Chapter 166: In exchange for sincerity, three Foundation Establishment Pills (Ten thousand words requested for subscription!)

"Huo, before I knew it, it's almost winter."

Bowing to squeeze into the clothing shop, Luo Chen shook off the fine, powdery snow from his body.

He couldn't help but sigh.

The last time winter arrived, it was just like the last time.

In the blink of an eye, nearly a year had passed.

So many things had happened this year that even if he were to find someone to sit around a stove, boil tea, and talk about the past, he, Luo Chen, wouldn't know where to begin.

He only knew one thing.

In May of last year, he was at the third level of Qi Refining.

Now, less than two years later, he was at the ninth level of Qi Refining and had already begun planning for Foundation Establishment.

Such rapid progress was astonishing!

He believed that even if the sect's prodigies saw it, they would be left tongue-tied!

But none of this came from nothing.

Consuming so many resources every day for hundreds of days—if converted into spirit stones, even a Foundation Establishment cultivator would be horrified.

It was only because Luo Chen had his own ways of making money that he could sustain such high-speed cultivation.

He greeted the old woman in the clothing shop.

After verifying the code and putting on his mask, Luo Chen stepped into the underground hall of the Zhenlong Black Market once again.

This was the second month after the inner city of Dahe Square was destroyed, and the second time the Zhenlong Black Market was held as scheduled.

As soon as he entered, Luo Chen noticed a familiar gaze landing on him.

The other party did not hide it, yet it contained no malice.

Feeling that gentle gaze, Luo Chen nodded to the person in acknowledgment.

It was Tian Xingzi.

"This senior is certainly thinking of me!"

Luo Chen chuckled, and just as he was about to find a quiet corner to sit down, a black-clad cultivator walked up to him.

"Senior Murong, our master has arranged a new seat for you. Please, this way!"

"Oh?"

Luo Chen was startled, but he didn't refuse, following him past the many loose cultivators.

Finally, he sat down on a golden sandalwood chair on the edge of the side.

The moment he sat down, many gazes were cast his way.

There was no other reason; the seats on the sides had always been the throne of Foundation Establishment True Persons.

Even if there weren't enough Foundation Establishment True Persons, these spots would be left empty rather than given to Qi Refining loose cultivators.

"Is this one of the VIP treatments Tian Xingzi mentioned?"

When he first sat down, Luo Chen felt a bit unaccustomed to it.

But soon, he accepted this status quo.

Having been the president of the Luo Tian Society for so long, he had long since grown accustomed to the admiration of others.

Now, it was just sitting in a position on the edge of the Foundation Establishment level.

Moreover, sitting in such a place had its benefits.

If he encountered a treasure he wanted, most Qi Refining loose cultivators would hesitate a bit when he joined the bidding.

This was the pressure brought by one's "position."

Unless it was a resource they absolutely had to have, ordinary loose cultivators wouldn't offend a big shot to the death; everyone knew the principle of knowing when to stop.

After sitting down, Luo Chen realized he had arrived a bit early today.

There were only about a hundred people in the hall, and the other Foundation Establishment cultivators hadn't arrived yet.

A black market cultivator brought him tea, and he began to enjoy it with ease.

However, as more and more people arrived, he sensed something was slightly off.

Because the few who appeared exuded an aura completely different from that of Qi Refining loose cultivators.

Among them, there were several whose auras he was familiar with.

The Breath-Restraining Spirit Art wasn't just about restraining one's aura or changing the fluctuations of spiritual energy.

After reaching Great Perfection, it had many wonderful uses, one of which was the ability to simulate the auras of others.

Naturally, he was also exceptionally sensitive to the auras of others.

"This one exuding a faint water vapor is Wang Yangchao!"

"Nangong Jin has come as well."

"That female cultivator with the light dew, as expected, should be the Li family's Foundation Establishment cultivator, Li Yixian."

"In that case, the other familiar, elderly Foundation Establishment cultivator chatting with them should be the Duan family ancestor, Duan Qiankun."

