ARK SPIRIT

Clang.

A clear bell rang out.

The conversations throughout the auction hall quickly quieted.

On the stone platform ahead, the jade screen slowly lit up.

A woman dressed in white silk robes with silver trim stepped onto the stage.

Her hair was tied high and secured with a simple jade hairpin. She had delicate features and an elegant bearing. When she spoke, her clear voice immediately carried throughout the hall through an amplification formation.

“Greetings, fellow cultivators, and welcome to Heavenly Treasure Pavilion.”

“This one is Lieu Thanh, the host of today’s auction.”

She bowed lightly.

“All items presented today have been inspected by Heavenly Treasure Pavilion.”

“The rules remain the same.”

“The highest bidder receives the item.”

“Please maintain order.”

She smiled.

“The auction begins.”

Lieu Thanh lightly waved her hand.

The large luminous pearl behind her immediately brightened.

The image of the first item appeared on the jade screen.

A pale red longsword.

The blade was slender.

Lines of fire attribute runes were carved along its edge. When an attendant opened the sword case, waves of heat immediately spread around the jade table.

“The first item.”

“Blazing Fire Sword, high quality Yellow grade.”

“During the forging process, an unusual change occurred, making the fire attribute runes on the blade stronger than those of ordinary artifact swords of the same grade.”

“It is suitable for cultivators who practice fire attribute cultivation arts.”

“Starting price, two hundred mid grade spirit stones.”

“Each increase must be no less than ten stones.”

“Begin.”

Bids rang out almost immediately.

“Two hundred ten!”

“Two hundred thirty!”

“Two hundred fifty!”

A middle aged cultivator in a red robe raised his jade bidding plaque.

“Three hundred.”

Someone behind him called out:

“Three hundred twenty.”

“Three hundred fifty!”

The price rose quickly.

Hao Nhien sat quietly and observed.

The sword Tieu Lan had bought that morning was only mid quality Yellow grade and had cost fifty mid grade spirit stones.

This Blazing Fire Sword was not only one quality level higher, but also had a fairly complete set of fire attribute runes.

The price difference was greater than he had expected.

In the end, the Blazing Fire Sword was purchased by the middle aged man in red for four hundred eighty mid grade spirit stones.

Tieu Lan leaned slightly toward him.

“It’s much more expensive than my sword.”

Hao Nhien nodded.

“The quality is higher.”

“And its attribute is suitable.”

“A price like that isn’t strange.”

He looked at the sword in Tieu Lan’s hands.

“When you need it later, we’ll replace yours with something better.”

Tieu Lan immediately shook her head.

“There’s no need.”

“The one I have now is already very good.”

Hao Nhien smiled lightly.

He did not argue with her.

Some things did not need to be discussed in advance.

The second item was quickly brought onto the stage.

A pair of dark black gauntlets.

The gauntlets were made from profound iron mixed with spirit metal, with protective runes running along each finger joint.

Lieu Thanh introduced them.

“Profound Iron Twin Gauntlets.”

“High quality Yellow grade.”

“Suitable for body cultivators or cultivators who specialize in fist arts.”

“They can reinforce impact force while reducing the backlash transmitted into the hands.”

“Starting price, three hundred mid grade spirit stones.”

This time, there were clearly fewer interested bidders than there had been for the sword.

But those who did bid raised the price aggressively.

“Three hundred twenty.”

“Three hundred fifty.”

“Four hundred.”

Hao Nhien looked at the gauntlets.

He could not help thinking of Quan Lam.

If Quan Lam were here, he would probably pay attention to this item as well.

Hao Nhien imagined himself fighting while wearing the gauntlets.

In theory, they suited Iron Body Fist and Body Soul Fist Art very well.

Yet for some reason, he felt little desire to use them.

Gauntlets would make his fists harder.

But what he was seeking in fist arts did not seem to be limited to impact force alone.

Hao Nhien quickly set the thought aside.

In the end, the Profound Iron Twin Gauntlets were sold for seven hundred twenty mid grade spirit stones.

Hao Nhien silently remembered the price.

Swords.

Gauntlets.

Inner armor.

Talismans.

