NOVEL WEB Ch. 43
Chapter 43: Snag It!
“Greetings, fellow Daoists!”
Old Daoist laughed warmly as he introduced himself, “This old fellow Zhuang Zijing. Some of you who have joined the Celestial Treasure Pavilion rare-item auction may have seen me. I will be hosting this rare-item auction again this time. If anything is lacking, please be forgive me, fellow Daoists!”
As soon as Zhuang Zijing finished speaking,
Four auction table projections appeared directly before the four of his images.
“Since the time has come.”
Zhuang Zijing said, waving his hand grandly, and a finely crafted jade porcelain bottle appeared on the auction table.
He then began his impassioned introduction of the item, “A freshly made Red‑Marrow Longevity Pill from Medicine King Valley! It can raise the lifespan upper limit of a Tier 2 cultivator by fifteen years! The reserve price is five Middle‑Grade Spirit Stones, with each bid increase no less than one Middle‑Grade Spirit Stone. Let the bidding begin!”
“Ten!”
“Twenty!”
“Twenty‑one!”
……
Tier 2 cultivators usually had some wealth, especially those nearing their fate-limit; they were determined to obtain this Red‑Marrow Longevity Pill!
Because of this,
In just a moment,
The value of the pill, with a starting price of five Middle‑Grade Spirit Stones, instantly multiplied tenfold, and continued climbing!
……
“Seventy‑six Middle‑Grade Spirit Stones. Any higher bids? Any takers?”
“Seventy‑six, once!”
“Seventy‑six, twice!”
“Sold!”
As soon as Zhuang Zijing’s wooden gavel fell, a bedraggled elderly woman rushed directly next to Zhuang Zijing.
She tossed a small storage pouch to Zhuang Zijing,
Then impatiently opened the jade bottle and, in front of everyone, tilted her head back and swallowed the Red‑Marrow Longevity Pill!
“Wonderful, wonderful!”
After taking the pill, the bedraggled woman laughed loudly, cupping her hands to bow to those around her, “This old body’s fate-limit was near; many thanks to fellow Daoists for showing mercy!”
As she spoke,
Her eagerness vanished, replaced by composure, and she calmly flew away from the auction seat.
“Hahaha!”
Seeing the atmosphere still lively, Zhuang Zijing immediately produced the second auction item and said to the crowd, “Next is today’s second item: Red‑Scale Iron Marrow! This material is used for repairing magical treasures. The starting bid is thirty Lower‑Grade Spirit Stones, with each increase no less than ten Lower‑Grade Spirit Stones!”
The first auction item was meant to stir excitement, so Zhuang Zijing used the exceptionally rare Red‑Marrow Longevity Pill.
The following items were more ordinary.
But because the Red‑Marrow pill had ignited the crowd’s fervor, these sold at prices two to three times higher than usual.
……
Star‑Dust Sand, Fifty‑Year Clam Pearl, Iron‑Wood Core……
As every precious item was sold by Zhuang Zijing,
Finally!
It came time for the Spirit‑Nurturing Pill that Xu Zhengyang wanted!
“This item is called the Spirit‑Nurturing Pill, a prized creation of the Eastern Sea Beast‑Taming Sect! If any fellow Daoist who raises spirit beasts feeds this pill to a spirit beast cub— At most within one month, the spirit beast will grow from its juvenile stage to adulthood, and gain basic combat strength! The starting bid for the Spirit‑Nurturing Pill is thirty Lower‑Grade Spirit Stones, with a minimum increment of ten Lower‑Grade Spirit Stones per bid—bidding starts now!”
As soon as Zhuang Zijing’s voice fell, Xu Zhengyang immediately raised the bid without hesitation, saying, “One Middle‑Grade Spirit Stone!”
This was the first time since the Red‑Marrow Longevity Pill that someone bid with a Middle‑Grade Spirit Stone.
Because of this—
Zhuang Zijing specially used the Flowing Rosy Aurora Shield to project Xu Zhengyang’s image, displaying him before everyone!
“Good, good, good! This young hero is truly promising, bidding with a Middle‑Grade Spirit Stone. Is there anyone who can outbid this young hero?”
Just then—
A faint female voice emerged from somewhere, saying, “I bid ten Lower‑Grade Spirit Stones!”
