Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan Chapter 2205 - 1572: Beginning (Part 2)

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Previously on Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan...
The Tongtian Sect announced an upcoming auction, offering high-quality pills at competitive prices. This move attracted attention from both loose cultivators, who saw it as a chance for affordable resources, and major forces in Mingzhou, who viewed it as a threat to their own pill sales and cultivator base. While many speculated the sect's ambitious plan would fail, the sect leader remained unconcerned.

For him, it was merely a matter of a simple wave of his hand to achieve. All he needed to do was place the carefully concocted pill before him and employ his Power of Purification. He would carefully regulate its intensity, ensuring it wasn't too potent, thereby preventing excessive purification of the Pill Poison within, which could otherwise elevate the pill's grade too significantly.

Given Li Zhirui's current cultivation realm, he possessed the capability to purify tens of thousands of pills simultaneously, a feat that might take less than half a quarter of an hour. However, he was determined to keep his extraordinary abilities concealed from everyone. Indeed, there existed quite a number of individuals in the Tao Spirit Realm whose power surpassed his own. Should word of his talent spread, the resulting trouble would be immense, potentially forcing him to once again live a life of secrecy and exile.

But now, Li Zhirui had found new bonds and attachments, and the time was long past when he could remain indifferent to all matters. Therefore, he had to exercise extreme caution, ensuring not even a sliver of information would be leaked.

"Are the Sect Leader's claims indeed true?" Wansheng inquired, his gaze tinged with skepticism.

It wasn't a lack of faith, but rather the unprecedented and unheard-of nature of the Sect Leader's pronouncements that caused hesitation. Furthermore, given that it concerned the reputation of the entire sect, he felt compelled to voice his doubts.

"Indeed! I would not make light of such a significant matter," Li Zhirui stated with unwavering certainty. "Therefore, you should promptly arrange for the disciples to begin concocting the pills and subsequently hand them over to me."

The Sixth and Eighth Rank Spirit Enhancing Pills would be entrusted to the alchemists meticulously trained by the Tongtian Sect over the years. However, the Loose Immortal Grade pills could only be crafted by his own hand. To prevent the concoction of pills with excessively high grades, he would need to deliberately introduce minor errors during the refining process. Otherwise, the outcome would inevitably be nothing short of top-grade elixirs!

There was no other way; with Li Zhirui's mastery of the Purification Principle, a trace of purification was naturally infused into his mana, even without actively employing the Power of Purification. When combined with his superb alchemy techniques, such Loose Immortal Grade pills could effortlessly reach the pinnacle of quality. If all of them were top-grade, it might still be somewhat plausible, but an entire batch of top-grade elixirs would undoubtedly arouse suspicion.

In the ensuing days, all the alchemists within the Tongtian Sect were engaged in the continuous process of pill concoction. Even those incapable of refining Spirit Enhancing Pills found themselves occupied, assisting in the preliminary purification of Spiritual Objects. Other disciples were similarly assigned their respective duties, including preparations for an upcoming auction several days later.

...As the sun traversed the sky, marking the passage of days and nights, time swiftly advanced to the day of the grand auction.

For this momentous occasion, the Tongtian Sect mobilized all its disciples. Some were tasked with maintaining order, others with welcoming guests, and a significant number needed to serve as shop assistants and proprietors. Despite these efforts, the available manpower felt somewhat strained.

"Ten Thousand Treasures Immortal City certainly presents an impressive sight," remarked one observer.

Even though its construction had been completed in a mere half a month, there was not the slightest indication of subpar work or cut corners. To the casual observer, it bore no resemblance to a hastily erected settlement.

"One can only hope it's not merely gilt on the outside with nothing of substance within," added another, voicing a common concern.

As the Immortal City had only recently opened its gates to cultivators, and major merchants had yet to express strong confidence in its future development, they had refrained from securing shop leases in advance. Consequently, a majority of the establishments within the city remained closed, with the few operating outlets being managed directly by the Tongtian Sect.

"Pill Shop, Magic Artifact Store, Talisman Shop..." The names of the shops were remarkably straightforward, immediately conveying the nature of their merchandise.

Among all the emporiums, the Mo Elixir Shop undoubtedly stood out as the most popular and crowded establishment. It was already thronged with people, with queues extending far out into the street.

The vast majority of these eager patrons were intent on examining the newly improved Spirit Enhancing Pills, eager to ascertain their price, efficacy, and available quantities.

"Esteemed patrons, please do not concern yourselves with the pill's effect. If it proves to be less than a ten percent improvement over the original formulation, and assuming it hasn't been deliberately damaged, you may return it for Spirit Stones at any time," announced a disciple serving as the temporary shopkeeper.

