Chapter 103

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Chapter 103: Plastic Bone Pill

Yunzhong City

On the fifth day of the Centennial Celebration, Lin Jiang followed Lin Batian to the auction house. This was the highest-level auction in the Yunzhong City Centennial Celebration, jointly hosted by the Cloud Sword Sect and the Zhonghang Sect. It operated by invitation only, and each invitee could only bring a maximum of two companions.

Lin Die knew that Lin Jiang needed the Plastic Bone Pill to rebuild his foundation, so he directly took away the spot of another member of the Lin family. This made Lin Jiang feel extremely guilty, knowing that he had offended someone. He realized that he could no longer go back to the Lin family.

The top auction had very few people, not more than fifty. Everyone casually found a place to sit down, and a female Nascent Soul from the Cloud Sword Sect served as the auctioneer.

"In this Yunzhong City Centennial Celebration, there’s a new face, Lin Batian from Anhua City, a friend of the Taoist…"

As soon as the Cloud Sword Sect’s Nascent Soul arrived, she introduced Lin Batian to everyone in the small circle. They were all acquaintances, and it was mostly necessary to be introduced by someone from within the circle. It was difficult for unfamiliar Nascent Souls from other states to enter. Lin Batian was introduced by Ouyang Qing from the Zhonghang Sect.

Lin Batian’s action of repelling the Wolf King in the northern Wilderness had spread. Many Nascent Souls from the two sects showed goodwill towards Lin Batian. One reason was to acknowledge his strength, and the other was to express gratitude. Lin Batian’s action had resolved the crisis in the two sects’ northern stronghold.

Lin Jiang saw Wen Xing at the auction. After hitching himself to Li Ruoxu’s thigh, Wen Xing had indeed risen and become a golden core cultivator. He had a female cultivator by his side, who should be Li Ruoxu’s daughter. Her appearance wasn’t particularly remarkable, but she seemed very gentle. Her eyes occasionally glanced at Wen Xing, and all her attention was on him.

"Women with love-struck minds are really scary."

Lin Jiang sighed. He would occasionally hear news about Li Xianxian, the daughter of Wen Xing and Li Ruoxu. Wen Xing used to be quite flirtatious, but he has toned down after getting married. However, he still occasionally flirts with other women. On the other hand, Li Xianxian is known for having many romantic affairs. Just thinking about their stories, one can easily imagine what’s going on.

"Do you know Wen Xing?"

Lin Die noticed Lin Jiang’s gaze drifting towards Li Ruoxu and asked, as she believed that Lin Jiang couldn’t possibly know Li Ruoxu.

"No, but I’ve heard of him. He’s an exemplary independent farmer."

Lin Jiang laughed and replied. Wen Xing has become the role model for independent farmers, or I should say, for men in general. It doesn’t matter if he is promiscuous or has offended numerous people. As long as he can network well and take advantage of others, that’s even more impressive.

Many men curse Wen Xing with their words, but secretly, they fantasize about becoming the next Wen Xing.

"I don’t have high hopes for Wen Xing. If Li Xianxian dies before Li Ruoxu, it’s okay. But if Li Ruoxu dies before her, Li Xianxian will suffer greatly."

"Li Ruoxu is a skilled alchemist. It’s extremely easy for him to make life-prolonging treasures. It’s normal for him to outlive Li Xianxian."

"We shouldn’t meddle in other people’s affairs. When the time comes, don’t make any offers. If there’s something needed, I’ll handle it without drawing too much attention."

"Good"

Lin Jiang nodded. As someone in the beginning stage of learning, it was already good for him to be able to come here. Don’t expect to make a big splash.

The auction had already begun, but it felt more like a gathering than a typical auction. Besides the organizers offering items for auction, individuals among the attendees could also offer items for auction, with no commission fees.

"Both of our families’ items have been auctioned off. Now it’s time for personal transactions. Lin Batian, my Taoist friend, this is your first time joining our auction. How about you take the lead?"

"Sure, I’ll start by throwing this out as a way to get the ball rolling."

Lin Batian revealed a bloodied claw, which caused an uproar among the crowd.

"Taoist Friend Lin, is that the claw of the fourth rank Wolf King?"

"Absolutely, it’s from the Wolf King north of the Yunzhong Mountain Range."

"That’s the Moon Howling Heavenly Wolf, a naturally rare species. Impressive, Taoist Friend Lin."

"Please give your bid now, and save your praise for later."

Lin Batian laughed out loud. He was known for his strength and had shocked the entire crowd by cutting off one of the claws of the powerful Wolf King, a Moon Howling Heavenly Wolf. This level of power was rare even among those in the Nascent Soul stage.

Lin Batian received several messages and ultimately decided to give the wolf claw to a Nascent Soul cultivator from the Cloud Sword Sect. The claw, belonging to a fourth stage Wolf King, was perfect for refining. The Cloud Sword Sect was known for their sword cultivation, but they were also adept at refining.

"Taoist Friend Lin, do you have any items to auction?"

"Let’s see what treasures our fellow taoist friends have first."

"Very well, who would like to go next, taoist friend?"

The Nascent Soul cultivator from the Cloud Sword Sect nodded and looked at the crowd. Seeing no one stepping forward, she turned her gaze towards Ouyang Qing. As Nascent Souls from the two major sects, they were responsible for creating a lively atmosphere and avoiding any awkward silence.

"Then, I’ll go next. I have a bit of Moonlight Sand, around half a pound. I would like to exchange it for a Spirit Fire Seed. Any taoist friend willing to trade?"

