Cultivating Immortality in a World of Chaos

Out of caution, Fang Xi refrained from bidding.

He quietly observed through the copper mirror as one item after another was brought onto the auction stage, with Zhong Wanjun lavishly praising each artifact.

After his initial shock, Fang Xi composed himself.

Realizing that he wasn’t the only body cultivator practicing the Myriad Beasts Body technique, it seemed unlikely this was specifically targeting him. Moreover, considering the purchase timeline, he might not even have completed the first layer yet.

The chances of baiting someone else were higher than catching him off guard!

During the auction, Fang Xi made just one bid, for a scroll called the “God of Wine Manual.”

Despite its grandiose name, the God of Wine Manual turned out to be merely a brewer’s personal notes, containing recipes for a few tier-1 spirit wines…

Fang Xi casually offered two hundred spirit stones, partly to make up for a small regret from his past.

Recalling how his ambitious brewing plans had abruptly halted, and later revisiting the site only to find his cellar spoiled, truly evoked a sense of melancholy nostalgia.

As time gradually passed, the auction finally neared its conclusion.

Onstage, Zhong Wanjun’s expression grew solemn, signaling for servers holding red cloth-covered trays to approach.

“Now, we enter the climax of our auction with the first featured item!”

Zhong Wanjun lifted the red silk cloth, revealing a shimmering green spirit armor on a white jade platter.

“A low-grade spirit artifact - Azure Carp Armor! Crafted from the scales of six thousand seven hundred azure jade carp kings, this armor can adjust its size effortlessly, remaining pristine and dust-free. It features five integrated arrays for Gathering Spirit, Protection, Detoxification, Water Repulsion, and Golden Light… Starting bid at six hundred spirit stones!”

“A spirit artifact?” Fang Xi was slightly taken aback within his private booth.

Qi Refinement cultivators used magical artifacts, while Foundation Establishment cultivators utilized spirit artifacts!

These spirit artifacts require the potent magical energy only accessible to Foundation Establishment cultivators!

For a Qi Refinement cultivator to attempt using one would be akin to a child wielding a heavy hammer, highly impractical.

‘How many here are actually qualified to bid on such items?’

‘In Wan Island Lake, there’s only the Zhong Family patriarch as a Foundation Establishment cultivator; surely he wouldn’t sell it to himself… There’s just one rogue Foundation Establishment cultivator, and perhaps some visiting Foundation Establishment cultivators from elsewhere?’

Fang Xi leaned back, showing no interest in bidding.

However, when the second item appeared, his eyes couldn’t help but brighten slightly.

“Tier-2 Spiritual Pill - Seven Treasures Snake Blood Pill! Crafted primarily from the essence and blood of a tier-2 snake demon, it significantly replenishes blood qi and enhances a cultivator’s innate foundation!” On stage, Zhong Wanjun held up a glassy jade bottle for introduction.

Through the translucent glass, one could see a large crimson pill inside, resembling fresh blood. “Starting bid at five hundred spirit stones!”

“A tier-2 pill to enhance blood qi?” Fang Xi’s eyes showed a hint of longing.

If he acquired this pill along with his progress on the fourth layer of the Myriad Beasts Body technique and the research materials from the Zongshi Association, he felt confident about breaking through to the ‘True Astral Manifestation’ realm!

‘I can’t afford to lose control; I’ve already spent too many spirit stones… Most bidding for tier-2 pills will be among Foundation Establishment cultivators… Any attempt by me would draw too much attention!’

‘Even if I consume this tier-2 spiritual pill, there’s no guarantee of a smooth breakthrough… Moreover, the Zhong Family might not withstand pressure from a Foundation Establishment cultivator just for my sake… It could lead to significant complications!’

Fang Xi gazed at the pill reflected in the copper mirror, gradually regaining his composure, his eyes once again becoming as tranquil as an ancient well.

Despite having valuable mythical beast materials at his disposal, it might not be enough to secure that tier-2 spiritual pill.

However, opportunities would arise again in the future; for now, he was still too weak.

‘Fine, fine, let it be…’ He sighed deeply and quietly awaited the end of the auction.

The final item up for bid was a medicinal pill designed to aid Foundation Establishment cultivators in overcoming bottlenecks, with its reserve price set above two thousand spirit stones.

At this moment, Fang Xi wished the auction had been conducted openly rather than through secret bidding, just to witness the excitement firsthand.

After the last round of silent bidding concluded, Zhong Wanjun surprisingly did not declare the winner. Instead, he smiled and announced, “Dear Daoist friends, following today’s auction, we have decided to introduce a new free-trading session. You may use the provided magical artifacts to communicate among yourselves. Once agreements are reached, transactions can be completed either within your private booths or designated secret rooms. The Zhong Family will remain unaware of whether any deals were made or their contents…”

“The chosen artifact is the copper mirror before each of you. Simply infuse it with your magical energy to participate.”

Intrigued, Fang Xi cautiously channeled a thread of magical energy into the copper mirror.

Instantly, he felt this strand of his magical energy merging into an immense ‘pond’. Even his spiritual sense seemed to attach itself and enter the pond alongside it.

“How fascinating! Is this what it feels like for a Foundation Establishment cultivator’s divine sense to leave the body?”

Within the pond, various carp-like forms, created from magical energy, swam about. Among them, a black carp released a series of bubbles.

“Zhong Wanjun, your family’s gadget is quite intriguing…”

At that moment, a large, vibrantly colored fish approached, significantly bigger than the other small fish!

“Greetings, Senior!” Zhong Wanjun transformed into a green carp, also emitting bubbles, “This magical artifact is called the ‘Myriad Fish Mirror,’ merely a novelty item with limited communication range and high energy consumption. It’s only meant to bring some amusement to everyone here…” He candidly pointed out several drawbacks of the Myriad Fish Mirror.

