Chapter 6

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Chapter 6: Peak of the Ten Forces Realm

“Honored guests, welcome to the Golden Cauldron Auction House…”
To set the mood, the first few auction items were of excellent quality, quickly stirring excitement among the crowd.
As bids flew back and forth, Luo Guan remained silent.
It wasn’t until halfway through the event that a vial of pills was brought to the stage.
The auctioneer’s voice boomed, “Next up, Lot Twenty-One!”
“Everyone knows that among a hundred people, scarcely one can cultivate. And among cultivators, only one in ten thousand may become an alchemist!”
“Any ranked alchemist is highly sought after by all factions. The pills they refine rarely circulate on the open market—like today’s offering…”
His tone suddenly intensified. “Second-tier Blood Ascension Pills! These enhance qi and blood, suitable for those below the third realm of martial arts. When consumed during a breakthrough, they provide additional benefits!”
“Twenty pills per vial. Starting bid: one thousand taels of gold. Begin!”
The auction hall erupted.
Tiny Jiangning City had never birthed an alchemist, but everyone knew what cultivation-enhancing pills represented!
Obtaining them—whether for personal use or nurturing the younger generation—could alter a family’s destiny.
Cultivation was the foundation of everything.
“Two thousand taels!”
“Two-five hundred!”
“Three thousand!”
Many had come today solely for the Blood Ascension Pills.
Fierce competition swiftly eliminated most bidders, driving the price to a staggering four thousand taels.
“Three of Jiangning’s Four Great Clans—the Wu, Yan, Kang, and Luo—are here!”
“Who wouldn’t want these pills? Even at a steep cost, they’re worth it!”
“Pity we’re no match for them.”
Whispers filled the air.
“Five thousand taels!” Yan Hua’s eyes burned with determination. “This vial will be mine.”
The Wu Family Head gritted his teeth. “Five-five hundred…”
“Six thousand!”
Yan Hua looked utterly at ease.
The Wu Family Head slumped back in defeat.
Five thousand taels would strain the Wu Family’s finances. Any more, and chaos would ensue.
“Rumors say the Yan Family discovered a gold vein in their mines. Seems likely now.”
“After seizing the Luo Family’s herb-gathering business years ago, the Yans became the strongest of the Four Great Clans. With these pills, they’ll dominate Jiangning within years!”
Then, a hoarse voice cut through the chatter.
“Seven thousand.”
Silence fell.
Countless eyes turned to Luo Guan, who sat unmoved, his composure sparking murmurs. Who was this outsider bold enough to challenge the Yans?
Yan Hua’s face darkened. “Eight thousand!”
“Nine.”
A muscle twitched in Yan Hua’s eye as he glared at Luo Guan. “Ten thousand!”
“If you bid higher, the pills are yours.”
Beneath his black robe, Luo Guan smirked. “Ten thousand… and one tael.”
Gasps filled the room.
This was a blatant slap to the Yan Family’s face.
Yan Hua’s gaze turned icy. “Good. Very good!”
Facing someone who could casually drop ten thousand taels, he dared not act recklessly without knowing their background.
Soon, a Golden Cauldron steward approached. “Honored guest, please follow us to complete the transaction.”
Luo Guan rose and was led to a VIP chamber.
“How will you be paying?”
Luo Guan replied coolly, “No rush. Fetch your master first.”
Faced with such extravagance, the steward hesitated only briefly before complying.
Moments later, Jin Ya entered, her smile radiant. “Greetings, honored guest.”
Luo Guan’s voice remained calm. “Fire-attribute techniques are inherently violent. Forcing progress for the sake of realms brings agony—like flames scorching the heart at midnight.”
Jin Ya’s face paled. Her secret weakness had been exposed in an instant. She took a deep breath and bowed deeply. “Esteemed senior, how may I serve you?”
Luo Guan’s eyes flickered with approval. Maintaining his raspy tone, he said, “This old man travels freely and requires ten thousand taels for a trivial matter.” He tapped the jade vial on the table. “In return, provide the materials and tools, and I’ll refine a batch of Blood Ascension Pills—yielding forty or more. Agreed?”
Jin Ya’s eyes widened, her heart pounding. “You… you’re an alchemist?”
Luo Guan nodded.
Jin Ya felt like she was dreaming.
The Golden Cauldron had ties to two alchemists, granting occasional access to their pills—but such top-tier resources were reserved for the family patriarch.
Yet now, an alchemist stood before her!
“Of course! Absolutely!” She inhaled sharply, her voice trembling with reverence. “How may I contact you in the future, senior?”
Luo Guan said, “I’ll return at this time tomorrow.”
With that, he left.
The steward whispered, “Miss, do you truly believe he’s an alchemist?”
Jin Ya’s eyes gleamed. “Even if he isn’t, Blood Ascension Pills sell easily. But if he is… this is our chance to forge ties with a master alchemist!”

After leaving the auction, ensuring he wasn’t followed, Luo Guan shed his robe and returned home.
The night was still, but sleep eluded him. He sat cross-legged, cycling the Great Desolate Twelve Emperor Swords technique.
Soon, dawn arrived.
After freshening up, Luo Guan checked on his father.
Luo Zhenyang still slept soundly. According to the Profound Turtle, after years of suffering, deep rest was natural—even beneficial.
Instructing the servants to tend to him carefully, Luo Guan resumed cultivation.
As he circulated his energy, strands of sword qi emerged, flowing through his meridians. Yet as they accumulated, faint stinging and blockages arose, disrupting the flow.
Concerned, Luo Guan consulted the Profound Turtle.
“Though you consumed the Earthfire Crimson Lotus, absorption is incomplete. Body tempering takes time.”
Luo Guan pondered. “Teacher, is this because my progress was too rapid?”
“…Essentially, yes.” The turtle coughed lightly. “But minor progress means little. Remember—stay humble!”
Luo Guan bowed. “Teacher is wise.” He frowned. “May I continue cultivating?”
“Pause briefly. I’ll guide you in preparing a medicinal bath to accelerate absorption. It won’t hinder your progress.”

