Chapter 58 The Grand Auction

At the entrance of the core district, Physician Bai watched Li Ji'an and his two companions approach, a benevolent smile creaking across his aged face as he nodded inwardly.

"Ah, to be young!"

Alchemist Zou did not look directly at Li Ji'an and Duanmu Qin walking side by side, only sweeping a glance from the corner of his eye while the corners of his mouth twitched slightly.

A surge of sour envy rose within him.

A Foundation Establishment female cultivator, naturally blessed with alluring bones and highly skilled in the arts of rhythm—which male cultivator wouldn't desire such a woman?

If one could take her as a Dao companion, the pleasures would be endless.

Even that willow-slim waist alone could be fondled for a decade!

"Indeed, to be young is wonderful." Array Master Qian secretly glanced at the daringly high slit of Duanmu Qin's skirt and unconsciously swallowed a mouthful of saliva.

Tailor Zhou cast a side-long glance at him. "I suspect it has very little to do with age, does it?"

The others snapped out of their thoughts and turned to look at Array Master Qian.

Among the male rogue cultivators, Array Master Qian was one of the very few who had taken a Youth-Preserving Pill, and he still retained the appearance of a man in his twenties.

After all, for ordinary rogue cultivators in their twenties or thirties, the Youth-Preserving Pill was a luxury item. Some female cultivators who were extremely obsessed with their youth might spare no expense to purchase it to preserve their looks.

Male cultivators, however, during the prime years when they should be striving for success, generally paid little attention to the marks left by the passage of time.

By the time an ordinary male rogue cultivator finally acquired the financial resources to afford a Youth-Preserving Pill, the traces of aging were usually irreversible, and they simply let nature take its course.

Late-blooming rogue cultivators like Physician Bai and Alchemist Zou only truly attained such financial capability when they were already seventy or eighty years old.

Hearing this, Array Master Qian's face immediately flushed with indignation. "Old hag Zhou, what do you mean by that? Aren't you just trying to say I'm ugly?"

"Is it this old woman's fault then?" Tailor Zhou unconcernedly drew out an embroidery needle.

"Hmph!" Array Master Qian turned on his heel and hid behind the tower-like figure of Hua Hongling.

"Whoever can turn my figure into something like that vixen's, I'll drag my master back and make him forge iron day and night for them." Hua Hongling watched Duanmu Qin's swaying waist, her eyes burning with envious red.

"Forgive the wait, fellow Daoists," Li Ji'an said, cupping his hands in a salute.

"Haha, Fellow Daoist Li, when shall we be invited to drink your wedding wine?" Physician Bai teased.

"I trust Fellow Daoist Li isn't as stingy as certain people; you wouldn't short us on a wedding banquet, would you?"

"Hmph!"

...

Duanmu Qin wore a beaming smile. Whether by intention or coincidence, when she reached the group, she happened to fall half a step behind Li Ji'an, appearing precisely like a virtuous wife highlighting her man's status.

During the exchange of pleasantries, she remained silent, merely maintaining that graceful smile.

"Haha, fellow Daoists, you misunderstand. Fellow Daoist Qin and I have just concluded a transaction, which is why we are leaving the manor together," Li Ji'an explained.

"Little Li, your alchemy skills have truly surpassed the master. You should consider finding a Dao companion and spreading your lineage. I dare not speak for others, but with your current mastery of alchemy, you have saved up a considerable fortune. You need only wait for some spiritual vein dojo to be put up for sale, and you can establish a cultivation family capable of being passed down for a hundred generations. You would be the patriarch of this lineage, praised by descendants for eternity." Alchemist Zou, maintaining his habitual demeanor and tone as an elder, offered his instruction.

Li Ji'an, as always, gave him full respect. "Thank you for your guidance, Master Zou. I will consider it."

Alchemist Zou had no other flaws besides his overwhelming pride.

As long as he was given due respect and offered a graceful way out, he was clever enough to step down on his own.

Ever since Li Ji'an had refined top-grade Serene-Jade Pills years ago and addressed him as "Master Zou," he had consistently maintained that persona ever since.

Even later, when many of his original clients left him to become Li Ji'an's patrons, he simply remarked that the student had surpassed the teacher, expressing his gratification.

