An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

”Two thousand!”

”Three thousand!”

”Four thousand spirit stones!”

Before his words even settle, the bidding pace was far faster than that of a formal auction.

Luo Chen calculated his wealth—he had three thousand five hundred in cash, and if he included a top-grade enchanted artifact...

”Five thousand!” His calculations came to an abrupt halt.

Not just him, but all the Qi-Refining cultivators bidding stopped their frenzied actions. Another Foundation Establishment cultivator, who had remained silent during the auction, finally spoke.

Luo Chen let out a sigh. As expected, treasures like this were never meant for people like them or perhaps, the real reason for these two.

From this point on, he only needed to watch the show. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much of a show to watch.

The other Foundation Establishment cultivator opened his eyes, and an ancient, aged voice spread throughout the room. ”I offer five thousand five hundred spirit stones for this Heaven and Earth Root. Additionally, I will grant Fellow Daoist Zhou a personal favor.

”Hehe, then it’s yours.”

The Zhou-named Foundation Establishment cultivator chuckled heartily, then got up leisurely and left the hall directly.

Haih... The aged Foundation Establishment cultivator sighed deeply and slowly walked up to Tian Xingzi.

The two stared at each other for a moment before Tian Xingzi smiled and nodded.

After paying the spirit stones, the elderly Foundation Establishment cultivator left the hall with the Heaven and Earth Root.

Witnessing this scene, many of the ninth stage Qi-Refining cultivators who had come for the Heaven and Earth Root couldn’t help but feel a deep sorrow.

The Foundation Establishment pills at the Sword Pavilion auctions were already beyond their reach. And now, even the Heaven and Earth Root—an herb less potent than a Foundation Establishment pill had been effortlessly claimed by these influential Foundation Establishment cultivators with just a few words. It truly seemed like rogue cultivators were being left with no path to survive.

Luo Chen felt a bit dejected—he had hoped to take a chance himself.

However, after a brief moment of disappointment, his spirits lifted as excitement took over. The upcoming auction segment for rogue cultivators completely broadened his horizons. A variety of strange and unusual items immediately caught his attention.

”Everyone, take a look at this—a bellyband.” the seller announced.

”The Lotus Conceals!

”It may seem ordinary at first glance, just a mid-grade enchanted artifact. But this item can unleash a strike with power approaching that of a supreme-grade enchanted artifact.

”If you don’t believe me, feel free to use the Prismatic Treasure Compass for verification—but the appraisal fee will be borne by the Fellow Daoist who wins the bid.

Amid the crowd’s eager anticipation, the belly band was placed on the massive Prismatic Treasure Compass. The compass needle initially jumped to the middle section of the blue scale, representing a mid-grade water-element enchanted artifact.

All of a sudden, the needle shot up to the very peak of the blue scale, trembling violently at its apex. This indicated that its burst potential could reach the pinnacle of top-grade artifacts, bordering on the power of a supreme-grade enchanted artifact.

The rogue cultivator hosting the auction smiled faintly. ”The Lotus Conceals have a highly unique effect and require a specific method of use

”First, it must be used by a female cultivator.

”Second, it must be worn closely against the body and nurtured with spirit energy over time.

”After just a year of cultivation, when facing an enemy, the wearer simply needs to reveal the bellyband. A massive white spirit carp will emerge, tearing through the air to overwhelm the opponent.”

Luo Chen was stunned, utterly baffled by what he had just heard.

What kind of bizarre enchanted artifact is this? And which master created it? More importantly, for what purpose would someone specifically craft such a thing?

That being said, he couldn’t deny the enchanted artifact’s incredible effectiveness!

Luo Chen was slightly tempted. Unfortunately, the requirement that it had to be worn by a female cultivator left him at a loss.

In the end, the treasure went to a silent yet elegant female cultivator for seven hundred spirit stones.

Everyone silently glanced at the female cultivator, their eyes drawn to her noticeably flat figure.

With her face hidden behind a mask, no one could discern her expression. All they saw was two men moving in sync to stand before her, blocking the prying gazes.

Doesn’t seem like a good fit? Luo Chen muttered to himself. If it were for Gu Caiyi or Feng Xia, it would be much more fitting!

