Chapter 159: Core Formation Spiritual Item (Please vote with monthly tickets)
Chapter 159: Core Formation Spiritual Item (Please vote with monthly tickets)
In the Southern Barrens Cultivation World, the states of Wu, Mu, and Yue were located in the north, considered remote, rustic lands.
Further north from these three states lay a natural barrier—the Great Dream Marsh!
Journeying south, there were dozens more nations, some as small as the states of Yue and Mu. . . while the largest were far grander than all three combined.
The Yuan Kingdom, for instance, was an immensely vast nation, its area exceeding that of the three states combined, and within it resided a Nascent Soul-level power—the Hunyuan Sect!
The founding ancestor of the Ethereal Valley Sect was once a beloved disciple of a Nascent Soul True Monarch within the Hunyuan Sect. Later, having failed to break through to the Nascent Soul realm, he returned to his homeland disheartened and established the Ethereal Valley Sect's foundation.
"This Ethereal Valley Sect might appear to be a sect, but in reality, it's still controlled by a powerful family. . . That founding ancestor, his surname was You! The You family of Ethereal Valley Sect—they are a Core Formation family, far more esteemed than any Song or Xu clan!"
A hint of envy tinged Luo Gong's voice.
"So that's how it is. . ."
At this moment, Yuan Feihong, who had been feeling bored, also joined in: "It's true that the Ethereal Valley Sect has a Nascent Soul-level sect background. . . but after a thousand years, both the founding ancestor and the Nascent Soul True Monarch have passed away. . . Do you know why the You family can still stand tall, with Core Formation ancestors in every generation?"
"I do not, Yuan-xiong. Please enlighten us."
Knowing Yuan Feihong's temperament, Fang Xi earnestly sought his guidance.
Seeing Luo Gong also looking curious, Yuan Feihong chuckled: "The You family of Ethereal Valley Sect possesses a treasure that safeguards their clan, named—the 'Nine Dragons Pearl'! The might of this pearl is said to be boundless, a top-tier rare treasure bestowed upon his beloved disciple by the former Nascent Soul True Monarch upon his departure. . ."
"This 'Nine Dragons Pearl' can autonomously absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, resembling a cultivator's Qi Sea Dantian. It holds profound mysteries; when a common Qi Refinement cultivator refines it, they can match a Foundation Establishment cultivator. . . And when a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator holds it, it's almost equivalent to a False Core cultivator who has refined a third-order great demon's inner core. . . If it's in the hands of a true Core Formation ancestor, it's like having an additional magical artifact!"
A False Core cultivator!
Such cultivators are those who, after reaching the Grand Perfection of Foundation Establishment, have no hope of forming a Golden Core and are forced to refine a third-order demon king's inner core, reluctantly forming a False Core.
It is said that in terms of strength, divine abilities, and even lifespan, they are not much inferior to early-stage Core Formation cultivators.
However, once they refine a demonic core and advance to a False Core, their cultivation can never progress further in their lifetime; they remain at a realm equivalent to early-stage Core Formation until death.
"There's actually such a divine item?"
Luo Gong's eyes sparkled.
"No wonder the You family has produced Core Formation ancestors for generations. It seems that during a period of transition, they relied on this item to possess strength comparable to False Core cultivators, didn't they?"
Fang Xi also sighed with emotion: "It can be continuously passed down. . . the value of this rare treasure, for a cultivation family, is simply inestimable. . ."
"Indeed, this item is a supreme treasure for a cultivation family, but for a Nascent Soul True Monarch, it might just be a 'chicken rib'—something not very useful but too good to discard. . . Moreover, while a Foundation Establishment cultivator using the 'Nine Dragons Pearl' can match a False Core ancestor, they don't gain the lifespan of Core Formation. . . yet they still retain the possibility of achieving Core Formation themselves."
Yuan Feihong pointed out a flaw of the 'Nine Dragons Pearl' that wasn't quite a flaw.
"Truly worthy of being a top-tier rare treasure!"
Fang Xi sighed: "Such a rare treasure's value is truly inestimable in terms of spirit stones. . ."
After a few more pleasantries, the group each entered their respective private rooms.
Fang Xi looked at the private rooms on the second floor, then glanced at the scattered seats in the main auction hall below, but his gaze did not find Ruan Xing Ling.
Given the presence of so many Foundation Establishment cultivators, he couldn't rashly release his Divine Consciousness to search.
'Perhaps she's disguised, or in one of the private rooms? '
Fang Xi leaned back in his soft chair, his expression relatively relaxed, quietly waiting for the auction to begin.
...
Bang!
