Chapter 41: Storm at the Auction and Help in the Hour of Need
I. The Frenzy of the Face-Preserving Pills
The renowned Great Cultivator Auction was a bustling spectacle, filled with a dizzying array of magical treasures, talismans, and spirit ores. However, to the discerning eyes of Wen Buhuo, most were merely ordinary trinkets.
Buhuo was in no rush to find monster cores. Instead, he first produced several bottles of "Face-Preserving Pills" (驻颜丹) refined from spirit herbs matured with his small green bottle. Although these pills offered no benefit to one's cultivation level, they were a legendary treasure for female cultivators. As the auction began, the women in the hall fell into an immediate frenzy, driving the price sky-high. Ultimately, these few bottles earned Buhuo a staggering fortune, leaving his spirit stone pouches bulging.
II. Qi Yunxiao’s Desperate Plea
Midway through the auction, a stalk of "Dragon-Chant Grass" (龙吟草) appeared, translucent and emitting a faint, ethereal draconic sound. This was an exceptionally rare herb with the miraculous effect of extending the life of those possessing the "Dragon-Chant Physique," like Xin Ruyin.
"Fellow Daoists, I, Qi, am willing to trade my family’s heirloom—the complete theory and partial diagrams of the 'Five Elements Reversal Formation'—in exchange for this herb. I beg you all to grant me this favor!" Qi Yunxiao’s voice was hoarse with desperation.
The hall erupted in hushed chatter; this was a top-tier formation diagram! Wen Buhuo sat in a corner, not intervening yet. His powerful spiritual sense had already detected several sinister gazes locked onto Qi Yunxiao. He knew that revealing such wealth had already invited a fatal calamity upon his friend.
III. Thousand-Year Herbs for a Monster Core
The grand finale of the auction was a Grade 5 Monster Core. The competition was brutal, and the price rose to a level that made ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators recoil in shock.
"Three stalks of Thousand-Year Spirit Herbs," Wen Buhuo stated flatly.
The hall fell into a deathly silence. Thousand-Year Spirit Herbs were treasures that even Nascent Soul eccentrics would covet! Under the pressure of such absolute wealth, no one dared to raise the price. Buhuo successfully secured the core, then swiftly concealed his aura and vanished from the hall.
IV. Ambush in the Dense Forest: The Azure Sword's Strike
Wen Buhuo did not return directly to his residence. Instead, he donned his Invisibility Gauze and circled back to lie in wait along the path Qi Yunxiao had to take home.
Sure enough, in a secluded stretch of dense forest, two early Foundation Establishment bandits had already intercepted Qi Yunxiao. "Surname Qi, you think a weakling like you can hold onto such a treasure? Hand it over!" The bandits sneered, easily shattering the simple defensive formation Qi had set up, preparing to kill him and seize the goods.
Just as the bandits' blades were about to fall, a streak of azure light erupted like a soaring dragon!
Thwack!
The Azure Cloud Sword turned into a blur, instantly piercing the chest of one bandit. Seeing the tide turn, the other tried to flee, but Buhuo’s eyes were cold. Stepping into the Luo Yan Steps, he caught up like a phantom and struck again with his sword, thoroughly eliminating the threat.
V. A Friendship Between Gentlemen: Trust and Promise
Buhuo sheathed his longsword and helped the trembling Qi Yunxiao to his feet. "Brother Qi, the cultivation world is treacherous. Never reveal your wealth; you must be extremely cautious in the future."
Having escaped death, Qi Yunxiao was moved to tears. "Brother Wen, I owe you my life. It belongs to you from this day forward!"
Buhuo shook his head and took the Dragon-Chant Grass, saying, "I have some knowledge of alchemy. Brother Qi, if this herb is consumed directly, half its efficacy will be wasted. Let me refine it into a pill for you; that will maximize the benefit for Junior Sister Xin."
Qi Yunxiao, having nothing left to repay him, performed a formal, solemn bow. "Brother Wen is truly noble. I will devote my life to completing the full 'Five Elements Reversal Formation' diagrams for you. In the future, I will go through fire and water at your command!"
Wen Buhuo smiled slightly. "You overstate it." Watching Qi Yunxiao’s departing figure, Buhuo sighed softly. On this cold road to immortality, this was perhaps one of the few friends he could truly trust.
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