A second life, An Eternal journey to Immortality

...

As Liu Ying adjusted her robes and prepared to leave, Jiang Cheng's voice echoed in her memory—his ever-reliable lectures about the "ways of the world," particularly regarding a certain species known as Young Masters.

She could picture him now, arms crossed, face deadpan, as he delivered his wisdom:

"Listen, Liu Ying. The number one law of the cultivation world—whenever a pretty girl shows up, a young master will inevitably emerge from the shadows. They are like spirit beasts drawn to fragrance. They'll say things like, 'Bring this woman to this young master!' Or, 'How dare you ignore this young master, Courting death! , as if the world revolves around their oversized egos."

He'd pause, eyebrows twitching.

"And if you dare resist? Congratulations. You've triggered a subplot. Now we're stuck in an unnecessary feud, fighting some arrogant fool and his seven cousins from the Proud Heaven Sect.

One of them probably knows a Golden core ancestor elder who'll show up and demand we apologize, commit suicide and die. It's a whole thing."

She had laughed at the time, but now, standing at the entrance to the bustling town, she suddenly felt exposed—too pretty, too alone, too likely to trigger a subplot.

Her heart raced. Jiang Cheng was right! If some brainless young master set his eyes on her, it'd be kidnapping, threats, and weeks of drama!

Panicking slightly, she turned to the kind-looking female cultivator beside her, cheeks flushed.

"F-Fellow Daoist... do you... um... perhaps have a black cloak? Something to cover myself? I—I don't want to attract attention... I just want to be low-profile..."

The other woman blinked, clearly confused.

Liu Ying's voice dropped to a whisper, her embarrassment peaking.

> "It's just... A friend of mine said if a young master fancies me... I'll get kidnapped... and then we'll trigger a subplot..."

The woman stared.

There was a long pause.

The girl: "__"

Then she burst out laughing.

She reached into her storage bag and pulled out a black robe, long and loose, covering the whole body.

"Here, take this. It's a gift. Since you want to keep a low profile, Fellow Daoist."

Liu Ying wrapped herself in the black robe, feeling a mix of embarrassment and relief. Though Jiang Cheng's warnings seemed exaggerated, she didn't want to take any chances. After thanking the girl at the pavilion, she stepped outside, blending into the crowd.

She wandered the streets of the Inner Town, unsure of where to go, until she found the Moonlit Crane Inn. It seemed like a safe enough place to stay.

Inside, the warm, herbal scent greeted her, and the hostess quickly provided her with a room for the next three days. Liu Ying sighed in relief. She had time to prepare for the auction, hidden away under her cloak.

As Liu Ying settled down in her room, she sat cross-legged, her mind focused on her cultivation. The familiar sensation of spiritual energy swirling within her surged, pushing her toward a potential breakthrough to the Sixth Level of Qi Refining. She could feel it—like a door just waiting to be opened.

But Jiang Cheng's warning echoed in her mind. She remembered how he'd cautioned her about rushing through realms, that it would only lead to harm in the long run. He'd said she had crossed countless small realms too quickly, and if she continued like this, her foundation would remain unstable.

With a deep breath, Liu Ying suppressed the urge to push forward. Instead, she focused inward, channeling her spiritual energy to refine and solidify it, making her base stronger and more stable. It was slow, meticulous work, but she understood the importance of building a solid foundation—one that would allow her to stand firm in the future without cracking under pressure.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye. Liu Ying's red eyes fluttered open, as she muttered softly, "Finally, it's time."

She stood, stretching her limbs with a fluid grace, then cast a small Cleaning spell over herself. Her robes shimmered slightly as the spell rid the fabric of any dust or imperfection. With a final, steady breath, she left the room, her steps resolute as she prepared to face what awaited her outside.

Liu Ying made her way toward the auction house, her heart beating slightly faster as she observed the bustling crowd around her. It wasn't just casual cultivators—there were also disciples from the Pavillion under Qinglin Sect.

The workers at the pavilion weren't typical disciples. They were cultivators whose potential had been exhausted or who had given up on further breakthroughs. Rather than remaining in the sect, they chose to leave and work in places like this, managing pavilions or businesses, where they could live without the pressure of advancement.

The closer she got, the more she felt the weight of the atmosphere. The murmurs of the crowd, the purposeful strides of cultivators, the flicker of spiritual auras—it was clear that this wasn't just another ordinary event. The auction was a place where power and influence were on full display.

Liu Ying's grip tightened around the black cloak she wore, a slight tremor in her voice as she muttered to herself, "I hope everything goes well." She steeled herself, pushing through the nervousness that gnawed at her. This was her chance to obtain the Nine-Yang Detoxification Pill, and she couldn't afford to fail.

As Liu Ying made her way toward the auction house, she suddenly overheard a group of monks whispering in hushed tones. One of them gasped, "Oh my god, it's Young Master Zhang from the Foundation Building family Zhang! He's here!"

"Shh! Don't draw attention," another monk hissed, looking over his shoulder nervously. "You know how he is. He could destroy us with a wave of his hand."

Liu Ying glanced toward the source of their conversation. A tall, well-dressed young man, surrounded by a group of bodyguards and disciples, strutted toward the entrance of the auction house. His robes were embroidered with golden dragons, and his arrogant, haughty smile made it clear that he considered himself superior to everyone around him.

"The monks continued to whisper as Zhang Qian passed by, "He's the second son of the Zhang family. Infamous for causing trouble wherever he goes. They say he's still stuck at the middle Qi Refining realm...but with his father, the head of the family, doting on him so much, he can do whatever he pleases. No one dares to challenge him."

