The first round of auction items consisted of various elixirs, produced by the shadowy figure with the oversized head.
Li Mo harbored deep suspicion, believing the other party likely came from a Great Immortal Sect specializing in alchemy, possibly on par with the Sub-Device Sect in scale.
The moment the elixirs emerged, cultivators could no longer suppress their eagerness.
Inside a shop with a sign reading "Green Heart Noodle Restaurant," a slender elephant trunk extended out from the crevices of the window, reaching for a particular skull.
Li Mo gazed at the skull. As his eyes came into contact with the inscription on its tongue, information about the elixir arose in his mind, proving the skull to be a rather rudimentary magic artifact.
[Corpse Transformation Pill]
The medicinal effect of Corpse Dissolving Powder was to remove all rotten flesh throughout the body.
Combined with elixirs for regenerating fresh flesh, it could suppress Death Disease to the greatest extent, buying cultivators at least two to three additional years.
Li Mo stared at the water’s surface as more and more elixirs came into view.
[Youthful Pill], [Digestion Pill], [Disease Generation Pills], [Big Movement Pill]...
The effects of each elixir were bizarre and vastly different from the conventional offerings found in the black market. They seemed more like experimental concoctions from alchemists.
Li Mo couldn’t help but ask, "What’s the deal with these elixirs..."
Han Cai replied in a low voice, "Better not touch the auctioned elixirs too much. They only reveal the effects without the drawbacks. It might very well be Great Ability Cultivators using people like us as test subjects."
This so-called auction, in the eyes of Great Ability Cultivators, seemed akin to observing laboratory mice—the purpose unmistakably clear.
Li Mo didn’t feel indignant, though. After all, if he ever reached such a level, who could guarantee he’d remain altruistic?
Instead, his resolve grew stronger—the desire to become immortal and attain the Dao burned in his heart.
Since immortality and transcendence are within reach, then naturally, he’d strive to be the most carefree and unbound.
"I don’t want it! I don’t want it!!"
The cultivator who had just grabbed the Corpse Transformation Pill let out a despairing scream, stumbling and crawling out of the shop’s window. His body rapidly began rotting, visible to the naked eye.
He frantically threw away the skull, only for mushrooms to sprout from his chest and abdomen in large quantities.
Finally, the cultivator foamed at the mouth, collapsing limply from the eaves, his corpse devoured completely by creatures lurking in the water—a sight that sent chills down spines.
The Corpse Transformation Pill’s skull continued to float, though the black mist enveloping it had completely dissipated.
Futu Hermit stroked his beard and spoke with complexity, "Failed to meet the auction criteria, leading to a withdrawal. Now, loose cultivators are eligible to bid for the Corpse Transformation Pill—if they have the life to take it."
"Senior Futu, what’s the criteria for bidding on the Corpse Transformation Pill?"
"Longevity. That person lost at least fifty years of lifespan, causing his Childhood Death Disease to erupt prematurely, leaving no remains."
Li Mo felt his scalp tingle; the auction’s rules were far too bizarre.
Hu Wen sneered mockingly, "Overestimating one’s capabilities. If one’s cultivation is at the Weak Crown Stage, losing fifty years of lifespan wouldn’t harm the foundation."
Han Cai patted Li Mo’s shoulder and advised kindly, "Once you acquire an auction item, if you feel your body or soul is unable to handle it, give up immediately."
"Also, we can add items for auction ourselves, though only at Spirit Stone prices."
He retrieved a puppet-like magic artifact and casually tossed it out of the window.
The creatures in the water devoured the puppet instantly, the tail filled with human heads writhing before slowly releasing another skull.
The skulls were specialized magic artifacts used to temporarily store auction items, with information displayed on their tongues. Ordinary cultivators’ auction items, however, lacked the black mist wrapping.
Li Mo imitated Han Cai by throwing down the Daoist robes he had refined earlier.
He set low prices, as Daoist robes were nowhere near as valuable as Water Manipulation Magical Artifacts. At best, they counted as top-quality Low Grade Magic Device Prototypes.
