I proved immortality through the imperial examination.

Chapter 149 Unlimited Armament
Xue Xiang and Han Feng parted ways only after the bell rang to signal the start of the high-level auction.

He chatted with Han Feng for more than half an hour. Apart from being unfamiliar with social etiquette, Han Feng was extremely knowledgeable.

Xue Xiang benefited greatly in a short period of time.

The high-level auction was held in a secluded inner hall, accessible only by narrow, winding paths that allowed only one person to pass at a time.

As you enter the narrow path, you see many masks hanging on the walls.

There were also signs on the wall indicating that wearing masks was allowed.

Xue Xiang was speechless.

He knew perfectly well that it wasn't that Feiyu Trading Company had changed its mind and didn't want to see its regular customers fighting over each other.

However, it's because the guests who come here are of such high status, have such great influence, that the rules are set for ordinary people.

Important figures naturally have the power and ability to break the rules.

Xue Xiang first took a blood-strengthening pill, which swelled up his blood and qi. Then he casually took a white rabbit mask, put it on, and entered the inner hall.

There was no way around it; even Han Feng could tell that he hadn't yet established his foundation by observing his qi and blood.

Xue Xiang had no choice but to take the pills that had been prepared beforehand, which swelled his qi and blood, making it impossible for others to gauge his strength.

Otherwise, he would probably be the only Qi cultivation novice in the entire venue, so whether he wears a mask or not wouldn't make much difference.

As soon as he took the blood-strengthening pill, he couldn't help but feel his eyes redden, his heart pound, and his whole body steaming with heat.

After the medicine had fully taken effect, he entered the auction hall.

The auction hall inside was much smaller than the previous venue, with sparse seating and few attendees, yet each person exuded a composed aura and carried an imposing presence that commanded respect.

The grand auction opened with a stunning finale.

A silver-crowned maid, carrying a box carved from jade, slowly walked onto the stage.

As the box was opened, a flood of light poured out, overflowing half the hall. Everyone's gaze was drawn to it, and they stared, holding their breath.

It was a crystal-clear "Spirit Gathering Essence," shaped like a crystal, yet its interior was constantly surging with spiritual light, as if a small spring of spiritual energy had been condensed within it.

The auctioneer gave a lengthy introduction, but in essence, this item can help Foundation Establishment cultivators experience a rapid surge in spiritual power, and it can also provide an excellent spiritual foundation for alchemy and weapon crafting.

The auctioneer's voice was steady: "One Spirit Gathering Marrow. Starting bid: one thousand spirit stones."

Immediately, people raised their paddles, three thousand, three thousand five... the price soared to over five thousand in one go, the excitement was overwhelming.

Xue Xiang sat quietly, feeling that he should be under the car, not inside it.

Is this a place I'm allowed to come to?

He originally thought that he had established a joint business in Suiyangdu and had a small business.

In his daily life, he rarely looks at the price of things anymore; if he wants something, he just buys it.

But it was only at this moment that he realized how pitifully shallow his understanding of the upper class was.

Several items were auctioned off in succession, including the remains of ancient mythical beasts and secret recipes for Qi-nourishing pills, all of which commanded high prices.

Xue Xiang had been itching to see this for a long time, but he never raised his paddle.

He only has a little over four thousand spirit stones left, and here, he will most likely only have one chance to raise his paddle.

Soon, another treasure was brought to the main auction stage.

A dark wooden box was opened, revealing three talismans arranged side by side. The paper was grayish, and the runes seemed to faintly reveal traces of blood.

The auctioneer's voice softened and lowered: "Life and Death Talisman. It uses blood as an array. Once planted in the enemy's body, it is like a chain binding their soul. They can live or die as they please."

The atmosphere in the hall immediately tensed up, and someone sneered in a low voice: "They actually brought out something heretical."

But the voices weren't firm; most people just had shifty eyes.

"Three Life and Death Talismans, each with a starting bid of three hundred spirit stones."

Xue Xiang tapped his fingers lightly on the table, his gaze fixed on the talisman, and the little devil in his heart began to scream.

