Chapter 394: Young Lord of the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan Nine Phoenix
"The second auction item is a low tier Heaven level Dou Technique, the Vajra Glazed Body!"
Lu Bu's musings were interrupted as the space trade fair proceeded. On the stage, the Treasure Mountain Elder waved his hand, and a golden scroll appeared in midair for all to see.
"This Dou Technique was created by the Glazed Sage a thousand years ago. When trained to its peak, one's body becomes like vajra indestructible and eternal. With fists that can shatter the heavens and kicks that can split the earth, it is a formidable technique that combines offense and defense in one."
As soon as the elder's words fell, Xiao Yan's eyes lit up. A Heaven level Dou Technique? And one that refines the physical body at that?
Due to Lu Bu's interference, Xiao Yan hadn't yet cultivated any Heaven level Dou Techniques. The strongest technique he currently possessed was the Emperor Seal Technique, a gift from Xun'er.
It wasn't that Xiao Yan couldn't obtain such techniques, but rather that he hadn't had the time. Ever since leaving the Ancient Realm, he'd been caught up in various crises first the siege of the Falling Star Pavilion, then the painstaking efforts to recruit strong allies through alchemy.
No sooner had he finished recruiting than the Hall of Souls and Heavenly Nether Sect attacked again, leaving the Falling Star Pavilion in shambles. Xiao Yan had to start over, creating resources and preparing for the space trade fair.
Though his strength had steadily risen, Xiao Yan hadn't yet had a chance to cultivate new Dou Techniques.
Meanwhile, Lu Bu, that scoundrel, not only possessed a Heaven level Dou Technique, the Grand Heaven Creation Palm, but also looted the storage ring of the Eight Tier pinnacle alchemist Di Xie. Moreover, with Lu Bu's unyielding nature, there was no doubt that when he gave Gu Yao the Grand Heaven Creation Palm, he received something of equal or greater value in return.
Thus, Xiao Yan was currently in dire need of a Heaven level Dou Technique preferably one that could rival Lu Bu's.
"This is a good one!" Xiao Yan's eyes gleamed with excitement. Lu Bu's physical strength was astonishing, nearly on par with the Void Ancient Dragon clan. If Xiao Yan could cultivate this Vajra Glazed Body, he might be able to match Lu Bu's physical prowess.
As his thoughts raced, Xiao Yan's desire for the technique grew more intense.
"Hehehe…" The Treasure Mountain Elder chuckled as he noticed the eager gazes from the crowd. "The owner of this Dou Technique wishes to exchange it for a Heaven level water attribute Qi Method. Alternatively, Eight Tier pills are also acceptable."
As he finished speaking, four blue scrolls and a pill that had undergone six colored lightning tribulations appeared in midair.
The elder's eyes flickered with surprise. The value of a six colored Eight Tier pill far exceeded that of a low tier Heaven level Dou Technique.
"Xiao Bu, are you not interested in this Dou Technique?" Yun Yun arched her brows in curiosity.
"Do you think he isn't already tough enough?" Medusa rolled her eyes in exasperation before Lu Bu could answer.
"Shut up!" Yun Yun's face turned crimson as she struggled to maintain her composure. "You… You're always spouting nonsense!"
"I was talking about his body," Medusa said with mock exasperation. "What were you thinking?"
"I… I was talking about his body too…" Yun Yun muttered under her breath, her blush deepening.
"It's not that interesting to me," Lu Bu said with a slight nod. His Azure Sky Dragon Transformation Art was unparalleled, and he hadn't even reached its highest level yet. Switching to the Vajra Glazed Body wasn't worth the trade.
As Lu Bu spoke, the deal for the Dou Technique concluded. Unsurprisingly, the Treasure Mountain Elder chose the pill over the scrolls of Heaven level Qi Methods.
The auction continued, but Lu Bu soon lost interest. If an item didn't catch his eye, he paid it no further attention, focusing instead on flirting with Yun Yun and Medusa.
Time passed, and Lu Bu only bid once more during the auction to secure a technique called the Heavenly Phantom Poison Codex for Xiao Yi Xian. Beyond that, nothing else was worth his attention.
The trade fair gradually approached its climax as fewer and fewer items remained.
"Next, we present the final two items of this trade fair…" the Treasure Mountain Elder announced, his rosy face beaming. The series of successful trades had left him in high spirits.
As he spoke, a palm sized, yellowed piece of parchment appeared in his hands.