"Mm. I happen to have another alchemy formula of considerable utility. Come by another day," Alchemist Zou nodded sagely. Out of the corner of his eye, he took another close look at Duanmu Qin, and his envy grew even sourer.

With that, the group set off together toward the auction venue.

***

"Fellow Daoists, please stay a moment." Just as they passed the Immortal City Administration Office, Manager Qi called out from behind to stop them.

"Manager Qi, what has you in such a panic?" Physician Bai spoke on behalf of the group.

Manager Qi's expression was unsightly.

As the affairs surrounding the Great Marsh Mountain ruins fermented, the pressure on the Immortal City increased dramatically.

What made things most distressing was that the Qi clan of Myriad Swords was currently blocked outside the mountain ranges by the Azure Cloud Sect and unable to come through. He had not slept peacefully for two consecutive years, and his sea of consciousness was severely depleted.

"Alas, fellow Daoists must exercise utmost caution recently. Word has come from the main clan that a notoriously ruthless gang of thieves from the two northern prefectures—known as the Blood-Handed Butchers—has definitively slipped through the small trail on the eastern side of the mountains and arrived in our territory."

"The Blood-Handed Butchers have come to Cangyun Prefecture!" Hua Hongling gasped in shock.

"That is truly dangerous," Duanmu Qin's expression changed instantly as well.

Both of them had come from the two northern prefectures and had long heard of this gang's infamy.

"What kind of bandit cultivators are they? What is their cultivation level, and what methods do they use?" Array Master Qian asked with a solemn expression.

Hua Hongling took a deep breath. "It is a small gang of at least three to six members. The leader reached the mid-Foundation Establishment realm thirty years ago; he is ruthless and extremely cunning.

Thirty years ago in Tianyuan Prefecture's Chasing-Sun Immortal City, I witnessed with my own eyes the atrocities they committed. An entire alchemist's family was slaughtered, and every single cultivator among them had their dantian excavated. The scene was too horrific to behold."

"Indeed, it is rumored that this gang likely consists of orphans from the demonic path, practicing some sort of demonic technique that devours the dantians of others to strengthen themselves," Duanmu Qin added.

Manager Qi nodded. "The most critical point is that this gang has never failed. They understand human nature intimately and are extraordinarily cautious. It is said they possess some unknown divine ability—oh, right, there is likely a second-tier talisman master among them. And they specifically target second-tier craft masters like yourselves."

Hearing this, the rest of the group turned grave.

Only Li Ji'an raised an eyebrow. "What magical artifacts are they proficient in?"

"Giant axes!" the three informed individuals said in unison.

"..." Li Ji'an's breathing paused slightly.

He looked at the three of them with a somewhat dazed expression.

Were they really that formidable?

Yet, he nodded inwardly a moment later.

Had his spiritual sense not vastly surpassed the ordinary, failing to see through their disguises, he would never have dispatched Guagua—whose stealth abilities were extraordinary—to track them.

If he hadn't learned of their plot in advance...

Well, even then, it wouldn't have been a massive problem. At worst, three top-tier second-tier Golden-Awl Talismans combined with a natal Fiery-Halberd Talisman... No, the opponent also possessed second-tier talismans and that top-quality giant axe artifact... In the end, it truly might have come down to a duel between second-tier body refiners...

Pondering silently, Li Ji'an concurred with their assessment.

Had they not chosen to target him and instead gone after anyone else present, the villains likely would have succeeded.

This also proved that the gang was genuinely prudent, only picking targets they were entirely certain of defeating.

Following this revelation, everyone instantly became alert.

Even Alchemist Zou, who had originally intended to make heavy purchases at the auction, began to hesitate about whether he should flash his wealth.

Soon, however, all eyes turned to Li Ji'an.

"Alchemist Li, you'd best stop accepting commissions to refine pills for others for the time being. One cannot be too careful," Tailor Zhou warned.

"True, the business of refining pills for others carries a genuine risk for both Alchemist Li and Alchemist Zou, and... as Manager Qi mentioned, they are very cunning and never fight battles without certainty," Physician Bai agreed.

