Chapter 6

"Welcome, esteemed guests, to the Golden Tripod Auction..."

To set the mood, the first few items were excellent, quickly stirring up the atmosphere.

As the bidding heated up, Luo Guan remained silent throughout.

Until halfway through the auction, a bottle of pills was brought to the stage.

The auctioneer announced loudly, "Next, we have item number twenty-one."

"Everyone knows that among a hundred cultivators, there is not even one, and among those cultivators, only one in ten thousand can become an alchemist!"

"Any ranked alchemist is a sought-after figure, and the pills they refine are rarely available, as is the case today..."

His tone suddenly became passionate, "A second-grade Blood Enhancement Pill, which can strengthen the body's qi and blood, suitable for those below the third realm of martial arts. Taking it during a breakthrough is even more beneficial."

"A bottle contains twenty pills, starting bid is one thousand gold, bidding begins!"

The auction hall instantly erupted.

The small city of Jiangning had never produced an alchemist, but everyone knew what enhancement pills meant for cultivation!

If obtained, whether for personal use or to cultivate the younger generation of the family, it could change the family's fate.

Cultivation is the foundation of everything.

"Two thousand!"

"Two thousand five hundred!"

"Three thousand!"

Many people at today's auction were here specifically for the Blood Enhancement Pills.

The intense competition quickly eliminated most of the bidders, and the price of the Blood Enhancement Pills reached an astonishing four thousand gold.

"The Wu, Yan, Kang, and Luo families, three of the four major clans of Jiangning are here!"

"Who wouldn't want such a pill? As long as you can get it, the cost is worth it!"

"Unfortunately, we have no power to compete."

The crowd was abuzz with discussion.

"Five thousand!" Yan Hua's eyes gleamed, "I am determined to get this bottle of Blood Enhancement Pills."

The head of the Wu family gritted his teeth, "Five thousand five hundred..."

"Six thousand!"

Yan Hua looked relaxed.

The head of the Wu family slumped back.

Five thousand gold would severely strain the Wu family, and any more would cause major problems.

"Rumors say that the Yan family's mine has discovered a gold vein. It seems to be true now."

"The Yan family took the Luo family's herbal business years ago and is already the strongest of the four major clans. With this spirit pill, they will likely dominate Jiangning in a few years!"

Suddenly, a hoarse voice rang out.

"Seven thousand."

The hall fell silent!

All eyes turned to Luo Guan, who sat calmly, his composure making everyone wonder where this overbearing figure came from.

Yan Hua's face darkened, "Eight thousand!"

"Nine thousand."

Yan Hua's eyes twitched, staring fiercely at Luo Guan, "Ten thousand!"

"If you can offer more, the bottle of Blood Enhancement Pills is yours."

Under his black robe, Luo Guan's lips curled into a cold smile, "Ten thousand... and one."

A murmur of shock rippled through the crowd!

This was clearly a challenge to the Yan family's face.

Yan Hua's eyes turned icy, "Fine! Very well!"

Anyone who could offer ten thousand gold, he dared not act rashly without knowing their background.

Soon, a manager from the Golden Tripod Auction House approached, "Esteemed guest, please follow us to complete the transaction."

Luo Guan stood up and went to the VIP room.

"How will you pay?"

Luo Guan said calmly, "No rush, go fetch your master."

Faced with a generous bidder, the manager hesitated for a moment before agreeing.

A short while later, Jin Ya pushed the door open, her smile bright and charming, "Greetings, esteemed guest."

Luo Guan said calmly, "Fire cultivation techniques are inherently violent. Pursuing higher realms recklessly can lead to intense pain in the heart at midnight."

Jin Ya's face changed dramatically; her secret had been seen through. She took a deep breath and bowed respectfully, "May I ask, Senior, if there is anything you need?"

Luo Guan's eyes showed appreciation as he continued in his hoarse voice, "I have traveled here and need ten thousand gold for some matters." He pointed to the jade bottle on the table, "As a reward, if you provide the materials and tools, I will refine a batch of Blood Enhancement Pills, with at least forty pills. How about that?"

Jin Ya's eyes widened, her heart pounding, "You... you are an alchemist?"