"Furthermore, rest assured, the sect has prepared approximately five thousand bottles of Sixth and Eighth Rank Spirit Enhancing Pills, alongside a thousand bottles of the Loose Immortal Grade variety."

"However, to purchase these Spirit Enhancing Pills, a prerequisite is the rental of a Cave Mansion within either Ten Thousand Treasures Immortal City or the Hundred Treasures Market for a minimum duration of six months."

"No such condition applies to other types of pills. Should you require any other medicinal concoctions, please feel free to approach me for your transactions." The remaining pills offered were of a more common nature, readily available elsewhere, and had not undergone any enhancements.

However, to celebrate the grand unveiling of Tongtian Sect’s inaugural Immortal City, these pills were presented with a ten percent discount, accompanied by a modest reduction in Spirit Stone prices.

In contrast to the Pill Shop, the surrounding establishments appeared considerably more subdued.

"How did the Tongtian Sect manage to produce so many advanced pills?"

An elder from a different sect, passing by and catching snippets of conversations within, could not help but express their astonishment.

This scene was a stark departure from their initial expectations!

While five thousand bottles of improved pills might not remain for long, the sheer quantity demonstrated the Tongtian Sect's formidable capacity for mass production.

With this realization, the elder’s demeanor grew considerably grave.

They were on the precipice of a confrontation with the Tongtian Sect, and it clearly was no minor force.

Dang, dang, dang——

As individuals meandered through the area, the resonant chime of a bell suddenly echoed.

Subsequently, a voice permeated the hearing of all cultivators present: "The auction is moments away from commencement; those interested, please proceed to the central square before the City Lord’s Mansion."

Indeed! The auction was slated to take place in the plaza!

The purpose-built auction hall lacked the capacity to accommodate such a large gathering.

Upon hearing the announcement, every cultivator turned their steps towards the square.

In a mere instant, the previously vacant expanse was thronged with cultivators.

"The auction is about to commence; please remain in your positions and refrain from unnecessary movement!"

Accompanying this directive, a dense white mist began to billow across the square, rapidly escalating to a density where one could scarcely see their outstretched hand.

Yet, by simply looking upward, the details on the auction stage remained perfectly discernible.

This measure was implemented to safeguard the anonymity of individuals bidding on and acquiring Spiritual Objects, thereby preventing potential ambushes during their journeys.

Only an organization like the Tongtian Sect, eager to establish its reputation, would extend such thoughtful consideration to its patrons.

Had their legacy endured for a longer duration, such meticulousness might not have been observed.

"The auction officially begins!"

From the stage, the Independent Immortal Disciple solemnly proclaimed, "Once the bidding commences, the use of mana to probe surrounding cultivators is strictly forbidden. Any individual found in violation will face immediate expulsion."

Boom——

Li Zhirui, who had remained unseen until this juncture, chose this very moment to announce his presence through a potent display of his aura.

"This is..."

That terrifyingly immense pressure, though fleetingly present for merely three breaths, left an indelible and profound impression.

"The aura just now was, at the very least, indicative of a Mysterious Immortal’s Great Ability!"

"Are you suggesting the Tongtian Sect actually harbors a Mysterious Immortal?" But how is that plausible! Is it not a recently established, obscure sect?"

The cultivators from the various factions experienced a dramatic shift in their expressions, as not a single one had anticipated the Tongtian Sect’s possession of a Mysterious Immortal.

Should such an individual decide to intervene directly, no power within Mingzhou could possibly withstand them!

While the Loose Cultivators registered their surprise, their outward reactions were muted, given the limited personal stake they held in the matter.

Dang——

The auctioneer struck the small Jade Bell situated beside him, effectively drawing the collective attention of all present.

"The auction officially commences!"

"Our inaugural item for auction is a Profound Immortal Rank Spiritual Object, the Nine-colored Rainbow Light. This item can be integrated into a Flying Artifact, significantly enhancing its speed, and it is rumored to possess a connection to the mysterious path of fortune."

"The opening bid stands at thirty million Spirit Stones!"

This initial bidding price immediately signaled that the artifact was beyond the financial reach of the majority of cultivators.

However, cultivators of Loose Cultivator origin, irrespective of their high cultivation realms, would likely find it challenging to allocate substantial Spirit Stones, as their resources were primarily channeled into their personal cultivation.

"Thirty-five million Spirit Stones!"

"Forty million..."

The bidding for this particular Spiritual Object did not exhibit extraordinary fervor, with the price escalating gradually before settling at forty-eight million three hundred thousand.

"Congratulations, esteemed bidder, on your successful acquisition of the Nine-colored Rainbow Light!"