Fellow Daoist Entrusts His Child: Immortality Begins with Nurturing a Demoness

Chapter 76 Auction, The Changes at the Heart Demon Temple
In the black market, the monks hurried about.

Luo Fanchen spent another three spirit stones to acquire several magical materials made from placenta carts from several tribulation cultivators.

Yun Biaotou's expression changed. Most of the items Luo Fanchen was trading were insidious and poisonous magical materials, which made him wary.

Is the master a demonic cultivator?
"Tell me about the major events that have recently occurred in Qingyuan Domain."

Luo Fanchen strolled along with his hands behind his back, casually asking questions as he walked deeper into the underground cave. It was past midnight, and the surrounding cultivators were also cautiously approaching the entrance to the auction under the cover of the dark mist.

"event."

Yun Biaotou paused slightly, rubbing his chin as he pondered.

"Yes, it's related to demonic cultivators."

Luo Fanchen nodded slightly, and with the blessing of the Soul Banner, he surveyed the surrounding cultivators.

He noticed something unusual as soon as he entered the black market. The proportion of body cultivators was too high, about two to one, far exceeding the normal level. Moreover, these body cultivators had abundant qi and blood, unlike Ah Niu who seemed strong on the outside but weak on the inside.

He is not a rogue cultivator; he is clearly a practitioner who specializes in physical cultivation techniques.

In addition, thanks to the Soul Banner's extra sensitivity to malevolent energy, he could sense that these body cultivators all had considerable karma attached to them and were buying up demonic materials, pills, and talismans on a large scale, which meant they were definitely not ordinary tribulation cultivators.

"As for demonic cultivators, there are no demonic cultivator sects in Qingyuan Domain, so it's not a big deal."

Yun, the镖头 (bodyguard), pondered. Having worked as a镖师 (bodyguard) for many years, his information channels were naturally more comprehensive than Luo Fanchen's.

"Qingyuan Domain is relatively stable, but I heard that something happened in the Jinxu Domain of Lihuang. Seven days ago, Liudongyuan launched a surprise attack on Xinmo Temple. The two sides fought a fierce battle, and the disciples suffered heavy losses."

"I see, no wonder."

Luo Fanchen stroked his chin. Both Liudongyuan and Xinmo Temple were demonic sects, affiliated with Bodhi Temple, one of the Three Saints Sect.

As far as he knew, Liudongyuan only had one Core Formation Realm cultivator in charge, while Xinmo Temple had one Core Formation Realm cultivator and two Body Refinement Golden Body Realm cultivators. The strength of the two sides' leaders was completely disproportionate.

The disciples of Liudong Temple number only a quarter of those of Xinmo Temple. How dare they launch a surprise attack and engage in a deadly battle? Are they tired of living?

"How's the battle going?"

Luo Fanchen pursed his lips and asked again, a vague sense of unease creeping into his heart.

The demonic cultivators who are buying up large quantities of goods on the black market are mostly body cultivators. If they are indeed cultivators from the Heart Demon Temple, the situation in the battle is probably not optimistic.

"I don't know. There are rumors outside that Xinmo Temple is going to lose, but in my opinion, it's probably just a psychological rumor spread by Ryutoin."

"Liudongyuan's strength is about the same as Qinghe Sect, but it is far from being a match for Xinmo Temple."

Yun Biaotou shook his head slightly. Luo Fanchen's expression was uncertain, and he became slightly wary.

The collapse of the Heart Demon Temple is probably not a rumor, and today's scene is not limited to the black market here.

The Heart Demon Temple is likely suffering heavy losses, with healing pills and anti-enemy magic weapons in dire need, and unable to acquire enough resources within its own domain. That's why it has resorted to this desperate measure, secretly sending disciples to the immortal markets and black markets of various domains to buy up wartime resources at high prices.

The fact that the black market can tolerate so many demonic cultivators suggests that there are some exchanges of interests behind it, and it is very likely that it is one of the trading channels between the vassal sects of Qingyuan Domain and the Heart Demon Temple.

Of course, this is just speculation based on existing clues, and even if the Heart Demon Temple is destroyed, it is hard to say whether it will affect him.

"We need to purchase several more sets of barrier formations to strengthen our defenses."

Luo Fanchen murmured silently, "If the Heart Demon Temple is truly destroyed, a large number of demonic cultivators will flee to the Qingyuan Domain to avoid disaster. At that time, the Qinghe Three Sects' territory, which has finally settled down, will probably be in turmoil again."

"trouble."

At the same time, in the innermost ring of Feiyunfang, there was a three-story building.

