94: Chapter 94 Strange Neighbor, Auction of a Cursed News

After figuring this out, Xu Changsheng instructed further, "In addition, I want you to arrange an Immortal Cave for me. It must be second-rank to facilitate my Foundation Establishment cultivation!"

According to what he had learned lately, any Qi Refining Cultivator wishing to rent a second-rank Immortal Cave needed to register.

Registration meant relying on connections, and there was no telling what kind of red tape might be involved. It was much more convenient to let Chu Linger handle it.

"As you command."

"Also, help me dispose of these items. They belonged to Chixiao Sect Qi Refining Disciples, so be careful."

The several Magical Artifacts worth two thousand Spirit Stones from Chen Xuan's Storage Pouch were all inside, and he had Chu Linger handle them as well.

As the talented disciple of the Yellow Ox Immortal Master, even if some clues were traced back to her, it wouldn't matter.

Yellow Ox Immortal City did not fear the Chixiao Sect.

"Alright!"

Chu Linger was completely submissive, having no intention of opening the Storage Pouch, simply agreeing to everything.

...

One month later.

West City District.

Huangniu Mountain.

Xu Changsheng had already moved into the Immortal Cave Chu Linger had arranged for him.

Second-rank Low Grade; it was enough for his needs.

The rent was one thousand Spirit Stones per year.

Inside the Immortal Cave, several bedrooms had been carved out.

In the back, there were also rooms for Spirit Beasts, spiritual plants, and so on.

He had two neighbors.

One was a simple and honest young man at the Foundation Establishment Early Stage, Li Hongxuan.

The other was a red-faced old man at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage, Liu Bai.

Chu Linger had informed him about them in advance.

It couldn't be helped; second-rank Spiritual Vein locations were limited. If one wanted a secluded spot, the price would soar, potentially reaching up to five thousand Spirit Stones a year.

Xu Changsheng first went to the former's Immortal Cave and knocked on the main door.

The door opened.

Seeing Xu Changsheng, the man asked, "And you are?"

Cupping his hands in a bow, he said, "I am Xu Changsheng, who recently moved into Immortal Cave No. 66. I hope for your kind guidance in the future, Fellow Daoist."

A look of slight confusion appeared on Li Hongxuan's honest face. "A Qi Refining Cultivator?"

"Yes, I am preparing to begin my Foundation Establishment."

With a simple smile, Xu Changsheng continued, "I see. It's a pleasure to meet you. This is my housewarming gift; please do not think poorly of it, Fellow Daoist."

Xu Changsheng presented his greeting gift: thirty quasi-second tier talismans.

Neither too many nor too few; if all were activated, their power would be comparable to six second-rank talismans.

Li Hongxuan was somewhat surprised and said with a beaming smile, "How could I? I see that you are young, Fellow Daoist; you will surely succeed in your Foundation Establishment."

It wasn't just because the thirty quasi-second tier talismans were worth two to three thousand Spirit Stones.

But also because, in his view...

...anyone who could produce so many quasi-second tier talismans at once must be a Talisman Master.

A Quasi Second-Rank Talisman Master capable of advancing to Foundation Establishment was essentially equivalent to a second-rank talisman Master.

He was worth befriending.

He immediately volunteered, "I'll take you to see Old Liu."

"Very well."

Xu Changsheng felt a slight sense of joy.

According to Chu Linger, Liu Bai was a second-rank Low Grade Artifact Refiner with an unpredictable temperament, making him difficult to get to know.

With Li Hongxuan as a guide, it would be much simpler.

The two soon arrived in front of Liu Bai's Immortal Cave.

They knocked for a long time.

Only then did Liu Bai walk out, frowning.

He was a grey-robed old man in tattered clothes.

After listening to Li Hongxuan's introduction, he showed no reaction.

He didn't even accept Xu Changsheng's quasi-second tier talismans. "Wait until you reach the Foundation Establishment Stage, young friend, then bring some second-rank talismans!"

Having said that, he ignored their feelings and slammed the door shut.

"I still have things to do, so I won't be entertaining you."

Leaving the two of them staring at each other.

Li Hongxuan said apologetically, "Fellow Daoist Liu has a rather strange temper. Let's try again next time."