The moment the parchment appeared, a smile crept onto Lu Bu's face. "Finally…"
Down in the hall, Xiao Yan's eyes also lit up, burning with desire as he gazed at the yellowed map fragment. Once upon a time, a Dou Saint's inheritance had been within his grasp until Lu Bu swindled it away!
"Forget it… It's no use now…" Xiao Yan sighed. He suspected Lu Bu already had two or even three pieces of the map in his possession. Trying to snatch it back now would be nearly impossible.
As for causing trouble? That was equally unrealistic.
Xiao Yan's lips twitched bitterly. Lu Bu was probably waiting for him to try something foolish.
On stage, the Treasure Mountain Elder held up the fragment with a smile. "This map doesn't appear to hold any mystical properties or special energies. However, based on our research, it is connected to the legendary Purifying Lotus Demon Flame."
The hall buzzed with renewed excitement. The Purifying Lotus Demon Flame the third ranked flame on the Heavenly Flames list was a force capable of burning mountains, boiling seas, and obliterating the heavens. If one could obtain it, they would surely secure a place among the world's strongest!
Recalling the legacy of the Purifying Lotus Saint a man once regarded as the closest to achieving Dou Di status the crowd grew even more eager. Who wouldn't dream of becoming a figure as revered as him?
"However…" A calm, clear voice interrupted the growing fervor, cutting through the hall like a blade. "This map is incomplete, isn't it?"
The Treasure Mountain Elder's expression froze, and the excited gazes of the crowd faltered.
"Ahem… That's correct. This is only one fourth of the map," the elder admitted reluctantly, his rosy complexion fading.
"And the other three quarters?" The same calm voice pressed on, unhurried but firm.
Xiao Yan's lips twitched. The other three quarters? Of course, they're all in your hands!
"…Unknown," the elder replied, his voice strained. Inwardly, he cursed whoever had asked the question. The lively atmosphere he had worked so hard to create was utterly ruined!
"Tch…"
As expected, disdainful murmurs spread through the crowd. A mere one fourth of a map? How embarrassing!
The fervor surrounding the map quickly dissipated, replaced by skepticism, contempt, and silent calculations.
While the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame was undeniably enticing, a single fragment of the map wasn't worth the risk or the resources.
The Treasure Mountain Elder's expression twitched as he glared in the direction of the third VIP room. He had considered the Dan Tower representative an honored guest, but now he was starting to regret it. How dare they ruin his momentum?
"Damn it, this is infuriating…" he muttered under his breath.
In the private room, Lu Bu chuckled softly, gently kneading Yun Yun's soft, smooth hand as a faint smile curved at the corners of his mouth.
"The owner of this map wants to trade it for some pills specifically, Eight Tier pills that have undergone six colored lightning tribulations. The exact quantity will depend on everyone's bidding," said the Treasure Mountain Elder, forcing a smile. "Let the bidding begin."
He knew the map's value had significantly diminished, and the chances of sparking the frenzied bidding from before were slim.
As his voice fell, the hall returned to the same silence as when the trade fair began.
Six colored lightning tribulations, while rare, were not impossible to find among the two to three hundred attendees. But… was it worth it?
Considering that even the space trade fair could only produce a quarter of the map, finding the other three pieces seemed nearly impossible. Without extraordinary luck and fate, it was highly unlikely.
"Yep, Lu Bu truly never takes a loss," Xiao Yan muttered in the corner, the corner of his mouth twitching.
Yao Chen stroked his beard, his eyes flickering with thought. Should he try messing with the kid?
Better not. It wouldn't sit well with Xuan Kong Zi… Yao Chen shook his head slightly, extinguishing the idea that had just arisen. Lu Bu had contributed greatly to the Pill Tower's efforts, and Yao Chen had been close friends with Xuan Kong Zi for years. It wouldn't be appropriate to stir trouble.
Besides… that kid was sly. Who knew if he had another trap set up?
Yao Chen's eye twitched as unpleasant memories of Lu Bu's schemes surfaced. No problem as long as I don't act Lu Bu can't trick me if I don't play along.
Meanwhile, the two hundred other participants hesitated, weighing the price against the value.
The Treasure Mountain Elder's face twitched, cursing silently. He had painstakingly built up the atmosphere, only for a few words from Lu Bu to send the trade fair straight back to square one.
"One six colored Eight Tier pill," someone finally called out after a long pause.
At this, others interested in the map frowned slightly. While they weren't willing to pay a high price, they also didn't want to see the map fall into someone else's hands.
"Three six colored Eight Tier pills," came a familiar, calm voice steady, unhurried, and confident.
"Hmph, five!" another voice immediately countered, cutting through the air like a blade.
