章 39: Boisterous
編集者: Rainystars
"…"
Ling Tian Qing was silent. He did not understand why the Elder before him was being so friendly and what his intention was. After some consideration, he shook his head. "Thank you Elder, but I will pass on that offer. A Revitalization Dan is useless to me."
"As long as you have made a decision." Ling Xian nodded.
"He can have it if he wants, but…" Ling Tian Qing’s eyes glimmered as he laughed. "I won’t make it easy for him."
As he spoke, he stood up, stared right at the hot faced Leader Fang and yelled out, "I bid 30,000 spiritual stones!"
Leader Fang’s face fell. He looked up at where Leader Ling was and shouted sternly, "35,000!"
"40,000!" Qing Tian Qing responded immediately.
"Alright, alright," Leader Fang said. He really wanted to give up on the Revitalization Dan and leave. However, to accomplish his clan’s grand plan of overtaking the City of Qing, he needed to acquire the Revitalization Dan. For that, he tightened his fist. "I bid 50,000 spiritual stones. Ling Tian Qing, if you have the guts to offer more than that, then the Dan is yours!"
"Alright, 55,000!" Ling Tian Qing sarcastically snickered and teased. It was as if he didn’t care about the money at all.
The two clans have been butting heads for way too long. After fighting against Leader Fang both under the table and openly, he knew of his habits and his plans. He was completely aware of the fact that Leader Fang needed the Revitalization Dan. Therefore, he was not at all afraid of the empty threats Leader Fang expressed.
"You!"
Leader Fang was enraged and shot out of his seat. His spiritual energy was creeping out of his body. Like a raging tornado, it instantly wrapped around the entire auction ground.
Half foundational level!
"Humm!"
A long hum pierced the silence room. Then, Leader Fang’s spiritual bubble deflated like a balloon. He stepped backward for four to five steps as his cheek flushed red.
"Leader Fang, if you plan to follow the regulations of the auction and bid on things accordingly, I won’t interfere. However, if you want to show off your half foundational level of training then I must ask, do you see me as a decoration?" Ling Xian’s face was calm, but a storm was brewing in his eyes, sending chills down everyone’s spines.
Leader Fang forced himself to swallow the mouthful of blood. Despite his humiliation and outrage, he did not dare to show his true emotions. Instead, he lowered his head and said, "I have been irrational, and I apologize that I have offended you. I hope you will be able to forgive a small character like me."
In the cultivation community, there are many unwritten rules. To demonstrate vigor before someone stronger is a huge taboo and is considered very offensive. If this taboo were breached, then nobody would pity the weak one even if he gets killed.
This was the cruelty in the cultivation community!
The strong ones have the rights to be unreasonable!
"I’ll let it go this time. If this happens again, I will not let it slide so easily," Ling Xian spoke softly. He didn’t really know about this unspoken rule, and he merely wanted to stand up for Ling Tian Qing. After all, he belonged to the Ling Clan, how could he just do nothing?
"Yes, thank you, Elder, for your generosity," Leader Fang felt more humiliated by the second. He was the leader of the Fang Clan and was one of the five most important figures in the community. Everyone had to lower their heads and call him leader when they walked by him. When has he ever had to deal with this much degradation?
He wasn’t allowed to speak the words on his mind nor move his body the way he wanted to.
Leader Fang was bathing in anger, yet he could not express any of his emotions. Before him, was a cultivator in the completion level. A simple hum from him caused him to spit a mouthful of blood. He did not want to imagine the consequences he would have to face if he angered that man.
"Does Leader Fang want to raise the bid? If you want to stop competing, then I will be taking the Revitalization Dan for my own pocket." Ling Tian Qing smiled at Leader Fang. He was trying hard to suppress his satisfaction with the situation. In the past, the two of them fought a whole lot, but because their capabilities were similar in level, there never was a clear winner in each fight. This time, however, using the Elder’s abilities, he was obviously winning. Why would he not be satisfied?
