Chapter 193: Special demon core, small forbidden formation!

The next day.

Lu Changsheng left his residence and headed towards the Nine Heavens Mountain auction house.

Today was the day of the Nine Heavens Immortal City’s semi-annual auction.

However, for Nine Heavens Immortal City, such a small auction was just a minor event.

It primarily sold rare and exquisite items.

As far as Lu Changsheng knew, the truly bustling auctions in the Immortal City were the triennial and decennial ones.

Medicinal Pills like the Foundation Establishment Pill, many rare Spirit Pills and Elixirs, Cultivation Technique Legacies, and Heaven And Earth Treasures could all be found at these major auctions.

Upon arriving at the Nine Heavens Mountain auction house, Lu Changsheng took out the invitation he had purchased earlier.

“Fellow Daoist, you hold a private room invitation. Please follow me!”

A beautiful, charmingly smiling maid led Lu Changsheng to the second floor of the venue.

“Within the private rooms, guest privacy is absolutely guaranteed, and after you bid on a treasure, someone will directly deliver it to your private room for the transaction…”

The maid introduced the facilities and rules of the auction house while leading the way.

“Mm.”

Lu Changsheng nodded slightly.

He had already understood these aspects beforehand.

The private rooms were not only more comfortable but also offered a certain degree of privacy protection.

“As expected of an Immortal City, even a small auction like this is more lively than the auction at Hongye Valley Market, which had so much preliminary hype.”

Lu Changsheng entered the private room and sat down, able to overlook the entire auction hall, observing the filled seats on the first floor.

Most were Qi Refining Late Stage Cultivators.

There were also quite a few Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

“Dong—”

About half an hour later, with a loud gong sound, a tall, mature, and charming female Cultivator in a red dress walked onto the stage.

“Thank you all for coming. This auction now begins. I wish all Fellow Daoists and Seniors can acquire their desired items.”

“The first item up for bid—a Low Grade Spiritual Artifact, the ‘Jianghe One Qi Crossbow.’ It has effects for attacking enemies, breaking spells, and breaking restrictions, and it can be activated with Spirit Stones without consuming magical power… The starting bid is two thousand one hundred Spirit Stones.”

The red-dressed female Cultivator’s voice was soft and sweet as she held a small crossbow and introduced it.

Her voice clearly reached everyone in the hall.

“Two thousand one hundred Spirit Stones!”

“Two thousand five hundred Spirit Stones!”

Although this was a Low Grade Spiritual Artifact.

Its appearance at the auction indeed made it a fine item.

Being able to activate it without consuming one’s own magical power meant that even Qi Refining Late Stage Cultivators could use it.

“Two thousand nine hundred Spirit Stones.”

Lu Changsheng made a bid.

He naturally had no use for this Spiritual Artifact.

However, Lu Miaoge, being at the Qi Refining Peak cultivation and practicing a water-attribute Cultivation Technique, found this crossbow Spiritual Artifact quite suitable for self-defense.

Moreover, since he had come out, he naturally had to bring back small gifts for his wives and children.

After several bids, Lu Changsheng acquired it for three thousand eight hundred Spirit Stones.

It wasn’t expensive, but it wasn’t cheap either.

“Guest, this is the Spiritual Artifact you won.”

Soon after, a maid entered the private room through a hidden passage, carrying a tray.

“Mm.”

Lu Changsheng picked up the crossbow and casually examined it.

He knew that this Spiritual Artifact could be easily activated by Qi Refining Cultivators through Medium Grade Spirit Stones and daily nurturing.

If the stored energy ran out, it would be much more difficult to activate.

After paying the Spirit Stones, he put away the crossbow.

“Ice Heart Pill, capable of assisting ice-attribute Cultivation Technique practitioners in breaking through their Bottleneck, and also has the effect of suppressing Heart Demons and treating fire-attribute injuries. There are ten pills in total, with a starting bid of five hundred Spirit Stones each.”

