The hustle and bustle at Gathering Pill Square gradually calmed down, and the final rankings were settled through the deliberation of five Grandmasters.
When the presiding elder announced "Thirteenth place, Chen Xihuo," Chen Xihuo standing behind the Pill Platform let out a long breath, sweat from his forehead slid down his jawline, dripping onto the Cyan Ink Jade ground and spreading a small wet mark.
He respectfully bowed towards Chen Sheng on the high platform, his eyes showing both relief and a hint of excitement.
...
Yunlan Mountain, Chen Clan Hall.
Chen Xihuo was respectfully waiting by the side at this moment.
He held a Jade Bottle in his hand, containing an indigo-colored Elixir Pill, with a smooth pill body and clear Pill Patterns, it was indeed of Tier Two Top Level quality.
Chen Sheng raised his hand and patted his shoulder, a trace of gratification flashed in his eyes:
"Well done."
Chen Xihuo promptly put away the Elixir Pill, bowed deeply, and said: "Without father's guidance, your son would not have progressed so swiftly."
He had just passed eighty this year, with Late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation paired with the identity of a Tier Two Top Level Alchemist, he was already a prominent figure among his peers, but in front of Chen Sheng, he always maintained a respectful and humble demeanor.
Chen Sheng's expression remained neutral as he raised his eyebrows slightly; his son's Alchemy Talent was indeed remarkable, with an extremely high sensitivity to fire control.
Compared to the two mediocre direct disciples from the previous life, he was far superior, roughly on par with Fang Lingxiao of the past.
He waved his hand: "Let's go, I will take you to meet your seniors."
Experts verbijsterd: dit geheim voor het ontbijt smelt buikvet wegOpen
The two figures transformed into flowing light and flew towards Danxiao Peak outside the Dan Vein's Outer Sect.
Fog shrouded the peak, with clusters of Alchemy Rooms scattered around the mountainside, occasionally, Pill Fragrance floated with fluctuating Spiritual Power, the sound of disciples reciting the Pill Scripture could be faintly heard.
Before an ancient palace, an elderly person with white hair and beard was sitting cross-legged; a set of worn Pill Furnace was placed on the stone table in front of him.
Seeing Chen Sheng's arrival, the elderly person hurriedly stood up, his previously cloudy eyes instantly brightened:
"Fellow Daoist Micro-Image graces us with your presence, sorry for the lack of hospitality."
After exchanging pleasantries, Chen Sheng introduced Chen Xihuo:
"This is Elder Mo Shan, the Guardian Master of the Danqing Hall, highly experienced."
Chen Xihuo promptly bowed in greeting: "Greetings, Elder!"
Mo Shan smiled kindly and lifted him up, his emaciated hand gently patting Chen Xihuo's shoulder, his tone full of praise:
"Indeed, like father, like son! Seeing your steadiness, you are destined to be a pillar of the Alchemy Dao."
He turned to look at Chen Sheng, his eyes filled with gratitude:
"Special thanks to Fellow Daoist Micro-Image for refining the Longevity Pill for me last time, with two Pill Patterns of high quality, it forcefully extended my lifespan by fifty years."
Chen Sheng smiled casually: "It was the least I could do."
He had known Mo Shan from Danqing Hall, considered old acquaintances; this elderly cultivator had long approached the limit of his lifespan, taking the first Longevity Pill.
Later, as he approached the lifespan limit again, he sought another Longevity Pill, coinciding with Chen Sheng expanding the Dan Vein business, he came to request at his door.
For that batch of Elixir Pills, Chen Sheng used West Sea Spirit Turtle Shell as the medicinal guide, refining two Pill Patterns, allowing Mo Shan to forcibly extend fifty years more.
Since then, this cultivator with very old credentials in the Outer Sect became a reliable ally for him at the Dan Vein's Outer Sect.
"Rest assured, as long as I am at Danxiao Peak, I will ensure Xihuo receives no grievances."
Mo Shan beat his chest to promise, then turned to Chen Xihuo: "Soon, I will take you to receive the Alchemy Room and classics."
Chen Sheng instructed Chen Xihuo to express his gratitude again, exchanged a few words with Mo Shan, then transformed into flowing light and returned to Nine Cloud Peak.
...