[So this is what real capabilities can grant you. Respect, fear, admiration, and not a trace of disdain.] Ling Xian thought to himself. Other than exclaiming, he was also enjoying himself a whole lot. The usual influential figures he had to behave carefully around were acting like little sheep. They were choosing their words cautiously, trying hard to make him laugh while not angering him. This sure was funny.
"I offer 60,000 spiritual stones!" Leader Fang glared at Ling Tian Qing. In his head, he was thinking, [If you bastard, raise the bid again, I will give up on the Dan! I want you to pay for something you don’t want!]
Just as everyone was anticipating for Ling Tian Qing to raise the bid, he sat right back down on his seat and teased, "Heh heh, 60,000 spiritual stones… Leader Fang sure is rich. The Ling Clan isn’t as lavish and well-developed as your clan. I will no longer fight you for it. You can take the Revitalization Dan."
Leader Fang’s face remained dark. He predicted that Ling Tian Qing was playing against him since the beginning and did not really want the Dan. However, to fulfill his plan of overtaking the City of Qing, he had no choice but to be knowingly ripped off. When he thought about the fact that he paid 60,000 spiritual stones for a Revitalization Dan, he felt a pinch of pain. Even though the Fang Clan was famous for their richness, this amount of spiritual stones was a bit too much to bear.
"Alright, since nobody else is willing to make another bid, then I now announce that Leader Fang has acquired the Revitalization Dan for 60,000 spiritual stones!" The middle-aged man on the stage slammed down his little hammer.
The auction hall instantly got boisterous. Everyone in the room could hear the taunting.
The Revitalization Dan was very precious. However, to be bought with 60,000 spiritual stones was a little excessive. There were only two types of people who would buy it at this high price. One would be a cultivator whose life is hanging by a thread. Two would be a man who got ripped off and couldn't complain.
Leader Fang was the latter. He thought those sarcastic cheers were knives to his ears. So he merely glared at Ling Tian Qing and left.
"Haha, he is angry from embarrassment." Ling Tian Qing was very joyous and did not mind the anger Leader Fang directed at him. The two of them have been battling for a long time, and this wasn’t the first time something like this happened. With their hatred as deep as the sea, there will come other opportunities where they will try to kill each other.
"Thank you, Leader Ling, the Qi Zhen Pavilion made a lot of profit because of you." Gong Suo Xin smiled and unintentionally seduced everyone in the room. Everyone gasped at her beauty.
There was an old saying that says the third party always benefits from the tussle. In this case, Gong Suo Xin was definitely the third party. A Revitalization Dan in the market was only 30,000 stones. However, because there was never enough supply to meet the demand, it’s worth a lot more at auctions.
She would’ve been satisfied with 40,000 spiritual stones and did not expect at all that Ling Tian Qing would end up helping in raising the price to 60,000. She was very content, and thus her smile was very natural and enchanting.
"Manager Gong, you are too polite. I simply do not like that bastard." Staring at that lovely face of hers, Ling Tian Qing appeared to be a little infatuated. The next second, however, his head cleared. He did not dare to provoke this woman. Based on the fact that she did not hesitate to tell off a completion level cultivator and how she punished herself so cruelly, he knew that this was a woman he should not irritate.
As the two continued chatting, the middle-aged man took out the fourth auction item. He smiled. "This item is the long lost Qing Hua Dan. It cures those with poor blood flow and reverses the damage to one’s spiritual energy. If there are anyone here who has or has friends and family with spiritual energy issues, then this is your chance."
The crowds became rowdy right away.
"What! The lost Qing Hua Dan? The medicinal Dan that could cure those with a lack of spiritual energy?"
"Hahaha, heaven did not abandon me. I must get my hands on this Qing Hua Dan. Nobody fight with me!"
"Why? Your son has poor energy flow, so does my little brother. This Qing Hua Dan will be mine!"
What was the most important thing in the cultivation community?
Capabilities!
