Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 784

Treasures were auctioned off one by one, changing hands multiple times. The last two items were spirit treasures, and the competition for them was fierce, with prices soaring to unbelievable heights.

Although they were only low-grade spirit treasures, even Void Refinement cultivators [a high cultivation stage] couldn’t resist bidding. Each additional spirit treasure increased their chances of surviving the Heavenly Tribulation [a trial by the heavens].

However, some Void Refinement cultivators remained aloof, watching with cold eyes and never placing a bid. It was clear they were aiming for the final treasure.

Even though they were called spirit treasures, their power was far inferior to the true Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasures listed in the Chaos Myriad Spirit Board [a ranking of powerful treasures].

Han Li had been quietly observing from his stone chamber. Rare materials and cultivation technique books were quickly auctioned off.

It wasn’t until the white-robed old man mentioned ‘True Toad Spirit Blood’ that Han Li’s expression changed.

‘Finally!’

The purpose of his participation was to obtain the True Toad Spirit Blood, specifically from the Azure-Eyed True Toad. However, when the old man announced the starting price of 1.5 million spirit stones, even Han Li’s lips twitched.

This was the highest starting price among all the materials so far. Just as Han Li hesitated, a voice from one of the stone chambers calmed his mind.

“3 million spirit stones!”

A languid voice echoed from a corner of the hall. Other cultivators who were about to bid stopped, looking in that direction with surprise.

Unfortunately, the Flying Sky Pavilions [private auction chambers] had special restrictions, preventing anyone from seeing inside.

True Toad Spirit Blood was essential for refining the True Toad Elixir, but 3 million spirit stones was far higher than most expected.

The hall fell silent. Han Li narrowed his eyes at the True Toad Spirit Blood on the stage.

Han Li had about 3 million spirit stones. The problem was that spending so much just for the True Toad Spirit Blood wasn’t worth it.

If he released a large quantity of spirit herbs, he could obtain limitless spirit stones, but he was too cautious to release too many at once.

If someone took notice of him, the consequences would be significant!

The high bid meant that someone else desperately needed the True Toad Spirit Blood. Competing with them would drive up the price and attract unwanted attention.

Moreover, even a small amount of True Toad Spirit Blood would be used up making the True Toad Elixir, and he wouldn’t be able to refine many elixirs.

After careful consideration, he decided to give up. However, others didn’t. The hall, which had been quiet, became heated again as several people raised the price.

They were likely late-stage Transformation Stage cultivators [a high cultivation stage] who desperately needed the True Toad Elixir to overcome their cultivation bottlenecks. Otherwise, ordinary cultivators wouldn’t buy such expensive True Toad Spirit Blood.

After a fierce competition, the True Toad Spirit Blood was sold for an astonishing 4 million spirit stones to the person who had made the first bid.

Even after the auction ended, many people glanced at the Flying Sky Pavilion where the buyer was, trying to guess their identity. Of course, they learned nothing.

The next few materials were for elixirs needed by Void Refinement cultivators, and they were even more precious. Although fewer people bid, the prices were still jaw-dropping.

A ten-thousand-year-old purple Myriad Desolation Fruit sold for nearly ten million spirit stones, leaving first-time auction attendees dumbfounded.

If materials were this expensive, how much more would elixirs for Void Refinement cultivators cost?

Clap!

Not long after, as materials and books were being auctioned, the white-robed old man clapped, and the ten women behind him stepped down.

At the same time, three cultivators in various attire ascended from below: a woman in a simple blue dress, an old man with a flushed face, and a refined middle-aged scholar.

The crowd stirred slightly at the sight of them.

Han Li realized from the murmurs that these three were the appraisers the old man had mentioned. Although their cultivation was inferior to the old man, being only in the early Transformation Stage, each had extraordinary insight.

The old man exchanged a few polite words with the three, then turned to the cultivators.

“Now, it’s time for the three most precious treasures. Fellow Daoist Jin and the others each hold one. The first is three scales dropped by the Myriad Desolation True Spirit Ink Qilin [a mythical beast].

These are top-grade materials for refining the legendary Sunflower Water True Spirit Elixir or water-attribute spirit treasures. A spirit treasure refined with these materials has a high chance of being listed on the Chaos Myriad Spirit Board.

Furthermore, one Sunflower Water True Spirit Elixir can allow an early Transformation Stage cultivator to reach the mid-stage in a single day. Of course, whether it’s a spirit treasure or the elixir, even a master refiner has a low success rate.

If a buyer plans to refine a spirit treasure, this old man is willing to refine it for you without compensation. Haha, that was a selfish proposal.”

The old man explained with a smile, then stepped back.

The cultivators gasped at the mention of ‘Ink Qilin’s scales’ and looked at the appraisers.

Some wealthy cultivators who had been waiting for the final three treasures couldn’t hide their joy.

‘It was worth the wait!’

