Chapter 590

Although Long Yuan Xiancheng was breached, its area is still quite vast.

Within it lies a mountain, and upon the mountain stands a Daoist temple, rumored to be where True Person Long Yuan cultivates.

And below the mountain lies a continuous, newly constructed complex of palaces.

The headquarters of the Demon Hunting Division is located right here.

However, it is quite clear that as the date of the Long Yuan Auction approaches, the Demon Hunting Division is no longer the protagonist.

The true protagonist has become the Vice City Lord of Long Yuan Xiancheng, Master Huo Fang.

His cultivation realm is profound; he is one of the rare ninth-level Jin Dan great cultivators in the Wan Xian Society, standing shoulder to shoulder with the three eight-star demon hunters of the Demon Hunting Division.

At this moment, Huo Fang sits at the head of the hall, listening to the people below reporting bit by bit on the preparations for the auction.

One after another, quite a few people enter the hall.

When a young woman dressed in a purple palace gown steps into the hall, Huo Fang takes the initiative to stand up.

"Daoist friend Zi Hou has arrived."

Zi Hou purses her lips and smiles, her gorgeous appearance seemingly making this simple palace appear exceptionally radiant.

"The resources gathered by the Demon Hunting Division have already been delivered; they were all carefully selected by the Demon Hunting Division, and we will certainly not let City Lord Huo Fang down."

Huo Fang nods with satisfaction, then says, "How have you considered that matter? Although there are many capable and talented people in our Wan Xian Society, only someone with your beauty, your realm, and your eloquence can be qualified for that position."

"Hehe, it is just acting as an auctioneer for once; the Vice City Lord is too good at flattering people." Zi Hou covers her mouth and smiles, immediately accepting it in a generous manner.

For an auction of this scale, the presiding auctioneer must absolutely not fall short.

They must either be a renowned appraisal master or a high-level cultivator with vast experience.

Huo Fang choosing Zi Hou is undoubtedly the most correct choice.

Since she has accepted this task, she must certainly do it to perfection.

Zi Hou immediately requests the auction list from Huo Fang; she needs to familiarize herself with the details of the corresponding auction items in order to organize the introductory remarks for the auction and think of rhetoric in advance that can drive up prices and heat up the atmosphere.

The order on the auction list is currently only a rough draft, and Zi Hou must also plan it out in advance. She must not let valuable items appear too early, leading to a cold atmosphere later due to a lack of treasures, but at the same time, she cannot let the beginning be too boring; she needs to have some good items to pique the interest of the participants.

When her gaze falls on the name of a magic tool, Zi Hou's expression pauses.

"Nine Dragon True Fire Cover?"

Huo Fang, who is busy nearby, hears this sound and replies casually, "It is a top-grade magic tool sold by a small sundry shop in the city. A deacon passed by, saw it, and felt it was somewhat interesting, so he included it in the process of this auction. I remember that small shop is called Senior Qingyang Hao; it appears to be just the property of a Foundation Establishment family, but in reality, it is the wealth-gathering means of a Jin Dan artifact refiner. What was that person's name again? Senior Qingyang Zi Luo Hai..."

As he speaks, Huo Fang stops the movements in his hands.

"Zi Hou, does this person seem to have a grudge against you? Do you want me to make the call and kick this auction item out?"

It is just a trivial matter, not even worth the effort of lifting a finger, and he is happy to sell Zi Hou a favor.

Unexpectedly, Zi Hou shakes her head.

"No matter, it is just a top-grade magic tool; there is no need to make things difficult for people over such matters. Besides..."

She says generously, "That Senior Qingyang Zi cannot be said to have any grudge against me; it is just some entanglements between a junior and him."

Seeing this, Huo Fang cannot help but nod.

Although it is said that rogue cultivators are vindictive, that is only when their own interests are involved.

Most of the time, they uphold the philosophy that taking a step back opens up the sky, living in harmony with each other. The so-called conflicts of bloodline descendants do not derive as much as they do in large sects and great families.

