Chapter 538: In Hand

"Hehe, five eight-grade elixirs that summoned Eight-Color Pill Thunder, plus a Nine-Color Pill Beast—once."

Baoshan Elder began counting down, but everyone present knew this was meant for Xiao Yan—they all wanted to know if he still had more to offer!

"Young Master Xiao Yan," Qing Lin beside him looked worriedly at her young master.

Cai Lin and Xiao Yixian had already secretly activated their Dou Qi; they would definitely move to seize it if necessary.

Xiao Yan fell silent for a moment—he absolutely had to obtain this residual map, even if someone else bought it, he would find another way, such as doing something less than moral.

Xiao Yan possessed Heavenly Realm Initial Stage soul force; the black robe provided by the Ancient Treasure Pavilion could not block his soul perception—he had long locked onto the Scorpion Demon Three Ghosts.

But Xiao Yan disliked surprises; if the Scorpion Demon Three Ghosts had some trick to escape, hide, or even destroy the residual map outright, Xiao Yan would be left dumbfounded.

The safest method was naturally to get the residual map in hand first.

"Second time."

Just as Baoshan Elder finished speaking, Xiao Yan sighed inwardly: "Ah, no choice—might as well lose face."

Xiao Yan slowly stood up and looked toward Baoshan Elder; the moment he rose, the Scorpion Demon Three Ghosts felt their hearts nearly leap out of their chests!

"Host," Xiao Yan's deep voice slowly carried through the hall, "on top of my previous offer, I wish to add one more thing."

Baoshan Elder's eyes flickered with delight—more bidding was always better!

"Esteemed Master, please speak," Baoshan Elder immediately addressed him as Master, knowing without doubt that Xiao Yan was an Alchemist.

Beneath his black robe, Xiao Yan's obsidian eyes flashed a sharp gleam, his voice solemn and serious: "I add a promise to refine: I will refine any elixir below Nine-Treasure Grade, once."

BOOM!!! Xiao Yan's words exploded like a nuclear bomb throughout the hall; everyone gasped, breaths quickening as they stared at Xiao Yan.

Even Baoshan Elder's eyes narrowed, his breathing slightly hastened.

"Any?!!"

"Is he a Nine-Treasure Pill Alchemist?!!"

"No way—Nine-Treasure Pill Alchemists exist only in those two places, and all are ancient monsters. He doesn't seem like one—he feels so young. How could he possibly be a Nine-Treasure Pill Alchemist?"

The most valuable eight-grade elixir wasn't the Chengzun Spirit Pill—even the Nine Revolution Heaven Changing Pill traded with Three Heavenly Venerable Ghost Ming was more precious than the Chengzun Spirit Pill, yet even the Nine Revolution Heaven Changing Pill only boosted cultivation by one turn. Among eight-grade elixirs, there existed one called the Nine-Treasure Pill, which could not summon Black Demon Thunder!

Hearing Xiao Yan's words, the Scorpion Demon Three Ghosts were truly panicked—this isn't cheating?!

"Baoshan! The Ancient Treasure Pavilion's auction has no such rule!" Sky Scorpion Elder barked sternly—he couldn't let Xiao Yan make such a hollow promise.

If this stood, how could anyone ever play again? Would Alchemists then possess infinite wealth?!

Although Alchemists truly did possess infinite wealth.

Baoshan Elder raised his hand, silencing Sky Scorpion Elder's protest. At any other time, he would have rejected Xiao Yan's offer—such a promise might not hold, and the owner of the residual map might not accept it.

Baoshan Elder's sharp gaze locked onto Xiao Yan and asked: "Sir, are you certain you mean any eight-grade elixir?"

An Alchemist's promise was extremely valuable; some top-tier Alchemists could exchange a single promise for a host of Dou Zun to act on their behalf. Even though refining required the client to supply their own medicinal materials and even the pill formula, countless people still flocked to secure even one such refinement.

The elixirs being auctioned now were finished products—meaning their effects were fixed: Healing Pill healed, Chengzun Spirit Pill boosted cultivation. If you needed something else, you'd have to find another Alchemist.

There were many ways to obtain an eight-grade elixir, but to obtain a specific one, you could only turn to an Alchemist.

And even more crucial was the word "any"!

As the host of this auction, Baoshan Elder naturally knew what the final auction item was. At any other time, he would have ignored Xiao Yan's Alchemist promise—but with the final auction item involved, he had no choice but to compromise.