After a while, the female cultivator approached the sandalwood table, calmly meeting the peculiar gazes directed at her.

”Five bottles of Runming Pearl essence, starting at one hundred fifty spirit stones each. Fellow Daoists, place your bids if you’re interested.” she announced.

Hearing the name, most of the rogue cultivators lost interest.

Luo Chen’s eyes lit up. This was something that could be used by Qi-Refining and Foundation Establishment cultivators to repair eye fatigue.

With consistent use, it allowed cultivators to easily discern yin energy, turbid energy, malevolent energy, and other impurities. It was said that one of its main ingredients was the rare Smoked Pearl, cultivated from the Yin Beast’s Smoked Shell.

Luo Chen had once obtained a bottle, back when his Spirit Eyes reached Grandmaster level proficiency. Its usage caused his eyes to bleed due to overstrain.

Out of concern, Mi Shuhua had Mi Junping deliver a bottle to him.

To be honest, he used up the entire bottle at that time and it had no noticeable effect.

But recalling that The Treatise on Green Origin Pills claimed it was highly beneficial for alchemists, he considered buying more and using it consistently.

Unfortunately, the Spirit Herb Pavilion didn’t sell it.

Of course not—this was a product developed by the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect, so the Spirit Herb Pavilion wouldn’t have it.

Noticing that no one was bidding, Luo Chen abandoned the idea of competing and instead squinted, memorizing the figure of the seller.

The elegant female cultivator called out twice more, but seeing no interest, she shook her head helplessly. It wasn’t surprising—this type of pill had no market demand.

She had expected late stage Qi-Refining cultivators or Foundation Establishment cultivators at the black market to show interest, but there were no takers.

After she stepped down, another cultivator came up to auction personal items.

Luo Chen watched with great interest, and some of the unique enchanted artifacts truly broadened his horizons. Whenever an unidentifiable enchanted artifact appeared, it was often appraised using the Prismatic Treasure Compass.

As the crowd thinned, Luo Chen took a deep breath and silently walked forward.

”Blood-Burning pill—first-tier low-grade pill.

”After consumption, a Qi-Refining cultivator’s combat power can increase by thirty percent in an instant. Truly an essential treasure for travel, murder, and arson!

”Starting bid...”

At first, no one paid attention. But when Luo Chen explained the specific effects, everyone’s attention immediately focused on him.

Luo Chen cleared his throat and said, ”Fifty spirit stones per pill!” This starting price was undoubtedly the lowest at today’s Precious Dragon Black Market.

However for a first-tier low-grade pill, this price was absurdly high. A bottle of qi-nourishing pills containing ten pills in total, typically sold for a hundred spirit stones, breaking down to just ten spirit stones per pill.

Even the more effective Dust Transformation pill only cost twenty spirit stones per pill. These came with the Medicine King Sect’s credibility and after-sales service from the Spirit Herb Pavilion.

What kind of pill are you selling to justify such a high price?

Yet the situation on-site was that after Luo Chen announced the price, no one questioned it.

What they questioned was its effectiveness!

”Does it really have such an effect?”

”Could it be a demonic dao pill?”

”Who cares if it’s a demonic dao pill? As long as it works. Fellow Daoist, don’t deceive us!”

In the black market, no one cared whether it was righteous or demonic.

Faced with all the doubts about the pill, Luo Chen spread his hands. ”Senior Tian Xingzi, I’ll trouble you to verify it.”

The Prismatic Treasure Compass could only appraise grade and power. But when it came to the effects of pills, it required personal expertise.

Since Tian Xingzi had boasted earlier, he must have some confidence.

Amid the crowd’s anticipation, Tian Xingzi reached out and grabbed a bottle of Blood-Burning pills. He took out one pill, carefully examining it first, then sniffing it thoroughly, and finally scraping a bit of the powder with his fingernail to taste it.

His expression shifted slightly.

Then, he casually slipped the bottle of Blood-Burning pills into his storage pouch.

”This bottle is mine. I’ll settle with you later at the highest auction price.”

Luo Chen smiled. Wasn’t this the equivalent of a Foundation Establishment cultivator backing him? In that case!

”Everyone, please bid!”