"This place seems to be no different from an ordinary auction. Fellow Taoist Xu brought us here specially. What kind of strange things can we really see?" The woman surnamed Liu among the big men in brocade clothes asked Xu Yun with some doubts.
"Don't worry! Although the auctions here are very frequent, held every few days and a half, there are several special auction items that will appear every time. Although they are not the most expensive items in the auction, they are indeed easy to see in the Inner Star Sea.
You can't." Xu Yun said with a somewhat mysterious look, but then he saw Bai Ran coming over and smiled kindly at him.
Bai Ran nodded casually and suddenly asked a question that surprised the other party.
"Fellow Daoist Xu, how many monks are there in this Black Stone City? It doesn't look like there are too many monks."
"Brother Qu is really sharp-eyed! Apart from a few inns where people can stay temporarily, Black Rock City generally doesn't have any permanent residence for foreign monks. High-level monks will have their own caves on other islands. Low-level ones gather into small villages.
The town and mortals live together. The monks in Black Rock City all come to buy and sell things, and the lower-level monks travel more frequently." Xu Yun admitted frankly.
"Didn't you say that only monks in the foundation-building stage and above can survive in the open sea? How come there are so many mortals and monks in the Qi-refining stage?" The big man in brocade was silent for a while and asked a question that Bai Ran was also a little confused about.
"Brother Yi's question touches on the key point. This is the other biggest difference between Qiyuan Island and other monster islands."
"Other Monster Beast Islands are teleported there by some high-level monks specifically for the purpose of hunting monster beasts. Generally, after accumulating enough harvest, they will return to the Inner Star Sea. On Qiyuan Island, the ones found in Haiyuan
Some years later, on nearby islands, these powerful creatures
He found several spiritual stone mines and opened up some production areas of other raw materials needed for cultivation, and he was basically self-sufficient. As a result, some monks also brought their families and brought them here. Mortals and low-level people without spiritual roots were
The monks appeared naturally
. I also heard that the forces that manage Blackstone City are slowly transferring their main manpower from the Inner Star Sea to here. It is estimated that in tens of thousands of years, this place may become the second Inner Star Sea.
But apart from this Black Rock City, other islands
Most of the mortal and monk villages on the island cannot be said to be absolutely safe. Small villages and towns are often wiped out by some high-level monsters that suddenly appear. This place is just following the old path when our ancestors first arrived in the Inner Star Sea." Xu
Yun said calmly.
But these words made others stunned.
"Don't Star Palace and other forces want to take care of everything here?" The big man in brocade took a breath and asked in a deep voice.
"It's still early for this place to be as prosperous as the Inner Star Sea. Besides, the Inner Star Sea is just big enough for them to deal with. Who has time to take care of this place? They wish that these forces would focus their main manpower and energy on Qiyuan Island.
Otherwise, the current Inner Star Sea may be even more chaotic." Xu Yun said with a cold snort, obviously still feeling sulky about the sudden closure of the teleportation array in the Star Palace.
After hearing these words, the big men in brocade clothes felt that they made sense, and after looking at each other for a few times, they stopped mentioning the topic.
It would be better for young monks like them not to inquire about the affairs between these forces, so as not to get into trouble.
After selling several more magical artifacts and raw materials, a middle-aged man in blue appeared behind the old man presiding over the auction, holding a red brocade box. In the box was a large white fist ball with purple in it.
Seeing this, Xu Yun perked up.
"Attention, fellow Taoists, one of the most important auction items on Qiyuan Island is coming next, the eggs of monsters. There are many treasures among them. These things are extremely valuable spiritual stones in the Inner Star Sea. On Qiyuan Island,
It's much cheaper. Because except for some special beast eggs, most of the eggs cannot pass through the teleportation array.
The end result of them being transported by others is to turn into dead eggs. Therefore, whenever some rare monster eggs appear in the world, some high-level monks who know the true situation of Qiyuan Island will be specially teleported to Black Rock City to bid for the spirit beasts.
After hatching the spirit beast, it will take some time to cultivate it to the stage where it can be teleported, and then return to the Inner Star Sea."
"Monster egg!" The eyes of the handsome man suddenly lit up. He wanted to cultivate a high-level monster. This was something he had dreamed of for a long time.
Several other people also had looks of surprise on their faces.
According to this, wouldn't they also have the opportunity to have their own spiritual beast in the future? Finding a good spiritual beast in the Inner Star Sea is extremely difficult!
"The young egg of the monster Purple Cloud Eagle. When it matures, it becomes a level four earth attribute monster. It has steel feathers as hard as iron. Although it only knows a simple shield spell, its flying speed is extremely fast, comparable to upper-level flying magic weapons.
