When it comes to cultivating immortality, it naturally starts with upgrading the herb garden.

"What?" Du Fei was overjoyed.

He lacked funds and wanted to acquire the Concentration Technique, but he was hesitant to borrow money because Song Chen was also at the tenth level of Qi Refining.

Now that Song Chen has spoken up, it has dispelled his concerns.

"You don't have to pay back the money I borrowed from you."

Song Chen said calmly.

Upon hearing this, Du Fei's face darkened.

There is no free lunch in the world.

Song Chen's conditions must be extremely harsh, and Du Fei might not be able to accept them.

"Brother Song said it's alright. As long as we can bear it, we will do our best."

Du Fei said in a low voice.

Seeing his serious expression, Song Chen smiled:

"Actually, it's not a big deal. It's just that after you buy it, I have to practice this technique as well, and the name of purchasing this technique is only counted as yours."

Du Fei was stunned for a moment, then laughed, "That's it? Excellent, excellent! Brother Song, how many spirit stones do you have?"

Song Chen smiled mysteriously and said, "Go ahead and fight for it."

Du Fei knew that alchemists were generally wealthy and powerful, so he immediately felt much more confident and shouted:

"Eighty thousand! I'll offer eighty thousand!"

All eyes fell on Du Fei, naturally ignoring Song Chen standing to the side.

In the VIP section of the Jiang family residence, Zhang Jiu looked at Du Fei through the display window, carefully examining his face in an attempt to remember it.

"Xiao Jiu, is it him?"

A graceful and elegant noblewoman asked kindly.

Zhang Jiu shook his head, gritting his teeth:

"Auntie, it wasn't him, but this person is also suspicious. A rogue cultivator spent tens of thousands of spirit stones and still had a surplus; he must have a secret!"

The Imperial Concubine didn't respond, but subtly remarked, "In this world of cultivation, who doesn't have secrets? Zhang Jiu is still too naive."

This concentration technique, just like Song Chen had thought, was bait, specifically designed to lure out the demonic cultivators who would annihilate the Zhang family.

However, this method has many problems and is merely an experiment.

Without solid evidence, even if the Jiang family makes a judgment, they cannot take action.

The presiding monk was in high spirits, and someone immediately raised the price by 10,000, which was considered to have met the performance requirement!

"Eighty thousand! Cultivator number 372 has bid eighty thousand spirit stones!"

"80,000 per time!"

"150,000? Has this distinguished guest made a mistake with the price?"

"That's right? The Jiang family offered 150,000!"

In an instant, the entire venue erupted in cheers.

Song Chen remained calm, though he seemed to have some guesses.

Du Fei, standing to the side, was in tears: "Brother Song, have we mistakenly entered the imperial palace?"

Song Chen, expressionless and looking somewhat distressed, said, "It's all fate! There's no need to force it!"

Du Fei nodded, accepting the reality.

He then fled quickly out of the auction house without looking back.

In an instant, several cultivators caught up with them, their cultivation levels ranging from the eighth to the ninth level of Qi Refining.

One of them even emerged from the Jiang family's VIP section; he moved extremely fast and seemed poised to approach Du Fei very soon.

Inside the auction house, many people, like Du Fei, bought items.

However, if they hadn't participated in the grand auction, they would have run away long ago. Only Du Fei has stayed until now, which is why he has been targeted by so many Tribulation Cultivators.

"150,000 twice! 150,000 three times! Sold! This auction has come to a successful conclusion. Everyone may leave now!"

Song Chen did not follow, but silently returned to the "Quiet Moon Abode" to calmly take out the superior-grade Concentration Technique for cultivation.

The two weren't particularly close; they were just acquaintances who helped each other out and lent each other money in the past.

This is a life-or-death struggle, and Song Chen doesn't want to get himself into trouble.

......

three days later.

Song Chen has mastered the basics of the Concentration Technique.

