**Chapter 23: The Auction Begins
The next morning, the dappled shadows of the high bamboo forest spread across the courtyard. A few spirit beasts that had been lethargic began to emit joyful roars.
In Ye Jingcheng's courtyard, upon seeing him rise, the Jade Ring Mouse with its large ears climbed onto him. Ye Jingcheng patted the round belly of the mouse.
"Stop growing your belly, and let those ears of yours grow a bit!" Ye Jingcheng said, putting the Jade Ring Mouse into the spirit beast pouch, and then did the same for the Lazy Flame Fox that was napping on the table.
The Lazy Flame Fox, still somewhat drowsy, made soft sounds as Ye Jingcheng stroked it.
Ye Jingcheng injected some spiritual light and fed the fox a Feeding Pill.
"You're almost at the late stage of first tier, aren't you?" Ye Jingcheng felt the fox's spiritual energy with delight. The fox, growing well, was expected to reach the late stage of second tier. When he first raised the fox, it was only mid first tier.
As the fox slowly consumed the Feeding Pill, Ye Jingcheng stored it in the spirit beast pouch.
Today was the auction day!
His storage bag now held exactly 270 spirit stones.
When he left the courtyard, Ye Xinghe, Ye Xingyu, and Ye Jingli were already ready to go. Ye Jingyun, Ye Jinghao, and Ye Xinghong stayed behind to watch over the shop due to the recent increase in the family's spirit beast business. They needed to ensure they didn't become overwhelmed.
"During this auction, if you want anything, bid for it yourselves. The family might not be able to assist much!" Ye Xinghe reminded the three as they departed.
The four then headed toward a grand hall in the center of the market.
This hall, located next to Taiyi Pavilion, was only slightly less impressive in grandeur. The exterior was adorned with carvings of flying dragons and exotic beasts, each holding a precious pearl.
Many cultivators of various types were entering the hall.
[Translator: sauron]
"Ye Xinghe, I see you've prepared plenty of spirit stones for today!" A middle-aged man in a green silk robe with a small beard approached, laughing.
This man was Li Mutian, the head of the Li family in Taihang Market.
"No need to worry about us, Li Daoist. How are your preparations? If you need any pills to sell for spirit stones, I can lend you some," Ye Xinghe retorted with a smirk.
After a few exchanged jabs, both parties entered the grand hall.
The hall was spacious, capable of seating over a thousand guests, with additional seating on the second and third floors. However, the second-floor private boxes were reserved for Purple Mansion families or cultivators, while the Ye family's seats were in the separate section behind.
Many cultivators from Taihang Market's four major Foundation Building families were already seated.
"Xingyu, get these two settled first. I'll be back shortly!" Ye Xinghe said to Ye Xingyu before heading backstage to prepare auction items and handle other tasks.
Ye Xingyu nodded and seated Ye Jingcheng and Ye Jingli.
As Ye Jingcheng sat down, he noticed a few Li family members glaring at them with disdain.
"Don't mind them. When our Ye family was dominant in Taihang, the Li family was still running after Immortal Masters," Ye Xingyu whispered to him.
The Ye family had been a Foundation Building family for a long time, while the Li family only recently gained prominence after producing a talented member and joining Taiyi Sect.
Even though Ye Xinghe's voice was low, such comments were significant in the cultivation world. Li Mutian's beard twitched, and the two younger Li family members stood up, glaring at the Ye family.
The Ye family members remained indifferent. If the Li family dared to act, the Ye family would respect them for it.
"No need for formalities!" Ye Xinghe called out with a smile as he approached.
The two Li family cultivators wanted to continue glaring but retreated immediately upon Ye Xinghe's stern look. Li Mutian said, "Let's hope the Ye family isn't just talk."
With that, he turned his attention to the auction stage.
Ye Xinghe checked the private boxes and, seeing they were not as crowded as expected, felt relieved but also concerned. Li Mutian's provocations might be a scheme to drive up the price of auction items or force the Ye family to compete more fiercely.
He thought more about the Blood Heart Pill.
"Thank you all for coming to the Taihang Market auction. I am Luoxiang, the auctioneer for this event!"
"The rules are the same as before. The highest bidder wins. If you don't have enough spirit stones, you can use items as collateral or make a bid on the spot!"
Luoxiang, dressed in a blue dress, spoke with a deliberate pace that made even the pre-auction announcement exciting for many cultivators, especially the scattered ones.
"Jingcheng, she doesn't seem like a little girl at all!" Ye Jingli whispered to Ye Jingcheng.
"Alright, no more chatter or I'll be scolded by my elders!" Luoxiang said, cutting off further interruptions.
"The first item up for auction is a first-tier top-grade Five Elements Ring set. Even superior artifacts might not withstand it. The starting bid is 800 spirit stones, with each increment no less than 10 spirit stones!"
Luoxiang presented five silver rings, which, under the spiritual light, suddenly glowed with fierce silver brilliance.
Ye Jingcheng frowned slightly. The starting bid was beyond his budget.
"850!" "900!" The highest bids came from scattered cultivators, attracted by the powerful set of rings that was cheaper than top-grade artifacts.
The four major families did not bid.
In the end, the Five Elements Ring set sold for 1,300 spirit stones, adding to the lively atmosphere in the auction hall. Such large numbers were thrilling for cultivators.
"Next, we have a first-tier top-grade spirit fruit, the Tianye Fruit, the main ingredient for Tianye Pill. Starting bid is 150 spirit stones, with each increment no less than 5 spirit stones!"
After the first item, the second was less impressive. However, Ye Jingcheng was excited as the Tianye Fruit's value was similar to the Red Dragon Fruit he sought.
The Tianye Fruit sold for 230 spirit stones.
Soon, Luoxiang revealed a red plate. Unveiling the golden silk cloth, a nearly transparent white jade box appeared, showing a red spirit fruit—the coveted Red Dragon Fruit.
"A first-tier top-grade Red Dragon Fruit, highly useful for refining many pills or for fire attribute cultivators or spirit beasts. The starting bid is 150 spirit stones, with each increment no less than 5 spirit stones!"
*(End of Chapter)*