Chapter 651: Black-robed Cultivator, Late-stage Jin Dan Corpse Puppet

Unlike Qi Refining or Foundation Establishment stage "corpse puppets," refining a Jin Dan stage "corpse puppet" is far more difficult. The materials required, such as the Ghost King Core of a third-tier ghost king, are extremely hard to find in the world.

Even though the "Heavenly Puppet Sect" possesses secret techniques to cultivate them, it requires a vast amount of time and spiritual resources to succeed. The spiritual stones and materials needed to cultivate a Jin Dan stage "corpse puppet" are at least ten times those required for a Foundation Establishment one.

It is precisely because of this that Jin Dan stage and above "corpse puppets" are so rare in the cultivation world.

Like the Foundation Establishment cultivators below, more than half of the Jin Dan cultivators who came to the Heavenly Puppet Sect's auction were there for the few Jin Dan "corpse puppets" that would serve as the finale.

After all, as Jin Dan cultivators, none of them would want to refuse a helper capable of increasing their combat power by thirty percent. For a Jin Dan cultivator, a Jin Dan stage "corpse puppet" is far more useful than an ordinary magic treasure.

It is just that with so many Jin Dan cultivators present, it is hard to say who will end up with these few Jin Dan "corpse puppets! The appearance of these Foundation Establishment "corpse puppets" made the entire auction unprecedentedly lively. After more than half an hour, the dozen or so Foundation Establishment "corpse puppets" were all successfully divided among the cultivators below.

The two most expensive ones, whose cultivation had reached the late Foundation Establishment stage, were auctioned off for the high price of nearly 12,000 spirit stones, which truly made Song Qingming sigh inwardly.

"Even among these Foundation Establishment cultivators below, there is no lack of people with deep pockets. To think they would be willing to spend so many spirit stones on this."

When Song Qingming himself was still in the Foundation Establishment stage, he wouldn't even bear to spend that many spirit stones on a talisman treasure, let alone such expensive and valuable "corpse puppets."

Once these "corpse puppets" on stage had found their owners, the Heavenly Puppet Sect continued to bring out more high-tier spiritual items unique to their sect, as well as items like Foundation Establishment Pills that could attract the attention of many cultivators.

Unlike the Floating Yunshan Range cultivation world, the "Donghuang Nation" cultivation world, as a holy land for human cultivators, has much richer resources for spiritual plants and herbs that can be cultivated.

Therefore, although "Foundation Establishment Pills" are also expensive here, obtaining them is not as difficult as in the Floating Yunshan Range. As long as you have enough spirit stones, it is not hard to buy them in larger markets.

Song Qingming had purchased several "Foundation Establishment Pills" while passing through other markets and participating in trade assemblies on his journey, so the ones brought out by the "Heavenly Puppet Sect" no longer held much appeal for him.

Although he was not lacking in spirit stones or spiritual items, Song Qingming did not make many moves during the second day of the auction. He only participated in the bidding for a few third-tier spiritual items, and as soon as the price exceeded his expectations, he immediately withdrew.

Much like the large-scale trade assemblies in the Floating Yunshan Range, the auction held by the "Heavenly Puppet Sect" was also divided into three days. On one hand, this kept everyone in the market for a few more days, increasing the spirit stone revenue for various parts of the market.

On the other hand, it gave those cultivators who had spent too many spirit stones on the first day some time to gather more, making it easier for them to participate in the subsequent auctions.

By the third day, the Heavenly Puppet Sect's auction assembly had reached its final climax.

Right at the start, the Heavenly Puppet Sect cultivator presiding over the auction brought out a powerful Jin Dan stage "corpse puppet" as the first item, instantly capturing the attention of every cultivator at the auction.

Especially the Jin Dan cultivators on the second floor of the auction venue; a glint of light appeared in their eyes, and many had already set down their teacups, preparing to bid.

As soon as the Heavenly Puppet Sect cultivator presiding over the item announced the start of bidding, over a dozen Jin Dan cultivators immediately sent voice transmissions to report their prices.

Song Qingming, sitting upstairs, watched calmly as the price of the Jin Dan "corpse puppet" soared from a base price of 20,000 spirit stones to nearly 40,000 in no time.

Seeing the heated competition still ongoing, Song Qingming could only pick up his teacup and take a patient sip, dismissing the idea of placing a bid for now.

Although he could afford to take out enough spirit stones to compete, this was not the main purpose of his visit, and he needed to save his spirit stones for the spiritual items that would follow.

In the end, this Jin Dan corpse puppet, which was slightly inferior to "Jin Feng," was successfully taken by a middle-aged man at the third layer of Jin Dan for the high price of 48,000 spirit stones.

Watching the other party go downstairs to trade with the Heavenly Puppet Sect cultivators after spending so many spirit stones to obtain this Jin Dan "corpse puppet," Song Qingming sighed inwardly.