The floor was covered with warm jade, and the chandelier made of Soul Cleansing Crystal swayed dimly. Inside the hollowed-out Yi wood screen, Ming Ruoxue sat upright on a futon, breathing steadily. After a while, her brows furrowed slightly, and she hurriedly swallowed a first-grade superior Heart Cleansing Pill, slowly exhaling a breath of turbid air.

The futon is soft and old, with fine seal script engraved inside, indicating its high quality. It seems to be related to stabilizing the mind and cleansing the soul.

"call--"

Ming Ruoxue frowned slightly, her delicate hands slowly clenching, her agitation growing stronger. Only after refining the Heart Cleansing Pill did her expression return to calm.

"Knock knock. My lord, it is Qingluo, the chief disciple of Qinghe Sect, and Qinghe, the Grand Elder, who are here to pay their respects."

The spirit puppet outside the door respectfully reported. Ming Ruoxue did not say a word, but nodded calmly. An old man and a young man dressed in a cloud-blue robe bowed their bodies and respectfully stepped forward. Before they even met, they knelt on one knee and said, "My lady."

"How is the matter I entrusted to you?"

"My lord, despite our entire sect's best efforts, we are still unable to find what you are looking for."

The gaunt Qinghe had a bitter expression on her face. Ever since Ming Ruoxue issued the decree, the entire Qinghe Sect had been secretly searching for the whereabouts of the Immortal Longevity Pill essence, but unfortunately, the results were meager and all divination methods had become ineffective.

Even the third-order primary formation cast by the spiritual veins of the Qinghe Sect could only confirm that the essence was still within the territory of the three sects.

"Not even a single clue?"

"We can only confirm that the item is still in the three sects, but the most likely place is still the Yimu Sect's secret realm."

There's only one there.

Ming Ruoxue's lips were slightly pursed beneath the thin veil, her blue eyes remained serene, but the faint anxiety in her heart showed signs of resurfacing.

Nearly a month has passed, and progress is still minimal.

As her cultivation level increases, the conflict between her Dao heart and her cultivation method intensifies. She needs to sever her worldly ties as soon as possible, resonate with the Xuanzhang to form her Golden Core, and at most five years. If she still fails, she will have to switch to a secondary cultivation method and bid farewell to the Xuanzhang and Golden Core forever.

"We surmise that the Longevity Pill has fallen into the hands of demonic cultivators."

"The only things that can conceal the detection of a third-tier array are the methods of a Core Formation cultivator, either a magic weapon or a Core Formation imprint imbued with Dao essence."

"Of course I know."

Ming Ruoxue sneered, and with just a fleeting, indifferent glance, the two Foundation Establishment cultivators felt a chill run down their spines and trembled as they knelt on the ground.

According to intelligence reports from Luo Shen Pavilion, the first Immortal Longevity Pill refined by Luo Qianqiu was destroyed by the demonic cultivators of Xinmo Temple. These demonic monks likely possess a portion of the pill's essence.

In addition, it is also possible that he is a remnant of the Yimu Sect. This person's cultivation level should be very low, not exceeding the Foundation Establishment stage, otherwise he would not have been able to hide it from her array plate.

Since the opponent is still in the territory of the three sects, it is obviously to seize the fifth essence in the Yimu Secret Realm. The opponent is alone and lacks high-level perception methods. He must rely on the mutual attraction of essences to perceive the fifth essence.

In other words, if the other party wants to gather all the essence, they must enter the secret realm of the Yimu Sect.

"still have a chance."

Ming Ruoxue murmured silently, her gaze piercing.

The Yimu Secret Realm is her territory; anyone who dares to touch her true essence will surely be captured by her.

"My lord, what about the Heart Demon Temple?"

"Keep letting them in and keep the transactions going."

"Your Excellency is wise! Spirit stones from demonic cultivators are still spirit stones; why not take advantage of them!"

Qingluo, the chief disciple of Qinghe Sect, was flattering and fawning, but he was met with a disdainful look from Ming Ruoxue, who looked down at him with disdain. Just one glance made him stiffen up, as if his meridians were about to freeze.

"idiot."

Ming Ruoxue's green eyes showed disgust, and her body was surrounded by frost, which covered Qingluo's body with a thin layer of ice crystals.

"Spread the word from the black market that healing pills and basic talismans can be supplied in unlimited quantities to attract demonic cultivators from the Heart Demon Temple to cooperate. The more people who come, the better. The future location of the black market will be set at the old site of the Yimu Sect."

Ming Ruoxue spoke slowly, her eyes cold as frost: "When the Yimu Secret Realm opens a month later, I will personally close the three sects' territories."