With a resounding clang of a gong, this grand auction was, as before, hosted by Ouyang Zhen.
Dressed in his ritual robes, he soared onto the stage, his magical power even more unfathomable than before. His gaze swept across the entire hall: "Welcome, everyone, to this grand auction. The first item up for bid is. . ."
Fang Xi glanced at the items below, letting out a yawn.
The first item to appear was a mid-grade spiritual artifact flying sword, quite excellent in all its attributes.
Alas, he already possessed an offensive spiritual artifact, and he hadn't prepared many spirit stones for today, needing to save them for purchasing a defensive spiritual artifact.
Compared to ten years ago, the scale and treasures of this grand auction were quite similar.
Fang Xi even saw a second-order artifact refining inheritance manual!
Unfortunately, his talent in the path of artifact refining was negligible, so he couldn't be bothered to bid.
Not to mention artifact refining, the second-order talisman crafting inheritance jade slip given to him by Chen Ping was still gathering dust in his storage bag!
His current energy was entirely focused on puppetry, formations, and alchemy. With daily cultivation on top of that, he truly had no other free time.
"The next item up for bid. . . is a mid-grade defensive spiritual artifact—the 'Five Elements Shield Armor'!"
Time passed, though Fang Xi knew not how much, when Ouyang Zhen's deep voice instantly piqued his interest.
On the auction stage, Ouyang Zhen was displaying a peculiar small round shield in his hand. Five colorful spirit pearls, each representing one of the five elements, were embedded at five points on the jet-black shield.
"This 'Five Elements Shield Armor' was crafted by Master Ou Ye. . . It can transform into five-element light armor and possesses considerable defensive power against all five-element spells!"
Ouyang Zhen casually poured a stream of magical power into it, and the small round shield vibrated, suddenly transforming into a layer of five-colored light armor that enveloped his entire body.
"In terms of defensive power. . . it's only slightly inferior to a second-order low-grade spiritual armor!"
"And if it transforms into its shield form, its defensive power far exceeds that of a general low-grade defensive spiritual artifact. . ."
Ouyang Zhen was speaking eloquently, but his final bid exposed its true nature: "Mid-grade spiritual artifact—the Five Elements Shield Armor, starting bid nine hundred spirit stones, each increment must not be less than fifty spirit stones!"
'It seems to be a failed work by Master Ou Ye. . . '
Fang Xi also recognized Master Ou Ye; he was a second-order superior-grade artifact refiner in White Peace Immortal City.
However, this spiritual artifact was likely made in pursuit of a certain concept. Although it reached the mid-grade spiritual artifact level, its actual defensive power was still only around that of a low-grade spiritual artifact, naturally preventing it from garnering much favor.
Fang Xi recalled that during the last grand auction, the mid-grade spiritual artifact, the Jade Cloud Five Mist Veil, was sold for one thousand four hundred spirit stones.
But this time, he only raised the bid twice before acquiring the 'Five Elements Shield Armor' for one thousand two hundred spirit stones.
Foundation Establishment cultivators were all clever; it was truly a waste to buy a low-grade spiritual artifact at the price of a mid-grade one.
However, Fang Xi felt that while the armor's transformation into five-element light armor had weaker defensive power, it was still quite compatible with his own Martial God Dao.
Its high defensive power against five-element spells was also a good advantage.
After all, most cultivators used five-element spells.
After this one bid, he didn't have much interest in the remaining auction items.
He watched as various formations, spirit pets, ores, and rare items were sought after, selling for high prices.
Finally, it came to the culminating segment, which he had not attended last time!
"For this finale, the first item up for bid is—one bottle of 'Dragon Serpent Baleful Qi,' one 'Essence Augmentation Pill,' and one 'Spirit Egress Talisman,' auctioned as a set, with a starting bid of two thousand five hundred spirit stones, each increment must not be less than one hundred!"
Ouyang Zhen smiled faintly and had a maidservant present a tray, instantly capturing the attention of the entire hall.
Especially those Qi Refinement cultivators who had not yet reached Foundation Establishment, their eyes filled with fervent eagerness as they gazed at the set of three treasures.
The Dragon Serpent Baleful Qi was pure baleful energy, capable of assisting cultivators in body tempering, while the Essence Augmentation Pill could temporarily cause one's magical power to surge!
As for the 'Spirit Egress Talisman,' though it was only a second-order superior-grade item, its crafting difficulty was comparable to some third-order talismans. It was an exceedingly rare and special talisman, capable of helping Qi Refinement cultivators temporarily condense their Divine Consciousness!