Thirty years passed like the blink of an eye!
On this day, within the Nine Cloud Peak Fire Chamber, heat waves rolled like tides, the Purple Gold Pill Furnace suspended in mid-air, the flowing Profound Patterns on the furnace body were shining brightly under the high temperature.
Chen Sheng stood in front of the furnace, the slight undulations beneath the Profound Silk Daoist Robe, the speed of his incantation at his fingertips grew faster and faster, the fire sea within the pill furnace suddenly exploded, transforming into four distinct fire aspects.
Leading was a Cyan-Scaled Fire Dragon, its horns resembling coral as it raised its head, followed by a Vermilion Bird, its tail feathers dragging flame light like flowing jade.
Additionally, a turtle shell with fire patterns like Black Tortoise, the dark blue flames flowing between the patterns capable of devouring all cold air, and a fierce fiery beast resembling a White Tiger, its fang-tipped sparks carving a sharp sound through the air.
Four fire aspects hung within the Pill Furnace, the flames in their eye sockets unusually lively, as if possessing a main consciousness, all gazing at Chen Sheng, awaiting instructions.
This was the manifestation of Chen Sheng's mastery in fire technique; these fire aspects had preliminarily birthed fire spirits and could be classified as Tier Four.
"Rise!"
Just as Chen Sheng's low shout faded, the Cyan Dragon leaped first, its crimson flame tail sweeping across as the remaining fire aspects moved in response.
The Vermilion Bird held a strand of starfire and tossed it towards the center, while the Black Tortoise absorbed and exhaled with its blue flames to envelop it, and the White Tiger used its sharp claws to carve intricate array patterns in the void.
The four fire aspects entwined, devoured, and merged, the crimson and blue weaving into a spiral light band, the Vermilion Bird's jade fire darting through like an arrow, finally forming a naturally integrated Four Symbols True Spirit Array.
The array steadily reached Tier Three High Grade!
Chen Sheng flicked his fingers, and the long-prepared Tier Three Top Grade spiritual material "Ice Crystal Snow Lotus" just approached the array.
The Black Tortoise dashed forward, gently inhaling, and the ice shell of the lotus vaporized into white mist, the silver-white heart slowly spreading under the wrapping jade fire, with the dew on the petals dropping towards the array, surprisingly held up by the crimson flame without falling.
"White Tiger!"
With a light shout from Chen Sheng, the Tier Three Top Grade "Thunder-Blending Iron Wood" laced with purple lightning just entered the array, and the White Tiger fire aspect pounced fiercely, its fangs tearing open the wood grain instantly, pale purple thunder patterns clashing with fierce flames, erupting into crackling rain.
Chen Sheng formed spells with his hands, controlling the blue flames spat out by the Black Tortoise fire aspect to smooth the thunder patterns one by one, allowing the essence of the iron wood to blend into the surging fire waves.
As the most precious "Taiqing Golden Essence Fruit" transformed into golden liquid and fell, the Cyan Dragon fire aspect let out a resonant dragon's roar, its scales expanding three feet, holding the golden liquid steadily in mid-air.
The four fire aspects exerted their strength simultaneously, crimson, cyan, blue, and purple flames like living creatures burrowing into the golden liquid, forcing out the essence contained and merging it with the essence of other spiritual materials.
"Kan-Li Balance, Water-Fire Harmony!"
Chen Sheng's voice carried a peculiar rhythm, and the four fire aspects suddenly changed formation.
The Cyan Dragon coiled into a ring, the Vermilion Bird placed the lotus heart in the ring, the Black Tortoise's blue flames wove a screen on the outer layer, while the White Tiger continued to flap the flame screen with its claws, compressing the fused paste further and further.
The originally surging colored flames gradually unified, turning into pure sky blue flame light, its temperature skyrocketing several times higher than before, even the void was burned into slight fissures.
The mixed paste with silver-white snow lotus, thunder pattern purple lightning, and dragon saliva golden light rotated within the blue flames.
With the refinement of the three main materials completed, Chen Sheng promptly added seventeen types of Tier Three auxiliary spiritual materials.
"Go!"
Chen Sheng, with hands forming spells, manipulated the Grand Array to evolve invisible forces of the Four Symbols, quickly melting these spiritual materials, the gray-black impurities being stripped away by the fire array, dissipating into blue smoke.
