Chapter 104: The Awakening Elixir

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Song Yan stared at her in a daze upon hearing her words. This little girl... was she a cultivator from the Dongyuan Sect? Why did she know that he was a fellow disciple? His thoughts grew confused. Song Yan knew that in this world of cultivation, there were many strange and marvelous methods that could reverse aging. So, he did not believe that this little girl was truly so young. Perhaps she was like Granny Qin, an elder who enjoyed appearing youthful. But how did she immediately recognize that he was a disciple of their sect? Filled with puzzlement, he looked down at himself, wondering what was amiss. The most crucial point was that she could recognize him—did this mean many others could as well? Unfortunately, none of these questions were answered. The auction had already begun. His mind unsettled, he did not even catch what the elderly host on stage had said. Gathering some composure, Song Yan resolved to only bid on the Mingjue Pill and then leave immediately.

“The first item up for auction is a Seven-Leaf Dark Ginseng,” the elder said, his withered finger gently pressing the back of a jade box that an assistant had brought forth, before unlocking and opening it. The blue tendrils of the spiritual herb inside shimmered faintly. “This herb grows in profound shadows and can be used as a supplementary ingredient in the refinement of Foundation Establishment Pills. The starting bid is one hundred spirit stones. Each raise must be no less than twenty.” Song Yan smirked inwardly. Indeed, every auctioneer was eloquent. At first glance, this herb seemed linked to the precious Foundation Establishment Pill. But in reality, it was only a supplementary ingredient. Supplementary pills were those taken alongside the main pill, slightly enhancing its effect—only slightly. Song Yan had no intention of bidding. What a joke. He had never even seen a Foundation Establishment Pill, let alone spend several hundred spirit stones on one of the lesser materials for its supplementary pill. That would be madness. “One hundred twenty...” “...” “Two hundred...” Compared to the grand title of “Foundation Establishment Supplementary Pill Ingredient,” the price seemed somewhat mismatched. Few people placed bids. Ultimately, the item was won by a cultivator whose entire head was shrouded in mist, at two hundred spirit stones. Song Yan simply closed his eyes to rest. He did not participate in bidding on any of the items, patiently waiting for the Mingjue Pill to appear.

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During this time, the girl beside him had also placed bids on some items, but only on a few spirit insects. Insect cultivator? Until now, he had never heard of anyone among his sect’s disciples who practiced insect cultivation... As time slowly passed, adhering to the principle of not attracting unnecessary attention, he didn’t glance more than once at the occasional item on stage that piqued his interest. Soon, the penultimate item was presented. The elder host took a small jade box from the assistant’s tray. “This treasure is likely sought after by many late-stage Qi Refining cultivators.” With a gentle tap, the box opened to reveal a pale yellow pill. “The Mingjue Pill.” Song Yan slowly opened his eyes. “This pill can increase the success rate of breaking through the three critical barriers in late-stage Qi Refining by thirty to forty percent.” “I imagine most of you present today are fellow cultivators, either scattered practitioners or outer disciples.” “The alchemists capable of refining such pills mostly supply only great sects.” “Therefore, it is rare for these to appear on the market.” “This particular pill comes from Xuandian Mountain. Its quality and potency are of middle grade.” “Without further ado, the starting price is one hundred spirit stones. Each raise must be no less than twenty.” “Two hundred!” As soon as the words fell, a black-robed cultivator in the front row was the first to bid. “Two hundred sixty.” “Two hundred eighty.” “...” Up to this point, Song Yan still hadn’t spoken. He glanced anxiously at the mysterious girl beside him. She was inscrutable; if she chose to bid, he might stand no chance. “Five hundred!” The black-robed cultivator suddenly raised the bid significantly. The auction hall fell silent. As the elder had said, most cultivators present were scattered practitioners at the Qi Refining stage. Where would they get so many spirit stones? Five hundred for one Mingjue Pill was probably the limit for many. After a brief pause, the elder lightly struck the small gavel. “Five hundred spirit stones, once.” At that moment, Song Yan spoke. “Five hundred fifty.” Hm? The black-robed cultivator glanced back at Song Yan. Beside him was another cultivator also cloaked in black robes, seemingly an ally. Both looked back subtly. “Six hundred.”

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“Six hundred twenty!” Song Yan was determined to win. The two black-robed cultivators exchanged a glance but did not continue bidding. The mysterious girl beside Song Yan, whom he had been so wary of, had no intention of bidding, which relieved him somewhat. Three strikes of the small gavel sounded. “Congratulations to this Daoist for winning the Mingjue Pill.” The Lingxi District auction differed somewhat from the Lingyuanze Night Market; once the transaction was complete, one could leave at any time. Song Yan had no interest in watching the final items. Even if he did, they were well beyond what he could afford. He immediately rose and paid spirit stones in a side hall, acquiring the Mingjue Pill. Then he departed the auction hall through a narrow alley paved with blue stone bricks. Taking advantage of the shadows, Song Yan quickened his pace toward the outskirts of the Lingxi District. The journey was uneventful, and his heart settled somewhat. Yet, not far beyond the district boundary, near the furthest edge of his divine perception, he suddenly sensed two auras rushing directly toward him. “!” Alarm bells rang in his mind. Several faces flashed through his thoughts: the girl and the two black-robed cultivators. He exerted his spiritual power fully, leaping through the forest toward the Dongyuan Sect’s direction without pause. “Could it be those two... intent on murder and robbery?” Simultaneously, he deployed three spiritual talismans between his fingers, surrounding himself with a shield of fierce wind that greatly increased his speed. Yet the two auras still drew closer. Song Yan believed he had prepared thoroughly and anticipated such a possibility. However, when faced with it, he realized no amount of preparation was ever too much, for this was a matter of life and death. He had to be more cautious. Still, he remained calm. “One seems to be at Qi Refining level eight, the other at level seven.” As the two auras neared, Song Yan concealed himself in the shadows, quietly activating the Hidden Sword’s spirit-sealing technique to mask his presence. The adversaries likely possessed means similar to his wind talisman, so it was only a matter of time before they caught up. Preparation was not mere talk—Song Yan had ways to ensure his survival. But, just in case, he had to find an opportunity. Updates will continue steadily! Thank you all for your monthly tickets, subscriptions, and recommendation votes! Much appreciated!