"At that time, a large number of demonic cultivators who remain in the Yimu Sect will be thrown into the secret realm as part of the secret realm trial."

After Ming Ruoxue finished speaking, she walked to the window and gazed at the bright moon in the sky.

"The proceeds from the trade with the demonic cultivator will be distributed as a supplementary reward to the ranking rewards within the secret realm." "These demonic cultivators are ruthless and vicious; ordinary disciples who suddenly encounter them will suffer heavy losses."

"I have my own methods to ensure that the rogue cultivators in the secret realm are not implicated by the demonic cultivators."

Ming Ruoxue narrowed her emerald eyes, her voice calm and cold: "As for the disciples of the sect, they are supported by the sect's resources, lacking nothing in terms of cultivation techniques, pills, and spiritual veins. They are the mainstay in resisting demonic cultivators."

"Now that things are peaceful, all they do is bully weak, unskilled cultivators?"

"The Heart Demon Temple is nothing more than a vassal of the demonic sect. If it can't even subdue a few turtles in a jar, then it's just dead. It's a waste of spirit stones for such incompetent people to live."

Ming Ruoxue's words were sharp, and Qinghe broke out in a cold sweat, complaining bitterly.

They know the strength of their own sect. With their Qinghe Sect disciples alone, at least a third of them would be lost in the hands of the Heart Demon Temple.

It seems that this Fairy Ruoxue is still concerned about the Qinghe Sect's dereliction of duty and is seriously dissatisfied with the combat strength of the disciples of the affiliated sects.

As expected, the disciples of Luoshen Pavilion cannot tolerate any wrongdoing.

"The Yimu Sect's secret realm is truly the nemesis of my Qinghe Sect!"

Qinghe sighed silently, her face full of bitterness.

"We have already agreed to the deal. Isn't this a breach of faith? What if the Heart Demon Temple retaliates in the future?"

After Qingluo tentatively asked the question, Ming Ruoxue's brows furrowed slightly, her heart filled with restlessness and a renewed sense of unease. She clicked her tongue and replied.

"I despise fools the most. You should step down as chief and give way to a more capable person."

"Sir, Qingluo knows his mistake."

"Talking about loyalty with demonic cultivators? Qinghe, is this the kind of person the chief disciple of the Qinghe Sect is?"

Ming Ruoxue casually waved her hand as if swatting a fly, and before Qingluo could react, she was blown out of the pavilion by the swirling snow and fell heavily onto the street. After rolling several times in full view of everyone, she fainted.

“If your direct lineage only produces useless people, then there is no need for you to be the direct lineage.”

"Please calm down, my lord. I will definitely rectify the sect in the future and will never do it again."

"Purge? Ha, your sect leader knows how to purge after returning from my Luoshen Pavilion."

Ming Ruoxue snorted lightly, standing with her hands behind her back, not even bothering to spare Qinghe a glance, and said coldly.

"The Heart Demon Temple is in dire straits and its fate is sealed. There is no need to worry about retaliation."

"I will be personally overseeing the area soon to reassure the independent cultivators within my jurisdiction. You are to maintain order in the Immortal Market and get out of here."

After Ming Ruoxue finished speaking, when Qinghe looked back again, her figure had already appeared outside the pavilion. At her feet was Qingluo, who was shivering from the cold and crying out in pain. In just a short moment, this chief had already fallen to the brink of falling from his cultivation level.

The scattered cultivators stopped and watched. Qinghe Sect lost face, and Qinghe herself could only lower her head and leave hastily with Qingluo.

Ming Ruoxue is so harsh!

She's just a poor girl from a Foundation Establishment family, yet she acts like she has a death wish. She's infuriating!

Qinghe blushed deeply; the mocking gaze of the rogue cultivator seemed to still linger in his mind, burning him with unbearable shame.

Ming Ruoxue, you'd better succeed in comprehending the Dharma. If you go astray and become possessed by demonic possession, the sect leader has plenty of ways to trip up your clan!

At the same time, inside the three-story attic.

Ming Ruoxue took another Heart Cleansing Pill, and her tightly furrowed brows finally relaxed a little.

"Using the Heart Demon Temple and Willow Cave Temple for Nascent Soul cultivation? Aren't you afraid the Bodhi Temple will use you as a furnace? Luo Qianqiu, you're something else."

"A first-grade superior-level magic treasure, a Blood Demon Crystal, and five spirit stones. The highest bidder wins!"