Song Qingming had originally considered trying to bid for a Jin Dan "corpse puppet" to give to Qingyu or Huang Siyuan, but seeing the high price it had fetched, he found it difficult to make a move.

The reason he didn't want it for himself was that in the cultivation world, a Jin Dan cultivator can control at most one "corpse puppet" of the same tier to fight for them using a split soul.

Any more, and their own divine soul would be unable to control them, causing the "corpse puppet's" combat effectiveness to plummet, making it difficult to unleash the desired power.

It is precisely because of this limitation that although disciples of Yuan Ying sects like the "Heavenly Puppet Sect" can gain an advantage in battles with peers by relying on "corpse puppets," their strength is not fundamentally superior to other ordinary cultivators in the cultivation world.

When encountering strong opponents among their peers who possess excellent magic treasures, they are still unable to win.

Otherwise, if they were like those puppet beasts, where a cultivator with a strong enough spiritual sense could control several "corpse puppets" of the same tier to fight simultaneously, then few among their peers would be able to defeat them.

If that were truly the case, the strength of the "Heavenly Puppet Sect" would not be what it is, and they would have long since ascended to the ranks of the top ten Yuan Ying sects in the "Donghuang Nation" cultivation world.

A cultivator can normally only control one "corpse puppet," and since Song Qingming already had "Jin Feng," he naturally had no need for another.

After the first "corpse puppet" was auctioned off, the Heavenly Puppet Sect cultivator presiding over the auction waved his hand and brought out two green bottles, smiling as he said to the cultivators present:

"Fellow Daoists, having obtained a Jin Dan stage corpse puppet, I am sure many of you are very eager to continue increasing their strength!

Our sect has long considered this for everyone. These two bottles of Golden Puppet Pills are secret medicines refined using our sect's unique secret techniques, capable of helping Jin Dan early-stage corpse puppets quickly break through their cultivation realm.

I must clarify beforehand: this pill is only effective when helping a "corpse puppet" break through its cultivation realm; it does not mean that if you refine it directly now, you can increase your cultivation by a layer out of thin air. I hope fellow Daoists do not misunderstand.

Alright, I have said all that needs to be said. The rest is up to you, fellow Daoists!"

"Golden Puppet Pill, starting bid 3,000 spirit stones each. Fellow Daoists, please begin!"

"3,500 spirit stones!" As soon as the voice on stage fell, a voice immediately rang out from a private room opposite Song Qingming's on the second floor.

Seeing the spiritual item he had been waiting for finally appear, and after confirming its efficacy with Qingling, Song Qingming did not hesitate and quickly shouted his own bid!

"4,000 spirit stones!"

"..."

Knowing that this pill could only be used for the breakthrough of Jin Dan early-stage "corpse puppets," those cultivators who did not possess one would certainly not bid on it for no reason.

Therefore, there were not many cultivators competing with Song Qingming at the scene; including him, there were only three or five people.

"5,500 spirit stones!"

"6,000 spirit stones!"

As the bids were called out one after another, the price of the "Golden Puppet Pill" climbed to 6,000 spirit stones, slowly exceeding its original market value, and cultivators gradually withdrew from the bidding.

Because the cultivation speed of "corpse puppets" is generally lower than that of normal Jin Dan cultivators, and outsiders without secret techniques find it very difficult to cultivate them.

Except for sects like the "Heavenly Puppet Sect" that specialize in this art, other ordinary Jin Dan cultivators rarely spend too much energy and resources on cultivating them once they obtain a Jin Dan stage "corpse puppet."

It was only because Song Qingming, who was not short on cultivation resources, happened to have "Jin Feng," who had been with him for many years and whose cultivation had reached the peak of the first layer of Jin Dan and was struggling to advance further, that he would spend spirit stones to help it break through.

"6,500 spirit stones!"

Besides Song Qingming, only one Jin Dan early-stage cultivator, dressed in a wide black robe with fair skin and a delicate appearance, remained, still calling out bids and refusing to give up.

"7,000 spirit stones!"

Just after the black-robed cultivator finished bidding, Song Qingming did not hesitate and immediately sent another voice transmission to the stage below, raising the price of the "Golden Puppet Pill" to 7,000 spirit stones.

Since he had come specifically for this spiritual item, Song Qingming would naturally not give up easily as long as the price wasn't too outrageous.

Seeing this, the black-robed cultivator sitting not far from Song Qingming's room hesitated for a moment before choosing to send a quiet voice transmission directly to Song Qingming.

"Fellow Daoist, although this pill is precious, the current price already exceeds its original value. If we continue to compete like this, these spirit stones will only be wasted on the Heavenly Puppet Sect. If you agree, fellow Daoist, let me have this pill, and please do not compete with me for the next Golden Puppet Pill. What do you think?"