In real combat, any of these could determine life or death.

Cultivation realm and cultivation arts were not everything.

After several more Yellow grade items, Lieu Thanh lightly waved her hand.

A female cultivator carried a jade tray onto the stage.

There was only one small porcelain bottle on it.

Tieu Lan immediately sat a little straighter.

Hao Nhien recognized it at once.

Their Clearheart Liquid.

The light from the luminous pearl behind the stage focused on the porcelain bottle.

An enlarged image appeared on the jade screen.

Lieu Thanh spoke.

“The next item.”

“One bottle of Clearheart Liquid, high quality Yellow grade.”

“The formula itself is not rare, but this bottle contains extremely pure medicinal power, very few impurities, and stronger vitality within its medicinal properties than ordinary Clearheart Liquid.”

“Its primary effects are soothing the meridians, stabilizing true qi, and aiding recovery after excessive qi circulation.”

“It is particularly suitable for Qi Condensation cultivators.”

“Starting price, one hundred mid grade spirit stones.”

“Each increase must be no less than ten stones.”

“Begin.”

The hall remained silent for a breath.

Then someone called out:

“One hundred ten.”

“One hundred twenty.”

“One hundred forty.”

Tieu Lan lightly tightened her hands on her knees.

Hao Nhien noticed but said nothing.

The price continued rising.

“One hundred fifty.”

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“One hundred sixty.”

At that moment, an old man in a blue robe sitting not far away raised his jade plaque.

A green leaf and a small pill furnace were embroidered on his chest.

Hao Nhien immediately remembered what Tieu Kiem had once told him.

Medicine Sect.

The old man calmly said:

“One hundred eighty.”

Then he said nothing more.

He showed no intention of using his status to pressure anyone.

He was simply bidding.

Someone farther back considered for several breaths before raising a plaque.

“One hundred ninety.”

The elder from Medicine Sect looked once more at the bottle on the stage.

“Two hundred.”

The hall fell quiet.

Lieu Thanh smiled.

“Two hundred mid grade spirit stones.”

“Would any fellow cultivator like to bid higher?”

No one answered.

“Two hundred, first call.”

“Two hundred, second call.”

“Two hundred, third call.”

Clang.

The jade hammer struck lightly.

“Sold.”

“One bottle of Clearheart Liquid goes to the fellow cultivator from Medicine Sect for two hundred mid grade spirit stones.”

Tieu Lan let out a breath.

Then she immediately leaned toward Hao Nhien.

“Two hundred.”

Her voice was very soft.

But Hao Nhien could still hear the happiness in it.

He smiled slightly as well.

That morning, they had spent eighty mid grade spirit stones.

Fifty on the sword.

Thirty on the medicinal furnace.

One bottle of Clearheart Liquid had sold for two hundred.

Even after Heavenly Treasure Pavilion deducted its commission, the remainder would easily cover everything they had spent.

But more importantly, he had confirmed something.

The medicinal herbs nourished aboard the Cosmic Ark truly were more valuable than ordinary ones.

Tieu Lan leaned a little closer.

“I can make more.”

“We only need to buy medicinal herbs, plant them on the boat, let the wood qi nourish them for a while, and then I can prepare…”

“No hurry.”

Hao Nhien interrupted her quietly.

Tieu Lan immediately fell silent.

He said:

“We can sell more.”

“But not too much.”

“This time it was one bottle.”

“If ten or twenty bottles of the same quality suddenly appear next time, people will start asking where they came from.”

Tieu Lan blinked.

Then she immediately understood.

“An old cave dwelling.”

“Limited quantity.”

Hao Nhien smiled faintly.

“Exactly.”

Earning spirit stones was important.

But protecting their secret was even more important.

The auction continued.

After the Clearheart Liquid came several talismans, a set of high quality Yellow grade inner armor, several rare spiritual herbs, and a low level beast core.

Hao Nhien did not bid.

He only observed.

The prices.

The way people bid.

Which items caused fierce competition.

Which items barely drew any attention.

All of it was information.

Then the second to last item was brought onto the stage.

The atmosphere in the hall immediately changed.

Lieu Thanh lightly waved her hand.