He had only just begun to estimate the price in his mind when the total price of the three Life and Death Talismans had already soared past two thousand.

Xue Xiang was numb.

Before long, the three Life and Death Talismans were sold for 2,800 yuan to a person wearing a cat mask.

As he watched the treasures being snapped up one by one, Xue Xiang felt his heart bleed.

Finally, another treasure that captivated him appeared.

The maid brought over a gold leaf the size of a thumb, which was placed quietly on a black velvet cloth.

The surface texture resembles the branches of a small tree, shimmering faintly as if it were breathing.

"The lineage of literature and the seeds of Taoism."

The auctioneer's voice was solemn and slow: "This item is the fundamental thing that helps one's writing skills break through to the next level."

The essence of literature, its lineage, and its spiritual tree all reside in this thing.

It is worth mentioning that the success rate of cultivating a lineage seed is less than 10%.

Starting bid: two thousand spirit stones.

The hall quickly fell silent.

Soon, Xue Xiang heard someone muttering.

"Even a 10% survival rate is too high, and 2,000 is too expensive."

"It is expensive, and this item is also very rare."

Immediately afterwards, people started making offers.

"Two thousand three!"

Two thousand eight!

"Three thousand!"

"Four thousand two!"

A shout was issued, and the price was suddenly raised by a thousand spirit stones.

As the shouts subsided, the entire hall fell silent.

Everyone looked at a person wearing a white rabbit mask.

The bidder was none other than Xue Xiang.

He focused on literary cultivation and read through the cultivation experiences of many Core Formation experts.

Xue Xiangtai understood the importance of seed culture; even if the survival rate was low, he had to cultivate it once he encountered it.

The scarcity of this thing far exceeds that of Foundation Establishment Pills.

Although Foundation Establishment Pills are expensive, their price is driven up by a series of auctions held just before the trials.

Once this wave of hype dies down, you can still buy them if you're willing to spend the money.

But treasures of Wen Zhong's caliber are hard to find even with money.

Xue Xiang didn't care about anything else and directly told them all the spirit stones he had left.

The auctioneer made three bids, but no one responded.

"make a deal!"

The hammer fell.

Xue Xiang breathed a sigh of relief.

The auction was still going on, and Xue Xiang felt that it had nothing to do with him anymore.

He sat quietly watching the play.

One treasure after another appeared on stage, including ancient scrolls of elixirs, strange bones of demons, and ancient arrays.

Xue Xiang was mesmerized, as if he were in a magnificent galaxy, each item priceless, yet beyond his reach at that moment.

Just then, the hall suddenly went dark, and then it lit up again.

Several waiters worked together to lift out a large bronze box, which was about ten feet long and so heavy that the floor tiles trembled slightly.

As the lid of the box was slowly lifted, a black and gold armor was found floating safely inside.

The armor was wide and heavy, but not clumsy. The ferocious beast patterns on the shoulder armor seemed to be moving, and a red jade inlay in the center of the chest shone with light.

An ancient aura wafts over you, seemingly spanning millennia, yet still retaining the iron and blood of the battlefield.

The narrator's voice also carried a hint of excitement:
"The War God's Ancient Armor. Refined by ancient powerful beings with mysterious gold divine silk, it can defend against enemies externally and heal itself internally. When damaged, it can be slowly repaired by nourishing it with spiritual power, without decaying or cracking. Although its defensive power has been eroded over time, it can still withstand a full-force attack from a Nascent Soul cultivator."

What's even more remarkable is its ability to restore itself; it remains perfectly intact, almost like a 'treasured object'!

The hall fell into a deathly silence for a moment, then exploded like thunder.

"This item will be auctioned starting at three thousand spirit stones!"

The hammer fell, and almost no one hesitated; the sound of cards being played followed one after another.

Three thousand, five thousand, seven thousand...

It's already over 10,000 in the blink of an eye.

Xue Xiang felt a surge of excitement, his eyes reflecting the shimmering light of the armor.

He certainly understood that this kind of protective armor far surpassed all elixirs and talismans.

Unfortunately, the price was far beyond his means.

