Afterward, Jiang Xu made his way to the Marketplace, controlling the Spirit-Devouring Insect as he went.

Along the way, Jiang Xu used the Concealing Breath Spell to conceal his presence, searching for Spirit Insects to practice his Insect Control Technique on.

There were no exceptions.

The moment the Spirit-Devouring Insect drew even slightly near those Tier One Spirit Insects, they would begin to tremble in fear. Some even fainted from fright, becoming a little snack for the Spirit-Devouring Insect.

This finally made Jiang Xu realize that the Spirit-Devouring Insect’s noble bloodline was no empty boast.

It was just that its current strength was pathetic; its bloodline was the only thing praiseworthy about it.

’Once I get back to the Marketplace, I need to start preparing to raise the Spirit-Devouring Insect. The Insect Breeding Chapter of the Insect Control Scripture has quite a few methods, but the cost... I have a feeling my Spirit Stones are going to be depleted all over again.’

Jiang Xu worried the entire way.

To restore the Spirit-Devouring Insect to Tier Two would require vast quantities of substances rich in Spiritual Qi.

This could be either a massive amount of Spirit Pills and Spirit Medicines designed for raising Spirit Insects,

or letting the Mother Insect’s numerous Sub-Insects go out to hunt—just like the swarm Jiang Xu had first encountered within the Sect.

If he chose to feed it Spirit Pills, Jiang Xu would likely have to spend the majority of his Spirit Stones.

Letting the Mother Insect hunt was another option, but the risk was much higher. If a Foundation Establishment Master discovered it, he would be in deep trouble.

...

Upon returning to the Marketplace, Jiang Xu first went to check on his small shop. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Perhaps because Jiang Xu had hung a "Temporarily Closed" sign outside, there was no one in front of the store.

Jiang Xu opened the shop door and found the old man still sitting in his original spot.

He was in the exact same position as when Jiang Xu had left.

’How bizarre,’

Jiang Xu thought. He closed the door again and went to other shops.

Upon entering the Duo Bao Pavilion, Jiang Xu began to question an attendant inside.

"Do you have any Spirit Pet Bags?"

"Yes, we do. What kind are you looking for? We have bags specifically for large Spirit Pets, for flying Spirit Pets, for Spirit Insects, for aquatic Spirit Pets, and for pets with the Five Elements Attributes of Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth... We have all different types of Spirit Pet Bags."

"I’ll take the one for Spirit Insects. By the way, do you sell Spirit Insects here?"

The attendant smiled.

"Of course. It’s rare to find something our Duo Bao Pavilion doesn’t carry.

We have the Tier One Lower Grade Bloodthirsty Mosquito. Its strengths are that it matures quickly and has a strong attack. Its weaknesses are its poor Defense, its need for fresh blood during cultivation, and its tendency to enter a frenzy at the sight of blood, which may cause you to lose control of it.

We also have the Tier One Lower Grade Jade Spirit Bee. Its advantage is that it can produce Jade Spirit Honey and also has a strong attack. Its disadvantage is that the worker bees are expendable—they die after they attack."

Seeing the attendant fall silent, Jiang Xu, who had been waiting for her to continue, asked,

"Are there any others?"

The attendant hesitated.

"This branch of the Duo Bao Pavilion currently only has these two types of Spirit Insects in stock."

"Only those two, huh." Jiang Xu couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed.

In truth, Jiang Xu wasn’t particularly picky when it came to Spirit Insects.

He mainly wanted to use them to practice his Insect Control Technique and increase his proficiency.

Still, Jiang Xu thought, ’Since I’m spending Spirit Stones on this, I’d at least like to have more options to consider.’

Seeing Jiang Xu’s disappointment, the attendant said,

"Sir, if you aren’t satisfied with these two, you could attend the auction our Duo Bao Pavilion is holding. There should be a type of Gu Insect up for bidding that might meet your needs."

"An auction?"

Jiang Xu’s interest was piqued.

He had plenty of Spirit Stones now, so naturally, he wanted to purchase some items to increase his strength.

However, despite searching several shops for a good while, Jiang Xu hadn’t found anything he wanted.

He had almost forgotten that the Marketplace even had an auction. The better Treasures were usually sold there.

"Then tell me about this auction."

"Of course, sir. The Marketplace auction is held once a month, with many Treasures on display. If I have the time right, it should be tomorrow. You could go take a look; you might find something unexpected."

Jiang Xu nodded. After purchasing the Spirit Pet Bag for Spirit Insects, he left the Duo Bao Pavilion and awaited the next day.

...

「The next day.」

Jiang Xu arrived at the Marketplace auction.

The auction was held in a magnificent hall. It was exquisitely decorated, its ceiling and walls adorned with gorgeous ornamentation, snow-white jade reliefs, dazzling chandeliers, and a variety of precious artworks.

In the center of the hall stood a large auction stage with an exquisite backdrop. But since the auction had not yet officially begun, the stage was still empty.

The auction hall itself was split into two levels.

The upper level consisted of private boxes, reserved for esteemed guests with plenty of Spirit Stones, such as envoys from Cultivation Sects, Foundation Establishment Cultivators, and members of Cultivation Clans. These guests were usually provided with a list of the items up for auction.

The lower level was comprised of ordinary rows of seats, intended for Qi Cultivation Cultivators like Jiang Xu.

In truth, with his wealth, Jiang Xu could have secured a private box if he had chosen to display it.

However, that would have been too conspicuous. Jiang Xu wasn’t planning on buying much anyway; he was more interested in broadening his horizons. There was no need to draw attention to himself.

Jiang Xu had come to the auction not only to see the Gu Insect but also to buy some Elixirs for Strengthening the Foundation and Nourishing the Essence. If there happened to be any Secret Techniques or Elixirs that could extend one’s lifespan, that would be even better.

Soon, a Foundation Establishment Female Cultivator with enchanting looks and extremely revealing attire emerged from a door at the back of the stage.

Her vermilion lips parted, and a cloyingly sweet voice resounded through the hall.

"This auction is hosted by our Purple Flower Palace. I hope all you fellow cultivators will be generous. It would be just awful if my humble Purple Flower Palace ended up last among all the sponsoring Sects."

As soon as she finished speaking, several voices called out from the private boxes.

"Don’t you worry, Fairy Ding Xiang! Wind and Thunder Manor will certainly show our support!" This came from the cultivator representing Wind and Thunder Manor.

"And the Purple Profound Celestial Ye Family!"

"Wind and Thunder Manor? Don’t make me laugh! You think you have more Spirit Stones than our Profound Origin Sect? Fairy Ding Xiang, just you wait and see!"

...

After a round of flirtatious banter, Fairy Ding Xiang announced the rules of the auction.

"As with previous auctions, each item has a starting price, and the highest bidder wins.

If you lack sufficient Spirit Stones, you may use other items of equivalent value to pay. We will determine the value, for which an appraisal fee will be charged.

Following the auction, there will be an open trading session, which all of you are welcome to attend.

Now, let the auction begin!"

As she finished, an attendant emerged from behind the stage. She carried a brocade box, which she placed on the auction platform upon reaching it.

Fairy Ding Xiang opened the brocade box, revealing a palm-sized bell inside.

"Our first item is a Tier One Upper Grade Supporting Magical Artifact..."