Chapter 674: Spirit Technique Glazed Golden Body

In the Zhao family, Zhao Ningxiang lay in bed, her hair completely white. A group of Zhao family descendants knelt before her bed, their expressions sorrowful. Wang Qingjing sat by the bed, holding Zhao Ningxiang's hand.

"Qingjing, after I pass on, I hope you will look after our Zhao family, considering the relationship between our two families."

The Zhao family's talent was dwindling. After successive major battles, Zhao Ningxiang was the only Foundation Establishment cultivator left in the clan. Once she passed away, the Zhao family would be reduced to a minor clan, vulnerable to being absorbed by other forces at any time.

"Please don't worry, Aunt. I can promise you that as long as I am alive, I will provide the Zhao family with all the help I can."

Wang Qingjing's promise was almost as good as saying nothing, but at least it was a guarantee. Zhao Ningxiang knew that it was already quite remarkable for Wang Qingjing to make such a commitment.

"Listen carefully, from now on, you must follow the Wang family's lead, understand?" Zhao Ningxiang instructed the kneeling Zhao family descendants, her expression solemn.

"Yes, Esteemed Matriarch, your grandchildren understand."

A look of remembrance appeared on Zhao Ningxiang's face. If she had married Wang Changsheng all those years ago, the Zhao family might not be in this situation, but there was no medicine for regret in this world.

An overwhelming drowsiness swept over her. Zhao Ningxiang closed her eyes and released her grip.

Wang Qingjing let out a soft sigh, and the Zhao family descendants burst into loud sobs.

In Yuyao Country, Muxia Prefecture.

The decade-long grand auction in Yunmeng City had begun. It was rumored that Core Formation spiritual items would appear, and many forces had sent representatives to participate.

The streets were bustling with people, flowing like water, and carriages moved back and forth, making it very lively.

A long queue stretched at the city entrance, with many cultivators waiting to enter.

A loud sound of horse hooves echoed as a team of cultivators, riding azure steeds, galloped towards the market city.

The azure steeds were incredibly fast, with some azure scales on their bodies. The cultivators on horseback wore identical yellow robes, each adorned with a peach tree pattern. The men had handsome features, and the women were exceptionally beautiful.

"It's the Peach Mountain Wang family! They've actually sent so many cultivators to the auction. It seems they're determined to get their hands on a Core Formation spiritual item."

"The Wang family is an immortal cultivation family with two Core Formation cultivators. If they acquire a Core Formation spiritual item, a third Core Formation cultivator might emerge."

"One of the Wang family members was accepted as a registered disciple by a Nascent Soul cultivator; perhaps they've already formed their core."

Leading the group was a tall young man in a golden robe, Wang Qiuming, a seventh-layer Foundation Establishment cultivator.

In his early years, Wang Qiuming had hunted demonic beasts with Wang Qingshan, who taught him many things. Wang Qiuming's Dao heart was firm, and he remained unmarried. He and Wang Qiuling were responsible for the affairs of Peach Mountain. When Yunmeng City announced a grand auction rumored to feature Core Formation spiritual items, Wang Qiuming personally led a team to participate, hoping to secure one.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Wang Qiuming and his group appeared at the entrance of a five-story pavilion.

This was the Hundred Weapons Pavilion, a shop opened by the Wang family that primarily sold puppet beasts, spirit artifacts, and magic tools. Over a dozen cultivators were currently browsing magic tools and puppet beasts, while Wang family cultivators introduced the merchandise to customers.

"Ninth Uncle."

"Good day, Ninth Uncle."

The Wang family cultivators greeted Wang Qiuming one after another. Wang Qiuming nodded in acknowledgment and proceeded upstairs.

On the fifth floor, Wang Qiuling was speaking with a blue-robed man in his early thirties, who held a blue jade slip in his hand. Wang Qiuling looked troubled, seemingly having encountered a difficult situation. Upon seeing Wang Qiuming, her face brightened with joy. She excused herself to the blue-robed man and quickly walked over to Wang Qiuming.

