Chapter 106

In private room number eight, the Poshan Gang's head alchemist, Dan Chenzi, was caressing the small tripod in his hands, unable to put it down.

Yes, a small tripod.

This Yin Sixiang Tripod, in addition to having the Earth Mountain Array, Solid Wall Array, and Fire Gathering Array engraved on it, actually also had a Wish-Fulfilling Array.

Because of this, it could be adjusted in size at will, shrinking from a height of one zhang down to the size of a single hand.

Dan Chenzi—Luo Chen—truly liked it to the extreme.

With this tripod, whether for offense or defense, he had gained an extra option.

Moreover, although its alchemy function was not as outstanding as a standard high-grade alchemy tripod, it was more than enough to hold three or four batches of raw materials in a single furnace.

If an alchemist's attainments were deep enough, putting in five batches of raw materials at once was not impossible.

Seeing Luo Chen naturally and matter-of-factly tuck the small tripod into his storage bag, Mi Junping reminded him with a sour tone from the side:

"Luo Chen, this wasn't bought for you; it is the property of the Alchemy Hall."

"Heh, I know, I know. I'm just keeping it safe for the time being, just keeping it safe!"

Luo Chen gave a hollow laugh, looking as if he understood perfectly.

But no matter who looked at him, they all knew that Luo Chen intended to make it his own.

Mi Shuhua did not mind; as long as Luo Chen was still in his hands, this Yin Sixiang Tripod would still belong to him.

How should one put it? It was just like buying a better plow for the ox that tilled his own fields!

Right now, that ox was quite happy, so wouldn't it have to work even harder at plowing the fields in the future?

He smiled and said: "I just took a look; this tripod is not as useless as one might imagine. Generally, high-grade magic tools only have three first-tier arrays engraved on them. Magic tools that can have four arrays engraved on them are basically top-grade magic tools."

"Perhaps the four arrays of the Yin Sixiang Tripod don't pair together very well, but since the material itself is good enough, if used properly, it can be considered a small top-grade magic tool."

"We actually made a small profit on this auction."

Hearing him say this, Luo Chen liked the Yin Sixiang Tripod even more.

Although it was Alchemy Hall property, it was ultimately him using it, wasn't it?

He also received a share of the Alchemy Hall's profits.

One could only say that the same event could be viewed differently by different people.

In short, everyone felt they hadn't lost out by buying the Yin Sixiang Tripod.

There were many steps in the auction's transaction process!

But under the hosting of Luo Tianhong, a Foundation Establishment cultivator with rich experience, it proceeded in an orderly manner, making people feel it wasn't bloated or cumbersome.

The fourth stage of the auction had already ended.

And the final item fell to the host, the Yuding Sword Sect.

The first auction item they brought out pushed the bidding heat directly to a climax.

"Five Foundation Establishment Pills, to be auctioned separately."

"The first one, starting price of one thousand spirit stones. Fellow Daoists interested in Foundation Establishment, you may begin bidding!"

The starting price was actually only one thousand spirit stones?

So low?

For a moment, everyone's breathing became rapid.

Even Luo Chen felt tempted; he did have fifteen hundred spirit stones on him, after all.

Heh heh, it was time for Dan Chenzi to make a move.

"Eleven hundred!"

"Twelve hundred!"

"Fourteen hundred!"

"Two thousand!"

"Three thousand!"

"I bid five thousand spirit stones!"

Listening to the increasingly high prices, Luo Chen had long since tightly shut his mouth.

Beside him, Mi Shuhua smiled slightly, "It's normal for the starting price to be low, because Foundation Establishment Pills are never hard to sell; it's just that the person hosting the auction wants to stir up the atmosphere a bit more."

Elder Sikong Shoujia, who had also participated in the bidding, heard this and helplessly and dejectedly stopped his meaningless actions.

He actually really wanted to buy a Foundation Establishment Pill for his son, Elder Sikong Yuanhong.

If that happened, perhaps he wouldn't have to let his son marry into the Mi family.

However, that price truly made people shrink back.

Luo Chen muttered a few words and then curiously asked Mi Shuhua.

"Gang Leader, when it comes down to it, a Foundation Establishment Pill is just a second-tier elixir; one or two thousand for one is already very unreasonable. Considering its special nature, I can understand three or four thousand."

"But now, it's been bid up to nearly six thousand spirit stones each; isn't the premium too severe?"

