Chapter 72: Earthly Fiend Energy

Wang Changsheng quickly walked onto the high platform, paid the spirit stones, received the Mysterious Water Jade Pendant, and returned to his seat, his face beaming with joy.

Liu Zong auctioned several more items. Among them, a top-grade Tier 1 Scarlet Flame Crow fetched a high price of eight hundred spirit stones, bringing the atmosphere at the venue to a fever pitch.

Liu Zong then produced a red brocade box, approximately ten feet long and one foot wide. He opened it to reveal five deep red flying forks.

"Next, we have our grand finale item," Liu Zong announced. "A complete set of Fiery Flame Forks. This set comprises five low-grade magical artifacts. When deployed simultaneously, their immense power is such that even a low-grade Tier 2 demonic beast wouldn't dare engage them directly. The starting bid is five hundred spirit stones, with increments of no less than fifty."

Many Foundation Establishment cultivators attended this auction, and this set of artifacts sparked fierce bidding among them. It was ultimately purchased for one thousand two hundred spirit stones by a middle-aged scholar dressed in a blue Confucian robe.

The middle-aged scholar's sleeves were embroidered with a blue moon pattern. Around him gathered over a dozen young men and women, all of whom also had the blue moon pattern on their sleeves.

"The Wang family of Blue Moon Lake," Wang Changsheng mused, "no wonder they're so prosperous." Wang Changsheng was secretly surprised. The Wang family of Blue Moon Lake was renowned as the foremost cultivation family in the State of Song, boasting Core Formation cultivators. Even the Four Great Sects of Song dared not treat the Wang family lightly.

The second featured item was three bottles of Tier 2 Spirit Recovery Pills. These pills, when consumed by Foundation Establishment cultivators, could restore most of their magic power in a short period. Each bottle fetched a high price, with two of them being acquired by the Wang family cultivators.

The third highlight of the auction was two fire-attribute, low-grade Tier 2 demonic cores, which were purchased by a middle-aged man wearing a red Daoist robe.

"Next, we have two bottles of Tier 2 mid-grade pills: Spirit Nourishing Pills," Liu Zong announced. "This pill has the effect of strengthening one's divine sense. Both Foundation Establishment and Qi Condensation cultivators can consume it to enhance their spiritual perception. It is refined from thirty-six different Tier 2 spiritual herbs. They will be auctioned separately. The starting bid for each is three hundred spirit stones, with increments of no less than fifty spirit stones." Liu Zong said loudly, pointing at the two green porcelain bottles on the round table.

"Spirit Nourishing Pills? Strengthening divine sense?" Wang Changsheng's heart stirred. He quickly sent a voice transmission to Wang Mingzhan: "Sixth Uncle, please help me bid on a bottle of Spirit Nourishing Pills. This item would be beneficial for my puppet beast refining."

Wang Mingzhan was momentarily startled but then nodded in agreement.

The two bottles of Spirit Nourishing Pills ultimately sold for six hundred fifty and seven hundred fifty spirit stones, respectively. One bottle was acquired by a Wang family cultivator, while the other ended up in Wang Mingzhan's hands.

"Ruyan," the Wang family scholar said, "this bottle of Spirit Nourishing Pills will be beneficial for your cultivation. Take it."

The scholar surnamed Wang handed the Spirit Nourishing Pill to a young woman of about twenty years old standing beside him. The young woman was dressed in a purple *ruqun*, tall and slender, with a face as beautiful as a lotus and skin as smooth as congealed fat. She wore a purple bell on each wrist and purple embroidered shoes, her dark, flowing hair falling casually over her shoulders.

"Thank you, Fifth Uncle," the young woman in purple said with a sweet smile, her voice clear and melodious.

Wang Changsheng took the Spirit Nourishing Pill from Wang Mingzhan's hand, offering a word of thanks under the envious glances of the surrounding cultivators.

After the two bottles of Spirit Nourishing Pills were sold, Liu Zong produced three palm-sized blue porcelain bottles.

"Finally, our last main auction item: three portions of Profound Ice True Fiend-Qi, all originating from the same fiend pit," Liu Zong announced. "Qi Condensation cultivators specializing in water or ice-attribute cultivation can utilize Profound Ice True Fiend-Qi to achieve Foundation Establishment. This fiend-qi also significantly amplifies water and ice-attribute spells. Before the Foundation Establishment Pill was developed, most cultivators relied on earthly fiend-qi for their breakthrough. The practice of using earthly fiend-qi to aid Foundation Establishment dates back to ancient times, and even today, related historical texts can still be found on the market."