.A pair of sharp claws can easily tear through the shield of a monk in the foundation building stage. Count.
This is a rare species of monster beast. It is definitely the best choice for Taoist friends in the foundation-building stage. The base price is two thousand spirit stones, and the price increases by one hundred each time. The bidding begins!" The old man seemed to have full confidence in this beast egg, and just introduced it in a hurry.
After a while, the auction started without hesitation.
As expected, many of the monks below were interested in this item. As soon as the old man finished speaking, someone immediately made a bid.
Although the fourth-level monsters are not worth mentioning to the monks at the core-building stage, they are just right for these monks at the foundation-building stage.
Because too high-level spiritual beasts are not only expensive, but also have a much longer adult cycle than low-level spiritual beasts. Even if some secret techniques are used to induce their birth, they cannot afford to wait.
"Two thousand five hundred spirit stones!"
"Two thousand seven!"
"Three thousand!"
...The price of Ziyunying's eggs soon exceeded 3,000, and was finally bought by a female monk who was extremely excited for 3,030 spirit stones.
"It is indeed much cheaper than Inner Star Sea. If it were in Tianxing City, such a flying spirit beast egg would cost at least five thousand spirit stones!" The dark-faced middle-aged man stared at the egg in the female cultivator's hand and murmured.
murmured.
Except for Bai Ran, the eyes of everyone else, including the big man in brocade clothes, lit up.
When Xu Yun saw this scene, he just smiled.
Next, the old man auctioned off a third-level and another fourth-level monster egg at a high price, thus ending the auction of spirit beast eggs.
"What is this?" Mrs. Liu's face suddenly changed when she saw the auction item brought up again, and the others also looked stunned.
Because there are two young and beautiful women standing next to the old auctioneer. Although they are only in the second or third level of Qi refining stage, they are indeed genuine immortal cultivators. But looking at the way they were brought up with low eyebrows,
The auction items this time turned out to be these two female nuns.
Xu Yun didn't show any surprise when he saw this. Instead, he used his eyes to indicate to the others to listen to what the old man said.
"The following are four low-level furnace cauldrons in the Qi refining stage. They have only practiced the basic Five Elements Kung Fu. Each of them is absolutely perfect. However, according to their requirements, the monks who bid for them must be above the middle stage of Foundation Establishment.
The minimum price is two thousand spiritual stones per person, and the auction will begin next..."
Ever since the old man asked people to bring the two female cultivators up, many male cultivators below began to look at the two women with fiery eyes. However, after the old man's words fell for a long time, there was no bid for a long time. Even for a long time, there was no bid.
Two male cultivators sitting not far in front of Bai Ran and others were discussing something in low voices.
"What's the use of buying a two- or three-story furnace with two thousand spiritual stones? If you really want a maid and concubine, you might as well buy a mortal girl elsewhere. When you get older and look better, you can spend more money.
Just send it away. But if it’s the cauldron in the foundation-building stage, no matter how much spiritual stone it costs, I’m willing to do it.”
"You are dreaming. You think you are a monk in the Core Formation Stage. Don't forget the rules here. The furnace cauldron in the Foundation Stage is not something we can touch. Even if it is allowed, it is better to buy a better spirit beast egg for such a sky-high price.
It’s a good deal.”
...After hearing these conversations, Bai Ran was still surprised, but the shock on his face gradually faded away.
He had heard before that some forces secretly trained some young female monks to be used as cauldrons, and some high-level monks even sent these female monks around as gifts. But no matter what, inside
There was no public auction of female cultivator furnaces in Xinghai. The behavior here really shocked him.
The expressions of the big men in brocade clothes also calmed down.
After all, the existence of the furnace tripod is something that everyone in the world of immortality is well aware of. But Mrs. Liu and another young woman, who are also women, still seem a little uncomfortable.
"There is no need to be surprised by fellow Taoists. These women are all voluntarily serving as other people's furnaces, and are not forced by anyone. They basically belong to the kind of female cultivators who have poor spiritual qualifications and it is difficult to reach high-level cultivation through ordinary cultivation methods.
There are no seniors in the family to rely on.
, all the forces look down on them and are unwilling to spend spiritual stones to cultivate them. As a result, in a place like the outer star sea, they don't bother to do the work of ordinary mortals. And to hunt monsters outside is to seek death.
