Lingyuan Immortal

Chapter 907 Heavenly Pool Feather Clan
The sky was clear and blue, and the sea breeze, carrying a salty taste, swept across the water, stirring up vast waves, but it could not shake the treasure ship in the slightest.

The moment the gilded light barrier rippled, Chen Mu's cloud-patterned shoes had already stepped onto this fairy city on the sea.

Looking up, Haixin City resembles a dragon's spine cast from black iron, winding into the clouds, while the mottled thunder and fire patterns on the city walls bear witness to thousands of years of vicissitudes.

Unlike the ethereal fairy palaces in the clouds above the Three Heavens, this city possesses a solemn and serene aura, like a dragon palace in the deep sea.

Moreover, each obsidian brick was permeated with glistening moisture, a colossal object forged by the three great families of Guixu over hundreds of years by melting down millions of kilograms of seabed iron.

As a celestial city jointly established by the three great families, it is different from other places. You can enter the city by paying a spirit stone.

What's even more enticing are the numerous cave dwellings throughout the city. As long as one's storage pouch is full enough, renting a villa with a spiritual spring is just a matter of a snap of the fingers.

Moreover, because a winding spiritual vein runs beneath the city, it has attracted quite a few independent cultivators without any sect or affiliation, adding a touch of liveliness to this ancient city...

The two strolled slowly through the city gate, and as soon as they stepped into the array gate, they felt a surge of spiritual energy.

Chen Mu was slightly shaken, thinking to himself that the abundance of spiritual veins in this place far exceeded his expectations.

"Would the immortal master like to guide us?"

Suddenly, a crisp sound pierced the air, and seven or eight gray-clad youths emerged from the street corner like swimming fish. The bamboo tags at their waists were engraved with the three characters "Hai Xin Yin". The leader was only at the third level of Qi Condensation, yet he spoke the common slang with remarkable fluency.

"A new Crimson Flame Shark has arrived in the East Market, and the Thousand Machine Gambling Arena, which just opened in the West Ward, is opening today..."

Before he finished speaking, Liang Chengxuan slightly shook his wide sleeves, and a gentle breeze suddenly arose from the ground.

As if drawn by invisible threads, the boys retreated in unison, each step taking a step back three zhang (approximately 10 meters). After glancing at Liang Chengxuan, they immediately dispersed like a receding tide.

Chen Mu's gaze swept over the hurried figures, and he noticed that each of them had a white feather about an inch long growing behind their ears, resembling the first snowflakes and frost, making them particularly conspicuous in Xuan City.

He was taken aback and immediately recalled the "Tales of Strange Things in the Floating Clouds" that he had read when he first arrived in this world at the Liu family's residence.

After secretly confirming it, he thought to himself, "It's actually an extraordinary person?"

The so-called "Outcasts" are not pure humans; their ancestors had some blood from other races. However, they are different from half-demons. Although Chen Mu knew this, this was the first time he had ever seen one...

"They are all descendants of the Heavenly Lake Feather Clan."

Liang Chengxuan transmitted his voice secretly, explaining at the opportune moment: "Although they are a collateral branch abandoned by the main clan, they are still bound by blood ties and karma. If we get too involved with them, we may invite unwarranted disaster..."

Chen Mu's heart stirred slightly: "The Heavenly Pool Feather Clan was originally a clan of extraordinary people?"

Liang Chengxuan nodded: "The only true natives here are the Tianchi Feather Clan."

"Legend has it that the Ruins of Return were originally a prison for this race, but unexpectedly, they were incredibly resilient and had an extremely strong reproductive ability, allowing them to flourish even in dire circumstances. Now, millions of Feathered People are scattered throughout the Ruins of Return. Although most of them are ordinary people, they should not be underestimated..."

His voice trailed off, and a faint light seemed to emanate from his sleeves.

Chen Mu followed his gaze and saw at the end of the long street, several cultivators with wings on their backs were flapping their wings and flying over the glazed roof.

The evening breeze ruffled the stray hairs at his temples, carrying an indescribable sense of desolation.

"The Heavenly Pool Feather Clan..."

Chen Mu nodded slowly. So that's how the Ruins of Return came to be...

As light and shadow danced along the corridor, Liang Chengxuan recounted the city's stories to Chen Mu.

As they meandered through the winding corridors, the sky suddenly brightened, and a majestic pavilion appeared amidst the clouds.

