487 - A Sect Leader’s Ascension

Chapter 487: The Three-Element Essence Strengthening Pill The jade slip was sent into the private room. Mo Jianxin immediately pressed it against his forehead, absorbing its knowledge. Having rediscovered his purpose in life, he didn't want to waste a single moment. He pulled Chu Qin Men's top artifact refiner, Gu Tiesheng, to the corner to discuss the details of sword refining. Outside, the Pill Alliance continued to unveil their wealth piece by piece. Observers spotted a pattern: similar to the recently acquired "Pseudo-Invisible Sword" water refining technique, all the auctioned items seemed high-end, yet they had extremely stringent conditions for use. For instance, some techniques required rare materials for artifact crafting, or spells that could only be practiced by those with unique natural talents. However, the core legacies and vital pill recipes had not appeared yet. "The Pill Alliance has a heritage spanning thousands of years. Just like they say, 'a centipede dies but never falls apart'. They're not to be underestimated." Chu Wen, showing rare interest in the situation, remarked. Qi Xiu saw these as obscure relics, but to those with heritage and insight, such as various powerful factions including the Qi Yun Chu family, they were treasures. They quickly acted, and the items were soon divided. "A collection of the preparation method remnants volumes five, six, eight, and eleven for the third-tier inferior-grade 'Golden Armor Puppet Summoning Talisman'..." Upon hearing the auctioneer's words, Chu Shen's eyes gleamed. The original artifact and talisman league under the Southern Chu faction began to stir with excitement. This item was essential for their lethal operations. They had been attempting to recreate it for years but only managed the second-tier 'Silver Armor Puppet', which performed mediocrely in the Battle of Si Guo Mountain. "Didn't expect parts of the remnants to land in the Pill Alliance's hands." With a starting bid of twenty thousand third-tier spirit stones, Chu Shen began to bid without hesitation: twenty-five thousand, twenty-six thousand, thirty thousand... Thirty-four thousand! Another family seemed keen on competing, with no intent to back down. Chu Shen's face grew increasingly troubled. "Everyone knows this is our family's determined acquisition. Who's trying to interfere?" He jumped the bid to forty thousand; the rival instantly added another thousand. "True, these remnants are only useful to the inheritors of the Talisman League. The competition makes no sense—it might just be Ying Bo from the Pill Alliance upping the price himself," an elder from the Original Artifact and Talisman League speculated. "Not likely!" Chu Shen, in a foul mood, cursed and raised the bid to fifty thousand outright. "Fifty thousand one! Fifty thousand one! Any higher bids?" The other side steadily increased by just a thousand at a time, infuriating Chu Shen. "Martial uncle!" The elder, fearing Chu Shen might relent, loudly pleaded, "If we succeed in recreating it, Southern Chu will gain a valuable weapon. What are ten million or a hundred million spirit stones compared to that? Martial uncle, please reconsider!" This outcry woke Chu Shen from his hesitation. Firm in his resolve, he shouted, "One hundred thousand!" doubling the bid, which finally silenced any opposition. The precious remnants of the Golden Armor Puppet crafting method were secured. Qi Xiu watched impassively, admiring the elder's clarity and decisiveness. He wished to learn more about him from Qi Bingyan, but it was regrettable they were already allied with Southern Chu. Like Mo Jianxin, as soon as the remnants were obtained, Southern Chu's cultivators spontaneously grouped to discuss and analyze them. Such high-tier items—third and fourth tiers—might be effortlessly crafted by some entities, but for forces like Chu Qin and Southern Chu, who relied on Foundation Establishment cultivators as their production workforce, collaboration was essential. Feeling gratified by their gains, Chu Shen returned to his usual demeanor. With a flourish, he made a few impressive moves on the chessboard, leaving Chu Wen defeated and dismayed. Seeing the state of the game, Chu Wen, defiant, declared, "I'm drunk!" and dramatically flung his body across the board, tossing pieces about while falling into loud, exaggerated snores. "You rascal! Such childish behavior in front of the juniors," Chu Shen scolded with a smile, unable to genuinely reproach him. The auction continued, inching closer to the Pill Alliance's fundraising