Chapter 210: Grudges and Fervor

“Word is, they found an ancient ruin in the southern sea recently, and someone unearthed a secret Core Formation technique in there,” Shangren Yinwind remarked casually, observing the heated scene below.

“Core Formation technique?”

“Hard to say if it’s real or not. The rumor is that this technique can help cultivate the seed for Core Formation. Because of this, all water-parting magical items have seen their prices skyrocket several times over.”

Shangren Yinwind’s information was hearsay, having not been verified by firsthand accounts.

“Southern sea… Are there really that many ruins over there?” Chen Luo asked curiously. This was the first news he’d heard from such far-off places.

He had yet to explore even the entire Demonic Cultivator Region himself, let alone distant lands. Compared to these ancient ascetics, Chen Luo was indeed young and inexperienced, lacking their vast knowledge and worldly possessions.

While they idly chatted, the water-parting pearls were sold off.

The scene grew even more lively as people brought out various items they wished to exchange. Amidst them, Chen Luo spotted several treasures he’d never seen before, but he didn’t participate in the exchanges.

“The Calamity Transcendence Pill—its effects should be well-known. It suppresses the Demonic Heart, making it useful for Core Formation.”

Finally, something of genuine quality appeared in the arena.

As soon as it was unveiled, five Foundation Establishment cultivators called out bids.

“Five thousand mid-grade spirit stones.”

“Eight thousand mid-grade spirit stones.”

“A bottle of spirit essence.”

“A legacy of a first-rank formation master.”

“A legacy of a second-rank talisman master.”

The five bids instantly heated up the scene. Especially the latter two, their value was incredibly high. Whether it was a legacy of a first-rank formation master or a second-rank talisman master, both could create a cultivator clan and serve as the foundation for their inheritance.

Spirit essence was even more remarkable. It was a treasure on a higher level than spirit stones, belonging to the category of priceless and rare spiritual materials.

“Spirit essence, tsk tsk. As expected of someone from Blackstone City, their confidence is unmatched.”

“Blackstone City?”

Chen Luo observed the three individuals: two men and a woman, all wearing magical artifacts that concealed their presence. Divine sense couldn’t penetrate their true appearances. This was similar to most others present; Chen Luo himself wore something similar, appearing to others as a sullen and gaunt middle-aged man.

“Spirit essence is produced in only one place within the entire Southwest Territory, and that’s Blackstone City,” Shangren Yinwind explained.

“Because this resource is prohibited from circulating in the market and cannot be purchased externally.”

The Southwest Territory was the name given to their region by its cultivators, much like how those from the Three Great Sects of Divine Lake referred to their area as the Seven Kingdoms Region. These were terms unique to their own circles.

As the dominant force in the Southwest Territory, Blackstone City naturally controlled several monopolized resources, one of which being spirit essence.

Upon Shangren Yinwind’s reminder, Chen Luo noticed that apart from the Five Eyes Temple Master, there were two other Foundation Establishment cultivators present at the exchange. Their auras were enigmatic; one was the Blackstone City cultivator who had bid for the spirit essence earlier, while the other was a woman. Seated in the frontmost position, her expression was icy, having remained eerily quiet throughout the entire event without purchasing anything, not even the Dan of Calamity Transcendence, which had piqued her interest.

It seems like she’s here specifically for something, Chen Luo mused.

‘Spirit-Connected Sword Physique. This woman is a sword cultivator.’

As Chen Luo observed her, feedback suddenly surfaced in his mind from the mummy brain.

Spirit-Connected Sword Physique?

Chen Luo unconsciously accessed his external brain, and the unit with the best memory swiftly responded:

The Spirit-Connected Sword Physique is an extremely rare type of sword cultivation physique. Sword cultivators possessing such a physique have a keen and insightful sword spirit, allowing their mastery of sword techniques to advance by leaps and bounds. When wielding the same sword technique, they can unleash several times the power of others. The most exceptional sword cultivators typically possess similar physiques.