A hundred feet above the ground, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pavilion, with its golden crystal frame, outlined eaves that seemed ready to take flight, while four dragon-head gates cast from black iron swallowed up an endless stream of people…

Chen Mu stopped and gazed at the crowd. The cultivators' robes fluttered in the wind, like a hundred butterflies taking flight.

There were sword cultivators in black robes carrying black iron sword cases wrapped with talismans, alchemists in crimson robes with jade gourds that swayed with clear sounds hanging from their waists, and female cultivators in flowing colorful silk riding three-tailed spirit foxes across the clouds, their trailing skirts brushing against the bluestone and rippling out circles of spiritual patterns...

"Please come with me, True Lord."

Liang Chengxuan stepped aside and gestured. After all, the Liang family was one of the thirty-six prominent families of Lingzhu Mountain, so they naturally did not need to queue up like ordinary people to enter.

The two had only walked a few steps after turning the corner of the corridor when water ripples appeared on the black jade screen in front of the auction house. A cultivator in brocade robes walked out from it, and the five-colored silk ribbons on his chest were actually woven from the mane of a fifth-order demon beast.

"Master Liang!"

Before speaking, the newcomer smiled and exchanged pleasantries with Liang Chengxuan, revealing his identity as one of the city's stewards. He was from the Huangtai clan of Lingzhu Mountain and was therefore acquainted with Liang Chengxuan, always greeting any visitors from the Liang clan.

His gaze fell on Chen Mu, his expression immediately changed, and he bowed and asked, "And who is this senior?"

Liang Chengxuan introduced, "Chen Zhenjun is a fellow disciple of my Liang family's ancestor..."

Deacon Huang Tai was startled subconsciously. The Liang family patriarch? That old man Liang Tian has such a junior brother?

However, he quickly realized that Liang was another ancestor.

"It seems he is Liang Chongzhenjun's junior brother..."

His expression straightened; as a true lord from beyond the borders, he could not afford to be impolite.

"Huang Taiqi has met Chen Zhenjun."

Chen Mu nodded and smiled: "No need for such formalities, Steward."

Huang Taiqi, however, dared not be too impolite. He extended his hand and said with a smile, "The private room has already prepared the Thousand-Year Snow Soul Tea. I hope you will taste it, True Lord!"

A misty haze hung from the eaves, and the silhouettes of the three figures were imprinted on the jade floor tiles, only to be trampled by the newly arrived cloud-patterned brocade boots.

The cultivator in the purple robes lightly turned the jade gall in his palm, his gaze falling on the direction where the figure had disappeared.

"That must be Liang Chong's junior brother."

"It doesn't look particularly unusual."

A soft laugh came from beneath the jade crown: "I don't know the depth of this person, but I have seen Li Dan. He is calm and composed, yet decisive and daring, unlike ordinary people. If this person were to fight Li Dan, hehe, it would be quite a sight to behold..."

"Aren't you all underestimating this person? He is a descendant of Liang Chong, how could he be an easy opponent?"

A subtle fragrance wafted from the crowd's clothes, and suddenly the cold scent of winter plum blossoms broke through the warm mist: "So what if it's not easy? As far as I know, Li Dan has made a bet with this person on three matches. Do you know who he invited for the last match?"

"Don't keep me in suspense, who?"

"The Golden Shadow True Monarch of the Wu Clan!"

These words were like a stone striking still water; several jade thumb rings beneath the cloud-patterned wide sleeves stopped abruptly.

"It was him?!"

Someone muttered, their Adam's apple bobbing, "Fellow Daoist Jin Ying seems to have already broken through the sixth level, hasn't he? Yet he hasn't broken through to the next realm. His ambitions are truly lofty..."

"Do you think everyone is like you? Fellow Daoist Jin Ying is a celestial talent who has manifested the Dao Fruit. Even the Twelve Famous Sects greatly admire him. I heard that the Su Clan Chief is even planning to betroth his daughter to Fellow Daoist Jin Ying!"

"Is there such a thing?"

The group of people couldn't help but click their tongues in amazement after just a few words.

Although they were also True Lords of the Lingzhu Mountain Clan, they were far inferior to a celestial talent like Jin Ying. However, they had long since lost their desire to pursue the Dao, thinking that they should spend their remaining time looking after their families and enjoying drinking and merrymaking with friends. Who knew that this wasn't a new kind of liberation?

