Starry Sky Professional

A few days later.

Within the city of Ziyuan Immortal.

At Drunken Moon Pond.

Here lies a second-tier spiritual energy cave dwelling, complete with a spiritual pond blossoming with numerous Drunken Moon Lotuses.

Whenever the lotuses bloom, a radiance akin to moonlight emanates from the heart of the flowers, permeating an aroma of wine everywhere.

It is indeed a rather beautiful sight.

The fragrance of lotuses fills the air.

Inside the alchemy room, the true form of Fang Xing has returned to the main universe after a leave of absence.

His cultivation avatar, meanwhile, gazed at the Wan Hua Cauldron in front of him, a hint of joy appearing on his face: "As expected... Upon advancing to the Foundation Establishment stage, having spiritual sense elevates one's mastery of any cultivation skill exponentially."

With a firm slap on the Wan Hua Cauldron, he commanded, "Open!"

The cauldron opened, releasing numerous pills that flew out.

"First-tier top-grade pills—Cloud Flight Pills, nine pills formed from this batch, with three being of superior quality..."

Fang Xing observed the pills adorned with cloud patterns: "Although it was only due to the assistance of the Wan Hua Cauldron that I achieved this pill formation rate, it still qualifies me as a top-grade first-tier alchemist, doesn't it?"

"If I really set my mind to it, second-tier lower-grade pills aren't beyond reach. Even if the toxicity surpasses acceptable limits, it can still be mitigated afterward..."

"Perhaps... I could refine some pills suitable for cultivators in the early stages of the Foundation Establishment phase?"

Of course, Fang Xing himself wouldn't consume such barely qualified pills, but he could sell them or exchange them for pills more suited to enhancing his magical power.

Then, by manipulating them through the Wan Hua Cauldron, they might be transformed into perfect-grade pills!

As this thought crossed his mind, Fang Xing felt buoyant and stepped outside to admire the lotus-filled pool.

"Min Yixing's arrangements weren't bad at all. I merely mentioned it once, and he arranged for me to stay in this second-tier cave dwelling where the scenery is breathtaking and the spiritual energy is at least of second-tier top-grade, right?"

Fang Xing recalled their previous conversation.

He had explicitly stated his intention not to establish any power, only to rent a second-tier cave dwelling.

Min Yixing had then recommended this place to him, and it turned out to be quite satisfactory.

Still, he wondered why he hadn’t yet seen Master Ziyuan.

Perhaps this pseudo-Core Formation cultivator is preoccupied with something?

As he pondered, a transmission talisman flew in.

Fang Xing summoned his cave mansion token, dispelling the barrier, and saw a Qi Refinement cultivator flying in on a magical artifact.

“Junior Zhen Qian greets the senior!”

This cultivator was in the late stage of Qi Refinement, possessing handsome features and a friendly smile.

“Zhen Qian? A nice name… Are you from the City Lord's mansion?”

Fang Xing sat on the railing, casually tossing a handful of fish food into the Drunken Moon Pond.

Shoals of purple-blue carp rushed to the surface, eagerly vying for the food.

Their iridescent backs shimmered in the sunlight like waves of multi-colored brilliance, extraordinarily beautiful.

“Indeed… By Elder Min's command, I've come to deliver an invitation to the senior…”

Zhen Qian presented an invitation with both hands.

“Oh? A grand auction?”

Fang Xing accepted the invitation, nodding slightly: "I surely wouldn’t miss it…"

Flipping through it, he noted a description of the featured items behind the invitation.

“This time, does the final featured item include a Foundation Establishment Pill?”

Fang Xing asked offhandedly.

“Foundation Establishment Pill materials are scarce... The City Lord's mansion occasionally acquires a batch, mostly for personal use. None spare this year…”

Zhen Qian explained, internally grumbling, ‘Out of the three masters in this city who could refine Foundation Establishment Pills, only two remain now…’

All thanks to the senior cultivator before him.

