Cultivation is just so scientific!

Chapter 872: Chapter 482: Auction (Part 2)

Sitting in the private box, even without the help of formations, the short distance actually doesn’t affect the cultivator’s ability to observe the auction items on the stage; not to mention the items on the second floor, even the items on the first floor can be seen clearly.

However, this formation greatly enhances the ambiance of the box, making the cultivators in the box feel distinct from the cultivators below.

He settled into the soft chair, beginning to study the formation in front of him.

Coming to the Dongqi Continent, the greatest benefit for him was the improvement in formations.

Whether it was the formation knowledge he obtained or each encounter with formations, they all supplemented his formation skills.

The formations of Dongqi Continent differ from those of Beishu Continent, and his Array Formation Starlight Sea has recently expanded a lot.

And his Array Formation Starlight Sea serves as a database for his natal treasure IBMz15, drawing formation knowledge from it, and feedback from research replenishing it.

He had a feeling that this Array Formation Starlight Sea was not that simple; it’s just that his current realm is too low to truly excavate the wonders of the Array Formation Starlight Sea.

At that moment, the box door opened, and two beautiful female cultivators entered.

They each carried a pot of spiritual tea and a tray holding spirit fruits, placing them on the low table before Li Shiming, then consciously exiting the box.

Li Shiming slightly raised his eyebrows; in the tray holding the spirit fruits were Third Grade Spirit Fruits, which was nothing surprising, as cultivators who could have a box could enjoy Third Grade Spirit Fruits with no issue.

What surprised him was the spiritual tea; this was a cup of Fourth Grade Spirit Tea, and though there was only one leaf in the cup, it was indeed Fourth Grade Spirit Tea.

The Wuqing Mountain auction, preparing Fourth Grade Spirit Tea for box cultivators, probably wouldn’t even recover the costs, losing quite a bit instead.

Any spiritual object reaching the fourth grade becomes another level of spiritual object.

But he quickly thought of Yu Ancestor, as he had refined a batch of Fourth-grade Spirit Pills for Yu Ancestor, presumably this was Yu Ancestor’s preparation for him.

He smiled, today’s auction would likely allow him to interact with Nascent Soul Stage cultivators, just what he wanted.

Always interacting with Golden Core cultivators, he even felt his own level was dropping.

It wasn’t long before the auction began, with both the first and second floors starting simultaneously.

The first floor was auctioning Second Grade Spiritual Objects, while the second floor began auctioning Third Grade Spiritual Objects.

Li Shiming watched this way, for him Second and Third Grade Spiritual Objects were about the same, not of much interest to him.

He sipped the Fourth Grade Spirit Tea gently, then couldn’t help but shake his head, thinking to himself how unfortunate, as this spiritual tea was somewhat wasted.

Of course, this was in comparison to his own brewing skills, but within the Cultivation World, there really wasn’t any cultivator who could match his ability to brew spiritual tea.

He brewed spiritual tea within a laboratory space, controlling it with 10-nanometer precision, a level of skill he hadn’t seen any other cultivator match.

While sipping Fourth Grade Spirit Tea and feeling bored, at last appeared a spiritual object that piqued his interest.

A set of Fourth Grade Array Flags, totaling eight, though fewer in number, their Fourth Grade quality in the hands of an Array Master could unleash powerful effects.

On Beishu Continent, he had never obtained Fourth Grade Array Flags, related to the demand on Beishu Continent.

Among Nascent Soul Ancestors on Beishu Continent, no Array Masters existed, making Fourth Grade Array Flags lack a market, whereas Fourth-grade Array Plates suited the needs of Nascent Soul Ancestors more.

Li Shiming’s level was too low; even with Fourth-grade Array Materials, he couldn’t forge Fourth Grade Array Flags.

Seeing the Fourth Grade Array Flags made his heart stir.

Fourth Grade Array Flags weren’t just for Nascent Soul Ancestors, as this Great Elder, he could use them too, but while on Beishu Continent, Nascent Soul Ancestors lacked sufficient Fourth Grade resources to consider Fourth Grade Array Flags for Golden Core Stage cultivators.

