cloud Sect was only of ordinary quality.

He completely disregarded it.

In fact, given Shen Xuan’s conditions, even without the Foundation Establishment Pill, he had a seventy percent chance of establishing his Dao Foundation.

He flipped to the last few pages of the auction catalog.

Among the concluding treasures, there was a fire technique Foundation Establishment spiritual object that caught Shen Xuan’s interest.

Chiyang Fire Lotus, a Tier Two special spirit plant growing in sunny places, containing pure fire spiritual power.

What was rare and precious was that the fire spiritual power of the Chiyang Fire Lotus was relatively milder compared to other fire attribute spiritual objects.

This was also the most commonly used Foundation Establishment spiritual object by the disciples of the Fire Cloud Sect.

The Fire Cloud Sect cultivated the Chiyang Fire Lotus extensively within the sect.

"Although very ordinary, preparing a plant is somewhat useful."

When it comes to Foundation Establishment spiritual objects, more is not always better.

Generally speaking, the first Foundation Establishment spiritual object is the most effective.

The auction lasted for several hours.

As it progressed, the atmosphere became more heated.

"The next auction item is the Foundation Establishment spiritual object Chiyang Fire Lotus from the Fire Cloud Sect. Friends aspiring for Foundation Establishment, don’t miss out. Sect certified, quality guaranteed!"

The old cultivator hosting the auction exclaimed excitedly from the stage.

"For this auction, the Fire Cloud Sect has put forth nine Chiyang Fire Lotus plants. One of them is a very precious 500-year-old upper-grade spirit plant, with more pronounced Foundation Establishment effects, enhancing success by an additional ten percent!"

As soon as he finished speaking, several loose cultivators at the Qi Cultivation Perfection stage showed grave expressions.

The rarer the item, the better the effects, and the more intense the bidding.

After introducing, the auctioneer began with the ordinary Chiyang Fire Lotus.

"The Foundation Establishment spiritual object Lingyang Fire Lotus, 300 years old, Fire Cloud Sect certified, excellent quality. Bidding starts at 10,000 spirit stones, with increments no less than 100 spirit stones."

"11,000!"

"12,000!"

Soon, the first Chiyang Fire Lotus was sold at a price of 17,000 spirit stones.

This price was slightly higher than the market price.

However, auction items with Fire Cloud Sect certification guaranteed quality.

It was known that for Qi Cultivation cultivators, it was hard to trade for such high-grade Foundation Establishment spiritual objects on the market.

Moreover, due to their lack of strength, there was significant risk during transactions.

Robbery and murder were not uncommon.

Foundation Establishment Pills and Foundation Establishment spiritual objects were strategic resources.

The Fire Cloud Sect strictly controlled the circulation of related items in the market.

Without a solid background and connections, even if Qi Cultivation loose cultivators amassed enough spirit stones, it was difficult to purchase high-quality Foundation Establishment Pills and spiritual objects.

The subsequent Chiyang Fire Lotus plants were sold at roughly similar prices.

Shen Xuan did not make a move.

Until the last Chiyang Fire Lotus had a bid of 20,000 spirit stones.

"21,000 spirit stones!"

Shen Xuan suddenly raised his paddle, increasing the bid by 1,000 spirit stones.

This action caused Old Yu in the box to shiver in surprise.

He hadn’t expected that Shen Baiwan was indeed a man of wealth.

Opening with over 20,000 spirit stones.

Some powerful Divine Sense swept over.

Shen Xuan snorted coldly, and the aura of Qi Cultivation Perfection suddenly erupted.

His Divine Sense, comparable to Foundation Establishment, shattered the invading Divine Sense completely.

Several loose cultivators at Qi Cultivation Perfection had their sea of consciousness violently shaken, turning slightly pale from mild backlash.

"Such a strong Divine Sense!"

Many people showed a wary expression.

The Divine Sense Shen Xuan displayed far exceeded that of an ordinary Qi Cultivation Perfection.

Not much weaker than the early stage of Foundation Establishment.

"22,000 spirit stones."

Someone continued to bid.

Shen Xuan found the voice familiar.

"Fire Cloud Sect’s True Master Yanghuo’s grandson, Zhao Changming?"

In the Wan Hua Pavilion, Shen Xuan had seen him once.

At that time, Lingyan led two people upstairs, and he backed off respectfully.

As they passed each other.

Zhao Changming was still complaining about Su Yajing leaving him hanging for a night.

"He’s already in Foundation Establishment, what’s he doing with this?"

"Besides, since this is a Fire Cloud Sect product, he has plenty of ways to redeem it from the sect, why bother bidding at the auction?"

Zhao Changming’s bid made Shen Xuan vigilant.

After some thought, Shen Xuan temporarily refrained from bidding.

A mere Chiyang Fire Lotus, even a 500-year-old one, wasn’t that important to him.

In another box.

After making the bid, Zhao Changming took a sip of spirit tea.

Next to him, Junior Brother Xiang Tianyi asked, "Senior Brother Zhao, are you sure it’s that person?"

"Yes. I’ve confirmed it. That day, Su Yajing was with him all along."

"Shen Baiwan, this name, seems like a pseudonym."

"Seems like? It’s definitely a pseudonym."

"Senior Brother Zhao, since he uses this name, his assets..."

"He is very wealthy."

"Does Senior Brother Zhao know his background?"

Zhao Changming shook his head.

"This is the tricky part. He seems only like a junior at the Qi Cultivation Realm. But with Su Yajing’s status, would she spend a night with a mere Qi Cultivation junior?"

"That’s not certain. Some people just have a thing for that. Although his realm cultivation is weak, he looks quite good. Maybe, he has extraordinary talent, and was recognized by Pavilion Master Su in some aspects?"

Xiang Tianyi laughed somewhat lewdly.

Zhao Changming glanced at Xiang Tianyi.

"Junior Brother Xiang, don’t think so poorly of others."

"Hehe, I was just speaking casually. Speaking of, this Shen Baiwan indeed seems somewhat enigmatic."

By now, people started making consecutive bids.

Only, there was no action from Shen Xuan’s box.

Zhao Changming did not use Divine Sense to probe Shen Xuan’s box.

This would be an extremely impolite action.

In certain contexts, it signified provocation.

He was an elite disciple of the Fire Cloud Sect, a core formation seed.

His grandfather was one of the three Golden Cores of the Fire Cloud Sect, True Master Yanghuo.