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Chapter 581: Lone Cultivator Ding Yi, Spirit Treasure Blood Sword
Chapter 581: Lone Cultivator Ding Yi, Spirit Treasure Blood Sword
After a moment of silence, the atmosphere erupted with excitement.
The world's treasures could not be monopolized by one person alone! When the Soul Nourishing Wood appeared on the auction list, some factions secretly shifted their focus, channeling their funds towards this precious treasure.
Even with Luo Chen's bold bidding, others still vied for it.
"The Qian family offers 2.3 million! Fellow Daoist, I've observed your previous bids, and they all involve water and earth-related materials. You must be planning to forge a treasure with water and earth attributes. This Soul Nourishing Wood is a Yin Soul Wood attribute treasure, which doesn't align well with the attributes of the treasure you intend to forge. Why not give the Qian family some face?"
Luo Chen glanced at the private room where the voice originated but didn't respond, maintaining his cold demeanor.
"2.5 million."
"You!"
The Qian family cultivator seemed surprised by Luo Chen's lack of courtesy.
However, before they could utter any harsh words, a third bidder joined this silent war.
"2.7 million!"
After the bid, a charming female voice echoed, as if in mockery.
"Qian Ting, you've been dominating Cold Light Island for too long, thinking everyone will give you face!"
In the Qian family's private room, Qian Ting, dressed in a dazzling golden robe, wore a grim expression.
He recognized the owner of that voice.
The speaker was the master of another immortal island, leading a sect with a thousand-year-old heritage.
Although not a major power, they had established their territory, self-sufficient and independent, unlike the Qian family, who relied on the favor of Fairy Cold True Person.
With a livid face, Qian Ting spoke coldly, "Luo Yuqing, no matter how much you offer, this Soul Nourishing Wood is something the Qian family must obtain."
After his words, he once again bid 3 million.
In just a short time, the starting bid of 1 million had tripled.
The intense bidding shocked the observing cultivators in the hall.
Those who had the intention to compete but lacked sufficient funds were further discouraged by the escalating prices.
The atmosphere seemed to freeze for a moment, but it soon resumed with Cold Ruolan's light laughter.
"Cold Light Island's Qian family offers 3 million. Anyone else?"
"3.5 million!"
Again, it was the second-floor private room, and again, it was that mysterious lone cultivator!
Qian Ting felt as if he had been slapped in the face, and he gritted his teeth, "3.6 million!"
Luo Chen remained unmoved, "4 million!"
With each bid, the increments ranged from 400,000 to 1 million.
His unwavering confidence and immense wealth left the cultivators in awe.
After attempting to match the bids a few times, the Han Li Sect, represented by Luo Yuqing, had no choice but to withdraw from the competition.
"This auction is for purchasing cultivation resources for our sect's disciples. Spending all our spirit stones on a single Soul Nourishing Wood is not a wise decision."
Luo Yuqing shook her head, "Forget it, let them fight over it!"
This was the nature of sect powers; although wealthy and influential, the sect's wealth didn't belong to a single person.
For a specific treasure, unless the entire sect agreed, it was difficult to bid without restraint.
The same applied to cultivation families.
Even though Qian Ting was the head of the Qian family, facing Luo Chen's relentless high bids, he was at a loss.
Several million was indeed too expensive.
With connections, one could easily purchase a few Supreme Spirit Stones and enhance the family's cultivators' strength, contributing to the family's legacy.
But to spend it on a Soul Nourishing Wood...
After some hesitation, Qian Ting remained silent, as if his previous determination was just empty talk.
A family cultivator beside him couldn't help but speak up, "Clan Leader, our Young Clan Leader possesses a unique talent. As long as he can make up for his divine soul's shortcomings, he has great potential to advance to the Nascent Soul Stage. Now that the Soul Nourishing Wood is right before us, even if we have to pay a little more, we shouldn't give up, right?"
"Nonsense! Everyone boasts about their prospects of reaching the Nascent Soul Stage, but how many have actually achieved it? How can I disregard the family's interests for the sake of my son's future?"
Qian Ting scolded, then added, "Moreover, who said I've given up."
The clan member was taken aback.
Qian Ting gestured, and the cultivator took two steps closer.
"Go and investigate that lone cultivator's background and whereabouts."
The clan member blinked, as if realizing something.
"Go!" Qian Ting waved his hand, a plan forming in his mind, "That lone cultivator is in a regular VIP room of the Heavenly Origin Alliance, probably not someone formidable. If we handle this well, we can not only save this expenditure of spirit stones but also gain a Soul Nourishing Wood, and perhaps even more."
...
In the private room, Luo Chen noticed that Deputy City Lord Cold Ruolan had twice reminded others to bid, but no one followed. He couldn't help but feel relieved.
Indeed, within certain rules, wealth was also a form of strength!