He hadn't expected that today, in the black market, the leaders of the four major local Foundation Establishment forces of Dahe Square would all be gathered here.

Especially Nangong Jin, who looked over toward Luo Chen from time to time.

It seemed he was also curious why a Qi Refining cultivator could sit with them.

Even if it was only in the marginal, last seat.

Luo Chen remained calm, continuing to enjoy his tea and pastries as if he had great confidence.

His posture, on the contrary, made those few people look away.

"Perhaps he is a VIP of Tian Xingzi!"

They all thought this.

Luo Chen didn't say a word, nor did he have any desire to communicate with them.

Loose lips sink ships; he might accidentally expose his true identity.

After the number of people reached about two hundred, Tian Xingzi stood up and announced the start of today's auction.

And the first magic tool brought out finally let Luo Chen know why the four local Foundation Establishment forces of Dahe Square had gathered for today's black market auction.

"Twenty sets of Fengdu Dharma Robes, middle-grade magic tools."

"When worn by a cultivator, they can resist the intangible attacks of low-level ghosts."

"Starting price, five hundred spirit stones per set. Each increment must be no less than fifty spirit stones!"

"Everyone, please!"

Without hesitation, almost as soon as the last word fell.

The four major Foundation Establishment cultivators all made their bids.

The final result: five sets each, sold at an average price of seven hundred spirit stones per set.

Such tacit bidding left everyone else afraid to even breathe loudly.

The black market master, Tian Xingzi, seemed to have expected this and didn't mind them colluding in the bidding.

Perhaps this price was within his acceptable range.

"The second item, Green Fire Lanterns, high-grade magic tools, ten in total."

"Activating this magic tool can detect nearby ghosts and release a burst of Flaming Yang Evil Qi, an area-of-effect attack against all ghosts below Foundation Establishment level nearby."

"Starting price, five hundred spirit stones each. Each increment must be no less than fifty spirit stones."

This time, it didn't even fall to Tian Xingzi to say "please."

The four major Foundation Establishment cultivators bid without hesitation.

The final result: two each, sold at an average of eight hundred spirit stones.

Of the two extra, one was obtained by a Great Perfection Qi Refining cultivator in the hall.

One was bid on by Luo Chen, who bought it for eight hundred and fifty spirit stones.

It was slightly higher than the average transaction price of the Foundation Establishment cultivators, but fifty stones cheaper than that Great Perfection Qi Refining cultivator.

This was the convenience brought by sitting in this position.

After getting the Green Fire Lantern, Luo Chen finally understood the purpose of these local Foundation Establishment cultivators gathering here.

Nothing else!

Today, the Zhenlong Black Market brought out a large batch of custom-made magic tools, although their grades weren't high.

But undoubtedly, they were all good things specifically targeted at ghosts and evil spirits.

Luo Chen had also been paying attention to the various news from Dahe Square recently.

The major local forces were expanding their territory and collecting resources while sending people to explore the Dahe Ghost City.

The things inside were of extremely high value!

Not to mention anything else, those small sects, including the industries established by their respective families in the inner city, were all still trapped inside.

The people certainly couldn't be saved, but at the very least, they had to get the things back.

Moreover, so many cultivators had died inside; the inheritance alone was enough to make people jealous.

And with the Fengdu Dharma Robes and Green Fire Lanterns, entering the inner city to explore was no longer a shot in the dark, but like adding wings to a tiger!

It was just that...

"What kind of background does this Zhenlong Black Market have to be able to gather so many resources targeting ghosts and evil spirits in just two months?"

"Dharma robes, magic tools... even talismans and elixirs are available."

After spending another one hundred spirit stones to bid on a Huang Quan Pill, Luo Chen fell into deep thought.

In the Eastern Wasteland cultivation world, there weren't actually many forces capable of mass-producing magic tools.

In the Yuding Domain, among the seven sects of the domain, there was a Golden Core force called the Yan Alliance that specialized in casting tools.

