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A second-rank superior spirit wood wouldn't be considered the main attraction. The second half of the auction boasted a much higher caliber of items, and the cultivators from all the major forces competed fiercely against each other, their faces flushed.
Here, Foundation Establishment Pills were not considered the grand finale.
A standard Foundation Establishment Pill fetched a high price of over six thousand spirit stones.
"Second-rank Life Extension Pills, a total of two, can extend life by more than ten years. Effects of the same grade cannot be stacked. Elderly seniors present, do not miss this opportunity!"
"Second-rank Life Extension Pills!"
The elderly Foundation Establishment cultivators perked up.
"The starting price is fifteen hundred spirit stones, with each bid increment not less than twenty spirit stones."
"Sixteen hundred spirit stones!"
Before the words had faded, an elderly woman impatiently placed a bid.
"Sixteen sixty!"
"Seventeen hundred!"
The value of second-rank Life Extension Pills was several times higher than first-rank ones.
First-rank Life Extension Pills had materials that were easier to find and could be refined by first-rank alchemists. But at the second rank, the materials were much rarer.
Another reason was that Foundation Establishment cultivators were wealthier.
"Eighteen hundred spirit stones."
Lan Chang'an also participated in the bidding.
"The Turtle Talisman Master? The ancient Foundation Establishment cultivator?"
This time, Lan Chang'an's bid for the Life Extension Pills didn't attract dissatisfaction once his identity was known.
An elderly Foundation Establishment cultivator with limited potential buying Life Extension Pills for himself was understandable.
The first second-rank Life Extension Pill sold for twenty-two hundred spirit stones to a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Flame Departing Palace
After some consideration, Lan Chang'an decided to wait.
Life Extension Pills were not a popular auction item, mainly targeting the older cultivators.
First, the effects of the same rank did not stack, and those with strength and need had already taken them in the past.
Second, truly elderly cultivators had severely declining physical conditions; buying Life Extension Pills only prolonged their struggles.
Whether they could advance further was largely determined by their cultivation progress in their younger years.
If the price was too high, it was better to cultivate a new Foundation Establishment cultivator.
The second Life Extension Pill saw no participation from cultivators with powerful backgrounds.
Lan Chang'an decided to take it.
"Twenty-two hundred spirit stones."
The bidder was an old man in plain clothes with a head full of grey hair and mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation.
"Huang Tankong from the Maple Leaf Huang Family?"
Someone recognized the identity of the old man in plain clothes.
Previously, the Maple Leaf Huang Family had four Foundation Establishment cultivators, owning the Bamboo Leaf Mountain Market Town, making them a significant force in the Liang Kingdom's cultivation world.
"Huang Tankong is the eldest and most senior Foundation Establishment cultivator of the Huang family, with only twenty-something years of lifespan left."
Lan Chang'an glanced at Huang Tankong.
His soul was strong, and his Evergreen Technique heightened his sensitivity to longevity.
"Twenty-three hundred."
Lan Chang'an bid higher, exceeding the sale price of the first Life Extension Pill.
Huang Tankong's face darkened as he glanced at him: "Twenty-three twenty."
"Twenty-four hundred," Lan Chang'an said firmly.
Huang Tankong sucked in a deep breath, his face indecisive, but ultimately, he abandoned the bidding. He suspected that Lan Chang'an was deliberately raising the price to thwart him.
Lan Chang'an sneered inwardly, how could Huang Tankong compete with him?
Wealth was only a secondary reason.
Lan Chang'an was alone, without a family or any descendants.
To extend his life, he could bid for Life Extension Pills regardless of the cost.
Huang Tankong represented a family, with numerous family members behind him, consuming spirit stones in all aspects.
Including his wives, concubines, and descendants, who need to be nurtured.
Spending too many spirit stones on a single thing was a poor investment; it would be more efficient to put that money toward training a new Foundation Establishment cultivator.
If he recklessly pursued Life Extension Pills, it would appear selfish and desperate to his family and outsiders.
Lan Chang'an, having been the head of a cultivation family in his previous life, understood this well.
...
The auction was nearing its end.
In the latter part, talismanic treasures and prototype magic treasures appeared, fetching astronomical prices.
Especially talismanic treasures!
Various forces, including late-stage Foundation Establishment, Fake-Dan cultivators, and mysterious individuals, made moves.
Talismanic treasures were a part of the power of a magic treasure sealed in a special talisman.
A Foundation Establishment cultivator wielding a talismanic treasure could crush cultivators below the Fake-Dan stage.
Unfortunately, Lan Chang'an wasn't qualified to compete for such items. However, he had his Treasure Talisman Project, and he had obtained the key materials needed.
"Once I return to Wuqi Mountain, I can refine and nurture treasure talismans. With this piece of top superior-grade second-rank Golden Nan Spirit Bamboo, if utilized properly, I should be able to create a few treasure talisman embryos." Lan Chang'an thought to himself.
Treasure Talisman, the essence is to exchange time for power.
If conditions allowed, he naturally wanted to nurture some in bulk.
...
"The Huanglong auction has ended. Fellow cultivators, please leave in an orderly manner. Fighting and killing for treasures in the city are prohibited..."
In the venue, cultivators from various factions dispersed.
With a Fake-Dan cultivator overseeing the event, no one dared to act rashly. Lan Chang'an and Zhao Siyao left together.
At this moment, he faintly sensed a pair of eyes watching him from behind.
At the top floor of the auction venue.
A peerless beauty with light purple long hair and an ethereal orchid-like presence watched the white-robed young man's back.
"Junior Sister, is that the lucky ancient Foundation Establishment cultivator who traded that superior Foundation Establishment Pill with you?" A bald, burly man in purple robes approached Fu Xuemei.
It was the Fake-Dan cultivator He Yuanwu.