“Someone…”
Zhuang Zijing was just about to stoke the fire when, before he could finish his sentence, Xu Zhengyang spoke directly:
“Two Middle‑Grade Spirit Stones.”
“Excellent!”
Zhuang Zijing wasn’t angry after being interrupted, but instead clapped and praised, continuing, “This young hero is indeed generous! Two Middle‑Grade Spirit Stones—any higher bids?!”
To bid with Middle‑Grade Spirit Stones, only a Tier 2 cultivator could show such generosity.
And with the projected Xu Zhengyang not showing the slightest stage fright—in fact, even raising his cup to gesture at those around him—
Cultivators in the Celestial Treasure Pavilion silently speculated: How could Xu Zhengyang already be a Tier 2 cultivator at such a young age? What was his background?
While everyone guessed in silence—
Zhuang Zijing couldn’t let the scene go quiet, and had to proceed with the auction:
“Two Middle‑Grade Spirit Stones, once!”
“Two Middle‑Grade Spirit Stones, twice!”
“Sold!”
After the gavel fell, Xu Zhengyang breathed a sigh of relief and thought: 【Good, it’s secured.】
However, Xu Zhengyang’s martial cultivation had just broken through to the Innate Realm, and he still couldn’t perform the third level of Sky‑Riding Steps.
If he flew over using a Paper Crane Talisman, that would truly be embarrassing…
So Xu Zhengyang took out two Middle‑Grade Spirit Stones and handed them to Su Mo, saying, “Miss Su, I’ll trouble you.”
“No trouble.”
Su Mo accepted the spirit stones from Xu Zhengyang, and with a wave of her elegant hand, a spindle‑shaped flying vessel carried her toward Zhuang Zijing.
……
Meanwhile—
Inside a lavishly decorated cabin of the Celestial Treasure Pavilion, the Sect Master of the True Essence Sect and the peak lords of its three lineages were all present.
Master Xuan Yin saw Xu Zhengyang and smiled as he spoke to Pei Zhen, “Junior Brother Pei, your disciple—regardless of other traits— He does have a calm temperament.”
“Oh no, far from it.”
Pei Zhen replied humbly, “He’s been in the sect for so long, yet he hasn’t even mastered a flight technique. Needing others to fetch something for him is honestly quite disgraceful.”
As Su Mo rose to retrieve the Spirit‑Nurturing Pill for Xu Zhengyang, she shifted aside slightly.
At that moment—
Pei Zhen, who had been observing Xu Zhengyang all along, also noticed the Ten‑Thousand‑Mile Shadow‑Bearing Mirror beside Xu Zhengyang’s hand through the projection.
“Ten‑Thousand‑Mile Shadow‑Bearing Mirror?”
Pei Zhen was surprised and said, “That maidservant beside this boy—she actually has that kind of access?”
After speaking—
Pei Zhen chuckled at himself and said, “Back then, I only received recognition and acquired the Celestial Treasure Pavilion’s Ten‑Thousand‑Mile Shadow‑Bearing Mirror after reaching Foundation Establishment. This disciple of mine really surpassed the master—he’s made me look bad!”
After Su Mo shifted aside—
Not only did it reveal the mirror beside Xu Zhengyang’s hand, it also exposed Yang Hong, whose face was flushed from drinking and who was teasing Xiao Die behind Xu Zhengyang.
Spirit Mechanism Peak’s head, Xiao Yueling, smiled and said to Chen Qiang beside her, “Junior Brother Chen, looks like your disciple is quite popular too. Though I wonder if he got that mirror without proper recognition?”
“……”
Seeing this scene, Chen Qiang’s expression turned grim as water. He stayed silent for a long time before spitting out two words:
“Disgrace!”
“Junior Brother Chen, don’t be angry.”
Pei Zhen looked quite pleased and said to Chen Qiang with a beaming smile, “Once we return, don’t punish Yang Hong over such a small matter. A young man’s affection—it's only natural. It’s understandable, after all!”
“Hmph!”
Chen Qiang snorted coldly, his face as dark as charred coal.
So he simply turned his back and shut his eyes, so he wouldn’t get even more annoyed by Pei Zhen.