This is a new source of fun.

In Guixu, duels for the peak are not uncommon, but the encounter between a rather mysterious True Monarch from beyond the borders and a talented immortal from a prominent family who had already achieved Dao Fruition has greatly excited them, and they have even begun to look forward to that day...

They were talking amongst themselves, but the three of them were walking through the ancient corridor. The moment the door to the private room opened, Chen Mu's pupils flickered slightly.

Beyond the mysterious screen, the auction house resembled an inverted nine-tiered celestial palace, with seventy-two floating jade platforms surrounding the central gilded platform.

At the lowest level, the cultivators sat cross-legged on the black jade floor tiles. Above them were sandalwood armchairs supported by cloud-patterned brocade cushions, and above that, silk curtains draped over a phoenix-patterned soft couch.

Until they reached the domed pavilion where they stood, the nine heavenly steps were divided by spiritual mist, the distinct levels like an insurmountable chasm...

"If Lord Chen Zhenjun has any needs, please use this talisman to summon me. The grand gathering will begin soon, and I will not disturb you any longer."

Huang Taiqi, a man of worldly experience, knew when to back down as he saw that Chen Mu had no intention of engaging in conversation. He bowed deeply and quietly took his leave, presenting the jade talisman with both hands before departing, which gleamed with a lustrous blue light.

Liang Chengxuan took the robe from the man and watched his figure in brocade robes disappear around the corner of the cloud ladder before turning back to examine the elegant pavilion suspended in the dome. His fingertips traced the carved jade railing as he sighed:

"To my shame, I have participated in the Haixin City auction dozens of times, but this is the first time I have climbed to such a high place..."

There are only a dozen or so rooms in the Dome Pavilion, and it is not open to anyone who is not from a distinguished family.

This exception was made for two reasons. First, Huang Taiqi had traveled extensively in his early years and knew that the foreign lands were not the same as Guixu, so he deduced that the forces behind Chen Mu were extraordinary.

Secondly, few members of prominent families and nobles attended this major auction, so the vacant Yunge Pavilion was a convenient way to do them a favor...

Chen Mu had a vague idea about this. He walked to the front of the Xuanmu screen, his gaze sweeping over the three or five bright lights that were lit up on the dome. However, he felt no joy in his heart. Instead, he frowned slightly.

The absence of prestigious auction houses often means that truly exceptional items are unlikely to appear at auction.

This was actually bad news for him, who was looking for the perfect spirit pet...

The incense burner with its crane-shaped beak emits wisps of blue smoke, and Chen Mu lightly shakes his wide sleeves as he sits down on the cloud-shaped couch.

Well, opportunities cannot be forced. If we return empty-handed this time, it will only mean a few more twists and turns.

Thinking this, he focused his consciousness into his spiritual platform, waiting for the nine chimes of the cloud bell...

Time passed slowly, and as noon approached, a clear light suddenly swept across the gilded platform. Sensing this change, the whispers in the hall immediately subsided, and hundreds of eyes turned to the high platform.

Just then, Li Zhongfang arrived late, stepping onto the cloud-patterned jade steps.

Liang Chengxuan's knuckles unconsciously tapped the gilded railing, and the moment his gaze fell, his pupils suddenly contracted.

The Li family arrived in a hurry; such a display was far from the usual state of bidding...

He subconsciously reached for the storage bag at his waist, which contained tens of thousands of high-grade spirit stones that his father had placed there.

Normally, this amount would be enough to acquire several rare and exotic spirit beasts during a major auction, but now that Li Zhongyi has arrived...

"What if we run out of spirit stones?"

Liang Chengxuan's palms were damp with sweat, and he was filled with worry.

My father personally promised to do his best to help Chen Zhenjun with the matter of the spirit pet. If we don't have enough spirit stones, it's a small matter of losing face, but it's a big deal to delay Zhenjun's affairs!

Thinking of this, he immediately took out the jade talisman and transmitted the entire situation back to his family...

Little did they know that Chen Mu had never intended to use the Liang family's spirit stones from the very beginning.

Spiritual stone resources are scarce in this world, so ten thousand high-grade spiritual stones are considered a fortune for an ordinary True Monarch.

However, Chen Mu came from the Tai Xuan Realm, so naturally he did not have this situation.

