Chapter 680: Holy Fire Auction

Qiao Huizhu's spiritual sense swept into it, and after only half a censer's time, she immediately lost her composure.

"This… this divine art… could it really be this outrageous?"

Qiao Huizhu clicked her tongue.

He Pingsheng nodded: "I've already reached perfect completion!"

"Then good, I won't delay—I've hit a bottleneck myself, perfect timing to cultivate this!"

With that, Qiao Huizhu left directly, entering seclusion.

It was no wonder she was eager—He Pingsheng's divine art was simply too outrageous.

Though it was merely a minor spatial dash, similar to teleportation, its utility in actual combat was immense.

"Little Feng, is this volcanic lava sufficient for your cultivation?" He Pingsheng asked Ting Tong.

Ting Tong shook her head: "This fire's rank is too low—it's useless to me!"

"But Master, don't worry—I haven't even finished the Dao-Collecting Pills you gave me!"

"I'm a Phoenix clan member—my cultivation is slow!"

"Alright," He Pingsheng nodded, then waved his hand, signaling Ting Tong to leave.

The entire pavilion now held only four people.

He Pingsheng, Hao Cang, and the two clones of Zhou Qingmei.

"Clones!" He Pingsheng looked at Zhou Qingmei's clone, then pointed at Hao Cang: "The two of you have a crucial mission!"

"Please, Master, give your orders!" Both immediately rose from their seats and bowed respectfully to He Pingsheng.

He Pingsheng said: "I have several relatives who ascended from the lower realms; after their ascension, they should appear in the Human Realm's Undying Emperor Domain."

"Both of you go near the Undying Emperor Domain and inquire."

"If these people have already ascended, bring them back!"

He Pingsheng spoke, then produced a jade slip: "This contains their appearances, names, and descriptions!"

"Find them according to this!"

"Go!"

Zhou Qingmei took the jade slip and nodded: "Master, rest assured—we will complete this mission!"

"Let's go!"

Boom…

The clones opened a spatial passage directly.

A vortex, about a zhang wide, was black-purple inside.

Within the black-purple, tiny starlight glimmered, slowly rotating, appearing from afar like a magnificent gem.

Hao Cang and Zhou Qingmei's clone stepped directly into it.

The next instant, the passage vanished entirely.

"Is this a wormhole?" He Pingsheng stared in surprise at Zhou Qingmei's true body.

"Yes," Zhou Qingmei nodded. "It is a wormhole, Master. If you wish to go anywhere, just tell me its general direction—I can check the map and open a wormhole to send you there right now!"

He Pingsheng waved his hand: "No need for that."

"For now, come with me to Zhu Que Emperor City!"

His body refinement still lacked the final step to complete the Soul Transformation chapter.

The lava beneath the mountain pass was not potent enough.

But no need to worry.

This is Zhu Que Emperor Domain—fire cannot possibly be lacking here.

He Pingsheng's plan was simple: first visit the Holy Fire Guild to see if he could purchase high-rank fire, or directly go to a place with high-rank fire to refine his body.

He'd need to find that old bastard Mo Sang.

If Mo Sang couldn't find such a place, no problem!

He could always go to the Zhu Que Emperor Palace and ask Nan Qiqi for some fire.

The Zhu Que clan must have high-rank fire.

Next, He Pingsheng took Zhou Qingmei and they flew toward Zhu Que Emperor City aboard the Silver River Celestial Shuttle, arriving directly at the entrance of the Holy Fire Guild.

"Friend Mo Sang, long time no see!" He Pingsheng bowed to Mo Sang.

They knew each other, but had little personal connection.

Mo Sang invited He Pingsheng into the largest private chamber.

"Friend Long Zhe… no, no—should say, Friend He!" Mo Sang chuckled. "Decades have passed, your cultivation has grown ever deeper—I suspect you'll catch up to this old man in just a few years!"

"Alas… my Dao ends here."

He had already lost his wisdom.

He Pingsheng did not dwell on this topic, but spoke bluntly: "Elder Mo Sang, I've come seeking to purchase an item."

Mo Sang said: "Speak."

He Pingsheng said: "I'd like to ask—does your guild have fifth-rank fire?"

"Or do you know where such fifth-rank fire exists? I need to borrow some to complete my Soul Transformation body refinement."

"Oh?" Mo Sang was astonished. "You still refine your body? Impressive… Most cultivators struggle to find enough time to contemplate the Dao, yet you're a rare genius who cultivates both method and body!"

"Tsk tsk tsk… Friend He, no wonder you're the top Soul Transformation cultivator in Zhu Que Emperor Domain!"

"Huh?" He Pingsheng's face darkened slightly: "This… 'top Soul Transformation cultivator in Zhu Que Emperor Domain'—what's this about?"

"Who's spreading this?"

This wasn't a good title.

"Hehe," Mo Sang chuckled. "You didn't know? The entire Emperor City now knows you're the top Soul Transformation cultivator… but don't worry—since you rarely appear, most cultivators here don't even recognize you."

"It won't cause you trouble."

"And no one's targeting you—it's simply a consensus formed among all Zhu Que Emperor Domain cultivators after your deeds spread."

He Pingsheng nodded: "I see."

"You need fifth-rank fire?" Mo Sang shook his head. "I'm sorry, our guild doesn't have such a thing… but we do have fifth-rank fire Dao rules—would you like them?"

He Pingsheng said: "No."

Mo Sang added: "But don't worry—I know a place with fifth-rank immortal fire…"

He Pingsheng asked eagerly: "Where?"

"Not far," Mo Sang smiled. "Don't rush—I'll take you there myself, guaranteeing your body refinement will reach completion. But… our guild has some precious items up for auction today—would you care to participate?"

He Pingsheng had no interest in such things.

He refused immediately.

But Mo Sang smiled mysteriously: "Friend He… you really should participate."

"There's a special treasure on today's auction!"

"A special treasure?" He Pingsheng asked. "What is it?"

Mo Sang said: "It's an item capable of breaking through the Soul Transformation bottleneck—called the Dragon-Eye Immortal Lychee. If I'm not mistaken, you're nearing your own Soul Transformation bottleneck, aren't you?"

"Wouldn't you want to see it?"

Hearing Mo Sang's words, He Pingsheng's heart stirred.

A heavenly treasure to break through the Soul Transformation bottleneck?

That was a valuable item.

Though He Pingsheng might not need it—he preferred to break through by his own efforts—it never hurt to have one on hand.

"Alright," He Pingsheng nodded. "Then… thank you, Elder Mo."