Only after you have achieved some success in cultivation, you can take the initiative
It can be used as a cauldron for more advanced male cultivators. Not only can this provide a large sum of spiritual stones for the family, but it can also provide some support for oneself. If one can please the male cultivator and become a concubine, perhaps
There is no chance. Of course, there are also spiritual roots
She has good qualifications, but for other reasons, she took the initiative to become a high-level female cultivator for someone else's cauldron. However, such a cauldron does not allow low-level male cultivators to participate in the bidding. An auction of this level will never happen." Xu Yunman
Slow preaching, it seems that this kind of thing has long been a habit.
The others were silent after hearing this.
After all, there were two fellow female cultivators standing by, so it was hard for them to say anything in favor or objection.
Bai Ran touched his chin, but there was nothing strange about his face.
He doesn't need any cauldron to improve his cultivation, and he won't buy something that would be a burden to him.
Although he felt that these female cultivators were a bit pitiful and felt vaguely uncomfortable, he could not protect himself either, so he could only turn a blind eye.
At this time, the two female nuns on the stage were finally taken out with disappointment because no one bid.
Seeing this, Xu Yun chuckled and explained:
"The cultivation level of these two women is too low. Although they volunteered to be someone else's cauldron, they did not have any real help to the monks with a slightly higher cultivation level, so they were rejected. However, this is not absolute.
It’s something. If any fellow Taoist in the Foundation Establishment Stage falls in love with their beauty, it wouldn’t be unusual to buy them back at a high price.”
The big man in brocade clothes laughed a few times without saying anything. Xu Yun continued to talk and laugh as usual, not caring at all.
In the auction below, some rare and rare items appeared in the Inner Star Sea, but Bai Ran showed a lazy look, not wanting to waste any more time looking at them.
He was just trying to find some excuse, but when he left here, Xu Yun seemed to notice Bai Ran's impatience, so he took the initiative and said:
"There are no high-quality items in this auction. Only the real treasures will appear during the annual joint auction. Then fellow Taoists, please come and see them again. Now, I will take a few more to other places in Black Rock City.
Let’s learn a thing or two.”
Naturally, the big men in brocade clothes would not object.
Even if there is something they like in the auction here, the spiritual stones in their possession have long been extorted during the teleportation.
So with the nods of several people, Xu Yun led them out of the Jingbao Hall. Accompanied by the mortal woman, they exited the Pearl Pavilion through another passage.
..."The dozens of stone houses connected together are the temporary residence of some outside mortal men and women. Mortals who want to survive in Black Rock City must register here first to facilitate management. But if there is no one for a certain period of time,
If you are willing to hire them, these mortals must leave Black Rock City immediately. And the mortal woman I just saw at Mingzhuxuan came from here."
"That room, which is also quite large, is the largest raw material store in the city, 'Cunjin Pavilion'. It specializes in selling all kinds of rare raw materials. It is said that as long as you can name it, there is no raw material that this store cannot sell. Although some
Exaggerated, but it is indeed very famous!”
"The place where the three stone houses next to each other are connected is..."
Xu Yun said casually with great familiarity while leading everyone along a certain street.
When Bai Ran heard this, he couldn't help but feel something in his heart, and his steps suddenly stopped.
"Fellow Daoist Qu! What are you doing?" The scar-faced monk was stunned and asked a little strangely.
The big men in brocade clothes looked at Bai Ran who was lagging behind, and they also showed puzzled expressions.
"Qu Mou still has some things that he wants to deal with alone. Let's break up with fellow Taoists here. Of course, if we are destined, there will be a day to meet." Bai Ran looked up at the sky and lowered his head and said calmly. Although this
The words were not loud, but they conveyed an unquestionable meaning.
Xu Yun and the handsome man named Yi were both startled when they heard this.
Naturally, they didn't want to let Bai Ran, a monk with a strong cultivation level, leave. When they wanted to say some words to stay, they were swept away by the cold light that suddenly appeared in Bai Ran's eyes. They felt an inexplicable chill in their hearts, that little objection.
He swallowed his words immediately, and could only murmur in response for a moment. Then he watched Bai Ran walk into the Cunjin Pavilion on the side and disappeared.
At this time, the two of them looked at each other in confusion, and they broke out in cold sweat at the same time. However, several other people on the side looked at the two of them with some confusion, not knowing what was going on.
"This man is..." The big man in robes laughed dryly, as if he wanted to say something else.
"Since Fellow Daoist Qu is not willing to wait with me, he must have his own plans. I will continue to take a few of them to look at another street!" For some reason, Xu Yun intercepted the big man's words first, and then hurriedly walked to another street.
Walk down a street.
Then the scarred-faced monk's message immediately rang in the ears of the big man in brocade.