He took a deep breath, forcing himself to suppress the thought, his fingertips clenching until they turned white.

Just as the bidding had surpassed 20,000, someone in the room suddenly whispered, "Wait!"

Although the voice was not loud, it carried an undeniable air of authority.

The hammering stopped, and everyone turned to look.

A cultivator wearing an iron lion mask stood up, cupped his hands, and said, "I have a treasure that I wish to part with at this time."

Please postpone the auction.

The entire audience immediately stirred.

Xue Xiang's heart stirred slightly.

He remembered that this clause was indeed in the auction rules before he entered the room:
If, at a crucial moment in the bidding, funds are insufficient, the item may be offered for auction by the organizer.

After careful consideration, Xue Xiang concluded that this rule was in everyone's best interest.

The guests hoped to see more rare and exotic treasures.

The organizers are happy to intensify competition and raise prices, which in turn drives up commissions.

Those who possess the treasure can use it to raise funds to continue competing for their desired items.

As expected, the auctioneer hesitated for a moment, then nodded with a smile: "Since you are willing to sell, then let's proceed according to the rules."

Please come up on stage.

The man in the iron lion mask strode quickly to the main auction platform, slowly raised his hand, and a beam of crimson-gold light flew out from his sleeve, landing on the jade table of the main auction platform.

It was an ancient talisman the size of a palm, but it was not made of ordinary paper. Instead, it was forged from fire copper, with deeply engraved runes that faintly emitted a crimson glow. As the talisman trembled slightly, a clear phoenix cry seemed to emanate from it.

The auctioneer smiled and said, "Please introduce your treasures, fellow Daoist. Please note that we will verify all your treasures before the settlement. If any item is found to be counterfeit, you will be solely responsible for the consequences."

Iron Lion said in a deep voice, "This is the Divine Fire Phoenix Talisman Treasure."

Upon hearing this, Xue Xiang also became excited.

Talismans are easy to find, but precious talismans are hard to come by. The former are disposable items, while the latter can be reused, and some can even self-replenish and repair themselves.

Iron Lion gently stroked the talisman, and instantly crimson flames shot into the sky. A phantom of a fire phoenix spread its wings as if about to take flight, and the scorching heat wave swept across the area, even causing the suspended luminous pearl to tremble.

He then explained, "The talisman manifests as a divine fire phoenix. When defending against enemies, it can burn away the protective spiritual light, break through armor and shields; when defending, phoenix feathers form a screen, and flames create a barrier. Once it unleashes its power, all those below the Nascent Soul stage will retreat."

If it weren't for my desire to purchase the War God's Ancient Armor, I would never have parted with this treasure.

Starting bid: one spirit stone.

After saying that, he stepped aside, and the auctioneer smiled and began asking for prices.

After only three bids, the price of the Divine Fire Phoenix Talisman had already exceeded ten thousand.

The hammer fell when the price reached 15,000.

Iron Lion seemed dissatisfied with the price, let out a low sigh, and walked off the stage.

Immediately afterwards, a second person stepped onto the main auction platform and presented the treasure.

One by one, rare treasures hidden away in secret realms and rare gems were revealed.

The brilliant cultivation civilization has thrived for hundreds of thousands of years, naturally producing many rare treasures.

Those treasures that cultivators have kept to this day are all cherished possessions, and once revealed, they immediately attract fierce competition.

As Xue Xiang gazed at the shimmering light on the stage, his thoughts were gradually stirred.

He also had two treasures that he was reluctant to use himself or exchange for spirit stones.

Seeing so many treasures brought to the main auction stage, I realized that my perspective was indeed a bit narrow.

At this critical moment, we should do everything we can to arm ourselves.

If not now, when?

Once the thought crossed his mind, the person in front of him stopped clapping, and he also went up to the platform.

With a thought, Xue Xiang conjured an object in his hand.

The object was shaped like jade, yet it was crystal clear and barely a foot long. It resembled a warm, green rod, with a faint, ethereal glow flowing across its surface.

The light from the luminous pearl in the hall shone on it, but was absorbed by it, reflecting layers of emerald ripples, as if a clear spring were pouring from the void.