goal of three million. Just as it was nearing completion, the first pill recipe was introduced. "A volume of the third-tier superior-grade 'Three-Element Essence Strengthening Pill' recipe, starting at ten thousand third-tier spirit stones! This pill can boost a Golden Core's cultivation by five to fifteen years, effects varying by individual. Note: one can only consume one in a lifetime, and it requires a cultivator with the 'Three Wood Harmonized Heart' essence to brew." After the auctioneer's introduction, Duo Luosen nearly leaped from his seat. The 'Three Wood Harmonized Heart' essence—it's as if it was meant for him! Qi Xiu was equally elated, never expecting to find two perfectly suited treasures in this auction! Pills that enhance a Golden Core cultivator’s progress are rare, typically the finale in major auctions, with single pills sometimes fetching upward of ten thousand. Given his challenging path to Dao mastery, it was invaluable to him. Noting bids had reached thirteen thousand five, he decisively entered at fifteen thousand. "Stay calm!" Chu Shen, noticing Qi Xiu's eagerness, cast some cold water on him. "These pills require costly ingredients and yield low success rates, barely breaking even. Most factions prefer to keep them for internal use. Moreover..." He nodded toward the auction hall, "The Spirit Herb Pavilion initially intended to monopolize the pill recipes, even coordinating to suppress prices. Although their plan was thwarted by the Sect of Bliss's anonymous bidding, it's evident the released recipes are scarce. Our own people are aware of this; naturally, they'll let the Pavilion have some first. If it turns out you're inflating the price, it might cause friction." His words were like a splash of cold reality, quickly calming Qi Xiu. Sixteen thousand! Seventeen thousand! Bidding halted abruptly at seventeen thousand five. Silence followed. "Seventeen thousand five; any higher bids? Seventeen thousand five once..." The auctioneer's voice struck Qi Xiu's heart like an urgent drumbeat. "Master uncle..." Normally reticent and inconspicuous, Duo Luosen could no longer remain composed, quietly imploring Qi Xiu with saddened eyes. "We've supplied the Spirit Herb Pavilion with spirit herbs for over a century, Sha Nuo is Gan's son-in-law, and after the blood blade incident in the Waking Lion Valley, Gan Buping mentioned owing me a personal favor. Cutting into a meager ten-thousand spirit stone deal shouldn't be problematic." Reluctant to disappoint Duo Luosen, Qi Xiu, reasoning with himself, chose to ignore Chu Shen's advice and called out a bid of twenty thousand. "Any further bids?" "Twenty thousand once, twenty thousand twice!" "Twenty thousand! Sold!" Another recipe that could become a sect legacy was secured! "Alas!" Chu Shen sighed deeply. Chu Wen continued blissfully sleeping on the chessboard. Yet, the next auction item failed to appear. Left waiting, they watched as Zhong Hangjun arrived to announce in a 'melodious' voice that the fundraising goal was reached, and thus the auction concluded. "The Spirit Herb Pavilion didn't pursue it... I'll have to find an opportunity to thank Gan Buping properly; repair relations," Qi Xiu mused. Duo Luosen, overjoyed and grateful for acquiring the expensive recipe, was told by Qi Xiu to learn it immediately, lest complications arise. Not long after, Zhong Hangjun entered with the Pill Alliance members. Besides the recuperating Han Yanlao, others like Ying Bo and Han Ping were present. The three parties settled their accounts, with the Pill Alliance fully paying the one hundred eighty thousand third-tier spirit stones owed. The Chu Qin Alliance received around one hundred thousand, with Chu Qin Men receiving thirty-three thousand (after subtracting the twenty-one thousand for the water refining technique and recipe, netting twelve thousand). The Kong Qu Shan Qi family received seventeen thousand, the Li Shan Gan family ten thousand, the Bei Lie Shan Xiong family eight thousand, Yuan Ho Shan She family five thousand, and so on. "From now on, we're a single unit. Together, we'll surely surpass the Five Elements Alliance!" Zhong Hangjun initiated the call, and the three sect leaders struck their palms in agreement, resolving past grievances and making a verbal vow for the future. Following that, he introduced Ying Bo to the Chu faction leaders, and their debts were similarly settled. Qi Xiu took the opportunity to instruct alliance members to conduct themselves with humility, enhance sect defenses, and avoid ostentation. Of course, figures like Xiong Shisi