"Ninth Brother, you're finally here. There's a big deal, and I can't make the decision alone," Wang Qiuling said via spiritual transmission, her tone serious.

Wang Qiuming frowned and asked, "What big deal?"

"He has a defensive spiritual art and wants to sell it to us, but he's asking for 100,000 spirit stones. The problem is, he's not a regular customer; he's only been to the Hundred Weapons Pavilion a few times, and I'm afraid of being scammed."

Spiritual arts are high-level spells that only cultivators above the Core Formation stage can cast. They are incredibly powerful, but also extremely rare. Even after the war between the righteous and demonic sects, and the war between humans and demonic beasts, the Wang family had plundered considerable wealth, yet they hadn't acquired a single spiritual art.

100,000 spirit stones was not a small sum. If the spiritual art were genuine, Wang Qiuling wouldn't hesitate for a moment. However, as only a Foundation Establishment cultivator, her discernment was insufficient to verify its authenticity. Most importantly, the cultivator selling the spiritual art was not a regular customer, making the risk very high.

Similar incidents had occurred in the cultivation world: new customers offering valuable treasures for sale, only for them to turn out to be fake, resulting in heavy losses for the merchants.

Wang Qiuming pondered for a moment, then walked towards the blue-robed youth and politely asked, "Fellow Daoist, I am Wang Qiuming. We find it difficult to discern the authenticity of this spiritual art. How about this: I have a high-grade Tier 2 Heart-Probing Talisman. If you apply this talisman, I will only ask about the authenticity of the spiritual art. You are not obligated to answer any questions you don't wish to. How does that sound?"

A single Heart-Probing Talisman cost 2,000 spirit stones, an exorbitant price. It was specifically used for lie detection and was quite effective for cultivators below the Core Formation stage. The Wang family could not refine Heart-Probing Talismans, nor could they craft lie-detecting magic tools. Had it not been for a spiritual art, Wang Qiuming would not have been willing to use one.

The blue-robed man hesitated for a moment, then agreed.

Wang Qiuming took out a shimmering silver talisman, a hint of reluctance in his eyes, and pressed it onto the blue-robed man. With a flash of silver light, a pale silver barrier enveloped the man.

"Is this spiritual art real or fake? How can you prove its authenticity?"

"I obtained this spiritual art from an ancient cultivator's cave dwelling. I haven't altered it in any way; it is absolutely genuine."

There were no anomalies, indicating that the blue-robed man was speaking the truth.

Wang Qiuming took out 100,000 spirit stones and handed them to the blue-robed man.

He had brought over 300,000 spirit stones this time, funds belonging to the family, intended for bidding on Core Formation spiritual items at the auction. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to produce such a large sum himself.

The blue-robed man put away the spirit stones and departed with a beaming smile.

"Ninth Brother, should we send someone to follow him? If it turns out to be a scam, we could still recover some losses."

Wang Qiuming shook his head and said, "No need. That's not a good approach; it could harm our reputation. From the current situation, this spiritual art should be genuine. 'Glazed Golden Body' — high-level cultivators with a metal spirit root can cultivate it. Fifteenth Sister, you've rendered a great service this time."

"This credit just fell into our laps. Still, getting a spiritual art so easily makes me worried about being scammed."

A Foundation Establishment cultivator suddenly came to the shop claiming to sell her a spiritual art; it seemed too easy to acquire. And the Heart-Probing Talisman wasn't always accurate; it had made mistakes before. This was 100,000 spirit stones. Even though the family was prosperous now, 100,000 spirit stones was still an enormous sum.

"The Heart-Probing Talisman found no issues, so it's most likely genuine. If there's a problem, I'll take full responsibility. This is a spiritual art; its value is immeasurable. If I'm not mistaken, this person is probably a rogue cultivator. He would sell the spiritual art to multiple forces, and our Wang family is just one of them."

Wang Qiuming said with some excitement. If the seller was indeed a rogue cultivator, obtaining a spiritual art, they would sell it to multiple forces to maximize their profit.