With these three treasures combined, cultivators at the Grand Perfection of Qi Refinement could increase their chances of Foundation Establishment by at least over twenty percent!
In terms of efficacy, it was almost on par with the inferior-grade Foundation Establishment Pill in Fang Xi's possession, except it lacked the Foundation Establishment Pill's special effect of ensuring survival during the breakthrough.
"What's going on? Weren't such Foundation Establishment spiritual items usually saved for the very end of the finale? Why are they so early today?"
Instantly, the crowd of cultivators stirred, and many began to bid one after another:
"Two thousand six hundred spirit stones!"
"Three thousand spirit stones!"
"Three thousand one hundred. . ."
...
Fang Xi watched with keen interest, enjoying the myriad expressions of the rogue Qi Refinement cultivators below.
Their life's savings might not even be enough to purchase one Foundation Establishment Pill; their only hope lay in Foundation Establishment spiritual items.
Now, this set was almost equivalent to more than half a Foundation Establishment Pill, so its price naturally soared, ultimately selling for a high price of five thousand spirit stones, acquired by a female cultivator in a private room on the second floor.
Because the other party had altered her voice, Fang Xi couldn't confirm if the woman was Ruan Xing Ling.
'I'm aware of Peach Blossom Island's finances; Ruan Xing Ling shouldn't have that many spirit stones, right? '
Fang Xi sat still, quietly awaiting the second culminating item.
"One authentic Foundation Establishment Pill, starting bid three thousand spirit stones, each increment must not be less than one hundred. . ."
Sure enough, Ouyang Zhen took out another jade bottle. Through its translucent body, one could see a pill emitting a vibrant blue halo within.
"It's actually a Foundation Establishment Pill? !"
"Wasn't this item supposed to be last?"
The Foundation Establishment cultivators on the second floor also began to chatter amongst themselves, but this didn't deter them from bidding.
The Foundation Establishment Pill was even more sought after than the previous Foundation Establishment spiritual item, its price soaring straight to six thousand, eventually being acquired by You Chong of Ethereal Valley Sect for a high price of seven thousand eight hundred spirit stones.
Fang Xi watched this scene, pressing his eyelids.
He naturally knew that while the Foundation Establishment Pill had a starting bid of three thousand, it practically always sold for at least double that price at every auction.
Occasionally, when a customer was in urgent need, it would even sell for over ten thousand spirit stones.
"Next, is the final item of this auction!"
Ouyang Zhen's expression turned serious as he suddenly formed a hand seal.
Buzz!
Around the auction stage, a crimson light barrier suddenly rose, completely enveloping him in protection.
Inside the auction hall, the atmosphere abruptly grew tense.
Even Fang Xi was greatly interested in this final, culminating item.
Ouyang Zhen solemnly held out a long-necked white jade bottle, stating in a deep voice: "A bottle of the heavenly and earthly marvel, 'Profound Water Liquid,' capable of slightly increasing the Core Formation probability for cultivators at the Grand Perfection of Foundation Establishment, starting bid ten thousand spirit stones. . ."
"What?"
You Chong, who had just acquired the Foundation Establishment Pill, abruptly stood up, his expression deeply moved, staring with a hint of greed at the long-necked jade bottle in Ouyang Zhen's hand.
Almost all Foundation Establishment cultivators present lost their composure, staring dumbfounded: "It's actually a Core Formation spiritual item! ?"
Core Formation!
This was an even more arduous hurdle in cultivation than Foundation Establishment. Once Core Formation was successfully achieved, one could establish a sect, become an ancestor, and gain a lifespan of five hundred years!
Alas, among the nearby three states, there was simply no precious pill, like the 'Foundation Establishment Pill,' that could reliably increase the probability of Core Formation.
Essentially, those few Core Formation cultivators, including the rogue cultivator True Monarch Bai Feng, all succeeded in forming their cores through various fortuitous encounters while traveling through different nations; their experiences were impossible to replicate.
It was precisely for this reason that Core Formation sects would face situations where their Core Formation ancestors were absent, leading to their subsequent decline.
This was the nightmare of all Core Formation sects!
To collect Core Formation spiritual items, these major powers would often spare no cost!
"'Profound Water Liquid'. . . I seem to have seen this item mentioned in ancient texts. . . It can only slightly increase a cultivator's Core Formation probability, not even half a percent, it seems."
A Foundation Establishment cultivator murmured.
"With the grand Dao of Core Formation before us, even a one-percent or one-thousandth-percent chance is something we must strive for, let alone half a percent?"
Yellow Sand Daoist's voice was like a broken gong, his face contorted with a fierce expression.
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