Projection of the Heavens: I prove my immortality through slaughter.

"Shopkeeper, what is this?" Lin Xuan pointed to the dark piece of wood, his tone indifferent, as if he were just asking casually, but his eyes never left the wood.

The goatee-bearded shopkeeper, fiddling with his abacus, lazily glanced up at the words, his face revealing undisguised disdain. "You mean that piece of lightning-struck wood? Ugh, don't even mention it! A few days ago, some old herb gatherer insisted it was a treasure he'd found deep in 'Thunder Slope,' and begged me to sell it. I bought it for two spirit stones, and it's completely useless!" He grew angrier as he spoke, pointing at the wood with the abacus beads. "It looks like it's been struck by lightning. I thought it might have some lightning-attribute spiritual energy to craft a low-level lightning talisman or for someone practicing lightning magic, but guess what? It didn't react at all when I infused it with spiritual power. It's just a dead lump of wood, so heavy it's unsightly. Even using it to prop up the counter takes up too much space, and it's just an eyesore here!"

Lightning-struck wood? Lightning Slope? Lin Xuan's heart stirred slightly. To survive a lightning strike without being destroyed, its material was already extraordinary. Lightning Slope was a treacherous place in the Azure Mist Mountains, constantly ravaged by lightning; anything brought from there was certainly no ordinary object. More importantly, the black auxiliary token reacted to it, indicating this item was far from rare! Perhaps it contained not ordinary spiritual energy, but some higher level, or extremely obscure attribute, perhaps even sealed by some power, making it difficult for cultivators of this realm to perceive.

His expression remained impassive, even revealing a perfectly measured hint of curiosity: "It does look quite peculiar, the texture is rather interesting. I enjoy studying various miscellaneous subjects and am currently looking for a paperweight to hold talisman paper. Could I have it to take a look?"

The shopkeeper, eager to get rid of this space-consuming junk, bent down with some effort and pulled the heavy piece of wood from the bottom corner of the counter, tossing it onto the counter with a dull thud—it was indeed heavy. "If you really like it, fellow Daoist, just give me a spirit stone to take it; that way I can recoup some of my losses." In his eyes, even a spirit stone was considered overcharging; every penny saved was a penny earned.

Lin Xuan reached out and picked up the wood. The moment he touched it, the weight, far exceeding that of ordinary wood, once again confirmed its extraordinary nature. The surface was charred black, yet it had a peculiar warmth to the touch, rather than being cold.

Upon closer inspection, beneath the charred surface, one could vaguely discern some naturally formed, twisted, lightning-like patterns. Indeed, no active spiritual energy could be sensed; it seemed to be dormant.

But the moment his fingers touched the wood, Fu Ling's heart stirred noticeably in his mind, even conveying a faint "desire" and "resonance," as if he had encountered something long lost.

"One spirit stone is fair enough. This wood is dense and perfect for making a paperweight." Lin Xuan showed no sign of anything amiss, and even had a hint of a bargain on his lips. He readily paid one spirit stone and carefully put the "lightning-struck wood" into his storage bag, placing it separately from his other items.

Seeing how straightforward he was, the shopkeeper smiled genuinely, thinking that although the young man's cultivation was low, he was quite sensible, unlike some poor, stingy rogue cultivators.

Leaving the Hundred Herbs Pavilion, the bustling market was immediately apparent. Lin Xuan strolled around a few more shops, using his powerful divine sense and sharp eyesight to purchase some high-quality talisman paper needed for drawing low-level talismans, a box of decent cinnabar, and several jade slips recording the habits of common monsters, illustrations of spiritual herbs, and geographical records at relatively low prices.

Now that he possesses a powerful spiritual sense and a photographic memory, he learns these things extremely quickly. Mastering more miscellaneous skills will always come in handy for his future travels and adventures.

He even managed to acquire a tael of gold at a used bookstore, which was incomplete and contained a basic diagram of formations. Although it was rudimentary, it gave him a broader understanding of the various arts of cultivation.

Just as he finished his purchases and was about to leave the market, a slightly noisy flow of people surged towards the largest stone hall in the center of the market, built of bluestone and with a plaque reading "Treasure Pavilion" hanging at the entrance. Many people greeted each other with excitement and anticipation on their faces.

"Hurry, hurry! The monthly mini-auction at 'Treasure Pavilion' is about to start! Good spots will be gone if you're late!"

"I heard some good stuff leaked out this time, even a top-grade first-tier 'Essence Pill'! The Dew Grass is just an appetizer!"

