I Ruined the Long Ao Tian Script-Chapter 48

Auction

Bai Roushuang lingered in the Taixu realm, lost in fascination, and even attempted to enter two more paintings before the trio finally departed for the auction hall set up by the Soaring Eagle Sect in Fandu City.

The building was resplendent and magnificent, a clear testament to the Soaring Eagle Sect’s immense wealth.

The three chose inconspicuous seats and turned their attention to the female cultivator on stage, who was holding up a bronze mirror-like artifact, displaying it to the audience as she circled the platform.

"This artifact is called 'History as a Mirror'," a male cultivator with a melodious voice introduced the item. "A single drop of blood on its surface will reveal a forgotten moment from your past."

His voice, amplified by some sound-transmitting artifact, remained crystal clear even from a distance, as if he were whispering right into their ears.

Bai Roushuang listened but didn’t quite grasp the concept, turning to her senior sister with a blank expression. "What does that mean?"

Xu Shulou explained softly, "It means this artifact works wonders for those with poor memories."

"..." The artifact, with its grand and lofty name, suddenly lost its allure under Xu Shulou’s straightforward interpretation.

There were few bidders for this item, suggesting that cultivators with poor memories or a desire to revisit the past were rare in the cultivation world. The "History as a Mirror" was eventually sold for two hundred top-grade spirit stones.

Once it was sold, a maid promptly brought out a vial of spiritual medicine encased in jade.

"Orchid-scented baths smooth cloud-like tresses, jeweled hairpins adorn silken strands," the male cultivator recited at just the right moment. "The importance of lustrous hair, whether for male or female cultivators, need not be elaborated. What you see before you is a renowned spiritual medicine from the Tianxin Sect—'Misty Locks and Breezy Curls'. Due to the rarity of its ingredients, its annual production is extremely limited. Today, we have only this single vial. However, just one is enough to produce miraculous effects."

Xu Shulou took the initiative to explain to her junior sister, "It helps grow more hair when applied."

"...I understood that one," Bai Roushuang said curiously. "But do cultivators really suffer from hair loss?"

"If someone was already bald before achieving Foundation Establishment, they’ll naturally remain bald afterward," Jiang Yan chimed in. "And many exhaust themselves mentally and physically striving for Foundation Establishment, losing plenty of hair in the process. So yes, there are quite a few."

"..." Bai Roushuang touched her own hair with lingering dread, recalling how much she had shed during her anxious, uncertain days before breaking through to Foundation Establishment. Thankfully, thankfully...

As expected, the medicine was immensely popular. Bidding started immediately, with shouts erupting from the crowd. The price of "Misty Locks and Breezy Curls" soared from one hundred spirit stones to over a thousand top-grade spirit stones before finally being claimed by a male cultivator. The audience craned their necks to watch as a man wearing a felt hat stepped onto the stage to retrieve the vial, and understanding dawned on their faces.

One of the unsuccessful bidders sighed in resignation. "He’s already wearing a hat outdoors—clearly, his condition is severe. I hesitated about raising my bid earlier, but now I’m glad he won it."

"..."

The maid on stage soon returned with the next artifact—a wooden tray holding ten delicate jade vials.

The male cultivator began again, his voice dripping with emotion. "Have you ever been troubled by the inconvenience of washing clothes while traveling or adventuring? Have you ever fought someone, only to end up drenched in blood, unable to clean your beloved robes, and forced to discard them?"

Out of the corner of her eye, Bai Roushuang saw her senior sister nod in agreement.

"Good stuff," Xu Shulou remarked, even asking considerately, "Do you two want some?"

Jiang Yan shook his head normally. Bai Roushuang shook hers in horror.

The male cultivator continued, "This spiritual medicine before you is called 'Spring-Washed Garments', another product of the Tianxin Pavilion, like the previous 'Misty Locks and Breezy Curls'. Simply soak soiled clothing in water, add a single drop of this medicine, and after a short while, all stains and blood will vanish. Lift the garment out, dry it with spiritual energy, and it will look as good as new."

Bai Roushuang noticed Xu Shulou fidgeting with excitement out of the corner of her eye.

"For those who’d rather not expend spiritual energy on drying clothes, we also offer a batch of miniature drying stoves. Though called stoves, they’re powered solely by spirit stones—no flames, completely safe. They dry clothes in an instant without any risk of scorching. For just twenty additional top-grade spirit stones, the winner of 'Spring-Washed Garments' can take one home," the male cultivator added. "We have slightly more of this item—ten vials in total. One vial can be used nearly a hundred times."