A phantom consciousness appeared above the sea of ​​spirits, somewhat similar to a soul, yet quite different.

The essence of consciousness is the same as that of the soul; it can be considered a superior version of the soul.

The wisp of divine sense in Song Chen's dantian was only in its nascent stage, and could only roughly scan the surrounding dozens of meters, unable to even penetrate the body of a cultivator.

Next, it is necessary to go a step further and continuously enhance the foundation of one's soul, and use the Concentration Technique to transform one's cultivation in order to condense a true divine consciousness.

"This wisp of divine consciousness has increased the strength of my magical artifacts and spells by about 50%, giving it the strength of a medium-level divine consciousness, or even a bit higher."

Song Chen thought that this result was acceptable.

A disheveled and wounded cultivator descended from the sky, landing in the opposing courtyard and creating a large crater.

Following closely behind were several half-crippled puppets that fell to the ground beside him.

Out of the corner of his eye, Song Chen noticed something, slipped out of the courtyard, and darted to the other side.

Inside the large pit lay Du Fei, barely alive, severely injured, his entire body covered in wounds.

"Rejuvenation Pill".

Song Chen took out a bottle of pills, took out a few, and fed them to Du Fei.

After a while, Du Fei recovered and opened his eyes a crack, then smiled triumphantly, "Brother Song, I've saved my things!"

"Take good care of yourself, I'm heading back now."

Seeing that Du Fei was alright, Song Chen prepared to get up and return.

"Brother Song! Wait! I have something to tell you."

Du Fei coughed a few times and said to Song Chen.

Song Chen stopped and turned around.

"Among all the cultivators who have undergone tribulations, only one person could catch up with me. He asked me: 'Who gave me the spirit stones to buy the Foundation Establishment Technique?'"

Du Fei said in a calm and measured tone.

Upon hearing this, Song Chen instantly tensed up, his talismans and magical artifacts poised to strike.

If Du Fei reveals anything about him, he will immediately perish here.

Du Fei laughed and said, "How could I betray a good friend? Of course, I'm talking about the spirit stones I provided myself."

Song Chen suppressed his murderous intent, his expression softening slightly: "I see..."

"That guy didn't believe me, so he chased me all the way, but I still managed to escape, hahaha!"

"I heard they're from the Jiang family. Why are they asking me all this for no reason?"

"Brother Song, do you know anyone from the Jiang family?"

Song Chen's heart was cold, but his outward appearance was warm and friendly: "I don't know him. I came from the Lower Sword Sect and have never had any contact with my family."

Du Fei was shocked: "Brother Song, you're a disciple of the Lower Sword Sect?"

"Yes, my sect has become a barren wasteland, which is why I came to Fengye City to seek immortal opportunities."

Song Chen explained, "It's nothing. If Brother Du goes to the selection, he will naturally pass easily."

If this answer doesn't reveal any problems, the news that Xiajian Island has been abandoned has already spread to every household.

The entire sect is currently searching for a brand new giant island, and it is said that this has caused a conflict with the Imperial Sword Sect on the west side of Wan Island Lake, and war is about to break out soon!

Du Fei felt a little embarrassed by Song Chen's flattery: "Not at all! I also participated in the selection process, but I was not selected."

Du Fei looked visibly dejected when he said the second half of the sentence.

Most of the independent cultivators in Fengye City aspire to join sects and families, or to join some independent cultivator guilds to stick together for mutual support.

Du Fei is clearly this type of person.

The fact that she dragged Song Chen to the auction shows that she doesn't like cultivating alone and prefers to travel with companions.

"I've joined the Puppet Master's Guild, Brother Song, why don't you find a guild to join too?"

Du Fei suddenly said.

Song Chen was taken aback, but quickly recovered: "No, I'm fine on my own."

He then left under the pretext of cultivating.

Du Fei watched Song Chen walk away and muttered to himself:

"What future is there in going it alone in this world? I need to persuade Brother Song to come to his senses."