The Mid-sized Auction

"Huff..."

Qi Xiu exhaled a turbid breath, slowly pressing his hands down, thus ending a full cycle of cultivation.

His spiritual energy was still stuck at the peak of the second level of Qi Condensation stage, with no signs of a breakthrough. Occasionally, he would gain some comprehension, but it was ruthlessly suppressed by the iron barrier of his current cultivation level.

He felt a bit regretful but quickly came to terms with it. He had long accepted the fact that his cultivation could not advance further. 

All the cultivation knowledge he had encountered told him that it was impossible for him to surpass the third level of Qi Condensation in this lifetime.

The reason for that was his "Fate Source".

For a cultivator, the "Fate Source" was the most critical factor in determining the speed of cultivation. The more "Fate Source" you had, the more chaotic your "Soul Root" would be, slowing down the absorption of spiritual energy.

The "Fate Source" resided within the cultivator's Sea of Consciousness and came naturally at birth together with the cultivation constitution; could not be changed later on. 

The Fate Source could be an object related to the five elements or a spiritual beast, or a weapon, corresponding to the cultivator's Soul Root."

For instance, if a cultivator's "Fate Source" was the wood-attribute [Sandthorn Grass], he would have a single-Fate Source, single-Soul Root — single-wood-attribute constitution, and his cultivation speed would be much faster than that of an average cultivator.

However, if his "Fate Source" had an additional weapon-attribute [Demon Slayer Sword], then he would be a dual-Fate Source, wood-Soul Root plus weapon-Soul Root — dual-Soul Root constitution, and his cultivation would be slower than a single-Soul Root constitution.

For another example, if his "Fate Source" consisted of [Sea Buckthorn Grass] and [Soul Nurturing Wood], both "Fate Source object" were wood attributed, then he would be a dual-Fate Source, single-wood Soul Root, and his cultivation speed would be somewhere in between the previous two examples. 

Moreover, the strength of the "Fate Source object" greatly affects the cultivator.

Using the above "Fate Source" as an example, a cultivator whose "Fate Source object" was the [Demon Slayer Sword] would undoubtedly possess much stronger innate skills compared to a cultivator with [Sandthorn Grass]. 

If the two of them were to fight using their innate skills, the former would likely have a much greater chance of winning.

Of course, this is not always the case. Personal comprehension, the techniques used, and innate skills controle were significant variables. Thus, asking about another's Fate Source and innate skills was considered highly impolite and presumed to have hostile intentions.

However, the impact of "Fate Source" on cultivation could not be fully summarized in a few words.

Cultivators in countless worlds cultivated their own 'fate source object,' and the methods to dig out the innate skills of these 'fate source object' were vast and endless, impossible to fully learn or describe.

However; before reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, cultivators could not inwardly introspect and visualize their "Fate Source object" within their sea of consciousness for cultivation. 

Hence, for Qi Condensation cultivators, finding objects closely matched and highly compatible with their own fate source, and using them as references for visualization, was crucially important.

More importantly, this "reference object" remained vital throughout all cultivation stages.

Qi Xiu's problem lay precisely in his "fate source" and "reference object."

Qi Xiu had a single-fate source and single-root soul constitution, which originally held limitless potential. However, his fate source happened to be the rare [Red-Tail Macaque].

The [Red-Tail Macaque], knowledgeable in Yin-Yang, skilled in human affairs, adept at entering and leaving (skills of escaping), and capable of evading death and extending life, existed in only a handful of worlds. Despite its powerful innate skills, its exceptional strength and rarity made it impossible for Qi Xiu to find a suitable "reference object."

Over the years, Qi Xiu tried various types of monkeys, apes, and even some plants and artifacts as reference objects, but none had helped him mirror his "fate source" for visualization and cultivation. Thus, the third level of Qi Condensation, the so-called first major barrier of cultivation, became an insurmountable chasm for Qi Xiu.

Qi Xiu had come to terms with it.

He knew that in all the sects he was aware of, the vast majority of outer disciples never surpassed the third level in their lifetime.

Yet, they still lived happily and busily, marrying, having children, and taking care of their families.