Xu Shou Lou decisively placed a bid and secured a vial of "Spring-Washed Garments" for eighty top-grade spirit stones.

The item wasn’t particularly expensive, suggesting most cultivators preferred to spend their spirit stones on more critical needs.

Bai Roushuang glanced sideways at her senior sister, musing silently that cultivators who frequently fought to the point of being drenched in blood probably weren’t all that common. And it had to be their opponents’ blood—if they were the ones getting slashed, their clothes would be ruined anyway, rendering cleaning pointless...

Her thoughts drifted off unintentionally.

Next, the maid brought out a basin of water.

For a moment, Bai Roushuang thought they were about to demonstrate the use of "Spring-Washed Garments," but the basin didn’t contain water—instead, it held something strange, mirror-like in appearance.

"This artifact is called 'What Does the Heart Fear?'," the male cultivator introduced succinctly. "It shows the moment of one’s future death. Starting bid: two thousand top-grade spirit stones."

The audience erupted in an uproar, with bids rising rapidly, one louder than the next.

Bai Roushuang asked in astonishment, "Why is this thing so expensive?"

"Think about it—if you saw yourself dying in a certain place, wouldn’t you avoid it afterward? If you saw yourself dying at someone’s hands, wouldn’t you steer clear of them?" Jiang Yan sighed. "For some, this artifact could save their life. But..."

"...That does make sense," Bai Roushuang pondered. "Should we bid?"

Xu Shulou shook her head. "It’s best not to touch such things."

"Why?" Bai Roushuang was puzzled.

Xu Shou Lou countered, "If you saw yourself perishing in a heavenly tribulation, wouldn’t you become too afraid to cultivate further?"

Bai Roushuang froze at the question.

Xu ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‍Shou Lou continued, "Even setting aside heavenly tribulations—if you saw yourself dying in a certain place, you’d spend the rest of your life avoiding it. Then, if you looked into the mirror again, wouldn’t the vision change?"

"That... probably would happen?"

"And then you’d adjust your life to avoid the new death scenario? Living in constant fear, tiptoeing around every danger?" Xu Shulou gazed at the stage, her eyes distant. "You might live longer, but what kind of life would that be? Objects that reveal heavenly secrets harm one’s Dao heart. Best to stay away."

Bai Roushuang nodded, enlightened.

Jiang Yan scoffed lightly. "'What Does the Heart Fear?' The Soaring Eagle Sect sure knows how to name things. 'What Doesn’t the Heart Fear?' would be more fitting."

Bai Roushuang glanced around and noticed that while some were eagerly bidding, many others remained silent. Clearly, the reasoning behind this wasn’t lost on them either. Yet, some people understood the risks but still couldn’t resist the temptation to glimpse the secrets of fate.

She let out a soft sigh.

The highlight of the day soon began—techniques, spirit herbs, and magical artifacts were presented one after another, leaving the audience dazzled.

A maid on the stage brought out a sword. It appeared to be a fine blade, though its edge seemed dulled, as if covered in dust. Those with a discerning eye could tell this was a sword that had lost its master. It would only regain its brilliance when a new wielder claimed it.

The moment Xu Shulou saw the sword, she froze, murmuring three words under her breath: "Youth’s Arrogance?"

Bai Roushuang was puzzled. "What’s Youth’s Arrogance?"

Xu Shulou seemed lost in thought, so Jiang Yan answered quietly, "It’s the lifebound sword of Elder Zhang Baihe. It went missing before his passing. It seems someone found it and sold it to the Soaring Eagle Sect."

"..." Bai Roushuang immediately began rummaging through her coin pouch.

Jiang Yan whispered, "Senior Sister, if you’re short on spirit stones, just say the word. I don’t have anything I particularly want to buy anyway."

"Me too, me too!" Bai Roushuang chimed in eagerly.

"Alright." Xu Shulou knew this wasn’t the time for modesty and nodded to her junior siblings.

Since fate had brought them here, she was determined to take Youth’s Arrogance back with her.

Bidding began from the crowd. Lifebound weapons like this always fetched higher prices than ordinary magical artifacts. And since Zhang Baihe had once been an elder of the prestigious Lingxiao Sect, his sword was no ordinary item.

Even though Xu Shulou had exchanged extra spirit stones in preparation for the auction, she soon found herself running short.