"Hoping to find some suitable treasures to prepare for the Qingyun Sect's assessment..."

An auction? Lin Xuan's heart skipped a beat. Such occasions are often bustling with all sorts of people, and they frequently feature rare, unique items that are hard to find in ordinary shops, or valuable objects of unknown origin. Moreover, it's easier to run into "acquaintances"—like Zhao Gan, whom he "can't forget." Perhaps this opportunity would allow him to gain a more direct understanding of the other party's current financial situation and circumstances.

He followed the crowd into the stone hall of the Treasure Pavilion. The interior was more spacious than the exterior, with a high dome inlaid with several fluorites emitting a soft white light, illuminating the interior. In the center was a circular stone platform about half a person's height, surrounded by dozens of simple but sturdy wooden chairs arranged in a fan shape. Most of the cultivators were already seated there, their auras generally stronger than those scattered outside. Most were in the mid-to-late stages of Qi Refining, with a few whose auras were dull, likely Foundation Establishment experts concealing their power. The air was filled with a mixture of medicinal fragrance, the scent of spiritual materials, and a faint, unique aroma of spirit stones.

Lin Xuan found an inconspicuous corner at the back, close to the shadow of a pillar, and sat down. He activated his Breath Concealment Technique to its maximum, almost completely suppressing the fluctuations of his spiritual energy. His breathing became long and subtle, like a silent, harmless spectator, quietly observing the people in the hall.

Soon, a middle-aged cultivator at the seventh level of Qi Refining, with a capable appearance and sharp eyes, stepped onto the stone platform to serve as the auctioneer. He first cupped his hands and looked around, saying a few polite words of welcome and that the treasures would be given to those who were destined to receive them. With his eloquence, he quickly stirred up the atmosphere in the room.

The auction officially began. The first few items were all mid-to-high-grade first-tier magic weapons (such as a small shield that could automatically protect its owner and a sharp cold iron sword), and a few bottles of effective pills, which sparked a bidding war, but the prices remained within a reasonable range and did not cause too much of a stir. Lin Xuan simply watched quietly; these items did not attract him much.

"Next item, fellow Daoists, please take a look!" The auctioneer raised his voice, his tone rousing. A maid in an elegant dress gracefully walked onto the stage, carrying a delicate white jade box in both hands, and carefully placed it on the display stand. The auctioneer gently opened the lid, and a refreshing and invigorating spiritual energy immediately filled the air.

"A top-grade first-tier spiritual herb—Dewdrop Grass! Three leaves and one bud, the leaves are plump, with dewdrops peeking out—a perfect specimen!"

Inside the jade box, laid out in soft brocade, lay a spirit herb about three inches tall. Its entire body was emerald green, like jade, with three heart-shaped leaves that were thick and full. At the center of the leaves, a few crystal-clear droplets, like morning dew, seemed to have naturally condensed, emanating pure water and wood spiritual energy that invigorated the mind and spirit.

"This herb contains pure vitality and is the main ingredient for refining various healing pills. It can also be swallowed directly to nourish the meridians, repair hidden injuries, and has a slight auxiliary effect on breaking through bottlenecks! It is truly a rare auxiliary spiritual item for fellow cultivators in the Qi Refining stage! Starting bid: ten low-grade spirit stones, with each bid increment not less than one stone!" The auctioneer's voice was loud and infectious.

Dew-Condensing Grass! Lin Xuan's gaze sharpened. This grass was indeed somewhat useful to him. The pure vitality it contained could be used to further temper his physical body and consolidate his cultivation, especially since he had just broken through several times and needed to solidify his foundation.

But he didn't immediately place a bid. He leaned back slightly, hiding in the shadows, and observed the situation. He wanted to see who this plant would attract and to what extent it would drive the price up.

"Eleven yuan!" a rough voice immediately rang out.

"Twelve pieces!" someone else chimed in from the other side.

"I'll offer fifteen!" a female cultivator said in a clear voice.

The price steadily rose, with competition mainly among two or three independent cultivators who seemed stuck in a bottleneck at the mid-stage of Qi Refining. Soon, the price reached twenty spirit stones. For a first-tier spirit herb, this price was already quite high, and the number of bidders noticeably decreased, leaving only two people hesitating.

"Twenty-five yuan!" A slightly arrogant voice, filled with a sense of certainty, rang out from the front row, immediately raising the price by a notch.

