Chapter 81: Winning the Demon Core at Auction (Please Subscribe)

Others were unable to see what was truly happening inside the third VIP platform, but Ge Wen could observe everything with absolute clarity. Not only him, but even the city lord, who was secretly watching the entire venue, could discern every movement within that platform.

The person who called out the price of “one thousand six hundred” was none other than the talisman master who had previously won the bid for the second-tier high-grade "Sword in the Umbrella." But what would a second-tier talisman master want with a demon core? Could it be that he also possessed the identity of an alchemist? A test later would reveal the truth…

Ge Wen mused silently, his thumb gently rubbing the spirit jade ring on his index finger—an item capable of blocking Liu Xiaoxian’s mind-reading technique. The probing of the talisman master would not be done by him personally; there were cultivators from Shanggu City present in the auction. Let them do the testing instead. Besides, Shanggu City was not the only force searching for the mysterious alchemist—others were also relentlessly seeking him.

Inside the third VIP platform, Liu Xiaoxian’s expression remained composed, betraying nothing. The crowd from Myriad Arts Pavilion, who had been probing for the mysterious alchemist, now looked at Li Guanxuan with astonishment.

“Master Li, what do you want with a late-stage second-tier demon core?” one of the second-tier talisman masters couldn’t help but ask.

The matter of the mysterious alchemist was well-known. For most, it was curiosity—they wanted to uncover the true identity behind the legend.

Li Guanxuan smiled, cupping his hands in greeting. “Recently, I’ve been studying formations and puppet-craft, so I needed a couple of late-stage second-tier demon cores to experiment with. I borrowed spirit stones from various friends to participate in the auction.”

The second-tier talisman master was momentarily stunned, incredulous. “Master Li, you also plan to delve into formations and puppet-craft?”

Everyone knew that among the myriad arts of cultivation, formations were the most challenging, followed by alchemy and artifact forging. Puppet-craft was complicated and laborious in its process, while the art of talismans was comparatively simple. For a master of the simplest art to venture into the difficult and intricate fields of formations and puppet-craft? Who would believe such a thing?

“Not planning to, but have already entered the field,” Li Guanxuan replied, slapping his palm down. A second-tier inferior-grade explosive puppet appeared before them. Its hard metallic shell emitted a chilling aura, and its dull, hollow eyes were unsettling.

Next, Li Guanxuan took out a formation disk and laughed. “Formation arts are indeed difficult. I’ve studied and practiced for several years, barely reaching the intermediate grade of the first tier.”

The craftsmen from Myriad Arts Pavilion were speechless. They had assumed Li Guanxuan was joking, but it turned out he had already become a second-tier puppet master and a first-tier intermediate formation master.

Liu Xiaoxian’s expression was calm, but her heart was deeply shocked. She knew Li Guanxuan best; he had only entered the art of puppetry about two years ago, and even his insights in puppet-craft had come from her. Had he already become a second-tier puppet master? It was possible—her beloved disciple had always been shrewd.

Nevertheless, Liu Xiaoxian didn’t probe further. Everyone had their own opportunities and secrets.

Li Guanxuan secretly glanced at Liu Xiaoxian, finding her expression unchanged, which allowed his heart to settle. He dared to reveal his identity as a second-tier puppet master because he trusted Liu Xiaoxian and Zheng Huangjin. Especially Zheng Huangjin, who had known him for fourteen years, witnessing his step-by-step rise from a third-layer Qi refiner and a first-tier intermediate talisman master.

Now, aside from the thirty percent chance Foundation Pill, he had also mastered puppet-craft and formations. Zheng Huangjin would surely suspect he had encountered some fortuitous opportunity. Yet both shared an unspoken agreement—not to ask, not to tell. This was why their friendship had endured so well.

…

In the blink of an eye, the price for the late-stage second-tier Blue Lightning Leopard demon core had risen to two thousand three hundred inferior-grade spirit stones. Li Guanxuan continued to bid, believing the core was worth no more than just over three thousand. Beyond that, it wasn’t worthwhile.

“Three thousand two hundred.”

Li Guanxuan bid again.

“Four thousand!”

Platform Five seemed determined to compete with Li Guanxuan.

“The price is too high, not worth it,” Li Guanxuan shook his head, declining to bid further. Though he held many spirit stones, offering too high a price would surely arouse suspicion. To avoid trouble, he decided to wait.

“You…”

Hearing that Li Guanxuan had stopped bidding, a gritted voice came from Platform Five. Clearly, they didn’t truly desire the spirit stone either.

Li Guanxuan felt helpless. Who exactly was the person in Platform Five? Why were they so intent on opposing him?

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“Four thousand spirit stones, third call, sold!”