Right now, a million high-grade spirit stones are quietly stored in his cave. Since he joined the Azure Tide Pavilion, he has not yet put them to use. If he doesn't use them now, when will he?
However, Chen Mu has high standards, and it's uncertain whether there will be any items in this auction that will attract his attention...

After waiting a while longer, the Treasure Envoy finally appeared on the gilded platform.

Chen Mu stared intently, and saw that the black robe with silver crane pattern on the wide sleeves was moving without wind, and the seven exquisite jade bells hanging from the waist were silent.

The newcomer was imposing, with a magnificent beard reaching his chest, and a water-patterned Dao seal faintly visible between his brows. Although he did not deliberately release any pressure, the aura of a True Monarch had already condensed into a misty haze surrounding his body. However, it was impossible to see clearly which level of barrier was hidden behind those layers of waves...

Liang Chengxuan then suppressed his inner turmoil and introduced Chen Mu, saying, "This is Hong Wuyai, an elder of the Hong clan, a branch of the Gonggong clan. He is in charge of receiving visitors from outside Haixin City. It just so happens that the Gonggong clan is in charge of the Heavenly Auction this time, so it is fitting that he makes an appearance..."

Chen Mu nodded slowly.

"Greetings, fellow Daoists."

Hong Wuyai formed a lotus seal with both hands and bowed in the air, three inches of Xuanming True Water bursting from his fingertips: "The rules of Haixin City are only stated once..."

The Xuanming True Water transformed into a dragon and circled the arena three times, its passage accompanied by resounding booms: "Forbidden divine sense probing, forbidden void teleportation, forbidden overdue payments and delays!"

The True Lord's Daoist voice swept like the tide, naturally having no effect on Chen Mu and the others. However, all those who inquired about the Dao experienced their souls trembling, and the Three Prohibitions transformed into ancient golden talismans that were imprinted into their spiritual platforms.

In the ensuing silence, Hong Wuyai suddenly smiled again: "Of course, everyone here is familiar with the rules of this place, how could you make such a small mistake?"

As he rolled up his wide sleeves, a seven-tiered coral and jade stand rose from the center of the gilded platform: "Without further ado, let's look at the first item..."

Before he finished speaking, purple mist rose from the jade shelf, and the elixir energy flickered and flowed with his breath, eventually condensing into a constantly rotating phantom of a blazing sun in the void.

Chen Mu stared intently at the pill with great interest. He saw that the spiral patterns on the surface of the pill were layered like waves. Although it was difficult to determine the specific grade, he knew from the aura of the Dao that it must be a fourth-grade spiritual pill.

As expected, Hong Wuyai smiled and introduced, "The Three Lives Purple Sun Pill is a high-grade fourth-tier elixir. It is made primarily from nine-thousand-year-old Purple Sun Ginseng and has undergone nine rounds of tempering and refining. After consumption, it can forcibly open the thirty-six hidden meridians in the body of a fourth-tier cultivator. If one encounters an opportunity to break through to a higher realm..."

He paused deliberately, and the cloud pattern between his fingers burst into thousands of points of light, "This will increase our chances of winning by thirty percent."

Chen Mu's pupils contracted slightly. Such an aid, even if ineffective for breaking through to a higher level, would still be enough to cause a frenzy among cultivators in the Tai Xuan Realm, but in the Floating Cloud Realm...

He lowered his eyes and looked down. Anyone who could see his expression, while not exactly dull, did not react much either, as if he looked down on this kind of elixir.

Even Liang Chengxuan, who was of the same level of cultivation, remained calm, as if what he was hearing was nothing more than the hawking of a street vendor.

He had a sudden realization: cultivators in this world gather Dao traces every day, so why would they need to rely on pills to break through their barriers?

With that kind of wealth, you might as well purchase a suitable fourth-tier Dao Mark...

Hong Wuyai clearly understood this principle, yet he still explained the elixir formula in detail and at a leisurely pace, until he had explained the nine cycles of fire and the proper combination of ingredients, before finally spreading his sleeves wide and waving them in the wind:

"Twelve elixir bottles, enough for six people to knock on the gate, bidding begins..."

The illusory image of the purple sun suspended in the air shattered with a roar, turning into three thousand points of light that fell into the jade plate.

"Three thousand high-grade spirit stones!"

Chen Mu's eyes flickered slightly, breaking his previous thoughts.

With just this first item up for auction, he had the idea of ​​"finding a bargain," even though he no longer needed it...

……

(End of this chapter)