readily agreed. "Alliance Leader." In the midst of the commotion, Sha Nuo emerged, "Could you please step outside for a moment?" he quietly requested. Noting his unusual expression, Qi Xiu quickly excused himself from the group and followed Sha Nuo back to their Chu Qin premises. In the chamber, Ji Xinlong awaited them, no longer displaying any high-standing demeanor and instead respectfully greeting Qi Xiu. "What is it?" The unusual behavior set off alarm bells in Qi Xiu's mind, especially when Ji Xinlong presented a broken sword hilt that once belonged to She Yishan. He immediately realized the dire fate of the Yuan Ho Shan She family leader. "The elder She was attacked by an ancient beast and... this is all that remains." Ji Xinlong dismissed Sha Nuo, then spoke apologetically. "What about the others?" Qi Xiu took the sword hilt, filled with regret. "All perished..." Ji Xinlong was uncharacteristically patient as he explained. A team comprising Ji Jia Qian, Nangong Zhi, Xing Jian, and a Nascent Soul from the Return to Confucianism faction had tracked the teleportation destination to a semi-wild region called the "Fengshui Basin," similar to the "White Mountain Depths" of the past. They inevitably encountered ancient beasts; an unfortunate provocation led to utter disaster. The Chu Qin faction's entire team was lost, with several Nascent Souls and Xing Jian missing. "Isn't that a total defeat!?" Qi Xiu gasped in disbelief. "Not exactly—their lives are presumably intact, though their whereabouts are unknown." The Zhou Academy likely possessed something to ascertain the status of its members. Ji Xinlong’s true purpose lay not in this revelation. "Following this incident, the Return to Confucianism faction intends to delve deeper into the Fengshui Basin, proposing a campaign. However, we wish to avoid such entanglements. You’re aware that I've long prepared in East Sea City to counter the Little Demon Abyss—this is part of the academy's established plan..." Ji Xinlong, after circling around his point, conveyed his intentions to Qi Xiu, who inferred the underlying message based on his knowledge of the situation. The Gui Confucian faction intended to persistently pursue the ghostly Dao teleportation gate, just as Nangong Mu would not let go of He Yu. With Nangong Zhi currently ensnared, both factions aimed to ally with a deity transformation-stage cultivator near Fengshui Basin to launch a campaign, clearing away any obstacles. In this scenario, Qi Yun's Enforcement Peak remained neutral, solely pursuing Jiang Yan. Meanwhile, the Gui Ancient faction, feeling somewhat vulnerable, sought to impede the plan. Generally, a campaign would be initiated under three circumstances: when a wilderness threatened human survival, when it became a hub for corruption, or when living space for cultivation became cramped. These conditions were constantly monitored by the Zhou Academy and required careful planning. Typically, the intervals between such campaigns were not short, since deity transformation-stage cultivators were not easily dispatched, and excessive soldier losses could impact the energy of the human world. Meticulous planning and time for recovery were necessary. Currently, with the Gui Confucian faction eyeing the Fengshui Basin, the Gui Ancient faction aimed to spotlight the Little Demon Abyss to disrupt and delay their advances. Two directions, two choices. If the Zhou Academy selected the Little Demon Abyss first, preparing, executing, sealing, and recovering would likely delay any focus on Fengshui Basin by around two hundred years. Qi Xiu, known for handling tough tasks, found himself targeted by Ji Xinlong. His mission was to orchestrate some notable massacres near the Little Demon Abyss, sufficiently large and scandalous in nature. Ideally, these actions would be executed under the guise of demonic cultivators. "How can you still call yourself a disciple of the Confucius faction?!" Qi Xiu was internally astounded by the request, firmly refusing Ji Xinlong by citing his own inadequate strength. Perhaps aware of the boundary-crossing nature of his request, Ji Xinlong didn't press further. When Qi Xiu offered to present the remaining twelve thousand third-tier spirit stones from Chu Qin Men, Ji Xinlong accepted and left, seizing the opportunity naturally. "You've taken a hefty amount from me, so you'll need to assist me with something." Upon leaving, Qi Xiu coincidentally tasked Ji Xinlong with making a brief visit to the Pill Alliance to back Han Ping's narrative. Ji Xinlong agreed without hesitation. (To be continued)