The red-dressed female Cultivator’s sweet voice continued to spread throughout the auction hall, reaching everyone’s ears.

Lu Changsheng leaned back lazily in the soft chair, casually looking around.

Unless it was a third-tier Medicinal Pill, or some rare Medicinal Pill, he generally had no interest.

“Ah, this…”

Lu Changsheng, who was bored and looking around, suddenly saw something in a corner on the first floor.

A Cultivator was staring fervently at the red-dressed female Cultivator on the stage, engaging in vulgar behavior.

“Damn it.”

Lu Changsheng cursed inwardly, his Face showing the expression of an old man on the subway looking at his phone.

He didn’t expect to see such a Heaven-Defying scene at an auction.

However, this person was truly bold and fearless.

One should know that the red-dressed female Cultivator on the stage was not just a pretty Face.

She was a Foundation Establishment Cultivator!

And this person was only at the Qi Refining Late Stage.

“Perhaps that’s what makes it exciting.”

Lu Changsheng didn’t understand such people’s thoughts, shook his head, and quickly averted his gaze, looking at the curvaceous and full-figured red-dressed female Cultivator on the high platform.

The auction continued.

It had to be said that the quality of this auction was indeed good.

Most of the items were rare Medicinal Pills, Magical Artifacts, Heaven And Earth Treasures, and Yao Beast cubs.

During the process, there were also some Cultivation Technique secret arts and Legacies of various Cultivation World arts.

However, the Cultivation Techniques only went up to Advanced Cultivation Techniques, and the skill Legacies only reached the second-tier peak.

“It seems that Cultivation Technique Legacies and Advanced skills are heavily restricted everywhere and rarely flow out.”

Lu Changsheng mused to himself.

As items were auctioned off one by one.

Finally, one auction item made the lazy Lu Changsheng perk up.

“Purple Lightning Spirit Wood. This Spirit Wood is a third-tier Medium Grade, usable in medicine, Formation arrangement, refining Spiritual Artifacts and treasures, or making Talisman skin. Starting bid, four thousand Spirit Stones.”

The red-dressed female Cultivator’s voice was charming, introducing the auction item in detail, adding some color to the otherwise boring auction, preventing it from being so monotonous.

“Third-tier Medium Grade Spirit Wood, this trip to the auction was not in vain.”

Lu Changsheng looked at this section of Spirit Wood and sat up slightly.

His main purpose in coming to Nine Heavens Immortal City this time was to purchase more third-tier Talismans Materials.

However, third-tier Materials were extremely rare.

He had previously almost scoured the entire inner city, only managing to buy about ten sets of third-tier Low Grade Talismans Materials and one section of third-tier Low Grade Spirit Wood.

Now, this section of third-tier Medium Grade Spirit Wood, if made into Talisman skin and used to nurture a precious Talisman, could yield a third-tier Medium Grade Talisman. He was determined to obtain it.

“Four thousand five hundred Spirit Stones!”

In the main hall on the first floor, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator immediately made a bid.

“Five thousand Spirit Stones!”

“Five thousand one hundred Spirit Stones!”

“Five thousand three hundred Spirit Stones!”

“Six thousand Spirit Stones!”

Noticing that fewer people were bidding, Lu Changsheng also made a bid.

“Six thousand one hundred Spirit Stones.”

From a certain private room, a price was called out.

“Six thousand five hundred Spirit Stones.”

Lu Changsheng continued to bid.

“Six thousand six hundred Spirit Stones!”

This voice sounded a bit gritted.

Because the price of third-tier Medium Grade Spirit Wood was already around five to six thousand Spirit Stones.

It was just that this section of Spirit Wood was lightning-attribute, relatively rare, and happened to be suitable for him to refine a treasure.

“Seven thousand Spirit Stones!”

Lu Changsheng calmly called out.

Although it was quite an overpayment.

But for him, as long as it could be made into a Talisman, everything was worth it.

Once this price was announced, no one else in the other private rooms made a bid.

After all, during the Foundation Establishment Stage, there were very few Cultivators as wealthy as Lu Changsheng.

