It was evident that few cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage were still interested in refining puppets and exotic treasures. After just three or four rounds of bidding against Han Li, he easily secured the item for 170,000 spirit stones, which delighted him.
Subsequently, Han Li took interest in two more items auctioned by the white-light figure, purchasing them for 190,000 and 310,000 spirit stones respectively. The latter material was a renowned ingredient for crafting a powerful treasure, forcing Han Li into a fierce bidding war before he reluctantly secured it at an exorbitant price.
These purchases depleted nearly 70-80% of his spirit stones. Fortunately, no other puppet materials he needed appeared afterward, allowing him to breathe a sigh of relief.
When the final item was auctioned and the storage pouches on the jade table were emptied, the white-light figure seemed satisfied with the proceedings. After a brief pause, he chuckled and announced, “Our auction has concluded. Fellow Daoists who wish to exchange treasures may now come forward to present their offerings. A word of caution—since this is a voluntary exchange, we bear no responsibility for counterfeit items or misjudgments. We merely provide the venue, and all outcomes are your own responsibility. Additionally, as per tradition, a fee of 10,000 spirit stones per person will be levied for each successful exchange, regardless of the number of items traded. Now, proceed at your leisure. As long as no rules are broken, I shall remain an observer.”
The figure spoke succinctly before vanishing in a flash, reappearing at the edge of the clearing where he sat cross-legged, seemingly entering meditation.
This scene didn’t surprise most of the cultivators present. Instead, several streaks of light shot forward, but one was noticeably faster. A figure enveloped in red light materialized behind the jade table, clasped his hands, and said with a smile, “My apologies for taking the lead. Fellow Daoists, please wait your turn.”
The other streaks of light could only circle helplessly before returning to their seats.
Han Li smiled faintly. In exchanges like these, acting early often provided an advantage, preventing others from snatching desired materials first. However, such conflicts were rare, especially for highly unique items, so most cultivators remained patient and didn’t rush forward.
The materials Han Li still lacked were obscure, so he had little to worry about. Those who stepped forward first likely sought widely applicable items, hence the competition.
Indeed, the red-light cultivator presented several rare materials, specifically requesting ingredients used in various elixirs. Soon, a few others stepped up and exchanged for most of them, leaving the red-light figure satisfied as he departed.
The next few exchanges proceeded smoothly, with each participant securing at least some gains.
However, when a yellow-robed figure presented a shimmering blue metal and requested an unheard-of water-attribute material, three calls yielded no response, forcing him to retreat in disappointment.
From then on, unsuccessful exchanges became more frequent. After thirty or forty attempts, most left empty-handed, with only a few securing trades.
This didn’t necessarily mean the requested items were absent among the attendees. Rather, those who possessed them might have deemed the offered goods unworthy or irrelevant, hence their indifference.
Thus, in bartering, rarity alone didn’t guarantee success.
Some cultivators, lacking the exact requested items, attempted secret negotiations with alternative offers. Few succeeded, with most being coldly rejected—though Han Li was among the exceptions.
His approach was simple: he exchanged rare millennium-old spiritual herbs and high-tier demon cores for his desired materials. These items were universally valuable, and while one or two might occasionally appear in auctions, gathering so many at once was nearly impossible. The other party hesitated briefly before relenting.
Han Li also secured two more puppet materials through similar exchanges. Now, only the two rarest items remained. Given their extreme scarcity, ordinary cultivators were unlikely to offer them willingly.
“Han boy, what do you plan to trade? If your offer isn’t exceptional, others won’t part with such materials easily,” the Great Divination Sage suddenly transmitted via divine sense.
“I’ve already decided. Since most here are demonic cultivators, why not use something they covet?” Han Li replied calmly.
“You mean that material? Are you willing to part with it?” the sage asked, surprised.
“I have no choice. After gathering so many puppet materials, I can’t abandon the effort now. If the puppet is as formidable as you claim, it’s worth the sacrifice,” Han Li replied with a faint smile. Surveying the room, he deemed it time to act.
As another cultivator retreated in disappointment, Han Li rose and strode unhurriedly to the jade table.
The assembly watched intently, curious about his offering.
Han Li produced two small jade boxes but didn’t open them immediately. Scanning the room, he spoke in an altered, raspy voice: “Demonic treasure refinement material—two Demon Marrow Crystals—in exchange for Five Elements Jade and Dazzling Light Crystal. If any fellow Daoists possess these, they may claim them.”
With a flick of his wrists, the box lids opened, revealing two dark, crystalline objects emitting faint black mist—the Demon Marrow Crystals he had obtained from the Abyssal Demon Chasm.
“Demon Marrow Crystals! The material for forging Demon Dragon Blades—am I hearing correctly?”
“Impossible! How can such a thing exist?”
“Are they genuine?”
Chaos erupted as many exclaimed in shock.
Even the white-light figure, who had been meditating at the edge, opened his eyes in astonishment, fixated on the crystals.
“To be honest, if I weren’t cultivating a non-demonic path, I’d never part with these. As for authenticity, anyone with the required materials may inspect them,” Han Li stated calmly.
His confidence quelled the commotion, leaving the room in tense silence as cultivators eyed the crystals with mixed emotions.
Five Elements Jade and Dazzling Light Crystal were rare, but compared to the legendary Demon Marrow Crystals, they paled in value, stirring everyone’s greed.
“I recall having a Dazzling Light Crystal in storage, deemed too precious for auction. I can retrieve it shortly. May I examine the Demon Marrow Crystals first?” Unexpectedly, the white-light figure spoke up after observing the crystals.
“Since it’s you making the request, I trust your word. Proceed,” Han Li agreed without hesitation.
The figure nodded, sending a fiery streak toward the ceiling before rising and approaching.
The crowd murmured but remained silent, knowing the host’s expertise. All watched intently as he inspected the crystals.
The figure seemed well-versed in Demon Marrow Crystals. He took one, exhaled white Nascent Soul flames, which recoiled from the black mist without contact. Next, he tried blue icy breath, which also failed to affect the crystal. Finally, he infused it with demonic energy, which was absorbed without a trace.
“These are genuine Demon Marrow Crystals. I’ll take them.”
As if on cue, a gray-robed, masked cultivator materialized nearby, presenting a jade box before vanishing again.
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