Chapter 77: Finding Another Treasure

Li Chang’an dispersed the Sword Array, then once again condensed nine streams of Sword Qi.

This time, the Sword Array formed just as smoothly.

A smile graced his face as he confirmed he had cultivated the Small Yi Mu Sword Array to the Great Success stage.

’Cultivating this quickly can’t be explained by talent alone.’

Li Chang’an mused.

He himself found this rate of progress incredible.

It could only mean that the Small Yi Mu Sword Array itself was a perfect fit for him.

It was as if it had been tailor-made for him.

After this, he used nine Spirit Sword Talismans to form a one-time Sword Array and test its power.

BOOM!

The moment the Sword Array appeared, its might was astounding, even shaking the Thundercloud Annihilation Array slightly.

Li Chang’an looked startled and hastily dispersed the Sword Array.

’The Small Yi Mu Sword Array at Great Success, combined with Spirit Sword Talismans... its power is truly terrifying.’

After all, a single Spirit Sword Talisman, as a High-quality Top Grade Talisman, could release Sword Qi capable of threatening a Qi Refining Ninth Layer cultivator.

When nine Talismans formed a Sword Array, the power they released was far greater than the simple sum of the nine Talismans.

It faintly surpassed the level of Qi Refining.

’Once this Sword Array is unleashed, I’m afraid few below the Foundation Establishment stage could withstand it.’

Li Chang’an contemplated.

In terms of pure destructive power, neither his two High-quality Puppets nor his two Spirit Beasts could compare to the Sword Array formed from nine Talismans.

’Now, I have the Sword Array for offense, Puppets for defense, and my Escape Technique is almost at Great Success. My combat methods are quite well-rounded.’

The three aspects Li Chang’an had initially envisioned—"offense," "defense," and "escape"—were now basically fulfilled.

Even without a protective Array, he would be hard-pressed to find a match among those below Foundation Establishment.

’However, this is just one small step for now. The road ahead is still long.’

Li Chang’an secretly reminded himself.

’Until I reach Foundation Establishment, I’m nothing but an ant!’

’I can’t let my guard down.’

Just then, a golden light appeared before his eyes.

[Divination has been refreshed]

[Today’s Divination: Auspicious]

[You will go to the auction, buy a seemingly ordinary Tier One Middle Grade Talisman Brush, and after crushing its outer layer, you will obtain a Tier Two Talisman Brush.]

"A Tier Two Talisman Brush?"

Li Chang’an’s eyes lit up. ’So you really can find hidden gems at an auction.’

However, the way to get this hidden gem struck him as a bit strange.

A Tier Two Talisman Brush hidden inside a Tier One Talisman Brush had somehow gone undiscovered.

’I have to go to the auction to snag that Talisman Brush, and while I’m at it, I’ll buy a few Auxiliary Medicines for the Foundation Establishment Pill.’

Li Chang’an planned silently.

’But my real body doesn’t have to go. I’ll send a few Puppets over to buy things separately. It’s safer that way.’

...

「The next day.」

As soon as the sky brightened, the entire Marketplace was already bustling with activity.

Countless people were discussing the auction.

Some hoped the items they had submitted would fetch a good price, while others hoped to buy the Treasures they had their eyes on.

’There are so many people, far more than last time.’

Li Chang’an arrived at the scene, marveling inwardly.

For this auction, he had deployed a total of five Tier One Middle Grade Puppets, created five different identities for them, and had them sit in different locations at the venue.

Before long, the auction began.

The host of the auction was, surprisingly, Zheng Songcheng!

He walked onto the stage with a smile and said a few words to get things started.

Soon, the first auction item was brought to the stage.

"A Tier One Top Grade Elixir, the Explosive Spirit Pill!"

This item was none other than the Zheng Family’s exclusive Elixir Pill.

After consuming it, a Cultivator could erupt with power far exceeding their current Cultivation.

Of course, this kind of outburst was damaging to the body.

