And those cultivators who couldn't afford the price in the first place naturally didn't dare to speak up rashly at this moment.
Before, they didn't know He Song's identity.
They thought He Song's cultivation was merely Foundation Establishment.
Bidding openly didn't matter much.
After all, He Song hadn't revealed his cultivation level at that time, and it wasn't a big deal for Foundation Establishment cultivators to compete against each other.
But now that He Song had clearly indicated his identity.
When He Song spoke up, participating in the contest for this cultivator's Golden Core, He Song's identity automatically transformed from the previous Foundation Establishment True Person to a Golden Core True Lord.
A Golden Core True Lord was bidding against other Golden Core True Lords.
How could those Foundation Establishment True Persons possibly participate?
Speaking up at this time would likely not only offend He Song instantly but also offend the other Golden Core True Lords as well.
At that point, what might happen next would naturally be unknown.
Under these circumstances, even though no one followed up for a long time after He Song made his bid.
The auction hall remained quiet.
Only the female Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Treasure Gathering Pavilion.
After seeing this situation persist and waiting for a long while, finally spoke again.
"One hundred sixty thousand mid-grade spirit stones, going once."
"One hundred sixty thousand..."
The price of one hundred sixty thousand mid-grade spirit stones wasn't too high.
But it wasn't low either.
According to He Song's previous estimation, the price of a cultivator's Golden Core was between one hundred fifty thousand and two hundred thousand.
Under these circumstances, the venue had been silent for so long.
Naturally, it was time to start the countdown and put pressure on the other hesitant Golden Core True Lords.
The countdown at this moment was naturally intended to make those Golden Core True Lords who were still hesitating speak up and bid again.
And following the words of the female Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Treasure Gathering Pavilion.
Those Golden Core True Lords who had repeatedly bid, pushing the price of this cultivator's Golden Core all the way up to one hundred fifty thousand mid-grade spirit stones.
After He Song raised it to one hundred sixty thousand mid-grade spirit stones in one go.
Having hesitated multiple times, were now extremely hesitant at this moment.
He Song being able to raise the price by ten thousand mid-grade spirit stones with his first bid was enough to show his determination to obtain this cultivator's Golden Core.
This move, while certainly intended to scare off other competitors.
The simpler the method, the more practical it often was.
At this moment, almost all the Golden Core True Lords who had previously bid fell into hesitation.
Continue bidding?
The price would likely be raised significantly again very soon.
At that point, even if they bought this cultivator's Golden Core, they would likely lose quite a few spirit stones.
It might be better to wait and use something else as a substitute, like a demonic beast's beast core.
Don't continue bidding?
This cultivator's Golden Core was likely about to fall into He Song's hands.
Moreover, the female Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Treasure Gathering Pavilion had started the countdown.
All these factors combined intensified the hesitant look on their faces.
However.
In the end, none of these Golden Core True Lords spoke up again to raise the price further.
After the female Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Treasure Gathering Pavilion finished the countdown, He Song smoothly won the bid for this cultivator's Golden Core.
However, when the two parties proceeded with the transaction later.
He Song saw a rather unexpected figure in his private box.
"I am Shadow Fox, greetings fellow Daoist."
"I wonder if fellow Daoist will pay with spirit stones, or exchange with other treasures?"
True Lord Shadow Fox had actually come in person, delivering the cultivator's Golden Core won by He Song to He Song's private box.
And when He Song saw True Lord Shadow Fox and the jade box containing the cultivator's Golden Core in his hand.
He gradually understood.
The place he was currently in was a gathering place for Foundation Establishment True Persons.
Meaning, although his identity in others' eyes was undoubtedly that of a Golden Core True Lord.
But, there was always a 'what if'.
What if He Song's identity was actually that of someone from a Foundation Establishment family that had persisted for countless years, possessing abundant treasures and spirit stones?
Under the circumstance of suddenly obtaining such a valuable treasure, personal safety would naturally be paramount.
And now, True Lord Shadow Fox had come personally, without even bringing any other Treasure Gathering Pavilion cultivators.
This situation was likely deliberately arranged by True Lord Shadow Fox, not wanting the situation within this private box to be known by others.
If only he alone knew the situation in this private box, then even if things were truly as he suspected, the person within this box would remain safe and sound.
And if the person in this box had cultivation reaching the Golden Core Realm.
