Cultivating Immortality: I Have a High-Martial World

Chapter 150 The Demonic Sect Also Wants to Bid for the Golden Essence Pill? Die!

"Less than eight years."

Lin Chen said softly.

"Yes, in just eight short years... you've already broken through to the Core Formation stage."

A hint of emotion flickered in Wang Changchun's eyes.

"In the history of Changchun Sect, you should be the disciple who has made the fastest breakthrough."

"By the way, what grade of Golden Core have you condensed?"

"Ninth rank."

Lin Chen said.

He couldn't directly say that he was a perfect Golden Core cultivator, so after thinking it over, a ninth-grade Golden Core cultivator was the most appropriate.

It preserved the identity of a prodigy without being too astonishing.

"Ninth-grade Golden Elixir..."

Sect Leader Wang was still surprised, and he nodded vigorously, saying:

"Good, good! Heaven truly favors Changchun Sect."

"Lin Chen, you've already condensed a ninth-grade Golden Core at such a young age... Achieving the Nascent Soul stage in the future won't be difficult for you!"

He paused, then continued:

"However, the war between the Righteous Alliance and the Demonic Sect has been escalating recently. Who knows when it might spread here..."

"Lin Chen, it's safer for you to stay inside Changchun Gate for the time being."

Lin Chen nodded after hearing this, then asked with some curiosity:

"Sect Master, is there a significant difference in strength between the Righteous Alliance and the Demonic Sect?"

"Why are we being suppressed on the front lines...?"

After hearing this, Sect Leader Wang sighed and said:

"This matter is not as simple as you think... If it were only the four major sects of the Demonic Path, we wouldn't be suppressed so badly."

"Just know that this war was unavoidable..."

Master Wang's statement was ambiguous.

Lin Chen seemed to be deep in thought after hearing this.

"A war that had to be waged..."

……

Lin Chen's breakthrough to the Golden Core stage caused quite a stir in the Changchun Sect.

Dozens of elders came to offer their congratulations, but Lin Chen only gave them perfunctory replies.

For him, forming a golden core was not a big deal.

The spiritual practice continues as always.

Several days later, Lin Chen set off for the auction in Guangyuan Town.

Lin Chen has been coming here every month or two since then.

The main purpose is to provide Golden Essence Pills and collect spirit stones.

That day, Lin Chen stayed in the private room as usual, watching the bidding on the auction stage.

"Next up is the part you've all been waiting for: the mid-grade Golden Essence Pill, starting bid 50,000 spirit stones."

Without the auctioneer on stage creating an atmosphere, the monks below were already incredibly excited.

Although this is not the first time that the Golden Essence Pill has been auctioned, its allure to the major powers within Yanlai remains undiminished.

Especially in recent months.

The Xiao family, the Meng family, the Cai family, and even the royal family of Yanlai Kingdom each have an additional Core Formation cultivator.

Five Golden Core Pills were auctioned off, and four of the winning bidders included Golden Core cultivators.

Such enormous profits have made other small families in Yanlai eager to try their luck.

In their view, after these big families finish eating the meat and using up the spirit stones, they should at least leave them some soup, right?

"I'll offer 60,000 spirit stones."

"Seventy thousand spirit stones!"

"..."

"One hundred thousand spirit stones!"

Soon, in round after round of bidding, the price of the Golden Essence Pill was driven up to over 100,000 spirit stones.

At the same time, a voice came from a private room on the second floor.

"140,000 spirit stones!"

The moment the price was announced, the entire auction hall fell silent.

140,000 spirit stones, which is almost the upper limit of the price at the previous auction.

But previously, the price was gradually increased to 140,000 spirit stones.

This time, however, he directly shouted out 140,000 spirit stones, which was the first time this had happened.

As soon as the price was announced, almost all the cultivators in the auction withdrew from the bidding.

Many forces are secretly speculating about the origins of the person who offered such a high price in one go.

Lin Chen narrowed his eyes and looked towards the direction of the next private room.

"According to Chairman Liu, the cultivators in this private room don't seem to be from local forces?"

As the fame of Jin Yuan Dan grew, so did the reputation of the Guangyuan Auction House.

At the same time, the bidding forces radiated from Yanlai territory to the entire Zhengdao Alliance territory.

Cultivation forces from several other countries, including the Purple Smoke Kingdom and even the Mist Kingdom, also wanted a share of the pie and traveled thousands of miles specifically to bid.

"A force from outside Yanlai Realm? Well, that might not be a bad thing..."

Lin Chen murmured.

He didn't care much about who won the bid for the Golden Essence Pill, as long as it didn't strengthen the Demonic Sect's power.

Moreover, the more forces that come to participate in the auction, the more Lin Chen will earn, so why not?

Soon, the high price of 140,000 spirit stones was announced.

None of the other cultivation forces within Yanlai made a bid.

This unfamiliar force successfully won the bid for the Golden Essence Pill.

After the auction ended, Lin Chen waited for a moment before heading to the backstage area to collect his spirit stones.