Soon, a maid brought a several-foot-long section of purple-veined Spirit Wood.

The Spirit Wood was covered in purple lightning patterns, with a faint Spiritual Qi flowing, looking quite extraordinary.

“Not bad.”

Lu Changsheng looked at the Purple Lightning Spirit Wood, a faint smile on his Face.

If the Spirit Wood were made into third-tier Talisman skin, it could be used to draw some third-tier lightning-related Talismans.

After paying the Spirit Stones, he continued to look at the items being introduced on the high platform.

“A second-tier Medium Grade Formation, the ‘Violent Wind and Blazing Fire Formation.’ The Formation Plate and one hundred and eight Formation Flags are all complete. It is easy to control, capable of transforming into violent winds and blazing fires, making it very difficult even for Foundation Establishment Cultivators. It can be used to guard an Immortal Cave or trap and kill Yao Beasts. Starting bid, five thousand Spirit Stones.”

Lu Changsheng found this Formation Artifact quite good.

However, the coverage area of this Formation was too small, only a hundred zhang.

It was only suitable for guarding an Immortal Cave or Spirit Field.

It could not serve as a Family’s grand Formation.

So, he did not participate in the bidding.

However, this Formation Artifact was sold for a hefty sum of nine thousand Spirit Stones.

“Next, we have the grand finale of our auction.”

After the auction continued for another quarter of an hour, on the high platform, the red-dressed female Cultivator took out a deep blue crystal core and introduced it: “A Second-Order Special Demon Core, which can replace the heavenly spirit fruit as an auxiliary material for the Foundation Establishment Pill. Starting bid, eight thousand Spirit Stones.”

“A Second-Order Special Demon Core!?”

Lu Changsheng’s eyebrows rose when he saw this Demon Core, showing some interest.

The reason why the Foundation Establishment Pill was rare was precisely because its main ingredient, the ‘heavenly spirit fruit,’ was too rare.

Aside from the ‘Purple Nether Secret Realm,’ which opened every thirty years, there was no fixed output.

The Foundation Establishment Pills occasionally appearing in the Three Great Immortal Cities were either obtained by someone through fortunate Opportunity, or by using a ‘Second-Order Special Demon Core’ to replace the heavenly spirit fruit as the main material for the Foundation Establishment Pill.

However, such Second-Order Special Demon Cores were also extremely rare.

Firstly, only some very rare and powerful second-tier Yao Beasts possessed such Demon Cores.

For example, the Second-Order Azure Wolf that Lu Changsheng killed back then didn’t have a Demon Core.

Secondly, the Demon Core used to refine Foundation Establishment Pills must not contain too many impurities or be too violent; its attributes must be gentle and pure.

Otherwise, it will clash with the other Materials of the Foundation Establishment Pill.

For example, Demon Cores with Metal, Fire, Lightning, Ice, or multiple attributes are all unsuitable.

Therefore, it is extremely difficult to obtain this ‘Second-Order Special Demon Core’ by hunting Yao Beasts.

One must enter the depths of the Ten Thousand Beast Mountain Range.

However, the depths of the Ten Thousand Beast Mountain Range are teeming with countless Yao Beasts.

There are even Third-Order and Fourth-Order Demon Kings.

Even Core Formation True Persons would find it troublesome to venture deep, and could easily perish if not careful.

Thus, ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivators and Core Formation True Persons would not specifically go deep into the Ten Thousand Beast Mountain Range to search for Special Demon Cores.

They mostly rely on luck in the outer regions.

Alternatively, they might encounter such Yao Beasts in other mountain ranges and obtain Special Demon Cores.

“Using a Second-Order Demon Core to replace the heavenly spirit fruit for refining Foundation Establishment Pills only requires minor adjustments to the Pill Formula and refining technique.”

“If I had this Second-Order Special Demon Core, I could completely collect the auxiliary Materials myself and refine three Foundation Establishment Pills.”