That kind of scene where the small are beaten and the old come out rarely appears in the world of rogue cultivators.

For rogue cultivators, especially high-level rogue cultivators, the concept of family affection is somewhat indifferent.

Just as they set this matter aside and intend to continue with the work at hand, a sound of hurried footsteps comes from outside the hall.

Before long, a Foundation Establishment deacon is seen walking in with an excited expression.

"Vice City Lord, I have collected another treasure here!"

"What treasure makes you so excited?"

"A magic treasure, water-attributed."

"Oh, bring it here for me to see!"

Magic treasures are valuable, but it depends on who you are talking to.

Like Jin Dan cultivators such as them, they will all have one or two magic treasures on hand to some extent. Especially in order to break through the heavenly tribulation of the Nascent Soul stage, every Jin Dan cultivator, after Core Formation, will spare no cost to forge a natal magic treasure that is compatible with themselves.

Huo Fang really does not care much about ordinary magic treasures.

However, when that blue scale falls into his hands, his expression changes.

In shock and doubt, he takes the initiative to inject magic power, and suddenly a blue suit of armor, carrying flowing water patterns, appears before his eyes.

"Eh, is this a pure defensive magic treasure?"

Zi Hou, who is nearby, sees this scene and reveals a look of surprise.

"This is a good thing; is there actually someone willing to take it out to sell?"

In the world of immortal cultivation, offensive magic treasures are common; as long as there are suitable materials and an artifact refiner with decent attainments, they can be refined.

Even those unique and unconventional magic treasures are nothing more than that.

But only for defensive magic treasures, the number in circulation is very, very small.

Firstly, it is related to the importance of defensive magic treasures in protecting the cultivator themselves.

Secondly, it is also related to the extremely high difficulty of refining defensive magic treasures!

The latter is also the biggest reason!

Destruction is always simpler than construction; by the same token, defense is also harder than offense.

It is the same for artifact refining; offensive magic tools and magic treasures only need to consider stacking lethality, allowing a weapon to possess the power to harm the enemy.

Even if this weapon has various drawbacks and various sequelae when activated, as long as it can harm people, it is fine.

But defensive weapons are different.

After it is forged, it must ensure that there are no obvious shortcomings on the body, so that it will not be easily seen through by the enemy during battle and broken in one fell swoop.

Just think about it: a defensive magic treasure that a cultivator relies on, but at a critical moment, a flaw is found and attacked by someone, turning a place that the cultivator did not need to worry about into a fatal weakness—how terrifying must that be.

Therefore, the forging of defensive magic treasures is extremely difficult.

From material selection to refining techniques, as well as the engraving of compatible formations, there are various harsh requirements.

Because of these requirements, it leads to an extremely high failure rate for defensive magic treasures, and the refining cost is also extremely high.

Even some renowned artifact refining masters rarely take action to refine pure defensive magic treasures after forging some representative ones.

They prefer to refine some so-called "offensive and defensive" weapons.

But smart people understand it as soon as they think about it: offensive and defensive means that both offense and defense have shortcomings; how can it be as good as a pure defensive magic treasure?

But these smart people have no other choice and often can only accept this current situation.

Combining various reasons, it leads to the fact that although there are many magic treasures in the world of immortal cultivation, pure defensive magic treasures are very, very few.

Now, is there actually someone willing to take such a treasure out for auction?

Even if looking at its grade, it is only at the low-grade level, it is still quite a prodigal act.

Huo Fang naturally understands the logic here and looks at that Foundation Establishment cultivator.

"Who submitted this? Are there any additional transaction conditions?"

That Foundation Establishment cultivator says without hesitation, "This treasure was submitted by Zhang Zhang Jiadi of Senior Qingyang Hao; there are no additional transaction conditions."

Senior Qingyang Hao!

Huo Fang subconsciously looks at Zi Hou, and the two look at each other in dismay.

