Spirit Ruin, Sword Coffin, Blind Swordsman

Meng Jiangchu stood beside him and smiled. “I might as well invite Brother Gu up. Sitting down there isn’t really appropriate.”

Gu Li shrugged and smiled. “Do as you wish, Uncle Meng.”

Meng Jiangchu summoned the maid. She nodded in response, her beautiful eyes unconsciously drifting toward Gu Li.

Li Guanqi couldn’t help but smile. “Brother Gu, you’re quite popular.”

Gu Li scratched his nose a little awkwardly. “You’re the same. I’ve heard you’re quite fond of… tempering your heart in the mortal world.”

The corner of Li Guanqi’s mouth twitched. Just how much did Coward Li tell him?

Gu Li burst out laughing and secretly sent a voice transmission. “Another day, I’ll take you somewhere good. My brother really lives up to his nickname. He’s way too timid. When we got there, all he did was drink. Maybe he got that from his main body.”

Li Guanqi said nothing, simply sitting to the side and taking a slow sip of spirit tea. As soon as it slid down his throat, it transformed into pure energy and circulated through his body. Its calming, stabilizing effect was no weaker than the brew he’d once secretly taken from Gu Yong. The auction house had thoughtfully placed a jade box of tea leaves beside him as well.

Still drawing talismans, Gu Li said, “Take it, Brother Li. Things like this are meant to be taken. I’ll have them prepare another set for me too.”

Li Guanqi didn’t bother with formalities. With a flick of his hand, he took the jade box and put it away.Soon the light curtain rippled, and Gu Li’s father, Gu Changsheng, walked in.

Li Guanqi slowly stood up.

Gu Changsheng glanced around, then looked at Meng Jiangchu and laughed heartily. “Brother Meng, long time no see. I was just wondering where that brat of mine had run off to. Took him long enough just to register an identity.”

Meng Jiangchu offered a faint smile. The two embraced warmly, both feeling quite moved. “It truly has been a while. Are the array tray and the artifacts I made for the old master still in good condition?”

Gu Changsheng carried himself with a restrained, composed air, nothing flashy about him. He clapped Meng Jiangchu on the shoulder and laughed. “Of course they’re still working. Won’t need replacing for a good while yet.”

“Oh, right, is this your son-in-law?” He looked Li Guanqi up and down before chuckling. “Not bad, kid. Much better than ours.”

Li Guanqi bowed at once. “Greetings, Senior Gu.”

Then he turned to Gu Li, who stood nearby with an impatient expression, and smiled. “Brother Gu is quite good too. In my eyes, he’s no worse than anyone else.”

Gu Li’s eyes lit up and he grinned foolishly. “Dad, you hear that? Your son isn’t bad.”

Gu Changsheng gave Li Guanqi a long look. Gu Changsheng had heard plenty about him and had even bought a projection stone of that final battle. Proud as he was of his own strength, he had to admit that if he’d faced Lu Wuhen at the Illusory Refinement Realm, he would almost certainly have died. The sight of Li Guanqi forcibly enduring two Heavenly Tribulations just to kill Lu Wuhen had left a deep impression on him.

What had truly piqued his interest, though, was Gu Li’s claim that he and Coward Li, Li Guanqi’s illusory spirit, had become sworn brothers. The whole thing was so absurd that he couldn’t help but look into it.

The group took their seats. Meng Jiangchu said with a smile, “Quite a grand auction. Nearly half the experts along the East Sea’s shore have come.”

Gu Changsheng took a sip of tea, frowned slightly, and poured it out before taking out his own tea leaves instead. “It’s been a long time since Qin King City last held an auction, after all. And with relations shifting between the Six Territories and the ancient clans, it was bound to draw a crowd.”

Meng Jiangchu nodded. If the ancient clans were still in seclusion, the auction wouldn’t have attracted so many people.

As they talked, Gu Li finally couldn’t hold back. He leaned closer to Li Guanqi and whispered in a mysterious tone, “Brother... Brother Li... do you really have a true dragon?”

Li Guanqi’s eyelid twitched. I knew it.

He glanced at Gu Li. “Yes. But drop the idea now, before it takes root. Otherwise, I’ll beat you up.”

Seeing Gu Li’s unconvinced expression, he added, “I’m serious. I’ll beat you up.”

Gu Li pouted and muttered under his breath, “Not even a drop of blood essence? Just a little… I know a Blood Dragon Curse inscription, but blood from lesser dragon bloodlines is basically useless.”

Li Guanqi thought for a moment, then took out a palm-sized dragon scale and handed it over. “Can you use this?”

Gu Li’s eyes went wide. He immediately set down his brush and carefully held the scale in both hands, examining it closely. “As expected of a true dragon scale... it’s perfect... It’s just a pity its grade is a little low.”

Li Guanqi knew the grade wasn’t high. Nine Heavens had shed it when breaking through to become a tier-six great demon. “If you can use it, you can have it. But I want half the talismans you draw in return.”

Gu Li waved his hand. “No problem. Whatever kind you want, I’ll draw it. Not to brag, but even the Judgment Brush himself, Ji Yuchuan of your Guanyun Pavilion, can’t match me when it comes to talisman crafting.”

“Gu Li’s talent in the talisman arts is beyond what most people can imagine,” Meng Jiangchu said. He paused, then added casually, “Ah, next time Nine Heavens sheds its scales, I wonder if you could spare me a few.”

Li Guanqi smiled to himself and was about to answer when Gu Changsheng cut in. “Ahem… I’d like a few as well. I won’t let you take a loss, of course, my friend.”

Gu Li panicked. “Dad, why are you joixning in?! I haven’t even asked for mine yet!”

Gu Changsheng replied very naturally, “There are two pill formulas in the clan that require true dragon scales as medicinal ingredients. We’ve never had the materials. Now that there’s a chance, I naturally have to ask.”

Li Guanqi smiled and nodded. “Father-in-law, Senior Gu, I’ll set some aside for you the next time Nine Heavens sheds.”

He looked at Gu Li. “But forget about dragon blood. Nine Heavens is very weak right now. If there’s anything at this auction that can replenish its blood essence, I’ll buy it.”

Gu Li waved a hand casually. “I’ll buy it for you. Price doesn’t matter. As long as it’s useful, I’ll get it.”

Ding!

A clear bell rang out.

A woman’s voice, cold yet melodious, drifted through the hall. “Good evening, honored guests. I am the auctioneer for this event, Ru Meng.”

The guests heard her voice before she came into view. A moment later, a silver-white spatial rift slowly opened above the auction stage, and a woman in a red dress bent down and stepped out. Her eyes were like a deep lake, their gentle ripples carrying an irresistible charm that could stir the heart. Her nose was straight and delicately sculpted, lending her profile a refined beauty. Her lips curved in a faint, ever-present smile, seductive and enchanting. Her hair cascaded over her shoulders like a waterfall, brushing against her fair, silky skin.

Ru Meng’s figure was exquisite, all graceful curves, the low neckline of her robe baring her fair collarbone. A black belt cinched her slender waist, and the hem of the robe trailed across the ground like a blooming flower, lending her an air of elegance and nobility.

Li Guanqi’s eyes widened slightly in surprise. “Mid Illusory Refinement Realm, born with a natural charm... Ru Meng...”

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