The cultivators below were all stunned.

Someone couldn't help but whisper:

"Just a piece of jade? Why bring that on stage?"

"Its shape is strange, but there are no spirit patterns engraved on it. I don't know what its purpose is."

Snickers and doubts began to rise.

Xue Xiang remained calm beneath his mask, uttering only four words in a soft voice: "Cangming Jade Marrow".

These words struck like a thunderbolt, instantly silencing all other discussions.

Some people were about to speak up, but upon hearing the name, their expressions changed drastically, and they gasped sharply.

"Azure Sea Jade Marrow?"

"How could it appear here? Wasn't this thing supposed to have disappeared three hundred years ago?!"

"Legend has it that this chalcedony is a secret treasure of the Azure Dragon lineage of the East Sea, and can only be formed at the bottom of the vast ocean."

"According to ancient records, Cangming Jade Marrow can suppress the fire poison of the five elements and can also condense the heart of the elixir. It is the main ingredient for refining several kinds of divine pills, especially the Longevity Pill and the Purple Cloud Pill, which can only be made with this substance."

The murmurs and discussions erupted like a sudden torrent.

An uproar erupted in the hall. Several seasoned cultivators, who had weathered many storms, couldn't help but stand up, their eyes fixed on the jade marrow, filled with greed and shock.

"I have seen records of this item in the sect's ancient treasury, but only a fragment remains. It has long been regarded as a treasure passed down through generations."

I never imagined I'd see a whole one on the auction stage today!

"If I could obtain this item, I would surely be able to persuade a master alchemist to create a divine elixir..."

A murmur rippled through the room.

The auctioneer looked at Xue Xiang and asked excitedly, "Fellow Daoist, are you also starting the bid with one spirit stone?"

Xue Xiang nodded.

After all, everyone who goes on stage bids the same price, so he naturally doesn't try anything new.

Soon, the sounds of bidding rose and fell.

After the price rose to four thousand, only three competitors remained.

Once the price reached five thousand, only two people remained to compete.

Xue Xiang knew perfectly well that no matter how rare the Cangming Jade Marrow was, it was merely a raw material for refining divine pills.

Unless someone happens to be refining a divine elixir and is missing just this one ingredient, it's unlikely to fetch an astronomical price.

However, he was already quite satisfied with the five thousand spirit stones he had acquired.

Unexpectedly, the more content Xue Xiang was, the more a pleasant surprise was born.

The two final bidders both seemed determined to win.

After a difficult, small price increase, the final price settled at 7,300 spirit stones.

Xue Xiang was very satisfied; even after paying a 10% commission, he still had more than 6,000 yuan to use.

Satisfied, he stepped down and followed a steward in a green robe to obtain a temporary credit certificate.

After entering the secret room and completing the formalities, Xue Xiang received a card with the amount after deducting a 10% commission marked on it.

Xue Xiang did not rush to leave, but instead whispered to the steward beside him: "Please invite the manager who has the authority to set prices. I have another treasure that I wish to sell, but... it is inconvenient to put it up for auction."

The steward paused for a moment, then immediately became respectful, repeatedly agreed, and quickly retreated.

Before long, the steward led in an old man in a red robe.

The old man had a fair complexion and no beard, and his eyes were as calm and steady as the sea.

After the two exchanged greetings, the old man in red robes said, "I am Qi Fa, the head of the Flying Feather Auction House. May I ask what your esteemed guest has to offer?"

Xue Xiang turned his sleeve and held up a jade bottle in his palm.

The bottle is as white as snow, and its semi-transparent surface reveals a viscous, milky sheen, like a pool of stagnant moonlight.

He opened the bottle cap, and a refreshing coolness immediately filled the entire space.

"Eternal Spirit Milk".

Qi Fa, as expected of the head of the auction house, was knowledgeable and experienced, and blurted out the answer.

His eyes flashed like lightning as he stared intently at the milky light within the bottle. For a moment, he couldn't help but reach out, his hand trembling, to touch the bottle's opening. A instant later, he gasped, murmuring softly, "It really is... ten-thousand-year-old spiritual milk..."