Previously, they had just been talking about this shop and the owner behind it.

Could it be that this treasure belongs to Senior Qingyang Zi?

"I remember now, that Zhang Zhang Jiadi specifically mentioned that when auctioning this treasure, he needs to promote the reputation of its forging master for him."

"Who?"

"Artifact refining master Senior Qingyang Zi!"

At this moment, Zi Hou's complexion becomes somewhat colorful.

This treasure does not belong to Senior Qingyang Zi, but was personally refined by the other party!

Being able to refine a pure defensive type magic treasure, calling him an artifact refining master is not an exaggeration at all. One must know that even the most famous artifact refining master in the Wan Xian Society, the Master of Moyun Cave, has not personally refined this type of magic treasure for many years.

Could this Senior Qingyang Zi already be comparable to the Master of Moyun Cave?

If that were really the case, she would have absolutely stopped Huangfu Song from going to provoke him back then.

For such a master-level figure, as long as he releases the news that he is willing to tailor-make defensive magic treasures for others, who knows how many people would be willing to run errands for him.

With the mere two or three kittens under Huangfu Song's command, how can they compare to Senior Qingyang Zi's appeal?

It is very clear that Senior Qingyang Zi now wants to use the Long Yuan Auction to make a name for himself; perhaps he just wants to prevent such things from happening again.

"Should I take the initiative to visit and offer an explanation for what happened last time?"

"That Senior Qingyang Zi left obvious room for maneuver in his handling of affairs before; clearly, he also does not want to offend me excessively."

"However, going to visit just like this would inevitably lose some face."

Just as Zi Hou's expression is uncertain, a rumbling sound comes from the side.

It is Huo Fang testing the power of the magic treasure named Deep Blue Mysterious Armor.

After a while.

Huo Fang stops the movements in his hands, revealing a look of satisfaction.

"It is indeed the purest water-type defensive magic treasure, and its restraint against the fire-type is extremely obvious. In addition, it has other mysteries; it is divided into two layers, an inner armor and a Qi armor, and can also resist physical attacks."

"In terms of power, when fully activated, it should be able to resist a full-strength blow from a Jin Dan early-stage cultivator without damage, and it also has sufficient effect against attacks from Jin Dan mid-stage cultivators. However, for great cultivators like us, it would not be an obstacle."

"Finally, the consumption of magic power for this treasure is a bit beyond my expectations; it even gives me the feeling that a Foundation Establishment late-stage cultivator could activate it."

After a round of evaluation, Huo Fang cannot help but click his tongue in praise.

"That Senior Qingyang Zi's artifact refining technique has something to it; it has been some years since I have seen such a high-quality low-grade defensive magic treasure."

"This treasure can enter the Long Yuan Auction; it is best to place it in the opening stage to pique the interest of both Foundation Establishment and Jin Dan cultivators."

"I also agree to that Senior Qingyang Zi's condition."

In a few quick moves, Vice City Lord Huo Fang decided on this matter.

And this time, he did not go to ask for Zi Hou's opinion again, seemingly forgetting that he had previously said that Zi Hou had a grudge against Senior Qingyang Zi.

Clearly, personal friendship cannot be greater than the major event of the Long Yuan Xiancheng Auction!

Zi Hou silently watches this scene without speaking to refute.

But in her heart, she clearly already has a plan.

She must make a trip to that Penghu, and not just observe from the outside like last time, but must personally go inside.

As one of the rare grand events in the Wan Xian Society, the Long Yuan Auction has attracted countless cultivators to come.

Among them are rogue cultivators, as well as cultivators from sects and families near Ancestor Shenyuan City.

The former come with the goal of acquiring resources, while the latter mostly want to broaden their horizons and incidentally see if there is anything that catches their eye.

This auction was held for a total of two days.

It is not long, nor is it short, but it is enough to make Long Yuan Xiancheng lively.

And in the meeting, the name of an artifact refining master also rose from initial small-scale fame to an overnight sensation.