The black-robed cultivator's attire was clearly masculine, but the voice was unexpectedly pleasant and melodious, faintly carrying a hint of femininity, making it difficult for Song Qingming to distinguish whether the other party was male or female.

However, in the cultivation world, there are all kinds of strange people and events, and for someone who had already traveled far and wide, this was no longer a strange matter. What Song Qingming cared about more was the other party's proposal regarding the "Golden Puppet Pill."

After only a moment of thought, Song Qingming nodded slightly to the other party, agreeing to the proposed plan.

Although Song Qingming had also wanted to get his hands on both "Golden Puppet Pills" on stage, since the other party was also there for this spiritual pill.

If the two of them were to compete endlessly at such an auction, it would certainly waste a lot of spirit stones, which was indeed not a very cost-effective thing for him.

In any case, one "Golden Puppet Pill" should be enough to help "Jin Feng" break through its cultivation. As for the next time it needs to break through, under normal circumstances, it would likely take at least several decades.

Song Qingming currently had no long-term plans for cultivating "Jin Feng," so he could only take it one step at a time.

After all, improving "Jin Feng's" cultivation and strength was only a secondary matter for Song Qingming; the key was to spend spirit stones on improving his own cultivation.

"Since no other fellow Daoist is bidding, this third-tier low-grade Golden Puppet Pill goes to the fellow Daoist in room 32. Congratulations on obtaining this item for 7,000 spirit stones!"

With the black-robed cultivator no longer competing, and under the announcement of the Heavenly Puppet Sect cultivator presiding over the auction, Song Qingming immediately stood up and went downstairs, spending several thousand spirit stones to successfully obtain the spiritual pill he wanted.

Although spending 7,000 spirit stones to buy this "Golden Puppet Pill" was slightly above its market value, Song Qingming was still very happy to have achieved his goal.

The second "Golden Puppet Pill" appeared, and Song Qingming kept his word, not continuing to compete. The remaining spiritual pill also went to the black-robed cultivator for 6,500 spirit stones, as expected.

After winning the item, the black-robed cultivator bowed slightly toward Song Qingming to express his gratitude, and Song Qingming immediately returned the gesture with a smile.

Both of them had successfully obtained the spiritual pill they wanted, and both were very satisfied with the result, their faces showing smiles.

After these two "Golden Puppet Pills" were auctioned off, the Heavenly Puppet Sect brought out some other spiritual items and pills that could improve the cultivation of Jin Dan stage "corpse puppets."

However, compared to the "Golden Puppet Pills" used for breakthroughs, the quantity of these spiritual items was much larger, and the competition was relatively much smaller.

After all, most people who bought Jin Dan stage "corpse puppets" used them as immediate combat power; there were indeed few cultivators like Song Qingming who were willing to spend spirit stones and resources to cultivate them.

Taking advantage of this gap, Song Qingming made frequent moves, spending several thousand more spirit stones to buy many pills and spiritual items that could enhance other aspects of "Jin Feng's" cultivation.

Once these spiritual items had passed, it wasn't long before the "Heavenly Puppet Sect" brought out another precious Jin Dan "corpse puppet," enlivening the atmosphere that had become slightly sluggish.

Because the Jin Dan "corpse puppet" brought out by the "Heavenly Puppet Sect" this time had a higher cultivation, reaching the third layer of Jin Dan.

Therefore, compared to the first Jin Dan "corpse puppet," the price fetched this time was also higher, reaching 56,000 spirit stones before it was finally auctioned off.

Seeing the prices getting higher and higher, Song Qingming witnessed the love and madness of the Jin Dan cultivators present for these Jin Dan "corpse puppets."

If it hadn't been for the luck of obtaining a ghost core back then, plus the secret technique for refining Jin Dan "corpse puppets" that Chen Xuanxin had sent him, he would never have been able to refine "Jin Feng" with such great effort.

If he were in the shoes of the Jin Dan cultivators present, and had to spend 40,000 to 50,000 spirit stones to buy a finished Jin Dan "corpse puppet," even if he had that many spirit stones, Song Qingming might not have been able to make up his mind.

After all, since he began his cultivation journey, Song Qingming had never been a person who loved to fight with others. In his heart, improving his own cultivation speed had always been a higher priority than improving his combat ability.

After this second Jin Dan "corpse puppet" was auctioned off, the auction was more than halfway through, and the spiritual items brought out by the "Heavenly Puppet Sect" next were all the remaining high-quality finale items.

Next, the "Heavenly Puppet Sect" brought out several third-tier mid-grade or higher spiritual items one after another. By the penultimate item, a third-tier top-grade magic treasure, rarely seen on the market, even appeared.