Lu Changsheng mused inwardly, preparing to bid for this Second-Order Special Demon Core.

Although he didn’t need Foundation Establishment Pills himself.

No one would complain about having too many Foundation Establishment Pills, which are a scarce commodity.

Not only could they be used by his wives, concubines, and children.

They could also be exchanged for rare Heaven And Earth Treasures.

In the Cultivation World, Foundation Establishment Pills could be said to be a top-grade hard currency.

“Eight thousand five hundred Spirit Stones!” A voice immediately bid.

“Eight thousand six hundred Spirit Stones!”

“Eight thousand eight hundred Spirit Stones!”

Many Cultivators present were interested in this ‘Second-Order Special Demon Core’.

Qi Refining Cultivators wanted this Special Demon Core to ask someone to refine Foundation Establishment Pills for them.

Foundation Establishment Cultivators had junior Family members.

Before long, the price of this Demon Core exceeded ten thousand.

“Twelve thousand Spirit Stones!”

At this moment, an old and majestic voice rang out, directly increasing the bid by one thousand Spirit Stones.

At the same time, a window in that private room opened.

Through the window, one could see an old man with graying hair, a square Face, and a majestic countenance inside.

“So it’s Great Master He!”

“I heard that Great Master He is very skilled at refining Foundation Establishment Pills using Demon Cores, able to guarantee at least one successful pill, and normally producing two Foundation Establishment Pills.”

“With Great Master He acquiring this Demon Core, there will be Foundation Establishment Pills available at the auction in two and a half years.”

“Greetings, Great Master He!”

Many people in the hall looked towards the private room, recognizing this majestic old man.

They knew that the other party was a famous Alchemy Great Master in Nine Heavens Immortal City.

This Great Master He indeed had great Face, and many Foundation Establishment Cultivators gave up the bidding.

Many even greeted him, planning to visit Great Master He later, offer auxiliary Materials, and request a Foundation Establishment Pill.

“Thirteen thousand Spirit Stones!”

However, Lu Changsheng didn’t care in the slightest, not giving this Great Master He any Face, and made a bid.

As soon as this voice sounded, the other people in the hall immediately looked towards the private room where Lu Changsheng was.

“Thirteen thousand five hundred Spirit Stones!”

Great Master He also looked towards Lu Changsheng’s private room, snorted coldly, and increased the bid by five hundred Spirit Stones.

The price of a Foundation Establishment Pill is around twenty thousand Spirit Stones.

The price of this core, plus the auxiliary Materials, would be roughly twenty thousand Spirit Stones.

If only one Foundation Establishment Pill was refined, there would be no profit at all.

However, for Alchemists, many times breaking even is also good.

After all, each Alchemy session is also an accumulation of experience and proficiency.

“Fifteen thousand Spirit Stones.”

Lu Changsheng directly increased the bid significantly.

With his Second-Order Alchemy skill, he was confident he could refine three Foundation Establishment Pills.

He might even produce a top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill among the three.

Therefore, he was determined to get this Special Demon Core.

“Fellow Daoist, this old man is He Mao…”

This Great Master He saw Lu Changsheng’s bid and said coldly.

“What, can one use power to oppress others in an auction house?”

Lu Changsheng said indifferently.

As soon as these words came out, He Mao’s Face turned pale.

In this Nine Heavens Immortal City, he was considered a person of status.

Even revealing his identity, the price of this core was already close to its limit.

He didn’t expect Lu Changsheng to show him no Face at all.

He gritted his teeth and bid: “Sixteen thousand Spirit Stones!”

“Seventeen thousand Spirit Stones.”

Lu Changsheng said calmly.

“Eighteen thousand Spirit Stones.”

Great Master He continued to bid.

“Twenty thousand Spirit Stones!”

Lu Changsheng said flatly.

Facing this situation, Great Master He no longer bid.

Although he had a fifty percent chance of refining two Foundation Establishment Pills.

However, collecting auxiliary Materials and the time and effort spent on Alchemy, it was not worth increasing the price any further.