After a moment of rapid breathing, he managed to calm himself down, lower his voice, and still spoke with barely concealed excitement, “This milk is born from the depths of the spiritual spring, a drop every ten thousand years. Obtaining it can cleanse the marrow and transform the meridians, strengthen the foundation and nourish the vital energy. It is also an unparalleled material for refining sacred-grade pills.”

At this point, he looked at Xue Xiang with intense yet cautious eyes, "If you wish to bid, this item will certainly cost over ten thousand, perhaps even fifteen thousand."

How much can you offer?

Xue Xiang felt a pang of heartache.

He would much rather put the millennium-old spiritual milk on the auction stage and fetch an astronomical price.

The key point is that he cannot guarantee that there are no Core Formation experts sitting in front of the Master of Mingde Cave listening to his lecture.

After all, these people were present when Qinglong presented the Mingde Dongxuan Cangming Jade Marrow, and when Murong Yu presented the Mingde Dongxuan Master with the Ten Thousand Year Spiritual Milk.

If someone were to create a piece of Cangming Jadeite now, people might not necessarily associate it with the Lord of Mingde Dongxuan.

If both items are brought out at the same time, even a fool would associate them with the Lord of Mingde Dongxuan.

The Lord of Mingde Dongxuan is his most important alias.

Xue Xiang was unwilling to let this pseudonym bear even the slightest risk.

Qi Fa paused for a moment, then said, "If you sell it to us, we'll offer a maximum of six thousand."

Dear guest, you could actually pledge this substance to us.

With an annual interest rate of 10%, you can redeem it when it's convenient for you, fellow Daoist.

Upon hearing Qi Fa's words, Xue Xiang was secretly pleased and cupped his hands, saying, "Fellow Daoist, you have a magnanimous heart."

Qi Fa said, "This is the duty of a merchant. Fellow Daoist, you flatter me."

Soon, Qi Fa personally completed the pledge procedures for Xue Xiang, and Xue Xiang returned to the auction site.

On the main auction platform, the auctioneer was drinking tea; the bidding had stopped.

Xue Xiang guessed that someone must have gone to process the credit certificate.

Sure enough, after a short while, everyone took their seats, and the bidding resumed.

After more than a dozen rounds of bidding, the ancient robe of the God of War was sold to a masked man wearing a faceless body for a sky-high price of 30,000 spirit stones.

Xue Xiang was so mesmerized that he almost stopped breathing.

After the War God's ancient robe was auctioned off, the atmosphere in the room, which had almost ignited, gradually calmed down.

Perhaps the organizers deliberately created a climax to generate a sensation.

The next few lots were not particularly impressive, and the atmosphere in the room became subdued.

Xue Xiang secretly lamented that if he didn't find a suitable treasure, it would be a pity to sell his Cangming Jade Marrow.

Just then, a jade plate was brought to the main auction stage. The attendant lifted the red silk covering the plate, revealing an ancient jade piece as warm and lustrous as a luminous pearl.

The ancient jade is translucent, resembling ice but not quite, and has a lustrous sheen.

Deep within the jade heart, subtle light and shadow moved about, gathering into characters, as if ancient sacred texts were slowly rising and falling.

"The item up for auction here is Yu Hui Yu Long."

The auctioneer said, "The so-called afterglow is the legacy of sages."

This object is the remnant of the Daoist spirit left behind after the fall of a sage, which, combined with the literary energy of his life, forms a unique existence in the world.

It was nurtured using array formations and cultivated over hundreds of years.

The literary energy within originates from the sages themselves, and is even pure literary energy, untouched by the literary traditions and the Way of Heaven. Since the sages are gone, the pure literary energy within the Jade Emptiness has no personal imprint, and can be utilized by outsiders.

The crowd of cultivators buzzed with excitement.

The auctioneer continued, "The literary energy contained within this jade can support the manifestation of power in an article."

If it is replaced with poetry, it can be activated three times.

After three uses, the sage's wisdom was almost completely worn away, his literary spirit withered, and even the Jade Cloud technique became ineffective.