"Fellow Daoist Yi! This person's behavior is unpredictable. It's better for us to be less involved. Otherwise, if we are not careful, we will be killed. This fellow Daoist Qu is definitely far better than you and me. We don't want to be behind him."
Talk about each other.”
After hearing this, the big man in brocade clothes changed his expression several times. After looking at the golden pavilion for a few times, he nodded slightly. Then, he followed with the rest of the people.
At this time, Bai Ran had already walked into a more elegant room under the guidance of a handsome young man.
Although this Golden Pavilion looks like a huge stone house from the outside, the inside is divided into many single rooms, and there are dedicated people selling various types of raw materials.
Bai Ran was not polite. As soon as he entered Cunjin Pavilion, he asked to see the steward by name.
If it were other monks, naturally they would not be able to achieve their goal so easily. But as soon as Bai Ran relaxed his cultivation level in the pill-forming stage, someone immediately respectfully brought him to this VIP room.
Even if the monks in the Dan-formation stage are in Black Rock City, they cannot be ignored.
Bai Ran only stayed in the room for a moment before an ordinary-looking old man walked in with a smile.
"This fellow Taoist is very nice. It's his first time to our Cunjin Pavilion! I'm in charge of Cunjin Pavilion, Li Xun. You're so polite!" The old man said to Bai Ran with a fist in his hand. He was actually in the early stage of Mingjie Dan.
monk.
"It is indeed Qu's first time to come to your pavilion, and there are some things that I would like to ask fellow Taoist Li for advice. I hope fellow Taoist Li won't be offended!" Bai Ran replied with a neither humble nor arrogant expression.
"If you have anything to do, just say it. Li will try his best to help." Manager Li was very generous. He didn't ask Bai Ran anything at all and just agreed with a pat on his chest.
This generous and generous appearance left a good impression on Bai Ran at first. However, he was not able to see through Bai Ran's transformation skills yet, so he did not show anything strange to Bai Ran, who looked like a sickly middle-aged man.
color.
Bai Ran smiled slightly.
"I want to buy a kind of elixir raw material for refining elixirs. But Qu only knows the name of this elixir from ancient times, so I haven't been able to find it. I want to try my luck with fellow Taoist Li." Bai Ran was not polite.
He directly stated his purpose.
"Haha! This is a trivial matter, no problem at all." When Li Xun heard Bai Ran's words, he felt relieved and immediately said with a smile. Then he turned his face and said coldly to the door:
"Come here, go and fetch Gu Yu."
"Yes!" A boy outside the door immediately ran out smartly.
"Fellow Taoist, wait a moment. Although this ancient jade is only in the Qi refining stage, he specializes in studying various kinds of elixirs and elixirs from ancient times. He has done a lot of research on this. I think he will definitely not disappoint Taoist Qu."
"Yes." Li Xun turned his head again and said with a smile.
After hearing this, Bai Ran's face showed a hint of joy. Just when he was about to say something, a red light flew in from outside the house. After circling around the roof, it accurately landed in the old man's hand. It was actually a message.
Talisman.
When a strange color flashed across Bai Ran's face, the talisman immediately burned in the old man's hand.
After staring at the fire for a moment, Manager Li put out the fire with a flip of his hand. Then he raised his head and looked at Bai Ran with an unexpected expression.
"Li is so rude! I didn't expect Brother Qu to be a monk who just arrived in Blackstone City today. I should join the friendship of the host!" The old man's attitude instantly became more enthusiastic.
In just a short period of time, he had found out the approximate origin of Bai Ran. This made Bai Ran a little surprised. However, he still kept a faint smile on his face, not revealing what was in his heart at all.
"You're welcome, fellow Taoist. I went through a lot of effort to get to Qiyuan Island, and I don't want to offend anyone." Bai Ran dealt with it lightly.
Seeing Bai Ran's expression, the old man naturally knew that Bai Ran didn't want to mention this matter. He immediately changed the topic and talked about some interesting things about Qiyuan Island, which made Bai Ran listen with gusto and the conversation continued.
joyous.
At this moment, a Confucian scholar in his thirties came in from outside, bowed deeply to the two of them, and said respectfully:
"Gu Yu meets the two seniors. I don't know what I want to say to the juniors!"
This man has an elegant face, a long black beard, and shiny black eyes, which makes him look a bit unearthly.
When Li Xun saw this person, he just nodded, waved his hand slightly, and asked him to stand up and speak.
"Senior Qu has some questions about ancient elixirs. Just answer him honestly." The old man ordered calmly.
"Follow your orders! This junior will do your best." Gu Yu straightened up and said solemnly.