Chapter 265

Steward. Shen Qingli called the steward of the private room.

Translation: "Steward." Shen Qingli called the steward of the private room.

But need to keep punctuation? Chinese uses 「」 quotes. We'll translate naturally: "Steward." Shen Qingli called the steward of the private room.

Steward. Shen Qingli called the steward of the private room.

The steward immediately entered, saying, "Honored guest, what are your orders?"

Translation: The steward immediately entered, "Honored guest, what are your orders?"

"You actually buy and sell cultivators!" Shen Qingli's face darkened.

Translation: "You actually buy and sell cultivators!" Shen Qingli's face was grim.

"Hurry up and release the person!" Shen Qingtong had already said this, everyone stood up, wanting to go out to meet the older brother.

"Hurry up and release the person!" Shen Qingtong had already said this, everyone stood up, wanting to go out to meet the older brother.

Probably: "Hurry up and release the person!" Shen Qingtong had already said, everyone stood up, wanting to go out to meet the older brother.

"Hurry up and release the person!" Shen Qingtong had already said, everyone stood up, wanting to go out to meet the older brother.

"Please calm down, honored guest, this is not a person." The steward quickly replied.

Translation: "Please calm your anger, honored guest, this is not a person." The steward quickly replied.

Shen Qingtong stopped and said, "What do you mean? That's my older brother, how can he not be a person?"

Translation: Shen Qingtong stopped, "What do you mean! That's my older brother, how can he not be a person?"

Upon hearing this, the entire hall fell silent; no one looked at the auction items anymore, instead turning their gaze to Shen Qingli's private room.

Translation: As soon as these words were spoken, the whole venue fell silent; no one looked at the auction items anymore, they all turned to look at Shen Qingli's private room.

The auctioneer, however, said, "Honored immortal master, your statement is mistaken. Medicine dolls are not human; they are crafted by artifact refiners for use by alchemists. Although this medicine doll appears handsome and lifelike, it is merely an object, certainly not a cultivator."

Translation: The auctioneer, however, said, "Esteemed Immortal Master, you are mistaken. Medicine Puppets are not people; they are all crafted by artifact refiners for use by alchemists. Although this Medicine Puppet looks handsome and lifelike, it is merely an object, absolutely not a cultivator."

"Indeed." Chimo said from the side, "If you extend your spiritual sense, you will understand."

Chimo

Translation: "Indeed." Chimo said from the side, "Just release your spiritual sense and you'll understand."

Everyone immediately extended their spiritual sense, and indeed they could not detect any vitality in Shen Qinghuang's body.

Translation: Everyone immediately released their spiritual sense, and indeed they could not sense any vitality on Shen Qinghuang's body.

"Perhaps the artifact refiner crafted it using the person you mentioned as a model?"

Translation: "Perhaps it was crafted by an artifact refiner using the person you mentioned as a model?"

"That's still not acceptable!" Shen Qingtong could not accept it, and besides, she felt this was clearly her older brother!

Translation: "That still shouldn't be!" Shen Qingtong still couldn't accept it, and besides, he felt this was clearly his older brother!

But he would rather it not be so! His face turned deathly pale…

Translation: But he would rather it not be! His face turned deathly pale…

Shen Qingli already said, "No matter the auction price, I will take it. Steward, bring me to get it."

Translation: Shen Qingli had already spoken, "No matter the bid price, I'll take it. Steward, take me to get it."

"Lady Shen Jinji is being overbearing, huh?" someone suddenly said, "Today there is only this one medicine doll; our Medicine King Island came just for it—are you trying to snatch it?"

Translation: "Shen Divine Maiden, you're being overbearing, huh." Someone suddenly spoke, "Today there's only this one Medicine Puppet; I, Medicine King Island, came just for it—are you trying to snatch it?"

"Our junior sister said we will bid no matter the price!" Liu Meng shouted angrily.

Translation: "Our little junior sister said, we'll bid no matter the price!" Liu Meng shouted angrily.

"Who doesn't know that Lady Shen Jinji's expenses today are covered by the mayor? What's the difference between that and snatching?"

Translation: "Who doesn't know that Shen Divine Maiden's expenses today are covered by the mayor? What's the difference between this and snatching?"

"Unconvinced?" Shen Qingli asked coldly.

Translation: "Unconvinced?" Shen Qingli asked coldly.

"I—"

Translation: "I—"

"Young master, don't argue."

Translation: "Young master, don't argue."

The servants of Medicine King Island were about to kneel.

Translation: The servant of Medicine King Island was about to kneel.

"I still won't accept it—what's going on!"

Translation: "I still won't accept it, what's the problem!"

The young man from Medicine King Island flung open his cloak, revealing his face!

Translation: The youth from Medicine King Island directly flung open his cloak, revealing his face!

His private room is to the left of Shen Qingli's, not in the center, so you can actually see him.

Translation: His private room was to the left of Shen Qingli's, not the central spot, but you could see him.

"Endure it." Shen Qingli looked at the steward, "If you don't take me there, am I supposed to do it myself? Or are you saying the black market boss can't put up a price?"

