Chapter 133: Reencountering the Cangyan Sect

Chapter 133: Reencountering the Cangyan Sect (Triple-Length Chapter)

A tide of congratulations surged through the air.

All cultivators inside and outside Qianzhu Hall turned their attention to the arriving guests.

Qianzhu Zhenren personally stepped forward from the rooftop terrace, smiling as he bowed deeply to the newcomers. "What an honor to welcome Golden Cudgel Fellow Cultivator, Jade Sand Fellow Cultivator, and Bright Flame Fellow Cultivator to our humble abode!"

"Your presence at Bright Moon Junior Apprentice’s ceremony brings immense glory to Qianzhu Hall. Pray, enter and share in this celebration."

The three Golden Core Zhenren, hovering midair, nodded in unison before descending step by step onto the rooftop.

Xiao Chen observed from below, noting the subtle details. Qianzhu Zhenren greeted the central figure, Golden Cudgel Zhenren, first, then turned to Jade Sand Zhenren on the left, finally acknowledging Mingyan Zhenren himself.

The order was telling.

Xiao Chen glanced at the long line of Foundation-Stage cultivators from various sects queuing to present gifts. Cangyan Sect, accompanying Golden Cudgel Zhenren, had nearly 150 disciples—easily the largest entourage. In stark contrast, Sihai Sect with Jade Sand Zhenren numbered only about sixty. The disparity was glaring.

Curious, Xiao Chen turned to Elder Chen. "Master, it seems fewer cultivators from Sihai Sect have come than expected."

Elder Chen frowned. "Indeed. Many familiar faces are missing. Perhaps urgent matters bind the sect?"

Urgent matters? Xiao Chen mused. What could possibly outweigh attending the Feixian Ceremony?

He recalled intelligence from Chen Tianfeng: war had erupted in Hezhou. Sihai Sect’s proximity to the region raised alarms. Could they have dispatched cultivators to Hezhou to counter the Divine Flame Cult?

Not a good omen. He hoped Hezhou’s cultivators could halt the Cult’s advance before Li Zhou faced the flames of war.

Wait— Another thought struck him. If Sihai Sect has mobilized, might Lihuo Sect follow? The "fall of the lips chills the teeth" proverb applied here. Supporting Hezhou seemed inevitable.

"From Lihuo Sect’s Chen Tianyang, three taels of Heavy Water Spirit Sand!"

As the announcer’s voice rang out, Xiao Chen realized the line had reached the entrance. Heavy Water Spirit Sand, a water-attribute counterpart to the Blazing Light variant, carried similar value.

How much is this stuff worth? He recalled consuming nearly a catty of Blazing Light Spirit Sand to advance Yan Xia to the Mastery Realm—a cost of over 3,000 spirit stones. Effective, but progress here came at a literal price.

"From Lihuo Sect’s Xiao Chen, a Four-Leaf Golden Peach!"

Xiao Chen inscribed his name on the gift register as an attendant dutifully announced his offering. Scanning the list, he noted most gifts were Spirit Herbs valued around 1,000 spirit stones.

Inside, a long table overflowed with treasures stretching to the staircase. For a heartbeat, a reckless idea flashed—scoop it all into a storage bag and vanish.

But glancing at the anchored spiritual vessels outside, he sighed. His escape speed wasn’t that extraordinary.

"Those wishing to sell items, please come this way!"

A late-Stage Foundation cultivator beckoned from the second floor. "Early viewing of auction lots is also available."

Xiao Chen indeed had a prime candidate: his Foundation-Stage Pills. While all attendees were Foundation cultivators, many would seek pills for disciples or juniors. This crowd guaranteed a premium price.

Guided by a maid, he entered a private chamber where a cultivator in a mandarin jacket bowed. "Jia Shiyi reporting, Senior. What item shall you consign?"

No pleasantries. Xiao Chen produced seven Foundation-Stage Pills. "A batch of pills. Preferably sold individually."

"Senior, please wait."

Jia Shiyi examined each pill under a white glow before sealing them in a storage box, handing Xiao Chen a numbered token. "Keep this as proof."

The maid led him onward to the exhibition hall. Qianzhu Bazaar’s curated auction items already dazzled: superior-grade magic artifacts, centuries-old spirit wine, central domain spirit tea, rare-bloodline spirit beasts, and potent spirit pills. At the center, a top-grade folding fan artifact gleamed.

"Six Harmonies Spirit Water! Five-Luster Mysterious Water!" Xiao Chen marveled. Eastern Domain spirit pearls, Blazing Light Spirit Sand, and Spirit Nourishing Pills filled every display.