A white jade box was placed at the center of the table.

When the lid opened, a pale golden pill appeared.

Fine pill patterns ran across its surface like threads of silk.

Spiritual qi slowly circulated around the pill.

A fresh medicinal fragrance spread throughout the hall through the formation.

Quite a few cultivators immediately sat straighter.

Hao Nhien also felt the true qi within his meridians stir slightly.

Very slightly.

But enough for him to understand that this pill was completely different from the previous items.

Lieu Thanh slowly spoke.

“The second to last item.”

“Foundation Establishment Pill.”

“High quality.”

“It assists peak Qi Condensation cultivators in breaking through to Foundation Establishment.”

“It also helps stabilize true qi and one’s foundation during the period immediately after the breakthrough.”

She paused for a breath.

“Starting price, one thousand five hundred mid grade spirit stones.”

“Each increase must be no less than one hundred.”

“Begin.”

This time, there was almost no wait.

“One thousand six hundred!”

“One thousand eight hundred!”

“Two thousand!”

The price immediately passed two thousand.

A middle aged man in a gray robe with a pill cauldron pattern on his chest raised his jade plaque.

“Two thousand one hundred.”

People nearby began whispering.

“Someone from the Li family.”

“Not surprising.”

“The Li family has always dealt in medicinal herbs and pills.”

A white robed man seated near the front also raised his plaque.

A silver sword pattern was embroidered on his robe.

“Two thousand two hundred.”

Hao Nhien looked more carefully.

Sword Sect.

Another voice sounded.

“Two thousand three hundred.”

The bidder was an old man in a dark green robe, with a ring of formation patterns around his wrist.

The surrounding whispers revealed that he came from Huyen Thien Sect.

The price continued rising.

“Two thousand four hundred.”

“Two thousand five hundred.”

A bearded rogue cultivator seated in the common section gritted his teeth and raised his plaque.

“Two thousand six hundred.”

Many eyes immediately turned toward him.

Hao Nhien also looked at the man once.

The man’s aura made him feel far stronger than himself.

Exactly how strong, Hao Nhien could not determine.

But the fact that a rogue cultivator was willing to spend more than two thousand mid grade spirit stones was enough to show just how important this Foundation Establishment Pill was.

After two thousand six hundred, the Li family bidder stopped.

The Sword Sect cultivator also fell silent.

The elder from Huyen Thien Sect considered for a moment, then lowered his plaque.

At that moment, an aged voice came from the front rows.

“Two thousand seven hundred.”

Hao Nhien turned his head.

An old man in a dark purple robe held up his jade plaque.

The family crest on his collar belonged to the Quan family.

Hao Nhien’s gaze immediately shifted to the person beside him.

Quan Lam.

He was indeed there.

Unlike the cheerful man who had laughed and talked aboard the boat, Quan Lam was sitting very straight now.

His gaze remained fixed on the Foundation Establishment Pill on the stage.

Hao Nhien immediately thought of the Inner Secret Realm.

The top three in the Inner Secret Realm would qualify to enter the Grand Clan Secret Realm three years later.

Within those three years, they had to reach at least late Foundation Establishment.

So for a high quality Foundation Establishment Pill to appear just before the Inner Secret Realm opened…

Naturally, it held great value for the Quan family.

But Hao Nhien did not know who they intended to buy it for.

Quan Lam.

Quan Thieu Duong.

Quan Tu Mac.

Quan Huyen.

Or someone else.

He was still thinking when another voice sounded from the other side of the hall.

“Two thousand eight hundred.”

A square faced old man in a brown robe raised his jade plaque.

The family crest on his chest allowed Hao Nhien to recognize him immediately.

The Yang family.

Whispers immediately rose throughout the hall.

Hao Nhien narrowed his eyes slightly.

The Yang family again.

He remembered the ambush against Quan Lam.

A high quality Foundation Establishment Pill was already a resource that any major clan could need.

Did the Yang family truly want the pill?

Or did they want to force the Quan family to pay more?

Perhaps both.

The Quan family elder showed no change in expression.

“Two thousand nine hundred.”

The Yang family elder glanced over.

Then raised his plaque.