Another monk added, "That's why he's so domineering. He thinks he's untouchable, just because his father can wipe out anyone who crosses him."

Liu Ying could feel the weight of their words. Despite his limited cultivation, Zhang Qian's arrogance was enough to make even seasoned cultivators cower. His father's power had protected him from any real consequences. As Zhang Qian strutted past, his eyes scanned the crowd with a sense of entitlement, his posture radiating the belief that everyone should recognize his superiority.

Liu Ying, still dressed in her black robe, lowered her head slightly to avoid his gaze. She didn't want to attract any unnecessary attention.

Liu Ying felt a chill run down her spine. Jiang Cheng had warned her about arrogant young masters like this—cultivators who believed the world revolved around them, flaunting their power and influence. She gritted her teeth, trying to ignore the unease bubbling in her chest.

As Zhang Qian strutted toward the entrance of the Auction House, his eyes already surveying the crowd with a cocky smirk, he suddenly froze mid-step. He overheard a casual cultivator chatting animatedly with his friend.

Did you hear? The second son of the Zhang family, Zhang Qian he's still stuck at the middle Qi Refining realm! Haha, can you imagine? A young master who can't even break through to the next level?" the cultivator said, laughing at his own joke

Liu Ying had barely taken a step when a loud voice rang out, freezing her in her tracks. The young man at the center of the commotion—the one with the smug grin and robes fit for a royal—had locked his eyes on a nearby cultivator.

Liu Ying's gaze flickered between them as the man's expression turned from casual to deadly. "What did you say about me?" he growled, stepping closer, his followers quickly moving into position, ready for trouble. It was clear the man was used to getting his way—and causing chaos if he didn't.

The cultivator, now shaking like a leaf, stammered in pure panic, "I-I was just talking about... about... the rumors, Young Master! Just rumors, nothing more! Please spare me!"

Zhang Qian's smile turned into a cruel, twisted grin. "Rumors, huh? Well, let me give you a rumor you'll remember for the rest of your life

Zhang Qian raised a hand and commanded, "Beat him half to death for me! Show him the consequences of speaking ill of this young master!"

At his command, his followers pounced on him beating him entil he was half dead.

Young master Qian smile and looked at the crowd and said. " this is what happen when you disrespect this young master "

Then he entered smugly to the Auction house.

Soon, more figures arrived at the auction house, each one drawing attention with their unique presence.

"Look, the young lady of the Lin family, Lin Yuxin, is also here!" a voice murmured through the crowd. People turned to see a young woman with long black hair, wearing a flowing purple robe that matched her dignified aura.

Lin Yuxin was known for her beauty and grace, but also for her sharp mind and status as the heir to the Lin family, a force to be reckoned with in the area . As she entered the building, many whispered about her, admiring her elegance, but also wondering what business she had here.

Just as the crowd was still buzzing about Lin Yuxin, another voice broke through.

"Wow, isn't that one of the Pavilion elders in Puchan Town? Xu Wenhao!" someone exclaimed. A middle-aged cultivator, his robes rich and embroidered with intricate designs, strolled in Quietly

Xu Wenhao was a name known in the area—rumored to be at the peak of the Qi Refining stage. The crowd parted as he walked, with some even bowing their heads in respect.

"I heard he's here to compete for the Foundation Building stage pill," someone added, and the rumors quickly spread like wildfire. A Foundation Building pill was a rare and valuable item that could help a cultivator make a significant breakthrough, so it was no wonder that Xu Wenhao had come to claim it for himself.

Liu Ying, standing among the crowd, felt the intensity of the competition rise. "These people... they're all so strong," she thought, her eyes darting between Lin Yuxin, Xu Wenhao, and the others. Her heart raced, but she reminded herself to stay calm. "No need to get involved with anyone... just stick to my own business and get out of here as quickly as I can."

Liu Ying took a deep breath and walked toward the grand entrance of the auction house. The massive wooden doors creaked open with a low groan, revealing a lavish interior that took her breath away.

The moment Liu Ying stepped through the massive wooden doors, the scent of exotic perfumes hit her first—sweet, thick, almost intoxicating. She looked up and immediately felt like she had entered a different world. Golden lanterns swayed lightly in the air, casting a warm, almost ethereal glow over everything. The opulence of the hall, with its polished marble floors and luxurious silk drapes, was overwhelming. Every corner whispered of wealth and power.

this was no ordinary gathering.The sound of hushed voices and the soft clink of spirit stones filled the air.

She looked around and saw various cultivators, their gazes sharp as they scouted the room for any potential bargains or opportunities. Disciples from various families , dressed in vibrant robes that signified their rank and prestige, stood in small groups, discussing deals and sharing rumors.

At the center of the hall was a raised stage where a group of attendants were preparing to unveil the first auction lot, their eyes carefully watching the gathered crowd for any signs of interest. Behind them, a massive curtain draped over the items that would soon be sold.

Liu Ying took all of this in with wide eyes. Her heart raced, her hands slightly trembling as she walked deeper into the hall. It felt like stepping into another world—one that was far beyond the small town life she had known.

As she made her way through the crowd, she couldn't help but feel like an outsider among these powerful figures. She quickly found a seat at the back of the hall, trying to keep a low profile as she settled in, hoping to remain unnoticed in the sea of cultivators and merchants.

She adjusted the black cloak around her, ensuring that her face remained hidden beneath its shadow, and took a deep breath. "Just stay calm. Focus on the auction," she reminded herself. "Stay out of trouble."

The bell rang, signaling the start of the auction, and the crowd fell into an anticipatory silence.