At least, with his 5 million spirit stones, Luo Chen was the most dazzling bidder in the entire auction, as long as no Nascent Soul cultivators joined the fray.
With no Nascent Soul cultivators, who could rival him? Even if he spent 5 million on a Soul Nourishing Wood he didn't need, Luo Chen still felt a twinge of pain.
"However, this expense is nothing compared to the Essence Cultivation Technique and the complete Incarnation Pill Formula."
Luo Chen knew the priorities.
However! Just as Luo Chen's heart settled, an unexpected bidder emerged.
"5.1 million!"
Luo Chen's eyes narrowed, gazing upwards.
The voice came from a third-floor private room, undoubtedly belonging to a Golden Core cultivator from the Sea Alliance.
5 million was Luo Chen's limit.
For that defensive treasure, without a master-level forge master's assistance, the self-forging process would incur significant losses.
Just preparing the raw materials would cost him 1-2 million spirit stones, and repeated failures would undoubtedly lead to further losses.
Luo Chen had planned to keep a few million in reserve for future needs.
But now...
As Luo Chen hesitated, Han Zhan's urgent voice reached him.
"Luo Chen, you promised me!"
Luo Chen took a deep breath and declared, "5.5 million!"
His unwavering determination in bidding!
On the high platform, Cold Ruolan's face blossomed into a smile.
"This Daoist friend offers five million five hundred thousand, does the Sea Alliance Daoist still wish to continue?"
Without hesitation, the Golden Core Cultivator from the Sea Alliance spoke up, "I'll offer five million five hundred thousand as well!"
Leng Ruolan's expression froze, and she became somewhat displeased. "Daoist friend, subsequent bids must be higher than the previous one. This is a customary rule that you should be aware of, right?"
The Golden Core Cultivator from the Sea Alliance laughed, "I understand, but looking at the auction list, it says that if we can meet the special conditions of the Soul Nourishing Wood owner, we can also negotiate accordingly. Now that I and this loose cultivator friend have offered the same price, why don't you arrange for us to meet with the Soul Nourishing Wood owner and have a private chat?"
Leng Ruolan's expression was slightly startled, and she became even more displeased.
For private negotiations, the conditions reached would only benefit the other party unless there was an increase in Spirit Stones, in which case, Cold Jade City would not get much of a commission.
However, since this point had been stipulated earlier, she couldn't refuse.
After asking Luo Chen if he wanted to raise his bid and receiving a negative response, she immediately arranged for this private meeting.
The auction continued.
...
Led by his maid, Qing, Luo Chen arrived at a side hall.
As soon as he entered, he felt a pair of sharp eyes staring at him intently.
Unfazed, he walked straight to his seat.
The owner of those eyes continued to scrutinize Luo Chen, "My name is Shang Junshu, the young master of the Four Seas Merchant Alliance. May I ask for your esteemed name, friend?"
Four Seas Merchant Alliance!
This was a well-known major power in the Northern Sea's cultivation world, with a True Monarch presiding over it. After joining the Sea Alliance, its influence became even greater than before, making it the second most powerful commercial force in the Northern Sea, only second to the Heavenly Origin Alliance.
Shang Junshu introduced himself as the young master of the Merchant Alliance, implying that the Four Seas True Monarch was his father.
Luo Chen frowned, "A nameless loose cultivator, not worth mentioning."
Shang Junshu didn't seem to mind. Loose cultivators were always like this, hiding their identities and origins, not daring to reveal their names or backgrounds.
He spoke seriously, "This Soul Nourishing Wood was purchased by me for a friend of my father. I hope you can be a little more accommodating. If you just want the Soul Nourishing Wood, our Merchant Alliance also has some that are eight to nine hundred years old. With special methods, their effectiveness is no less than that of a thousand-year-old Soul Nourishing Wood."
Luo Chen asked, "Then why don't you use that method?"
Shang Junshu, suppressing his frustration, patiently explained, "That method of cultivating a thousand-year-old Soul Nourishing Wood can only be used by Golden Core Cultivators like us. My father's friend is a True Monarch, and only a thousand-year-old Soul Nourishing Wood will suffice. Daoist friend, can't you be a little more accommodating?"
Luo Chen shook his head, "Let's discuss it after meeting the owner of the Soul Nourishing Wood!"
Shang Junshu clenched his fist and stared at Luo Chen for a long time.
"Fine, then we'll see who's better at the time."
The two didn't have to wait long.
Soon, heavy footsteps could be heard approaching the hall.
The two looked up and saw a Golden Core Cultivator with a large belly and a body full of fat enter the side hall.
At first glance, both Luo Chen and Leng Ruolan were surprised.
It was him!
The reason for their reaction was that many people were familiar with this owner of the Soul Nourishing Wood.