Because the final auction item truly required a top-tier Alchemist!

Xiao Yan nodded and said: "Any—even the Bodhi Pill."

Gulp! Countless swallowing sounds echoed.

The moment "Bodhi Pill" was spoken, both Baoshan Elder and the Scorpion Demon Three Ghosts involuntarily swallowed, their lips suddenly dry.

The Bodhi Pill, also known as the Break-Sage Pill, was named so because its main ingredient was the Bodhi Seed. Its effect was straightforward: it increased by two-tenths the success rate of a Nine-Turn Peak Dou Zun to ascend to Dou Sage.

Among eight-grade elixirs, few could rival its refinement difficulty.

Nine-Turn Ascension was merely a cultivation method: upon reaching Nine-Turn Peak Dou Zun, one could condense their Nine-Turn cultivation to gain one chance to break through to Dou Sage. But this chance came only once—if failed, one had to seek other methods, such as using the Bodhi Pill.

Even if the Nine-Turn breakthrough succeeded, one might not become a true Dou Sage—perhaps only reaching Half-Sage, for the gap between Dou Zun and Dou Sage was immense; one couldn't swallow a fat man whole.

But with the Bodhi Pill, even if one failed to become a Dou Sage, they would at least ascend to Half-Sage. The Bodhi Pill's allure to a Nine-Turn Peak Dou Zun was unimaginable.

"Hmph," the Demon Three Elders said, "as far as I know, even the Pill Giant's success rate in refining the Bodhi Pill is under two percent. What guarantee do you offer?"

Xiao Yan smiled faintly, gently lifting his hand and removing his hood before all eyes, revealing his true face. A light laugh escaped him: "Is my name, Xiao Yan, enough of a guarantee?"

"Xiao Yan!!"

"Kuang! He's Xiao Yan!"

"I knew it, I knew it—he's the one!" In a corner, Li Yong, a "junior" who had once met Xiao Yan, shouted excitedly.

"No wonder—I heard half a year ago Xiao Yan already refined a Nine-Color Pill Beast. His Alchemy must already surpass the Pill Giant!"

"He truly has the authority and qualification to guarantee it."

At Xiao Yan's level, his reputation had become currency and resource—a guarantee and value in itself.

No further words were needed; even a single Alchemist's promise was already priceless.

But Xiao Yan couldn't endlessly sell favors—because when you owe only one favor, the first one is the most valuable.

After a moment of silence, Baoshan Elder realized no one else would bid.

Baoshan Elder bowed slightly and said: "After thorough and solemn deliberation among all three parties, this Residual Map of the Pure Lotus Demon Fire is awarded to Master Xiao Yan. From this moment, this treasure has an owner."

Upon hearing this, many prominent figures exchanged glances; some Hidden World Strong Experts whispered among themselves. Some were astonished—after all, the Scorpion Demon Three Ghosts were genuine Ancient Pill Beasts, yet they still lost to a hollow promise?

Others weren't surprised: cultivating an Ancient Nine-Color Pill Beast to Dou Sage level was possible, but only with a chance—and the resources required were beyond ordinary imagination. But if you needed refining, or even sold this refining promise to others, it was entirely feasible.

Moreover, Xiao Yan already possessed a Nine-Color Chengzun Spirit Pill—its value was nearly identical.

Although Bodhi Seeds no longer existed on the market and were impossible to find, some might still be hoarded, waiting for a powerful Alchemist to refine the Bodhi Pill.

Those needing the Bodhi Pill would certainly be Nine-Turn Peak Dou Zun—these ancient monsters never acted lightly.

The Scorpion Demon Three Ghosts' expressions, however, were utterly different—faces flushed with shifting hues of red and blue, their emotions a storm of complexity and fury.

They had emptied their entire treasuries, even brought out their Ancient Nine-Color Pill Beast, added five Eight-Color Elixirs—and still lost to Xiao Yan!

"Xiao Yan, there will likely be a battle ahead." Xiao Yixian's beautiful eyes held a hint of concern; Xiao Yan had revealed his identity so conspicuously, making him an easy target for desperate outlaws.

Even if Xiao Yan has powerful backing—even ties to the Gu Clan—they don't necessarily have to kill you; stealing your belongings is enough.

Everyone has seen how much Xiao Yan has bid on during this trip; now, Xiao Yan is a prime target—biting into him would be devastating; who wouldn't want a bite?