This Green Fire Lantern, capable of releasing Flaming Yang Evil Qi, was very consistent with the Yan Alliance's usual tool-casting methods.

And outside the Yuding Domain, closer by was Tianfan City.

Further away, there was the Huaxing Sect.

Was the Zhenlong Black Market a subordinate organization of those forces?

Or did they have a partnership with them?

It wasn't just Luo Chen who had such questions; the four local Foundation Establishment cultivators were also speculating.

But no one dared to ask directly.

Tian Xingzi's strength was unfathomable.

Every time he brought out so many resources, heaven knows what his methods were; at the very least, he wouldn't be weaker than the local Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Thinking higher, perhaps he was at the level of Hearing Mi Shuhua, or even comparable to a sect's Foundation Establishment cultivator.

"A second-tier Golden Bright Spirit Monkey corpse, seventy percent complete; the most important eyes have been taken, but the other materials are undamaged."

"Can be sold in parts, or sold as a whole at a fixed price."

"Starting price, two thousand spirit stones."

Having participated in black market auctions many times, Luo Chen was already familiar with the rules here, big and small.

Such as the rules for starting prices and bidding.

For starting prices below five hundred spirit stones, bidding was basically casual.

For five hundred to one thousand, ten stones per bid.

For starting prices above one thousand, at least fifty spirit stones per bid.

For anything involving over five thousand, the default bid increment was one hundred.

This rule had only been perfected not long ago.

It was to avoid situations where someone would use a single spirit stone to disgust others over a treasure worth several thousand.

The Zhenlong Black Market didn't want to provoke the anger of bidding guests over such trivial matters.

Seeing this second-tier monster corpse, Luo Chen felt a bit tempted.

The main material for the Emperor Di Di Liu Jiang was the bones, blood, and flesh of a monster of the same origin.

Although the most important part of the Golden Bright Spirit Monkey was its eyes, for him, the complete bones, blood, and flesh were undoubtedly more valuable.

"Should I bid on it?"

Luo Chen hesitated for a moment.

But in that single moment, the Golden Bright Spirit Monkey's corpse had already been bid on by Wang Yangchao for five thousand and sold directly.

Luo Chen frowned; this price was a bit low.

It was a second-tier monster corpse after all; even if it lacked the most important material, it contained a monster core, so it should have been worth six or seven thousand!

But it was only a pity about the price.

Luo Chen had no regrets.

The pill formula for the Emperor Di Di Liu Jiang had been explored for a month, but it was still being constantly refined.

Even if he bought the corresponding main materials, he couldn't directly start refining it.

Moreover, some monster corpses were not easy to preserve.

Never mind, he would consider it after he had figured out the pill formula!

"One stalk of Tongyu Grass, a second-tier spirit herb; when fed to a spirit beast, it can refine the horizontal bone in its throat in advance."

"Three Qi Refining puppets, with impressive combat power, comparable to middle-stage Qi Refining. Essential treasures for guarding doors and courtyards, exploring paths, and searching for treasure."

"One Purple River Daoist Robe, a top-grade defensive magic tool, its defensive power is not inferior to specialized defensive magic tools."

One treasure after another was auctioned off like water.

The transaction prices were all astonishing.

Having experienced it for a long time, Luo Chen couldn't help but sigh that those running platforms earned far more than small shops.

He worked hard to refine pills for a month, and his income wasn't necessarily higher than the black market's commission.

Moreover, the things in the Zhenlong Black Market weren't necessarily all collected by the Zhenlong Black Market itself.

Many of them were entrusted for auction in advance by loose cultivators who were afraid of trouble.

As long as it was sold, the organizer could collect a corresponding percentage of the handling fee.

This was simply a business with no capital investment!

Soon, the first auction segment ended.

Tian Xingzi walked down and, without hesitation, headed straight for Luo Chen.

This scene fell into the eyes of the four major Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Casting a sound-insulation barrier, Tian Xingzi greeted him with a smile.

"Little friend, have you been well?"

"Senior is in high spirits; I'm afraid your cultivation has greatly improved again!"

