The bidder sat in a corner of the cabin, similarly draped in a gray robe and wearing a wooden mask. He not only concealed his breath so that no one could discern his cultivation base, but also concealed his height and physique. Only Meng Qi and Yan Wuwo knew that he was Ji Feihong, the Supreme Elder of the Ji Clan from Zhongzhou, a name listed on the Earth List. However, upon arrival, signs of slight physical and spiritual decay were already evident.
For an expert who had reached the External Scenery realm, even if their outward appearance was aged and their breath decayed, their physical body and spirit wouldn’t show obvious signs of deterioration unless nearing death, and their strength would remain largely unchanged. Conversely, once signs of physical and spiritual decay appeared, it meant the External Scenery expert was nearing the end of their life.
No wonder he was willing to part with a top-tier treasure weapon! Yan Wuwo sighed inwardly.
A Supreme Treasure Weapon represented the pinnacle of treasure-grade arms, equivalent to a “Half-Step Dharma Body” in the External Scenery realm. Ordinary External Scenery experts were incapable of refining or nurturing such weapons. The most formidable among them even exhibited traits akin to divine arms—exceptionally powerful and difficult to gauge. Thus, Yan Wuwo believed that Ji Feihong’s Supreme Treasure Weapon, the “Moonfall Staff,” was not self-cultivated but rather acquired through a stroke of serendipity.
For Yan Wuwo, even without taking into account the convenience of the Six Paths system—which enabled stable and effortless exchanges of similar items for mere merit points—encountering a supreme treasure weapon would still stir up feelings of greed!
After Ji Feihong placed his bid, he remained calm and composed under the scrutinizing gazes of the other experts. What did a dying man have to fear besides the inability to obtain a longevity pill?
Meng Qi was deeply moved but maintained his composure, believing the price wouldn’t stop here. For these External Scenery experts with remaining lifespans ranging from thirty years to mere months, nothing was more important than prolonging their lives!
As expected, the aged and gloomy voice of the Fengdian Divine Envoy rang out again: “Still the previous 14 rare treasures and the high-grade treasure weapon Chengying Sword, but now adding one more secret treasure from the Ninth Heaven, the Weiwu Huoxin Mirror.”
Adding another secret treasure from the Ninth Heaven—truly worthy of being called an immortal old man with immense wealth!
If not for having seen divine weapons before, Meng Qi felt he might not have been able to suppress his rising emotions. In his view, the current price should already be the limit for the Dongji Changsheng Pill. Even with a conservative estimate, unless it was the Six Paths system buying at a fraction of the price, the items offered by Fengdian Divine Envoy were worth over 30,000 merit points!
This thought made even Meng Qi, who usually had ample merit points, feel his head spinning—30,000 merit points! If there were a few more such deals, wouldn’t he be able to repair the Xuan Shui Dang Mo Flag? The divine weapon he obtained didn’t require completing tasks!
However, this thought was fleeting. Meng Qi knew such good fortune would only happen once because the current atmosphere and the unprecedented appearance of the Dongji Changsheng Pill led the gathered experts to subconsciously believe there were only two such pills in existence, necessitating a high price to acquire them. If another pill appeared, they would suspect a stable and reliable source of Dongji Changsheng Pills, making it unnecessary to compete impulsively. At that point, the price would drop by more than half.
Of course, given their remaining lifespans and the fact that longevity pills were always scarce and only effective the first time, even a few more Dongji Changsheng Pills could fetch a decent price, though not the current terrifying profit margin. Each pill might only earn a few thousand merit points, and the more sold, the lower the profit per pill, while the risk of exposure increased.
Fengdian Divine Envoy’s opening bid caused the cabin to fall into a silence as thick as ice. This price somewhat exceeded their limits. Although they could probably scrape together similar value items if they tried hard enough, was it really worth it?
There were still other longevity pills like the Shengsheng Zao Hua Pill and the Zi Wu Jin Kui Powder. As long as they could acquire one or two, even if not as good as the Dongji Changsheng Pill, the overall effect wouldn’t be much different!
When given choices, everyone hesitated, weighed their options, and were reluctant to pay too high a price.
Meng Qi had anticipated this situation. Unless there were truly only two Dongji Changsheng Pills, it would inevitably unfold this way. If there were indeed only two, the experts would likely fight fiercely, possibly even coming to blows in the end. With their strength and numbers, Yan Wuwo definitely couldn’t suppress them, and the conflict might even affect himself. Therefore, either there needed to be enough longevity pills for most invitees to gain some benefit, or they would have to call upon a Dharma Body expert for help.
