Chapter 152: Chapter 118: Foundation Establishment Pill
"One thousand seven hundred thirty-two Spirit Stones."
"One thousand seven hundred thirty-three Spirit Stones."
"..."
The bidding for the Youthful Pill had reached its peak. The bids from the three Foundation Establishment female cultivators were starting to become trivial.
But Chen Jianghe knew that the more trivial the bids became, the more likely the Youthful Pill’s price was to soar to new heights.
He knew this because every single Spirit Stone added to the price, bid after bid, would only serve to intensify the animosity and competitive drive among the three Foundation Establishment female cultivators.
Just then, Chen Jianghe noticed Alchemist Zhuang staring intently at the Youthful Pill, a sharp glint in his cloudy eyes.
It was as if he desperately wanted to possess the pill.
But who would dare interfere in a bidding war between three Foundation Establishment female cultivators at a time like this?
Typically, whenever a Youthful Pill appeared at an auction, it ended up in the hands of a female cultivator 99% of the time.
No male cultivator would spend over a thousand Spirit Stones on a Youthful Pill.
Their minds would be on Foundation Establishment. Even if they had already achieved it, they would think of their descendants’ attempts. And if they had no descendants, they would look toward their own future Core Formation, prioritizing an early increase in their combat strength.
’Why would Alchemist Zhuang be interested in a Youthful Pill? Could he be planning to give it to Zhuang Xinyan?’
Chen Jianghe speculated internally.
Alchemist Zhuang was already a centenarian; even if he took the Youthful Pill, his appearance wouldn’t change at all.
There was only one other possibility.
He was getting it for his granddaughter.
However, the conflict was between Foundation Establishment cultivators, making it impossible for him to step in.
Besides, with his own lifespan nearing its end, he wouldn’t dare offend Foundation Establishment cultivators. Otherwise, after his death, his granddaughter would find her path even more difficult.
While Chen Jianghe was lost in thought, the bidding between the three Foundation Establishment female cultivators had already reached one thousand nine hundred Spirit Stones.
Just as he had predicted, their brief moment of calm had given way to deepening animosity and competitive drive with every single Spirit Stone added to the bid.
"Two thousand Spirit Stones!"
When the female cultivator in the middle directly raised the bid by one hundred Spirit Stones, the eyes of the other two Foundation Establishment female cultivators cleared.
Although they desperately wanted the Youthful Pill, they knew that two thousand Spirit Stones far exceeded its actual value.
After all, the market price for a Youthful Pill was only about six hundred Spirit Stones.
For the price to be driven up to two thousand Spirit Stones had shocked every cultivator present.
This price surpassed the peak for any previous auction.
"Junior Sister, what do you think of the auctioneer I brought? With an auction like this, your record of contributions to the sect will surely shine even brighter."
On the fifth floor of the Hundred Treasures Tower, in the area where Gao Peiyao was, a massive Gilded Crystal panel etched with complex array patterns was projecting the scene from the auction on the fourth floor.
The man was dressed in fine robes with a jade belt. He was handsome and dashing, with eyes like brilliant stars. He gazed at Gao Peiyao, the corners of his mouth turned up slightly as he spoke in a light tone.
"With you leading this auction, Junior Sister, it will be a great help for Steward Lan’s efforts to secure Core Formation resources."
"Thank you, Senior Brother. If not for your help, how could I have achieved such a brilliant record?"
Gao Peiyao met the man’s gaze, her face wearing a gentle smile.
"However, my master said that with the cultivation technique I practice, I must not lose my virginity before Core Formation, or I will never be able to reach it. I hope Senior Brother can give me a little more time."
"Junior Sister, you think too little of me. This concerns your future; how could I possibly force you? Besides, my intentions for you are for an eternity together, to be a divine couple."
"Why would I care about a single day or night?"
"Thank you for your understanding, Senior Brother," Gao Peiyao said with a lovely smile.
"Mm, then I shall wait for your return at the sect."
After speaking, the man flew directly away from the fifth floor of the Hundred Treasures Tower, completely disregarding the rules of the Qinghe Marketplace.
Gao Peiyao stood at the window, waving, and watched until the streak of sword light completely vanished over the distant horizon. Then, her expression darkened.
Her face turned cold as frost, her eyes blazing with anger.
「A moment later.」
Her expression softened, and she sighed helplessly. "I hope Master can succeed in reaching Core Formation soon."
"Otherwise, I’ll have no choice but to leave the South Gate."
"Next is the thirty-first item, and also the second-to-last treasure of this auction."
"It is not only appealing to Foundation Establishment cultivators, but even more so to Qi Refining cultivators! Now, let’s see just what this thirty-first treasure is!"
The old auctioneer walked up to the Treasure Platform, forcefully whipped off the red silk cloth covering it, and revealed a translucent jade box.
Inside lay a golden elixir, with a single cyan line on its surface.
"A Foundation Establishment Pill!"
At that moment, every cultivator in the hall gasped, staring in shock at the Foundation Establishment Pill on the auction stage.
The Late-Stage Qi Refining cultivators, in particular, had fervent looks in their eyes.
"They actually have a Foundation Establishment Pill! But why didn’t they announce it beforehand? If they had, even more cultivators would have come to the auction."
Alchemist Zhuang looked at the Foundation Establishment Pill on the stage with confusion, but when he saw the cyan line, a look of understanding dawned on his face.
"So it’s a Low-Quality Foundation Establishment Pill."
Chen Jianghe’s gaze was also fixed on the Foundation Establishment Pill. It was just as appealing to him; out of the entire auction, this was the one item that attracted him the most.
He was already at the Eighth-Layer Qi Refining stage, and a Foundation Establishment Pill was exactly what he longed for.
Just then, the old auctioneer raised his hand slightly, gesturing for silence.
"That’s right, the thirty-first treasure is indeed a Foundation Establishment Pill. Of course, I’m sure everyone has noticed the line on this pill."
"It has only a single Immortal Pattern, which means it is a Low-Quality Foundation Establishment Pill. But even so, it can still increase the success rate of Foundation Establishment by ten percent! And even if the attempt fails, it will preserve your life and your cultivation."
"Now, let the bidding begin! The starting price is one thousand Spirit Stones, and each increment must be no less than fifty."