Chapter 124: Arrival at South Port City
The fleet sailed south along the Lancang River, and the journey went quite smoothly.
The river was wide, the current was gentle, and green mountains stretched along both banks; the scenery was quite nice.
For the first few days, it was calm and peaceful, and they didn’t even see a shadow of any river bandits.
Steward Qian was happy to be idle, drinking tea and watching the scenery on the boat every day.
Guest Elder Tu Gang maintained his icy demeanor, spending most of his time meditating in the cabin.
The fat old man, Hou Tong, couldn’t sit still; one moment he was fiddling with his compass, and the next he was shooting the breeze with the boat hands, talking about where the best Spiritual Veins and the most abundant medicinal herbs were in the Southern Frontier.
Fang Hao wasn’t idle either; aside from his daily Cultivation, he studied Formations and occasionally chatted with Hou Tong to ask about the local customs of the Southern Frontier.
Although the fat old man looked unreliable, he was well-traveled and knowledgeable, with real substance in his belly, which gave Fang Hao a better understanding of the Southern Frontier.
After drifting along like this for more than half a month, the fleet finally entered the territory of Nanzhou.
Nanzhou was the southernmost large province of the Mingling Empire, with a hot and humid climate and dense vegetation, completely different from the dry and harsh north.
The number of boats on the river had also significantly increased, with all kinds of vessels, making it appear much more bustling.
One day, the fleet docked at a massive port city: South Port.
This place was truly the gateway to the south of the Empire; the port was so large that one couldn’t see the end of it, filled with boats of all sizes, their masts like a forest.
The pier was bustling with noise, with porters carrying bags, hawkers shouting their wares, and patrolling soldiers; people of all kinds flowed in an endless stream, and the air was filled with a complex mixture of river water, fishy smells, spices, and sweat.
"Guest Elders, we have arrived at South Port!" Steward Qian called everyone to disembark.
"We will rest here for ten days to replenish our supplies, then switch to the land route, traveling through the Southern Wasteland Ancient Path to Hundred Flowers City.
South Port is the largest city in Nanzhou and is very lively. You may explore, but remember not to cause trouble. Gather at the pier on time in ten days!"
Hearing they had ten days of free time, everyone was quite happy.
Having been cooped up on the boat for so long, they had long wanted to get ashore and get some fresh air.
Fang Hao followed the crowd off the ship and walked along the wide streets of South Port.
The city was indeed bustling, with shops lining both sides of the streets selling all kinds of goods.
Many products had a distinct Southern flavor, which could not be seen in the North.
The number of Cultivators had also clearly increased, and they were dressed in various styles, with many Loose Cultivators who looked like they were from deep in the Southern Frontier or overseas islands, possessing a fierce Aura.
He first found a clean inn in the city to stay, then planned to visit the local market to see if he could find any useful items, while also inquiring about news regarding forming golden core or Pill Formulas.
Just as he reached the entrance of the busiest market in the city center, he saw a large crowd gathered in front of a massive bulletin wall, pointing and discussing animatedly.
"The Spirit Treasure Pavilion is holding another auction! The annual grand auction!"
"There are quite a few good things this time! I heard the grand finale is an Ancient Treasure!"
"Yes, yes, the list has already been posted!"
Fang Hao’s heart stirred, and he squeezed over to take a look.
On the wall was a huge, exquisitely crafted poster radiating Spiritual Qi, with "South Port Spirit Treasure Pavilion Jiazi Auction Grand Event" written in a flamboyant style, and below it was a dense list of auction items.
His gaze quickly scanned the list: Medicinal Pills, Magical Artifacts, Materials, Cultivation Techniques... there were many varieties, and the grades were not low.
Suddenly, his gaze fixed on an entry towards the middle-back of the list, and his heart skipped a beat!
[Auction Item Number: Seventy-three]
[Item Name: Grade 4 Top-Tier Pill Formula — forming golden core (Incomplete)]
[Item Description: An ancient refining method for the forming golden core, slightly incomplete, missing some auxiliary ingredient ratios and heat control details, but the main ingredients are complete, the refining logic is clear, and it has great research value.]
[Starting Bid: 800,000 Low-Grade Spirit Stones]
forming golden core Pill Formula! Even though it was incomplete!
Fang Hao’s eyes instantly lit up! His breathing grew a bit rapid!
Truly, it was like searching high and low for something only to find it without any effort!
He was just worrying about where to get a Pill Formula, and here it was at the South Port Spirit Treasure Pavilion’s auction!
Although it was incomplete, the main ingredients were complete and the logic was clear!
For him, this was like charcoal in snowy weather!
With this Pill Formula, he could try to collect the medicinal herbs himself and research the refining process!
It was much better than being completely in the dark and searching aimlessly!
"I must secure it!" Fang Hao immediately made up his mind.
This Pill Formula was too important to him!
He quickly checked the time of the auction, which was in three days.
The location was the main store of the Spirit Treasure Pavilion in the city center.
"Starting bid of 800,000 Low-Grade Spirit Stones..." Fang Hao touched his storage ring and began to calculate.
His current net worth mainly came from killing the Elders of the Gong Ming Family in Black Rock City, as well as the rewards from the Prince’s Mansion.
He had about eight or nine million Low-Grade Spirit Stones and over a hundred thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stones.
It sounded like a lot, but for an auction of this level, especially for a hot item like the forming golden core Pill Formula, it might not be enough.
After all, there were too many Foundation Establishment Cultivators in need of the forming golden core!
The disciples of those great Families and major Sects would definitely bid desperately.
"I must find a way to get more Spirit Stones!" Fang Hao felt the pressure.
He immediately turned around, stopped wandering, and headed straight to the largest herb shops and material stores in South Port.
He wanted to dispose of all the useless spoils of war in his storage ring, such as the Magical Artifacts and Materials he had looted from the Gong Ming Family, as well as the Medicinal Pills and Talismans he had refined before but were of average quality, and exchange them for Spirit Stones!
Even if the price was lower, he needed to liquidate them quickly!
For the next three days, Fang Hao was like a spinning top, running back and forth between the major shops in South Port, bargaining and selling supplies.
At the same time, he also closely monitored news about the auction, inquiring about potential competitors.
By the night before the auction, Fang Hao checked all his assets: he had gathered about 11 million Low-Grade Spirit Stones and 200,000 Mid-Grade Spirit Stones.
This was all the liquid capital he could muster.
"I hope I can win the bid..." Fang Hao looked at the small mountain of Spirit Stone cards on the table and took a deep breath.
He knew this auction would definitely not be easy.
Three days passed in a flash.
The highly anticipated Spirit Treasure Pavilion Jiazi Auction was finally about to begin.
Fang Hao woke up early, put on an inconspicuous gray robe, restrained his Aura, and walked towards the magnificent Spirit Treasure Pavilion in the city center.
A battle of Spirit Stones concerning his Dao path was about to begin.