When he arrived at the back of the room, the unfamiliar force that had won the bid for the Golden Yuan Pill had not left.

The cultivator was wearing a mask, so his appearance was not visible.

But his eyes had a sinister look that made people afraid to look directly at him.

At this moment, Chairman Liu politely said:

"Distinguished guest, do you wish to break through to the next level at my Guangyuan Auction House? We have two senior Core Formation experts protecting us..."

In the past, the five major forces that won the Golden Essence Pill at auction all broke through during this auction to avoid any unexpected events.

But this time, things are different.

The unfamiliar cultivator shook his head, his voice slightly hoarse as he said:

"No need, I'll just take the Golden Essence Pill and leave."

Although Chairman Liu was somewhat surprised after hearing this, he nodded and handed over the Golden Essence Pill.

After the unfamiliar cultivator left, Lin Chen completed the handover with Chairman Liu, giving him the Golden Essence Pills for the next two auctions in advance.

At the same time, they also took away 200,000 spirit stones.

……

Lin Chen didn't linger and left the Guangyuan Auction House directly through the back door.

As soon as he stepped out of the venue, Lin Chen sensed something was wrong with his keen senses.

Looking back, he found himself facing the unfamiliar cultivator who had previously won the Golden Essence Pill at auction.

"It's him..."

Lin Chen narrowed his eyes, turned around and left the auction venue.

Lin Chen didn't rush to leave Guangyuan Town, but stayed at the inn for three days.

During this time, Lin Chen secretly observed and saw that many forces and cultivators left Guangyuan Town one after another.

But the cultivator who had won the Golden Essence Pill earlier was nowhere to be seen leaving.

"Looks like this guy's identity is a bit suspicious..."

"I'd like to see just who you are."

Lin Chen sneered, transformed into a streak of light, and left Guangyuan Town, flying north.

After Lin Chen had flown more than a hundred miles, he sensed that someone was following him from a distance.

However, they were several miles apart, at the edge of Lin Chen's divine sense, so he could only vaguely sense them.

"Knowing I'm a Core Formation cultivator, they still dared to follow me... Looks like they came prepared!"

Lin Chen thought to himself, then increased his speed and continued flying north.

After flying for several hours.

Lin Chen had already left the Yanlai Realm and was now in the sky above an unnamed, desolate mountain.

At this moment, several auras behind him suddenly accelerated and rapidly approached Lin Chen.

Lin Chen pretended not to know, but inwardly he was on high alert, ready to summon Long Ba and Feng Jiu at any time.

A moment later, Lin Chen received a telepathic message.

"Master Wu Leizi, please stop and have a chat."

Behind him, three cultivators quickly approached Lin Chen and finally stopped ten feet away from him.

Lin Chen squinted, sensing the auras of the three people.

"Three fake Core Formation cultivators... What a grand gesture."

Lin Chen sighed inwardly, then asked in a deep voice:

"The three of you have stopped me here in this desolate wilderness; it seems you have ill intentions."

The fake Core Formation cultivator leading the group was the same person who had previously won the Golden Core Pill.

He smiled, but his laughter was hoarse and grating.

"Hehe, Master Wu Leizi, you're overthinking it."

"We mean no harm; we are simply interested in the items in your possession, Master. We would be honored to have a chat with you, and the price is negotiable..."

Lin Chen sneered upon hearing this and shouted:

"A coward like you, hiding your true intentions, dares to make a deal with this old man?"

"Since we're going to do a deal, we might as well introduce ourselves... otherwise, it seems like we're not being sincere at all!"

Lin Chen observed the movements of the three people, while tentatively trying to find out their origins.

The unfamiliar cultivator remained silent for a moment upon hearing this, then said:

"I am an elder of the Wild Wolf Sect. I am here on the orders of Sect Master Lingxuzi to invite you to the transaction."

"Don't worry, Master, the price of the Golden Essence Pill is negotiable..."

"It's disheartening that the master has been so focused on trading with the Righteous Alliance these past few days, neglecting us!"

Lin Chen's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this.

Although he had already guessed the identities of the group, Lin Chen was still taken aback when he heard that they were indeed members of the Demonic Sect.

"Hehe, what if I don't want to?" Lin Chen's attitude was firm, but he was ready to summon the martial arts puppet at any time.

But as Lin Chen finished speaking, he suddenly sensed an aura rapidly approaching.

At the same time, a voice came.

"If Master is unwilling, we can only invite Master to Ziyan Kingdom for a discussion."

As soon as the voice fell, a streak of light flew in from the north and landed behind Lin Chen in the blink of an eye.

Lin Chen frowned slightly and asked:

"And who are you, sir?"

The man was tall and strong, with his hair flowing down his back, and he was wearing a fur coat made from an unknown animal.

At the same time, half of her chest was exposed, making for a rather bizarre appearance.

"Of course, I am Ling Xuzi. Please accompany us to the Purple Smoke Kingdom, Master."

Ling Xuzi's voice was as loud as thunder, and his eyes were bulging.

