Duo Bao Pavilion, Auction Hall
Three days passed, and the auction raged on, the atmosphere growing fiercer. Upper Earth-Grade artifacts had sparked frenzies, and Lan An secured two Mysterious-Grade herbs: Fragrant Spirit Herb and Passion Flower Branch.
Though low-grade, Lan An's fierce bidding puzzled Qin Meng Ying and others.
"You're no alchemist. Why buy herbs?" Qin Meng Ying asked, her gaze curious.
"A secret," Lan An replied mysteriously, inwardly sweating. He'd studied the Black Skull Ring left by the Evil Emperor, which detailed recipes for Demonic Thought Pill and Blazing Passion Incense. The herbs were key for the latter, but he dared not confess.
Thanks to Blazing Passion Incense, he'd won Yan Clan's two princesses. Tasting marrow, he'd long planned to craft this lascivious drug for emergencies, and now he had his chance.
"Hmph, acting all mysterious," Qin Meng Ying pouted, sensing his dubious intent.
Lan An feigned calm, relieved she didn't know of Blazing Passion Incense. He feared her Void Refinement knowledge might expose his "lecherous" scheme.
Qin Meng Ying hadn't bid once, only caressing her Dreamheart Robes. Lan An half-suspected she slept with them.
Li Lin's heart churned with conflict. He'd pegged Lan An as a powerhouse with a mighty backing, a golden thigh to cling to. But offending Xue Chang and Fan Kong left him wavering on his allegiance.
Li Zhu Lan seethed. Two old monsters ganging up on a youth? Had her clan's elder not restrained her, her naive temper might've unleashed a tirade.
Days later, most attendees were satisfied. The wealthy bought treasures; the poor gained knowledge. The auction was worth the trip.
On stage, Cheng Bi finalized an Earth-Grade weapon's sale, the air thickening with anticipation. Breaths quickened—everyone knew what was coming.
The Heaven-Grade item.
Cheng Bi surveyed the hall, her voice clear. "The final item of this auction is upon us, but it won't be bid with spirit stones."
"No spirit stones?" The crowd murmured, confused.
"Lady Cheng Bi, please clarify," a Spirit Transformation cultivator asked. Duo Bao Pavilion never skipped spirit stones, and a Heaven-Grade item was unprecedented.
"Simple. This Heaven-Grade item is consigned by a friend for auction, seeking specific items in exchange, not spirit stones," Cheng Bi explained.
Realization dawned. No wonder Duo Bao offered a Heaven-Grade item—they were middlemen.
"Enough preamble. Behold the Heaven-Grade item, the auction's finale," Cheng Bi said gravely.
Space around her shimmered, a void crack opening. A white-haired elder emerged.
"Duo Bao's Void Refinement expert!" The crowd bowed respectfully. Tearing space was a Void Refinement feat, proof the Heaven-Grade item warranted such escort.
The elder nodded to Cheng Bi, waving his hand. An ancient book floated forth, its aura of timeless desolation flooding the hall, stirring hearts. Its age was unfathomable.
Breaths raced, eyes reddened with greed. Powerhouses stared, barely concealing their desire.
"This is a Middle Heaven-Grade Heart Unity Sword Art," Cheng Bi announced, igniting the crowd. Some surged spiritual energy uncontrollably.
"Hmph!" Two cold snorts, heavy with Void Refinement might, silenced them. Faces paled.
A hunched old woman appeared beside Cheng Bi, another Duo Bao Void Refinement expert. Two titans guarded the Heaven-Grade item.
"Calm yourselves. This is Duo Bao Pavilion, with clear rules," the elder rasped. Even Xue Chang and Fan Kong stayed silent.
"Guests, your eagerness is natural. Let me share the sword art's origins," Cheng Bi laughed, drawing all eyes.
"This Middle Heaven-Grade Heart Unity Sword Art suits any spiritual root, requiring only a sword. It's a dual sword art for two cultivators—spouses, siblings, or comrades—who understand each other deeply. Together, their swords merge, amplifying power manifold," she said.
Sword-wielders' eyes blazed. Couples exchanged glances, the art's value striking their hearts.
Lan An glanced at Bai Su Mei's Star-Silver Twin Swords, tempted. He'd promised her a sword art, and though Heart Unity required two wielders, Bai Su Mei's dual-sword mastery might make her uniquely suited.
Sensing his thoughts, Bai Su Mei clasped his hand gently. "I'm in no rush. Let fate decide."
Lan An nodded, unsure what the art's owner sought, hesitant to promise.
Curious, he asked Qin Meng Ying, "What weapon do you use?"
"Not swords," she murmured. "I prefer fans."
"Fans, huh?" Lan An noted, vowing to save any fan-related summons for her.
Outside, Cheng Bi spoke to eager eyes. "The owner of Heart Unity Sword Art seeks Earth-Grade Peak or higher items that nourish or heal the soul."
Faces fell. Soul injuries were cultivators' bane, fragile and hard to mend. Soul-healing treasures were the continent's rarest.
The crowd sighed. Yan Clan's elder, Yan Feng, rose, cupping his hands. "This old man has a Middle Earth-Grade Soul Nurturing Herb to bolster souls. I'll add 800 Supreme-Grade Spirit Stones for the Heart Unity Sword Art."
Cheng Bi nodded, closing her eyes to transmit with the owner.
Moments later, she shook her head. "Middle Earth-Grade isn't enough, and the friend doesn't need spirit stones."
Yan Feng sighed, expecting rejection but hoping for luck.