Luo Guan nodded.

Jin Ya felt as if she were in a dream!

The Golden Tripod had a partnership with two alchemists, occasionally obtaining their refined pills, but these top-tier resources were only accessible to the patriarchs.

Now, an alchemist had appeared before her!

"Of course, of course!" She took a deep breath, her tone extremely respectful, "May I ask how I can contact you, Senior?"

Luo Guan said, "I will come back at this time tomorrow."

He stood up and left.

The manager asked, "Miss, do you really believe he is an alchemist?"

Jin Ya's eyes sparkled, "Even if he isn't, it doesn't matter. Blood Enhancement Pills are always in demand, but if he is... we can seize the opportunity to establish a connection with a powerful alchemist!"

After leaving the auction house and confirming no one was following him, Luo Guan removed his black robe and returned home.

The night was calm, but he had no sleep. He sat in meditation, practicing the Great Wasteland Twelve Emperors Sword Technique.

Soon, the night passed.

Luo Guan tidied up and went to see his father.

Luo Zhenyang was still asleep. According to the Black Turtle, after enduring years of pain, sleeping for a few days was normal and beneficial for his health.

He instructed the servants to take good care of his father and returned to his room to continue practicing.

As he practiced, threads of sword qi continuously emerged, flowing through his body. However, as the sword qi increased, he felt some pain and obstruction, making the flow less smooth.

Luo Guan did not dare to be careless and asked the Black Turtle.

The Black Turtle said, "You have taken the Earth Fire Red Lotus, but you have only absorbed it initially. Completing the body refinement will take time."

Luo Guan thought for a moment, "Master, does this mean I have progressed too quickly?"

"…More or less. A little progress is nothing, but you must always remember to avoid arrogance and impatience!"

Luo Guan bowed respectfully, "Master is right." He then looked troubled, "Can I continue practicing?"

The Black Turtle said, "Take a break for a day or two. I will guide you to prepare a medicinal bath to accelerate the absorption of the medicine, which should not affect your practice."

Luo Guan opened his eyes, looked at the dark sky, and stood up to leave.

Soon, he arrived at the Golden Tripod Auction House.

Jin Ya had been waiting for a long time and hurriedly greeted him, "Greetings, Senior."

With many people around, Luo Guan said, "Let's go inside and talk."

"Yes!"

Jin Ya personally led the way, guiding Luo Guan to the Golden Tripod Pavilion, "The materials needed to refine the Blood Enhancement Pills are ready. Would you like to rest a bit or go directly to the alchemy room?"

Luo Guan said calmly, "The alchemy room."

The alchemy room of the Golden Tripod Pavilion was underground, heavily guarded.

Jin Ya ordered the materials to be placed down, "Senior, do you need anything else?"

Luo Guan shook his head.

Jin Ya said, "We will come back when you pull the rope."

She bowed respectfully and led the others away.

"Master?"

"She is smart and hasn't tampered with anything." The Black Turtle said, "Let's start."

"Okay!"

Buzz—

The Heavenly Bone trembled slightly, and the Black Turtle's power seeped out, taking control of the body.

Luo Guan observed the entire process, "watching" the Black Turtle control his body, starting the furnace and continuously adding the herbs. The process was smooth and natural, and after half an hour, a rich aroma of pills filled the room.

"The furnace and tools are too ordinary, and controlling your body is troublesome, but I managed to refine them." The Black Turtle's voice was slightly tired.

Luo Guan bowed, "Thank you, Master."

Opening the pill furnace, forty-seven round Blood Enhancement Pills lay at the bottom, steaming.

He collected all the pills and pulled the rope.

Soon, the door to the pill room opened.

Jin Ya, who entered first, smelled the medicinal aroma in the air and looked surprised.

"Congratulations, Senior, on the successful refinement!"

Luo Guan handed her the bottle, "Check them."

A middle-aged man behind Jin Ya took the jade bottle, poured a few Blood Enhancement Pills into his palm, and his face changed suddenly.

He hurried to the light, examined them carefully, and carefully scraped some powder from the pills, tasting it.