Only problem? His spirit stone reserves. Prioritizing purchases became critical—which treasures warrant fierce bidding, and which can wait?

As he studied the exhibits, a familiar voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Qiming, isn’t that…?"

Xiong Qiming, Patriarch of the Xiong Clan, recognized Xiao Chen’s silhouette instantly—the youth who’d once spent 4,000 spirit stones to claim the Millennium Sword Bamboo.

"Qiliang, look closely", he murmured.

Xiong Qiliang’s eyes widened. "He’s already Foundation-Stage?!"

Recalling the summer’s events—the Shi Valley auction, the clan’s subsequent marriage contest for their third miss, and Xiao Chen’s abrupt departure after refusing their overtures—both brothers felt regret.

What if we’d offered more? Xiong Qiming wondered.

Xiong Qiliang, however, fixated on another mystery. Why target Millennium Sword Bamboo so specifically? After Xiao Chen’s departure, he’d learned of the youth’s ten-day retreat before returning solely for that auction.

Could he be treading the Heavenly Path Foundation? The thought electrified him. Li Zhou hadn’t seen such a prodigy in over a century. Yet the evidence—rapid advancement and obsession with a rare bamboo—hinted at possibilities.

Meanwhile, Ji Ziheng of the Ji Clan also spotted Xiao Chen. He remembered the spectacle of spirit stones clattering to the floor during the Houtu Robe auction.

Still splurging on top-tier treasures? Ji Ziheng mused. Who is this genius? Even now, 4,000 spirit stones would strain him without family support.

Tian Jianning, too, watched warily. He’d abandoned his bid for the Millennium Sword Bamboo last summer, intimidated by Xiao Chen’s relentless bidding. Now, he simply felt grateful not to have competed.

The aftermath of that incident caused immediate tension with his nephew Tian Xunjian’s branch of the family.

Many Tian family members also felt it was deeply humiliating that a mere Foundation Building cultivator had been bested by someone from a lower cultivation stage.

After hearing this criticism repeatedly, Tian Jianning himself occasionally began questioning whether he’d been overly cautious that day.

But now, seeing Xiao Chen had already reached Foundation Building, he felt vindicated in his earlier decision.

If he had engaged Xiao Chen in a bidding war back then, they would’ve only enriched the Xiong Clan with a huge influx of spirit stones while alienating a future Foundation Building expert.

In just one year, Xiao Chen had already achieved Foundation Building—clearly no ordinary talent.

This made Tian Jianning inwardly curious about Xiao Chen’s origins. Which celestial genius family did he belong to?

Xiao Chen had been examining auction items when suddenly he sensed multiple gazes scrutinizing him.

Turning around, he spotted the Xiong Clan’s two brothers, the man he’d met before—Ji Ziheng—and the Tian family’s Foundation Building cultivator who’d competed with him earlier.

He immediately understood. Since he hadn’t concealed his identity back then, they must’ve recognized him.

Smiling slightly, he nodded in greeting before returning to the auction catalog.

But in that brief moment, Lu Wuqiang, the Dark Hall Elder of the Cangyan Sect, had also spotted Xiao Chen from across the hall.

Six months ago, the Lihuo Sect’s crackdown on demonic cultivators in Lihui had disrupted Cangyan Sect’s spies. With the Hezhou region in turmoil and war looming, Lu Wuqiang had been dispatched there to gather intelligence on the Divine Flame Cult.

He’d only just returned to Lihui and hadn’t yet checked on the progress of his earlier assignments.

Seeing Xiao Chen alive and well at Qianzhu Pavilion now, Lu Wuqiang’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Damn it! They’d guarded against everything except this.

Xiao Chen had still managed to breakthrough to Foundation Building.

Unlike the others, he immediately recognized Xiao Chen’s identity.

No wonder the two teams he’d sent earlier had vanished without a trace.

If Xiao Chen was alive and thriving, those teams had clearly failed.

The Pruning Plan had consumed massive sect resources, yet Lihuo Sect’s offshoot—represented by Xiao Chen—hadn’t only survived but grown stronger.

This was a stain on his career!

Lu Wuqiang’s gaze darkened with hatred.

He should’ve realized earlier—those men were incompetent. He needed to send better killers.

Now, he wondered if Xiao Chen suspected his earlier attempts.

His knowledge of Xiao Chen ran deeper—he knew Xiao Chen had risen from Qi Condensation Stage 1 to Foundation Building in just two years.

This realization filled him with unease.

At this rate, Xiao Chen might surpass even him within years.