Then, him coming alone wouldn't be considered impolite either.
This situation was perhaps the reason why True Lord Shadow Fox came personally and didn't bring anyone else.
Moreover, when True Lord Shadow Fox spoke, he didn't probe He Song's cultivation details, nor did he make any attempts to test him, seemingly just here for the transaction.
Thinking this way.
The Treasure Gathering Pavilion's protection for its customers was actually quite well done.
Even the Golden Core Pavilion Master of a main Treasure Gathering Pavilion could show such consideration for a customer.
No wonder the Treasure Gathering Pavilion could stand tall in the cultivation world for so long.
Of course, there was actually another explanation for this situation.
That was, True Lord Shadow Fox didn't want others to know the identity of the cultivator in this private box.
If only he alone knew the identity of the cultivator in this box.
Then, even if the cultivator in this box were to disappear hereafter, no one would point the finger at him.
However, the possibility of this guess was somewhat low.
It merely flickered briefly in He Song's mind before being cast aside.
But even so.
He Song immediately raised his guard.
One cannot be without vigilance against others.
He Song highly valued his own life and fortune.
After the thought flashed through his mind and he prepared himself to fight the True Person Shadow Fox before him at any moment.
A trace of amiability also flashed in He Song's gaze as he looked at True Lord Shadow Fox.
"Greetings, Daoist Shadow Fox. Although I have quite a few spirit stones, they have other uses."
"For this transaction, I'm afraid I'll have to trouble fellow Daoist to take a look at the value of these Golden Core spirit pills and Golden Core spirit talismans."
After speaking, He Song cupped his hands and offered a storage bag.
Seeing True Lord Shadow Fox take it and examine it carefully, he then waited quietly.
Just as He Song said.
Although he had quite a few spirit stones, he couldn't take them all out at once.
Especially since He Song could also deploy formations to enhance his own strength, it was even more impossible.
The amount of spirit stones He Song possessed was also part of his own strength.
Thus, for spending one hundred sixty thousand mid-grade spirit stones to bid for this cultivator's Golden Core this time, He Song could only pay with the Golden Core items he had on him.
These Golden Core spirit pills and Golden Core spirit talismans given by He Song should be worth more than one hundred sixty thousand mid-grade spirit stones.
These were also the vast majority of Golden Core items He Song possessed.
As for the rest, they had all been exchanged by He Song for mid-grade spirit stones and kept in his storage bag.
And when True Lord Shadow Fox took the storage bag from He Song and counted all the Golden Core items within.
The expression on True Lord Shadow Fox's face also changed slightly.
These Golden Core items provided by He Song had already indirectly verified He Song's identity.
At this moment, He Song's identity had undergone an earth-shattering change in his eyes.
Originally.
He thought he was just an ordinary Golden Core True Lord.
Just skilled at concealment and liking to hide himself in the shadows, waiting for opportunities.
But now.
After taking the storage bag from He Song and discovering a large number of Golden Core spirit pills and Golden Core spirit talismans inside.
True Lord Shadow Fox's mind also generated numerous speculations about He Song's identity.
This was a Golden Core True Lord proficient in both Pill Dao and Talisman Dao, who also liked to hide himself in the shadows and was extremely cautious.
After thoughts about He Song flashed through his mind.
A sharp glint also appeared in True Lord Shadow Fox's eyes as he looked at He Song.
Proficient in Pill Dao and Talisman Dao.
Such a Golden Core True Lord might have extensive dealings with the Treasure Gathering Pavilion.
Moreover, if they could continuously acquire output from such a Golden Core True Lord proficient in Pill Dao and Talisman Dao.
The Treasure Gathering Pavilion would gain a continuous source channel for Golden Core spirit pills and Golden Core spirit talismans.
Furthermore, judging by He Song's extremely cautious way of doing things, He Song could likely live for a very long time.
Meaning, for a very long period, He Song could continuously provide the Treasure Gathering Pavilion with large quantities of Golden Core spirit pills and Golden Core spirit talismans.
Thinking about it this way, He Song's existence might indeed be worth courting.
After all.
This place was Smoke Cloud Prefecture.
Bordering the Myriad Demon Realm.
In such a place, Golden Core spirit pills and Golden Core spirit talismans naturally became hard currency.
Any Golden Core True Lord passing through here would definitely need these two items and would purchase them in large quantities.
