After reading through the catalogue a few times, time passed unnoticed. More and more people began to arrive, taking seats on the ground floor of the grand auction hall, where the items would soon be displayed for bidding.
Those with connections or substantial wealth made their way to the private rooms on the first floor, just like Lan Rui and Wei Xin had done earlier.
Lan Rui glanced upward and suddenly asked, "Sis Wei, is the second floor reserved for Foundation Establishment Cultivators?"
Wei Xin nodded lightly. "Yes, but that doesn't mean only they are allowed there. They can bring along their subordinates or trusted family members. Still, only those with high status or strength will be given that privilege."
Not long after, a few incense sticks' worth of time passed. The ground floor was now packed with eager cultivators, their voices murmuring in anticipation.
Suddenly, a faint but potent wave of pressure swept across the hall, a Foundation Establishment cultivator was present. Just as quickly, the pressure receded, vanishing without a trace, leaving the crowd silently awed.
Then, a beautiful woman stepped onto the central stage. She wore a tight green robe that accentuated her voluptuous figure, drawing attention from many in the crowd.
Some narrow-minded men began to harbor impure thoughts, only for those thoughts to scatter like mist as she released a dense spiritual pressure, clearly a cultivator at the 9th layer of Qi Refining Realm.
Most attendees immediately sobered, lowering their heads and clearing their minds. No one dared show disrespect now.
The woman smiled faintly, her voice both melodic and authoritative.
"Fellow Daoists and honored seniors, thank you for attending and supporting this grand auction. Without further delay, let us begin the event."
As she spoke, she tapped her storage pouch, and a long, ominous-looking black sword appeared in her hand. It radiated a dark, oppressive aura, and the temperature around the stage subtly dropped.
All eyes in the room, including Lan Rui's, were immediately drawn to the weapon.
"This," the auctioneer announced, "is a quasi–Second Rank sword, forged from rare Black Steel. Though considered a failed attempt at a true Second Rank artifact, its power still reached the peak of First Rank. Its origins are unknown, but according to the seller's account and confirmation from the artifact appraisal division, it was involved in countless killings and has since mutated into a demonic sword. Its bloodlust is potent, and its edge is merciless....."
Lan Rui frowned, glancing sideways. "Sis Wei, why would they auction a demonic artifact? Isn't that... dangerous or inappropriate?"
Wei Xin chuckled softly. "Normally, yes. But only true demonic artifacts are banned. This one though mutated is still within acceptable limits."
He raised a brow. "What's the difference? Aren't they both demonic in nature?"
She shook her head and patiently explained. "A true demonic artifact has terrifying origins often involving sacrificial rituals or blood sacrifices of countless innocents. A prime example is the infamous Hundred Soul Refining Banner."
Lan Rui nodded solemnly. He had heard of it. A notorious weapon favored by demonic cultivators, the Hundred Soul Refining Banner required the sacrifice of at least a hundred cultivators to forge.
It was infamous for its endless paths of advancement and able to evolve into the Thousand Soul Banner at Second Rank Demonic item, Ten Thousand Soul Banner for Third Rank Demonic Treasure, and eventually even the Hundred Thousand Soul Banner at the Fourth Rank Demonic Device. There is also the legendary One Million Soul Refining Banner at the Fifth Rank.
Demonic cultivators embraced slaughter, and the Soul Banner was one of their signature. With only a handful of rare materials and enough victims, they could refine terrifying weapons that grew with their sins.
Wei Xin continued, her tone more serious now. "Artifacts like the one on stage are different. They're originally ordinary magic items, but mutated due to unique circumstances, typically exposure to excessive bloodshed or a cursed battlefield. We also call them Cursed Artifacts. They're not evil by design, but their essence becomes twisted."
She paused, watching the sword. "And because their mutations can't be replicated artificially, they're extremely rare. Even if you killed a hundred thousand people with a blade, it still wouldn't guarantee the same transformation. These weapons evolve only under very specific, almost mystical conditions."
"Cursed artifacts often exhibit power far beyond their grade. Some may even self-advance to a higher rank given time and nourishment."
She glanced at the sword again. "Had it truly reached Second Rank, this auction's climax would revolve around it and even the Foundation Establishment cultivators would compete, ignoring the Foundation Establishment Pills entirely."
As they spoke, a bidding frenzy erupted below.
"One thousand spirit stones!"
"One thousand one hundred!"
"One thousand five hundred!"
Lan Rui glanced back at the sword. It was undeniably tempting, but...
"Do you want it?" Wei Xin asked casually, sipping her tea.
He shook his head. "No. I'm not a sword cultivator. And that domineering aura doesn't suit my cultivation path."
Just then, a deep voice rang out, cutting through the noise.
"Two thousand spirit stones!"
The crowd went silent, their collective gaze shifting toward a private room on the second floor.
A Foundation Establishment Cultivator!
No one had expected someone at that level to act so early in the auction.
Wei Xin narrowed her eyes slightly, her expression calm. "From the voice, it should be the Crimson Blade True Cultivator."
Lan Rui raised a brow. "Why would he bid on a quasi Second Rank weapon? Isn't his own blade far superior? There are even rumors it's a high-grade Second Rank artifact."
Wei Xin nodded slightly. "That's true. But he doesn't need it for himself. I've heard one of his subordinates earned great merit during the recent war for spirit stones and the beast tide. It's likely a reward for his loyalty or service."
Lan Rui nodded. "Then it seems the item has found its owner."
He knew full well that no one in their right mind would bid against a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Doing so would be sheer suicide.
As silence reigned, the auctioneer's voice brought the crowd back to focus.
"Two thousand spirit stones, going once!"
"Going twice!"
"Going thrice!"
"Sold! Congratulations to Private Room 204!"
The auctioneer's tone returned to a gentle charm, easing the tension in the air. A maid swiftly took the sword away, and moments later, returned with another item.
This time, she held an exquisite black box. Upon opening it, three jade-colored rectangles were revealed, each etched with intricate inscriptions and a faint of sword qi lingering in the air around them.
Lan Rui leaned forward slightly, his eyes narrowing.
He recognized these.
The auctioneer's voice rang clear. "Next, we have three High-Grade First Rank Sword Talismans, crafted using premium Jade Spirit Bamboo. They are the work of a talisman master from the esteemed Li Family. Each talisman contains a single-use sword strike with power equivalent to an upper-tier First Rank technique."
"The starting bid is three hundred spirit stones."
A wave of commotion broke out.
"Three hundred!"
"Three hundred fifty!"
"Three hundred ninety!"
The hall erupted in excitement. For many loose cultivators, Sword Talismans weren't just consumables, they were life-saving treasures and trump cards in desperate moments.
Unlike ordinary attack talismans, a sword talisman could rival even high tier spell which one minor rank higher that it's rank. Its sharpness and destructive potential made it a prized possession, especially for those lacking strong offensive techniques.
Lan Rui's gaze darkened slightly. He didn't want the talismans for protection, but for research.
He wanted to study their structure, their inscription patterns, and the flow of spiritual energy through their etched forms. Perhaps, by analyzing them, he could finally understand where his own attempts had gone wrong.
Perhaps… he could break through the bottleneck in his talisman crafting technique.
.....