This immediately captured everyone's attention, leading to a fierce competition among the Jin Dan cultivators present, though in the end, it unsurprisingly went to a late-stage Jin Dan cultivator from a nearby Yuan Ying sect.

Third-tier top-grade magic treasures and above are precious spiritual items that are very rare, even in the "Donghuang Nation" cultivation world, where spiritual resources are relatively abundant.

It is very difficult to see a third-tier top-grade magic treasure on most ordinary Jin Dan rogue cultivators; most are held by those Yuan Ying level sect forces.

Song Qingming was traveling alone and did not want to provoke cultivators from Yuan Ying sects, so although the last few auctioned treasures were good, he did not actively participate in the bidding, just watching from the sidelines to broaden his horizons.

As time went on, the entire auction quickly entered the bidding for the final finale item.

When he saw the "Heavenly Puppet Sect" bring out another Jin Dan "corpse puppet" on stage, Song Qingming, who had already been expecting it, still couldn't help but feel a slight shock in his heart.

"To think it's a late-stage Jin Dan corpse puppet. The Heavenly Puppet Sect is truly making a grand gesture this time, to be willing to bring this out!"

"Haha! It was truly worth coming. To think this old man would have the luck to see such a rare spiritual item."

"..."

Hearing the exclamations of surprise from all around, Song Qingming couldn't help but show a look of great surprise.

Although he knew that as a finale item, what the "Heavenly Puppet Sect" brought out last would certainly not be anything ordinary, and should at least be a third-tier top-grade spiritual item to be worthy of the title.

Even so, Song Qingming had not expected that the "Heavenly Puppet Sect" would be willing to bring out a "corpse puppet" that had already been cultivated to the late Jin Dan stage for public auction. This was indeed beyond his expectations.

One must know that every layer of cultivation a Jin Dan stage "corpse puppet" gains is extremely difficult. To cultivate a Jin Dan seventh-layer "corpse puppet" like the one on stage, even with the "Heavenly Puppet Sect's" special secret techniques, it would likely take at least a hundred years or more to cultivate.

Logically speaking, "corpse puppets" of this level are important combat foundations for the "Heavenly Puppet Sect" and are usually reserved for their own elders to refine and use; they shouldn't appear in such a public auction.

After asking Qingling, who was standing to the side, Song Qingming learned that the "Heavenly Puppet Sect" was indeed not the first time they had brought out such precious spiritual items at their auction assembly, and Song Qingming slowly showed a look of understanding.

Before the cultivators present could recover from their shock, the "Heavenly Puppet Sect" cultivator immediately began to introduce the detailed information of this late-stage Jin Dan "corpse puppet" according to the auction process.

To be honest, among the hundred or so Jin Dan cultivators present, including Song Qingming, almost everyone's eyes lit up at this late-stage Jin Dan "corpse puppet."

One must know that this is a powerful combat force comparable to an ordinary late-stage Jin Dan cultivator. If Song Qingming could obtain this item's assistance, with his current fifth-layer Jin Dan cultivation, he would absolutely be able to hold his own against a cultivator like Li Wutong, who had just broken through to the late Jin Dan stage.

"Fellow Daoists, this old man will offer a word of advice: this late-stage Jin Dan corpse puppet is a rare spiritual item that our sect only brings out once every two hundred years. If you miss it this time, you will have to wait at least another two hundred years. I hope fellow Daoists do not miss this opportunity.

Starting bid 30,000 spirit stones. Fellow Daoists, please begin!"

"32,000 spirit stones, 33,000 spirit stones, 35,000 spirit stones!"

As soon as the Heavenly Puppet Sect announced the start of bidding, most of the Jin Dan cultivators sitting on stage immediately and excitedly called out their prices, none wanting to miss this once-in-a-century opportunity.

"Our sect bids 60,000 spirit stones!"

Just as the bidding on stage was heating up, a late-stage Jin Dan gray-robed old man in one of the front private rooms on the second floor spoke up, instantly raising the price of this late-stage Jin Dan "corpse puppet" to the sky-high price of 60,000 spirit stones, immediately silencing the voices of the other cultivators.

"What a bunch of ignorant fools. A spiritual item of this level is not something you rogue cultivators are qualified to possess!" After the gray-robed old man finished his bid, he did not forget to mock the cultivators who had just participated in the auction.

Faced with the gray-robed old man's sarcasm, although many cultivators present were displeased, none dared to show it, all quickly turning their gazes away, not daring to meet his eyes.

"Haha! Old Ghost Yu, your tongue is truly too sharp. The fellow Daoists present are all honored guests of the Heavenly Puppet Sect for coming to participate in the auction. Even if they don't have the strength, they are still qualified to bid. Why be so cold and thin-skinned?"

Just as the gray-robed old man finished speaking, a middle-aged man sitting in a private room not far away immediately responded to him.