Jian Dan and Mo Su exchanged a glance. Neither of them was surprised. After the ruckus from a few days ago and the shocking news that followed, it was nearly impossible for their names not to be whispered across the cultivation world.
Mo Su gave a slight nod, while Jian Dan acted more directly. With a wave of her hand, two jade boxes appeared in the hands of the Foundation Establishment cultivator.
"Then I thank your master for the generosity. These are two items from my personal collection. Please include them in the auction list."
"Thank you for your support, Jūnshàng. I will add them right away. Please take your time looking through the catalog."
With that, the Foundation Establishment cultivator hurried out of the room. Items offered by a Divine Transformation Jūnshàng were no small matter—likely treasures of heaven and earth. He had to deliver them promptly. Perhaps there would even be a reward.
"Jian Jūnshàng, you're being quite generous this time," Mo Su remarked with mild curiosity.
"It's because of my recent breakthrough," Jian Dan replied easily. "You know I'm a Loose Cultivator. Unlike you sect disciples, I don't have deep pockets. Most of my spirit stones went into cultivation. I need to trade some goods to replenish them."
She spoke with frankness. The others, being sect cultivators, couldn't fully relate to the struggles of Loose Cultivators. But since a Jūnshàng had said so plainly, none of them pressed further.
As expected, by the time the auction was about to begin, only the piece of Starfall Ore had been listed among the items Jian Dan provided. The Crimson Blood Ganoderma, however, was nowhere to be found.
A knock came at the door. It was the same Foundation Establishment cultivator as before. His face was now glowing with delight as he reentered the room, bowing formally to Jian Dan before speaking with care.
"Jūnshàng, my master urgently requires the other spiritual herb you offered. He has kept it and chosen not to list it in the catalog. He asks me to convey the following—our auction house will cover the full cost of the first item you win today. Does this arrangement please you?"
"Regardless of the final price?" Jian Dan asked.
"Regardless of the final price."
Jian Dan hadn't expected a response to her offer so quickly. Pleased, she nodded. The man, seeing her agreement, respectfully handed over a small ironwood token about the size of a palm. The front bore the character 'Auction', and the back had a stylized script of the character 'Flower'.
"This is our auction house's VIP token. With this, you may enter any auction hosted by the Hua family. You may also use it to exchange for one item of your choosing."
"And once I use it, you'll take the token back?" Jian Dan asked as she turned her black-gold ring with a faint smile, catching the implication behind the offer.
The man nodded and said nothing more.
"Very well. I accept it," Jian Dan said, storing the ironwood token into her ring with a flick of her fingers. She then reached out and tapped a failed listing on the auction catalog, addressing the Hua family's cultivator:
"I want this willow branch."
Hua Shisan was momentarily stunned. He hadn't expected this woman, known as a demon cultivator, to choose such an inconspicuous item—one that had even failed to sell.
"This willow branch has been in our auction house for quite some time," he explained. "It doesn't grow, and it doesn't wither. It's remained in the same state. A powerful cultivator once bought it and nourished it for ten years, but it showed no change, so they returned it to us."
"Oh? So you're saying it can't be claimed as a spiritual item?" Jian Dan asked.
"Correct. It cannot recognize an owner, which is why it has never sold."
"That's fine. I'll take it and see if my luck is better."
Jian Dan spoke with finality, leaving no room for further discussion. Hua Shisan could only nod in response.
Jian Dan then handed the auction catalog to Cao Chenfeng, her expression soft with amusement.
"Cao Xiaoyou, take a look. If there's anything you like, I'll bid on it for you."
Miao Yunrong stifled a laugh behind her hand.
"Jian Jūnshàng, you really seem to value this Daoist Cao."
Jian Dan took no offense at the teasing. She smiled and answered openly:
"Meeting each other was fate. Spending a few spirit stones is still within my means. What about you, Mo Su Daoyou? Have you found anything to your liking?"
As usual, Mo Su only shook his head, indicating no interest.
While they were speaking, a pillar of light illuminated the center platform. A white-haired Nascent Soul cultivator appeared in the beam, gave a courteous bow to all sides, and began the auction.
"Thank you all for attending this auction hosted by the Hua family. I will not waste words. The auction begins now. May each of you find the treasures you desire. The first item: one mid-grade Divine Transformation Pill. It increases the chance of breakthrough by thirty percent. The starting bid is one thousand high-grade spirit stones. Bidding is open."
The first item was solid, neither too rare nor too common. It marked a strong beginning. The step from Nascent Soul to Divine Transformation was a major hurdle. Spiritual power and mindset had to be refined to perfection. Many cultivators spent their whole lives stuck at this stage, unable to advance.
The successful sale of the Divine Transformation Pill brought a surge of excitement to the auction hall. Subsequent items were also sold at impressive prices.
Later, a piece of diamond ore was presented—coveted by sword cultivators for its properties in forging. Refined diamond ore made swords partially transparent, enhancing their concealment. It also significantly increased a blade's durability and destructive power.
Cao Chenfeng didn't say anything, but the gleam in his eyes betrayed his desire. Jian Dan noticed and sent Mo Su a voice transmission:
"Mo Su Daoyou, could I trouble you to bid on this ore? I'll cover the cost."
Mo Su, resting his chin on one hand and watching the excitement below, glanced at Cao Chenfeng and replied aloud:
"Jian Daoyou, you could simply bid for it yourself. If you want to express kindness, wouldn't it be better to do so directly?"
"I have my eye on one of the finale items. If I bid for this as well, it will only benefit the auction house. And if I gift it to him directly, he definitely won't accept it."
"Ah. So you understand that much," Mo Su said.
"Thank you, Mo Su Daoyou. He's from the Heavenly Sword Sect. I can't push too hard. These matters need to be mutual. Forcing something won't make it sweet," she added with a helpless shrug.
Mo Su glanced at Cao Chenfeng again. He truly didn't understand what charm this young man had, for even someone like Jian Dan to come asking him for help.
"Well then. If he wants to forge the diamond ore into his sword, I could assist with the refining," Mo Su said.
As the thought passed through his mind, Mo Su scanned Cao Chenfeng from head to toe with divine sense. This time, he noticed that the man had a refined build, deep-set eyes, and defined features. As a sword cultivator who had not yet reached the realm of full mastery, his sword intent had not yet fully withdrawn into his body. Overall, his presence was striking. No wonder Jian Dan took such an interest.
At that moment, Cao Chenfeng felt a wave of discomfort. The divine sense of a Divine Transformation cultivator felt like being stripped bare. Fortunately, he recognized it as Mo Su Jūnshàng. If it had been Jian Dan, he might have lost his temper on the spot.
Having completed his evaluation, Mo Su input a bid into the crystal orb on the table. The diamond ore was secured for five hundred high-grade spirit stones.
Moments later, Hua Shisan arrived with the item in hand and only asked for one hundred high-grade spirit stones. It was clear the auction house had sold it at the starting price to give Mo Su a personal favor.
Mo Su accepted the brocade box and handed over the spirit stones, completing the transaction.
"The next item is one of the auction's highlights—Solarfire Crimson Silk!"