The appearance of Fourth Grade Array Flags not only stirred the Golden Core cultivators on the second floor but also prompted activity within the third floor boxes.

”Box 16 bids 3500 top-grade spirit stones, are there any higher bids? This set of Fourth Grade Array Flags is extremely rare, it has appeared for the first time in the past five years of auctions, missing this opportunity means who knows when you’ll see it again!” the auctioneer’s voice was highly persuasive.

Li Shiming observed for a moment, then noticed that he couldn’t afford it with his top-grade spirit stones.

His net worth wasn’t low, even possessing several Fourth Grade Spirit Items, but the vast majority of the Fourth Grade Spirit Items he had came from questionable origins, preventing him from revealing them here.

He thought for a moment, gently tapping the call function within the formation.

In just a few breaths, there was a knock at the door.

”Come in!” Li Shiming said in a deep voice.

”Honored guest, what do you need?” A Golden Core Middle Stage cultivator entered, although both were Golden Core Stage, he was very respectful to Li Shiming, maintaining a humble demeanor.

This Golden Core Middle Stage cultivator knew the significance of the third box, even if empty it wouldn’t be given to a cultivator of insufficient status.

Li Shiming’s presence in Box 3 indicated an extraordinarily high status.

”I need to appraise the value of this spirit pill, I wish to use it in the bidding!” Li Shiming said, handing over a jade bottle.

The Golden Core Middle Stage cultivator was not surprised, as this often happened at auctions.

Cultivators lacking spirit stones use spiritual objects to offset the value, although this practice often puts cultivators at a disadvantage.

Once a spiritual object is handed over, its value might be cut down by twenty percent, explaining why auction houses are willing to accept spiritual items.

”Please wait a moment!” he said, bowing before opening the jade bottle.

Upon seeing the spirit pill inside, his expression changed, while a voice transmitted to his ear.

”Honored guest, do you intend to acquire the eight Fourth Grade Array Flags? Simply make your bid, and your bid can be credited, this Fourth-grade Spirit Pill can offset up to five thousand top-grade spirit stones!” he conveyed to Li Shiming.

Li Shiming sensed a transmission, yet couldn’t capture the message directly.

However, through his ’Telepathy,’ he could hear the heart of the cultivator before him, knowing it was Yu Ancestor’s arrangement.

Exchanging five thousand top-grade spirit stones for a Fourth-grade Spirit Pill was astronomical, though the value of a Fourth-grade Spirit Pill was challenging to define.

Every Nascent Soul Ancestor needed a Fourth-grade Spirit Pill, its price ranged, but it was marketless; each auction involving a Fourth-grade Spirit Pill culminated at an astronomical price.

”Thank you, I’ll remember this favor!” Li Shiming smiled, acknowledging.

Without hesitation, he joined in the bidding.

”Box 3 bids 5000 top-grade spirit stones!” This time the auctioneer didn’t add any provocative words.

The participating cultivators in the auction paused upon hearing ’Box 3.’

This bid brought the price significantly upward, but still didn’t meet the bottom line in the minds of the cultivators bidding for eight Fourth Grade Array Flags.

Even so, those involved in the auction weighed the worthiness of their involvement.

Box 3 was reserved for cultivators of distinguished status, best not to offend these individuals if possible.

The cultivator from Box 3’s substantial bid increase showed a determined commitment.

And with such a limited number of Fourth Grade Array Flags, the bidders hadn’t set their hearts on winning.

As the cultivators were still deliberating, the auctioneer started the countdown, a bit quicker than usual, and before some realized, it was over.

With a ”bang,” the auctioneer struck the gavel.

”Congratulations to the guest in Box 3, you have acquired the Fourth Grade Array Flags!” the auctioneer announced, bowing toward Box 3.

Li Shiming handed over the Fourth-grade Spirit Pill to the waiting cultivator by his side, and before long, the set of eight Fourth Grade Array Flags was delivered, completing the transaction.