The Master of Penghu, Senior Qingyang Zi, can refine low-grade defensive magic treasures!

For a time, many cultivators tried to visit Senior Qingyang Zi at Penghu after the meeting ended, but they were all blocked outside by the formation.

In the situation where they could not visit, they were not discouraged, but instead flocked to Senior Qingyang Hao, the industry of Senior Qingyang Zi in Long Yuan Xiancheng.

Although there were no defensive magic treasures for sale in the shop, which made many Jin Dan cultivators return disappointed.

But the boutique magic tools in the shop, as well as a large batch of talismans, made those Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment cultivators overjoyed.

Competing to buy, it even caused Wen Xiu, the Daoist companion of Zhang Zhang Jiadi who was stationed in this shop, to be forced to raise the price.

But even so, it was still in short supply.

Facing the high prices, rogue cultivators naturally could not afford it, but those cultivators from Ancestor Shenyuan City had quite substantial family backgrounds.

After realizing that the magic tools and talismans were indeed good, they did not blink an eye when taking out spirit stones.

This grand occasion truly caused a sensation in the street where Senior Qingyang Hao was located, and even the business of nearby shops improved somewhat.

Naturally, the other resources that the Zhang family placed in Senior Qingyang Hao for sale also earned a full pot.

Inside the small shop.

A group of cultivators look at the empty magic tool shelves and express their dissatisfaction one after another.

Until a female cultivator appears.

Wen Xiu's expression is slightly nervous, but her tone is unhurried.

"Everyone, there is no need to rush; Master Senior Qingyang Zi will occasionally take out works to be sold on consignment in our shop, and there will be even better weapons in the future."

"As long as you have time, you can come to the shop to take a look; you might just happen to encounter one."

"In addition, other goods in this shop are also of guaranteed quality; you will absolutely not buy at a loss, and you will absolutely not be deceived."

After these words, the rush to buy brought about by the auction finally gradually subsided.

However, it is foreseeable that after the reputation is spread, the business of Senior Qingyang Hao will definitely not be bad in the future.

Outside the shop.

Two cultivators watch this scene, one with a gloomy expression, the other gloating.

"Master of Moyun Cave, I didn't lie to you back then, did I!"

Facing Huangfu Song's mockery, the Master of Moyun Cave has a gloomy expression; he admits that he misjudged.

He did not expect that Senior Qingyang Zi could really refine magic treasures.

But in front of Huangfu Song, he has to hold his ground.

"It was just a chance acquisition, and he dares to show off. I don't believe that Senior Qingyang Zi will be able to refine defensive magic treasures in the future!"

Huangfu Song blinks, "Then what if he really refines one?"

The Master of Moyun Cave sneers, "Then is he willing to put it in such a small shop to sell? Like us artifact refiners, refining defensive magic treasures has high costs and great risks. Unless it is customized by others, who bear the materials themselves and guarantee the loss caused by failure during the refining process, otherwise, I would never easily start the furnace. Unless this Senior Qingyang Zi is crazy, he would be willing to put a carefully forged defensive magic treasure in a mere small shop to sell."

Huangfu Song is speechless for a moment, but in his heart, he sneers.

This Master of Moyun Cave's mouth is as stubborn as a dead duck, but isn't he admitting Senior Qingyang Zi's artifact refining technique in his words?

The Master of Moyun Cave glances at Huangfu Song with disgust, "Don't think about sowing discord either. My Moyun Cave mainly deals in offensive magic tools and magic treasures, and that Senior Qingyang Zi has not provoked me yet, so I will not take action for you to deal with him. Besides, you have already changed to a place to manage a spiritual land; why covet the Penghu spiritual land?"

Huangfu Song is seen through, and his face turns extremely red.

He opens his mouth and finally spits out one sentence.

"I didn't mean that; I was just doing it for the sake of a fellow Daoist."

"Alright, this old man accepts your good intentions, but I have been truly busy lately, so don't come to disturb me again."