People help each other out, after all!

Luo Chen was also capable of this.

Tian Xingzi shook his head. "I'm old; I don't expect to form a core in this lifetime. Whether my cultivation improves or not is not important. What's important is..."

"How is your Foundation Establishment alchemist friend considering things?"

It seemed he valued the cooperation on the Blood-Burning Pill very much!

Luo Chen confirmed this thought in his heart and, without any delay, said immediately:

"He said no problem, but..."

The main event was coming!

Tian Xingzi perked up. "Whatever the conditions, just name them!"

Luo Chen didn't stand on ceremony and said directly, "Although the Blood-Burning Pill is only a first-tier pill, the refining difficulty is extremely high, and the demand for main materials is also very large."

"Therefore, we need your side to provide the corresponding raw materials; the price can just follow the normal market price."

Tian Xingzi nodded. "That is only right. Now that the Hundred Herb Hall has moved away, many medicinal herbs are indeed hard to buy."

"How about this: you give me a list, and whatever I can get, I will definitely do my best."

Luo Chen took out a list on the spot and handed it to the other party.

Such an attitude made Tian Xingzi very satisfied.

It could be seen that Luo Chen had come with sincerity.

Taking the list, he lowered his head and scanned it at a glance.

Fire Dog Whip, Illusion Ghost Grass, North Sea Jade Yao Pillar, Explosive Ape Monster Blood, Earth Fire Evil, Snow Fox Monster Blood, Huang Quan Yin Evil...

After reading it, he looked up in surprise.

"Does refining the Blood-Burning Pill require so many materials?"

No wonder he was so surprised.

It was only because this list not only contained a large number of medicinal herbs, but many of the materials were clearly of the kind that had severe medicinal conflicts.

For example, the Explosive Ape Monster Blood and the Snow Fox Monster Blood; although they were limited to first-tier quality, one was explosive in nature, and the other was icy cold.

This was no longer a simple matter of Yin-Yang harmony; their natures were extreme and absolutely could not be used in the same medicine.

And like the two evil energies, Earth Fire Evil and Huang Quan Yin Evil, they were first-tier and second-tier respectively.

What kind of pill could require two types of evil energies, and of different grades and different attributes?

Also, what the hell was a Fire Dog Whip?

Luo Chen smiled without a word.

These were naturally not just the raw materials for the Blood-Burning Pill.

Mixed in were the main materials for many other pills, such as the Myriad Wonder Pill, the Tongyou Pill, and the Blood Evil Pill.

For one, it was to confuse Tian Xingzi and prevent him from guessing the main materials of the Blood-Burning Pill.

After all, the other party certainly had a major force behind them, and they might have experienced high-level alchemists.

If they were to reverse-engineer the pill formula of the Blood-Burning Pill through the main materials, he would be the one suffering a huge loss.

Secondly, Luo Chen was indeed very short of these main materials.

The Hundred Herb Hall and the Spirit Source Pavilion had moved away.

The Immortal Building had been destroyed.

He couldn't collect many things.

Now, inside the Luo Tian Society, even the refining of the Myriad Wonder Pill had stopped.

Although the North Sea Jade Yao Pillar was very cheap, except for the Hundred Herb Hall backed by the Medicine King Sect, ordinary forces really couldn't purchase and resell it in large quantities.

After all, it was a specialty of the outer domains.

The Tongyou Pill was a defective pill formula, but Luo Chen had studied it for a long time and had already gained some insights.

He had great confidence in completing it.

If he combined it with the system's entry-level function, he would succeed eight or nine times out of ten.

By that time, he would be able to refine that elixir to increase the foundation of his primordial spirit.

As for the final Huang Quan Yin Evil, it was considered for Wang Yuan, just in case.

Seeing Luo Chen smile without a word, Tian Xingzi also caught on.

The other party was using this cooperation to acquire other resources he wanted!

And by the way, he had also hidden the raw material ratio of the Blood-Burning Pill.

It was a clever little trick.

