Eternal Life by Daily Divination

Bai Hao’s voice boomed as he announced the starting price.

The words had barely left his mouth when someone immediately shouted a bid.

“Ten thousand Middle Grade Spirit Stones!”

This price shocked quite a few people.

The opening bid had already doubled the price.

How extravagant.

Li Chang’an followed the sound of the voice and saw it was a Foundation Establishment Race Member from the Mu Family.

Although the price of ten thousand Middle Grade Spirit Stones was high, it wasn’t enough to deter everyone.

Soon, a flurry of bids rang out from all around.

The price rose steadily, gradually reaching twelve thousand Spirit Stones.

The number of bidders had dwindled considerably.

It was then that Li Chang’an joined the bidding.

“Thirteen thousand Spirit Stones!”

“Thirteen thousand three hundred…”

As the price rose, the bidding voices became fewer and fewer.

After all, this item was just one of the main ingredients for the Five Elements Golden Condensation Pill, not a complete Gold Condensing Pill. It wasn’t worth losing one’s senses over it.

In the end, only two people were left bidding.

Li Chang’an was, of course, one of them.

The other was an old acquaintance of his, He Qianshan!

“Sixteen thousand Middle Grade Spirit Stones!”

He Qianshan bid again, his expression souring.

Because Li Chang’an refused to back down, the current price had already exceeded what he was willing to pay.

Li Chang’an bid again. “Seventeen thousand Middle Grade Spirit Stones!”

He had raised the bid by a thousand Middle Grade Spirit Stones in one go.

Upon hearing this bid, He Qianshan’s expression grew even uglier.

He secretly sent a Sound Transmission, “Fellow Daoist, this portion of Profound Yellow Earth isn’t large. Why must you be so insistent? If you let me have it, I’ll owe you a favor.”

’But a Foundation Establishment Cultivator couldn’t possibly produce so many Middle Grade Spirit Stones. He’s most likely a Golden Core Cultivator, too.’

Li Chang’an replied coolly.

“Fellow Daoist, this is an auction. We should follow the rules.”

“You…”

A flicker of anger ignited in He Qianshan’s heart, and he memorized the aura of Li Chang’an’s body.

Then, he shouted another bid, “Eighteen thousand Middle Grade Spirit Stones!”

“Twenty thousand!”

Li Chang’an’s tone remained indifferent, betraying no emotion.

’He had plenty of resources left; he could easily keep going.’

’He could bet his entire fortune and it wouldn’t be a problem!’

He Qianshan was a Golden Core Master, after all, so the Spirit Stones in his Storage Pouch certainly amounted to more than this. However, he lacked any outstanding Cultivation Immortality Techniques and had to be frugal with his Spirit Stones. He couldn’t possibly spend too much on a single portion of Profound Yellow Earth.

Based on the tones of the two bidders, many in the audience had already made their judgment.

The Profound Yellow Earth would most likely end up in Li Chang’an’s Storage Pouch.

Even Li Chang’an himself thought so.

However, an unforeseen event suddenly interrupted the bidding.

From a private room at the auction, an old voice suddenly rang out.

“I am Liang Chang of the Cyan Cloud Sect. This Profound Yellow Earth is mine. Since you two fellow Daoists both want it, you can each give me five thousand Middle Grade Spirit Stones.”

“You’ll each get half, and we won’t have to damage our friendly relations.”

“What do you two think?”

Hearing this, He Qianshan, who had been about to bid again, froze.

’Half for each of us?’

’That piece of Profound Yellow Earth was the exact amount needed for two refining attempts.’

’If it were split, they would each only have one chance at the alchemy.’

’That’s a bit risky.’

’If one attempt failed, there would be no backup material.’

’But…’

’If I disagree and we keep fighting like this, I’m afraid the price will become astronomical!’

After a moment’s thought, He Qianshan cupped his hands toward Liang Chang.

“Daoist Liang, I have no objection, but I fear the other fellow Daoist will not agree.”

The words had barely left his mouth when Li Chang’an’s voice followed.

“Daoist Liang, I have no objection either.”

’Since things have come to this, I don’t want to fight over it anymore.’

’I’m just afraid of stirring up more trouble.’

’Getting one portion is already pretty good.’

“Good. You two fellow Daoists are indeed reasonable people.”

Liang Chang laughed heartily and sent out a burst of Magical Power.

The piece of Profound Yellow Earth was instantly split in two. Imbued with his Early Stage of Golden Core Magical Power, the halves flew toward Li Chang’an and He Qianshan at the same time.

He Qianshan caught his piece steadily.

Li Chang’an did likewise, neutralizing the Golden Core Power on the Profound Yellow Earth without revealing anything unusual.

’This man really is a Golden Core Cultivator. I just don’t know which one. Why is he hiding his identity? Could he be from the Western Domain?’

He Qianshan sized him up, thinking to himself.

Many others in the crowd were, like him, speculating about Li Chang’an’s identity.

The Golden Core Cultivators of the Southern Domain were a known quantity; every one of them was famous, and there was no need to hide their identities.

Li Chang’an put away the Profound Yellow Earth and cupped his hands toward Liang Chang in the private room.

“Many thanks, Daoist Liang!”

With that said, he tossed out a Storage Pouch containing exactly five thousand Middle Grade Spirit Stones.

Liang Chang caught the Storage Pouch and said with a smile, “Fellow Daoist, if you have the time, feel free to come to the Cyan Cloud Sect for some tea.”

“Alright!”

Li Chang’an said no more and returned to his seat.

At this point, he had gathered all five ingredients for the Five Elements Golden Condensation Pill.

’It’s just that the amount of Profound Yellow Earth is a bit small, enough for only one refining attempt.’

’The other four ingredients are plentiful enough for multiple attempts.’

’If I can get my hands on He Qianshan’s portion, I’ll have another chance.’

At this thought, killing intent surged within Li Chang’an.

’Now isn’t the right time to make a move,’ he knew. ’I have to wait patiently for the right opportunity.’

’He Qianshan is a True Pill Cultivator, after all, not a Fake Pill like Nie Ting. I can’t be hasty.’

Li Chang’an suppressed his killing intent and quietly waited for the auction to end.

After the commotion, the final item of the auction was brought before the crowd.

“This is…”

Li Chang’an’s eyes narrowed, and he stared at the item with a growing sense of confusion.

The item looked far too ordinary.

It was just a single, lonely tea leaf.

Like him, almost everyone else present could see nothing special about the tea leaf.