Chapter 227: The Final Act

Blazing Fire Heart Method manual?!

Fang Yue's pupils contracted.

It's finally here!

A Heart Method manual!

Judging by the name, it seemed to be a fire-attribute Heart Method, even more suitable for his own advancement.

Fang Yue hurriedly pricked up his ears and listened carefully to the host's introduction.

"Blazing Fire Heart Method manual, an extremely domineering fire-attribute Heart Method, recording the cultivation process for three realms — from Postnatal Third-rate Realm to Postnatal First-rate Realm. The cultivation difficulty is extremely high, the progress slightly slow, but any cultivator who practices it will be among the elite of their peers…"

A Postnatal First-rate Realm Heart Method?!

Fang Yue's pupils contracted.

He was currently at Postnatal Third-rate Realm, needing to break through to Postnatal Second-rate, then Postnatal First-rate, before he could become a Congenital-level expert!

And this Heart Method actually went straight from Postnatal Third-rate Realm to Postnatal First-rate Realm — not only could it bridge him through Postnatal Second-rate Realm, it also saved him the trouble of having to find another Postnatal First-rate Realm Heart Method!

This was simply wonderful!

Fang Yue's eyes lit up, but he heard Captain Huo beside him suddenly click his tongue.

"How did it end up being this Heart Method…"

Captain Huo's words made Fang Yue pause.

"What's wrong? Captain Huo knows about the Blazing Fire Heart Method?"

"Mm, I've heard of it. This thing is a hot potato. The Black Crow Merchant Group really dares to take it and put it up for sale…"

"Ah, this — is there something wrong with this Heart Method?"

Captain Huo glanced at Fang Yue and gestured with his lips toward the people around them.

Following her direction, Fang Yue noticed that the people around them, more or less, had all furrowed their brows.

Some were muttering something, some looked at the item on the auction stage with regret, seemingly giving up on bidding in advance.

"Why did it have to be this Heart Method…"

"Sigh, knowing full well it's a good thing, yet unable to make a move — what a pain."

Listening to the whispers of the people around him, Fang Yue's brow creased slightly.

"What exactly is going on?"

Captain Huo lowered her voice.

"Do you know the origins of the Blazing Fire Heart Method?"

"I don't."

Although the host had been continuously introducing the various powers of the Blazing Fire Heart Method, he had never mentioned where the Heart Method came from.

But… didn't the Black Crow Merchant Group always acquire Heart Methods from others and then auction them off at high prices? What problem could there be with that?

"Of course there's a problem!"

Seeming to read Fang Yue's indifference, Captain Huo said solemnly: "The Blazing Fire Heart Method is the introductory Heart Method of the Blazing Fire Sect!"

"Blazing Fire Sect? Introductory Heart Method?"

"Correct! The introductory Heart Method of the Blazing Fire Sect is never transmitted to outsiders! This means this thing is contraband. Buying it on the sly is fine, but if anyone cultivates it and uses it out in the open, and the people of the Blazing Fire Sect find out… then the consequences will be terrible."

"…What consequences? Is the Blazing Fire Sect very strong?"

"Your cultivation will be crippled, your limbs broken, you'll be brought back to the sect for judgment, and finally beheaded in public as a warning to others. The Blazing Fire Sect has put out quite a few examples of such news. As for how strong the Blazing Fire Sect is… let me put it this way: if the Blazing Fire Sect wanted to wipe out our Mo Cun, it would be effortless."

…Wait, why is your Mo Cun always getting effortlessly wiped out? Seems like anyone can throw their weight around in your Mo Cun — even our Gu Yue Cun can't compare, and you call yourselves a big village.

If it were Gu Yue Cun, with Lord Han there, who would dare act recklessly?

Fang Yue looked at Captain Huo with some disdain, leaving Captain Huo baffled.

"What's that look for? Don't be so skeptical, the Blazing Fire Sect is really strong… But wait, that's not right. I remember the Blazing Fire Sect went to your village to recruit a few years ago. Although not a single one of them took a fancy to it, you should know about the Blazing Fire Sect… Oh, I forgot, you're a vagrant."

…What?

The Blazing Fire Sect was actually one of those sects that came to Gu Yue Cun to recruit?

Fang Yue was stunned, and immediately grew even more eager for the Blazing Fire Heart Method on stage.

A sect that would specifically come visit Lord Han — their techniques must definitely be good.

"Looks like you've made up your mind about this Heart Method. Then I can only advise you to be careful. This year should be when they come to recruit every few years — calculating the timing, it should be around these days. At this juncture, if you buy this Heart Method, the trouble will be endless. Moreover, if you buy this Heart Method in front of so many people, if someone wants to deal with you, it would be effortless."

"Ah, this… so you're saying I can't buy this Heart Method?"