"This person is Ling Xuzi..."

Lin Chen squinted, sensing that this person's aura was unusual.

The aura emanating from that person was probably more than just someone who had just entered the Golden Core stage.

He is probably a third-stage Golden Core cultivator, or even a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator!

Despite being surrounded by three fake Core Formation cultivators and one Core Formation cultivator, Lin Chen showed no fear whatsoever.

He remained calm, glanced at the group, and said coldly:

"What if I don't want to go to the Purple Smoke Kingdom with you all?"

Upon hearing this, Ling Xuzi chuckled a few times and said:

"Heh, could it be that Master is also one of those hypocrites from the righteous alliance, a vulgar person like them?"

"Otherwise, why do they only trade with the Righteous Alliance and not come to us?"

After a pause, Ling Xuzi continued:

"We cultivators draw all our power from heaven and earth, and we aspire to contend with heaven and earth."

"One should act as one pleases, without restraint; this is the way of nature!"

"However, those hypocrites are divided into righteous and demonic paths... labeling us as demonic, isn't that ridiculous?"

"Ask those self-proclaimed righteous cultivators, in their eyes, how much better are mortals than weeds?"

Ling Xuzi's words were indeed righteous and awe-inspiring.

Lin Chen sneered inwardly upon hearing this.

Admittedly, both the righteous and the demonic paths hold mortals in contempt.

However, there is a fundamental difference between treating ordinary people like dirt and treating human life like dirt.

Lin Chen then retorted:

"Gentlemen, there's no need for you to waste your breath. Although I am not a righteous cultivator, I cannot sell Golden Essence Pills to you, much less begin this so-called cooperation..."

"Please, gentlemen, go back to where you came from!"

Upon hearing this, Ling Xuzi glared and sneered:

"If you won't listen to reason, you'll have to suffer the consequences!"

"Even the heavens say that our demonic sect should rise, and the righteous path should decline!"

"It seems your Wind Spirit Moon Shadow Sect is also clueless about the times!"

"Since that's the case, then don't blame us for being impolite!"

After saying that, Ling Xuzi made a gesture, and the four Core Formation cultivators attacked together, pressing down on Lin Chen.

"Heh, if you want to fight, then fight. Why all the nonsense?"

Lin Chen refused firmly, then waved his hand.

Two martial arts puppets, Long Ba and Feng Jiu, appeared beside him.

Upon seeing the two martial arts puppets, Ling Xuzi's pupils suddenly contracted.

"You were the one who fought against Ghost Eye back then!"

The four Core Formation cultivators all showed expressions of fear upon seeing Lin Chen's two puppets.

But Lin Chen didn't hesitate and directly gave orders to Long Ba and Feng Jiu.

Without hesitation, the two martial arts puppets charged directly at the three Core Formation cultivators.

At the same time, Lin Chen also activated his protective true essence and rushed straight towards Ling Xuzi!

Seeing this, Ling Xuzi dared not underestimate him and also raised his protective true essence to charge towards Lin Chen.

boom!

The two protective true essences collided violently in mid-air.

In an instant, a fierce wind arose in the air, accompanied by occasional booming sounds.

After the clash of their true essences, Lin Chen stood still, his steps steady.

Ling Xuzi was seen staggered back several steps and was sent flying by the impact.

Ling Xuzi was terrified after their first encounter.

"This true essence...you're a late-stage Core Formation cultivator!"

Ling Xuzi's eyes widened in shock, and he dared not fight any longer, quickly saying:

"Everyone, split up and run!"

Having said that, Ling Xuzi transformed into a streak of silver light and fled northward.

This time, the Demonic Sect went to great lengths to capture Lin Chen.

Three pseudo-Core Formation cultivators were dispatched, plus one mid-Core Formation cultivator!

With such a formidable force, those below the late-stage Core Formation realm would have virtually no chance of escape.

After all, there are very few cultivators at the late Core Formation stage, and each one is a well-known figure in Qingzhou.

The Demonic Sect hadn't expected that Lin Chen, the pill seller, would be a "late-stage Core Formation cultivator."

Of course, within Yanlai territory, it is still far from the Demonic Sect's headquarters.

They had already gone to great lengths to send out three fake Core Formation cultivators and several mid-stage Golden Core cultivators.

Sending more Core Formation cultivators here without anyone noticing is virtually impossible...

Lin Chen gave instructions to Long Ba and Feng Jiu, signaling them not to release the three fake Core Formation cultivators.

Lin Chen was quite relieved that two puppets, comparable to those in the mid-stage of Core Formation, had killed three fake Core Formation cultivators.

As for himself, he chased after Ling Xuzi.

"Ling Xuzi's escape speed is not weak..."

Lin Chen chased after him for a while, but always kept a distance and couldn't get close.

Although his true essence was comparable to that of the late-stage Core Formation realm, he was still only a second-stage Golden Core cultivator.

"It seems I'll have to find a way to learn another speed-escaping technique later."

(End of this chapter)