Mi Shuhua laughed in spite of himself, "You're asking me? Then why don't you go ask those loose cultivators who are bidding? Ask them if they want to give up the only Foundation Establishment opportunity they might have in their lives?"

Luo Chen sighed.

That's right, if he had enough wealth, he feared he wouldn't let this opportunity go either.

However, thinking about it carefully, with his aptitude, could a single Foundation Establishment Pill really allow him to reach Foundation Establishment?

It was rumored that many cultivators with excellent talent still had a high probability of failure even after taking a Foundation Establishment Pill.

Then for him, it was even more impossible.

Thinking this way, Luo Chen only felt that his clearly planned path of the Dao had become bleak once again.

When that Foundation Establishment Pill was taken by a famous loose cultivator from Dahefang for sixty-eight hundred spirit stones.

The auction enthusiasm of the cultivators diminished somewhat.

But as the second one continued to be auctioned, their enthusiasm rose again.

Only this time, after trying to bid twice, they stopped their bidding actions in fear and trepidation.

Because this time, those competing with them were no longer isolated loose cultivators, but those big Foundation Establishment figures sitting high in the private rooms!

"Twenty-five hundred low-grade spirit stones!"

"Is there anyone else bidding?"

"Twenty-five hundred once, twice, three times, sold!"

"Congratulations to the Fellow Daoist in private room number twelve for obtaining this Foundation Establishment Pill."

Private room number twelve was where the Foundation Establishment cultivator of the Nangong cultivation family was located.

The remaining three Foundation Establishment Pills also fell one after another into the hands of the Duan family, the Li family, and Wang Yang of the Dajiang Gang.

Moreover, every Foundation Establishment Pill was sold for around twenty-five hundred spirit stones, which was just the price of a high-grade magic tool.

Seeing this tacit scene, the late-stage Qi Refining loose cultivators in the venue all felt extremely stifled.

Not just them, Elder Sikong Shoujia in private room number eight also had a flushed face.

"Gang Leader, I have a little wealth, why won't you let me bid?"

Mi Shuhua put away his smile and stared at him coldly.

"If you want to die, then I naturally won't stop you."

"But..."

"There are no 'buts'." Mi Shuhua sneered, "The various Foundation Establishment forces are willing to give up one Foundation Establishment Pill to the rootless loose cultivators; that is already considered merciful. As for the remaining few, don't even think about them."

Mi Junping couldn't help but ask: "Then Father, why didn't you make a move?"

"I already have an extra Foundation Establishment Pill in my hands; this time it's not my turn to make a move. This is something everyone already discussed beforehand."

Luo Chen stood behind, silently watching all of this.

So, the ownership of the Foundation Establishment Pills had long since been decided.

Everyone was tacitly carving up the meat, and the only extra piece was likely a sliver of life left for the loose cultivators after being warned by the Yuding Sword Sect.

If any loose cultivator didn't know what was good for them and forcibly bid for the subsequent Foundation Establishment Pills.

In terms of financial power, they certainly couldn't compare to the Foundation Establishment forces.

Instead, if the bidding failed, they would offend these Foundation Establishment forces.

After the auction ended, what would greet that loose cultivator would be the thunderous rage of Foundation Establishment cultivators, or even the pursuit of an entire force.

After analyzing this answer, Luo Chen felt even more bewildered.

For one or two Foundation Establishment Pills, he still had the confidence to rely on alchemy to earn enough spirit stones to buy them.

If there were a few more, even if he risked his life, before his lifespan neared its end, it wasn't impossible.

However, if at every auction, several Foundation Establishment forces came out to tacitly bid, even if he had hundreds of thousands of spirit stones, it would be of no use.

How could Qi Refining be an enemy of Foundation Establishment!

It was in this bewildered and helpless mood that the auction had unknowingly reached its end.

Later, the Yuding Sword Sect brought out many good things, and there was even a Core Formation spirit herb, which caused many Foundation Establishment cultivators to tear off their masks and bid crazily.

But those things no longer had anything to do with Luo Chen.

When leaving the venue, Mi Shuhua suddenly patted Luo Chen on the shoulder as he walked with his head lowered.

"Why be so dejected?"

Luo Chen raised his head and subconsciously replied, "Gang Leader."

Mi Shuhua revealed a kind smile, "If one day you reach Qi Refining perfection, I will definitely support your Foundation Establishment with all my strength; it's just a Foundation Establishment Pill!"