Though their status wasn't high, it all depended from where you see it. Compared to those with excellent talent and single-minded dedication to the Great Dao, they were indeed inferior, but compared to mortals, their lives were worlds apart.

Outer sect disciples who performed menial chores within the sect still enjoyed a life of luxury and abundance in the mortal world. Practicing the Eternal Spring technique regularly, they could extend their lifespan, and typically, by the age of thirty, the sect allowed them to spend nights at home. 

Enjoying seventy to eighty years of worldly wealth and status was no problem at all.

In contrast, those ambitious cultivators who were eager to achieve great things, cultivate every day, and in the end, many of them achieve nothing.

It was better to enjoy a bit more of the blessings of the mortal world.

Once this matter's settled, I should find a wife and settle down, start a family. Anyway, life goes on. Being a farmer isn't half bad! Remember old Wang from the outer sect? He was still turning the soil in the spiritual fields at eighty when he took his ninth concubine. As for me... one wife and two concubines should be just about right.

Lost in his wild imagination, Qi Xiu suddenly felt a twinge in his heart. He stood up, walked to the edge of the table, lightly pressed a hidden spot on the table leg, and the door to his residence silently opened.

This inn, catering specifically to low-level cultivators, typically had small protective formations in each room. These formations would sense anyone approaching, preventing the residents from being spied on or disturbed.

A mortal servant carrying a food box entered. He respectfully bowed to Qi Xiu, then walked to the table and took out the wine and dishes from the food box and set them out. Bowed again and left.

There was a pot of Green Spring Spirit Wine, a bowl of spirit grain rice, and two small dishes, all faintly exuding spiritual energy. These were made from low-level spiritual herbs and grains. 

These few elegant dishes and wine would cost two 1st-grade spirit stones. When Qi Xiu was an inner sect disciple, he often ate such meals, but now he couldn't afford such luxuries as often.

Over the past ten days, Qi Xiu had been busy, sleeping only little, which had somewhat damaged his vitality. After the auction, he estimated he would be able to get the Foundation Establishment Pill the next day.

The journey back to the sect would be much longer than when coming from his secluded place, and the area around the Chu Qin Sect right now was quite unsettled. 

Gritting his teeth, he had spent two 1st-level spirit stones for a luxurious meal for once to restore his energy for the upcoming challenges.

Qi Xiu ate this meal with a lot of head-nodding and savoring, thoroughly enjoying every bite. He tipped the wine bottle until it was empty, letting the last drop of spirit wine fall into their mouth, then smacked their lips in satisfaction and pressed the mechanism to call the servant to clean up.

After a short meditation, he figured it was almost time. 

Qi Xiu tidied up his appearance and headed out to the auction house.

The Clear River Market was, after all, not as large as a cultivation city; it only took him a short walk to arrive outside the auction house. 

As the largest business in the market, their monthly medium-sized auction attracted more than three times the usual crowd, making it exceptionally lively

Walking closer, Qi Xiu saw two groups from unknown sects meeting at the door. Their leading cultivators stood at the entrance, exchanging loud greetings and laughter, while the disciples who with them stood respectfully behind.

Other cultivators, blocked by these groups, could only wait patiently, not daring to show any dissatisfaction.

At least late-stage Foundation Establishment level! Qi Xiu thought. Though his cultivation was so low that he couldn't see the cultivation level of such people, he still had a good eye for people. Ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators would not dare to act casually like this. 

With no other choice, Qi Xiu just stood there and waited as well.

"Please."

"After you."

After waiting for a while, the two senior cultivators greeted each other and entered.

Qi Xiu followed the now-moving crowd into the auction house.

Qi Xiu had visited this auction hall many times. It was divided into two floors: private boxes above and scattered seats on the lower level, arranged in a fan shape around the auction stage.

With the number plate he had bought earlier, Qi Xiu found his seat in a corner at the back of the open seating area. Though he could not afford to bid on anything, being here was a good opportunity to broaden his knowledge.

Of course, what he was most concerned about was how much the [Golden Light Cymbals] would fetch. 

