Heaven Refining physique-Chapter 83: Auction Preparation

He cultivated the whole day and night and stood up only when the morning of the next day arrived, the day when the auction was to be held.

He stretched himself; he had a noticeable increase in his cultivation realm, but it was still far from reaching the Mid Stage of the Core Formation Realm.

It is already considered very swift, as ordinary cultivators usually take years to even break through to minor stages.

He went out, and the maid was still standing nearby. He was surprised by this; if he wasn’t mistaken, she always stood there whenever he was in the room.

So, essentially, she had been standing there since the evening of the first day, when he returned from his walk in the city. She was at the peak of the Qi Refinement Realm, but considering her age, she definitely possessed the lowest spiritual root; reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm might be her limit.

He shook his head inwardly; even being a cultivator doesn’t guarantee a joyous life.

"When is the auction?"

"Esteemed guest, it will commence at noon. There are still four hours remaining. The Mistress instructed me to remind you two hours prior to the auction. She also said you should meet her once you emerge."

Jiang Hao nodded and went to meet Mei Ling. He still had those pills with him; for the auction, he must hand them over to her.

He approached her chamber, and the door opened again as he reached it.

"You should submit the pills. I’ve received word that everyone is taking this auction most seriously.

We are the premier Auction House in the Eastern Region, after all, and we do not spread baseless rumors. Everyone knows this, so they’ve gathered vast amounts of funds—nearly every single spirit stone they can spare.

You will be astonished to see how high the bids will soar, especially for the Grade 6 pills. Many cultivators have been yearning to obtain such treasures for years, just as I have."

Jiang Hao nodded and brought forth all the pills—ninety-nine in total, as one had already been taken by Mei Ling herself.

Mei Ling summoned the manager, and shortly thereafter, they heard a knock on the door.

"Enter."

When he stepped inside, he was stunned to behold ninety-nine pill bottles.

When he inspected them with his spiritual sense, his eyes widened in disbelief.

The pill bottles were ordinary, making it easy to perceive their contents. The manager was at the Nascent Soul Realm, and Jiang Hao knew this, as the manager made no effort to conceal it.

Discerning the grade of a pill is simple, but determining its tier was not possible with spiritual sense alone—at least not with the strength of the Nascent Soul Realm.

"M-Mistress, are these truly Grade 5 and Grade 6 pills?"

"Cease your stammering, fool. Yes, these are Grade 5 and Grade 6 pills, and they are of perfect tier as well."

"What?!"

Mei Ling offered no further explanation and regarded him with cold eyes.

When he met her icy gaze, he finally regained his composure.

"I apologize, Mistress. It was truly unbelievable to hear."

"Since it comes from me, you’d best believe it. Go arrange them for the auction. You know how to proceed, yes?"

"Of course, I shall do so immediately, Mistress. No wonder you called for the auction to be held so swiftly and spread such news."

"Oh? So you didn’t believe me before?"

The portly man lowered his head. It was true—he hadn’t fully believed her. He had assumed she’d acquired some unique treasure through this guest, but he never imagined it warranted such widespread proclamations.

"Begone."

"Yes, Mistress."

He gathered all the pill bottles into his storage pouch and hurriedly departed.

"Tch... it seems growing fat has dulled his wits. Perhaps it’s time for him to start fasting," Mei Ling remarked.

Jiang Hao pondered how a Nascent Soul cultivator could become so bloated. Did he truly eat so much, or had he been corpulent even before he began cultivating and somehow preserved it until now? It was an amusing enigma.

"Though the auction begins in four hours, many cultivators have already begun gathering outside the pavilion."

Mei Ling rose and approached the window. Jiang Hao followed her and peered outside. Indeed, there was a considerable crowd today compared to the day he had strolled through the city.

Many cultivators were assembling around the Heavenly Fortune Pavilion.

Observing them, Jiang Hao realized that most would be unable to afford even a single pill or costly treasure. Why, then, were they so eager for the auction?