A warm current welled up in Luo Chen's heart.

In this cold and heartless cultivation world, there really were still many good people!

The sky had already turned dark; Luo Chen didn't know where those cultivators who participated in the auction were headed.

He was just alone, returning to the Sihe Academy.

Encountering the Qin Liangchen couple and Gu Caiyi returning home, he spoke of what he had seen and heard at today's auction.

Everyone marveled at those rare treasures and also sighed at the Yuding Sword Sect's wealth, actually being willing to take out magic treasures for auction.

When Luo Chen smiled and spoke of the words Mi Shuhua said when they were leaving.

Qin Liangchen was silent for a long while.

After a long time, he smiled bitterly: "He said these words to me as well. Back then, he also said them to the Qi Refining perfection 'Heart-Eating Tiger' Han Dang. As for the others..."

Murong Qinglian shook her head, "Anyway, for a hundred years, the Poshan Gang has yet to produce a second Foundation Establishment loose cultivator."

Luo Chen was stunned, then slapped the table and stood up.

"Old scoundrel, how dare you deceive me like this!"

Early the next morning, a young man braved the heavy snow and waited for a long time outside the gate of the Spirit Medicine Pavilion.

As soon as it opened, he walked straight in.

"Five bottles of Dust-Transforming Pills, one box of Soul-Calming Incense."

The maid, who was still yawning, heard this and couldn't help but be stunned.

She subconsciously replied: "Dust-Transforming Pills are two hundred spirit stones a bottle, Soul-Calming Incense is one hundred and twenty spirit stones a box."

"This is eleven hundred and twenty spirit stones, please count them!"

"Oh, oh, alright, honored guest, please wait a moment."

After the young man left, the maid was still somewhat unable to come to her senses.

Had she encountered a cultivator who seemed very wealthy?

Ordinary loose cultivators mostly bought Qi-Nourishing Pills, and they were all stingy.

Good elixirs like Dust-Transforming Pills were basically only bought by late-stage Qi Refining cultivators, and they were all bought individually, one bottle at a time.

That person just now actually bought five bottles in one breath.

"Are loose cultivators all this rich now?"

Luo Chen didn't know if others were rich.

He only knew that for him, who had already advanced to the seventh level of Qi Refining, Qi-Nourishing Pills had almost no effect anymore.

To ensure his cultivation speed, he had to switch to taking new elixirs.

Dust-Transforming Pills were currently the best choice.

As a leader among first-tier elixirs, Dust-Transforming Pills were always known for their vast and pure medicinal power.

Even for the low-grade Dust-Transforming Pills sold to the outside, the medicinal effect was more than double that of Qi-Nourishing Pills.

Back when Gu Caiyi was still at Tianxiang Tower, because of the high-grade Dust-Transforming Pill casually bestowed by the late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator Fei Bowen, she broke through her bottleneck in one breath and advanced to the ninth level of Qi Refining.

High-grade Dust-Transforming Pills, Luo Chen couldn't afford, and there was nowhere to buy them.

Such good things were almost never sold as regular elixirs by the Spirit Medicine Pavilion; they only sold low-grade elixirs to loose cultivators.

It was only yesterday at the auction that they brought out a large batch of mid-grade and high-grade elixirs for auction.

Looking at it with a conspiracy theory mindset, Luo Chen had to suspect that the Yaowang Sect behind the Spirit Medicine Pavilion only digested good elixirs internally, or only sold them to the various major sects.

In this way, they could also ensure that sect cultivators' cultivation progress far exceeded that of loose cultivators, in addition to their combat power.

Moreover, ordinary loose cultivators actually didn't have that consumption ability.

Not thinking about these irrelevant things, Luo Chen once again planned his own cultivation plan.

The cruel reality of the Foundation Establishment Pill yesterday didn't defeat him.

It was just a momentary depression!

In just a single night, Luo Chen had already cheered up.

The urgent matter was Qi Refining perfection; as for the Foundation Establishment Pill, he would plan it carefully later!

Thinking too much now was just worrying about nothing.

Instead of thinking about these, it was better to think about how much help the Alchemy Hall, the Poshan Gang, and people like Mi Shuhua could provide him.

"Qi-Nourishing Pills are useless to me; I must find a reason to let the Poshan Gang switch me to Dust-Transforming Pills."