Noticing Chen Luo’s gaze, Shangren Yinwind remarked, “Bamboo Sword Fairy. This woman is one of the most formidable figures in the southwest region. She has a Foundation Establishment stage cultivation base, akin to Fellow Daoist Han, and controls a second-order spiritual pulse.”

The Bamboo Sword Fairy was one of the few individuals present who didn’t conceal her true identity.

The Pill of Calamity Transcendence had been successfully traded, ultimately being acquired by the Blackstone City cultivator holding spiritual essence. The remaining few participants looked on with regret, but not a single one dared to harbor any ill intent. This was the Five Eyes Temple, after all, and no one wanted to offend a willow spirit at the peak of Foundation Establishment stage—not to mention the buyer of the spiritual essence wasn’t weak either. Only an exceptionally foolhardy person would risk simultaneously offending two powerful Foundation Establishment cultivators with a single action.

“Second-rank Talismancer legacy for sale. Fellow Daoists, please place your bids!”

The cultivator who failed to purchase the spirit pill earlier had now put up a Talismancer legacy. These legacies were replicable, and in essence, weren’t particularly valuable. However, since some individuals had monopolized these legacies, such knowledge had become scarce and costly.

Chen Luo’s interest piqued.

Among the four cultivation arts, he was currently the only one without second-rank status in Talismancy, lacking the corresponding knowledge legacy. The talismancer knowledge in his mind could only produce first-rank spirit talismans.

“Seven thousand mid-grade spirit stones,” someone bid.

In the four cultivation arts, Talismancers, though the cheapest, were still only compared to the other three major professions. From an ordinary person’s perspective, Talismancers were lofty figures, with legacies that many rogue cultivator families dreamed longingly to possess.

“Eight thousand mid-grade spirit stones.”

“One thousand five hundred high-grade spirit stones!”

Before Chen Luo could even place his bid, the price had skyrocketed to high-grade spirit stones.

“Two thousand high-grade spirit stones,” Chen Luo said, glancing at the legacy left by Elder An and Old Brother Han.

Next to him, High Priest Yin Gui cast a surprised look at Chen Luo, not expecting him to show interest in a Talismancer legacy.

Could he possibly be a Talismancer himself?

“Twenty-two thousand high-grade spirit stones!”

The previous bidder turned to shoot Chen Luo a icy glare. He had already thought he’d won, only for Chen Luo to snatch the deal from under his nose.

“Thirty!”

Chen Luo wouldn’t even spare him a glance. He held to one principle: spirit stones only truly mattered when spent to enhance one’s own strength; otherwise, they were worthless. As for threats, well… they were welcome to try.

“Thirty-one.”

“Fourty!”

With two old brothers’ legacies to back him, Chen Luo bid generously.

At this price point, most people had dropped out of the bidding. These were high-grade spirit stones, and four thousand of them could buy something even better. To many Foundation Establishment cultivators, a mere run-of-the-mill talismancer legacy wasn’t worth much.

This was the difference in perspective. To Foundation Establishment cultivators, obtaining a Tier-2 talismancer legacy wasn’t particularly difficult.

If you were looking at this from the point of view of a Qi Refining cultivator, things would be different. But then again, they wouldn’t be able to come up with that many spirit stones.

“Hmph!”

The black-robed old man let out a cold snort and dropped out of the bidding.

A hint of satisfaction flickered across the face of the cultivator selling the talismancer legacy. Just as he was about to accept the offer, a new voice cut through the air.

“I’ll bid ten thousand high-grade spirit stones!”

As soon as this price was shouted, everyone’s attention snapped over, including even a glance from the Bamboo Sword Fairy.

At the end of the exchange, a handsome young man glared menacingly at Chen Luo. Of course, his main gaze was fixed on Abbot Yin Wind standing beside him.

In his view, this was the first step towards his revenge.

Strike the enemy!

Anyone with Abbot Yin Wind was his enemy.