In the end, she spent eight thousand high-grade spirit stones, emptying both her junior siblings’ pouches. She even had to trade a spirit ore gifted by the Joyous Union Sect’s leader and a Sun-Moon Ascendant Hairpin obtained from the ice caves of the Void Abyss Secret Realm before she could finally claim the sword.

When held by someone other than its master, Youth’s Arrogance trembled incessantly, as if resisting. Xu Shoushu ran her fingers along the blade and whispered something to it, calming it gradually.

She stored the sword in her Qiankun Bracelet, then sat shoulder-to-shoulder with Jiang Yan and Bai Roushuang—all three now utterly penniless.

Later, exquisite robes from the Linglong Pavilion were brought out for auction. One dress had a skirt that seemed to burn like flames, another flowed like water, one billowed like the wind, and another draped like clouds...

Bai Roushuang couldn’t help but drool.

Xu Shulou squeezed her hand reassuringly. "When I have spirit stones again, I’ll make it up to you with one of these."

Bai Roushuang shook her head. "It’s fine, Senior Sister. Elder Zhang’s lifebound sword is obviously more important."

"Good girl." Xu Shulou patted her head.

Thankfully, I achieved Foundation Establishment early and still have all my hair, Bai Roushuang thought with relief. Otherwise, I’d feel self-conscious when Senior Sister pets me like this.

The rest of the auction was agony. The trio suffered through the torment of being broke, barely enduring until the event concluded. As they stepped outside, a servant handed them an invitation.

Xu Shulou examined it—a notice for another auction held at night, but this one bore no mark of the Soaring Eagle Sect. "Is this the shadow market?"

"You’re quite knowledgeable, miss," the servant smiled before retreating.

Once he was gone, Bai Roushuang asked, "What’s the shadow market?"

"The auction we just attended is called the open market," Xu Shulou explained. "The shadow market sells things that can’t be traded openly. Only regular patrons or cultivators who spent lavishly at the open market receive invitations. I’ve only heard of it—never seen it myself."

"Spent lavishly?" Jiang Yan laughed bitterly. "He probably doesn’t realize the three of us combined don’t have half a spirit stone left."

"Well, looking costs nothing," Xu Shulou flicked the invitation. "Who’s in?"

It was a rare opportunity, so Jiang Yan and Bai Roushuang immediately agreed.

The trio spent the day sightseeing around Fancheng (since it was free) until dusk, then followed the invitation’s directions to the shadow market’s location.

At the entrance, their invitation was verified before a maid escorted them inside. Once seated, a servant brought them bowls of pomegranate drink.

The white porcelain bowls held pale red liquid, chilled and lightly misted. At the bottom rested deseeded pomegranate arils, translucent like carnelian beads—tempting, but the three hesitated.

"Do we have to pay for this?" Jiang Yan asked pitifully.

The servant seemed taken aback—likely unused to such frugal guests in the shadow market—before shaking his head. "No charge. It’s complimentary."

Only then did they accept the bowls.

The drink was infused with something that left a faint spiritual energy lingering on the tongue, sweet yet tart.

"The Soaring Eagle Sect really spares no expense," Jiang Yan remarked admiringly.

"I wish they’d serve food too," Bai Roushuang daydreamed greedily.

Soon, the shadow market auction began. The setup was far more provocative, and the host—a cultivator—held up a necklace made of red beans. "This is called 'Red Beans of Longing.' You’ve likely heard of it—the perfect gift between lovers. If one party’s heart wavers, the necklace tightens... and strangles the betrayer."

Holy—! Bai Roushuang gaped. The shadow market doesn’t hold back!

She’d been about to compliment the necklace’s delicate beauty, unisex and stylish—only to learn it was a murder weapon?

"Who would dare buy this?" she whispered to her seniors.

"Young as you are, you wouldn’t know, but a century ago, these were all the rage," Jiang Yan marveled. "Once activated, high-level cultivators at Nascent Soul stage or above might survive, but many low-level cultivators died—some by their own purchase, others by their partner’s. I even heard of a couple strangled simultaneously by the same necklace. Eventually, the major sects banned them. Now, you’d only find them here. Who in their right mind would wear this?"

Bai Roushuang clicked her tongue. "Mortals with mere decades of life don’t dare swear eternal love so lightly, yet cultivators have the audacity."

Jiang Yan shrugged, equally baffled. "Ten years ago, a famously devoted couple fell victim. They lasted ninety years before their hearts changed."

"In the heat of passion, people vow forever," Xu Shulou sighed. "They truly believe they’ll never waver. But who can predict the future?"