Xu Changsheng nodded, his gaze sharp as he looked at Liu Bai's departing back.

When he was close to Liu Bai, the True Solar Fire within his body had suddenly trembled.

This was a reaction that only occurred when encountering something extremely righteous or extremely evil.

His brow furrowed slightly. "This Senior Liu is not as simple as he appears on the surface."

Furthermore, he was sharp-eyed.

The moment Liu Bai's Immortal Cave door opened, he had caught a glimpse of some dark red spots 'imprinted' on the walls inside.

Filled with suspicion and uncertainty, he had already made a plan.

After a short while, he parted ways with Li Hongxuan and returned to his own Immortal Cave.

He immediately activated the second-rank 'Great Cloud Rain Formation' within the Immortal Cave and layered his own 'Yi Wood Azure Thunder Formation' on top of it.

He then went to the back of the Immortal Cave.

There was a cellar here.

He opened the floor door.

And entered.

Below in the cellar, the air was dark and damp.

Water droplets hung from the surrounding rock walls.

He slapped his Spirit Beast Bag, and a massive figure appeared.

"Ink Shadow, dig for me!"

Ink Shadow obeyed.

...

Three hours later.

In a remote part of Huangniu Mountain.

In a corner piled with withered branches and fallen leaves.

"Rustle, rustle."

Suddenly, there was movement.

With a whoosh...

...it all burst apart.

A large green rat head with sharp fangs popped out.

It was Ink Shadow.

Following closely behind was a human figure.

It was Xu Changsheng.

He nodded in satisfaction.

"I've already laid down Spirit-Treading Earth-Splitting Talismans, Yin Earth Ground Fire Talismans, and Hundred Vines Entanglement Talismans in the tunnel."

"With the powerful combination of these three types of quasi-second tier talismans, even a Great Foundation Establishment Cultivator would take some effort to escape, giving me enough time to call for the city's rescue."

He looked toward Liu Bai's Immortal Cave in the distance.

Dark clouds hovered above it, and black Qi was faintly rising.

Without the support of intelligence, it was difficult for him to judge the man's identity.

...

The next day.

A communication talisman arrived at the entrance of the Immortal Cave.

Xu Changsheng's eyebrows twitched.

"The Yellow Ox Auction begins tomorrow!"

Chu Linger had already scouted information regarding the foundation establishment pill for him.

The foundation establishment pills would be the highlight items, with three in total.

To liven up the atmosphere, one of them would be put up for auction as the very first item!

Seeing this news...

...Xu Changsheng considered it and replied, "For the first one, do not be in a hurry to bid, so as not to expose yourself."

"Yes."

Chu Linger agreed from the other end of the communication talisman.

"Master is wise."

"To be honest with Master, your Servant Girl has attended two previous auctions; this is their old trick, it happens every time."

"As the auction has just begun and everyone's finances are ample, the final price of the first item often skyrockets."

【Todays Intelligence (Black): Demonic Cultivators Wreak Havoc at the Auction】

【An evil Golden Core cultivator from the Western Regions will be hiding in the Yellow Ox Auction. After the Tier 3 secret technique, the Demon Hand Seal, appears, he will boldly strike to seize it, triggering a Tier 3 level battle that will affect everyone at the auction, resulting in countless casualties!】

"Black intelligence?"

Xu Changsheng was startled and made a prompt decision.

"I've changed my mind. You must bid for and win this first foundation establishment pill!"

Since it was a Tier 3 spiritual item, it would definitely be at the very end of the auction.

As long as he left before then, the disaster would be one step behind him.

"Al-alright."

Chu Linger felt she couldn't keep up with her master's train of thought, but she didn't dare ask more.

"Also, do you know the cultivation level of those maintaining order at the auction?"

"It's the Eldest Senior Brother. He is a Golden Core True Person known as Huang Tu."

"I see."

Xu Changsheng agreed verbally, but his heart did not relax.

To dare to strike directly in Yellow Ox Immortal City, that demonic cultivator's cultivation was likely not at the Golden Core Early Stage.

"I can't rely on her Eldest Senior Brother; slipping away early is the safest bet."