Secular Immortal of the Nine Realms - Chapter 222
Chapter 222: Talisman Drawing
The cultivators chattered among themselves with excited gleams in their eyes. Even some of the sect disciples were moved too.
Boss You revealed a gleeful smile.
What was the most valuable thing in the world of cultivation?
It was neither pills nor artifacts. Rather, it was the very foundation of one’s cultivation, one’s cultivation method!
The greatest impediment to unaffiliated cultivators reaching higher ground was their cultivation. Most unaffiliated cultivators reached no further than third stage Ki Refinement despite working hard their entire lives; this was not just due to their aptitude but their lack of a proper cultivation method too.
Only major sects had a complete cultivation method legacy, but even so, it could only be up to a certain level. For instance, there were sects with complete Ki Refinement cultivation method, but their Foundation Establishment cultivation method remained imperfect.
“Boss You, you aren’t pulling our legs, are you?”
“I hope you didn’t make us come all the way here just to disappoint us with some incomplete cultivation method!”
Some of the eighth stage and ninth stage Ki Refinement cultivators spoke up.
Boss You gleefully replied, “Our old ancestor has verified the cultivation method. There’s no problem reaching twelfth stage Ki Refinement with it. It’s a complete cultivation method!”
Another commotion broke out. Many of the cultivators’ faces reddened, and they looked at Boss You with excited looks.
This was a rare fortuitous encounter for them!
In the distinguished compartments, Song Yu clenched his fists as he stared intently at Boss You, “That old rascal didn’t let me in on it beforehand!”
“Chief Song, cultivation methods are a sect’s precious legacy. Can those really be sold? Won’t the sect come after them?” Fang Chen asked.
Song Yu seemed to have something on his mind, so he distractedly replied, “Cultivation methods sold in auctions most likely belong to sects that have gone extinct. Even if they still have disciples around, it’s unlikely that they’ll pose a threat to the You Clan.
“That being said, there’s no denying that there could be complications, which is why Boss You is selling it at our Dragonback Lane. This place is much more discreet.”
At this point, Song Yu turned to Fang Chen and said apologetically, “Little brother, I have urgent matters to attend to, so I might need to leave now…”
“Be my guest.” Fang Chen nodded.
Song Yu anxiously stood up and left.
After Song Yu left, Fang Chen took out a brush and ground the Nine Tribulations Cinnabar. Then, he slowly lay his brush on the Thunderjolt Wood Talisman Paper.
Drawing a high-grade talisman was extremely demanding on one’s skill. Every stroke had to be precisely on point. It was impossible to pull off without a solid foundation. On top of that, a sharp control of one’s spirit ki was necessary too.
Fang Chen had to admit that the Celestial Bluestone Brush did help to keep his spirit ki stable.
His goal was to draw a high-grade or even pinnacle Purple Lightning Talisman.
To his astonishment, as soon as his brush fell on the talisman paper, he lost 20% of his spirit ki, presumably because the Nine Tribulations Cinnabar and the Thunderjolt Wood Talisman Paper were no ordinary materials.
Meanwhile, the auction had already started. It was already hyping up right from the first item.
In a matter of moments, the cultivation method had been bidded up to 3300 low-grade ki stones.
None of the cultivators present had the means to fork out so many ki stones by themselves, so they secretly made deals with others to acquire the cultivation method and study it together.
Several figures had joined the Immaculate Poison King’s distinguished chamber. They were renowned unaffiliated cultivators in the vicinity, and none of them were any weaker than the Immaculate Poison King.
“We have to obtain the cultivation method by hook or by crook. We might never stumble upon such an opportunity ever again,” the Immaculate Poison King said.
The cultivators exchanged looks. One of them gritted their teeth and said, “I’ll sell all my artifacts. I should be able to raise 600 low-grade ki stones.”
“I’ll fork out another 800.”
“700 on my side.”
In the end, they were able to come up with around 4000 low-grade ki stones.
The Pristine Poison King slowly nodded and said, “If we successfully obtain the cultivation method, those who forked out less now will compensate those who paid more later on.”
“Of course.”
The two cultivators who paid the least immediately nodded.
“3500 low-grade ki stones. Any other bids?” Boss You announced.
There were only two parties left in the race. One was a group of disciples from different sects, and the other was the Pristine Poison King’s group.
“4000,” the Pristine Poison King’s voice echoed throughout the auction hall.
Countless cultivators raised their heads and looked toward the Pristine Poison King’s distinguished chamber. Shock and envy could be seen in their eyes. They knew that there was no chance for them to acquire this cultivation method anymore.
“Pristine Poison King, why did you bid 4000 straight away?!” the white-robed cultivator standing behind the Pristine Poison King voiced his dissatisfaction.
The Pristine Poison King glanced at him and coldly replied, “Do you think we can win the auction if we just raise the bid by a hundred each time?
The white-robed cultivator couldn’t refute that. He could only pray that the other party wouldn’t further raise the price.
Unfortunately, lady luck wasn’t on their side.
“4200 low-grade ki stones,” the other party bidded.
The Pristine Poison King’s face turned livid. He angrily stood up and paced around the room. The unaffiliated cultivators he had partnered with didn’t look good either.
They didn’t have more ki stones to fork out anymore.
“Damn it! Don’t those sect disciples already have their own cultivation methods? Why are they fighting with us unaffiliated cultivators? I should poison them to death!” the Pristine Poison King angrily spat.
The other cultivators anxiously dissuaded him, “Don’t be reckless, Poison King. We’ll have much to suffer for if we offend those sect disciples!”
“Do you think I fear them?” The Pristine Poison King glared at the others.
These unaffiliated cultivators were fearful of his poison, so they could only brush it off with a sheepish laugh.
“Since we don’t have enough ki stones to acquire the cultivation method, why don’t we join hands to snatch the cultivation method from their hands once they’re out of Dragonback Lane?” the Pristine Poison King asked with narrowed eyes.
The other cultivators exchanged looks. They were moved.
It was one thing if it was any other treasure, but this was a complete Ki Refinement cultivation method! They were willing to offend a couple of sects for it. At most, they would just temporarily go into hiding after the deed is done.
“Since there is no higher bid, my congratulations to the winner!” Boss You declared with a smile.
The middle-aged man from the Cloudless Monastery was amid the group.
As they were exchanging the goods, Li Huafeng discreetly asked, “Senior Wei, I thought our Cloudless Monastery has its complete Ki Refinement cultivation method…”
The middle-aged man glanced at Li Huafeng and replied, “Junior Li, even our Cloudless Monastery’s Ki Refinement cultivation method has its shortcomings too. Having another Ki Refinement cultivation method to cross-reference may spare us from detours. Our master knows about today’s auction too, and he told me to bring you here to expand your horizon.”
“I see.” Li Huafeng widened his eyes in realization.
He looked around, but he didn’t see the person in his mind. Thus, he sighed in relief.
He was worried that he might meet Fang Chen here, but it seemed like he was thinking too much into it. The world of cultivation was huge; what were the odds of such a coincidence?