"You can't buy it."

"…What if I insist on buying it?"

"Then you'd best change your identity."

Fang Yue pointed at himself and said: "I'm Niu Niu right now."

"But your face is your own face. And in the short term, perhaps no one knows who you are, but once someone takes an interest in you and starts investigating, your identity can't be hidden for long."

Fang Yue fell silent for a moment, frowned and thought for a while, then said: "Then how about you help me buy it? I'm the one cultivating it anyway, you're just reselling it. If the Blazing Fire Sect comes to blame, they should settle accounts with the Black Crow Merchant Group first — it wouldn't reach your Mo Cun no matter what."

Captain Huo laughed: "That's the logic. If I buy it and don't cultivate it, there's indeed no problem. But why should I take risks for you? And if someone asks, I could just sell you out — that would be pointless and redundant."

That was indeed the case.

However…

Fang Yue furrowed his brow. He had Lord Han as his backing — surely the Blazing Fire Sect couldn't refuse to give Lord Han face?

Regardless, he had set his heart on this Blazing Fire Heart Method manual.

Obtaining a Postnatal Second-rate Realm Heart Method was truly too difficult.

Although players could forcefully break through realms by relying on realm breakthrough progress, not having a Heart Method was still a major problem.

Through normal channels, one could only have the chance to access a Postnatal Second-rate Realm Heart Method by relying on merchant groups, the captain's instruction, Inter-Village Activities, or by being promoted to a county-level stage and a bigger platform.

The captain's instruction requires the captain to have reached the Second-rate Realm of the Afterlife; if the captain doesn't even possess a Second-rate Realm Heart Method, how can they teach it to others?

For example, the Spark Package provided by Chen Mu is capped at the Third-rate Realm of the Afterlife; to advance further, you must find another way.

Second… the captain must be willing to let you follow and learn martial arts from them.

Fang Yue is no longer the naive beginner he once was; he understands what martial arts mean in this game.

The martial arts held by captains are, in most cases, the very best martial arts in the village!

Such martial arts, outside of master-disciple relationships, are never passed on to outsiders.

Fang Yue had indeed asked Lang Wu, the Chief Captain, for a Heart Method, expressing his willingness to follow and learn martial arts from him.

But Lang Wu, the Chief Captain, refused, because his martial arts are passed only within the Lang family—they are a bloodline heritage and cannot be transmitted to outsiders.

As for the other two captains, they too will not transmit martial arts to outsiders.

Martial arts are the foundation of one's standing; unless you've reached the age and stage where you must seek an heir, even if Lin Ling possessed a Second-rate Realm Heart Method, she would not pass it to Fang Yue—unless Lord Han issued a direct order.

"The starting bid for this Flame Heart Method scripture is… five black stones!"

"Each bid must be no less than thirty grams of Black Ember!"

The host had just announced the price of the Flame Heart Method scripture, but no one in the crowd spoke up.

Fang Yue did not hesitate—he immediately bid.

"Six black stones."

The host, desperate for bids, immediately shouted loudly: "Six black stones! Young Master Niu Niu has bid six black stones! Any higher?"

Seeing someone had started, others began hesitantly raising their bids.

Clearly

"Six point three black stones!"

"Six point eight black stones!"

The price rose gradually; Fang Yue frowned and bid again.

"Ten black stones!"

Ten black stones?!

The crowd was startled, all turning to look at Fang Yue.

"Is this Niu Niu really that rich?"

"Damn it, is he Fire Captain's kept lover? Where did he get this money?!"

"This guy keeps inflating prices! I suspect he's a shill for the auction!"

Many were indignant; more were weighing the pros and cons.

They were wondering whether to continue bidding.

As Fire Captain said, the Flame Heart Method scripture, if not practiced by oneself, is unlikely to bring trouble upon you.

But if you buy the Flame Heart Method and don't use it yourself, what's the point? Sell it for profit? This kind of troublesome item, sold outside, would likely fetch no higher a price than at this auction.

Most importantly, the final auction item is the true goal of nearly everyone here.

Pouring your resources here means giving up your chance at the final bid.

While the crowd hesitated, someone bid again.

"Twelve black stones."

Twelve black stones?!

Fang Yue's pupils contracted.

Who is this rich?!

He whirled around to look at the bidder—and it was…

Hei Er!

Big brother, seriously? You're screwing with me?

Fang Yue felt a pang of frustration, but soon saw Hei Da turn slightly, his pitch-black misty face giving Hei Er a reproachful glance.

This guy isn't just bidding randomly, is he? Don't disrupt the market!

At this moment, Fang Yue finally understood how others had felt earlier.

After Hei Er's bid, only the host became excited.

"The gentleman over there has bid twelve black stones! Any higher?"