Ge Wen didn’t bother repeating the counts, directly selling the late-stage second-tier demon core, worth four thousand inferior-grade spirit stones, to Platform Five. Platform Five had no choice but to swallow the bitter pill in silence.

“The next item is another late-stage second-tier demon core, from the Blood Gold Spider, with excellent attributes. The starting bid is two thousand three hundred inferior-grade spirit stones, with each increment no less than fifty.”

As Ge Wen announced the next item, laughter rippled through the hall. Everyone knew that Platform Five had spent at least a thousand spirit stones needlessly.

This time, Li Guanxuan was in no hurry to bid. When the price rose to “four thousand spirit stones,” he finally spoke, “Four thousand five hundred.”

“Four thousand six hundred,” someone else still wished to compete.

“Four thousand seven hundred,” Li Guanxuan bid again.

The other bidder pondered a moment, then shook his head and fell silent.

“Four thousand seven hundred, once, twice…”

When Ge Wen called, “Four thousand seven hundred, thrice, sold,” Li Guanxuan finally felt at ease. At least there was now a chance to refine a Foundation Pill with a thirty-five percent probability…

As Li Guanxuan was pondering, a female attendant brought over the late-stage second-tier demon core from the Blood Gold Spider. After confirming its authenticity and paying the spirit stones, the next item was announced—another excellent late-stage second-tier demon core—but Li Guanxuan had no intention to bid further. Continuous bidding would inevitably make people suspect the mysterious alchemist.

“Three thousand eight hundred!”

Beside Li Guanxuan, a second-tier intermediate-grade alchemist called out.

The artisans from Myriad Arts Pavilion looked over, and Li Guanxuan turned his head curiously.

“It’s Master Diao…”

“His alchemical skills are indeed superb; years ago, he refined a Foundation Pill with a twenty-five percent chance.”

“Could he be the mysterious alchemist?”

“…"

The crowd whispered among themselves, but only Li Guanxuan knew that Master Diao was likely pushed to the fore by Liu Xiaoxian to divert attention. The once-casual master had exhausted himself for his disciple… Li Guanxuan sighed inwardly.

For now, prudence was best. One late-stage second-tier demon core was enough, then he could test refining a thirty-five percent Foundation Pill. Even if he failed, there would be no regrets.

…

Afterwards, Li Guanxuan bid on nothing else, though the auction continued. He took his leave and departed. Liu Xiaoxian nodded gently, saying nothing.

He was not the only one to leave. With the protection of Shanggu City’s enforcer cultivators, everyone discreetly exited, without revealing any identity.

Li Guanxuan did not hurry back to Myriad Arts Pavilion, but wandered through Shanggu City, searching for any other second-tier demon cores for sale.

He purchased five excellent second-tier early-stage demon cores and two excellent second-tier mid-stage demon cores, before heading towards Myriad Arts Pavilion.

…

“How are things?” In the first VIP platform at the auction venue, an elder dressed in green lifted his teacup, his weathered gaze betraying no emotion.

“Reporting to the city lord, there were three who purchased second-tier demon cores and departed: Master Diao and Master Li from Myriad Arts Pavilion, and Master Chen from Spirit Treasure Pavilion. Master Diao returned directly to Myriad Arts Pavilion; Master Li visited several shops in the city, purchasing five second-tier early-stage demon cores and two mid-stage demon cores at low prices. Master Chen trailed Master Li for a while, but seeing him still buying demon cores, returned to Spirit Treasure Pavilion.”

A shadow hidden in the dark spoke calmly.

It was the auction’s intermission; Ge Wen was also present, and after hearing this, he sank into thought.

The green-robed city lord asked, “Who do you think is the mysterious alchemist?”

“I am dull-witted, I cannot guess,” came the reply.

Ge Wen sighed, shaking his head, “The mysterious alchemist may be among the three, or not at all, since he could have sent someone to bid on his behalf.”

The city lord nodded, finding logic in the words, then smiled, “Just track the buyers of late-stage second-tier demon cores. No matter who bids for the mysterious alchemist, traces will remain.”

“Brilliant, my lord,” Ge Wen rose and bowed.

The city lord smiled; clever as Ge Wen was, he surely had thought of this, but as the advisor, he would not make such decisions without approval. He was a scholar both wise and emotionally astute.

…

After returning to Myriad Arts Pavilion, Li Guanxuan’s heart remained unsettled.

He repeatedly dissected the events of the auction on his way.

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If he were the city lord of Shanggu, having dangled late-stage second-tier demon cores to lure out targets, he would certainly employ other methods to investigate further.

“I must be even more careful from now on…” Li Guanxuan sighed deeply.