Those with damaged spiritual energy or those with extremely poor blood flow cannot practice Taoism freely. Not only does that mean they can no longer go on with their training, but it also means the achievements they had before will disappear as time goes on. This was a horrifying conclusion for any cultivator.
Unfortunately, for many reasons, it was very easy to damage one’s spiritual energy, and there were very few spiritual Dans that could cure this sickness. These Dans were also very high in ranking. Those without capabilities cannot even see one in their lifetime, let alone purchase one.
Qing Hua Dan, though lowest in realm compared to the other Dans, gives superior results to treat the disease compared to the other Dans. For people here in this little city, it was more than enough and even arguably more suitable. When everyone heard the lost Qing Hua Dan was brewed again, people were more than shocked!
Looking at how boisterous the place has gotten, the middle-aged man smiled. He gestured with his hands to calm everyone down. "Everyone, please quiet down. There are two Qing Hua Dans here, meaning two of you will be able to take one home. Don’t hurt your friendships because of this item."
"However, before the bidding officially starts. I must make something really clear. Though Qing Hua Dan is normally a sixth-realm Dan, today’s Qing Hua Dan was only in the ninth realm. Despite this, our very own alchemists have inspected them and can confidently declare that this Dan has the same effects as the sixth realm ones. These two Dans were personally brewed by the Elder here, who is in the completion level. Therefore, I rest assure you, it is a top quality Dan," the middle-aged man added.
In an instant, every gaze focused on Ling Xian.
"A ninth-realm Qing Hua Dan? I’ve never heard of it. Will it really work?"
"It should be okay. The Qi Zhen Pavilion is guaranteeing it. It was also the Elder who brewed it. I don’t think there will be a problem."
Sensing everyone’s suspicion, Ling Xian was not angry. He understood where everyone’s doubts came from. After all, when the Qing Hua Dan is involved, it’s usually serious. With a beaming smile, he said, "Everyone, please don’t worry. I can swear on my life, and on my completion level of training that this Dan will work. If it doesn’t, then I will end myself."
"I, Gong Suo Xin, can also guarantee that if this Dan does not work, then the Qi Zhen Pavilion will return you double the amount of money you pay!" Gong Suo Xin gracefully smiled.
After acquiring both Ling Xian and Gong Suo Xin’s testaments, everyone felt more assured and began to demand the man to start the bidding process.
"Alright, I won’t talk more then. The first Qing Hua Dan. Starting bid is 10,000 with a minimum raise of 5,000 every bid!" the middle-aged man said.
"20,000!" someone screamed, raising the price to 20,000 in one go!
"30,000!" someone else added.
[Yes, raise the price. The more you bid, the better.] Ling Xian, looking at the rowdy situation, was filled with pride and joy.
The Qing Hua Dan was brewed by him. If these Dans were able to create such an uproar, then naturally he should feel proud. On top of that, whatever price it ends up being sold for will go into his own pocket. He was happy about that.
"Elder, look at how much they want the Qing Hua Dan." There was something profound and mysterious in Gong Suo Xin’s gaze.
"I thought I gave you three Qing Hua Dans, why are you only auctioning two?" Ling Xian asked.
"Qing Hua Dan has been lost for a very long time. To have it suddenly appear in the market again is a big deal. The Qi Zhen Pavilion needs one. But, Elder, don’t worry. We will pay you for the other Dan at whatever price these two end up going for," Gong Suo Xin explained.
With relish, Ling Xian smiled. Looking at her alluring eyes, he saw right through her.
"You want the Dan so you can try and decipher my recipe?"
章 40: Incontestable
編集者: Rainystars
“Nothing escapes the keen eyes of an Elder.”
Gong Suo Xin grinned seductively, her sensual charms oozed through every inch of her voluptuous figure.
Her manners exuded confidence – no guessing required. Qiong Hua Dan has been lost for generations. It was apparent to all that the entire cultivation community yearned for it. The tremendous powers of the Qing Hua Dan would inspire anyone who possessed it to search for the secret to unlocking its formula and unleashing its spiritual stone.
