Another thousand-year-old medicinal ingredient?
Chen Sanshi showed no outward reaction. He refined the pill as usual. After it emerged from the furnace, he confirmed through Identify Formula Upon Seeing Pill that the main ingredient in this batch of Fierce Flood Dragon Nourishing Foul Pill was indeed over 1,000 years old.
One furnace produced 20 pills, requiring at least 10 stalks of thousand-year medicinal herbs!
Wasn't this Medicine Valley being a bit too extravagant?
Or was it some strange forbidden technique?
Chen Sanshi had heard of certain Wood-attribute cultivation techniques. Once mastered, they granted access to forbidden arts capable of accelerating the growth of spiritual plants.
But even that had limits. It might be possible to ripen decades-old herbs into century-old ones. Producing thousand-year herbs, however, was almost inconceivable. Even if someone truly could accomplish such a feat, it would have to be a great power—not someone appearing here.
In that case, it could only be Medicine Valley.
Recalling how the Demon-Suppression Bureau and other forces had been targeting Dusk Valley, it was highly likely that Medicine Valley stored a vast quantity of thousand-year herbs, which was precisely why it had drawn such attention.
"Many thanks for your hard work, Fellow Daoist Xiao."
Bai Liangbi put away the pills and turned to leave.
Foul qi?
Chen Sanshi gazed at his departing figure. Through Qi Observation Technique, he discovered that within Bai Liangbi's True Force there was actually a trace of Foul qi mixed in.
Could it be that he refined the Fierce Flood Dragon Nourishing Foul Pill not to temper the body, but truly to nurture Foul qi and cultivate a demonic art?
"Family Head Bai."
Chen Sanshi called out to stop him. "That furnace of pills was the Fierce Flood Dragon Nourishing Foul Pill, correct?"
"Heh, Fellow Daoist has keen eyes."
Bai Liangbi replied frankly, "It is indeed that pill."
For an alchemist to recognize the type of pill was nothing unusual. What was truly precious was the pill formula.
Chen Sanshi reminded him, "If too much of the Fierce Flood Dragon Nourishing Foul Pill is consumed, I fear there may be adverse effects."
"Thank you for the reminder, Fellow Daoist."
Bai Liangbi said calmly, "But rest assured, I know my limits. I also hope Fellow Daoist will not speak of this matter to others.
"Oh, right."
He withdrew a box from his sleeve. "Inside is a stalk of Undying Grass, the portion specially reserved for Fellow Daoist."
Chen Sanshi opened the box. Inside lay a jade-green spiritual plant shaped like a human palm.
This was one of the heavenly treasures—the Undying Grass. Cultivating a mature stalk required a full 500 years. On average, only 1 out of every 10 survived to maturity. Yet it was an indispensable treasure for opening the lower eight mirror gods, making it exceedingly precious.
Precisely because heavenly treasures were required to open the mirror gods, many martial families, after establishing themselves, gradually shifted toward immortal cultivation. Very few forces continued to persist solely on the martial path.
One more stalk of Undying Grass meant that before long, the imperial court would gain another martial artist in the True Force Realm.
"Many thanks, Fellow Daoist."
Chen Sanshi stored the item in his Storage Bag. "How are things recently?"
"Heh—"
Bai Liangbi let out a cold laugh. "The Demon-Suppression Bureau has not given up on wiping us out. We can only try negotiating once more. If that fails, then there will be no need for further restraint.
"Fellow Daoist Xiao, rest assured. Our Bai family has connections within Qingxu Sect, and we have already sent someone to seek assistance. I expect before long—"
Before finishing his sentence, he hurried away.
"Seeking help from Qingxu Sect."
Chen Sanshi pondered silently.
Once sects were involved, matters would only escalate further. Yet in some sense, that was also a good thing.
Only in chaos would he have the opportunity to prevail amidst disorder.
For now, he could only wait and observe.
After the Bai family head departed, the second daughter, Bai Chaotong, entered to take his place. The two cooperated to refine several more furnaces of pills, including the Purple Mansion Pill specifically for Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Skill: Alchemy (Second Tier)
Progress: 346/1,000
After finishing the work, Chen Sanshi wasted no time. He immediately returned to his cave dwelling and began secluded cultivation.
Once cultivation began, the passage of time became imperceptible.
Stars shifted, sun and moon revolved.
Who knew how much time passed before Chen Sanshi felt a trace of fatigue in his dantian. Only then did he slowly open his eyes and exhale a breath of turbid air.
Within his Purple Mansion dao foundation, the sea representing his mana accumulation had clearly grown more vast.
Cultivation Method: Swallowing Fire Art · Foundation Establishment Early Stage
Progress: 25/500
"This progress—"
Chen Sanshi could not help but sigh. "The road ahead is long."
He swallowed a Mystic Origin Pill and resumed practicing his spear techniques. The movements, forms, and even breathing method were already engraved into his bones.
