Chapter 2491

"Besides Azure Gang Jade, Tidal Jade, Profound Sun Divine Crystal, and other materials are also available. These are exchanged through bartering, with priority given to materials that weaken heavenly tribulations."

Lan Fukong spoke volubly. His primary purpose in attending this auction was to bid on elixirs or treasures that would help his family's younger generation break through to the Void Refinement stage.

"The Ximen family has brought out so many rare materials; ordinary items probably won't catch their eye!" Wang Qingshan said with a frown.

The Grand Heavenly Tribulation for Integration Stage cultivators is far stronger than that for Void Refinement cultivators. Materials like Azure Gang Jade, Tidal Jade, and Profound Sun Divine Crystal are top-tier artifact-refining materials. If there are enough of them, it's even possible to refine high-grade Sky-reaching Spirit Treasures. The Ximen family is likely collecting materials to help an Integration Stage cultivator overcome a Grand Heavenly Tribulation, or perhaps to refine a powerful treasure. Otherwise, they wouldn't be offering so many excellent items.

"I'm not sure about that. In any case, major forces regularly hold large-scale auctions to gather cultivation resources. Forces like Zhenhai Palace, Xuanqing Sect, the Li family, and the Long family all do this," Lan Fukong said. His tone shifted as he asked, "Fellow Daoist Wang, are True Man Taihao and Fairy Tianqin not coming? Such a grand auction is bound to have excellent items."

Lan Fukong had heard about the Azure Lotus Immortals' feat of escaping from Bayin, a master of the Yaksha tribe. He had been wanting to find an opportunity to praise them in person, but unfortunately, no such chance had arisen.

"There are also large auctions overseas; our participation there would be the same," Wang Qingshan explained.

"That's true. Oh, by the way, Fellow Daoist Wang, tonight, Fellow Daoist Ximen is hosting a gathering. I heard that a descendant of the Qiankun Immortals will also be attending. Would you like to come along?" Lan Fukong asked enthusiastically. Meeting the descendants of high-ranking cultivators would give him more material for boasting.

"The Qiankun Immortals! I plan to attend as well," Wang Qingshan replied. He had naturally heard of the Qiankun Immortals. They had quite a reputation on the Xuanling Continent. Both were sword cultivators; True Lord Lihuo was at the early Integration stage, and Fairy Yuehua was at the late Void Refinement stage. True Lord Lihuo came from the Qiankun Sect, a sect that had risen within the past ten thousand years. Its founding patriarch was only at the Nascent Soul stage, and for over ten thousand years, it had struggled to develop until True Lord Lihuo suddenly emerged. True Lord Lihuo and Fairy Yuehua were dual cultivation partners, known to the outside world as the Qiankun Immortals. Together, they had slain a seventh-tier demonic beast, earning them considerable fame.

The human territory on the Xuanling Continent spans trillions of miles. To be widely known across such a vast area, one typically needs to be an Integration Stage cultivator or above. Alternatively, performing earth-shattering or exceptionally renowned deeds can also lead to widespread recognition. Lan Fukong, being a habitual braggart, was only somewhat known, not universally so. Wang Qingshan also wanted to get acquainted with the elite disciples of major forces.

"Hehe, I heard that the Qiankun Immortals' descendant is a female sword cultivator. I think she'd be quite a match for Fellow Daoist Wang. If you take a liking to Fairy Xiao, I can be the go-between and help set things up," Lan Fukong chuckled, looking smug.

"You know Fairy Xiao?" Wang Qingshan's face was full of doubt. Lan Fukong was too fond of bragging, so he wasn't entirely convinced.

"Of course! I attended the Qiankun Immortals' Integration Grand Ceremony back then and had a wonderful time chatting and drinking with Fairy Xiao," Lan Fukong's face was beaming with pride.

If Wang Qingshan hadn't spent some time with Lan Fukong, he would have almost believed him. Lan Fukong loved to exaggerate small matters infinitely.