The photographer paused, his gaze sweeping across the room, before his voice slowly faded: "A special reminder is needed."

Because in the hazy afterglow of the setting sun, the wisdom of sages remains. If the person who obtains this treasure lacks talent and insight in their poetry and prose, they will be devoured by the wisdom of sages.

At best, it can cause mental and emotional damage; at worst, it can lead to immediate death.

This statement immediately sparked a great deal of discussion.

"If I were to give this to a junior, it would be tantamount to gaining another powerful attack from a literary expert, one that even a Nascent Soul cultivator would find difficult to withstand..."

"What a treasure! If used properly, it could turn the tide of battle. It's a powerful weapon of immense strength, even if used only once, it would be enough to force a Nascent Soul cultivator to retreat."

"But if one lacks talent, wouldn't that be suicide..."

The crowd was tempted, their eyes greedy, yet also somewhat hesitant.

Amidst the murmurs, Xue Xiang roared from every pore of his body, "Take this thing, at any cost!"

More than one person has advised him to give it his all and strive to win the championship in the trial world.

Xue Xiang had this ambition, but lacked confidence.

Xue Xiang also wanted to enter the middle level of the Demonic Land after the trial to seek opportunities.

However, the objective reality of his own Qi Refining Realm cultivation greatly restricted his ambition.

After all, it is rumored that the document ring will lose its teleportation function outside the trial area, which means that after stepping into the middle layer of the Demonic Land, it is like going on an adventure with your head tied to your belt.

Although he had purchased many Swift Wind Talismans, he still lacked a crucial means of survival.

The appearance of this jade-like afterglow was like a rare treasure tailor-made for him.

If we don’t fight now, when will we fight?
As soon as the auction began, Xue Xiang joined the fray.

The starting bid was 3,000, but after seven or eight rounds of bidding, it climbed to 5,000.

Including Xue Xiang, there are four more people vying for it.

When the price climbed to six thousand, only three people remained.

Reaching the threshold of seven thousand, only Xue Xiang and a cultivator wearing a black tiger mask remained.

The auctioneer was so excited that even the consumable magic item was fetching such a high price, his voice trembling with each bid.

"Seven thousand five!"

Xue Xiang simply called out a huge sum of seven thousand in one go.

Finally, the masked man in the black tiger's mask glanced in his direction but did not follow any further.

After the auctioneer called three times, the gavel fell.

After acquiring Yu Huiyulong, Xue Xiang still had over four thousand spirit stones remaining.

With over four thousand spirit stones, there was practically no room for maneuver in the subsequent events.

He sat quietly, watching the heroes fight each other.

When the final treasure, a broken purple-grade magic artifact called the Measuring Ruler, appeared, the bidding immediately exceeded 200,000. Only then did Xue Xiang realize that at this moment, the floating object seeing the blue sky had truly become a tangible reality.

Even after the auction had ended, Xue Xiang was still in a daze.

Only after everyone had dispersed and a manager came to invite him over to settle the accounts did Xue Xiang get up and leave the auction house.

Under the guidance of the steward, Xue Xiang completed the final settlement.

After the payment was settled, including the handling fee, he still had 3,900 spirit stones left.

Xue Xiang thought to himself, "Since we're already here, are we really going to bring all this money into the training grounds?"

He told the person in charge that he also intended to purchase some spiritual resources.

The manager stated frankly that a VIP of his caliber possessed the highest authority within the Flying Feather Trading Company, including the right to purchase basic resources at discounted prices.

For this purpose, he also issued Xue Xiang a high-level membership certificate.

Soon, the 3,900 spirit stones were transformed into a teleportation talisman, three explosive flame talismans, and a Lesser Xuanwu Formation.

He left the Feiyu Auction House close to the hour of Chou (1-3 AM) the next day.

Xue Xiang found a superior room in the city, stayed overnight, and the next day at noon, he took an airship back to Yong'an.

After spending most of the day handing over his work, he rushed home.

He stayed at home for a day, and the following evening, he ventured alone into Fengming Mountain outside the city.

The mountain path winds and the stone steps are mottled. Night insects chirp and the wind rustles through the pines.