It shouldn’t be used unless one was in a desperate situation.

"Everyone, we have a total of ten Explosive Spirit Pills here."

"The starting bid for each pill is thirty Spirit Stones, and each bid increment must be no less than one Spirit Stone!"

The moment Zheng Songcheng’s voice fell, someone immediately called out a price of thirty-three Spirit Stones.

After that, people continued to raise the price.

The atmosphere on-site grew increasingly fervent.

’Although this Elixir Pill is harmful to the body, it could save your life at a critical moment. Compared to one’s life, a little physical damage is nothing.’

Li Chang’an listened to the bids rising and falling around him, thinking to himself.

Soon, the ten Explosive Spirit Pills were sold.

Because there were so many items, the entire auction moved at a very fast pace.

Items were brought to the stage one after another.

About a quarter of an hour later, a peculiar Spirit Plant, jet-black with seven petals, appeared before everyone.

"The Seven-Night Flower!"

Many people’s spirits lifted as they stared at the black Spirit Flower.

On stage, Zheng Songcheng said with a smile, "Everyone, I don’t think I need to introduce this Seven-Night Flower too much, do I? I’m sure you all know the Pill Formula for the Foundation Establishment Pill by heart!"

Below the stage, the eyes of many people burned with fervor, and their breathing grew ragged.

The Seven-Night Flower was one of the Auxiliary Medicines for the Foundation Establishment Pill!

Zheng Songcheng didn’t waste any words and started the bidding directly.

"Starting price is one hundred and fifty Spirit Stones! Each bid increment must be no less than five Spirit Stones!"

He had just finished speaking when someone below eagerly shouted a bid.

"One hundred and sixty Spirit Stones!"

"One hundred and seventy!"

"One hundred and eigh—"

The price soared, quickly surpassing two hundred Spirit Stones.

Li Chang’an was not in a hurry.

He waited quietly.

After the price exceeded two hundred and fifty, the number of bidders dwindled significantly.

After all, it was only one of the Auxiliary Medicines, not one of the three rare main ingredients.

Even if they couldn’t buy it here, there was still hope of finding it elsewhere in the future.

When the price reached three hundred, there were only a few bidders left.

"Three hundred and thirty!"

The Puppet controlled by Li Chang’an spoke up at this moment, joining the competition.

He immediately raised the bid by thirty Spirit Stones, a clear show of confidence.

Hearing this, the few other bidders hesitated.

After a moment, one of them grit their teeth and bid again.

"Three hundred and forty!"

Li Chang’an followed without hesitation.

"Three hundred and fifty Spirit Stones!"

An unwilling expression crossed that person’s face. Their mouth opened and closed as if they still wanted to bid, looking extremely conflicted.

In the end, they didn’t speak again.

Li Chang’an successfully won the Seven-Night Flower.

’That went rather smoothly.’

The corners of Li Chang’an’s mouth lifted slightly, his mood excellent.

After this, another quarter of an hour passed.

The second Auxiliary Medicine for the Foundation Establishment Pill appeared.

It was a Spirit Medicine called "Jade Ling Fruit," which was not as valuable as the Seven-Night Flower.

In the end, Li Chang’an won it for the price of two hundred and thirty Spirit Stones.

Of course, this time, he used a different Puppet body.

Not long after, an unremarkable Talisman Brush was brought to the stage by an attendant.

Zheng Songcheng introduced it: "This Talisman Brush is Tier One Middle Grade. It was discovered by a fellow cultivator in a Secret Realm. The starting bid is one hundred Spirit Stones."

Many Treasures that came from Secret Realms had special effects.

But this Talisman Brush looked far too ordinary, so much so that there were very few bidders.

After all, there weren’t many Talisman Masters in the Marketplace to begin with.

Soon, Li Chang’an won the Talisman Brush with a bid of one hundred and sixty Spirit Stones.

’This should be the one. There’s no mistake.’

He thought to himself.

It was the only Talisman Brush on the entire auction list.