"It's almost time; let's head over! The earlier we go, the more fellow Daoists we can meet," Lan Fukong suggested, glancing at the darkening sky.

Wang Qingshan nodded, took out a communication plate, and sent a spell formula into it, asking, "Yingjie, what are you up to? Fellow Daoist Ximen is hosting a gathering; would you like to come along?"

"Ancestor Qingshan, please go ahead! I'm busy with something," Wang Yingjie replied.

"Alright, if you're not busy later, come join us!" Wang Qingshan put away the communication plate and left his residence with Lan Fukong.

As dusk began to settle, shopkeepers brought out their lighting tools. The streets were brightly lit, and people flowed like a continuous stream. Before long, they appeared at the entrance of a magnificent, golden palace. The plaque above the door bore the three characters "Golden Gourd Palace," and two Nascent Soul cultivators stood guard at the entrance.

"We are here for the gathering hosted by Fellow Daoist Ximen. Please, young friend, could you lead the way?" Lan Fukong stepped forward and spoke politely.

"You're too kind, seniors. Please come in; someone will attend to you." The guards dared not be negligent and invited Wang Qingshan and Lan Fukong inside.

The main hall was spacious and brightly lit, with a dozen young, beautiful maids in green standing to the side. As soon as they entered, two green-clad maids quickly approached them and bowed deeply.

"Seniors, please follow us." The two green-clad maids led them upstairs. Upon reaching the third floor, Wang Qingshan saw dozens of azure jade tables, and eight Void Refinement cultivators were scattered around, silent. Lan Fukong and Wang Qingshan found an empty table and sat down.

"This old man is Lan Fukong. Greetings, fellow Daoists. How should I address you all?" Lan Fukong clasped his hands and spoke politely.

No one responded to him, as if they hadn't heard. From their reactions, they appeared to be rogue cultivators. Their main reason for attending the gathering was to exchange for useful items or valuable information. Rogue cultivators wander everywhere, and since Lan Fukong wasn't from a major force, they weren't interested in befriending him.

"May I ask, fellow Daoist, are you from the Wang family of Azure Lotus Island? And what is your relationship with True Man Taihao?" A gaunt, golden-robed old man's gaze shifted to Wang Qingshan. The Wang family of Azure Lotus Island was backed by Zhenhai Palace, making their influence significant to rogue cultivators.

"Indeed, he is my Ninth Uncle. Do you know Ninth Uncle?" Wang Qingshan asked, puzzled. He wasn't sure how many people Wang Changsheng knew, and such matters were hard to clarify.

"No, I haven't. This old man stayed in the Barren Lands for a while and heard about the deeds of the Azure Lotus Immortals, so I was simply curious," the golden-robed old man shook his head and said.

"Hehe, I know the Azure Lotus Immortals. I can guarantee that they are the second Qiankun Immortals, and surpassing the Qiankun Immortals is only a matter of time," Lan Fukong chuckled, beginning to lavish praise.

"Fellow Daoist Lan, you still love to praise others so much," a clear, bell-like female voice rang out.

As soon as the voice faded, a beautiful young woman walked up. She wore a light blue chest-length ruqun, her skin as fair as snow, her eyes as clear as autumn water, and a beauty mark at the corner of her lips, making her appear charming and captivating.

"Fairy Xiao, you've finally arrived! It's been years, and your cultivation has advanced considerably. The next time we meet, I'm afraid I'll have to address you as Senior Xiao," Lan Fukong's face was full of fawning, lavishing flattery upon her.

The young woman in the blue dress was Xiao Yuling, a descendant of the Qiankun Immortals.

"Fellow Daoist Lan, was what you just said true?" Xiao Yuling smiled faintly, speaking meaningfully.

"Of course it's true! But by the time the Azure Lotus Immortals catch up to the Qiankun Immortals, the Qiankun Immortals might have already advanced to the Grand Ascension stage, strengthening the human race's power, expanding its territory like Celestial Venerable Xuanling, and earning the reverence of billions of cultivators," Lan Fukong boasted, his face full of pride, as if he were talking about himself.