When night fell again, Luo Guan set out.
Soon, he arrived at the Golden Cauldron.
Jin Ya, who had been waiting anxiously, hurried forward. “Senior, you’ve come!”
With so many eyes around, Luo Guan said simply, “Inside.”
“Yes!”
Jin Ya personally escorted him to the Golden Cauldron Pavilion. “The materials for refining Blood Ascension Pills are ready. Would you like to rest or proceed directly to the alchemy chamber?”
“Alchemy chamber.”
The chamber lay underground, heavily guarded.
After the materials were laid out, Jin Ya asked, “Anything else, senior?”
Luo Guan shook his head.
“Pull the cord when finished, and we’ll return.”
With a final bow, she withdrew.
“Teacher?”
“She’s clever. No tricks.” The turtle said, “Begin.”
“Understood!”
A tremor ran through Luo Guan’s Heavenly Bone as the Profound Turtle’s power surged forth, taking control.
Luo Guan observed as the turtle deftly stoked the furnace and added ingredients. The process was smooth, almost effortless. Within half an hour, rich medicinal fragrance filled the chamber.
“Subpar furnace and tools. Controlling your body is troublesome too. But it’s done.” The turtle sounded weary.
Luo Guan bowed. “Many thanks, Teacher.”
Opening the furnace, they found forty-seven pristine Blood Ascension Pills, still steaming.
After collecting them, Luo Guan tugged the cord.
The doors soon opened.
Jin Ya entered first, her face alight at the aroma.
“Congratulations, senior, on your success!”
Luo Guan handed her the vial. “Inspect them.”
A middle-aged man stepped forward, pouring a few pills onto his palm. His expression shifted abruptly.
Under the light, he scrutinized them, then scraped powder from one and tasted it.
“High-grade pills!”
His shocked exclamation drew stunned looks toward Luo Guan.
Jin Ya’s breath hitched. Pills were ranked low, mid, and high-grade.
Yesterday’s auction had sold low-grade pills!
Though Blood Ascension Pills were second-tier, high-grade required at least a fourth-tier alchemist. And forty-seven pills in half an hour… This senior might even be fifth-tier!
The Grand Alchemist of Qingyang Kingdom—the revered State Preceptor—was a fifth-tier alchemist! Did that mean this mysterious elder stood on equal footing with royalty?
Jin Ya’s heart raced, her voice trembling. “Senior’s skill is peerless!”
“Forty-seven high-grade Blood Ascension Pills are beyond valuation. The agreed ten thousand taels is far too little…”
Luo Guan’s eyes gleamed. “Ten thousand was the deal.”
“However, this old man recently took a disciple who requires foundational resources.”
Jin Ya responded instantly, “The Golden Cauldron will provide them freely, in gratitude!”
“Very well.” Luo Guan listed several herbs.
Jin Ya had them fetched at once—ten portions each, all premium quality.
“Senior, here’s ten thousand taels in gold notes.” Jin Ya’s eyes shone with hope. “Might we have the honor of serving you again? The Golden Cauldron will spare no effort!”
Luo Guan said indifferently, “If needed, I’ll return.” Though noncommittal, his reply thrilled her.
“Ten thousand taels… a new disciple…” Jin Ya mused. “Liu Qing, investigate recent events in Jiangning.”

Back home, Luo Guan examined the gold notes with satisfaction.
Problem solved!
“Brat, with the herbs ready, prepare the medicinal bath.”
“Yes, Teacher!”
Following the turtle’s instructions, Luo Guan brewed the bath and stepped in.
“Sit. Cycle your technique.”
“It will be uncomfortable. The longer you endure, the better the absorption.”
As Luo Guan immersed himself, the Great Desolate Twelve Emperor Swords technique activated.
Agony followed.
It felt like countless ants burrowing into his flesh, gnawing toward the marrow. The urge to claw his skin open was nearly unbearable. Veins bulged at his temples, neck, and arms, yet he remained motionless.
Soon, the Earthfire Crimson Lotus’s energy erupted. Luo Guan’s skin flushed crimson, heat radiating from his body as sweat poured out, carrying black impurities.
By dawn, he awoke to a foul stench. Grimacing at the sticky filth coating him, he aired out the room and scrubbed himself clean with three rounds of hot water.
Before the mirror stood a youth brimming with vigor—eyes bright, spirit unyielding. Clenching his fists, he marveled at the surge in strength.
“Peak of the Ten Forces Realm!”
The turtle’s voice echoed, “Brat, a perfected Ten Forces Realm is different from the ordinary. Test it and see.”
In the training yard, Luo Guan lifted a hundred-pound stone weight as if it were a feather. He then approached his father’s training area, where thousand-pound locks awaited.
The lightest weighed a full jin (1,000 lbs)!
Taking a deep breath, Luo Guan gripped one and lifted it effortlessly.
Two thousand jin—slightly taxing.
Three thousand… difficult, but he raised it overhead.
Thud!
The lock hit the ground. Luo Guan’s face flushed with exhilaration.
This was a perfected foundation? In his prime, his father had barely managed four thousand jin.
Meaning, his current strength was only slightly below an ordinary Mountain Moving Realm cultivator’s!
“Thank you, Teacher.”
Luo Guan bowed deeply.
Rising, his eyes glinted with resolve.
Three days have passed.
Time to visit the Clear River Gang.