As for inviting a Heavenly Venerable, aside from the fact that he might currently be unavailable and the necessary compensation, the sheer amount of favors consumed might not even be worth the profit from the Dongji Changsheng Pill.
How many experts in the world desired a favor from a Dharma Body expert!
Dharma Bodies weren’t selfless altruists who would eagerly help at the slightest request. Even the Celestial Venerable Lingbao, unless it concerned matters of the Immortal Trace, would require Meng Qi to expend hidden favors to ask for help—favors stemming from exposing the Heavenly Emperor’s conspiracy, helping him escape calamity, and counterattacking his opponents… Meng Qi silently thought, then indifferently spoke: “Will anyone offer a higher price? After three counts, if no one responds, the Dongji Changsheng Pill will go to this Daoist friend.”
The cabin remained thick with tension, only the Fengdian Divine Envoy’s slightly heavy breathing audible.
“One…”
Silence, still silence.
“Two…”
After a long silence, seeing Meng Qi pick up the jade vial containing the Dongji Changsheng Pill, Fengdian Divine Envoy held his breath, waiting for the sound of “three.” Once obtained, he would immediately swallow it like the old ghost of the Zhang family, merely not lifting his mask or revealing his identity!
“Wait a moment.” Suddenly, a voice broke through the oppressive atmosphere.
Fengdian Divine Envoy couldn’t hide his anger and killing intent as he turned to look at the speaker.
The one who spoke also used a gray robe, wooden mask, and personal secret techniques to conceal his breath and figure. He didn’t even glance at Fengdian Divine Envoy: “Li Huo Cao… these thirteen rare treasures, plus a high-grade treasure weapon, ‘Wandu Cuihun Needle.’”
At this point, he paused.
By the current valuation, he was far behind Fengdian Divine Envoy, so everyone believed the item he would mention next must be extremely valuable.
“A naturally formed supreme secret treasure—the ‘Dinghai Pearl’!” The man took a deep breath before resolutely declaring, as though afraid he might regret it.
What? Dinghai Zhu? Meng Qi was genuinely startled. The Dinghai Zhu from the Fengshen world? The Dinghai Zhu of the True Lord Zhao Gongming, the God of Wealth?
This could be considered an unparalleled divine weapon, right?
Yan Wuwo, as the “Taiyi Immortal” of the Immortal Trace, naturally had extensive knowledge of the Fengshen world, so he was clearly shocked, his breath slightly fluctuating.
The bidder, fearing the gathered experts might not understand, lowered his voice to explain: “This is a rare treasure grown over ten thousand years in the depths of the Eastern Sea. It contains Primordial Chaos Qi within, is extremely heavy, and due to its weight, seems capable of calming the ocean’s surges, hence named Dinghai Zhu. It can serve as the main material for refining divine weapons or be used directly as a secret treasure. When thrown, it emits five-colored rays that confuse one’s senses, crushing opponents with its weight.”
“However, if used as a secret treasure, since it hasn’t fully matured, it can only be used a few times.”
Specifically how many times, he hadn’t used it himself, so naturally couldn’t explain clearly.
As both the primary material for divine weapons and a rare treasure comparable to a supreme-grade treasure weapon, its value was truly immense, far exceeding the offering from the Divine Wind Envoy! Many experts who had been hesitant earlier ultimately withdrew. This price was simply beyond reach—better to invest in other longevity elixirs!
Meng Qi was also very satisfied with this price. One major strength of his “Bajiu Xuangong” lay in physical power. Whether it was the Yuxi Qingyuan Sword Technique, the Qitian Daohai Staff Technique, or even the Datiri Lai Sword Technique, they all contained techniques emphasizing strength, with the Qitian Daohai Staff Technique being the most pure. The Dinghai Zhu’s characteristic perfectly complemented this. In the future, it could be used to elevate and refine his treasure weapons into divine weapon prototypes. Before that, it could still serve as a protective secret treasure for a couple of uses!
“Will anyone offer a higher price?” Meng Qi struggled to keep his tone even.
“Three…”
Fengdian Divine Envoy’s breathing quickened, and he glared maliciously at the latecomer.
“Two…”
Fengdian Divine Envoy took a light breath, once again appearing decayed and indifferent.
Witnessing this scene, Patriarch Zhang Duan of the Zhang family felt the medicinal effects permeating through his body, nourishing his flesh and Yuan Shen (Primordial Spirit), warm and comforting. He sighed inwardly; without such favors, he likely wouldn’t have obtained the Elixir of Longevity and would have had to make do with inferior life-extending pills.
But where did this favor come from?
