Chapter 132: Chapter 122: Returning to the Old Trade

For him, it was a different story. Reborn into a new life and possessing a special advantage, he had formed the Yin Yang Dao Foundation, so breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Stage was a matter of course.

Although Zhu Yiqun was a Loose Cultivator, his origins were mysterious—even Song Changsheng couldn’t see through him. He was a rare Medicinal Chef with outstanding talent and had even formed a Dao Foundation of the Great Dao. It seemed only natural that he would also break through to the Foundation Establishment Stage.

And as for Zhuang Yuechan, there was even less to say. She was a disciple of the Great City Lord, a peerlessly talented individual with access to vast cultivation resources. It would have been more surprising if she *hadn’t* broken through to the Foundation Establishment Stage, wouldn’t it?

After considering everyone, only Xu Yunhe had the most ordinary background. He was just a somewhat talented Loose Cultivator—not a reincarnator with a cheat like Song Changsheng, not a prodigy like Zhu Yiqun, and certainly not backed by a powerful master like Zhuang Yuechan.

Yet, despite his crippled body, he had managed to keep pace with all of them. Only he could truly understand the hardships he must have endured.

Song Changsheng suddenly felt a strong urge to find them all and gather for drinks and good conversation. ’That would be a wonderful scene,’ he thought.

’Fellow Daoist Xu is training in the Hundred Thousand Mountains, and Fellow Daoist Zhuang is on Celestial Sound Mountain. They’re both nearby. I just don’t know where that damn fatty went, or if he ever found his master.’ Song Changsheng frowned slightly, a flicker of worry in his heart.

"Young Clan Leader, are we still going to the West Market today?"

Song Qingluo’s voice pulled him from his thoughts. He nodded. "Of course. We had a good haul last time."

The rewards from his last visit had given Song Changsheng a taste for more. The first thing he wanted to do after emerging from seclusion was go "treasure hunting" in the West Market.

The two set out shortly after. This time, they didn’t linger on Celestial Sound Mountain and went straight to the West Market.

But whether his judgment was off or his luck had run out, he didn’t find a single treasure after making a full circuit. He did, however, pick out a few small trinkets for Song Qingluo as a reward.

Song Changsheng was slightly discouraged by the result, but he quickly came to terms with it. His luck last time had simply been explosive, finding two treasures at a single stall.

A person’s luck can’t be good forever. It would be stranger if he could reap such rewards every time he came.

Once he understood this, Song Changsheng stopped obsessing over finding hidden gems and instead focused on buying general cultivation supplies. He paid special attention to the materials needed for the Five Beasts Body Refining Technique: a Monkey Heart, a Bi Fang Feather, a Flood Dragon Scale, and a White Tiger Fang.

His cultivation of the Earth Dragon Flipping Over Painting was nearing the stage of Great Success, and he urgently needed to comprehend the Body Forging Method for the next illustration.

The results, however, were less than ideal. The Bi Fang Feather and Flood Dragon Scale were exceedingly rare; no one had seen them in a long time.

Monkey Hearts were more common, but they weren’t Artifact Refining Materials. Cultivators who hunted Demon Apes usually just discarded them, so no one would bring them to the market to sell.

One stall owner did suggest he try looking in the large eateries. After all, while a Monkey Heart couldn’t be used for Artifact Refining, a Spirit Chef could transform it into a rare delicacy. He would most likely be able to find one there.

Although the man had a point, Song Changsheng didn’t plan on doing that unless it was an absolute last resort.

He did have his pride, after all...

After asking the stall owners to keep an eye out for these items, Song Changsheng left the West Market with Song Qingluo.

On the way back, he suddenly noticed a crowd ahead, packed so densely that they completely blocked the path. The once-spacious street didn’t have a single opening for him to squeeze through.

The airspace was clear, but unfortunately, there was a city-wide flight ban in Luoxia City. He had no desire to challenge the rules set by the City Lord’s Mansion.

"What’s going on up there? Why is everyone gathered around?" Song Changsheng asked, pointing at the crowd.

Song Qingluo glanced up and smiled. "You must have forgotten, Young Clan Leader. That’s the auction house I mentioned to you."

"Why would so many people be gathered in front of the auction house?" Song Changsheng’s curiosity was piqued.