"While one can achieve Foundation Establishment using earthly fiend-qi, fiend-qi itself is inherently undesirable," the scholar surnamed Wang interjected slowly. "Even if Foundation Establishment is successful, the fiend-qi will linger within the body, requiring the consumption of pills or the use of corresponding treasures to gradually dissipate it. Otherwise, this fiend-qi will damage the cultivator's meridians. If the fiend-qi cannot be resolved in a timely manner, over extended periods, the cultivator will eventually lose their mind and transform into a monster driven solely by a desire to kill. It is precisely due to this severe drawback that few cultivators in the modern cultivation world still rely on earthly fiend-qi for Foundation Establishment."

"Senior Wang is correct," Wang Changsheng responded, "however, Foundation Establishment Pills are incredibly rare. One might only obtain them if they have connections within the Four Great Sects, as these pills seldom circulate externally. Surely, not all the Foundation Establishment seniors present here achieved their breakthroughs by consuming Foundation Establishment Pills? While earthly fiend-qi can indeed damage a cultivator's meridians, it can be mitigated with pills or treasures. Cultivators inherently defy the natural order; if they are unwilling to take even the slightest risk, how far can they truly advance on the path of immortality?" Wang Changsheng was somewhat surprised; he had never imagined that the spiritual material for Foundation Establishment would be earthly fiend-qi. As far as he knew, earthly fiend-qi was a special kind of malevolent energy born underground, existing in various types with diverse effects. Before the Foundation Establishment Pill was developed, most cultivators entered the Foundation Establishment stage by harnessing earthly fiend-qi. Some types of earthly fiend-qi could strengthen the physical body, allowing one to tear apart ferocious beasts even without cultivating body refinement techniques. Others could enhance the five senses, enabling one to see and hear further. Earthly fiend-qi could even gradually augment a cultivator's divine sense.

"Earthly fiend-qi typically requires at least five hundred years to form, and only a small fraction of it is beneficial for cultivation," someone added. "While earthly fiend-qi gradually faded from prominence with the advancement of cultivation techniques, a few cultivators still use it for Foundation Establishment even today, simply because Foundation Establishment Pills are exceedingly rare. Cultivation sects tightly controlled Foundation Establishment Pills, rarely allowing them to circulate. Non-sect cultivators aspiring to Foundation Establishment were thus compelled to rely on other spiritual artifacts, as the probability of successfully breaking through without any external aid was negligibly low."

"Heh heh," a bald, brawny man interjected, rubbing his smooth head. "After Foundation Establishment, one can live to celebrate their two hundredth birthday! I certainly don't want to spend my entire life stuck in the Qi Condensation stage. Hurry up and give us the price!"

"Exactly!" another person chimed in. "Ancient cultivators achieved Foundation Establishment using earthly fiend-qi and still ascended to higher realms, didn't they? If they could reach higher levels, why can't we? Announce the price already!"

Liu Zong smiled contentedly and announced, "We have three bottles of Profound Ice True Fiend-Qi, which will be auctioned separately. Each bottle has a starting bid of one thousand spirit stones, with increments of no less than one hundred."

"One thousand!"

"Twelve hundred!"

"Thirteen hundred!"

The bidding continued. Although using earthly fiend-qi for Foundation Establishment had its drawbacks, Foundation Establishment Pills were exceedingly rare. Consequently, many cultivators participated in the bidding for the Profound Ice True Fiend-Qi, and Wang Mingzhan also joined in. A cat that can catch mice is a good cat; similarly, any spiritual item that can aid Foundation Establishment is a valuable treasure. The competition was exceptionally fierce; even the scholar surnamed Wang, who had earlier pointed out the drawbacks of earthly fiend-qi, began to place bids.

The three bottles of Profound Ice True Fiend-Qi sold for six thousand five hundred, seven thousand three hundred, and seven thousand five hundred spirit stones, respectively. All three were acquired by the Wang family. The Wang family truly lived up to its reputation as the foremost cultivation family in the State of Song, showcasing their immense wealth and influence.

Unable to secure even one bottle of Profound Ice True Fiend-Qi, a look of disappointment involuntarily appeared on Wang Mingzhan's face.