“Take my advice. Unless the Qi Zhen Pavilion has been hiding alchemists that are gifted decipherers of fragrances, or the most extraordinary alchemists that the world has yet to see, don’t waste your time.” Ling Xian smiled faintly, a spark of confidence danced across his face. The possibility of someone decoding Liao Cang Qiong’s modified formula was a thought Ling Xian refused to entertain.
“I mean you no offense, Elder. The alchemists you speak of only exist in myths. The Qi Zhen Pavilion is home to many gifted alchemists, but I assure you we hide no such talent.” Gong Suo Xin did not protest. In her mind, no one has succeeded in recreating Qiong Hua Dan because no one had seen it. However now, with Qiong Hua Dan safely in her possession, she won’t have to wait long to harness its powers.
What a shame. She was destined to be disappointed.
“Believe what you will.” Ling Xian shooked his head. “I am only interested in the price of the Qing Hua Dan.”
His gaze shifted towards the group of flush-faced cultivators clustered inside the Great Hall. All of whom were powerless to conceal their excitement at the mention of Qiong Hua Dan.
[Such demand… perhaps I should brew a few more.]
Though he quickly rejected the thought. The spiritual stone needs a lot more time to mature.
“Rest assure Elder, you will receive the exact amount the last Qing Hua Dan sold for.” Gong Suo Xin smiled, as suggestively as ever.
Ling Xian did not stir. The first Qing Hua Dan was sold for 38,000 spiritual stones.
His heart skipped a beat. 38,000 spiritual stones! Excessive!
The second Qiong Hua Dan went under the hammer. Deal sealed at 40,000 stones.
As promised, Ling Xian would receive, in spiritual stones, the value of the highest priced bid on the third Qing Hua Dan. For 40,000 plus 40,000 plus 38,000 minus an administrative fee, Ling Xian would receive a total of 110,000 stones.
Ling Xian was pleased. [110,000 spiritual stones for an hour of work, Alchemy is a lucrative career indeed!]
Inside the box, others were becoming green with envy. However, such honor was not reserved for the ordinary, or the unexceptional, or even Master Fang who lingered at the doorstep of becoming an Eighth-Realm Alchemist.
“What an achievement, Elder! Three Qiong Hua Dan for more stones than what an ordinary cultivator would ever see in his entire life,” Ye Xiao Tian cried.
“Good fortunes,” Ling Xian responded softly, “I came upon the formula quite coincidentally.”
“Written in the Cosmos, they have yet to choose me!”
Ling Xian returned a faint smile and returned his gaze towards Gong Suo Xin. “Master of the Pavilion, would you give me a peek into the earthly treasure you spoke of?”
“Do make haste slowly, Elder, all in a moment’s time.”
Before the echoes of voice fell, a dazzling elixir of unearthly beauty exploded out of thin air, and surrounded by spectra of inexplicable tints, dusted under a magnificent glow.
The elixir mirrored the shape of a nine-petal flower. Five petals exuded various hues of brightness while the other four took differing shades of grey, lingering near death.
“The Soul Flower, re-incarnated nine times, is the most elusive elixir. The flower heals and elevates the soul. It is a treasure of both Heaven and Earth. But much to my disappointment, when I came face-to-face with it at the Qi Zhen Pavilion, only five petals bloomed. No one knows why, but its powers are considerably weakened,” explained the middle-aged man.
The Nine-Time Reincarnated Soul Flower!
Every cultivator ever lived has been visited in his dream by this Flower of supreme power.
[Take it!]
It was the voice of Liao Cang Qiong, echoing throughout Ling Xian’s subconscious.
[Yes, Master!] Ling Xian has never heard of the Soul Flower, but upon hearing of its powers on the soul, his eyes brightened. This Flower would be his.
Ling Xian has always dreamed of acquiring a powerful object for Liao Cang Qiong. Which was not an easy feat, so this opportunity was not to be missed!