He glanced indifferently at the departing cultivators, his gaze briefly resting on Lan Chang'an.
"Mhm."
Fu Xuemei responded softly, her naturally elegant brows seemingly sketching a faint melancholy.
"You are still too kind! That incident hardly counted as robbery, yet that kid took advantage of your luck and gained a lot. If he has any conscience, he should thank you in the future."
"If it were me, I would do anything for my loved ones, even if it meant annihilating a family or slaughtering a city." He Yuanwu's voice was low and domineering.
"Back then, to seize opportunities, I often killed and robbed, bullying the weak..."
This Fake-Dan cultivator spoke candidly, instilling his beliefs in his junior sister.
Hmm?
He Yuanwu's brow suddenly furrowed, and he looked up at the sky above Huanglong Immortal City.
A sharp aura descended on the city's third-rank grade formation.
"He Yuanwu! Do you dare come out and fight!"
A cloud of fiery glow appeared on the formation, revealing a tall, heroic young man carrying a long sword.
A loud shout resounded through the sky, shaking Huanglong Immortal City.
"Who is so bold to cause trouble in Huanglong Immortal City?"
"It's Tuoba Jin, the contemporary prodigy of the Liuyun Sect!"
"Tuoba Jin is at the late stage of Foundation Establishment, how dare he challenge a Fake-Dan cultivator?"
...
Lan Chang'an and Zhao Siyao were startled and looked up at the young man in the sky, who appeared as sharp and tall as a sword unsheathing from its hilt.
"He Yuanwu, do you remember when you bullied me with numbers in the 'Green Underworld Mysterious Realm' and robbed me of my opportunities?"
"Today, I, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, will challenge a Fake-Dan cultivator to wash away that humiliation."
Tuoba Jin, tall and majestic, with sharp eyes and a chiseled face, stood like a marble statue.
"Hmph! Back then it was you who wasn't skilled enough, and today you dare come to humiliate yourself?" He Yuanwu sneered disdainfully.
"Senior Brother He, ignore him. Tuoba Jin's energy is boiling, and he wants to use you as a whetstone to break through to the Core Formation Realm." Fu Xuemei transmitted a message.
"Then let Senior Brother crush his spirit!"
He Yuanwu's gaze turned fierce, his face twitching with muscles, and his body's dan power surged like a dragon, rushing to the sky above Huanglong Immortal City.
Under the eyes of all, Tuoba Jin issued his challenge.
As a Fake-Dan cultivator, if he retreated, Huanglong Immortal City's prestige would plummet.
Boom! Boom!
Two deafening explosions as the Fake-Dan cultivator and the peak Foundation Establishment cultivator clashed instantly.
Visible to the naked eye, a fiery cloud of light intertwined with a black tornado, the two forces clashing as they left the Huanglong Immortal City and struck the distant mountains
Many spectators flew out of Huanglong Immortal City to watch the battle between the two powerhouses.
Lan Chang'an and Zhao Siyao stopped at the city gate to watch.
In the distant mountains, rocks shattered and dust rolled.
He Yuanwu, as a Fake-Dan cultivator, wielded a giant black axe magic treasure prototype, raising a storm of black blades several tens of zhang.
Boom!
Some mountain peaks were directly flattened by the black giant axe.
Tuoba Jin wielded a long sword prototype magic treasure, the blade expanding five or six zhang, surrounded by four-colored flames, its momentum close to Core Formation.
"Six Spirit Fiery Sword Art, cultivated to the fourth level! Tuoba Jin indeed deserves to be the contemporary prodigy of the Liuyun Sect."
Some veteran Foundation Establishment cultivators exclaimed.
In the mountains, the four-colored sword flames and black blade storm clashed repeatedly.
Initially, He Yuanwu held the advantage with his superior magic power and magic treasure prototype.
As time went by, Tuoba Jin's relentless perseverance, combined with his growing focus and determination, allowed him to gradually turn the tide in his favor. However, even still, Tuoba Jin could not best He Yuanwu.
He Yuanwu was not only a Fake-Dan cultivator but also cultivated his body, making him exceptionally strong among Fake-Dan cultivators.
As the fight dragged from day to sunset, both sides were wounded, yet they continued to fight on, ferocity undiminished.
...
"Stop."
An elderly voice came from within Huanglong Immortal City.
Tuoba Jin and He Yuanwu's minds were shaken, and they simultaneously ceased fighting and retreated.
He Yuanwu's face was gloomy, almost dripping with water.
"Hahaha! A Fake-Dan cultivator, nothing more!"
Tuoba Jin laughed loudly, carrying his long sword, his face stained with blood, his spirit soaring, and left with the wind.
"This person has the potential to form a core."
Lan Chang'an secretly evaluated.
In his second life, at the late stage of Foundation Establishment, he would be no match for Tuoba Jin.
Through this battle, Tuoba Jin had overcome his mental obstacles, strengthened his resolve, and fortified his beliefs. With this boost in morale, he would be able to return and attempt to form a core with renewed vigor.
"Tuoba Jin challenged a disciple of Huanglong Immortal, using a Fake-Dan cultivator as a whetstone, what boldness!"
"Even though it was a tie, he succeeded!"
Many cultivators were shocked, watching the departing Tuoba Jin.
In front of Huanglong Immortal City.
Before the Huanglong Immortal City, the sun dipped below the horizon, leaving a dull yellow sky, as if it were watching the rise of a new prodigy.
"Liang Kingdom has so many forces in its cultivation world. Yet Tuoba Jin chose to hone himself against Huanglong Immortal's disciple." Gazing at the setting sun, Lan Chang'an couldn't help but ponder deeply.
He realized that the illustrious Huanglong Immortal City stood on the precipice of a turning point in history.
...
(End of chapter)