Starry Sky Professional

Fang Xing shook his head, "Actually, I have a few martial arts questions I'd like your advice on..."

Recalling the useful suggestions Meng Yi had previously given him, Fang Xing didn't let the fact that he hailed from a futuristic age make him arrogant enough to dismiss the ancients.

After all, in terms of realms, the innate realm of this world was equivalent to the Edgeless Jade realm; strictly speaking, Hua Feiyue was even a whole realm above him.

He immediately began to discuss some challenges he faced while cultivating the 'Extreme Emotion Sword.'

Primarily, he struggled with the meditation technique and simulating the right intent!

The 'Extreme Emotion Sword' was unlike the Ghostly Blade; it required tapping into the deepest emotions within one's heart— the more intense, the better.

This was the complete opposite of the Serenity Pill, which cleared and calmed one's mind, making the experiences gained from practicing the Ghostly Blade inapplicable. He needed another solution.

"If I’m not mistaken, the reason you can’t master that martial art is because you’re unable to evoke the most intense emotions in your heart, correct?"

Perhaps due to receiving benefits, Hua Feiyue’s address had become more formal.

"That's exactly it."

Fang Xing thought to himself that with his foundation in the meditation technique and hypnosis from the Ghostly Blade, once he overcame this hurdle, he should be able to grasp the 'Extreme Emotion Sword.'

Once initiated, the progress would merely depend on how much effort he invested.

"This is simple. Are you aware that among us martial artists, there are a few niche spiritual martial skills..." Hua Feiyue smiled charmingly, "To be honest, I've also practiced a spiritual technique called the 'Seven Emotions Technique,' which can stir the emotions of other martial artists..."

"A spiritual martial skill? That could be a solution." Fang Xing’s eyes lit up.

"In addition, if these spiritual martial skills still can't trigger it, you might consider seeking help from cultivators. Cultivators possess many methods in this domain, like illusions that attack the mind, talismans, and the like," Hua Feiyue continued to suggest.

"Though such self-stimulation might carry some risks," Fang Xing furrowed his brow slightly, deciding it might be best not to involve cultivators for now.

But Hua Feiyue’s 'Seven Emotions Technique' was something he could try himself. After all, with the 'Serenity Pill' as a fallback, even if his mind suffered damage, it could be repaired.

"How about... you give it a try first?"

Fang Xing set aside the spirit beast meat, his interest piqued.

"Sure, just look into my eyes..." Hua Feiyue’s gaze turned somewhat ethereal.

When Fang Xing looked, he was struck by how her pupils seemed layered with a glaze of glassy color.

“This is the first form of the Seven Emotions Technique—Joy!”

As Hua Feiyue’s voice resonated, Fang Xing suddenly felt a sensation of profound joy envelop him.

“Interesting, but it's still not enough to fully stir my emotions...”

he murmured softly.

“It seems that your mind and will are extraordinarily steadfast, and additional methods are necessary for any effect...”

Hua Feiyue bit her lip and continued, “This is the second form—Anger!”

In the next instant, Fang Xing’s eyes turned crimson, feeling as if a fiery blaze was consuming him from within.

…💠

Hours passed.

Fang Xing emerged from Hua Feiyue’s wooden hut, his steps slightly unsteady, carrying a portion of beast meat.

“Phew... her verbal prowess is truly impressive. I’ve decided, she’ll be the perfect choice for a shopkeeper...”

he mused.

“But there's no need to rush into buying a storefront; a simple stall will do for now...”

he continued in thought. The day's immersion in the 'Seven Emotions Technique' didn’t grant him mastery over the Extreme Emotion Sword, but it did allow him to discern some pathways.

With perseverance, he was certain he could achieve that profound state and succeed in mastering the 'Extreme Emotion Sword'!

A trace of joy appeared on his face at the thought.

“Trading ten pounds of beast meat for this was quite worthwhile…”

…💠

Two days later.

At the Zheng Family Auction House.

The venue was vast, adorned with spirit patterns on the walls that swirled like swimming fish. It was the day of the Zheng Family Auction's grand opening!

The auction hall's six grand entrances swung open, resembling the yawning mouth of a giant beast, swallowing and spewing streams of people from all directions.

Fang Xing, his face concealed by a gray cloak and wearing a bamboo hat, stood watching the surging crowd, a feeling of awe washing over him.

He stepped through the doors and was immediately greeted by an attendant.

“Would you like a private box, sir? It's just ten spirit stones. If you bid successfully, you can proceed directly to the box for your transaction. Also, there are several hidden passages and doors for you to leave the venue discreetly...”

The attendant's words were swift, evidently having repeated the pitch many times.

“No, thank you!”

Fang Xing waved his hand dismissively. Though tempted, he realized booking a box despite not being even at the Innate level would draw too much attention, especially among the other cultivators. Those two Foundation Establishment cultivators in the market could extend their spiritual senses and see plenty, after all.

‘Still, I’m just an average martial artist. Even Foundation cultivators wouldn't take note of me, possibly seeing me as insignificant... as long as I don't act too conspicuously.’

Fang Xing touched the laser gun hidden in his robe.

This laser gun, devoid of any spiritual fluctuations, might appear merely a sophisticated mundane contraption under spiritual scrutiny.

‘Honestly, with its lack of spiritual energy, I could potentially ambush a Foundation Establishment cultivator, but that’s a path I'd prefer to avoid... focusing on steady cultivation is more prudent.’

He wandered into the main hall, finding it spacious with numerous mahogany tables adorned with tea and snacks.