"Any guests meet the requirements?" Cheng Bi urged, seeing silence.
Lan An frowned, recalling Yan Ruo's soul injury from a reckless breakthrough. Without his intervention, she'd have perished, underscoring soul wounds' lethality.
The sword art's owner likely had a loved one with a grievous soul injury.
As a Soul Cultivator, Lan An could heal, but his current soul strength limited him to Late-Stage Nascent Soul or below. He hesitated, observing.
"Our Fan Yin Temple has a White Soul Flower, an Upper Earth-Grade herb that heals souls and elevates heart-state. If the friend agrees, I'll persuade our Abbot to trade," Fan Kong's gentle voice rang, laced with a smile.
Faces shifted. If successful, Fan Yin Temple's power would surge. Trading an Earth-Grade herb for a Heaven-Grade art? Any sane Abbot would agree.
Cheng Bi pondered, then relayed to the owner, shaking her head. "The injured is a Peak Spirit Transformation cultivator. Upper Earth-Grade isn't enough."
Relief spread. Many dreaded Fan Yin Temple's gain—a stronger Eighth-Grade power was daunting.
Fan Kong persisted, smiling. "Though White Soul Flower can't fully heal a Peak Spirit Transformation soul, it can sustain life long-term. The friend shouldn't miss this."
The crowd nodded silently. Soul injuries could be survived briefly, but prolonged damage led to soul dissipation. White Soul Flower could indeed prolong life significantly.
Lan An's face darkened. Fan Kong, his foe, couldn't gain a Heaven-Grade art, or future conflicts would be tougher.
He spoke up. "I have a way to heal soul injuries. I request a private meeting with the senior to discuss, not here."
"Hmph, this donor is ignorant. Soul injuries are so easily healed?" Fan Kong sneered.
Murmurs of doubt arose, but since it didn't affect their gains, most stayed quiet. Some left, sensing the auction's end, wary of enemies targeting their treasures.
"Your concern's unnecessary, monk," Lan An retorted coldly.
"This involves a life. You're stubbornly deluded. Visit our Fan Yin Temple for enlightenment," Fan Kong said piously, earning silent curses for his shamelessness.
Lan An ignored him, raising his voice. "I can indeed heal souls. Let the senior meet me to verify. I've no reason to deceive."
Cheng Bi nodded, her curiosity about this youth growing, but she relayed his offer seriously.
From Suite 3, a figure in a black cloak and mask emerged, face and gender obscured. Their aura froze the hall—another Void Refinement expert.
The figure nodded to Cheng Bi, entering Lan An's suite.
Realization hit: the sword art's owner had attended the entire auction, seated in a VIP suite.
Lan An's group tensed as the figure entered. Before he could speak, the cloaked figure asked, "What's your method?"
Lan An signaled Qin Meng Ying, who waved, enveloping the room in a spiritual barrier to block eavesdropping.
Though unsure of Lan An's plan, she trusted him.
The cloaked figure didn't object, awaiting his response.
Lan An stood, slightly taller than the figure, asking gravely, "Is the one needing healing male or female?"
"Why ask that?" A dangerous glint flashed in the masked eyes.
Lan An closed his eyes briefly.
A surge of vast, pure soul force erupted from him, swirling through the room at his command.
Qin Meng Ying's eyes narrowed, standing in shock. "Soul Cultivator?"
The cloaked figure froze, voice trembling. "You're a Soul Cultivator?"
"Indeed," Lan An confirmed, revealing his identity to gain trust.
Their shock was understandable. Soul Cultivation was arduous, requiring innate soul strength far beyond normal. Soul Cultivators were rarer than phoenix feathers on the continent, or the cloaked figure wouldn't be here.
"Even as a Soul Cultivator, your realm's too low. How can you heal a Peak Spirit Transformation soul?" the figure said sharply.
"That's why I asked gender. If female, I'm confident I can fully heal her within two years," Lan An said boldly.
"You mean healing through intimacy?" The figure, no fool, grasped his intent, their Void Refinement knowledge piercing his plan.
"Exactly," Lan An nodded, unapologetic. Qin Meng Ying glared, while Bai Su Mei giggled, unbothered by her master's conquests.
"Courting death?" The figure's fury surged, Void Refinement aura crashing toward Lan An.
"Hmph," Qin Meng Ying snorted, dispelling it. "Be wise. We offer a fair trade, stated upfront. The choice is yours."
The figure fell silent, their heart in turmoil. After a pause, they rasped, "Why should I trust you with my kin for two years?"
"Because I'm Lan An. My word is my bond," he declared, meeting the masked gaze with defiance.
"Follow me. Heal my kin, and beyond the Heaven-Grade sword art, I'll reward you further," the figure proposed, distrusting empty promises.
"No. I have my own path," Lan An refused. "I've made my offer. The choice is yours. Soul Cultivators are rare here."
The figure weighed kidnapping Lan An, but Qin Meng Ying's presence and Duo Bao's domain deterred them.
Sensing their thoughts, Lan An said calmly, "I revealed my identity without fear. Don't do anything reckless."
The figure's eyes narrowed, Lan An's silver gaze and boundless confidence quashing their impulse.
Silence stretched, the room's tension thickening…
"I have one more condition. In exchange, I'll give you the Heaven-Grade sword art outright," the figure sighed, resolute.
"What condition?" Lan An asked, Bai Su Mei and Qin Meng Ying equally wary.
The figure inhaled deeply, mustering immense resolve, and said, each word deliberate, "Sign a Coexistence and Co-death Pact with me."