Chapter 166 : Auction of Ascension Treasures

The value of Purple Sun Jade [a rare jade imbued with solar energy, prized for cultivation] needs no elaboration. The First Wood Crystal [a crystalline essence of primordial wood energy] is likewise a key treasure for breaking through to the Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one's spiritual foundation is solidified into a grand mansion]. The final azure pill is named the Azure Jade Barrier-Breaking Pill [a precious elixir that aids in shattering the barriers to the Purple Mansion realm].

The Azure Jade Barrier-Breaking Pill is also a pill that assists in the Purple Mansion breakthrough. After consuming it, it can provide an additional ten percent chance of success. What makes it truly precious is that its effects can be stacked with treasures like the First Wood Crystal.

The Azure Jade Barrier-Breaking Pill is exceedingly rare. Unfortunately, its pill formula is not found within the Chu Kingdom. The Yuan Immortal Clan [a prominent cultivation family] is the only Cultivation Clan in the Yan Kingdom that possesses this exclusive recipe.

By monopolizing this trade, the Yuan Immortal Clan has always reaped immense profits. The number of Purple Mansion Cultivator within their clan astonishingly reaches twenty-seven or twenty-eight, a figure that even rivals that of the Deng Immortal Clan.

"All of you here are individuals of broad knowledge and experience," she said. "This humble concubine will not waste time introducing these three treasures."

"If you possess suitable Third Rank Treasure [magical treasures of the third rank, corresponding to the Purple Mansion realm], or have sufficient Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation], you may approach me for an exchange."

Observing the crowd's reaction, Vivian Yuan smiled and gestured for the bidding to begin.

Eldrin Chen and Varen Wei exchanged a glance. Just as Varen Wei was about to open the bidding, a voice rang out.

"By my reckoning, that useless grandson of mine has finally touched the threshold of the Purple Mansion."

"Young friend of the Yuan Clan, your Purple Sun Jade is quite acceptable. I offer this item in exchange. What say you?" Original English translation available at audio_novel.com.

The speaker was an elder clad in black robes. His cultivation was at the Purple Mansion, Mid Stage [the fourth major realm of cultivation, representing a solidified spiritual foundation], and he was acquainted with Vivian Yuan, clearly a patriarch from one of Yan Kingdom's Purple Mansion Immortal Clan [a clan or family with cultivators who have reached the Purple Mansion realm].

As he spoke, the elder produced a luminous white pearl. The treasure emitted a dazzling radiance, unmistakably a rare and precious object.

"This Third Rank [denoting the power level or grade of an item, equivalent to the Purple Mansion realm] Mysterious Jade Luminous Pearl [a precious pearl formed from spiritual jade, prized for its pure energy] is a product from our clan's Shellfish Farm [a cultivation ground for spirit-nurturing shellfish]. It is an exceedingly rare treasure, whether used for alchemy or artificing."

"Senior Zhang's Shellfish Farm is renowned throughout Yan Kingdom. These Mysterious Jade Luminous Pearl can only be nurtured by a Third Rank Shellfish King [a powerful, sentient shellfish demon beast of the Purple Mansion level]. It is indeed a remarkably valuable treasure," Vivian Yuan acknowledged with a nod, yet her tone remained poised as she continued, "May I inquire how many pearls you are willing to offer?"

Vivian Yuan nodded in acknowledgment, yet her tone remained poised as she continued, "May I inquire how many pearls you are willing to offer?"

Zhang the Ancient Ancestor pondered for a moment before replying, "I offer seven. Would that be acceptable?"

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen felt a tremor in his heart. A single Third Rank Mysterious Jade Luminous Pearl typically started at a value of twenty thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation].

By offering seven pearls, Zhang the Ancient Ancestor was effectively spending one hundred forty thousand Spirit Stone to purchase a single piece of Purple Sun Jade [a rare jade imbued with the essence of the purple sun, used in high-level cultivation].

And this was a barter transaction. If a cultivator like Varen Wei tried to purchase it outright with Spirit Stone, he would likely have to pay a premium of several tens of thousands more Spirit Stone to secure it.

After all, Spirit Stone could be gathered one by one, but Third Rank Treasure [a magical item of power equivalent to the Purple Mansion realm] were exceedingly rare. Faced with the same price, any party would undoubtedly choose the more uncommon Third Rank Treasure.

"Hold on." At that moment, another Purple Mansion Cultivator [a cultivator who has established their Purple Mansion, the third major realm] spoke up. "The Mysterious Jade Luminous Pearl [a luminous pearl artifact carved from mystical jade] is indeed a fine treasure."

"I am reluctant to part with such a treasure in exchange, but I can offer one hundred sixty thousand Spirit Stones [minerals that store and radiate spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]. Young lady, do you think we can strike a deal?"

"This..."

The value of Purple Sun Jade [a rare jade imbued with the essence of the purple sun] generally hovers around one hundred forty to one hundred fifty thousand Spirit Stones. At one hundred sixty thousand Spirit Stones per piece, this price already represented a premium of ten to twenty thousand Spirit Stones.

That Vivian Yuan was somewhat tempted and could not help but hesitate.

Seeing that Vivian Yuan was leaning towards acceptance, Zhang the Ancient Ancestor [a venerable elder of the Zhang Clan] furrowed his brow and spoke. "I will add one more Mysterious Jade Luminous Pearl. If you still do not agree, this old man will have no choice but to travel to the Chu Kingdom to purchase a Li Fire Crystal [a crystal containing the essence of Li Fire, a potent spiritual flame]."

"Senior, you speak too gravely. This junior agrees to the transaction."

Seeing Zhang the Ancient Ancestor raise his offer, Vivian Yuan promptly agreed to the deal.