Thus, his demeanor was even more respectful, leaving no room for any faults: “Should the senior grace us with his presence, it would truly bring great honor… We've already prepared a private box for you.”

“Hmm, you’ve outdone yourselves.”

High-stage cultivators indeed enjoy privileges; Fang Xing dismissed him lightly, turning his attention back to the featured items, finding something that caught his eye.

“There's actually a second-tier lower-grade flying sword available... Could it have been prepared especially for me?”

Descriptions of such auction items are first given to the significant cultivators attending the event, a sort of privilege to help them prepare spirit stones in advance, thus ensuring a high sale price.

Fang Xing's eyes lit up upon seeing the second-tier flying sword named "Wind and Snow." "Its sword light is chilling, crafted from thousand-refined black iron and millennia-old ice... It'll do for now."

Zheng Qian observed quietly, not uttering a word.

Suddenly.

Fang Xing flipped to the last page, his expression subtly changing. "This Foundation Establishment Treasure?"

The final auction item was unexpectedly a menacing aura! "Minor Yin Fiend Qi?"

The invitation also included images and descriptions, providing a clear understanding of the item's nature. "Indeed, this fiendish aura is cold and suitable for cultivators practicing yin attribute techniques. It's barely suitable for those with water or wood attributes, but is best for female cultivators..." Zheng Qian explained. "I know, you can leave."

Fang Xing waved Zheng Qian off, then continued studying the annotations of the fiendish aura. A smile appeared on his face, which gradually widened, "Haha... I guess this really is a case of great fortune falling into my lap."

Minor Yin Fiend Qi! "The method to enhance the foundation of the Golden Core involves refining these unique cosmic auras... It requires compatibility with one's martial arts and Golden Core."

"The most suitable for Tiger-Dragon Golden Core is the cosmic yin-yang qi... And this cosmic yin qi... is the Minor Yin Fiend Qi!"

"As for cosmic yang qi... in the immortal cultivation world, it's likely a special kind of qi known as the Solar True Gang!"

"If I can obtain these two unique types of gang and fiend qi, then during the condensing of the Tiger-Dragon Golden Core, by using the method of refining the qi into the core, I can greatly enhance the core's foundation... Combined with the Dragon Elephant's Indestructible Divine Ability, achieving the Nine-turn Golden Body to attain the 'Great Diamond Realm' is absolutely within reach!"

Fang Xing took stock of his finances and found acquiring this fiendish aura wasn't a problem. He had been frugal all along, seldom using spirit stones, and now had over fifty thousand accumulated in his storage pouch. Even with auction price inflation, a Foundation Establishment Treasure typically cost around ten thousand lower-grade spirit stones. "Even if it's higher, could it really surpass the cost of Foundation Establishment Pills?"

"A genuine Foundation Establishment Pill, if auctioned, could fetch as much as thirty thousand lower-grade spirit stones..."

...

Three days later.

At the auction venue.

The place was thronged with people from all sides, for this was the annual grand auction of the Purple Swallow Immortal City.

Countless late-stage Qi Refinement rogue cultivators had traveled from all over, driven by the hope of obtaining an opportunity to change their fate.

Fang Xing, donned in silver robes, descended from the sky with hands clasped behind his back.

"A cultivator who's achieved Foundation Establishment?"

"Such a youthful appearance. Could he be a patriarch of a prominent family or an inner disciple of an immortal sect?"

The Qi Refinement cultivators parted ways for him, some even bowing respectfully.

Amidst the crowd, two Qi Refinement cultivators looked at Fang Xing with complicated expressions.

"It's him?!"

The cultivator from Myriad Beast Sect with the surname Lian was filled with shock: "It hasn't been that long since we last met, yet he's reached such an impressive stage of cultivation? Even as an inner disciple of my sect, I'm still waiting for a Foundation Establishment Pill..."