"Top-grade pills!"

He exclaimed, looking at Luo Guan with awe.

Jin Ya's breath caught. She knew that pills could be divided into top, middle, and low grades.

Yesterday, the auction house sold a bottle of low-grade pills!

Although Blood Enhancement Pills were second-grade, refining top-grade pills required at least a fourth-rank alchemist. She had just counted, and there were forty-seven pills in the bottle, refined in just half an hour... This person might even be a fifth-rank alchemist!

The Grandmaster of the Qiyang Kingdom, the second most powerful person in the kingdom, was a fifth-rank alchemist! Could this mysterious senior be on par with the Grandmaster?

Jin Ya's heart raced, her breathing quickening, and she said shakily, "Senior's alchemy skills are unparalleled and rare in the world!"

"Forty-seven top-grade Blood Enhancement Pills, their value is immeasurable. The ten thousand gold we agreed on is too little..."

Luo Guan's eyes flickered, "We agreed on ten thousand, so it's ten thousand."

"However, I have a new disciple who needs some foundation-building materials."

Jin Ya immediately said, "The Golden Tripod Pavilion is willing to provide them free of charge to thank you, Senior!"

"Alright." Luo Guan casually listed some herbs.

Jin Ya immediately ordered ten of each, all of the best quality.

"Senior, here is the ten thousand gold." Jin Ya's face was full of anticipation, "I wonder if there will be another opportunity to serve you in the future? If you have any needs, the Golden Tripod will do its best!"

Luo Guan said calmly, "If I need anything, I will come to you." He did not make a promise, but this response already delighted Jin Ya.

"Ten thousand gold, a new disciple..." Jin Ya's eyes flickered, "Liu Qing, investigate any recent events in Jiangning."

Leaving the Golden Tripod Pavilion, Luo Guan returned to the Luo family, took out the ten thousand gold, and smiled.

The matter was resolved!

"Boy, with the herbs complete, let's start the medicinal bath."

"Yes, Master!"

Following the Black Turtle's guidance, Luo Guan prepared the medicinal bath and placed it in a tub.

"Sit in it and practice the technique."

"The process will be uncomfortable, the longer you endure, the better the absorption."

Luo Guan entered the tub and practiced the Great Wasteland Twelve Emperors Sword Technique, immediately feeling a mix of numbness, itching, and pain.

It felt as if millions of ants were gnawing at his flesh, drilling into his bones, making him want to tear his skin apart. Veins bulged on his forehead, neck, and arms, but he remained as still as a statue.

Soon, the power of the Earth Fire Red Lotus burst forth, turning his exposed skin red, and hot waves rolled off his body. Sweat poured out of his pores, carrying black impurities.

After a night, Luo Guan opened his eyes, immediately smelling a foul odor. He touched the sticky substance on his body and quickly opened the window for ventilation, changing the water three times to clean himself.

In front of the mirror, the young man looked vibrant, his eyes black and bright, exuding a vigorous aura! He clenched his fists, feeling the surge of strength in his body, both surprised and delighted.

"Perfect Ten-Force Realm!"

The Black Turtle's voice sounded, "Boy, a Perfect Ten-Force Realm with a solid foundation is different from others. Try it out, and you'll see."

Luo Guan went to the training ground, picked up a stone block, and found that the hundred-pound weight felt as light as a feather. He walked to the other end of the training ground, where his father used to practice before his injury, with many Thousand Mountain Realm body-strengthening stone locks.

The lightest was a thousand pounds!

Luo Guan took a deep breath, grabbed a stone lock, and easily lifted it.

Two thousand pounds.

Slightly more effort.

Three thousand pounds... very difficult, but he managed to lift it over his head.

Thud—

The stone lock landed heavily, and Luo Guan's face turned slightly red, his eyes full of excitement.

This was the Perfect Ten-Force Realm? His father could barely manage a four-thousand-pound stone lock back then.

In other words, his current strength was just a notch below the Thousand Mountain Realm!

"Thank you, Master."

Luo Guan bowed respectfully.

Standing up, his eyes flashed with determination.

Three days had passed, it was time to visit the Qingjiang Gang!