Though he had exercised great caution, the world of cultivation inevitably entailed social dealings and the need to break through personal bottlenecks.

Li Guanxuan made his way via a secluded path straight to the top floor of Myriad Arts Pavilion, entering his master’s room, where he found Ji Yue and his master playing with a caged bird.

The Liu Xiaoxian in Myriad Arts Pavilion was only a puppet avatar. Her true body always remained within the Pavilion.

“Husband, Master Chen from Spirit Treasure Pavilion was following you. Did you know?” Qin Ji Yue quickly said upon seeing Li Guanxuan return.

“No, I didn’t.” Li Guanxuan shook his head. “But I know everyone is watching those who bought the late-stage second-tier demon cores.”

Liu Xiaoxian kept playing with the bird, smiling, “Ge Wen from Shanggu may visit each buyer one by one. You’ll need to be cautious when communicating with him.”

“Can’t I avoid it?” Li Guanxuan asked tentatively.

Liu Xiaoxian rolled her enchanting golden eyes, responding irritably, “Your master isn’t invincible. In Shanggu City, we still have to respect the city lord’s authority!”

“Alright…” Li Guanxuan dared not grumble internally about his beautiful and formidable master.

Liu Xiaoxian caught his thoughts and hummed, her lips curving slightly.

“You Shaoneng bought a Foundation Pill and will leave Shanggu City in a few days. I’ve arranged everything—you just need to kill him,” Liu Xiaoxian instructed. “Be decisive, leave no loose ends.”

Li Guanxuan took a deep breath, bowing deeply. “Thank you, Master.”

“You needn’t worry too much about Ge Wen’s visit. I estimate he’ll come with a request. It may not be a bad thing.”

Liu Xiaoxian squinted, “Spirit Treasure Pavilion has always competed with Myriad Arts Pavilion. Now we’ve launched a Foundation Pill with thirty percent probability; they’ll soon catch up…”

Her meaning was clear—she hoped he could increase the success rate of the Foundation Pill to surpass Spirit Treasure Pavilion.

“If I use high-grade materials to improve the Foundation Pill, it’s not worth the cost. If I can refine a thirty-five percent Foundation Pill using a second-tier mid-stage demon core, then we can compete,” Li Guanxuan replied.

Late-stage second-tier demon cores were expensive and refining them consumed both energy and wealth—unnecessary.

Moreover…

Li Guanxuan suddenly thought of something, but refrained, knowing his master could read minds.

Liu Xiaoxian looked at him deeply, nodding, “You’ve considered these matters more thoroughly than I. You take the lead then.”

She didn’t ask further; her treasured disciple always had his own calculations.

“Then Ji Yue and I will return to our residence. If there’s any news about You Shaoneng, please inform me,” Li Guanxuan said with a smile, cupping his hands.

“So eager?” Liu Xiaoxian glanced at her disciple.

Hearing this, Qin Ji Yue’s cheeks flushed.

Li Guanxuan replied without shame, “The dual cultivation secret art isn’t practiced in vain, Master.”

“Go, go…” Liu Xiaoxian waved him off.

…

Night descended, its veil dim and soft.

In a room where magical arts and skills were competing, a long sword slid in and out of its sheath, occasionally reflecting droplets of water.

As the sounds of breathing gradually faded, Li Guanxuan exhausted his wealth, “pulling up the radish, bringing up the mud.”

Qin Ji Yue, drenched in sweat, leaned against her beloved, her voice languid, “Once You Shaoneng is killed, your heart knot will be untied, won’t it?”

“I’ve known Old Chen for over twenty years. Now that he and his wife are missing, if I don’t kill You Shaoneng for him, I can’t rest, can’t swallow the anger,” Li Guanxuan admitted. “Once, the Beast Taming You family was a noble clan I looked up to. I feared they’d protect You Shaoneng, so I resolved to remove his backing before dealing with him. Now, I’ll only kill You Shaoneng—not target the rest. With the caution and intelligence of the clan’s patriarch, he’ll realize a descendant has caused trouble, provoking someone they shouldn’t have… It depends if he can let go.”

“Master said he didn’t obtain the Heaven Origin Pill or the Yellow Court Pill,” Qin Ji Yue revealed.

“He’s nearing the end of his lifespan…” Li Guanxuan narrowed his eyes. “Let’s see if he makes a last desperate move.”

“It won’t matter; Master will keep a close watch.”

“Mm… Little lady, let’s exchange magical arts again.”

“Alright…” Qin Ji Yue bit her lip, refusing to yield.

…

PS: Chapter Three, a total of twelve thousand words. Two more chapters tonight—aiming for a full twenty thousand.

(End of this chapter)

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