"The Cloud Sword Sect guarantees the authenticity of the Moonlight Sand."

After Ouyang Qing finished speaking, the Nascent Soul of the Cloud Sword Sect checked the things from Ouyang Qing’s hand. They can guarantee that if there is a problem, they will compensate. Of course, in general, there will be no problem because if a cultivator buys a fake item, it’s not as simple as returning it for a refund. They will draw their swords at the first sign of trouble.

"I have a spirit of earth fire, would Ouyang Taoist friend like to exchange?"

"Do you want the fire of the wood spirit?"

"Do you want the demon fire extracted from a fourth-order monster?"

"·····"

Some people spoke up and some transmitted their voices. The scene immediately became lively. Moonlight Sand is an extremely high-end crafting material that has great use when added to treasures. It is almost a necessity for high-level cultivators.

"Does Taoist friend Ouyang want a spirit fire for attack?"

Seeing that none of the suggested spirit fires satisfied everyone, Li Ruoxu spoke up.

"Taoist Friend Li is right."

"It seems that Taoist Friend Ouyang has set his sights on the Red Lotus Karma Fire in my hands."

"Taoist Friend Li joked, saying that trading is a mutual agreement."

"I have had this Red Lotus Karma Fire for 150 years, but I have been unable to refine it. Since Taoist Friend Ouyang is interested, I will fulfill his wish."

Li Ruoxu thought for a moment and realized that Ouyang Qing should not be the one to refine the spiritual fire. The Red Lotus Karma Fire is an aggressive type of spiritual fire, volatile and unstable, not suitable for alchemy but more suitable for battles.

The trade was completed quickly, and soon it was Li Ruoxu’s turn. Li Ruoxu had brought many things with him; he was an alchemist and had many valuable items.

"Endless Energy Pill, a sixth-grade pill…"

"Nine Transformations Golden Yuan Pill…"

"Cleansing Dust Pill…"

Li Ruoxu took out bottle after bottle of pills, and many people’s eyes widened. These pills were all at least fifth-grade pills, even those at the Nascent Soul stage desperately needed them.

Everyone quickly started bidding, but this time it was not public. They communicated through whispers, and exchanged bottles of pills. Lin Batian also exchanged two different kinds.

"Dad…"

Lin Die pulled on Lin Batian’s sleeve, feeling a bit anxious. She hadn’t resolved Lin Jiang’s matter yet, so she didn’t want Lin Batian to finish exchanging.

"Taoist Friend Li, do you happen to have Plastic Bone Pills?"

Finally, Lin Batian asked Li Ruoxu.

"Yes, do you need them, Taoist Friend Lin?"

"There are some disappointing junior members in the family. But, there’s always a need to give them a little bit of hope."

"Taoist Friend Lin’s sincerity is admirable. This Plastic Bone Pill is a top-quality sixth-grade pill. Have you thought about what you would like to exchange it for?"

Li Ruoxu said, revealing that he had just finished refining a batch of Plastic Bone Pills. He had made five, but only sold two in several decades. He almost gave up on them.

The reason it’s hard to sell is because it’s not suitable for advanced cultivators. Only cultivators below the golden core level can use the Plastic Bone Pill. This means it’s only useful for younger cultivators with poor aptitude who are liked by powerful elders. There aren’t many people who meet both these requirements, so hardly anyone buys it.

"I have spirit stones, as well as some third-grade monster materials, and some ores…"

Lin Jiang quickly told Lin Batian about his capital. He had recognized some of the ores as precious, but he didn’t know if they were considered valuable for the Nascent Soul stage.

Lin Batian ignored Lin Jiang and instead quoted his own price. Li Ruoxu was very satisfied and agreed immediately, saying, "Taoist Friend Lin’s price, buy two get a little extra, buy three get a little discount. Let’s go with three and become friends."

"Great! Taoist Friend Li should visit Anhua City when you have free time."

"Definitely."

Li Ruoxu said, in fact, the price Lin Batian offered was only enough to buy one pill. The other two pills were basically given as gifts, as he intentionally wanted to get acquainted with Lin Batian.

Lin Batian’s strength shouldn’t be underestimated. He has gained recognition from many Nascent Soul Ancestors. As an independent cultivator Alchemist, he can be called a Pill King. He relies on his diplomacy skills and avoids making enemies.

After Li Ruoxu finished, the next person continued. It took half a day for the auction to end. Even after the auction ended, the socializing wasn’t over. Many Nascent Soul Ancestors continued chatting, and the people they brought along each found their own places to make connections. The Nascent Soul Ancestors brought their juniors to give them a chance to make friends.

"Little Ying, please give this storage bag to Lin Die. I need to leave for something important."

"Uncle, why?"

"No reason. I have some things to buy outside. Remember, if Lin Die doesn’t want it, you must give it to her."

Lin Jiang said to Cao Ying. This kind of socializing is for the privileged. Lin Jiang doesn’t feel like he belongs. After all, his identity is unclear. Unless he is willing to reveal his true identity, it’s better for him to stay away.

Inside the storage bag, there is money that Lin Jiang used to buy Plastic Bone Pills. He doesn’t know the exact value of what Lin Batian gave him, so he also put in 800,000 lower-grade spirit stones and all the precious materials he knows, with a total value of no less than 1.2 million. It should be enough to buy a sixth-grade elixir, after all, the prices of different types of elixirs of the same grade vary.

After leaving a message, Lin Jiang hurriedly left. Cao Ying watched Lin Jiang’s figure disappear and her good mood vanished instantly.