Before he knew it, more items joined the shop’s auction, covering the water’s surface with tens of thousands of skulls—a chilling sight to behold.
Han Cai and his companions had little interest in elixirs, remaining restrained in their bidding.
Li Mo, ever cautious, refrained from acting, given he wasn’t reliant on elixirs in his cultivation. Instead, he carefully scrutinized the auction proceedings.
The criteria for bidding on the elixirs varied, sometimes requiring peculiar spiritual materials or the crafting of specific magic artifact embryos.
"Hahaha, Foundation Establishment is within reach!"
A lucky cultivator managed to snag an elixir auction item, sacrificing merely a quarter of his entire flesh without harming his life.
As soon as he spoke, a dozen loose cultivators began circling him subtly.
The auction was not quite the Heart Beast Black Market—there were no rules against harming others here. Whenever the auction concluded, the scene would inevitably end up littered with corpses.
Li Mo narrowed his eyes as crows covered with eyeballs landed on the window ledge.
The crows exploded into pulp, leaving behind dozens of Mid-grade Spirit Stones—the spoils from selling the Daoist robes and magical tools.
Li Mo wasn’t in a rush to trade spiritual materials, as refining them into magic artifact embryos was far more profitable.
Time passed unknowingly.
Once part of the skulls on the water cleared, the giant-headed figure scattered a batch of new skulls—only ten in number this time.
The casual Weak Crown Stage cultivators sitting comfortably inside could no longer stay indifferent and began leaving the shop one after another.
Hu Wen opened his eyes, their gaze filled with greed.
Li Mo noticed that the second round of elixir auction items were all designed to enhance cultivation and were specifically targeted at Weak Crown Stage practitioners. Even if there were drawbacks, they were still highly attractive to this stage.
Futu Hermit’s expression changed dramatically as he yelled sharply, "Han Cai, both of us have already perfected the Weak Crown Stage and don’t need these elixirs, but Hu Wen taking an Xiu Bone Pill could advance even further!"
All three darted out of the brothel, throwing themselves into the struggle for the Xiu Bone Pill. In an instant, the water’s surface erupted into chaotic combat noises.
Though there were ten Xiu Bone Pills initially, after being divided among various shopkeepers, only three remained.
Han Cai and his companions rushed toward the nearest Xiu Bone Pill.
Ceramic Hall’s Manager Sun had just secured a skull when she spotted Han Cai, Hu Wen, and Futu Hermit approaching, her expression turning grim. Of course, she wasn’t alone—three other Weak Crown Stage cultivators stood by her side.
With their confrontation on the brink of breaking out, Manager Sun glanced at the auction criteria, smirked, and tossed the skull to Hu Wen.
"Hu Wen, take this hot potato."
"You sly wench. You must know the consequences of failing to meet the auction criteria, so you pass on the trouble to others, huh? Heh heh heh..."
Manager Sun shot a cold glare at Han Cai’s trio and turned back to her shop.
Han Cai quickly inquired, "What’s the auction condition?"
Hu Wen replied grimly, "The auction item lasts only for five two-hour periods. The condition is crafting eighty specific Low Grade Magic Device Prototypes."
As his words landed, Manager Sun’s shop began refining magic artifacts, clearly planning to seize the Xiu Bone Pill immediately after it went unsold—avoiding the time restriction.
Futu Hermit remarked darkly, "She’s crafting Human Brain Pearls; those artifacts are far too sinister."
"They’ve gathered ample spiritual materials. The Medical Hall often stocks plenty."
"Five two-hour periods..."
Futu Hermit wasn’t skilled in Artifact Refining. Hu Wen had moderate expertise, while Han Cai could barely manage, but completing eighty items within the time frame was impossible.
The three hurried back to the brothel, only to find Li Mo already piecing together the details of their dispute through observation.
"If it’s Low Grade Magic Device Prototypes, I should be able to manage."
With time left before new auction items went on the market, all cultivators focused their attention on the battle for the Xiu Bone Pill.
Li Mo sat steadily before the window, entering an intense state of concentration within moments.
"Artifact Refining is my specialty."