Even the Golden Core True Lords within Smoke Cloud Prefecture would almost always come to the Treasure Gathering Pavilion when purchasing these two items.
Thus, a Golden Core True Lord like He Song, suspected of being proficient in Pill Dao and Talisman Dao, and capable of stably producing these two items long-term.
Would naturally become a target for recruitment.
In other words.
At this moment, True Lord Shadow Fox already had the idea of long-term cooperation with He Song.
He just didn't know if He Song would actually cooperate with him.
With this thought in mind, True Lord Shadow Fox looked at He Song, his eyes now showing deep sincerity.
"May I know fellow Daoist's name? And where did these Golden Core spirit pills and Golden Core spirit talismans come from?"
"My words are presumptuous, I hope fellow Daoist won't take offense."
"If fellow Daoist has any difficulties, I naturally won't press further."
"It's just... as the Pavilion Master of the Treasure Gathering Pavilion in this Smoke Cloud Prefecture, I do have a matter I wish to discuss with fellow Daoist."
"I hope fellow Daoist can truthfully inform me of the origin of these two items."
"I would be extremely grateful."
"To show my sincerity, please look, fellow Daoist."
As True Lord Shadow Fox spoke with sincerity and offered a storage bag to He Song.
He Song, who had felt surprised upon first hearing True Lord Shadow Fox's words, couldn't help but feel a trace of curiosity.
Wanting to know his Dharma title.
Also wanting to ask where these Golden Core spirit pills and Golden Core spirit talismans came from.
And having something to discuss with him.
Subsequently, even returning the storage bag he had previously handed over, gesturing for him to check it.
What exactly was this True Lord Shadow Fox up to?
With surprise and curiosity, He Song pondered briefly.
This place was the auction hall for the Treasure Gathering Pavilion's once-a-decade auction.
Even if True Lord Shadow Fox had truly tampered with something in the storage bag.
With his mid-stage Golden Core cultivation, nothing untoward could possibly happen.
After all, True Lord Shadow Fox's cultivation was only mid-stage Golden Core, comparable to his own.
Under the same realm, if True Lord Shadow Fox fought him, at most it would be an even match.
Neither could do anything to the other.
Under such circumstances, he could naturally check the returned storage bag at will without worrying about any danger.
Thoughts flashed through his mind, He Song took the storage bag.
Probing with his divine sense.
A look of surprise immediately flashed in his eyes.
Inside the storage bag, the originally numerous Golden Core spirit pills and Golden Core spirit talismans had mostly disappeared.
But some still remained.
Currently, the combined value of the Golden Core spirit pills and Golden Core spirit talismans inside the storage bag was roughly several thousand mid-grade spirit stones.
Meaning, the sincerity mentioned by True Lord Shadow Fox was these Golden Core spirit pills and Golden Core spirit talismans worth several thousand mid-grade spirit stones.
This sincerity was indeed sincere enough!
Several thousand mid-grade spirit stones were just for He Song to see the sincerity.
If the two sides discussed something further, wouldn't he be able to earn even more?
This thought flashed through He Song's mind.
At the same time, he also knew that this thought was what True Lord Shadow Fox wanted to convey to him.
But.
Why exactly was this?
Could it be that seeing the Golden Core spirit pills and Golden Core spirit talismans he provided led to associations about his identity.
Thinking he was a Golden Core True Lord proficient in alchemy and talisman crafting, wanting to discuss something with him?
Various guesses flashed through He Song's mind in an instant.
At the same time, he also had a dawning realization about the sincerity mentioned by True Lord Shadow Fox before him.
He had never met True Lord Shadow Fox before.
And this first meeting, he had only provided that storage bag earlier.
Under these circumstances, True Lord Shadow Fox being able to say such words must mean that the contents of that storage bag had sparked his associations.
After realizing this point, He Song immediately understood what True Lord Shadow Fox wanted to do.
A Golden Core True Lord proficient in alchemy and talisman crafting.
What such a person could bring to a Treasure Gathering Pavilion Master, He Song was naturally crystal clear.
As long as he could establish a connection with He Song, it represented a continuous supply of Golden Core spirit pills and Golden Core spirit talismans.
Furthermore, if He Song also had disciples and grand-disciples, perhaps there would even be a continuous supply of high-quality Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment spirit pills, as well as spirit talismans.
End of Chapter