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw a young man in the front row, on the right, wearing a light blue silk robe and a valuable jade belt around his waist, raising his hand. It was Zhao Gan! Beside him, as always, stood the burly servant at the fourth level of Qi Refining, his eyes scanning the surroundings warily.

Upon seeing Zhao Gan, Lin Xuan's eyes instantly turned icy cold, like a frozen wasteland. A murderous intent emanating from the depths of his soul almost burst forth, but he suppressed it with an even stronger and more resilient Dao heart. His eyes shimmered like a galaxy, swallowing all emotions, while his face remained imperceptible, save for the barely perceptible tightening of his fingers resting on his knees. The original owner's overwhelming hatred and resentment, like a volcano awakened, roared within him, yet became the fuel that solidified his Dao heart.

After making his bid, Zhao Gan slightly raised his chin, giving a provocative glance at the hesitant competitors in the back row. A hint of disdain played on his lips, as if he was determined to acquire the Dew-Condensing Grass. He had been stuck at the peak of the third level of Qi Refining for some time, his spiritual energy unstable. This was a crucial period when he needed such a spiritual herb to solidify his foundation and attempt to break through to the fourth level of Qi Refining. Twenty-five low-grade spirit stones were a considerable sum for him, but with his cousin's support, he was confident.

The room fell silent for a moment. The price had indeed made the two independent cultivators give up, and they shook their heads helplessly.

The auctioneer surveyed the room with a professional smile: "Twenty-five low-grade spirit stones! This fellow Daoist has bid twenty-five! Dew-Condensing Grass is rare, and one in such perfect condition is even rarer. Are there any higher bids? This is an opportunity not to be missed!"

Just as he was about to bring down the gavel, a calm, emotionless voice came from the shadows in the corner behind him:

Thirty yuan.

The sound was not loud, but it was exceptionally clear and steady, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, clearly reaching everyone's ears.

Swish!

Everyone's gaze, including that of Zhao Gan, who was sitting smugly in the front row, instantly turned to the source of the sound—the inconspicuous young man in blue robes sitting in the shadows in the corner, almost blending into the background.

Zhao Gan's brows furrowed sharply, a clear displeasure at being interrupted flashing across his face. When he managed to make out Lin Xuan's handsome yet unfamiliar profile by the light of the fluorite, he first felt a vague sense of familiarity, as if he had seen him somewhere before. Then, the original owner's humble, desperate face, writhing in pain at his feet, overlapped with a nearly forgotten, ant-like shadow in his memory, causing his pupils to shrink abruptly! But the next moment, a strong sense of denial and superiority surged up. No, impossible! That piece of trash had long been dealt with by his own hands; his corpse was probably dragged away by wild dogs somewhere! He was probably just a poor, rogue cultivator who looked somewhat similar! How dare he try to steal from him?

"Hmph, courting death!" Zhao Gan sneered inwardly, raising his sign again with a deliberately arrogant and intimidating tone: "Thirty-five yuan!" He stared intently at Lin Xuan with hostility, trying to intimidate him with his imposing presence.

However, facing his almost fiery gaze, Lin Xuan didn't even lift his eyelids, as if he didn't take him seriously at all. He simply spoke again calmly, his tone as indifferent as if he were discussing the weather:

"Forty dollars."

"You!" Zhao Gan abruptly stood up, the chair legs scraping against the floor with a screeching sound. Uncontrollable rage surged across his face, his finger almost pointing at Lin Xuan's face. Forty low-grade spirit stones! This far exceeded the intrinsic value of the Dew-Condensing Grass! Although he could afford it, he still felt a pang of pain; it was equivalent to two months' salary! "Forty-five!" He practically gritted his teeth, squeezing out the price, veins throbbing slightly on his forehead, trying to completely overwhelm his opponent with this resolute stance.

The entire auction hall fell silent. All eyes darted back and forth between Zhao Gan and the mysterious young man in black, a tense atmosphere of anticipation filling the air. Everyone could see that this was no longer a simple bidding war, but a clash of pride, a matter of face!

However, Lin Xuan merely glanced at him indifferently, his gaze deep and calm, devoid of joy or sorrow, as if he were looking at an insignificant, jumping clown, with a condescending indifference.

"Fifty dollars."

boom!

A suppressed murmur and discussion immediately erupted in the arena! Fifty low-grade spirit stones for a single Tier 1 Dew-Condensing Grass? Does this guy have so many spirit stones he doesn't know what to do with them? Or does he have an old grudge against Zhao Gan and is deliberately trying to cause trouble?

"This is insane! Fifty spirit stones should be enough to buy two plants, right?"