Twelve black stones had clearly exceeded the host's expectations; he repeated it excitedly several times before beginning the final call.

"Twelve black stones once! Any higher?"

Everyone fell silent; they had already hesitated to bid, and now that the price had soared this high, no one dared to raise it further.

"Twelve black stones twice! If no one bids now, you'll miss your chance! This is a First-rate Realm Heart Method—once this village is gone, you won't find another!"

The host emphasized his words; Fang Yue frowned and whispered: "Fire Captain, lend me three black stones."

"Alright."

Fang Yue had assumed three black stones would be a heavy burden for Fire Captain, but surprisingly, she lent them without hesitation.

"Thanks!"

Taking the black stones, Fang Yue immediately bid: "Thirteen black stones!"

Thirteen black stones!

The host breathed heavily.

"Niu Niu! Young Master Niu Niu has bid again! Any higher?"

As if his voice wasn't loud enough, he shouted twice more—but as before, no one bid.

Looking over at Hei Da and Hei Er, they saw Hei Er had been restrained by Hei Da, with no chance to bid again.

"13 black stones, once!"

"13 black stones, twice!"

"13 black stones, three times!"

"Congratulations, Young Master Niu Niu, on winning the 【Blazing Heart Method Manual】 at the price of 13 black stones!"

Without any surprises, Fang Yue successfully won the Heart Method Manual.

After the host delivered the Heart Method Manual into his hands, Fang Yue finally let out a true sigh of relief.

Earlier, when he didn't have enough money, he had even been tempted to buy it with silver stones—thankfully he held back.

Fang Yue first carefully put away the 【Blazing Heart Method Manual】, then said to Captain Huo: "I owe you a favor."

"What favor? Three black stones! You have to pay that back!"

"... What I mean is, besides the 3 black stones, I also owe you a separate favor. If you need anything in the future, just call on me."

"I'm just a captain of Mo Cun—what help could I possibly need from you? More like I'd be the one helping you."

Captain Huo didn't really care; as long as Fang Yue could pay back the money, the favor could be forgotten.

True enough—Captain Huo was practically all-powerful in Mo Cun, where would Fang Yue even come in?

Three black stones...

Fang Yue felt a bit depressed. That wasn't a small sum—looks like he'd have to find a chance to go out and kill some anomalies to earn black stones to repay the debt.

Fortunately, the parchment was currently in a dormant state; otherwise, if it found out he'd spent all the money, it would have thrown a fit for half the day.

"Finally, honored guests, we have finally arrived at the moment for the very last grand finale item of our Black Crow Auction to take the stage."

"Although our Black Crow Auction has carried out extremely strict confidentiality measures, I believe there are still many people present who already know long ago what our finale item is."

"For those who don't know, don't worry—now, let me unveil the mysterious veil of the Black Crow Auction's final item for everyone!"

After the crowd stopped looking toward Fang Yue and their emotions had mostly settled, the host suddenly raised his voice and spoke.

After he finished speaking, Yaya Gu Niang had already rolled out the final finale item.

At this moment, the breathing of everyone present grew heavy.

They stared tensely at the thing covered beneath that red cloth.

If the rumors were true... then the Black Crow Auction's finale item was the best thing to appear in the past hundred years!

At this moment, even Captain Huo, who had only ever had the tiniest bit of interest in the auction, craned his neck and looked curiously toward the stage.

Hei Da and Hei Er were even more riveted, staring fixedly at the finale item on the stage, as if deeply captivated.

The crowd's reaction made the host very satisfied.

For this auction item, their Black Crow Auction had paid a great price.

For this auction item, after entering Mo Cun, they had launched an overwhelming, earth-shaking publicity campaign.

Everything was done to set the stage for the appearance of this finale item.

It was today's Black Crow Auction's final revelry, and also the Black Crow Auction's closing act in Mo Cun.

The closing act was an especially important matter.

First, it could raise the anticipation of Mo Cun and other villages for the Black Crow Merchant Group's next arrival.

Second, it could greatly elevate the Black Crow Merchant Group's standing in Mo Cun and draw the village's attention.

Under the gaze of ten thousand eyes, the host finally slowly pulled back the red cloth, revealing the final finale item's true face at last.

It was a gray jade pendant.

Plain and unadorned, without any luster, dull as a stone by the roadside.

But within that dull coloring, one could faintly see delicate small characters on the jade pendant, appearing and disappearing, rising and falling like breathing.

A gray jade pendant? That's it?

Fang Yue was a bit confused—what was so special about this thing?

But whether it was Captain Huo or anyone else, the instant they saw this jade pendant, their eyes immediately lit up, and some people even lost their composure and stood right up.

"A Soul-Dwelling Jade Pendant!?"

(End of chapter)