"The reason is actually easy to find; it mainly depends on how much value I can bring to Mi Shuhua."

"And from Mi Shuhua buying me the Yin Sixiang Tripod without even catching his breath, it can be seen that I have great utilization value in his heart."

It wasn't just the Yin Sixiang Tripod, from his daily treatment to his occasional soft words.

Luo Chen knew very well that Mi Shuhua valued him exceptionally.

Even the degree of importance was above that of Qin Liangchen, Han Dang, and Wang Yuan back then.

In the final analysis, it was spirit stones!

"Mi Shuhua bought that magic treasure yesterday, almost emptying his family's foundation; otherwise, he wouldn't have brought out so many things to sell."

"The Poshan Gang's profits are huge. But many of those profits are not immediate. Moreover, to make so many loose cultivators willingly follow the Poshan Gang, naturally, a lot of benefits have to be shared."

"By comparison, Jade Marrow Pills are a new source of wealth."

"As far as it currently looks, the channels for Jade Marrow Pills have almost been developed. Either Dahefang shops, or cooperation with the Dajiang Gang, or local cultivation families."

"With the channels in place, Mi Shuhua himself obtained a magic treasure, and his strength has greatly increased. Behind him, there might even be the support of the Yuding Sword Pavilion's resident cultivators."

"In this way, everything is ready, only the east wind is missing!"

And what this east wind was, Luo Chen knew very well.

Production!

"Wanting me to increase production, it's not just relying on a high-grade alchemy tripod that can do it!"

Luo Chen sneered.

Before, he still felt guilty, feeling that he had sheared the old man's wool too much.

But seeing the other party spend money like water yesterday, he knew he was still too kind.

When leaving the city, he saw the two bodyguards waiting at the city gate.

However, the other party didn't notice him at first, but instead looked up at the city wall.

"What are you doing?"

Luo Chen revealed a warm smile and also leaned over.

Following Zhou Yuanli's finger, he looked up and saw dozens of heads densely arranged.

It was fortunate that Luo Chen had experienced two battles and hadn't been scared out of his wits.

But even so, he felt a chill in his heart.

"These are?"

Zhou Yuanli sighed, "Basically, they are all loose cultivators."

"What crime did they commit?"

"What else could they commit?" Liu Qiang sneered: "This group of people went crazy, carrying out a massacre in the inner city last night; they really thought the Sword Pavilion's Law Enforcement Team was just for show!"

Looking closely, those heads hanging there almost all had expressions of terror.

On their necks, the cuts were extremely smooth.

Ordinary flying sword magic tools, although also known for their sharpness, were accompanied by surging spiritual power during battle, and their destructive power was biased towards area attacks.

Only sword cultivators from the Yuding Sword Sect, even without using sword pellets, could display some sword cultivator style with ordinary flying swords in their hands.

When they made a move, the sword light was condensed, and the spiritual power was like silk.

If it didn't hit, so be it; if it did, it would cut gold and break jade, and limbs would be smoothly severed.

"It's a pity, the Law Enforcement Team now only cares about inner city safety; as long as there's no major chaos in the outer city, they don't care at all." Zhou Yuanli said.

Liu Qiang mocked: "Indeed, at least several hundred conflicts broke out in the outer city last night; this doesn't count as major chaos, right!"

Luo Chen was shocked.

Did such a huge chaos break out in the outer city last night?

Suddenly, he felt it was a matter of course.

At the auction, there were so many good things that made people jealous.

Some people who failed to bid were always unwilling.

Even living in the inner city, people would be sought out, let alone some loose cultivators who left the city under the cover of darkness?

Under the chain reaction, it was normal for major chaos to break out in the outer city.

"I just hope this kind of thing doesn't happen to me!"

Luo Chen shook his head and, with two bodyguards, flew towards Xieyue Valley.

In broad daylight, it was relatively safe.

Those robbery cultivators, more or less, still had to consider the face of the Sword Pavilion's Law Enforcement Team.

Making trouble at night was one thing, but they had to be well-behaved during the day.

Boom!

A dull sound spread out.

Dozens of people poked their heads and looked at the alchemy room, whispering to each other.

Their Alchemy Hall actually had a high-grade alchemy tripod!

After Luo Chen arranged the Yin Sixiang Tripod, he arranged for someone to move the Xuan Yun Tripod from the original large alchemy room to another small alchemy room.

