Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

Because the method of puppet spirit binding requires the refining of a primordial spirit or beast soul.

After the initial shock at the scene, Alliance Leader Tong quickly summoned everyone to start trading, skipping over this matter.

”I have a piece of Spirit Marrow, but... it was discovered in the ancient ruins, and now the spiritual energy has dissipated significantly, I don’t know?”

”Our Commerce Association has a piece of Molten Red Gold, a genuine Tier Four Treasure Material, but it’s a bit small.”

”Can Kongtong Wood be traded?”

...

After a brief silence, people began to tentatively speak.

Most were members of the Business Alliance or major powers.

But none of them satisfied the Puppet Master Yan Sha.

He occasionally looked at Alliance Leader Tong, with a somewhat disappointed expression.

The Business Alliance had made large promises to open trade with the west.

And to gain recognition from the Thousand Mechanism Sect for the Business Alliance’s commercial system, Alliance Leader Tong even refused some forces within the alliance that wanted to handle this puppet privately, insisting it must be auctioned publicly.

However, at this moment, the situation on site was somewhat disappointing.

Alliance Leader Tong’s smile was a bit stiff, but he forced himself to explain: ”Fellow Daoist Yan Sha, to be honest, your trading conditions are indeed a bit high.

Whether it’s Spirit Marrow or Tier Four Treasure Material, our Business Alliance has handled quite a few, but whenever such materials appear, they are quickly traded away by the giants of the Central Ten Domains, causing a supply that falls short of demand.

If you had informed us earlier that Tier Four Treasure Materials were needed, giving us some preparation time, not just one, but even ten or twenty could be laid in front of you.”

Puppet Master Yan Sha had an odd expression: ”Wasn’t it Alliance Leader Tong boasting that preparation wasn’t needed, and that it was available anytime?”

”...” Alliance Leader Tong’s face froze, then he laughed it off.

”Fellow Daoist Yan Sha, please stay within my domain for a year or so; by then, we will certainly satisfy you.”

Yan Sha’s expression was somewhat distrustful, but he still nodded.

Alliance Leader Tong immediately announced that the conditions remain unchanged, and within a year, Puppet Master Yan Sha will be residing in Feihong Immortal City, and whoever first presents a satisfactory trade to Puppet Master Yan Sha will obtain this puppet.

Alliance Leader Tong was actually well aware of today’s awkward situation.

Firstly, many of the Business Alliance members had already sent some high-tier Spiritual Talents to the Central Ten Domains in exchange for the more easily sold Second- and Third-tier Spiritual Talents for this auction years ago.

Secondly, individuals or small families and small forces in the domain, even if they possess Tier Four Treasure Materials, are unlikely to reveal them in public, since they might not even succeed in trading.

However, as long as there is a private transaction, with the limitation of a Spirit Contract, they would likely be much more willing.

The final highlight, the high-grade Tier Three Giant Beast Puppet, ended somewhat awkwardly, but it also left everyone with greater expectation.

Afterward, amid the Business Alliance’s closing speech, the finals of the Flying Crane Dao Discussion took place.

However, after a month of the grand auction.

Having seen all kinds of Tier Three treasures, especially that final high-grade Tier Three Puppet, the interest of the audience in the competition for the top three spots of the Flying Crane Dao Discussion waned significantly.

No matter how hard they fought, it was ultimately only Foundation Establishment Stage strength.

Everyone was more looking forward to a fight between the Shadowless Sect Leader and Master Chunyuan.

However, the result of the grand final was beyond the site’s expectations.

The genius with the Innate Ten Thousand Laws Thunder Spirit Body from the Nine Tripods Commerce Association unexpectedly lost to the Earth Element Celestial Spirit Root Immortal Seedling from the Taian Commerce Association.

No matter how fiercely the accompanying thunderbolt ravaged, the opponent’s Shield of Thick Earth was firm as a fortress.

And during the final magical power struggle, the heavy and unmatched Earth Element Magic Power barely won by a hair.

The Innate Spirit Body still lost to the quality of magical power.

This result made the cultivators in the domain even more curious and expectant of that Earth Element Technique from the Taian Commerce Association.

Unfortunately, Li Ji’an quietly left after the puppet master stepped down.

He was now just stepping into the elegant suite on the top floor of the first building in Cold Smoke Immortal City.

”Fellow Daoist Huang, forgive the presumptuous invitation.” The impressive Shadowless Sect Leader, disguised as a young gentleman, cupped his hands slightly towards Li Ji’an.

Li Ji’an’s heart stirred slightly; from his mannerisms, it was clear he didn’t view him as a junior.

However, with the activation of Huang Jie’s Essence Blood through the Faceless Mask, he was only a Foundation Establishment Junior Cultivator in front of him.

”Senior Han is flattering, I, the junior...” Faced with this person, Li Ji’an didn’t dare to act arrogant.

”Hey, there are no outsiders here; Fellow Daoist Huang, you don’t have to be this way.” The Shadowless Sect Leader interrupted Li Ji’an’s humble act.