Translation: "Endure it." Shen Qingli looked at the steward, "If you don't take me, am I supposed to do it myself? Or are you saying the Master of the Black Market can't put up a bid?"

"We still have to finish the bidding, confirm the price, we'll auction—" the steward said halfway, when someone whispered something in his ear.

Translation: "We still have to finish the bidding, confirm the price, we'll auction—" the steward said halfway, when someone whispered something into his ear.

He immediately changed his tone, "Lady Shen Jinji, please; our master said this medicine doll belongs to you."

Translation: He immediately changed his tone, "Shen Divine Maiden, please, our master said this Medicine Puppet belongs to you."

"What about me!" the young man from Medicine King Island exclaimed, urgently needing this medicine doll as well.

Translation: "What about me!" the Medicine King Island youth panicked; he also really needed this Medicine Puppet.

Everyone who practices alchemy knows that refining immortal pills takes a long time and consumes much of the alchemist's time and energy.

Translation: Everyone who refines medicine knows that crafting Immortal Pills takes a long time and consumes much of the alchemist's time and energy.

As for medicine dolls, after being forged by an artifact refiner, one only needs the alchemist to divert a strand of soul into it, then place an energy-rich crystal inside, and the medicine doll can take over fire control.

Translation: As for Medicine Puppets, after being forged by an artifact refiner, the alchemist only needs to send a wisp of soul into it, then place energy-rich crystals inside, and the Medicine Puppet can take over fire control.

Although it cannot completely replace the alchemist, aside from the complex extraction of medicinal liquids and the pill-forming stage, the lengthy process of blending medicinal liquids can be entrusted to the medicine doll.

Translation: Although it cannot completely replace the alchemist, aside from the complex extraction of medicinal liquids and the pill-forming stage, the lengthy process of merging medicinal liquids can be left to the Medicine Puppet.

"We have come all the way to Medicine King Island just for this medicine doll, yet we aren't even given a chance to compete!" the young man from Medicine King Valley exclaimed, unwilling to accept it.

Translation: "We, Medicine King Island, have come all this way just for this Medicine Puppet! Yet we don't even get a chance to compete!" the Medicine King Valley youth exclaimed indignantly.

After all, this medicine doll is also a rare item; it must be forged by a divine-level artifact refiner and consumes top-tier materials, making it something that can be encountered but not sought after.

Translation: After all, this Medicine Puppet is also a rare item; it must be forged by a Divine-level Artifact Refiner, and it consumes top-tier materials, making it something you can encounter but not seek.

"Yes, we all came here for this medicine doll." Many alchemist families also spoke up.

Translation: "Yeah, we all came for this Medicine Puppet." Many medicine-refining immortals also spoke up.

"Please don't rush," the auctioneer also said, having just received a message, "We still have another medicine doll here; we will certainly not disappoint you."

Translation: "Please don't rush." The auctioneer also spoke, having just received a message, "We still have another Medicine Puppet here; it will certainly not disappoint you."

"That's good! But it won't be given to Lady Shen Jinji again later, will it?"

Translation: "That's good! But it won't be given to Shen Divine Maiden again in a moment, will it?"

"What do you mean 'give'? This is exactly the compensation we deserve! If you're not satisfied, let's bid normally—after all, the black market boss is paying!" Liu Meng angrily retorted, "Don't you think we're someone you can easily provoke or talk to?"

Translation: "What do you mean 'give'? This is exactly the compensation we deserve! If you're not convinced, let's bid normally! After all, the money comes from the Master of the Black Market!" Liu Meng angrily retorted, "How could you think we're easy to provoke or easy to talk to?"

The shouting crowd fell silent, except for that bold young man from Medicine King Island who revealed his face and shouted, "I don't care if you're easy to provoke or not—I must obtain a medicine doll today!"

Translation: Those who shouted fell silent, except that daring youth from Medicine King Island who revealed his face, yelling, "I don't care if you're easy to provoke or not! But today I must obtain a Medicine Puppet!"

"Everyone, please stop arguing; first look at the auction items other than the medicine doll." The auctioneer quickly said, "If the Medicine Young Master truly wants it, even if we don't have it this time—"

"Everyone, please stop arguing; first look at the auction items other than the medicine doll." The auctioneer quickly said, "If the Medicine Young Master truly wants it, even if we don't have it this time—"

Translation: "Everyone, stop arguing, first please look at the auction items besides the Medicine Puppet." The auctioneer hurriedly said, "Medicine Young Master, if you truly want it, even if this time there isn't—"

"In the future, our black market auction house will also reserve one especially for you; you just need to pay according to the lowest price previously fetched. Please give us this favor."

Translation: "In the future, my Black Market Auction House will also specially reserve one for you; you just need to pay the lowest price from past auctions. Please give our establishment some face."

That Medicine Young Master was obviously still dissatisfied, but had been completely pulled aside by the elder beside him, who even closed the doors and windows, blocking all sound.

Translation: That Medicine Young Master was clearly still somewhat unwilling, but had already been completely pulled down by the elder beside him, and even shut the doors and windows, blocking all sound.