Xue Xiang continued onward until he reached a sparse area of ​​woods. After walking several more miles, the view suddenly opened up before him.

A vast wilderness, where heaven and earth stretch endlessly.

The moonlight poured down, sprinkling the rocks and vegetation, as if draping the earth in a layer of cool, silvery gauze.

He came here specifically to test the Gale Talisman.

He reached out and took out a Gale Talisman. With a flick of his finger, the Gale Talisman transformed into a bright green light, trembling slightly in his palm.

The talisman paper was as thin as a cicada's wing, and the spiritual patterns on it shimmered like fireflies, as if they were about to be scattered by the wind.

Xue Xiang breathed softly, tapped his fingertips lightly, and the talisman light instantly ignited, transforming into a beam of green light that enveloped his entire body.

In an instant, the power of the talisman swept over him like a whirlwind.

His clothes billowed, his hair flew, and his spiritual energy surged and churned within him.

He used the Wind-Stopping Step, his figure moving like a startled swan skimming the ground.

However, before he could catch his breath, the fierce power of the Gale Talisman clashed with his rhythm and pulled him into a staggering gait.

He frowned slightly, but a cold glint flashed in his eyes. "It's not that easy after all."

Immediately afterwards, the second Gale Talisman was ignited.

The power of the runes enveloped his body once more, this time he prepared in advance to deal with the burst of the runes' power.

He resumed his Wind-Stopping Steps, his pace as swift as rain pounding on a cold river, sometimes fast, sometimes slow, sometimes seemingly about to fall, sometimes miraculously rising again.

Twenty breaths later, the power of the talisman was exhausted.

Xue Xiang had figured out some of the tricks of the trade.

Three, four, five...

His body moved like a falling leaf, swirling in all directions, shaking the wilderness as if an invisible wind dragon was coiling and roaring.

He has gradually figured out the pulse of that talismanic power.

When the sixth Gale Talisman burned out, its light once again engulfed him.
The power of the talisman surged to its limit, engulfing him as he rushed forward, as if to turn him into a gust of wind.

Xue Xiang's eyes suddenly lit up, and with a light step, his body moved abruptly.

The rhythms of Gale and Breeze finally came into sync.

Breathing, footsteps, and talismanic power are all perfectly integrated.

In the vast wilderness, only a blurry afterimage remained.

The eighth Swift Wind Talisman is ignited.

The blue light was dazzling, and the talisman's power was enhanced.

Xue Xiang's figure was now completely indistinguishable from a gust of wind.

With one step, he vanished like a wisp of smoke; with another, he appeared as if from nowhere.

Sometimes it appears atop the treetops, sometimes it hides among the rocks, appearing and disappearing, making it difficult to spot.

The wind howled, clothes fluttered, and in the desolate world, only a ghostly figure roamed endlessly.

Finally, Xue Xiang stopped in his tracks, a smile spreading across his face. "In that case, the name 'Swift Wind' is truly fitting."

…………

In Yong'an City, the sky was just beginning to lighten.

Outside the county's academy, tall buildings stand majestically, vermilion gates stand solemnly, and stone lions sit quietly in front of the gate, exuding an aura of reverence.

The students followed closely behind Xue Xiang and entered the hall of the Academy of Arts.

Among the crowd, most were dressed in fine clothes, their smiles and laughter concealed their sharp edges, yet their brows exuded arrogance and confidence.

Lu Wenhou, Shen Nansheng, and Lou Changqing walked side by side.

Their expressions were cold and stern, their faces hinting at a fighting spirit, and their eyes held a sharp glint that seemed ready to burst forth at any moment.

Inside the main hall, a group of wise men stood in a circle.

The Dean of the Academy, with his white beard and eyebrows, stood on the high platform, his voice deep and resonant, carrying an unquestionable authority: "Fellow students, you are all outstanding talents of the county."

Today, the Trial Realm will open.

This is a rare opportunity. Those who enter should diligently train, accumulate experience, and reap the benefits.

Of course, if one is outmatched, there is no need to force it; a wise person will assess the situation and act accordingly.