”Fellow Daoist Huang, Junior Wu has already recounted his experiences in the Celestial Cyan Domain, but regarding Fellow Daoist Huang, he kept his oath strictly, did not divulge, only speculated beyond the oath. But, I, Han, can see Junior Wu’s respect and gratitude for Fellow Daoist Huang.”

Li Ji’an glanced at Wu Weixiong inconspicuously upon hearing this.

Although he wasn’t sure exactly what Wu Weixiong disclosed, it was evident that he likely shared all of his conjectures with the Shadowless Sect Leader.

Judging by the Shadowless Sect Leader’s demeanor, it was apparent he regarded him as an extraordinary expert of equal standing.

”Perhaps it’s about the incident after leaving Black Water Swamp with the Pure Essence Old Scoundrel...” Li Ji’an suspected that Wu Weixiong might have linked the matter with him and informed the Shadowless Sect Leader.

However, upon reflection, he was at ease, as Wu Weixiong had witnessed him reveal his previous life’s Fake Pill Cultivation and had personally seen him use various means to counter-slay Fu Xiaochen.

Subsequently, he took on Fu Xiaochen’s identity to devour the Pure Essence Old Scoundrel’s Spirit Flame, managing to escape successfully, which left a significant impact.

”Please have a seat, Fellow Daoist Huang.” Seeing Li Ji’an remain silent, the Shadowless Sect Leader once again extended a friendly invitation.

”Thank you very much, Fellow Daoist Han!” Li Ji’an stopped dwelling on it and sat down calmly.

Though the highest realm he had reached in his three lifetimes of cultivation was the Fake Pill Realm, with six lifetimes on earth, combined with his pre-transmigration life, Li Ji’an had lived over four centuries. The mindset honed by years of experience was no less than that of a Core Formation Ascendant.

”Here is the Dao Artifact you need, Fellow Daoist Huang.” The Shadowless Sect Leader then placed an Insect Catching Net he had helped Li Ji’an procure at the auction onto the table.

Li Ji’an smiled and nodded, handing over a pre-prepared pouch of Spirit Stones: ”Much obliged.”

”Fellow Daoist Huang, do you have a grudge with that old scoundrel?” The Shadowless Sect Leader made a slight gesture, Wu Weixiong stepped forward to store the Storage Pouch, then he asked nonchalantly.

Li Ji’an replied with a light smile: ”It’s not exactly a grudge, perhaps more of a causal entanglement, where a bad cause will naturally bear bad fruit.”

”Hahaha, well said, a bad cause will indeed bear bad fruit. That old scoundrel, sucking the whole domain dry, has indeed sown the seeds of his downfall.” The Shadowless Sect Leader laughed heartily in agreement.

Then he showed a hint of severity: ”However, the bad fruits sown by that old scoundrel are more than one.”

”Does Fellow Daoist Han have deep enmity with that old scoundrel?” Li Ji’an asked casually, taking a sip of Spirit Tea.

”A vendetta for killing my wife, an irreconcilable hatred,” the Shadowless Sect Leader said decisively.

Li Ji’an nodded slightly. Previously, he only knew of the entangled grievances between the Shadowless Sect and Ten Thousand Laws Palace; he hadn’t realized there was such enmity.

There had long been rumors that the current Shadowless Sect Leader was a pitiful person who fled to the Shadowless Grassland from the Celestial Cyan Domain over two hundred years ago, which now seems confirmed.

”Fellow Daoist Huang, perhaps you are unaware of another heinous act by that old scoundrel?” the Shadowless Sect Leader continued with gritted teeth.

Li Ji’an’s eyes lifted slightly, responding instinctively: ”The Human Medicine Great Pill?”

”!” The Shadowless Sect Leader’s head jerked up, clearly not expecting Li Ji’an to know such a secret.

According to what he knew, this matter was only tacitly approved by the former True Monarch of Ten Thousand Laws within the entire Ten Thousand Laws Palace; no one else knew.

For a moment, any doubts about Li Ji’an’s identity were dispelled from his heart.

Ever since Wu Weixiong recounted some of Li Ji’an’s deeds to him, he harbored suspicion.

Upon this meeting, his Divine Sense at the late Core Formation Stage discerned Li Ji’an’s cultivation level, wholly sparking his concern.

Considering Wu Weixiong’s firm belief that Li Ji’an’s current outward magical cultivation was not his true level, insisting it must be mid-stage True Pill or above, and certain that a hundred years ago Li Ji’an had already clashed with the Pure Essence Old Scoundrel, even taking three-tier Spirit Flames from him, causing him considerable trouble.

Hence, he patiently investigated a bit.

However, right at first contact, Han Yu felt something as it seemed the counterpart’s bone age was about a hundred years, but the heart nature and temperament was mature and stable, not fabricated, intensifying his curiosity.

And now, the counterpart surprisingly knew the secret of the old scoundrel refining the Human Medicine Great Pill.

And could also live safely, even coexist closely with the old scoundrel.

This could only mean this person was far from ordinary.

And his late Core Formation Divine Sense couldn’t even penetrate a bit; the counterpart was likely above himself!

Instantly, he tucked away the slight unintentional disdain previously shown and formally engaged in conversation as a peer.