Most cultivators understood the value of the Soul Flower. Even if they never used it, it could be sold for an immense fortune. This was a risk worth exchanging their entire wealth with.
Master Fang desired the Flower too. However, upon sensing competition from Ling Xian, the Master contemplated a moment, let out a heavy sigh and decided to withdraw from the auction.
Competing against a famed cultivator for the Soul Flower would not be wise.
“Let the bidding begin. 20,000 spiritual stones to start, in 5,000 increments!”
Before his voice trailed off, shouts and mutters exploded across the Great Hall.
“25,000!” A large bearded man shouted.
“What an insulting offer?! 35,000!” A purple-robed young man followed.
In a flash, the price of the Soul Flower escalated to 45,000.
Ling Xian observed the enthusiastic crowd for a while in silence, his eyes sparkling.
“50,000.”
The voice was calm and composed but thunderous to the ears of every bidder in the room. It was apparent to all Ling Xian was determined to win.
“Shhhhhhhhh….”
In the crowd, there was a collective gasp for air. Silence followed.
All eyes fell on Ling Xian.
It’s him?
Cultivators who previously lusting after the Soul Flower suddenly snapped out of their imaginations. Their hope replaced by uncertainty, panic, and fear.
The completion level!
The words rained on the crowd as color began to drain off their faces. A cloud of hesitation rolled across the Great Hall. The cultivators couldn’t help but ponder, “Challenge his bid? He seems perhaps not the worst person to reason with, but how would he react?”
The tension was reaching a boiling point.
Inside the Great Hall, Ling Xian’s softly uttered words suddenly became deadly pairs of invisible hands that firmly grasped every cultivator hostage around their necks, slowly suffocating them by forcing their own unspoken words back down their throats.
No one dared to challenge him.
No one had lost their mind. The one in completion level was evidently not interested in losing.
After a prolonged period of silence, the most persistent of cultivators finally shook their heads and surrendered any attempt at competing with Ling Xian’s proposal.
The cultivation community can be a frightening place. Looting, killing and annihilating of objects and people were common occurrences.
Offending an Elder for an object, even one as invaluable as the Soul Flower, would be considered a foolish act.
“So…” the middle-aged man, seeing the situation, revealed a hint of embarrassment. He glanced over at Gong Suo Xin and narrowed his eyes. With his gaze, he begged her for an intervention.
Gong Suo Xin felt a shooting pain in her chest but managed a smile nonetheless. “I underestimated him. This price he’s offered, who in their right mind would compete with that and risk inviting his wrath?”
Ling Xian paused a moment, unsure of what was happening. Though he quickly recognized the situation: if no one wanted to compete with him, who was he to insist? A great price for the Soul Flower! “There are no other bids, what are you waiting for?”
“O-Of course, the hammer is going down now.” Gong Suo Xin hesitated but quickly regained her composure and signaled the middle-aged man.
Permission granted. The middle-aged man dropped his hammer and announced, “no more bids, the Nine-Time Reincarnated Soul Flower sold to this Elder for 50,000 spiritual stones!”
“Next up, the sixth item up for auction,” the middle-aged man continued. Ling Xian was no longer engaged. He turned and smiled at Gong Suo Xin. “Thank you for gifting me such treasure. I shall not forget.”
Gifting?
Gong Suo Xin felt a twitch in her heart. Perhaps it was bleeding. The Nine-Time Reincarnated Soul Flower, the ultimate symbol of power sought after by all, living or deceased. She sacrificed immensely to acquire it, but now it was gone, sold for peanuts.
Regrettably, the circumstances were sealed.
Ling Xian did not violate any rules of the game, nor deviated from any unspoken customs observed within the cultivation community.
She had no ground to withhold the flower.
She could only lash out in silence at the cowards that called themselves cultivators.
However, who could blame them? Ling Xian was in the completion level, and that made him the supreme master of the City of Qing.
A supreme being without equal!
Who would dare to compete?!
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