By crushing the talisman, one can return to this place.

In addition, the relevant rules for the trials will be released by the Document Ring in a timely manner.

Gentlemen, remember this: hardship and adversity refine you into the best you can be.

"I will heed the teachings of the head of the academy."

The staff members bowed and answered.

Immediately, the head of the academy led the group away, and an old man in white robes stepped forward and said loudly, "You are allowed to bring your own resources when entering the trial realm, but you are prohibited from bringing any spirit pets other than ghost pets."

Those who have beast-taming pouches, hand them over immediately.

Otherwise, if the formation detects it, it will automatically eliminate the target.

Before long, the two men handed over two black pouches.

Xue Xiang touched the demon egg in his sleeve.

From the day he obtained this item, he would send a little bit of literary energy to nourish it every day.

The key issue is that this item cannot be stored in the jade talisman; he can only keep it concealed in his sleeve at all times.

At that moment, the white-robed elder said that once the formation was identified, he was immediately relieved.

Even Su Jianmo, using his literary aura, could identify the demon egg as an inanimate object. It would be truly strange if a mere array could identify a demon egg as a living thing.

After issuing another warning, the white-robed elder finally waved his sleeve and activated the teleportation.

Suddenly, a tremendous light burst forth from the four walls of the main hall.

A radiant light swept in, illuminating the entire palace with dazzling brilliance.

The rune array suddenly activated, and spiritual light intertwined, weaving into thousands of runes, like a light curtain that enveloped all living beings.

Xue Xiang felt a sudden white light before his eyes, the world spinning around him, and a deafening roar in his ears.

In the next instant, the world changed.

He stood on a gray, desolate wasteland.

The sky was gloomy and the wind howled across the fields.

The mountain shadows are rugged, and in the distance, demonic energy seems to surge, transforming into countless strange shadows that appear and disappear.

A sense of oppressive chill washed over me.

The talisman ring on Xue Xiang's finger suddenly trembled, and a beam of white light shot into his spiritual platform, conveying a message:
1. Trial participants are temporarily prohibited from attacking each other. Violators will be immediately eliminated and expelled from the realm.

II. This trial will be conducted using an elimination system.

Third, the ultimate winner will be granted the qualification to be "directly transported to the blessed land".

It is noted that the so-called blessed land refers to the undeveloped cave dwellings of the ancients in the middle and deep layers.

The three rules, once they entered the Lingtai realm, allowed Xue Xiang to savor many nuances.

Firstly, the fact that the first rule, "Trial participants are not allowed to attack each other," is preceded by the word "temporarily prohibited," is enough to prove that the subsequent rules will be changed to allow mutual attacks sooner or later.

Secondly, the elimination system is even more brutal than the points system.

In a points-based system, the winner isn't determined until the very last moment.

The elimination system, on the other hand, requires people to be constantly on edge.

Finally, when the reward was announced, Xue Xiang's eyes turned red.

After experiencing the high-profile auction at Feiyu Trading Company, his worldview was refreshed, as if he had seen a corner of the Heavenly Palace.

His self-perceived modest wealth is utterly insignificant in the real world.

As the saying goes, no one gets rich without unexpected wealth. If you find a treasure in one of these ancient cave dwellings, it could completely change your life.

Just as Xue Xiang was getting excited, the document ring sent another message:

Details of the first round of elimination rules have been released:

Those who do not accumulate ten points within one hour will be eliminated.

Each word is like an iron nail, driven into everyone's heart.

Subsequently, the seal characters in the mind continued to float, transforming into a sheet of paper:
Gold-grade crystal core: 10,000.

Purple-grade crystal nuclei: 1,000.

Black-grade crystal core: 100.

White-grade crystal nuclei: 10.

Green-grade crystal nucleus: 1.

Xue Xiang still remembered that in the last trial, the difference between the blue and white levels was five times.

Anyway, this is a point system that is artificially set up, so he can understand if there are adjustments.

In short, now is not the time to dwell on this matter. The most urgent task is to find a white-level monster or a group of blue-level monsters.

(End of this chapter)