"They are merely here for the spectacle. Watching others bid their fortunes has become a form of amusement for many. Whenever a grand auction occurs, cultivators like these come to observe.

Many of these fellows might not afford anything, but they can still attempt to rob and slay others for treasure.

Though we maintain secrecy, they choose targets at random. Since everyone has come for the auction, they must carry sufficient spirit stones. Thus, no matter whom they select, they’ll gain something."

Jiang Hao nodded in understanding. It was hardly surprising to hear this. Treasures are a boon, yet they are also cursed objects if one lacks the strength to retain them.

No wonder so many cultivators were present—they knew that today, numerous people would attend this auction, bringing ample spirit stones, enticed by the news released by the Heavenly Fortune Pavilion.

"Regardless, we safeguard everyone within the pavilion. What transpires outside is not our concern. People are aware of this and will surely come prepared. You may do as you please; meet me again in three hours."

Mei Ling stepped away from the window as she spoke.

Jiang Hao nodded but did not return to his chamber. The Heavenly Fortune Pavilion was vast. Though renowned for its auctions, it also sold other treasures without auctioning them.

He descended and entered the area where many such treasures were offered for sale.

There were various types of treasures here: numerous pills, weapons, rare spirit herbs, talismans, and even the flesh of rare spirit beasts—everything that could be deemed a treasure was present.

There was a sizable crowd here as well, though the pavilion clearly regulated how many could enter, lest it become impossible to move freely.

"Do you require something?"

A woman approached him and inquired. She wore a veil and was at the Mid Stage of the Nascent Soul Realm.

Jiang Hao was taken aback; she did not appear to be a mere attendant.

"I was merely browsing, though I would like to sell something."

He produced the knife he had purchased earlier and presented it to her.

"This blade is peak Grade 4, a supreme-tier weapon. How much might I receive for it?"

She took the knife and examined it.

"We can offer you 2,100 ordinary spirit stones for it."

Jiang Hao nodded; he had anticipated as much. The 200 spirit stones must have been the profit the Blazing Valley had made from him.

"Very well, I accept."

The woman nodded, and they completed the exchange.

This was another reason he had come here. He explored the area a bit more before departing and returning to his chamber.

Nothing had caught his eye sufficiently to warrant a purchase. He had no need for pills or weapons, and the other items were even less appealing to him.

Three hours passed swiftly while cultivating, and at last, the time for the auction arrived.

He met with Mei Ling again, and she led him to the other side of the fourth floor. They traversed a corridor and entered the rear section of the pavilion. The portly manager trailed behind them.

A separate structure was connected to the pavilion, larger than the pavilion itself.

Upon entering the building, he was astonished by its sheer magnitude. There were numerous seats, with private chambers situated above.

Since they had come from the fourth floor, he was already at the top, where the private rooms were located.

Mei Ling guided him to one of the rooms at random, marked with the number 3 on its gate.

"Go and permit them to enter. After one hour, no one may enter, regardless of their status."

The manager departed after bowing. The room was spacious, furnished with at least five cushioned seats.

"Take a seat. We must wait at least one more hour."

Jiang Hao nodded and sat down. One hour was trifling from a cultivator’s perspective; it would pass in the blink of an eye if he cultivated, though he refrained from doing so in Mei Ling’s presence.

It did not take long before people began entering the auction hall. They were assigned seats by the maids within.

It seemed they were given seats according to their status. Most were allocated seats on the first level—the lowest grade, tightly packed together.

The second level was slightly better, with spaces between each seat.

The third level was superior still, with large cushioned seats and ample space between them, though there were few seats on this floor.

The fourth floor, where they resided, was reserved for private booths.

Within forty minutes, all visible seats were occupied. Perhaps the private rooms were filled by then as well.

Everyone was abuzz, speculating about what manner of treasure the Heavenly Fortune Pavilion intended to sell.

Twenty minutes passed, and a woman stepped onto the main stage of the hall. The auction was about to commence.