Although it was a bit crowded, it was barely enough.

After he came out, he discovered that it was silent outside.

Mi Shuhua had arrived!

"Gang Leader, good morning!"

Luo Chen greeted with a smile, unable to see the angry appearance of him cursing "old scoundrel" last night.

Mi Shuhua also nodded with a smile, "Nothing much today, just passing by, just happened to see if this Yin Sixiang Tripod fits your hand."

Passing by?

Luo Chen's mouth twitched, but he didn't say much.

With a wave of his hand, the subordinate cultivators got busy.

Before long, all preparations were ready.

Luo Chen stayed in the large alchemy room with full concentration; today he wanted to familiarize himself with the Yin Sixiang Tripod.

Light the fire, open the tripod, and put in four batches of raw materials in order.

A pair of hands turned like flowers, and under his manipulation, four pieces of Jade Marrow fell into the tripod.

"The firepower is not enough?"

Luo Chen closed the tripod lid and added double the firewood to the fire pit.

Not only that, he cast a Fireball Technique, and under the technique of the Flame Manipulation Art, the fireball split into fine streams, continuously calcining the alchemy tripod.

In this process, Luo Chen became increasingly familiar with the alchemy wonders of the Yin Sixiang Tripod.

After a long time, he walked out looking slightly tired.

"Luck was good today, forty pills were formed, fifteen mid-grade, twenty-five low-grade."

Mi Shuhua took the white-as-jade pills from Luo Chen's hands.

After observing carefully, he revealed a satisfied expression.

"Very good, there were initial results just after getting started. Once you are familiar with it, the amount of Jade Marrow Pills formed will inevitably have a big breakthrough."

"It's all thanks to the Gang Leader's cultivation!" Luo Chen said modestly.

Mi Shuhua shook his head, "If an alchemist could be produced just by relying on the cultivation of a Foundation Establishment cultivator like me, then alchemists wouldn't be worthless long ago. Your talent is the truly precious thing."

After sighing, he looked at the tired Luo Chen and frowned.

"Is it so tiring to refine elixirs once?"

Luo Chen smiled bitterly, "Gang Leader, the Yin Sixiang Tripod is a high-grade magic tool. Even if I only use the alchemy function, driving it once consumes a large amount of spiritual power."

"Moreover, currently no one can help, it all depends on me alone to refine elixirs, how could I not be tired."

Put this way, it was reasonable.

During the alchemy process just now, Mi Shuhua also relied on his spiritual sense to focus all his attention on Luo Chen's movements inside the alchemy room.

Processing raw materials, adding medicine, when to open the lid, when to control the size of the firepower, and from time to time using spiritual power to stir the medicinal liquid inside the large tripod.

After these cumbersome steps, if it were an ordinary late-stage Qi Refining cultivator, I'm afraid their mind and spiritual power would be exhausted by more than half.

Refining elixirs once was almost equivalent to fighting a battle with a cultivator of the same level.

He thought for a moment and said: "Do you need any help?"

Luo Chen spoke bluntly, "I want Dust-Transforming Pills! At least four bottles a month!"

Hearing this number, Elder Sikong Shoujia and even Gu Caiyi beside him held their breath.

Four bottles of Dust-Transforming Pills, that was almost eight hundred spirit stones.

Currently in the gang, among the nine major hall masters, excluding dividends, not one had this kind of treatment.

Moreover, Luo Chen previously only had five bottles of Qi-Nourishing Pills a month, which was only five hundred spirit stones.

Suddenly rising so much, it was truly opening his mouth like a lion!

However, Mi Shuhua only pondered for a moment and nodded directly.

"No problem, anyway, Mi Junping will send you dividends today; I'll let her exchange all the Qi-Nourishing Pills for Dust-Transforming Pills."

"However, for the quantity of Jade Marrow Pills this month, you must give me a satisfactory answer."

Luo Chen gave a hum, not promising directly.

Mi Shuhua didn't insist on hearing a military order, and after giving a few instructions to pay attention to safety, he left the Alchemy Hall.

After he left, Luo Chen finally let out a sigh of relief.

I don't know why, but Mi Shuhua's prestige was three points heavier than before, especially when he wasn't smiling.

Perhaps it was that magic treasure that gave him enough confidence!

Luo Chen looked back at the Yin Sixiang Tripod in the large alchemy room, his mouth slightly raised.

He actually had confidence now too.