Chapter 1933: The News of the Nine Dragon Elixir

Inside a private chamber, Song Yuchan sat on a silver meditation mat. A silver cauldron, etched with a miniature flood dragon, was placed in front of her.

Li Yanchuan stood to one side, his expression respectful.

"Since Senior Martial Brother Song has urged you, go and attend to your duties! Don't delay Senior Martial Brother Song's important task," Song Yuchan instructed.

Li Yanchuan acknowledged and left to carry out the order.

"Wait," Song Yuchan called out to Li Yanchuan, her expression serious as she cautioned him. "Don't make things too difficult for Junior Martial Nephew Wang. Fellow disciples should support each other. I don't want to see infighting among my disciples."

She naturally saw through Li Yanchuan's ulterior motives but chose not to expose him. She had personally guided Wang Changsheng for a period, and it was normal for other Deity Transformation cultivators to be envious.

Li Yanchuan gave an awkward smile, repeatedly assenting, and agreed.

"Five-element materials," Song Yuchan muttered to herself, a thoughtful expression on her face. "It seems Senior Martial Brother Song is going to refine a Heaven-reaching Spirit Treasure of the five-element type to pass the Grand Heavenly Tribulation."

Li Yanchuan arrived at the entrance of a refining room and sent a voice transmission talisman.

He waited for a while, but there was no sign of the refining room's door opening.

"What's going on?" Li Yanchuan murmured to himself. "Could Junior Martial Brother Wang have expended a lot of spiritual power refining the Silvergang Stone and is now meditating to recover?" To keep Wang Changsheng occupied, he had given him a considerable amount of raw Silvergang ore; this task was known to be time-consuming and energy-intensive.

He sent another voice transmission talisman, and the door suddenly opened.

Wang Changsheng emerged. His face was pale, looking as though he had severely depleted his spiritual power.

Li Yanchuan knew full well what was going on, yet feigned concern. "Junior Martial Brother Wang, you've worked hard. How is it? Have you refined the Silvergang Stone?"

"Fortunately, I didn't disappoint you," Wang Changsheng replied. "I've refined three jin and four liang of Silvergang Stone."

Wang Changsheng took out a silver jade box and handed it to Li Yanchuan.

Li Yanchuan opened it to look inside. It contained many silver granules, the largest no bigger than a pigeon's egg. It was well-known that refining crafting materials contaminated with inert spiritual energy was very difficult, so it was naturally impossible to extract large pieces of Silvergang Stone.

"Junior Martial Brother Wang, you've worked hard. I'll register this for you," Li Yanchuan said. "Once Senior Martial Aunt Song refines the treasure, we'll certainly receive our share of benefits."

Li Yanchuan took out a silver magic disk. After gesturing with it for a moment, he handed it to Wang Changsheng and said, "Junior Martial Brother Wang, please sign here!"

It stated that Wang Changsheng had submitted four jin of Silvergang Stone. This was to facilitate Song Feng in distributing rewards based on merit and to prevent corruption, as all material consumption was recorded.

Wang Changsheng was slightly taken aback, thinking, *Unprovoked kindness often masks an ulterior motive.* "Senior Martial Brother Li, this is..."

"Junior Martial Brother Wang, refining raw Silvergang ore is indeed hard work. We'll make up the difference for the extra amount," Li Yanchuan said with a chuckle. He wouldn't have done this if Song Yuchan hadn't spoken up.

Wang Changsheng politely declined, lest Li Yanchuan turn around and accuse him of only submitting three jin and four liang, which would be asking for trouble. "This isn't in accordance with the rules. Thank you for your kind offer, Senior Martial Brother Li."

Li Yanchuan frowned, then thought for a moment. He took out a green storage pouch and handed it to Wang Changsheng, saying, "These are some raw Silvergang ores contaminated with inert spiritual energy. With a bit more time, you can refine some Silvergang Stone from them. These are reported as discarded materials, so Junior Martial Brother Wang won't mind, will you?"