“Fascinating!”

Embracing this rare opportunity to experience his spiritual sense outside his body, Fang Xi became a small red carp, curiously swimming around the ‘pond’.

‘It feels just like playing a virtual reality game…’

‘But how does this work? Is there any instruction manual?’

Fang Xi, though inexperienced, was quick to learn.

Noticing a nearby white carp blowing bubbles, his curiosity piqued, and he swam towards it.

Pop!

The bubble burst, and a voice only Fang Xi could hear echoed in his ears: “I want Foundation Establishment Pills, I want Foundation Establishment Pills, I want Foundation Establishment Pills…”

‘Damn, me too! But they must exist and be willing to trade for this to work!’

With a deadpan expression, Fang Xi mimicked the action and blew his own bubble, “Seeking tier-1 formations, seeking tier-1 formations - large coverage, suitable for farming…”

Pop-pop!

Several small fish collided with his bubble but received no response.

Unfazed, Fang Xi patiently waited. Having already given up on obtaining the Tier-2 Blood Qi Pill, his mindset was relaxed, embodying a philosophy of ‘gain is fortunate, loss is destiny’.

Before long, a blue carp approached, spat out a bubble, and directly aimed it at Fang Xi.

A voice resonated in Fang Xi’s ear, “I have a mid-tier tier-1 Little Clouds and Rain Formation, make your offer!”

Fang Xi’s spirit lifted as he responded with another bubble, “Interested in tier-1 high-grade mythical beast materials?”

The blue carp swiftly replied, “Yes, interested!”

“Meet at Room Hexuan 16 for the transaction!”

After sending his reply, Fang Xi immediately withdrew that strand of magical energy.

Within the private booth, Fang Xi played with the copper mirror, finding it quite intriguing.

‘This magical artifact seems far from ordinary…’

Soon after, someone knocked on the booth door. When Fang Xi opened it, a graceful female cultivator, her face veiled, entered.

Her aura was indistinct, making it impossible to discern her cultivation base, clearly indicating she practiced some secret concealment technique.

Fang Xi maintained a composed expression; although he couldn’t hide his own cultivation, others seeing him at merely the fourth level of Qi Refinement yet so wealthy and fearless would likely assume he was concealing his true strength!

This served as a strategic deception!

“A tier-1 mid-grade Little Clouds and Rain Formation, complete with formation disk, flags, and an accompanying operation jade slip!” The elegant female cultivator wasted no words, waved her hand, and a massive jade box appeared. Upon opening it, exquisite formation flags emerged, shimmering with remarkable spiritual light: “This formation has both spirit gathering and concealment effects, covering a large area. It’s suitable as a protective array for small sects or families. However, if your materials’ value is less than five hundred spirit stones, I won’t consider the exchange. Additionally, if you’re unfamiliar with its setup and require me to install it personally, there will be an extra charge of one hundred spirit stones!”

“No need for further visits.”

Fang Xi, albeit not yet a fully-fledged array master, had some knowledge… With guidance from jade slips, he was capable of setting up formations.

After pondering briefly, he took out his bag of holding and gently emptied its contents. A massive wolf pelt, two bird claws, along with various other miscellaneous animal materials appeared before her. “Take a look…”

The female array master picked up the wolf pelt, her eyes shimmering with spiritual light: “Tier-1 high-grade faewolf hide…”

“Tier-1 high-grade mythic bird talons…”

“And this is…an unknown mythical beast’s internal tendon, likely also tier-1 high-grade?”

“You…did you raid some mythical beasts’ lair? Wait…these aren’t even the same species…”

By the end, the female array master clearly showed signs of apprehension.

Only someone exceptionally ruthless could have slain so many Late Stage Qi Refinement mythical beasts!

‘Suppressing one’s aura to just the fourth level of Qi Refinement - who do you think you’re fooling?’ she silently scoffed as she gathered the materials. “These materials are highly satisfactory; the deal is done!”

She hastily departed, leaving Fang Xi without a chance to engage in conversation.

Am I really that intimidating?

He gently touched his disguised square jawline, feeling it still conveyed quite a distinctive appearance.

After thoroughly examining both the formation flag and disk, he also packed away the jade box and stepped out of the private booth. “Let’s settle the payment…”

Immediately, a servant approached, guiding Fang Xi to another secluded room.

“Guest from Room 16, Xuan Pavilion, you successfully bid on the Talisman of Indestructibility and the extraterrestrial meteoric iron sword. However, regarding the God of Wine Manual, I’m truly sorry to inform…”

In front of Fang Xi, an elderly shopkeeper-like cultivator pushed two boxes onto the table.

Upon opening them, he found a golden paper talisman and the extraterrestrial meteoric iron sword inside.

‘I clearly lack experience…’ Fang Xi thought while examining the items, ‘I overpaid for the talisman… The meteoric iron sword is suitable only for body cultivators, limiting its audience and thus reducing its potential value…’

‘The final item, the God of Wine Manual, may seem modest at first glance, but it could enable small clans to establish their own winemaking industry - a steady long-term source of income… Two hundred spirit stones were definitely not enough.’

“The Talisman of Indestructibility costs one hundred spirit stones, and the extraterrestrial meteoric iron sword three hundred spirit stones, totaling four hundred spirit stones!” the old shopkeeper said with a smile.

Fang Xi silently nodded, extracting his remaining three hundred eighty-seven low-grade spirit stones from his bag of holding. He then asked, “My spirit stones are insufficient; can I use other items as compensation?”

“Certainly, however, there will be a ten percent discount applied!”

The old shopkeeper gently stroked his graying beard, a hint of delight flickering in his eyes.