"Alchemist Li shouldn't worry excessively either. As long as we don't invite wolves into the house, the seven of us joining forces need not fear them," Hua Hongling said in a low, firm voice.

...

Both Li Ji'an and Alchemist Zou nodded in agreement.

Before long, the group arrived at the auction house.

***

A person in charge from the Qi family hurriedly guided them to the second-floor VIP seating.

Although the items put up for auction this time were provided by the Azure Cloud Sect, the event was managed by the Immortal City personnel. Li Ji'an and the other six represented the senior luminaries of the Immortal City, second only to the branches of major trade associations, and served as the technical pillars who brought immense popularity to the city every year.

Their status was in no way inferior to the ancestors of typical Foundation Establishment families within Cangyun Prefecture.

"Alchemist Li, Alchemist Zou, Physician Bai, Artisan Hua..." Many people stood up along the way to offer greetings.

Most of them centered their respects around Li Ji'an, given that an alchemist's scope of business was considerably broader.

Entering the VIP box, the group was quickly infected by the bustling atmosphere of the venue.

"What kind of rare treasures do you suppose the upper sect will bring out?"

"Second-tier medicinal herbs and forging materials should be present. Talisman materials will likely be absent."

"It shouldn't be too shabby; otherwise, it might produce the opposite of the desired effect."

...

"The auction officially begins!" After the customary opening speech extolling the merits of the Azure Cloud Sect and the painstaking efforts they had undertaken for the safety and stability of Cangyun Prefecture, the event finally commenced.

"First lot: a five-hundred-year-old Nine-Star Poria mushroom. Starting bid: two thousand spirit stones..."

Boom!

As the first lot was unveiled, the entire hall erupted into a frenzy.

Even Li Ji'an had not expected the Azure Cloud Sect to display such sincerity this time around.

The primary ingredient for the Foundation Establishment Pill was being brought out directly for auction.

This was undoubtedly the most enticing lot for ninety percent of the rogue cultivators in Cangyun Prefecture.

"At five hundred years old, it means the herb matured through self-propagation... which implies that spiritual energy has continuously existed within that ruin, and the medicinal potency of the herb garden has been preserved..."

The next moment, bidding erupted across the hall.

It was eventually sold for five thousand eight hundred spirit stones—a slightly inflated price.

After all, given current market rates, gathering the remaining ingredients for a Foundation Establishment Pill would require roughly another two thousand five hundred spirit stones, bringing the total base cost to eight thousand three hundred spirit stones. Furthermore, ordinary second-tier alchemists had a higher probability of successfully yielding two pills, and taking a twenty percent commission in finished pills would push the cost past nine thousand.

Moreover, there was always the risk of alchemy failure, or yielding only a single pill, in which case one's investment would be truly wiped out.

Li Ji_an did not participate in this bidding war. Firstly, after reaching the Foundation Establishment realm—particularly given his status and standing as a second-tier alchemist—acquiring Foundation Establishment Pills had become much less difficult.

Secondly, he still had a very long lifespan remaining in this lifetime, so he was in no rush to prepare Foundation Establishment Pills for his next life; besides, his current alchemy skills and the growth of his fire spirit were not yet sufficient to guarantee top-tier or higher quality.

Thirdly, he needed to exhaust his richly provisioned persona during this auction, dampening the covetous desires of petty individuals as much as possible, hence his preference for bidding on resources he could reasonably and justifiably consume.

Soon, the second lot was brought out.

This time, Li Ji-an resolved that he must secure it at all costs.

"Primary ingredient for the second-tier Longevity-Prolonging Pill: Zhu Yu Fruit. Starting bid: two thousand spirit stones."

A Longevity-Prolonging Pill could extend one's lifespan, its essence lying in locking away the leakage of vitality.

A first-tier Longevity-Prolonging Pill could extend life by three to five years. Repeated consumption yielded diminishing returns, and theoretically, one could take at most two pills; the effect of a third pill was negligible.

A second-tier Longevity-Prolonging Pill could extend life by five to ten years.

A few years prior, Li Ji-an had refined one for the ancestor of a certain family. After analyzing its medicinal properties upon completion, he concluded it was useless to him.

For its principle was merely to lock in the final leakage of vanishing vitality, rather than delaying the onset of vitality's decline.