Under the medicinal boost, spiritual energy continuously washed over the mirror gods within his body. Between his abdomen and chest cavity, spiritual light surged and circulated, gradually transforming into a blazing white glow.
The spirit of the diaphragm, named Guangying Residence, styled Daozhong, five cun in length, clothed in white!
Cultivation Method: Dragon Scripture (True Force Middle Stage)
Progress: 313/500
Of the lower eight mirror gods, five had been opened.
The martial path and immortal path advanced in tandem. Compared to the Swallowing Fire Art, it was likely that the Dragon Scripture would be the first to break through into the late stage.
Speaking of which, once the Dragon Scripture broke through to the late stage, Chen Sanshi would once again face the same problem—the technique was incomplete.
The Dragon Scripture his master had left behind only recorded up to the late stage. It did not include the perfection stage, nor anything about the Golden Body Realm above the True Force Realm.
It seemed that before his death, his master's realm had been around the True Force middle stage.
But this was not because Sun Xiangzong lacked talent. On the contrary, according to Fourth Senior Brother, the old man's aptitude had been extraordinary. It was only after he went to the extreme northern forbidden land that he refused to remain any longer in the cultivation world, insisting on returning to the Eastern Divine Continent.
After returning to the continent, there was no spiritual energy to draw upon, let alone medicinal herbs or other resources. His realm could only remain stuck at that middling level, becoming merely the number one among mortals.
Thinking back, throughout his master's life of warfare, he had not married and had children until the age of 60. Yet Chen Sanshi had never once seen his master's wife—no, not even really heard much about her.
Neither the Imperial Noble Consort nor Sun Buqi had ever mentioned her much either. It was as though they had grown up without a mother.
Chen Sanshi took out two tokens from his Storage Bag. One was the jade flute left behind by Fourth Senior Brother Fang Qingyun, which he was to deliver to Fairy Jiang of Qingxu Sect.
The other was the jade pendant left by his master. It appeared to be a broken yin-yang fish, clearly meant to have another half.
The letter left behind had said that if he truly could not find the continuation of the technique, he should take the jade pendant to Qingxu Sect to obtain the subsequent inheritance.
"We'll talk about it when the time comes."
Chen Sanshi put the items away again, preparing to first handle the matter at hand.
A wind chime rang, and the cave dwelling opened.
Sima Yao arrived before him, travel-worn and dusty. "Your Majesty, as per your instructions, personnel have been selected from Tianyong City and brought to Heavenly Water Isle. What are your orders next?"
Under their covert mobilization, the court's forces had gradually assembled as well.
"The map."
Chen Sanshi uttered the two long-unused words.
A detailed map of Northern Yang Dao in Heavenly Water Isle was spread out before him.
After a brief glance, he selected a suitable location for concealment. "Take them and lie in ambush within this canyon. Set up formations in advance. Before I arrive, no one is to act rashly."
After speaking, Chen Sanshi took out several formation disks and a large number of formation flags.
He was not only an alchemist but also a first-tier formation master. After more than a decade of accumulation, he had devoted no small effort to studying formations.
Although the grade of these formations was not high, their quantity was immense. Combined with the terrain, they were sufficient to deal with the vast majority of cultivators below Foundation Establishment.
After all, Northern Yang Dao had no sects. Even combined, how many Foundation Establishment cultivators could there be?
The only concern was that once they made their move, it had to be swift and decisive. Otherwise, it could at any moment attract a Golden Core cultivator from the main peak of Daze.
"Go and prepare."
"This subject obeys!"
Soon, the day of the auction arrived.
Falling Cloud Manor.
This was a martial sect in the mortal world, roughly at the level of a "martial alliance leader." But to cultivators, it was merely a lackey among lackeys.
This auction was initiated by Jiang Li, the young city lord of Ronghua City. It was only open within certain circles of fellow Daoists. Without an invitation or the guarantee of an acquaintance, one could not participate.
The items to be auctioned were said to include many unorthodox things, as well as numerous precious items—various seeds, spiritual plants, mystic weapons, and more.
Chen Sanshi was genuinely interested.
The imperial court was short on resources; it was time to gather a batch.
After all, waging war and conquering lands was fundamentally for resources.
However, once they made their move, they might not be able to occupy this place afterward.
The people of Zhuxian Sect also arrived on time, each having secured a few slots of their own.
Chen Sanshi found Qin Tao and had him take responsibility for bringing him inside.
"Daoist Zhang."
Qin Tao approached an elderly cultivator with a goat beard and introduced, "This is Senior Lin Fan. He is a distant relative of my ancestors from the Canghai region. He happened to pass by to visit me. Upon hearing about the auction, he also wished to attend."
"You brat."
The cultivator surnamed Zhang sized him up, astonished. "You actually know a Foundation Establishment senior?! With such connections, why didn't you say so earlier?"
"Heh…"
Qin Tao said awkwardly, "My aptitude is too poor, and we're only distant relatives. It's already good enough that he shows some care. How would I dare boast about it normally?"