No matter what the next items were, the Ink Qilin’s scales were worth betting everything on. Most were thinking of making the Sunflower Water True Spirit Elixir, and less than 10% were planning to refine a spirit treasure.

Those 10% were mostly those who practiced water-attribute cultivation techniques.

Han Li’s heart also trembled at the name of the Sunflower Water True Spirit Elixir.

A spirit elixir with the heaven-defying effect of allowing one to advance to the next realm in a single day was something he had longed for.

‘I must obtain it when the opportunity arises.’

He decided he would win the three Ink Qilin scales no matter what. This was a treasure worth taking the risk for.

The middle-aged woman stepped forward and brushed her hand across a low table, taking out a foot-long, shimmering jade box. The surface glowed with magical runes, clearly a precious item. The woman pointed at the box without explanation.

Tung.

The lid flew off, and three black streaks shot out, trying to soar high. However, the woman seemed to have anticipated this, and she lightly grasped the air.

An invisible force confined the three black streaks and pulled them downwards.

The three black streaks swirled, flashing wildly before transforming into fist-sized, dark blue scales that were drawn into the woman’s hand.

The woman placed two back into the box and presented the remaining scale.

“As you all know, the Ink Qilin is a natural water-attribute True Spirit, so its scales are also top-grade water-attribute materials. They are perfect for cultivators who practice water-attribute techniques. There are two ways to determine if these scales are genuine.

First, even though the scales have been detached, the water-attribute spiritual power they contain is so immense that they are comparable to top-grade water-attribute spirit treasures without even needing to be refined.”

The woman infused the scale with spiritual power, shaking it towards the sky. A blue aura spread out, and a blue lotus bloomed on the surface, shining like a crafted gemstone.

As she urged her magic, the lotus spun, growing to the size of a head. Each time the petals fluttered, blue particles scattered, and a rich water-attribute spiritual energy filled the hall.

Han Li, in his Flying Sky Pavilion, narrowed his eyes and grabbed a blue particle. He closed his eyes and felt a faint coolness spreading from his fingertips.

He opened his eyes with a satisfied expression.

Other cultivators also felt the pure spiritual power and believed the scales were genuine by about 70-80%.

The woman flicked her wrist, and the blue lotus scattered and disappeared. The blue particles also vanished.

“There are many True Spirit-level existences, and the strength of the Qilin’s scales does not match that of top True Spirits like the True Dragon. Also, their strength decreases after they are detached. However, they cannot be damaged by ordinary attacks.”

She floated the scale into the air.

A black light whirred and flew up, and as it remained motionless, a golden light flashed in the woman’s hand, and a foot-long, intense golden axe appeared. The woman’s face darkened, and the golden axe trembled before rushing towards the scale.

Tang!

The black light on the scale flashed, but nothing else happened. Only the axe was repelled. The woman ignored the axe and began to mutter something.

A blue pillar of fire rose from below the scale.

“Three-Colored Azure Tribulation Fire!”

Some cultivators murmured in surprise, and many others showed envy.

However, even after the flames touched it, the scale retained a faint blue glow. Then, attacks of various attributes such as lightning strikes and ice seals followed, but they had no effect on the scale.

The woman confirmed that the scale did not corrode even in the blood-colored mist released by a demonic treasure and concluded her introduction. She placed the scale back into the box, sealed it, and stepped back.

The old man stepped forward again, smiled, and opened his mouth.

“The scales of the True Spirit Ink Qilin! The starting price is 15 million spirit stones. Bids can be increased in increments of one million.”

“17 million!”

“18 million!”

“20 million spirit stones!”

The price of the Ink Qilin scales rose rapidly, and most of the cultivators who had been aiming for the treasure changed their expressions and gave up. Han Li’s expression didn’t change, but a hint of surprise flashed across his face.

‘There are so many cultivators with overflowing assets.’

However, he didn’t blindly bid and coldly watched the numbers rise.

Even tens of millions of spirit stones were meaningless in front of three True Spirit scales. Who wouldn’t want to increase their realm in a single day?

Once one reached the Transformation Stage, it became extremely difficult to advance even one step, and most Transformation Stage cultivators spent their entire lives in the early stage. That was why the cultivators were raising the price without hesitation.

However, there comes a moment of clarity. Now that the auction price had exceeded 25 million spirit stones, only three cultivators were still bidding.

One was the cultivator who had bought the True Toad Spirit Blood earlier, and their voice still sounded languid. The others were a frail old voice and a clear, pleasant voice, seemingly an old man and a young woman.

As the three raised the price by one million each, the number suddenly approached 30 million.

At that moment, the owner of the languid voice bid ’30 million,’ and the voices of the woman and the old man stopped.

It seemed that this was their limit. The cultivators’ gazes turned to the stage.

When the numbers in the giant formation turned completely golden, the treasure would be sold at that price.

“31 million.”

A calm voice suddenly interjected.