"Oh?" Xiao Yan and Yao Chen exchanged glances, a spark of intrigue lighting their faces. "Someone's challenging Lu Bu? This should be interesting!"
The pair instantly leaned back, watching with schadenfreude written all over their faces.
In the private room, Yun Yun and Medusa both frowned, their eyes burning with rising anger, their expressions growing colder by the second.
"No rush. Wait a moment… Yun Jie, I'll leave it to you to bid for me," Lu Bu said calmly, stroking the silky locks of his two companions as he soothed the simmering tension.
"Eight six colored Eight Tier pills." Lu Bu's voice rang out again, steady and unhurried, completely unaffected by the provocation.
"Hehe… twelve!" the opposing voice pressed on, unwilling to back down.
"Fifteen." Lu Bu remained unfazed.
"One seven colored Eight Tier pill," an elderly female voice suddenly interjected, cutting into the bidding war.
The Treasure Mountain Elder's eyes lit up. Finally, someone new had joined the fray. Surely, now the bidding would escalate into a fierce contest!
However, as soon as this new bid was made, the provocative voice went silent, retreating without another word.
Lu Bu, too, stopped bidding, though his eyes gleamed coldly. As expected, they were targeting me.
Who could it have been?
Onstage, as silence fell once more, the excitement in the Treasure Mountain Elder's eyes dimmed. He cursed inwardly. He had thought the three way bidding war would be the start of a heated battle, but instead, it turned out to be the climax.
"That kid is too cunning…" Yao Chen muttered, exchanging a glance with Xiao Yan. "I'd wager that elderly female voice was one of the women with him in disguise."
"Any further bids?" the Treasure Mountain Elder asked, unwilling to give up. "This is a map leading to the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame surely it's worth more than this!"
His plea was met with silence. No one was willing to pay more than a seven colored Eight Tier pill for a fragmented map, especially when the whereabouts of the other three pieces were so uncertain.
"Young master, should we continue bidding?"
"No need… it's useless to us."
"Then shall we…?"
"Keep an eye on the one in the private room. I want to see who they really are!"
With the hall still silent, the Treasure Mountain Elder sighed. "Very well. The bidder with the seven colored Eight Tier pill wins this map."
As he spoke, a spatial crack appeared, and a jade bottle flew out. The elder caught it deftly, though his face betrayed a hint of disappointment as he watched the yellowed piece of parchment vanish into the ether.
In the private room, Lu Bu rolled the final map fragment between his fingers, a sly smile on his lips. No matter what, it's in my hands now.
The Purifying Lotus Demon Flame, the Ancient Refining Heaven Formation, and the Nightmare Sky Mist all of them will be mine!
"Oh, and now for the final auction item," the Treasure Mountain Elder announced, though his tone was weary. Despite this, there was a hint of excitement in his voice. "After ten thousand years, the legendary Bodhi Ancient Tree said to grant instant sainthood has reappeared."
"It is located in the Wild Ancient Territory."
His words sent shockwaves through the hall, stirring the crowd into a frenzy. Even Yao Chen, a half saint, couldn't help but cry out in astonishment.
The Bodhi Ancient Tree!
Xiao Yan's eyes practically glowed green with envy. He hadn't forgotten that Lu Bu possessed the Bodhi Transformation Saliva a treasure extracted from the Bodhi Ancient Tree. Wait… wasn't that used on Xiao Yi Xian?
Good! That means Lu Bu doesn't have it anymore! Xiao Yan thought gleefully. For once, he and Lu Bu would be starting on equal footing.
"And that concludes this space trade fair. Thank you all for attending," the Treasure Mountain Elder said with slight regret, still displeased that the Purifying Lotus map had sold for such a low price.
"Let's go," Lu Bu said with a smile. The Purifying Lotus Saint's inheritance could wait. His priority now was refining the dozen or so Soul Essences in his possession.
His goal wasn't just the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame he wanted the Ancient Refining Heaven Formation, the Nightmare Sky Mist… everything.
Leaving the pocket dimension, Lu Bu, Yun Yun, and Medusa headed back toward the Pill Tower. However, as they passed through a canyon after exiting the desert, several presences flickered into view, causing the trio to halt.
"Heh… sharp senses. You must be an alchemist," a mocking voice echoed.
From within the canyon emerged four figures. Leading them was a young man in white robes, his expression calm but his gaze icy and menacing.
What stood out most were his multicolored pupils strange and otherworldly.
"Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan?" Lu Bu sneered coldly. "You've got some nerve!"
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