“Three thousand.”

Three thousand mid grade spirit stones.

Three supreme grade spirit stones.

The hall immediately became quieter.

The price had doubled from the starting bid.

The bearded rogue cultivator from earlier lowered his head.

The bidders from the Li family, Sword Sect, and Huyen Thien Sect did not continue either.

Hao Nhien looked toward the Quan family.

The purple robed elder frowned slightly.

He turned toward Quan Lam.

Quan Lam was still staring at the pill on the stage.

The hand resting on the armrest tightened slightly.

After a moment, the purple robed elder slowly lowered his plaque.

He did not bid again.

Hao Nhien nodded slightly to himself.

Three thousand mid grade spirit stones was not a small sum.

Continuing to compete merely because they did not want to lose to the Yang family would truly be foolish.

A Foundation Establishment Pill was important.

But not so important that its actual value should be ignored.

Lieu Thanh waited for several breaths.

“The Yang family bids three thousand mid grade spirit stones.”

“Would any fellow cultivator like to bid higher?”

No one answered.

“Three thousand, first call.”

“Three thousand, second call.”

“Three thousand, third call.”

Clang.

“Sold.”

“The high quality Foundation Establishment Pill goes to the guest from the Yang family for three thousand mid grade spirit stones.”

Scattered applause rang out.

Hao Nhien looked at Quan Lam again.

Quan Lam had already lowered his head and taken a sip of tea.

His expression quickly returned to normal.

But Hao Nhien had clearly seen his hand tighten around the armrest moments earlier.

The Inner Secret Realm was about to open.

Soul Nourishing Fruit.

Foundation Establishment Pill.

Quan family.

Yang family.

One thing after another was beginning to connect.

Not enough to draw any conclusion.

But Thanh Van City was clearly not as calm as it appeared.

After the Foundation Establishment Pill was taken away, the auction hall remained somewhat noisy.

Lieu Thanh waited until the discussion quieted before lightly waving her hand.

“Next is the final item of today’s auction.”

A long wooden box was brought onto the stage.

The lid opened.

Inside lay an ancient bow.

The bow was made from a glossy black type of wood and was around three chi long.

Ancient runes covered its surface, most of them already badly faded.

It released no powerful spiritual qi.

No pressure.

No brilliant radiance.

Compared with the Foundation Establishment Pill from moments ago, it was almost too quiet.

But when the luminous pearl behind the stage shone down upon it, several runes on the bow suddenly flickered.

Only for an instant.

Hao Nhien paused.

At that exact moment, his soul seemed to tremble very slightly as well.

Very slightly.

So faintly that if he had not recently been training his ability to control soul power again and again, he might have dismissed it as an illusion.

He immediately focused on the bow.

There was no further response.

The runes had already returned to their dim state.

Lieu Thanh said:

“The final item.”

“An ancient bow.”

“Its exact origin has not been determined.”

“The consignor has requested anonymity.”

“Heavenly Treasure Pavilion has examined it several times. The material of the bow is extraordinarily durable, and the runes do not belong to any commonly seen system in the present age.”

“However, its true function has yet to be determined.”

She paused briefly.

“Therefore, this is an item of opportunity.”

“Starting price…”

“Ten supreme grade spirit stones.”

The hall immediately fell silent.

Even Hao Nhien frowned slightly.

Ten supreme grade spirit stones.

Equivalent to ten thousand mid grade spirit stones.

More than three times the final price of a high quality Foundation Establishment Pill.

All for a bow whose function was unknown.

Whispers immediately rose from behind.

“Ten supreme grade stones?”

“Heavenly Treasure Pavilion doesn’t even know what it does, yet the price is that high?”

“There must be something unusual about the material or its age.”

“If it’s so unusual, why don’t you buy it?”

“I don’t have ten supreme grade stones.”

“Then why are you talking?”

Lieu Thanh seemed accustomed to this reaction.

She merely smiled.

“The price was set by the consignor.”

“Heavenly Treasure Pavilion has confirmed that this bow is not an ordinary object.”

“But whether its true value can be uncovered depends entirely on the buyer.”