The paste's volume shrank gradually, but its color grew increasingly transparent; faintly, nine essences floated within, like nine small fish swimming freely in a jade-green wave.
With the veins on Chen Sheng's forehead pulsing continuously, maintaining such lively fire aspect array consumed a significant amount of heart spirit.
He could clearly feel the Golden Core within his Dantian spinning at high speed, golden mana continuously flowing along the meridians towards his fingertips, connecting with the consciousness of the four fire aspects.
The Cyan Dragon's breath grew heavy, the Vermilion Bird's tail feathers dimmed slightly...
"Come!"
He promptly absorbed the prepared elixir pills, which turned into warm currents upon reaching his stomach, gradually restoring his state.
When the paste had shrunk to the size of a fist, golden light in Chen Sheng's eyes merged with the flame light of the fire aspects:
"Congeal!"
The four fire aspects simultaneously issued a long cry!
The Cyan Dragon opened its mouth to spray out the final streak of crimson flame, the Vermilion Bird folded its wings to wrap the flame light into a sphere, with the other fire aspects transforming into streamers and diving into the flame sphere.
The sky blue paste emitted a crisp hum under extreme compression, the outer blue flame suddenly collapsed inward, countless Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi frantically infused into the pill ball, nurturing the Pill Spirit!
Chen Sheng finally exhaled a long breath, the subsequent process would now be simpler.
As time slowly passed, accompanying the last Pill Collection Technique falling into the Pill Furnace.
The Purple Gold Pill Furnace trembled violently, the furnace lid was "clanged" and flew off.
A sky blue elixir pill the size of a dragon's eye broke out of the furnace, room full of fragrance, spirit light swirling over the pill body like a living dragon, after circling three times in the air, it was seized by Chen Sheng and placed into his palm.
The pill was warm to the touch, a cool breath spread along his arm to his whole body, instantly calming the spiritual power agitated by excessive consumption.
Chen Sheng carefully inspected the pill in his palm, the pill body round and full, spirit patterns continuous and clear, its Pill Spirit exceptionally lively, precisely the traits of a Tier Three Top Level Elixir.
"Finally succeeded, Tier Three Top Level Taiqing Dust Transformation Pill!"
"Two hundred and fifty-five years, finally achieving the status of a Tier Three Top Level Alchemist!"
The morning mist of the Three Elements Immortal City had yet to dissipate. Outside the Chen Clan Auction House, cultivators descended from their spiritual lights at the doorway.
The gilded plaque hanging on the vermilion door gleamed under the morning sun, and the stone lions guarding either side held luminous beads in their mouths, casting flickering reflections of the passing cultivators.
Today's auction house was ten times more lively than usual. Just the queue of cultivators waiting to enter stretched from the street corner to the alley's end, including several late-stage Foundation Establishment or even Foundation Establishment Perfection cultivators, each with irrepressible anticipation on their faces.
Inside the auction house, it was even more crowded with noise.
The main hall on the first floor had over a thousand seats, all occupied, with the murmurs of cultivators blending into a hum. Occasionally, spiritual power fluctuations spread from the crowd.
The seventy-two private rooms on the second floor had tightly closed windows, from which emanated powerful auras, clearly belonging to Golden Core cultivators.
At the third quarter of the Chen Hour, the beaded curtain behind the auction platform rose with a "swish," and Chen Xixing stepped onto the stage.
He wore a dark patterned brocade robe, with a well-crafted earth-yellow jade pendant at his waist. Though his aura of fake pill cultivation was not as majestic as a Golden Core cultivator's, it carried an invisible weight.
Years ago, he failed to break through to the Golden Core stage and eventually chose to refine the Unihorn Demon King's Core, assisted by the Tier Three Auxiliary Pill refined by Chen Sheng. He spent the last two years stabilizing his Fake Pill realm.
Such cultivation was not considered high, but having been at the helm of the Chen Clan for many years, his presence on stage exuded a command of the situation.
"Chairman Chen himself is on stage today, it seems the final auction item is extraordinary!"
"I heard the Chen Clan Commerce Association just annexed the 'Treasure Pavilion' in the west of the city last month. Now their influence in the Immortal City is second only to the top ten auction houses."