‘The Zheng family really knows how to cater to guests...’

Fang Xing picked a random seat, sat comfortably, and closed his eyes to rest as he awaited the auction's commencement.

Half an hour later, the hall was nearly full, mostly with cultivators, alongside many Innate and Martial artists.

Within the private boxes, fist-sized pearls shone brightly.

With the ring of three gongs, all eyes turned to the high platform.

Fang Xing gazed across to see a tall, slender elder in an earth-colored robe, his eyes deep and flickering with what seemed like threads of golden light, bowing to the audience from all directions:

“I am Zheng Yuan’ao, and I welcome you all to this auction. May you each acquire the treasures you desire.”

Zheng Yuan’ao's powerful aura and voice resonated throughout the hall.

"It's him, Zheng Yuan'ao, the 'Golden-eyed Eagle' of the Zheng family... a cultivator at the peak of the Qi Refining stage! No wonder it feels as if he's speaking right beside me, his mastery is truly profound!"

"Not only that, he oversees the Zheng family's auctions and pawnbrokers. It's said that his sharp eyes never miss a treasure, having picked up many undervalued items..."

Hearing the discussion between two nearby cultivators, Fang Xing couldn't help but become intrigued.

'It seems his eyes shine with a golden light, perhaps he has mastered some special eye technique?'

'Running an auction and pawnshop—if you're not sharp, you could easily go bankrupt...'

'With the Zheng family's ancestor at the Foundation Establishment stage anchoring the place, plus this man, it's no wonder they've become so wealthy...'

His anticipation for the auction increased.

At this moment, Zheng Yuan'ao had a bright-eyed and beautiful maid bring the first auction item onto the stage:

"A superior-grade magical artifact—the Iron Feather Sword! It's a rare complete set, crafted from the most precious primary feathers of seven 'Iron Feather Eagles', combined with refined iron and gold essence. The set includes seven flying swords, incredibly sharp and indestructible, capable of forming a sword formation..."

Fang Xing looked over and saw seven small black flying swords, each about the size of a palm, hovering in mid-air under a cultivator's command, their sword aura cutting through the air.

However, not being a cultivator himself, he had no interest in magical artifacts. In contrast, those in the late Qi Refining stage and even those at the peak were very interested in complete sets of flying swords.

After all, a set of seven flying swords that could form a sword formation would have considerable power.

"The starting bid for the Iron Feather Sword is two thousand one hundred spirit stones, with each bid not less than ten spirit stones..."

As soon as Zheng Yuan'ao finished speaking, an impatient voice called out, "Two thousand two hundred spirit stones!"

"Two thousand three hundred spirit stones!"

The price of spirit stones quickly climbed and ultimately reached three thousand one hundred spirit stones, won by a cultivator in a private booth.

After the first auction item had a successful start, Zheng Yuan'ao's complexion became noticeably more radiant. He clapped his hands together and instructed the maid to bring out the second auction item:

"A first-tier mid-grade formation—the 'Small Wind and Fire Formation', includes forty-nine formation flags, a formation disk, a command token, among other components. The formation covers an area of three to five mu, capable of unleashing 'Spiritual Fire Technique' and 'Signal Fire Technique', with effects of trapping enemies and concealment... starting bid is one thousand five hundred spirit stones!"

...

Fang Xing couldn't use such a formation either, especially as he wasn't a cultivator.

Even cultivators without enough spirit stones could only watch helplessly as this formation was purchased for over two thousand spirit stones by a leader of a Qi Refining sect.

Next up: techniques, robes, elixirs, spirit beasts, and more... each item was of exceptional quality.

Particularly notable were the robes made from various demon beast leathers and items like spirit beast eggs. These were available in increased quantity and at lower prices, tempting many cultivators to make purchases.

Even some of the innate martial artists occasionally placed bids on items they could find useful.

"Blood-refined artifact — 'Danching Sword'!"

After dozens of auction items had been presented, Zheng Yuan'ao unveiled a long sword.

This sword stretched over three feet in length and about an inch in width, its entire surface gleaming with a cold azure light.

Crimson patterns flowed along the blade, exuding a sharp, unmistakably menacing aura.

Simply gazing at it, one could feel its piercing essence rushing forward.

"Given such abundant materials, it's truly a blood-refined artifact... a worthless indulgence for martial folks!"

muttered a cultivator next to Fang Xing.

Typically, a cultivator's artifacts are quite compact—especially the flying swords, which are usually palm-sized, extending up to about a foot.

Such a design minimizes the use of materials and, as Fang Xing believed, helps reduce air resistance, making the artifact easier to control.

Of course, if necessary, these artifacts could be magically enlarged, though Fang Xing found this notion quite unscientific.

Then again, dealing with cultivators hardly requires real-world science.

However, truth be told, the amount of material used in the 'Danching Sword' seemed enough to craft four or five lower-grade flying swords, making it rather excessive.

Yet, this was typical for martial folks.

Even for innate martial artists capable of wielding innate true energy, handling lower-grade artifacts is usually beyond their reach.

As such, craftsmen have designed a unique 'blood-refined artifact' specifically for them!

These artifacts, although at most matching the power of the lowest-grade artifacts, can be driven by innate true energy or even blood essence, offering significant convenience for martial artists.

Even Fang Xing found himself a bit tempted as he thought, 'With such sharpness, using it to fight would surely be satisfying... and it can be refined further if it’s not too expensive...'

The chapter comes to an end...

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(End of Chapter)