Hide in the world of gods and demons

Chapter 145 Old Friends
The auction began shortly after Chen Li sat down.

Auctions rarely feature mass-market items, highlighting their rarity.

The very first item sparked a frenzy, with fierce bidding and constant price increases.

This is a set of sword box combination magic artifacts consisting of seven first-tier top-grade flying swords. The magic artifacts can be refined as a whole. When separated, they are like a whirlwind of swords and rain. When combined, they can form a sword formation. It can be regarded as a top magic artifact in the Qi Refining stage.

In the early stages of Foundation Establishment, such a magical artifact would likely be quite troublesome.

After a fierce bidding war, this top-tier magical artifact was finally sold for 245 mid-grade spirit stones.

"This price is equivalent to more than a dozen top-grade first-tier magic artifacts." Chen Li felt that this trip had been quite an eye-opener; a first-tier magic artifact could fetch such a high price.

Back when he was still in Green River Workshop, the second-hand, low-grade second-tier magic sword he bought only cost 35 mid-grade spirit stones.

One is second-order, and the other is first-order.

As it turns out, the price wasn't even as high as this Tier 1 item.

The auction continued, with prices varying widely. The room was sometimes quiet and sometimes bustling, with people coming in and leaving. The whole auction seemed to be in a state of chaotic order.

There was also an auction for Foundation Establishment Pills, which were generally sold for around two hundred mid-grade spirit stones, similar to the price in Luanluo City.

Soon it was Chen Li's turn to have his second-tier low-grade flying sword, which he had sent to be auctioned, up for auction.

"Black Feather Sword, a second-hand, second-tier low-grade flying sword. The sword body is slightly worn, but the runes on it are clear and do not affect its use. Its grade is close to mid-grade, and its speed is definitely within the mid-grade range. Its advantages are that it is lightweight and consumes little spiritual power. It can unleash its power as early as the first level of Foundation Establishment..."

The auctioneer, speaking in a hoarse voice, announced: "The starting price is seventy mid-grade spirit stones, with each bid increasing by one mid-grade spirit stone. Any bids coming in?"

"Seventy-five."

Eighty!

The scene was somewhat quiet, with only a handful of people bidding.

Fortunately, as they were filming, two of them started arguing.

The final price was 182 mid-grade spirit stones.

Chen Li remained calm and composed. He picked up the spiritual tea, took a sip, and quietly waited for the auction of the Guardian Mirror.

Wait until you've slowly finished your cup of tea.

What he had been waiting for had finally arrived.

"The Divine Protection Mirror is a low-grade second-tier magic artifact. It can protect the soul and resist mental attacks. I won't say more. This type of magic artifact has always been rare and precious. No one in the entire Western Wasteland can forge it. Each one is a rare treasure..."

The auction display went around!
This is a small, antique-style mirror, entirely silver-white, with a dense array of French runes covering the back. It looks quite unremarkable.

"Starting bid: ten high-grade spirit stones, increments of one high-grade spirit stone each time," the auctioneer announced.

This price is still within my budget.

Chen Li breathed a sigh of relief and was just about to make a bid when bids came from other private rooms.

"Fifteen!"

Sixteen!

I'll bet seventeen!

……

The price soared rapidly, as if it were free, and in the blink of an eye it reached nineteen.

Chen Li quickly called out, "Twenty!"

Cold sweat began to appear on his forehead.

He only had 29 high-grade spirit stones on hand, and after accounting for the price of the auctioned flying sword and some other miscellaneous items, he only had a total of 32.

Fortunately, after the 20th, the bidding slowed down, and eventually only three people were left competing.

"Hmph, twenty-four. If it goes any higher, I'll stop bidding and give it to the two of you!" one of the private room snorted and said coldly.

"I'll pass, you guys compete." Another competitor, short on cash, was ready to give up.

"Twenty-five!" Chen Li said.

Twenty-six!

This person is going back on their word; they just said they wouldn't bid anymore.

Chen Li was speechless, but gritted his teeth and shouted, "Twenty-seven."

The scene fell silent.

"Fellow Daoist, twenty-seven pills! Anyone bidding higher?"

"One time, two times, three times! Deal!"

……

"call!"

Chen Li leaned back in his chair and let out a long sigh. It felt like he was back to square one.

"After deducting the auction fees, I only have five high-grade spirit stones left!"

However, he wasn't worried about future expenses.

Over the past year and a half, his Golden Light Amulet has advanced to the Master level. His success rate in drawing talismans is close to 100%, and he rarely fails. With his current spiritual power, he can draw eight talismans in one go.

Over the course of a year, he would have earned approximately six high-grade spirit stones.

His income is enough to support his annual expenses.

Of course, to avoid attracting attention, he only sold the standard versions of the talismans he specially drew; he never sold the upgraded versions. "Knock, knock, knock!" A knock came from the door.

"Come in!" Chen Li said.

Soon a man and a woman came in and brought the auction items.

Chen Li took the protective mirror and examined it carefully. Having handled so many magical artifacts, he now had a general understanding of how to appraise them, and he could at least confirm that this protective mirror was undoubtedly a second-tier low-grade artifact.

Going a little deeper... the auction house is backed by Qiwumen, which has been in business for so many years and can still pull off such a grand operation, so its reputation shouldn't be a problem.

Moreover, for a sect that has lost its Golden Core cultivator, a mere twenty-seven high-grade spirit stones are hardly enough to cause them to ruin their reputation and offend a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

After Chen Li finished settling the bill with the auction house, the auction for the second-tier mid-grade formation was already underway, and the atmosphere was electric.