"Who is this young man? He looks completely unfamiliar!"

"Zhao Gan has really messed up this time. Look at his face, haha..."

Zhao Qian's face instantly turned ashen, then flushed a deep red, like a liver! Fifty spirit stones! This was all the liquid funds he could currently use! And to spend such a huge sum for a mere Dew-Gathering Grass—even if he won the bid, he would become the biggest laughingstock of the entire room! His cousin would surely scold him for being foolish!

His servant frowned, a hint of seriousness flashing in his eyes. He whispered, "Young Master, be careful what you say! Although this person's aura is weak, his composure is extraordinary. He's probably not from a simple background. Making a mortal enemy over a spiritual herb would be a huge loss. Don't let a small thing cause you to lose something big." He had been through a lot of training and sensed an unsettling aura emanating from the young man in the corner. It was definitely not something an ordinary Qi Refining Level 3 cultivator should possess.

Zhao Gan's chest heaved violently, his fists clenched so tightly that his nails dug deep into his palms, and he stared intently at Lin Xuan, his eyes filled with resentment, anger, and a hint of surprise that even he himself was unwilling to admit.

He felt like all the eyes around him were pricking him like needles, full of mockery and contempt, as if they were watching him, a laughingstock who relied on connections but had lost face in front of outsiders.

"Fifty...fifty low-grade spirit stones! This fellow Daoist has bid fifty!" The auctioneer's voice was filled with barely concealed excitement and anticipation. This was definitely the unexpected delight of the evening. "Fifty stones for the first time! Fifty stones for the second time! Any other fellow Daoists willing to bid? This is your last chance!"

Zhao Gan opened his mouth, his throat dry, and finally, as if all his strength had been drained, he slumped heavily back into his chair. His face was so dark it could drip water, and the look in his eyes as he gazed at Lin Xuan was no longer simple resentment, but carried a hint of bone-chilling killing intent. He had never suffered such humiliation in front of so many people!

"Fifty low-grade spirit stones, third time! Sold! Congratulations to the fellow Daoist in the back row for winning this rare Dew-Gathering Grass!" The auctioneer brought down the gavel, sealing the deal.

A maidservant carrying a jade box gracefully walked up to Lin Xuan. Lin Xuan calmly took out fifty low-grade spirit stones and placed them one by one on the tray in the maidservant's hands, making a crisp clinking sound. The whole process was unhurried and unhurried. He didn't even look at Zhao Gan, who was almost bursting with anger. He casually put the jade box into his storage bag, as if he had only done a trivial matter.

A complete crushing defeat in terms of financial resources and momentum!

He wasn't deliberately flaunting his wealth; those fifty spirit stones were a considerable expense for him. But more importantly, he wanted to use this opportunity to silently declare to Zhao Gan, and even more so to prove to himself—the ant he could crush at will had now become a dragon! Today he could outmaneuver Zhao Gan financially, and tomorrow he could take Zhao Gan's life with honor! This was just the beginning!

The auction continued, and several more decent items appeared, but Zhao Gan had lost all interest. He felt extremely uncomfortable, as if all the sounds around him were mocking him. Lin Xuan, on the other hand, remained calmly seated in the shadows, as if the thrilling, overwhelming bidding had nothing to do with him. He only quietly rose after another item failed to sell.

Only after the auction ended and the crowd began to disperse did Lin Xuan slowly walk towards the door with the flow of people.

As he passed by Zhao Gan, who was utterly dejected and ashen-faced, he didn't stop or look away, as if the other were nothing but air. But in that instant of brushing past him, a cold, condensed divine sense transmission, as fine as a thread of millennia-old icy ice, was precisely and irresistibly sent into Zhao Gan's ears, directly imprinting itself deep within his soul:

"Keep your head safe."

Zhao Gan froze instantly, as if frozen by invisible ice. He turned his head abruptly, his eyes filled with horror and disbelief. He only saw Lin Xuan's blue figure disappear into the flickering light and shadow at the doorway, as if he had never been there. But that chilling voice, that undisguised, tangible killing intent, made him feel as if he had fallen into an ice cellar. An indescribable chill shot from the soles of his feet to the top of his head, making even his soul tremble!

It's him! It really is him?! That good-for-nothing who should have been dead long ago?! How could he still be alive? And... that suffocating aura, that indifference that treats him like he's nothing...

An unprecedented shadow called fear, like a venomous snake, quietly coiled around Zhao Qian's heart and tightly gripped his throat.