"It's fine. I'm no greenhorn. They may not dare rob me," Xiao Yan said softly.

Cai Lin said nothing, but her gaze had already told Xiao Yan: she would fight alongside him to the end!

The transaction proceeded smoothly; naturally, Xiao Yan's promise wasn't just empty words—he and Baoshan Elder signed a Soul Contract, stipulating unconditional assistance in refining one Elixir below Nine Grade.

The value of this Soul Contract was desired by many present.

"The value of this Soul Contract alone probably isn't lower than a Heaven Tier Low Grade Cultivation Method."

"Not much lower. But I suspect he'll only owe this one favor; even a Heaven Tier Low Grade Cultivation Method might not be enough to persuade him to refine pills."

Xiao Yan's presence at the Space Trade Fair wasn't without reason; with his current strength and wealth, Heaven Tier Low Grade Dou Techniques and Cultivation Methods held no appeal. Had it not been for the Pure Lotus Demon Flame Remnant Map, Xiao Yan wouldn't have come at all—it would've been a waste of his time. Gathering Heaven Tier Dou Techniques and Cultivation Methods was merely incidental.

Just for the pleasure of shopping.

Just as a Nine Grade Alchemist would never come to such places—only a complete Demon Fire Map could draw a Nine Grade Alchemist; a Residual Map was impossible.

Time passed slowly, and gradually, the hall fell quiet; everyone remembered now that the Residual Map was only the second-to-last item—the final item had yet to be revealed.

"Baoshan, bring up the last item quickly."

"Yes! If it's worth it, bid; if not, don't waste everyone's time."

"Come on, let us see it!"

Hearing the crowd's clamor, Baoshan Elder smiled and said, "Hehe, the final item of our Space Trade Fair is not an object, but intelligence. Though this information may soon sweep across Zhong Zhou, here, it remains first-hand."

Upon hearing it was intelligence, many frowned. Intelligence was valuable yet valueless—hard to measure.

"Hehe, I know what you're worried about, but rest assured—this piece of intelligence will not be auctioned; it is given freely to all present."

Feeling the multitude of puzzled gazes, Baoshan Elder smiled faintly, then his voice softly echoed through the hall.

"The legendary Bodhi Ancient Tree, said to grant Liu Di Cheng Sheng, has reappeared after ten thousand years."

Upon hearing the four words "Bodhi Ancient Tree," Xiao Yan and Xiao Yixian's eyes sharpened; they had once obtained Puti Huati Yan, and Xiao Yan still possessed a shriveled, energy-depleted Bodhi Seed.

"What! The Bodhi Ancient Tree is finally appearing?!"

Baoshan Elder's words caused many in the hall to leap to their feet. If Xiao Yan's ability to refine Bodhi Pills had made Nine-Turn Dou Zun eyes gleam, the Bodhi Ancient Tree made every Dou Zun's eyes blaze with fury—some even wished to force Baoshan Elder to reveal its location.

The Bodhi Ancient Tree, known in some Ancient Texts as the Wisdom Reincarnation Tree, grows one ring per thousand years; only when it reaches a hundred rings does it mature. Rumor says its age rivals that of the Dou Qi Continent.

Where there was the Dou Qi Continent, there was the Bodhi Ancient Tree. Such immense time has corroded all things, yet the Bodhi Ancient Tree exists outside time—it is among the continent's most ancient species.

It is said the Bodhi Ancient Tree appears once every thousand years, each emergence causing massive upheaval across the continent. In history, even Dou Sages have perished fighting over it!

Yet strangely, at some unknown point, the Bodhi Ancient Tree vanished. It should have appeared every thousand years—but for several thousand years, nearly ten thousand, it has not appeared.

Now, Baoshan Elder suddenly claims the long-vanished Bodhi Ancient Tree is returning—how could this not shock everyone?

After all, the main ingredient of Bodhi Pills is the Bodhi Seed. With the Bodhi Ancient Tree absent, not a single Bodhi Seed exists on the entire Dou Qi Continent, let alone Bodhi Pills—now even Dou Sages are scarce, as if the continent had suffered a catastrophic break.

According to some Ancient Texts, only one Bodhi Ancient Tree exists in this world. It possesses its own wisdom; after each appearance, it retreats deep into the earth's core, invisible to all, only to reemerge upon the next cycle's arrival.

The Bodhi Ancient Tree—Liu Di Cheng Sheng—is no myth!

(End of Chapter)