He was the loose cultivator who, at the beginning of the auction, had bid a high price of seven million Spirit Stones for the third-stage Azure Basin Fish.
This person was extremely obese, and from a distance, he looked like a greasy ball of fat.
However, his facial features were quite normal, and due to his high, hooked nose, he even appeared somewhat thin.
The combination of a slim face and a fat body was so striking that anyone who saw it would find it memorable.
As soon as he entered, he smiled and said, "My name is Ding Yi. Do you two Daoist friends want to see me?'"
Shang Junshu introduced himself first, "Shang Junshu, young master of the Four Seas Merchant Alliance."
To show some courtesy, Luo Chen also revealed his pseudonym, "Loose Cultivator Luo Hai, I've met Ding Daoist."
Ding Yi nodded, "Since you want to see me, it means you have the confidence to meet my special conditions, right?"
Shang Junshu exuded confidence, "I believe it's possible. Not only do I manage the Four Seas Merchant Alliance, but I also have considerable authority in the Canghai Alliance established by Master Li. With the resources of the Four Seas Merchant Alliance and the Canghai Alliance, meeting your requirements should not be a problem."
"You're very confident!" Ding Yi smiled and then stated his conditions.
"In the past, Ding accidentally entered a secret realm and ingested an unknown heavenly elixir. Although it greatly increased my cultivation, it also left me with the side effect of obesity. So, my conditions are not difficult, and there are only two. The first is to lose weight."
Uh...
Upon hearing this condition, both Luo Chen and Shang Junshu were stunned for a moment.
Lose weight?
What's so difficult about that?
For cultivators, refining essence and transforming energy is a common and basic method. With a few cycles of cultivation, the fat should be gone, right?
Although they thought this way, they didn't question it.
After a brief moment of consideration, Shang Junshu took out a jade tablet from the storage belt around his waist.
"This jade tablet records a refined third-stage cultivation technique. After practicing it, you can transform your essence, blood, and flesh."
Ding Yi smiled and took the jade tablet, glancing at the beginning.
"Blood Transformation Demon Technique? A cultivation technique from the Demon Sect?"
Shang Junshu nodded, "This technique is indeed related to the Demon Sect."
Ding Yi didn't immediately agree but looked at Luo Chen.
After hesitating for a moment, Luo Chen took out a pill and a book from his storage ring.
Ding Yi took them and glanced at them briefly, frowning slightly.
"A pill formula?"
Luo Chen explained, "Ding Daoist, you're not mistaken. It is indeed a pill formula. Its name is the Dust-Suppressing Pill, which I obtained from a Dan Dao Sect in the past. This formula is basic and not restricted from being passed on. After taking this pill, one's essence and blood can be consumed and transformed into pure spiritual power. As for the Dust-Suppressing Pill, it was also refined by me in the past. Daoist friend, you can try it."
Ding Yi remained noncommittal, but he was more inclined towards the Blood Transformation Demon Technique offered by Shang Junshu.
After all, once this technique was mastered, the transformed blood and flesh could even be used to attack enemies.
Seeing his attitude, Shang Junshu was delighted. As long as he met Ding Yi's second condition, the three-thousand-year-old Soul Nourishing Wood would be within reach.
How could a loose cultivator like Luo Hai compete with him?
"I wonder, what is your second condition, Brother Ding?"
Ding Yi pointed to his head, "In my early years, I obtained the Soul Nourishing Tree, and in my greed for its rumored effects, I attempted to use it to nurture my divine soul. But I was inadvertently tainted by the unfavorable aura it carried, which ended up harming my divine soul. As a result, although my cultivation base has improved, my divine soul's foundation has seen little progress over the years. Therefore, I need resources to enhance my divine soul's foundation!"
Soul Nourishing Trees often grow in places where wandering souls and ghosts gather.
Thus, for a Soul Nourishing Tree that has lived for over a thousand years, its core naturally possesses the special effect of nurturing the divine soul. It is considered a treasure by any ordinary cultivator who obtains it.
It was understandable that Ding Yi, in his eagerness for the treasure, was injured by the unfavorable aura.
Shang Junshu found himself in a dilemma. Resources that could enhance the foundation of the divine soul were extremely precious, no matter where they were.
He did have a set of corresponding methods, but to give them to an outsider...
Just as he was hesitating, the black-robed cultivator beside him directly handed over a jade bottle.
Ding Yi took the bottle, gave it a slight sniff, and felt his spirits lift.
With Luo Chen's mental message, he immediately nodded without hesitation.
"As long as you give me nine more bottles of this top-grade Mystic Soul Pill, the Soul Nourishing Tree will be yours!"
Luo Chen felt a twinge of pain.
The Mystic Soul Pill was not easy to refine, especially since his version was a second-tier one that he had improved himself.