It was well-known that assisting Void Refinement cultivators offered many benefits. Selling off some leftover materials could fetch a considerable sum of spirit stones. This was common knowledge. As long as it wasn't too excessive, the higher-ups would turn a blind eye. To make a horse run fast, you must feed it well.

Li Yanchuan wasn't being kind, nor was he giving Wang Changsheng benefits out of respect for Song Yuchan. Instead, it was a distribution of spoils. They had secretly siphoned off some crafting materials. There was always some attrition when refining materials, and only those involved knew the exact amount. Everyone got a share, with Wang Changsheng receiving the least valuable portion. In terms of value, the raw Silvergang ore Li Yanchuan gave could at most yield a few jin of Silvergang Stone, worth hundreds of thousands, while the materials they received were worth over a million.

Wang Changsheng took the storage pouch. His spiritual sense swept over it; a flicker of surprise appeared in his eyes, and a hesitant expression crossed his face.

Li Yanchuan frowned. If Wang Changsheng refused to accept it, it would mean he was unwilling to collude with them, essentially going against them. "What's wrong? Junior Martial Brother Wang, do you think it's too little?"

Wang Changsheng considered for a moment, then thanked him and accepted it. "Of course not. Thank you very much, Senior Martial Brother Li."

Li Yanchuan's expression softened. He said with a smile, "That's more like it. I'll change it back to three jin and four liang then."

"Junior Martial Brother Wang," Li Yanchuan warned him via spiritual transmission, "regarding this raw Silvergang ore, it's a secret between heaven, earth, you, and me. Understand?"

Wang Changsheng understood immediately and repeatedly assented.

Li Yanchuan showed a satisfied expression. "Alright, the task is complete. You may leave. Once Senior Martial Aunt Song refines the treasure, if there are any rewards, someone will deliver them to you."

Wang Changsheng thanked him and turned to leave.

After stepping out of Xuanyue Hall, Wang Changsheng immediately saw Huang Yun'er by the entrance.

Huang Yun'er looked excited. She had been refining materials with other artifact refiners, expanding her social circle, received guidance from Deity Transformation cultivators, and even received a good sum of benefits, making her gains plentiful. All of this was thanks to Wang Changsheng.

Seeing Wang Changsheng, Huang Yun'er quickly went to greet him. "Junior Martial Uncle Wang, you're out!"

"Let's go! The task is finished, we can leave now," Wang Changsheng said, taking Huang Yun'er and walking down the mountain. Before long, they appeared on a bustling street.

"I wonder what good things will appear at this auction," someone commented. "I heard the grand finale item is a set of Heaven-reaching Spirit Treasures called... a certain flag."

"The Yin-Yang Flags! Master Lu of the Seven Star Alliance personally refined them. They are divided into the Yang Flag and the Yin Flag, both mid-grade Heaven-reaching Spirit Treasures."

"The Yin-Yang Flags are beyond our reach. I just hope to bid for a few Longevity Pills to extend my lifespan, otherwise I'll have no chance to break through to the Deity Transformation stage."

"This auction hosted by the Seven Star Alliance is quite significant. What's a Longevity Pill? I heard one of the final auction items is the Nine Dragon Pill!"

Cultivators on the street were discussing animatedly. Those speaking had no specific intent, but the listener paid close attention.

"The Nine Dragon Pill!" Wang Changsheng's expression tightened, and he stopped.

Huang Yun'er was good at reading expressions. She quickly said, "Junior Martial Uncle Wang, I have a few friends who are well-informed. Shall I contact them to inquire about this auction?"

Wang Changsheng nodded with satisfaction and instructed, "Go ahead! I'll find you later."

Huang Yun'er bowed respectfully and turned to leave.

Wang Changsheng strolled alone along the street. As he walked, discussions about the Seven Star Alliance's auction could be heard everywhere, from street corners to alleyways.

After the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, Wang Changsheng appeared inside a private room at a teahouse. He ordered a pot of spirit tea and a plate of pastries.

He held three blue-glowing, flickering flying needles between two fingers, a wide smile on his face.