"Greetings, Senior Lin!"
The cultivator surnamed Zhang bowed respectfully to the Foundation Establishment cultivator. He then took out a wooden token, displaying his contribution. "This auction was originally not open to strangers. But since you are Elder Qin Tao's relative, there is nothing more to say!"
For Qi Refining rogue cultivators like them, if they could build a good relationship with a Foundation Establishment cultivator, others would think twice before offending them.
"Is that so? Then I truly must thank you, Fellow Daoist."
As Chen Sanshi spoke, he casually tossed over a bottle of pills.
"Oh my, oh my—Senior, you are too generous!"
The cultivator surnamed Zhang was flattered and overwhelmed. "Allow this junior to reveal something more to Senior. This auction is actually a great opportunity!"
"Oh?"
Chen Sanshi probed, "In what way is it a great opportunity?"
"Well—"
The cultivator surnamed Zhang glanced around and lowered his voice mysteriously. "This auction can raise the upper limit of you seniors! As for more specifics, I dare not say. In any case, Senior will know shortly!"
"Very well, thank you."
After firmly memorizing the man's appearance, Chen Sanshi followed the wooden token and formally entered the venue.
The auction venue had been renovated from a pavilion. It stood three stories tall. The main hall on the first floor was used to display the auction items and accommodate general seating. The second floor was reserved for late-stage Qi Refining cultivators, while the third floor consisted entirely of private rooms.
As a Foundation Establishment cultivator, Chen Sanshi naturally went together with Shangguan Siheng to a private room on the third floor.
Within the crowd, he spotted a familiar face.
Changsun Miao.
Back at Little Bamboo Peak, Chen Sanshi had nearly suffered a loss at this man's hands. The Yama Seal in Changsun Miao's possession had spewed forth nether yin fire of astonishing power—its might even surpassing the Myriad Beast Fierce Flame.
"Something's not right…"
His gaze swept across the crowd, and he quickly detected something unusual.
Because—
Using the Qi Observation Technique, Chen Sanshi noticed that within the dantians of many cultivators present, there lurked the yin Foul qi characteristic of the demonic path.
"You've noticed something off as well?" Shangguan Siheng said coldly. "My people sent word that behind this auction, members of the Seven Kill Sect are stirring up trouble.
"And look—those who have come to participate today, regardless of realm, most of them possess their own influence.
"For example, that flamboyantly dressed woman. She herself is only at the late stage of Qi Refining, yet she is a second-tier alchemist of the Zhu family.
"And that old man over there—also late-stage Qi Refining—but he is the highest-ranking elder of the Wu family. The most talented descendants of the Wu family today are all from his lineage.
"And furthermore—
"In short, they are all figures of status within Northern Yang Dao.
"The Seven Kill Sect has gathered them here. Who knows what scheme they are plotting."
The two communicated via voice transmission. If anyone attempted to eavesdrop, they would immediately detect it.
"Mm."
Chen Sanshi said, "What is your sect's ultimate objective?"
"First kill, then save."
Shangguan Siheng replied, "Recently in Northern Yang Dao, the number of missing boys and girls has been increasing day by day. We suspect the Young City Lord Jiang Li has colluded with the demonic path.
"So our plan is to seize Jiang Li first, then force him to reveal the location of the missing boys and girls.
"He's here!"
His expression shifted slightly as he stared into the main hall at a gorgeously dressed young man holding a folding fan.
"This man is merely at the late stage of Qi Refining. He is only 20 paces from us. If I act, I can certainly capture him alive. Shall we move?"
"No rush."
Chen Sanshi said calmly, "Since we already suspect something is wrong with this auction, we might as well first see what they are really up to."
"Very well."
Shangguan Siheng restrained himself. "Fellow Daoist's consideration is more thorough. The Seven Kill Sect's blood sacrifice is no empty threat, and they have arranged this auction. We should indeed find out what is going on."
The two fell silent.
The auction soon began.
The process was simple. A young female cultivator stood upon the platform, displaying the items one by one. The cultivators bid anonymously through a transmission formation, and the highest bidder won.
The first auction item was a first-tier formation inheritance, including a full 8 formations, both offensive and defensive.
In the cultivation world, any inheritance was exceedingly precious. Even a first-tier one would normally command a market price of no less than 2,000 spirit stones.
Yet the starting price at auction was only 1,000 spirit stones, sending many into a frenzy.
Chen Sanshi placed a token bid.
The second item was a second-tier weapon forging inheritance, with a market price of around 5,000 spirit stones. The auction price was only 3,000.
Shangguan Siheng raised the bid to over 4,000 and ultimately secured it.
The third item, the fourth…
In order to gain greater access to where the auction items were stored after the event concluded, Chen Sanshi also symbolically purchased 2 items.
It was not until the eighth item that his attention was truly captured.
"2 saplings of the Mirror god Fruit Tree."
The female cultivator responsible for the auction announced, "Starting price: 1,500 spirit stones."