"It's not just the commerce association. Have you seen how even late-stage Golden Core cultivators are courteous to Chairman Chen? He's backed by the Micro-Image Grandmaster!"
Whispers arose from all corners of the hall. Chen Xixing acted as if he hadn't heard, merely raising his hand to quiet the raucous hall in an instant.
Afvallen na je 50ste komt neer op één simpel ding!Open
As the chief steward of the Chen Clan and the eldest son of the Micro-Image Grandmaster, even with just a Fake Pill cultivation, no one dared to act recklessly at his hosted events.
After all, the Micro-Image Grandmaster was a leading figure in the realm-breaking domain, and most cultivators sought ways to associate with him. Who would dare offend?
Besides, this place was the Three Elements Immortal City, the stronghold of the Daoist Sect. With the Micro-Image Grandmaster's connections in the sect...hardly anyone would overstep.
"Today's auction items, thank you all for waiting."
Chen Xixing's voice, amplified by spiritual power, reached every corner clearly. "Without further ado, let the auction begin!"
With his command, the first attendant walked onto the stage carrying a tray.
As soon as the "Ice Soul Bead" on the tray was revealed, a stir erupted in the hall.
This Tier Two High Grade Spirit Bead emitted a faint blue light, capable of stabilizing water spiritual power for Foundation Establishment cultivators. Instantly, seven or eight cultivators raised their paddles simultaneously.
"Five hundred middle grade spirit stones!"
"Eight hundred!"
"I'll offer one thousand!"
The price skyrocketed like a rocket, eventually being acquired by a blue-robed cultivator for one thousand five hundred middle grade spirit stones.
Soon after, the peak Tier Two "Cyan Pattern Shield" and Tier Three Lower Grade "Wind Spirit Grass" were successively brought forth, each inciting fierce bidding.
Undercover bidders mingling in the crowd deftly raised bids, at times feigning disputes, at other times pretending to give up, heating up the atmosphere.
Each time an item was sold, the steward responsible for the gavel loudly announced the sale, the crisp gavel sound intertwined with the cultivators' exclamations, immersing the entire auction house in a fervent atmosphere.
In a private room on the east side of the second floor, three Golden Core cultivators sipped spirit tea.
The leading cultivator in green put down his teacup, his gaze passing through the window to the stage below:
"Chen Clan's methods are becoming more proficient. While these Tier Two spiritual objects may not be top-notch, each is practical. They've clearly done their homework."
The red-faced cultivator beside him chuckled:
"Backed by the Micro-Image Grandmaster, countless Golden Core cultivators try to affiliate with him. With Chen Clan offspring engaging in marriages with other families, would they lack avenues for these Tier Two items?"
The other person stroked his beard and said:
"I'm more interested in the 'surprise' Chairman Chen mentioned. Last month I inquired through the Pill Vein, reportedly the Micro-Image Grandmaster, during secluded cultivation, crafted a new pill..."
Time passed slowly, soon nearing its end.
The lights on the auction platform suddenly dimmed, leaving only the Spirit Gathering Lamp illuminating Chen Xixing's figure, heightening the solemnity.
He personally presented a purple sandalwood tray lined with bright yellow brocade. In the center lay a translucent white jade bottle, vaguely revealing the rolling blue glow inside.
"Everyone," Chen Xixing's voice carried a barely perceptible excitement, "this is the final auction item of the session—the Taiqing Dust Transformation Pill."
At the mention of these three words, several gasps arose from the second-floor private rooms.
Chen Xixing paused, then continued:
"This pill ranks as Tier Three Top Level, personally improved by my father, who invested three months' effort in refining it. For mid-stage Golden Core cultivators, consuming this pill offers a fifty percent chance to break through the bottleneck and advance to the late-stage!"
"Boom!"
The hall instantly erupted. The composure on the cultivators' faces vanished, replaced by incredulous shock.
"A fifty percent chance? How is that possible!"
"I bought a 'Barrier-Breaking Pill' three years ago, and the seller claimed a twenty percent chance, but it didn't even touch the bottleneck!"
"A Pill Formula improved by the Micro-Image Grandmaster... no wonder it has such miraculous effects!"