The trio fell silent as the "Red Beans of Longing" were bought by a female cultivator, her face radiant with joy as she accepted the necklace.

They couldn’t help but wonder what her fate would be.

Next, a few more bizarre magical artifacts were presented on the stage. Among them was a "Substitute Paper Doll" that could temporarily transfer one's soul into a paper figure, which sent shivers down the spines of Bai Roushuang and Jiang Yan.

There was also a tiny spirit snake capable of burrowing into a cultivator's meridians. A single bite to the heart meridian could bring joy, two bites would induce sorrow, three would incite excitement, four would instill calmness, and five... well, that would be lethal.

The male cultivator on stage explained that if a cultivator found life too dull, this spirit snake could help shift their emotions.

Xu Shoulou and her companions exchanged bewildered glances.

Bai Roushuang murmured, "What’s the point of this thing? Calmness? So if you’re gripped by fear in battle, you let the snake bite you four times, and suddenly you’re cool-headed enough to find an escape?"

Jiang Yan stroked his chin. "I suppose the happiness-inducing bite would be the most popular use?"

Xu Shoulou was equally puzzled. Seeing that no one bid on the item, all three of them visibly relaxed.

The male cultivator on stage looked slightly awkward and tried to liven the mood. "Now, let’s move on to our main attraction! Recently, we acquired a pair of enchanting demonic cultivator sisters—utterly charming and delightful. Let’s bring them out for your viewing pleasure!"

Xu Shoulou frowned. The underground trade of demonic cultivators had even reached Fan Du City.

As the man finished speaking, two female demonic cultivators were wheeled out in an iron cage shaped like a birdcage, draped in translucent red gauze. Inside, soft brocade cushions were spread, and the two humanoid demonesses reclined on them, their long legs and bare shoulders on full display—a truly alluring sight.

"These sisters were incredibly difficult to obtain. The one in white is named 'Jade Skin,' and the one in red is 'Ice Bones,'" the man introduced. "Well? Do they meet your esteemed tastes?"

"Wait..." Bai Roushuang rubbed her eyes and peered closer. "They look familiar... Aren’t they the ones we met in the Void Abyss Secret Realm?"

Jiang Yan recognized them too. "They’re the little foxes that Senior Sister Xu tossed out of the crocodile’s belly!"

"That’s right!" Bai Roushuang recalled. "But I remember they weren’t sisters—just companions. And their names weren’t Jade Skin and Ice Bones. The pink one was quite cunning—what was her name again? Fen Mo!"

Jiang Yan guessed the seller had fabricated the sisterhood and renamed them for marketing appeal. He turned to Xu Shoulou. "Senior Sister, what do you think?"

But Xu Shoulou was lost in thought. Jade Skin and Ice Bones... In the storybooks, these were the names of Lu Beichen’s two favored demonic concubines.

So it was them... It seemed that, in some strange way, all these characters from the tales had appeared around her at some point, though she hadn’t realized it at the time.

The stories mentioned that the two had been trafficked, changing hands several times before Lu Beichen rescued them. It was his rare act of treating them with human dignity that won their devotion—so much so that they even volunteered to serve as his cultivation cauldrons.

Xu Shoulou suddenly remembered that, in the stories, Bai Roushuang had always disliked these two foxes for their habit of feigning innocence to vie for favor.

In reality, her junior sister also seemed to harbor an inexplicable dislike for them, especially Fen Mo.

Once again, reality and fiction overlapped in eerie little details.

...

Noticing Xu Shoulou’s distraction, Bai Roushuang cautiously asked, "Senior Sister, I assume you want to save them, but we’re out of spirit stones. What do you plan to do?"

Xu Shoulou suddenly posed an odd question: "Do they look willing to you?"

"Of course not," Jiang Yan mused. "If they risked their lives in the Void Abyss Secret Realm for a shape-shifting herb, they wouldn’t have done it just to end up being sold here."

Bai Roushuang nodded in agreement. "Exactly. If they wanted to sell themselves, they could’ve done it long ago. A generous buyer would’ve provided the herb for them—why go through all that trouble? If not for Senior Sister, that weak little pink fox would’ve been crocodile food."

Xu Shoulou sighed. "I thought so too."

The two watched her nervously.

Xu Shoulou tightened her grip on her folding fan. "Since we’re out of spirit stones, we’ll just have to take them by force."

"..."

Bai Roushuang covered her face, nearly shedding a tear. Why are outings with Senior Sister always so... eventful?