“Deal!” Meng Qi was very pleased that everything went smoothly without any mishaps.
The successful bidder took a step forward, appearing before the semi-high platform. First, he produced thirteen radiant rare treasures, followed by a small blue needle.
Finally, he took out a black box from his Jiezi Ring. The surrounding space immediately emitted creaking sounds, as if shrinking.
With the strength of a Grandmaster, he was still forced to sink an inch into the deck before delivering the box.
Meng Qi glanced at Yan Wuwo, receiving covert support. He used both hands to accept the box, immediately feeling a weight sufficient to crush him. His wrists trembled, nearly dropping the box.
It probably weighed five or six thousand jin, and the leaking Primordial Chaos Qi made it difficult for him to draw on the power of heaven and earth… Meng Qi thought while opening the box.
Inside the box lay a thumb-sized pearl, faintly emitting five-colored rays, containing swirling chaos within, as if various images were being displayed, like a world.
Within the five-colored rays, the bidder’s hands, not yet withdrawn into his sleeves, were illuminated, revealing nine fingers and a broken stump, the break exhibiting a deep blue crystalline luster.
The hands quickly retracted, vanishing in an instant. Meng Qi didn’t pay much attention, but in a certain place, another expert suddenly leaned forward slightly!
Indeed, it was similar to the real Dinghai Zhu, but still far from fully formed… Meng Qi made a brief assessment, then stored the Dinghai Zhu away, handing the Dongji Changsheng Pill to the nine-fingered person.
The nine-fingered person also imitated the Zhang Patriarch but didn’t lift his wooden mask, swallowing the pill directly through the opening.
Afterward, Meng Qi began auctioning the Shengsheng Zao Hua Pill and other longevity elixirs. Due to their relatively sufficient quantity, each person present managed to acquire quite a few, feeling satisfied without leaving empty-handed and resorting to desperate measures.
Without the thrill of risk, after the auction ended, the Zhang Patriarch and others successively took their leave, not staying to chat and avoiding any unexpected developments.
Soon, only Meng Qi and Yan Wuwo remained at this location.
“Return the portion to this old man after returning,” Yan Wuwo wasn’t in a hurry, secretly transmitting his voice.
Even as fellow members of the “Immortal Trace,” Meng Qi still kept a clear account and provided compensation.
Meng Qi nodded. Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly heard Yan Wuwo speak again: “Just now, Ruan San transmitted a message to this old man, asking who bought the second Dongji Changsheng Pill.”
“Ruan San?” Meng Qi was quite puzzled. Why would he care about this? The Ruan family should have no shortage of Dongji Changsheng Pills!
“Yes, Ruan San’s attitude was somewhat strange,” Yan Wuwo said.
Meng Qi furrowed his brow: “Senior, do you recognize the nine-fingered person who bought the second Changsheng Pill?”
Because he had deliberately spent 4,000 merit points from the Six Paths system to obtain disposable masks and robes as a cost (to be deducted from the profits of the Wanxiang Gate), the true identities of everyone were only known to Meng Qi and Yan Wuwo. But now, recalling the situation, Yan Wuwo hadn’t introduced who the nine-fingered person was, and he himself had also disguised his appearance to attend!
“He held an invitation meant for the Three Immortal Islands of the Eastern Sea, but he was definitely not an External Scenery expert from the Three Immortal Islands. I assumed they had some private dealings, so I didn’t ask,” Yan Wuwo slowly explained.
In other words, Yan Wuwo also didn’t know who he was!
This place wasn’t suitable for prolonged stay. After exchanging a few words, the two immediately separated, each flying in a different direction.
When the two were about to disappear from the horizon, the sea below suddenly rippled, revealing a decaying black shadow—it was indeed the Fengdian Divine Envoy of the Luo Sect.
He looked in the direction Meng Qi had left, his gaze deep and cold as he thought:
“Longevity pills are precious, but uncovering their source is even more important!”
“He actually managed to escape despite being secretly locked onto by my secret technique!”
He concealed his form and silently pursued.
In other directions, several other experts also harbored similar intentions.
After flying for a while, Fengdian Divine Envoy suddenly froze, his mind filled with disbelief:
“He disappeared?”
“He actually disappeared!”
The auction host actually, actually, actually vanished inexplicably under his own secret technique’s lock!
This is simply unbelievable!
……
The verdant mountains stretch far and wide, with secluded paths winding through, where ancient temples emerge and fade into view.
Meng Qi clasped his hands together and smiled faintly, saying, “Bodhisattva, this junior has come to comprehend the essence of the Divine Palm!”
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