Though the junior brother had already reached the late Qi Refinement stage, he felt as if he was nothing compared to Fang Xing: "Foundation Establishment... It seems this fellow indeed had fortuitous encounters. Perhaps Shishu was wrong to stop us the last time..."

They, being wise to the ways of the world, naturally deduced that Fang Xing must have possessed remarkable opportunities for Foundation Establishment at that time!

If not a second-tier demon core, then surely numerous rare materials or heaps of spirit stones! Otherwise, how else could he have deceived them then?

Had they picked up on it back then, perhaps the Foundation Establishment cultivator now before them would have been... Senior Brother Lian!

"Damn it! Curse Shi Wanwan!"

Senior Brother Lian muttered to himself, even harboring resentment towards his own sect elder.

It seemed as if, had Shi Wanwan consented to his actions back then, he would now have been able to successfully reach Foundation Establishment...

'These two cultivators from Myriad Beast Sect... seem quite envious of me?'

Little did they know, despite the distance, Fang Xing's formidable divine sense had captured everything: 'Last time, it seemed they would have acted if not for Shi Wanwan. Yet they still dare to appear before me now, truly ignorant of their impending doom...'

Of course, in the immortal city, it wasn't suitable to start a killing spree.

He sneered inwardly as he entered the auction hall and was promptly escorted to a specific VIP box on the second floor.

From this vantage point, everything on the auction stage was in clear view, offering an excellent perspective.

Not long after, the door opened again, and Min Yixing walked in: “Daoist Fang... where's that elder of yours?”

“That elder enjoys roaming freely, who knows where they've wandered off to.”

Fang Xing spoke with a straight face, telling a blatant lie.

“I see, what a pity.”

Min Yixing smiled slightly, “Would Fang Bro mind giving me a seat?”

“Of course, please!”

Perhaps it was just his imagination, but Fang Xing felt as if Min Yixing was trying to win him over.

“Brother Min...”

He took another sip of the exquisite thousand cliffs spiritual tea and asked, “Is Purple Swallow Immortal City really that short on people?”

Min Yixing hesitated and then sighed, “Fang Brother, you're truly straightforward, so I'll speak frankly... Currently, the Kingdom of Zheng is dominated by the Myriad Beast Sect, the other two immortal sects barely able to hold their ground... After losing the Foundation Establishment cultivators, both the Green Profound Sect and the Black Heaven Temple are struggling just to maintain their own territory, which is understandable.

Yet, if the Myriad Beast Sect doesn't eliminate these two sects, it'll quickly erode the remaining neutral powers within the Kingdom of Zheng. Purple Swallow Immortal City is the crown jewel!

“So, does the immortal city not wish to side with the Myriad Beast Sect?”

Fang Xing's eyes glimmered.

“Our Purple Swallow Immortal City has always maintained neutrality... Moreover, Master Ziyuan has never been fond of the Myriad Beast Sect...”

Min Yixing communicated with his divine sense, appearing very cautious.

‘Not fond? Perhaps there's a grudge?’

‘Could it be that the one who cut off Master Ziyuan's path to immortality was clandestinely the Myriad Beast Sect?’

‘No wonder she dares not show herself... Could she fear that once she appears, the Myriad Beast Sect will seize the opportunity to strike her down?’

‘Given the current situation in the Kingdom of Zheng, if the Myriad Beast Sect were to truly tear off the mask and murder a fake Golden Core, then annex Purple Swallow Immortal City, the Green Profound Sect and the Black Heaven Temple would indeed be angry yet too afraid to act.’

Fang Xing felt a tremor in his heart, thinking, 'What a pity about the spiritual vein here... It seems moving to a new place early is the wisest choice.'

Using the power of the Drunken Moon Pool to stabilize his initial foundation of cultivation, he could then contemplate relocating and possibly joining another influential faction.

Regrettably, the prospect of The Purple Swallow Immortal City was completely out of question.

(End of Chapter)