"I’ll go see." Song Qingluo volunteered to investigate. He returned a moment later, his face flushed with excitement. "Young Clan Leader, the auction house put out an announcement." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

"An announcement?"

"That’s right. The auction house is holding a grand auction before the Great City Lord’s birthday. They’ve just released a preview of some of the auction items, and everyone’s gathered here to talk about it." Song Qingluo’s excitement was palpable. If Song Changsheng weren’t there, he probably would have joined the discussion himself.

Seeing his reaction, Song Changsheng couldn’t help but chuckle. "What kind of treasures have gotten everyone so worked up?"

"So many! There are Tier Three Spirit Pills, Tier Three Attack Talismans, Heart Method inheritances, and even a legendary Magical Treasure!" Song Qingluo told Song Changsheng, his expression animated.

"A Magical Treasure?" The words hit Song Changsheng like a physical blow. A Magical Treasure was actually being auctioned off? ’You have to be kidding me.’

Magical Treasures were a tier above Spiritual Artifacts, as they had given birth to an Artifact Spirit. A typical Purple Mansion Cultivator would be lucky to own just one; having two was a sign of immense wealth.

The Song Clan had produced two Purple Mansion Cultivators and possessed Magical Treasures of its own. Each one was a clan-defining treasure. Over the years, even in their most difficult times, the Song Clan had never considered selling one.

It wasn’t just the Song Clan; no Purple Mansion Influence would ever do something so utterly insane.

’No wonder so many people are gathered here,’ Song Changsheng mused. ’A Magical Treasure... something an ordinary person might not see once in their entire life. This auction house must have some serious backing.’

"And that’s not even the grand finale!" Song Qingluo dropped another bombshell, one so shocking it left Song Changsheng reeling.

’A Magical Treasure isn’t even the finale? There’s something even more precious?’ Song Changsheng was secretly astounded. He could already imagine how spectacular the day of the auction would be.

"Unfortunately, the auction house is keeping the information about the final item under tight wraps. Not a single rumor has leaked out, so everyone’s just guessing what it could be," Song Qingluo said with a regretful shrug.

His curiosity piqued, Song Changsheng asked, "What are the requirements to attend the auction?"

"There are three ways to get in. First, you need to possess over 10,000 Spirit Stones. They’ll verify it, and then you can enter.

Second, anyone whose Cultivation is at the Foundation Establishment Stage or higher can also attend.

And third, you can get in if you’ve received an invitation from the auction house." Song Qingluo’s tone turned dejected. He didn’t meet any of the criteria. It seemed his plan to go inside and broaden his horizons was a bust; he couldn’t even get through the door.

But his excitement returned in an instant. "Young Clan Leader, you’re a Foundation Establishment Cultivator! You can attend!"

Song Changsheng just shook his head with a wry smile. With the few Spirit Stones he had on him, he’d be lucky to even make an opening bid.

While they were talking, the crowd of Cultivators blocking the road finally began to disperse. The buzz about the auction house, however, remained as lively as ever. It was easy to predict that news of the event would soon spread throughout Luoxia City and even to more distant lands.

"Let’s go. It’s time to head back."

Song Changsheng called out and prepared to head back to the general store. As they passed the auction house, he glanced at it curiously and saw a massive beast hide hanging outside. It listed over a hundred treasures that would appear at the auction, complete with illustrations.

The Magical Treasure and Tier Three Spirit Pills that Song Qingluo had mentioned were featured prominently in the first and most conspicuous column, followed by items like Spiritual Artifacts and Hundred Arts Inheritances.

It was only a casual glance driven by curiosity, but his eyes were soon drawn to an item listed near the end: a "Tier Two White Tiger Skeleton."

According to the accompanying illustration, it was a complete skeleton, which included the White Tiger Fang that Song Changsheng needed.

Song Changsheng’s gaze immediately turned fervent. While a White Tiger wasn’t on par with a Flood Dragon or a Bi Fang, it was still a rare and precious Exotic Beast. He had asked around everywhere for one without a single lead, never expecting it to appear at an auction.

’Looks like I have to participate now, whether I want to or not. If I miss this, I’ll regret it forever. But a complete Tier Two White Tiger Skeleton will definitely be expensive, and its price will be even higher at an auction. I guess I’ll have to find a way to earn some Spirit Stones.’

Song Changsheng stroked his chin, finally resolving to make some money by falling back on his old trade: Artifact Refining.

...