He took a deep look at Luo Chen and then carefully put away the list.

"Rest assured, since I have agreed to the cooperation, I will naturally do my best to satisfy the requirements of you and your friend."

"To show my sincerity, I will also tell you a piece of news, little friend!"

Luo Chen looked at the other party curiously.

What kind of news could be considered the sincerity of a Foundation Establishment True Person?

"Foundation Establishment Pill!"

"I have already made contact with three of them here, and it won't be long before they are sent to Dahe Square."

"Huu!"

A low, heavy gasp came from the man in front of him.

Tian Xingzi was very satisfied with the other party's reaction.

He believed that no one could remain calm under such "sincerity."

Luo Chen also realized he had lost his composure and hurriedly breathed evenly.

No wonder he was so uncomposed; after all, it was a Foundation Establishment Pill!

And last time, this old man said it was hard to get.

As a result, he turned around and told him he had contacted "three!"

It was three, not one or two!

If it were one or two, Luo Chen really wouldn't have reacted so strongly.

After all, given his aptitude, he was truly worried that one or two wouldn't work.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have given the one Hearing Mi Shuhua gave him to Qin Liangchen as a favor.

But three meant he had three chances to impact the Foundation Establishment stage.

Even a donkey should succeed with three chances!

So that was it; "hard to get" in others' mouths didn't mean one or two, but more!

Luo Chen's voice was a bit dry and hoarse.

"Senior..."

"Wait!"

Tian Xingzi raised his hand, just when Luo Chen thought he had some conditions.

The other party smiled and said, "These three Foundation Establishment Pills also cost me a great favor to contact. So, regarding the price... five thousand spirit stones each, what do you think?"

Was the price of five thousand spirit stones cheap or expensive?

That was naturally expensive!

A Foundation Establishment Pill, no matter how much you talk about it, was only a second-tier pill.

The same second-tier pills only started at three to five hundred spirit stones per bottle.

Selling Foundation Establishment Pills by the pill and giving them a price of one or two thousand was already very respectful of the "increased probability of breaking through" attribute.

Back at the Yuding auction, the five major Foundation Establishment cultivators only took two thousand spirit stones to bid for one each.

However, for ordinary loose cultivators, this price was very cheap.

First, there was no channel to buy them at all.

Second, even if one or two appeared at an auction, the transaction price was often an astronomical figure.

The last Foundation Establishment Pill sold for six thousand eight hundred spirit stones!

The competition was too fierce!

Finally, Luo Chen could fully accept this price.

He, after all, was the president of the Luo Tian Society, a noble alchemist.

Now, he could proudly say to anyone:

"I have quite a bit of family wealth!"

Three together, it was only fifteen thousand.

Not to mention anything else, he currently had sixteen thousand five hundred in savings.

After the last auction ended, his twenty thousand in assets had dropped to nine thousand five hundred.

A month later, the Luo Tian Society had earned him another eight thousand!

At today's auction, he made a few small bids, buying the Green Fire Lantern and Huang Quan Pill, which only cost him less than one thousand.

In other words, if Tian Xingzi brought out three Foundation Establishment Pills now.

He, Luo Chen, could buy them directly right now!

It was just a pity that the other party said he had to wait for a while.

"Thank you, Senior; I am very satisfied with this price!"

"When the Foundation Establishment Pills arrive, be sure to notify me immediately."

Luo Chen thanked him sincerely.

Since the other party had shown their sincerity, he naturally couldn't be stingy.

"As long as the materials are purchased, I will definitely have my friend refine the Blood-Burning Pill for your side as soon as possible."

Tian Xingzi laughed heartily. "Then, happy cooperation!"

"Happy cooperation!"

Without participating in the subsequent free trading segment, Luo Chen left the Zhenlong Black Market early.

After coming out, he realized that the snow on the street had become heavier and heavier.

This year's winter might be the most beautiful winter in history.

Luo Chen was very excited.

After concealing his aura, he blended into the night.

(End of chapter)

. ===== CHAPTER 167 =====