The black market, a dark and misty underground space, was divided into dozens of small rooms. By the time Luo Fanchen and Yun Biaotou arrived, the auction had already officially begun, and there were also many independent cultivators blocking the entrance.

"My lord, only cultivators in the late stages of Qi Refining and Body Tempering are eligible to enter. Please follow me."

Having frequented the black market many times, Yun Biaotou was well-versed in its intricacies. He quickly led Luo Fanchen inside and they sat down on the spot. Soon, a dark mist gathered, forming a small room to prevent others from spying on them.

"My lord, this is called an auction, but only the last four treasures are provided by the Foundation Establishment senior who is in charge. They are the grand finale treasures."

"Each cultivator present may present a treasure to introduce."

Yun Biaotou explained in detail, pointing to the Blood Demon Crystal in front of him, and continued: "For example, if many people want this Blood Demon Crystal, they need to bid for it, and the highest bidder wins. If no one wants it, it will be considered a failed auction."

"At the same time, each person can also purchase one treasure. However, if a transaction is completed, a reward of five points must be given as a referral fee. You may consider purchasing it."

Luo Fanchen nodded and, with the Blood Demon Crystal quickly sold out, bid for it with five spirit stones.

This item contains immense blood energy, but because it is mixed with a lot of resentment, direct consumption will affect one's mind and lead to demonic possession, which is extremely dangerous. It can only be used in conjunction with the demonic sect's technique of warding off calamity.

It's also a great tonic for Qiuyun.

The auction continued, and most of the items circulating were evil and unorthodox magical treasures, such as a human skin drum made by a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator, whose power was no weaker than a first-grade high-quality magical treasure, captive Yin spirits, and the essence blood of the five internal organs refined by a cultivator.

"A bottle of the heart's blood of a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator, and five spirit stones."

"Seven, ten, twelve."

Thirteen!

Luo Fanchen didn't stand on ceremony; this item was one of the auxiliary materials needed for the Soul Banner's ascension.

A bottle of heart's blood is roughly equivalent to the weight of ten late-stage Qi Refining cultivators. Normally, it would cost more than twenty-five spirit stones to buy. It seems that quite a few cultivators have died at the Heart Demon Temple. Such a rare item can be bought for just over ten spirit stones.

Twenty minus five, then thirteen, leaving only two spirit stones.

Luo Fanchen clicked his tongue, glancing at Yun Biaotou. This time, he didn't hesitate and calmly said, "I still need to bid on some treasures later. Please pay for them in advance. I will personally visit Miaoyun later to explain and repay her."

"You're too kind, sir. The Pavilion Master has already given instructions: just take a picture of whatever catches your eye."

Yun, the镖头 (bodyguard), was overjoyed. One of the most important tasks the Pavilion Master had given him was to find a way to get Lord Luo to withdraw the spirit stones as soon as possible.

Luo Fanchen was not surprised; given Li Miaoyun's personality, she would definitely prepare enough spirit stones for him.

Soon, Luo Fanchen bought several more magical treasures, spending nearly thirty spirit stones, and finally gathered all the auxiliary materials needed to sublimate the Soul Banner.

Only the last ingredient is missing: the placenta of three kind-hearted female cultivators in the late stage of Qi Refining.

"This thing is a bit tricky."

Even as the auction reached its final, most crucial stage, no one provided any similar magical materials.

Luo Fanchen clicked his tongue in amazement, and could only wait until the auction ended before making a purchase.

The treasures that made their grand finale appearance were indeed extraordinary. The first item was hundreds of sets of standard Taoist robes. Although the cloud and green wood patterns had been erased and the formation had been altered and destroyed, it was still clear that they were Taoist robes belonging to disciples of the Yimu Sect and Qinghe Sect.

The second item consisted of several hundred first-grade high-quality sweet dew pills and various basic talismans, divided into five batches.

The massive amount of supplies was immediately snapped up by the disciples of the Heart Demon Temple at a high price, while no one else in the room bid.

This was clearly a private deal between the Heart Demon Temple and the sect that controlled the black market, and no one dared to cross them.

The last two items were four pairs of three-spiritual-root Heavenly Demon Spirit Puppets and a dilapidated first-grade low-level demonic treasure.

"Soul-summoning bell, low-grade first rank, no accompanying cultivation technique, starting bid fifty spirit stones!"

"A summoning bell?"

Luo Fanchen was slightly taken aback. The Soul-Summoning Bell was a magical treasure inherited by the Three Corpses Sect, and its status was equivalent to that of the Soul Banner.

Even if it is damaged and lacks a method of inheritance, it should not appear in this desolate wilderness.

(End of this chapter)