Exchanging eight Mysterious Jade Luminous Pearls for the Purple Sun Jade was a transaction that left both parties relatively satisfied.

With their deal concluded, the crowd's attention turned to bidding on the other two treasures. Among the two items, the First Wood Crystal [a crystalized essence of primordial wood energy] was the most precious.

Many cultivators began vying for this item, with some even offering Third Rank treasures in the auction. However, it was ultimately Varen Wei who secured the winning bid.

The value of a single First Wood Crystal [a crystalized essence of primordial wood energy], if exchanged for equivalent resources, generally lies around fifty thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] worth of Third Rank Treasure [a treasure of significant power, suitable for cultivators at the Purple Mansion realm or higher].

When purchased directly with Spirit Stone, it is often Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan [a clan whose power is anchored by cultivators at the Foundation Establishment realm] doing the buying. In such cases, the seller holds all the leverage, demanding a premium price. The final auction price often soars to over eighty thousand Spirit Stone before the gavel falls.

Having traveled millions of Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], Varen Wei had come thoroughly prepared. He carried a full one hundred thousand Spirit Stone with him.

Within the Chu Kingdom, First Wood Crystal are not exceedingly rare. The other immortal clans saw no need to engage in a desperate bidding war with Varen Wei. In the end, he secured the crystal for a steep premium of ninety-six thousand Spirit Stone.

After obtaining the First Wood Crystal, a visibly excited Varen Wei took possession of the treasure and turned to Eldrin Chen. "Might you lend me some Spirit Stone?" he asked. Original English translation available at audio-novel*com.

This Patriarch Wei had set his sights on the Azure Jade Barrier-Breaking Pill [a precious elixir that aids in breaking through cultivation bottlenecks, particularly to the Purple Mansion realm], clearly intending to purchase it to bolster his chances of a breakthrough into the Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one's spiritual foundation is solidified into a 'Purple Mansion' within the dantian].

Considering their friendship of many years, Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment before nodding. "I can lend them to you. However, nurturing the Spirit Vein [a natural conduit of concentrated spiritual energy within the earth] at the Yuyang Market consumed a significant portion of my resources in recent years. The Spirit Stone I have with me now are not plentiful. You may not be able to secure the winning bid."

"I must at least try," Varen Wei replied.

Varen Wei tallied their combined Spirit Stone and found they had just over twenty thousand remaining—barely enough to make a competitive bid for the Azure Jade Barrier-Breaking Pill.

However, this item is exceptionally precious; even with an offer of twenty thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation], it would be difficult to secure it at auction.

In the end, one of the two pills fell into the hands of Duncan Deng, while the other was acquired by a local Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual mansion within the dantian] Rogue Cultivator [an unaffiliated cultivator operating outside of major clans or sects].

After concluding her transaction, Vivian Yuan descended from the platform, and soon a second person stepped up.

That person was named Lin Sol, his cultivation was also at the Foundation Establishment, Late Stage [the advanced phase of the second major realm where one solidifies their spiritual foundation], and like Vivian Yuan, he was a cultivator from a Golden Core Immortal Clan [a powerful clan whose patriarch has reached the Golden Core realm, the fourth major stage of cultivation].

The Lin Immortal Clan controlled one Fourth Rank Water Vein [a subterranean channel of potent water-attributed spiritual energy, of a grade suitable for Golden Core cultivators] and several Third Rank Water Vein [a water-attributed spiritual energy vein of a grade suitable for Purple Mansion cultivators]; their clan produced a relatively large amount of Profound Water Crystal [a crystalized essence of profound water-attributed spiritual energy, a valuable cultivation material], making them a primary target of Eldrin Chen's attention for this visit.

After Lin Sol took the stage, he did not disappoint Eldrin Chen. He, too, produced three treasures, one of which was indeed a Profound Water Crystal.

The other two treasures were a jade slip and a water-attributed Flying Sword [a sword enchanted for flight and controlled by spiritual will] of the Third Rank [a grade of power suitable for use by Purple Mansion cultivators].

"Esteemed colleagues," he began, "the value of this Condensing Frost Immortal Sword and the Profound Water Crystal, I trust, is clear to all."

"As for this jade slip, it contains the refinement method for the Lifebound Immortal Sword [a cultivator's personally forged and soul-bound sword, growing in power with them] named 'Clear Moon Ethereal Void Sword'. This sword is renowned as a superior immortal sword, considered top-tier even within the Purple Mansion Realm."

"You may now begin your bids."

As the words of Lin Sol fell, the water-attribute Flying Sword [an enchanted blade that can be controlled to fly through the air] was swiftly sold. A Purple Mansion Ancestor [a powerful cultivator who has established their spiritual foundation within the Purple Mansion realm] offered a Third Rank Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact of the third rank] and supplemented it with twenty thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] to claim this blade.

The forging method for the Lifebound Immortal Sword [a sword-type magical treasure that is spiritually bound to its wielder for life] 'Clear Moon Ethereal Void Sword' was bid up to over eighty thousand Spirit Stone, and was ultimately purchased by Duncan Deng for one hundred thousand Spirit Stone.

The sole remaining Profound Water Crystal [a crystal imbued with the concentrated essence of profound water energy] also sparked a frenzy of bidding among the attendees.

Watching the price soar past sixty thousand Spirit Stone in the blink of an eye, Eldrin Chen furrowed his brow. He produced an ancient-looking small bell and declared,

"I offer this Third Rank Low Grade Magical Treasure [a magical treasure of the third rank, low grade] 'Kunwu Earth-Fortress Bell' in exchange for the Profound Water Crystal. What say you?"

"An earth-attribute defensive treasure?"

The moment he laid eyes on the Kunwu Earth-Fortress Bell, Lin Sol's face lit up with delight, and he could not help but feel a surge of temptation. Official source: audio novel.com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.