"Young master! What are you doing?"

Translation: "Young master! What are you doing?"

"I just can't stand her arrogant attitude!"

Translation: "I just can't stand her arrogant attitude!"

"You can relax! Without even the Kunlun God Monarch or the Vermilion Bird Empress lifting a finger, they could destroy my Medicine King Island!"

Translation: "You'd better relax! Without even the Kunlun Divine Monarch or the Zhu Que Divine Empress lifting a finger, they could destroy my Medicine King Island!"

The old man is truly weary; having such a willful and reckless young master in the family will surely lead to ruin!

Translation: The elder was truly weary; having such a willful and reckless young master in the family, he was doomed sooner or later.

"Could it be that they still think they can do as they please? In that case, how would the heavenly court tolerate it—I—"

Translation: "Could it be that they still think they can do as they please? In that case, how would the Divine Tribunal submit? I—"

"Shut up!" the old man thought, really wanting to knock the person unconscious.

Translation: "Shut up!" The elder really wanted to slap the person unconscious.

Shen Qingli paid no attention to how they were negotiating.

Translation: Shen Qingli didn't care at all about how they were negotiating.

If those surnamed Yao are still dissatisfied, she doesn't mind coming again to kill and loot.

Translation: If those surnamed Yao are still unconvinced, she doesn't mind coming again to kill and loot.

At this moment, she has again come backstage, with Liu Meng, Shen Qingmo, and six others following her.

Translation: At this moment, she had returned backstage again, and Liu Meng, Shen Qingmo, and six others followed her.

"Here you go." The steward had already presented the medicine doll.

Translation: "Here you go." The steward had already presented the Medicine Puppet.

Shen Qingli immediately took the pulse, and upon doing so, her blood ran cold.

Translation: Shen Qingli immediately took the pulse; upon doing so, her blood ran cold.

It had not only no vitality, but also no dantian or meridians, and its bones were not human bones.

Translation: Not only was there no vitality, but there was no dantian, no meridians, and the bones were not human bones.

For a moment, Shen Qingli dared not be certain that this was her older brother.

Translation: For a moment, Shen Qingli dared not be certain that this was her older brother.

This is indeed a completely lifeless puppet; its bones are animal bones, its flesh animal meat, its skin appears to be human skin, yet one cannot sense Shen Qinghuang's aura. Moreover, its meridians are a special formation restriction, not human meridians.

Translation: This is indeed a lifeless puppet; its bones are beast bones, its flesh beast meat, its skin seems like human skin, yet one can no longer sense Shen Qinghuang's aura. Moreover, its meridians are a special formation seal, not human meridians.

"Lady Shen Jinji, you have indeed mistaken; this is not a cultivator, and our auction house does not sell just anything." The steward added from the side.

Translation: "Shen Divine Maiden, you all have indeed mistaken; this is not a cultivator, and our auction house does not sell just anything." The steward added from the side.

"Impossible!" Liu Meng insisted firmly, "This must be Shen's older brother!"

Translation: "Impossible!" Liu Meng stubbornly insisted, "This must be the elder brother!"

Shen Qingli looked at her—Heavenly Sword Star, ever forward, a matter of firm conviction…

Translation: Shen Qingli looked at her, Heavenly Sword Star, advancing without hesitation, a matter of firm conviction…

Nor had she missed it, but Shen Qingli took a deep breath, "Although I don't want to believe it, it's impossible for an older brother to appear out of nowhere."

Translation: Nor had she missed it, but Shen Qingli took a deep breath, "Although I don't want to believe it, it's impossible for the older brother to appear out of nowhere for no reason."

"Steward, could you tell us where you got him from?" Shen Qingli knew it was a difficult request, after all, it was an auction house, and it was inconvenient to reveal the buyer's information.

The steward indeed showed a troubled expression, saying, "Really sorry, but if you truly have doubts, our auction house will send someone to investigate; if we find any clues, we will certainly report them to you."

"Thank you for that." Shen Qingli stepped back and bowed deeply.

She knew that the person behind this auction house was the Prince; she needed him to spare no effort to help her find clues!

Elder brother, elder brother…

Shen Qingli's eye sockets were all red.

If it really is elder brother, is he still alive?

"You're too kind; as for the master's orders, we will certainly do our utmost."

The steward hurriedly returned the great salute, but dared not accept such a deep bow from Shen Qingli.

"I want to take a look at the other medicinal puppet." Shen Qingli said again.

"The master has ordered it; I'll have them bring both together." The steward had already sent someone to fetch them.

Not long after, that medicinal puppet was also brought over; Shen Qingli took its pulse again—no difference.

This made her heart sink even deeper into the abyss; elder brother, can he still be saved…

"He can be saved." Shen Kuo's voice fell into Shen Qingli's mind.

Shen Qingli immediately lifted her head to gaze at the sky, and tears instantly welled up in her eyes.

Because of Shen Kuo's words, it also indirectly indicated that the elder brother before her was truly Elder Brother Shen Qinghuang!

But how could elder brother have become like this? Could it be that the Longwater Shen Clan has met with disaster?