"Twenty-eight!"

"Twenty-nine!"

Thirty-five!

……

They're fucking rich!
Chen Li inwardly grumbled, no longer wanting to stay. He glanced around and left through the hidden door of the private room.

After leaving the house, he quickly blended into the crowd on the street and revealed his true appearance. However, he had not gone far when a woman's voice came from behind him.

"Chen Li?"

Chen Li looked surprised. Could he possibly run into someone he knew here?
He turned around and found that it was indeed an acquaintance: "You are... Fellow Daoist Zhao!"

It was Zhao Wanjun, his neighbor for a period of time when he was in Green River Lane. After not seeing her for many years, she had lost some of her sharpness and gained a gentleness. The years had left their mark on her face, and judging from her hairstyle, she was obviously married.

"It really is you! I thought I had mistaken you for someone else. How did you get here, and how did you become so young? You, you, you..." Zhao Wanjun was still smiling when she suddenly realized what was happening, her face showing astonishment, as she looked at the other person's incredibly youthful face.
"You've reached the Foundation Establishment stage?"

"Meeting an old friend in a foreign land, Fellow Daoist Zhao's charm is as undiminished as ever," Chen Li said with a smile.

"Senior, please forgive my rudeness. I have no talent whatsoever and dare not address you as a fellow Daoist. If I have offended or been disrespectful in the past, please forgive me." Zhao Wanjun realized her mistake and quickly bowed.

She felt a mix of emotions. When she first met Chen Li seven years ago, he was just an unsuccessful, down-on-his-luck middle-aged rogue cultivator. He looked at her with a reserved and nervous expression, as if he was afraid that someone would harm him.

Seven years have passed, and she is still a Qi Refining cultivator with a bleak future, while he has become a Foundation Establishment cultivator, full of vigor and ambition.

"Oh, you flatter me!" Chen Li said, "I never expected to meet you again after so many years."

The two were merely strangers who had met by chance, and the difference in their cultivation levels added to the awkwardness and formality. This caused Chen Li's initial joy at meeting an old friend in a foreign land to fade away considerably. They exchanged a few distant and indifferent words before becoming strangers.

Chen Li sighed inwardly, and then, as quickly as a wild goose flying by without a sound or a trace in the wind, he left no mark on his mind. He used a spell to seek good fortune and avoid misfortune, sensing good and bad luck in his mind. He walked out of the city along the main road, then went into the woods and changed into a robe.

I felt like no one was following me.

He used a magnetic gliding technique, and with a burst of lightning, his body soared into the air and swiftly flew back the way he came. The journey was uneventful, and no accidents occurred. By the time he returned to the mountain gate, it was already night.

Zhang Shuniang, who was in the courtyard, was the first to spot Chen Li returning and excitedly called out, "Aunt Zhou, Uncle is back!"

Soon, Zhou Hong emerged from the house:
"Why are you back so soon? I thought it would be a few more days. Did you buy what you wanted?"

"What a coincidence, we just happened to run into an auction." Chen Li smiled and nodded, walking towards the living room. "I also brought you all gifts on this trip. Let's see if you like them later."

"I'll like whatever you buy." Zhou Hong felt as sweet as if she were eating honey.

"Uncle, I have one too!" Zhang Shuniang said happily, her eyes fixed on Chen Li.

"I have both!" Chen Li took out two sets of robes from his storage bag and placed them on the table: "The bright red one is for your Aunt Zhou, and the light green one embroidered with lotus flowers is for you."

Why would an older man buy her such a private item as a monk's robe? Zhang Shuniang's face flushed red with embarrassment. She quickly covered her face, lowered her head, and ran back to her boudoir.

"What's wrong with her?" Chen Li was completely baffled.

"She might be a little shy." Zhou Hong smiled meaningfully. "I'll go and talk to her later. These past few days you've been gone, and Shuniang has asked me several times when you're coming back. She's even more concerned than I am."

"Hehe, this girl!" Chen Li laughed.

……

In the quiet room of the cave dwelling.

Chen Li carefully refined the protective mirror.

After refining it, he felt an extra layer of protection, and a strange sense of security arose spontaneously. However, when he tried to grasp it carefully, this feeling was nowhere to be found, and he couldn't explain why.

He strung the protective mirror together with a thin rope and hung it around his neck.

He then got up and went to the bedroom.

In the bedroom, Zhou Hong lay on the bed, her black hair loose, covered with a thin blanket.

"Why are you asleep so early?"

Chen Li's burning desire subsided slightly. He took off his robe, lifted the thin blanket and lay down, only to find that 'Zhou Hong' was completely naked, her body burning hot, and she was trembling slightly.

He had a keen sense that something was wrong.

It's not Zhou Hong.

She quickly threw back the covers, her face showing surprise: "Shuniang, it's you! Where's your Aunt Zhou?"

Zhang Shuniang's face turned red. She covered her face and said in a trembling voice, "Uncle... Aunt Zhou asked me to come and serve you."

Her delicate body lay sprawled out, every part of her—her snow-capped peaks, slender waist, and jade-like feet—was exquisitely beautiful, as white as mutton-fat jade, radiating a strong youthful aura.

"Are you willing to do it yourself?"

"I...I'm willing!" Zhang Shuniang said in a trembling voice, her face burning red. "Please have mercy on me, Uncle."

P.S.: Happy New Year everyone! May your families be filled with joy. Since I'm updating on New Year's Eve, please give me a monthly pass!