Moreover.

Lu Changsheng’s bid, showing him no Face, made him wary and unwilling to offend him.

“Hiss, who is this person, to spend twenty thousand Spirit Stones to acquire this Special Demon Core.”

“The price of a Foundation Establishment Pill is about the same; could this person also be an Alchemy Great Master, or know one?”

“How is that possible? Where would so many Alchemy Great Masters come from?!”

“Indeed, there are only so many famous Alchemy Great Masters in the Immortal City.”

“Perhaps they just happen to need this Special Demon Core, for example, to help a Spirit Beast advance.”

In the venue, the high price fetched by this Demon Core caused a considerable discussion.

After all, normally, the price of a Special Demon Core would at most be fifteen thousand Spirit Stones.

Soon, this Second-Order Special Demon Core was delivered.

After Lu Changsheng inspected it, he placed it in a jade box.

Many Heaven And Earth Treasures in the Cultivation World must be stored in special treasure boxes, otherwise, they will leak Spiritual Qi.

After the auction of the Second-Order Demon Core concluded, Lu Changsheng had little interest in the next few items, so he did not participate.

Also, he had spent over thirty thousand Spirit Stones on three items in this auction, appearing wealthy, which might attract unwanted attention.

“Fellow Daoists, the auction has now concluded. Next is the trade fair, a free trading session.”

“Interested Fellow Daoists may proceed to the side hall.”

The red-dressed woman said, announcing the end of the auction.

Upon hearing this, Lu Changsheng told the auction attendant that he wanted to participate in the trade fair.

This was also one of his purposes for attending the auction.

In the Cultivation World, many Cultivators who obtain rare Heaven And Earth Treasures prefer not to sell them for Spirit Stones.

Instead, they engage in bartering to seek what they need.

The attendant asked Lu Changsheng if he needed to conceal his identity.

The venue provided cloaks and masks.

“As expected of an Immortal City, it’s truly thorough.”

Upon hearing this, Lu Changsheng took a cloak and a mask.

However, this mask and cloak cost three hundred Spirit Stones.

Lu Changsheng arrived at the side hall through a secret passage.

As soon as he entered the hall, he noticed that there was a Formation here that could affect others’ Divine Sense.

Combined with the mask and cloak, one’s identity would generally not be detected.

However, in the side hall, only half of the people had hidden their identities.

Many people openly displayed their true appearances.

Presumably, these people had either lived in Nine Heavens Immortal City for a long time or were not afraid of being targeted.

After a quarter of an hour, when forty to fifty people had gathered in the side hall, the trade fair officially began.

The trading method was simple: each person would speak in turn, display resources for sale, or state what they sought to purchase.

“A Foundation Establishment Spirit Item, ‘Earth Fiend Protective Aura’, for a Metal-attribute Foundation Establishment Spirit Item, ‘Glorious Yuan Metal Qi’ preferred, with Spirit Stone compensation possible.”

“One volume of a refined Qi Refining Cultivation Technique, for a Divine Sense Cultivation Technique, or a Cultivation Technique of the same level. Of course, if someone offers enough Spirit Stones, I will sell it.”

“Hualong Ginseng, a rare Second-Order Spirit Medicine, can be used as an auxiliary Material for Foundation Establishment Pills, exchanged for a Miaoling Pill.”

One by one, people spoke.

“This trade fair indeed has some good things.”

Lu Changsheng mused inwardly as he watched these people.

For example, that ‘Hualong Ginseng’ seemed good to him; it was one of the main auxiliary Materials for Foundation Establishment Pills. He would ask later if the other party was willing to sell it for Spirit Stones.

Just then, a blue-dressed woman spoke up.

“A quasi-Third-Order Formation Legacy, the Reversal of the Five Elements Formation and a set of prohibited Magical Artifacts, or I can set up a Second-Order Formation for someone, in exchange for Yin-cold attribute Spirit Medicine or Heaven And Earth Treasure, as much as possible.”