After speaking, the Master of Moyun Cave flicks his sleeves and leaves.

Leaving only Huangfu Song clenching his fists on the spot, with a look of unwillingness on his face.

If Luo Chen were here, he would probably shake his head again.

I don't know how many resources a person with this kind of character spent to be forcibly piled up to the late Jin Dan stage.

As the sky is about to turn dark.

The Master of Moyun Cave returns to Moyun Cave.

After returning home, a look of confusion finally appears on his face.

"This shouldn't be!"

"During our last exchange, that Senior Qingyang Zi clearly hadn't reached the level of refining magic treasures; why, in just one year, did he really refine one, and a pure defensive magic treasure at that."

The muttering voice receives a response.

"Perhaps, he really is an artifact refining genius?"

The Master of Moyun Cave turns around and looks at a huge figure with a tired expression.

The reason it is huge is that this person is extremely obese, as if oil is about to drip from his body.

Yet, his face is thin, and his hooked nose is stiff, which is the exact opposite of his body shape.

If Luo Chen were here, he would be able to recognize the other party at a glance with such a special body shape.

It is exactly that rogue cultivator Ding Yi who traded Soul Nourishing Wood with him on Lengguang Island!

"Daoist friend Ding, didn't I ask you to keep an eye on the furnace? That treasure is related to your life, and not a single mistake can be made."

Ding Yi perks up and waves his hand, "It doesn't matter; I can feel that it is about to be completed, otherwise you wouldn't have put down the artifact refining affairs and hurried out, am I right?"

The Master of Moyun Cave is dumbfounded; the other party is indeed right.

The previous refining was led by him.

But the subsequent refining must be led by the magic treasure owner, Ding Yi.

Since the other party feels it is about to be completed, then it is eight or nine out of ten that it is really about to be completed.

However, just in case, he still gave some instructions.

"Live-refining the Zhuyu Beast and integrating it into that Treasure Basin Fish is not the key part; the important thing is the subsequent nourishment. It is by no means a task that can be accomplished in a day or two; according to my estimation, it will take at least ten years or more. In this process, not a single mistake can be made; Daoist friend Ding, you still need to pay attention yourself."

Ding Yi nods; since it concerns his own major event, he naturally will not be negligent.

But right now, he is even more curious about that Senior Qingyang Zi mentioned by the Master of Moyun Cave earlier.

"That Senior Qingyang Zi's Daoist name is somewhat similar to a demonic path powerhouse I know."

"Who?"

"Demon Lord Senior Qingyang."

"Uh... to tell you the truth, Daoist friend, this person really is that Demon Lord Senior Qingyang."

Ding Yi's small eyes narrow, and his expression suddenly becomes somewhat colorful.

"Unexpectedly, he is actually also in this Wan Xian Society; I must find an opportunity to visit him."

Regarding this, the Master of Moyun Cave waves his hand.

"Don't even think about that; he has been in seclusion recently and sees no one. Even Zi Hou, one of the three eight-star demon hunters of our Demon Hunting Division, was turned away when she came to visit in person."

Ding Yi is stunned.

Is he that arrogant?

It is somewhat different from the person he saw on Lengguang Island back then.

But at that time, Demon Lord Senior Qingyang had some disguises, and even his own abilities were only revealed during the Great War on Lengguang Island.

Thinking of Demon Lord Senior Qingyang's formidable aspects, Ding Yi's eyes narrow slightly.

"Although Moyun is not weak, his true expertise is in artifact refining; to go to that place, his abilities are still a bit lacking."

"By comparison, although Demon Lord Senior Qingyang's realm is a bit low, his true combat power is recognized by the world as formidable."

"If I have his help, my chances of success might be higher."

"Should I have a chat with him?"

For a time, the fat cultivator constantly calculates in his heart, especially the deeds related to Demon Lord Senior Qingyang in the rumors, which constantly appear in his mind.

Finally, it seems he has made a decision.

(End of chapter)