To keep the excitement going, the auction house would intersperse its eye-catching main items throughout the event, the opening act item was a pill that can enhance the cultivation level of Foundation Establishment cultivators, while the Golden Light Cymbals was scheduled to appear in the middle of the auction.

The auction platform looked similar to the mortal theater stage. There were already Qi Condensation cultivators bidding for various small items. The starting prices were very low, a tactic to attract cultivators to enter early. 

Outside, people continued entering, while inside, the atmosphere was chaotic: some looking for seats inside, some shouting bids; a lively atmosphere, but there was order to it.

Once most people settled in, the scene gradually calmed down. Valuable items began appearing, starting with a 1st-grade high-tier flying sword. As it entered, the hall's temperature rose instantly. Bids escalated one after another, quickly turning into a fierce battle among the private boxes upstairs, eventually selling for 300 2nd-grade spirit stones.

Qixiu watched with envy. The flying sword, whether used as a flight tool or as a weapon for attacks, had a speed far surpassing other items of the same level. Its attack power was formidable, yet it did not consume much spiritual energy. Moreover, even a 1st-grade flying sword could be wielded effectively by a Qi Condensation cultivator.

Tsk, no wonder it's the dream gem for killing and escaping. One flying sword can be traded for three Foundation Establishment Pills.

Together with the scattered cultivators downstairs, Qi Xiu watched wistfully as the sword was carried away into one of the upstairs boxes.

The auction continued on the stage, sometimes calm and sometimes fervent.

Soon enough, Qi Xiu's awaited moment arrived.

"Second-grade lower-tier item, the [Golden Light Cymbals]!" said the auctioneer, a middle-aged man. His voice reached every corner of the hall thanks to a special formation. "This gold-attribute magical item has the unique feature of being both offensive and defensive, combining attack and defense in one!"

He lifted the Golden Light Cymbals and slowly displayed it around to the audience before carefully handing it over to another cultivator responsible for demonstrating its power.

The cultivator then started showing off its various abilities, while the auctioneer provided detailed explanations from the side.

"... It can transform into a shield with a wide defensive range, capable of withstanding attacks of 1st-grade high-tier power. If you channel more spiritual energy, it can even resist attacks from 2nd-grade lower-tier artifacts..."

The Golden Light Cymbals' attributes weren't particularly impressive, and the atmosphere immediately cooled down. It was only when the demonstrating cultivator activated it, emitting a golden beam that struck the Trial Stone, did the hall regain some fervor; the color coming out of the attack was representing 2nd-grade lower-tier attack power.

Just a final reminder, this kind of attack can only be used about three times with the spiritual energy of late-stage Qi Condensation cultivators. Alright, the starting price is 55 2nd-grade spirit stones, with increments of 1 2nd-grade spirit stone. Any bids?

Though the auctioneer had only spoken undeniable facts, Qixiu could feel his teeth aching again. In spite of it being a 2nd-grade artifact, the spiritual energy consumption to achieve 2nd-grade attack or defense was quite high. 

After the auctioneer had finished speaking, no one made a bid for a long time. 

Qi Xiu was almost in tears, his heart pounding. 

Then, a hand lazily raised in the front row.

"Alright! This fellow Daoist bids 55 spirit stones. Any higher bids?" The auctioneer asked. There was another moment of silence, so he was forced to shout yet again, "55 2nd-grade spirit stones, going once!"

Someone from another direction raised the bid. 

"This fellow Daoist bids 56! 56! Any higher bids?" the auctioneer called out.

"60!"

A raspy, elderly voice called out a bid from upstairs; it sounded like heavenly music to Qi Xiu's ears. 

"Box G, 60 spirit stone! Any higher bids?!" The auctioneer quickly shouted, 

The room fell silent again. 

Usually, when someone from the private boxes made a bid, the people downstairs would stop bidding.

"70!"

Another bid came from a different private box on the second floor. 

This significant increase caused a buzz in the hall. The familiar cultivators whispered to each other, speculating if there was some grudge between the two parties.

"70! 70! Room W bids 70 2nd-grade spirit stones! Are there any higher bids!?" The auctioneer shouted at the top of his lungs.