The Demonic Cultivator In Zombie World

Chapter 222: The Auction

In Heavenly Sword City, at the Pill Pavilion.

Early morning found Chu Xuan as usual, arriving early at the shop he had rented. After brewing himself a pot of tea, he lay back in a wicker chair to browse through alchemical texts.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

A young figure hurried over. "Master He! I'm here!" the young cultivator chuckled, "Master He is always so early."

"Just in time, little Ze," Chu Xuan said casually. "I'm going to stroll around other parts of Pill Pavilion. You can mind the shop for me."

"Yes!" the young cultivator replied respectfully.

Chu Xuan's reputation as the cultured and elegant Master He was well-established. Coupled with his first-rate alchemical skills and exquisite techniques, many cultivators desired to serve him in exchange for some medicinal pills.

Chu Xuan did not choose mid or late-stage Golden Core cultivators as they were strong and difficult to control. He only selected from those at the early stage of Golden Core, ultimately choosing this young early-stage Golden Core cultivator named He Ze.

He Ze hailed from Holy Sound Star, where the Celestial Sound Zen Temple was located, and was a Golden Core cultivator from a minor sect called Longevity View. When the Reincarnation Divine Church distributed battlefield tokens, He Ze was extremely lucky—a token had appeared hundreds of zhang away from him. He obtained the battlefield token effortlessly and thus came to the extraterritorial battlefield.

However, in this extraterritorial battlefield, Golden Core cultivators were common, and early-stage Golden Core cultivators were at the very bottom of the hierarchy.

Since arriving in Heavenly Sword City, He Ze had always been cautious, never venturing too far from the city. Even when going out to clear ancient beast carcasses, he always went in the company of trustworthy cultivators. He was exceptionally prudent and careful.

Chu Xuan valued him for his weak strength and cautious nature, assigning him to handle tedious affairs. For instance, when Chu Xuan went out to purchase alchemy materials, he would have He Ze mind the shop.

Moreover, Chu Xuan's fame had spread widely, attracting cultivators from cities like Righteous Dao City, Majestic Sword City, and Celestial Sound City, all of whom came specifically to request his alchemical services. With so many cultivators visiting at different times, Chu Xuan couldn't possibly handle each request personally. These requests were taken care of by He Ze.

Since He Ze's arrival, Chu Xuan had become even more leisurely, something he quite enjoyed.

"Master He! Do you know there's been a major event recently?" He Ze suddenly exclaimed.

Chu Xuan raised an eyebrow, "What's the matter?"

He Ze excitedly reported, "It seems you haven't heard yet. I heard from others that in a few days, the Heavenly Sword City is going to host a large-scale auction. Elder Ximen of the Majestic Sword Sect will personally preside over it!"

Chu Xuan's interest was piqued, "What kinds of items will be auctioned?"

He Ze thought for a moment, "Nascent Soul spiritual items! Top-tier Soul Condensation techniques! High-grade magic treasures! Premium cultivation manuals! A lot of things, really! Do you have an interest as well, Master He? I'll go and gather some detailed information for you and bring it back soon."

Chu Xuan's eyes lit up. Indeed, fortune favors the bold. Finally, there was news about a top-tier Soul Condensation technique. Although acquiring it through auction might cost more spirit stones, that was not a concern.

He had some savings, and if he could directly purchase the technique, there would be no need for further conflicts. He mainly disliked strife, not because it might lead to injury, reveal his secrets, or bring unwanted trouble, but simply because he preferred peace.

His identity as Master He was perfect for making money, and few would question where his spirit stones came from—after all, an alchemist was synonymous with wealth!

Chu Xuan smiled and nodded, "Little Ze, I appreciate it."

He Ze thumped his chest, "Don't worry, Master He! You are my patron, and I am happy to serve you! I'll go and ask the cultivators from the Majestic Sword Sect about what will be at the auction."

Chu Xuan nodded and watched him leave. As time passed, the number of cultivators in Pill Pavilion gradually increased, and Chu Xuan heard many of them excitedly discussing the upcoming grand auction.

Indeed, for Golden Core cultivators, nothing could draw their attention more than Nascent Soul spiritual items. As for Soul Condensation techniques, those were secondary. Even if it was a lower-tier technique, what did it matter?

As long as one could advance to Nascent Soul, they could dominate over Golden Core cultivators. And as for comparisons with other Nascent Soul cultivators... if he didn't compare, there was no issue!

In such an atmosphere, the whole of Heavenly Sword City came alive. Chu Xuan, lounging in his wicker chair, even saw many monks from the Celestial Sound Zen Temple arriving at Pill Pavilion.

Clearly, the news of Heavenly Sword City hosting a grand auction had spread like wildfire to Celestial Sound City under the control of the monastery. Presumably, before the auction even started, the news would spread across the entire extraterritorial battlefield, drawing a massive gathering of Golden Core cultivators to Heavenly Sword City.

Soon, He Ze returned, his face beaming with joy. "Master He! I've got it!"

"Here's the list of auction items I wrote down." He handed over a piece of paper with both hands.

Chu Xuan took the list from He Ze and quickly scanned it. A hint of joy flickered in his eyes—there were as many as three top-tier Soul Condensation techniques listed for auction. Additionally, there were six high-grade techniques, several of which seemed particularly suited to Chu Xuan's needs.

Chu Xuan nodded with a smile, "Thank you for your trouble. I need to save all my spirit stones for the auction. How about this, tell me what pills you need, and I'll concoct some for you."

He Ze, thrilled, rubbed his hands together, "I know my talents are modest, and it would be a great fortune to advance to the mid-stage of the Golden Core in this lifetime; I would be content with that. Could you, Master He, concoct a batch of Thick Earth Pills for me? They are most suited to the cultivation technique I practice."

Then he seemed a bit embarrassed, "Don't worry about the materials; I've prepared them all. It's just that I'm a bit short on spirit stones and am somewhat embarrassed financially."

Chu Xuan laughed heartily, "Don't worry about it. I'll waive the fee for concocting this batch of pills for you."

He Ze was overjoyed and deeply moved, "Others have said you are cultured, generous, and a truly good person. I, He Ze, am truly fortunate to serve you!" He quickly presented the materials for the Thick Earth Pills with both hands.

Chu Xuan chuckled lightly, "Then I will go back to concocting pills. I'll leave the shop in your hands."

"Yes! Please rest assured!" He Ze responded with utmost seriousness, treating the rented shop as if it were his lifeblood.

Thick Earth Pills were not particularly precious or rare, and Chu Xuan, with his alchemical expertise, could easily concoct them. Since He Ze was loyal to him, it was only right to reward him accordingly.

...

Five nights later, the grand auction was held as scheduled. Chu Xuan, accompanied by He Ze, arrived at the venue. At the entrance, the guard cultivators typically checked each cultivator's spirit stones to see if they met the standards for entry.

However, recognizing Chu Xuan as a famously skilled alchemist from the city, they allowed him entry without question. An alchemist was hardly a pauper!

Thus, Chu Xuan easily entered the auction house. With his identity as an alchemist, he was treated with respect wherever he went. Upon revealing his status, he was even invited to a private room with a one-way transparent wall facing the auction stage. Chu Xuan could clearly see everything on the auction stage, but those outside couldn't see him.

Chu Xuan sat down contentedly, waiting for the auction to begin. He Ze, on the other hand, was wide-eyed and full of wonder as he looked around and touched everything in the private room. It was his first time at such an event. Being just a low-level Golden Core cultivator, he had much to learn.