What if Xiao Chen already had clues and was merely biding his time to settle scores?

Lu Wuqiang’s eyes flickered with cold calculation.

The only solution was to eliminate this threat preemptively.

After all, Xiao Chen was still a low-tier spirit root cultivator.

His Foundation Building stage was less than a year old—how formidable could he be?

If handled swiftly, there was still time.

Lu Wuqiang had been a Foundation Building Late Stage cultivator for years.

He’d personally eliminated several disobedient Foundation Building experts in minor sect families.

His combat experience was formidable.

Of course, the ascension ceremony wasn’t the right place for action.

But no matter. Lu Wuqiang resolved to assign more surveillance on Xiao Chen.

Next time, he’d intervene personally—failure wasn’t an option.

Xiao Chen browsed the exhibition hall before ascending the staircase to the third floor.

Earlier arrivals were already seated at round tables according to their relationships.

“Xiao Chen, come sit here.”

Steward Chen waved him over to a table with an empty seat.

Looking cheerful, the steward eagerly introduced cultivators from other sects.

“To our right are the three major merchant guilds of the Sihai Sect. Any rare treasures today will likely come from them.”

Xiao Chen knew Lihuo Sect had five great families, Cangyan Sect six, while Sihai Sect uniquely organized itself into three merchant guilds.

These guilds, formed by multiple Foundation Building families, maintained both camaraderie and rivalry.

They’d profited immensely from Lihui’s trade but suffered heavily with the Divine Flame Cult’s rise.

If any sect wanted to resist the Divine Flame Cult, it was Sihai.

Likewise, if any place had the latest novelties, it was Sihai.

Servers now placed spirit wine, jade cups, and hand-drawn catalogs before each cultivator.

The catalogs listed auction items, categorized by type and value, with brief descriptions for rare items.

Xiao Chen, having already toured the exhibition, flipped through the catalog to finalize his targets.

First priority: a top-tier Grade 2 Wood Element spiritual elixir for cultivation.

Second: common spiritual elixirs, worth competing for despite higher costs.

If funds allowed, he’d consider the Superior Grade magic artifact.

Spirit tea or luxuries would wait until last.

“Only the first volume?”

Noticing the catalog’s end, Xiao Chen realized it was just the first half.

Recalling the exhibition hall, he deduced the auction had split into two sessions due to volume.

“Honoring the Zhenren!”

A chorus of greetings erupted.

Xiao Chen stood with the crowd to bow as a crimson-robed young man descended the stairs.

Though 161 years old, the man radiated youthful vitality.

“I, Gu Lihui, never speak flowery words,” the man—Mingyue Zhenren—declared, raising his wine cup.

“Today, I have only one word: joy!”

“Let this wine express all I feel!”

The crowd raised their cups in unison.

"We honor the Zhenren! May your immortal path flourish!"

The banquet hall erupted in celebration.

Xiao Chen observed the scene, a flicker of envy stirring.

This was the prestige of a Golden Core Zhenren!

But with his hex, his own Foundation Building wouldn’t be far off.

Then he too could host such a ceremony.

After a brief appearance, Mingyue Zhenren returned upstairs.

Within a quarter-hour, the auction began.

The first item: a Top-Grade magic artifact folding fan.

The auctioneer announced, “Esteemed guests, this Triple-Fold Wind-Fire Fan originates from Quanzhou’s finest artifacts.

“One side commands fire, the other wind, each with three distinct transformations. A supreme offensive treasure when wielded.”

As expected for an opener, the bidding started low at 1,000 spirit stones, rising in 100 increments.

Despite its true value exceeding 10,000 stones, the tactic worked—several cultivators eagerly bid.

Soon, the price soared to 11,000.

Smaller families dropped out first—not just due to funds, but unwillingness to risk all on one item.

But no one expected the first auction to reach fever pitch.

The three merchant guilds and Cangyan’s six great families drove the price to 31,000 within minutes.

Xiao Chen checked his storage bag: 21,143 spirit stones.

He’d felt wealthy before, but now realized how little he had.

Though not his target, the fan highlighted his financial limitations.

“31,000 once! Any more bids?”

Mei Yong suddenly raised his hand: “36,000!”

Xiao Chen turned, surprised. Was this sect leader using sect funds?

Observing further, he understood—this wasn’t mere bidding.

It was gift-giving in disguise.

The fan eventually sold for 66,600 stones to Sihai Sect.

Mei Yong hesitated but withdrew.

Subsequent items returned to lower price ranges.

Soon, the item Xiao Chen wanted appeared: the Six Harmonies Spirit Water.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end