With the resources and manpower on Flying Swallow Archipelago, they had only gathered a small batch of raw materials.
After refining them, he kept a portion for Cheng Haixin and Xu Mu Xian, leaving him with just these ten or so bottles.
He hadn't expected this cultivator to be so greedy.
But with Han Zhan's promise, he gritted his teeth and took out all his remaining stock.
When Shang Junshu saw Ding Yi returning the jade slip that recorded the Blood Demon Art, he knew he was out of the running.
"Brother, we can still discuss this!"
Ding Yi smiled and said, "Do you have better conditions?"
Shang Junshu opened his mouth but couldn't find the words to respond.
In the end, he glared at Luo Chen and left with a harsh parting remark.
"Luo Hai, you've offended more than just me!"
Luo Chen's expression turned grim.
Apparently, behind Shang Junshu was a Nascent Soul Cultivator father and a friend who could become a Nascent Soul Cultivator, indicating that he was at least a Nascent Soul stage cultivator himself.
Inside the Primordial Cauldron, Han Zhan felt relieved.
"Don't think too much. Once I obtain the Soul Nourishing Tree and restore half my strength, I may not be able to rival a Nascent Soul Cultivator, but I can still protect you in your journey through the Northern Sea's cultivation world."
Luo Chen forced a smile, knowing that this was the best he could do.
Seeing the uncertainty in his eyes, Ding Yi, who was standing beside him, probably guessed what he was thinking.
"Brother, don't overthink it. This is the life of a wandering cultivator. Collecting resources is difficult, and we can easily offend those with powerful connections if we're not careful. In the future, just keep a low profile and avoid them. With such a vast Northern Sea, they won't be able to do anything to you."
Luo Chen reluctantly nodded, "Thank you for your consolation, brother."
Ding Yi laughed, his gaunt face showing a hint of flattery.
"Brother Luo, you must be a pill concocting master!"
Luo Chen's heart skipped a beat. It seemed that this was the real reason why Ding Yi, a wandering cultivator, had agreed to sell the Soul Nourishing Tree without hesitation.
Those ten bottles of Mystic Soul Pills were like a bottomless well; once used, they were gone.
By ingratiating himself with Luo Chen, he would have an endless supply of pills for his cultivation.
Luo Chen spoke softly, "I do have some skill in pill concocting, but it's not that impressive. Please don't overestimate me, brother."
Ding Yi smiled and said, "A pill concocting master who can refine top-grade second-tier pills can't be considered unimpressive! At the very least, you should be able to effortlessly refine third-tier low-grade pills, right?"
Luo Chen didn't respond much.
Ding Yi didn't seek further validation and instead changed the topic.
"Since we still have time, why don't you share some key points about refining the Dust-Cleansing Pill? I've also studied pill concocting, but I can only refine some first and second-tier crude pills, and that's only at the low-grade level. To refine enough top-grade Dust-Cleansing Pills for my use, even with the recipe in hand, it would still be quite challenging."
Teaching someone to fish is better than giving them fish.
Clearly, this was the other party's intention.
If it were just a pill concocting method, Luo Chen wouldn't be so possessive.
So, he began to orally explain the details of refining the Dust-Cleansing Pill.
To be honest, this pill wasn't that difficult to refine.
In the past, during the Dan Dao competition at Qing Dan Valley, this pill was chosen as a test question precisely because it was relatively easy to learn.
Moreover, it had almost no positive effects on cultivators' cultivation.
Luo Chen used it in combination with the Blood-Increasing Pill for his cultivation.
However, if it were merely used for weight loss, it would be perfect for Ding Yi, this skinny fat man!
...
Teaching Ding Yi the method of refining the Dust-Cleansing Pill took up half a day of Luo Chen's time.
There was no other way; this fat man was naturally talkative, and not only did he learn the refining method, but he also tried to build a relationship with Luo Chen.
Considering that the Soul Nourishing Tree hadn't been obtained yet, Luo Chen had no choice but to humor him.
Half a day later, he finally excused himself, saying he had resources to auction, and quickly escaped Ding Yi's entanglement, hurrying back to his private room.
At this moment, the auction was still ongoing!
Auctions of this scale often lasted for three days and three nights without stopping.
For cultivators like them who could easily cultivate for days without sleep, a few days without rest was nothing.
Just as Luo Chen returned, a burst of clamor filled his ears, leaving him bewildered and at a loss.
What had happened? He sent out his spiritual sense and heard the attendees discussing something about "Spirit Treasures," "Sword Spirits," and "Nascent Soul Breakthroughs."
After hearing these fragments, Luo Chen had a hunch.
Sure enough, when he saw Leng Ruolan holding a blood-red sword with great care, all his suspicions were confirmed.
Inside the Primordial Cauldron, Han Zhan exclaimed,
"A Spirit Treasure!"
(End of Chapter)
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