Almost simultaneously, the windows of the second-floor box opened, and seven or eight Golden Core auras burst forth, unabashedly eager.
A Golden Core Cultivator in a purple robe suddenly stood up, his voice trembling slightly with excitement:
"Chairman Chen, is this true?"
Chen Xixing smiled faintly, raised his hand, and poured out a pill from the Jade Bottle.
The deep blue pill shimmered with fine Pill Patterns under the lamp's glow, and a refreshing medicinal fragrance instantly filled the room, causing the Spiritual Power within the cultivators to stir involuntarily.
"This pill can be verified." Chen Xixing handed the pill to the certifier next to him. "The Elder of the Dan Vein from the Three Elements Dao Sect has vouched for its authenticity, leaving no room for doubt."
The white-haired old man at the certification seat stood up, holding a Pill Mirror to examine the pill, and announced loudly:
"The Pill Patterns are pure; it's indeed a Tier Three Top Level Taiqing Dust Transformation Pill, with effects as described by Chairman Chen!"
No one doubted further as a green-robed cultivator was the first to raise his placard: "One hundred thousand Middle Grade Spirit Stones!"
"One hundred twenty thousand!"
"One hundred fifty thousand!"
"Two hundred thousand!"
The price skyrocketed like a rocket, breaking through three hundred thousand in the blink of an eye.
Several Mid-Stage Golden Core cultivators on the second floor turned red-eyed, their Divine Senses colliding in the air with invisible sparks.
"Three hundred fifty thousand!" the purple-robed cultivator gritted out, his Purple Thunder Spiritual Power nearly materializing.
"Three hundred seventy thousand!" came a cold call from another box, clearly determined to obtain it at any cost.
The purple-robed cultivator slammed the table, ready to raise his bid further, but his junior brother stopped him:
"Senior Brother, three hundred seventy thousand is the limit; going higher, even mortgaging an ore vein won't be enough. Even advancing to the late stage won't be worth it..."
He stared at the Jade Bottle on stage, eyes full of reluctance, and finally sat back dejectedly.
"Three hundred seventy thousand Middle Grade Spirit Stones, going once!"
"Three hundred seventy thousand, going twice!"
"Sold!"
The crisp sound of the gavel falling left the entire auction house silent for a moment, followed by an explosion of thunderous discussions.
"Three hundred seventy thousand, that's at least as much as a Tier Three Spirit Vein Ore."
"What do you know? For Golden Core cultivators, breakthroughs in realm are a hundred times more important than Spirit Stones! Besides, this is a pill from the Micro-Image Grandmaster, absolutely worth the price!"
More intriguing were the implications behind the pill, as a Golden Core cultivator whispered:
"To be able to refine a Tier Three Top Level pill means the Micro-Image Grandmaster is already a Tier Three Top Level Alchemist! Another giant is emerging from the Dan Vein!"
"I heard he's not even three hundred years old; achieving this at such an age, he might very well reach for Tier Four Grandmaster in the future!"
"Tier Four Grandmaster... the Daoist Sect currently has only one. If he truly achieves it, he'll undoubtedly become the helm of the Dan Vein's future!"
As the conversation gradually shifted from the pill to Chen Sheng, it was filled with reverence and speculation.
Some said he possessed mystical treasures capable of glimpsing the secrets of the Alchemy Dao... others said he had a unique bloodline, with several offspring possessing Earth Grade Spiritual Roots... and some marveled at his caution—since joining the Daoist Sect, he had never stepped out of the Three Elements Immortal City.
An old cultivator lamented:
"Such a calm and steady demeanor is well-suited for delving into the Alchemy Dao."
"Those sword cultivators who indulge in fighting lack this kind of composure. In my opinion, the Micro-Image Grandmaster will eventually become a Tier Four Grandmaster sooner or later!"
Someone nearby chimed in: "I wonder about the Micro-Image Grandmaster's qualifications. Is there any hope for him to form a Nascent Soul?"
The old cultivator nodded:
"It shouldn't be lacking; among his offspring are quite a few with Earth Grade Spiritual Roots."
"Moreover, he himself is a Mid-Stage Golden Core Cultivator, and this was after a misstep in his youth, forming a Fake Pill. Otherwise, he should have already broken through to the Late-stage Golden Core."