“If no one places a bid, the item will remain stored at Heavenly Treasure Pavilion.”

The hall remained silent.

No one raised a plaque.

Ten supreme grade spirit stones was not a sum that could be gambled away casually.

Even the clans that had just competed over the Foundation Establishment Pill showed no movement.

Hao Nhien continued staring at the bow.

His soul no longer reacted.

He focused again.

Still nothing.

Buy it?

The thought had barely appeared before he suppressed it.

He only possessed three supreme grade spirit stones.

He did not even have enough money.

Besides, those three stones were extremely valuable to the Cosmic Ark.

He could not touch them merely because of one fleeting sensation.

But he remembered the bow.

Very clearly.

Lieu Thanh waited a little longer.

Finally, she shook her head slightly.

“No fellow cultivator has placed a bid.”

“In that case, the ancient bow will remain stored at Heavenly Treasure Pavilion.”

“If any fellow cultivator becomes interested in the future, you may contact us directly.”

She bowed lightly.

“Today’s regular auction ends here.”

“Thank you all for attending.”

Applause rang out.

People throughout the hall began to stand.

Hao Nhien continued watching as an attendant carried the long wooden box away from the stage.

Tieu Lan noticed.

She asked softly:

“Hao Nhien.”

“Is there something special about that bow?”

Hao Nhien was silent for a moment.

“I don’t know.”

“But when the runes on the bow lit up, my soul stirred slightly.”

Tieu Lan’s eyes widened.

“Like the Spirit Sword?”

“No.”

Hao Nhien shook his head.

“Different.”

“Very faint.”

“It may only have been some kind of resonance.”

He stood.

“No hurry.”

“Let’s collect the spirit stones first.”

Tieu Lan nodded.

The two joined the stream of people leaving the auction hall.

As they passed the front seating area, Hao Nhien glanced toward the Quan family.

Quan Lam and the purple robed elder had already stood.

Several other members of the Quan family were around them.

The distance between the two groups was fairly large, and too many people were moving through the hall.

Hao Nhien did not approach them.

Quan Lam had said that he would come find Hao Nhien once there was news about Quan Bach.

There was no need to rush over in the middle of a crowd.

The two returned to the first floor.

Hao Nhien handed the transaction jade token to the female cultivator responsible for settlements.

She checked it for a moment, then took out a small storage pouch.

“The fellow cultivator’s bottle of Clearheart Liquid sold for two hundred mid grade spirit stones.”

“Heavenly Treasure Pavilion charges a five percent transaction fee.”

“After the deduction, one hundred ninety mid grade spirit stones remain.”

“Please verify the amount.”

Hao Nhien accepted the pouch.

He opened it and took a brief look inside.

The mid grade spirit stones were neatly arranged.

The number was correct.

He nodded slightly.

“Correct.”

“Thank you.”

The woman smiled.

“You’re welcome.”

“Manager Luu Van asked me to tell you that if you have more Clearheart Liquid or similar items to consign in the future, you may go directly to him at the first floor counter.”

“Heavenly Treasure Pavilion will continue to appraise them according to their actual quality.”

Hao Nhien nodded.

“I understand.”

The woman cupped her hands.

“Then I wish the two of you well.”

Hao Nhien and Tieu Lan turned and left the settlement counter.

By now, the auction hall had almost completely emptied.

Guests left in groups of three or five. Some looked delighted after obtaining the items they wanted, some sighed with regret, while others walked along quietly discussing the Foundation Establishment Pill, the Yang family, the Quan family, and the ancient bow that had appeared at the end.

Hao Nhien’s gaze passed across the crowd.

Then stopped at one corner of the main hall.

Quan Lam was standing there.

Today, he wore a dark purple robe.

Beside him stood the Quan family elder who had competed for the Foundation Establishment Pill.

Compared to the last time Hao Nhien had seen him on the boat, Quan Lam’s expression was noticeably more serious.

To Hao Nhien, it seemed that the auction had left him carrying more pressure than before.

Quan Lam noticed Hao Nhien.

He immediately raised a hand.

Then he turned to the old man beside him and said something in a very low voice.

After that, he separated from the Quan family group and quickly walked toward the two of them.