You think you can buy it? I’ll make sure you don’t. Even if you raise your price and get it, I’ll ensure you lose a significant amount of spirit stones.

“Holdfast, you walking corpse! You murdered one hundred and thirty-two members of my master’s family. This grudge must be settled – one day I’ll make you pay. Chen Luo sensed everyone’s eyes on them, making him feel like the center of attention – as he always dreamed he would! He responded to nothing more than the hostility displayed by the handsome fellow, keen to prove himself.

“This time I’ll exact a bit of interest from you!”

Chen Luo turned and looked at the young man as if he were a complete fool.

In his mind, a second-tier talisman master’s legacy shouting for ten thousand high-grade spirit stones was nothing but lunacy. No wonder Abbot Yin Wind didn’t bother to engage with him. If such a dunce wasn’t protected by someone behind the scenes, he’d never have lived long enough to reach Foundation Establishment.

“Then I offer my congratulations to this fellow cultivator,” Chen Luo replied indifferently, with no intention whatsoever of raising his bid.

The handsome youth’s expression shifted as he realized his mistake. He had intended to con the friends of the Old Demon Ghost of Evil Wind, planning to make a quick profit before leaving. He never expected this guy to be such a coward—a supposed late Foundation Establishment cultivator, unwilling to part with even ten thousand high-grade spirit stones.

The mere thought of spending ten thousand high-grade spirit stones for a second-order talisman master’s legacy left a bitter taste in his mouth. I’m not even a talisman master! he grumbled internally. What the hell am I buying this for?!

“This fool is courting death,” the venerable Wu Feng remarked, his face darkening as he watched Chen Luo from the side.

He knew Shi Jun was looking for trouble, but Wu Feng hadn’t taken it seriously—after all, Shi Jun was lucky enough to have a Foundation Establishment master as his teacher. Only about ten cultivators in the entire southwest region had reached the pinnacle of Foundation Establishment, and among them, the strongest seven controlled the second-order spiritual veins. Shi Jun’s teacher was one such master, standing alongside the Five Eyes Temple Master and the Gu Demon, Khan Jiu.

Wu Feng had once tried to take Shi Jun down but was thwarted by his master. He nearly lost his life in the attempt and, upon returning, had paid no further heed to the young upstart. However, he had discovered a secret.

But Wu Feng’s restraint didn’t mean Shi Jun would simply accept things. Given his nature, once Shi Jun’s cultivation advanced further, he’d undoubtedly come seeking revenge. Rather than letting this problem fester, it would be better to resolve it swiftly—before the real trouble began.

If I’m going all out, I might as well send him on his way!

At worst, I’ll end up having to join Blackstone City, serving the Blackstone Ancestor as his dog. If that fails, I could always leave the Southwest Territory and head for the South Sea.

Murderous intent swirled in Shangren Yinwind’s heart as he silently made his decision.

“Let your thoughts guide you, fellow Daoist,” Chen Luo said, shooting a quick glance at the old cultivator. He didn’t want to get involved in this person’s troubles; their relationship hadn’t reached that point.

“I originally didn’t want to deal with this brat at all. He’s gonna die sooner or later anyway. The Sect Master of the Demonseed Sect isn’t exactly known for doing good deeds. No disciple chosen by him has ever met a pleasant end.” At the mention of Shi Jun’s mysterious master, a hint of fear flickered in Shangren Yinwind’s eyes.

“Who?”

Chen Luo’s expression froze for a moment as he recalled an old friend he’d fallen out with. When he’d killed the Soul Refiner cultivator Lin Feng, he’d also killed a woman named Yue Qingping. That woman’s Yue Clan had been wiped out, and she’d called for two Foundation Establishment cultivators to join her in taking revenge. Chen Luo had slaughtered them all on the way.

Later, an old man had cursed him from afar, leaving an unsettled score between them. The old man hadn’t bothered Chen Luo yet, but only because he lacked the strength to do so.