188: Another auction

Chen Cuo's direct inquiry surprised Vice President Pang Shan. The Puppeteer Association naturally sold Puppet Art Legacies, but those Cultivation Techniques were not Advanced, only reaching the Foundation Establishment level at most.

Given Chen Cuo's status, he probably wouldn't be interested, as such Legacies were also available on the market. Although more valuable than ordinary Legacies, they were still obtainable.

It wouldn't be necessary to expose his identity and come to the Puppeteer Association.

However, Tianbo City's true Legacy was not something that could be sold.

Vice President Pang Shan said, "Fellow Daoist Chen's frankness truly makes this old man feel uneasy. Regarding the Puppet Art Legacy, there naturally is one, it's just..."

"May I ask how many Spirit Stones are needed to purchase a Legacy above the Golden Core Stage?"

Vice President Pang Shan was momentarily stunned upon hearing this, thinking to himself, "As expected of a Disciple from Lingbao Mountain, he is truly wealthy."

It was well-known that Lingbao Mountain was rich; its Disciples were always called "Treasure Dao Children." Those rogue Cultivators also always viewed Lingbao Mountain Disciples as fat sheep, which was one reason why Lingbao Mountain had many reclusive Cultivators.

For someone like Chen Cuo to casually ask for a Cultivation Technique above the Golden Core Stage, such a Legacy, even if bought with money, would be impossible without tens of thousands of Spirit Stones.

Vice President Pang Shan shook his head and said, "It's not about money..."

"Puppet Dao Legacies above the Golden Core Stage can only be purchased by members of the Puppeteer Association, and after successful cultivation, they serve as a condition for Tianbo City Cultivators to advance to Puppet City."

"Disciples from other sects like Fellow Daoist are not qualified to purchase them!"

Chen Cuo frowned. It seemed that what the broker said about being able to purchase freely was not entirely accurate.

It was just that they couldn't access it.

"Alas, if that's the case, it seems I was overthinking. In that case, so be it..."

Chen Cuo turned to leave, but Vice President Pang Shan immediately said, "Young friend, don't be in a hurry. It's not entirely without opportunity. If you truly wish to find a Puppet Legacy, you can stay a few more days. Tianbo City will have an auction..."

"This old man has inside information; there will be a Puppet Legacy, above the Golden Core Stage, put up for auction..."

"Oh, Fellow Daoist, could you please elaborate..."

Chen Cuo stopped, turned around, and a glimmer of interest flashed in his eyes.

A Puppet Legacy, especially one above the Golden Core Stage, held immense appeal for a Cultivator like him.

He furrowed his brow slightly, a thoughtful expression on his face, then slowly asked, "Fellow Daoist, when will this auction be held? And where?"

Vice President Pang Shan smiled faintly, stroking his beard, as if he had long anticipated Chen Cuo's reaction.

He slowly spoke, his voice tinged with a hint of pride: "The auction will be held five days from now, at the central plaza of Tianbo City. This auction will be quite large, featuring not only various rare Materials but also many Cultivation Techniques and Legacies. And that Puppet Legacy, it is said to have been unearthed from an ancient ruin, of extremely high quality, rumored to be capable of refining Puppets with Golden Core Stage strength."

Upon hearing this, a glint flashed in Chen Cuo's eyes.

The more Golden Core Stage Puppet Legacies, the better.

He weighed the pros and cons in his mind, feeling this was a rare opportunity, and so he asked, "In that case, how can I participate in this auction?"

Vice President Pang Shan smiled faintly, a hint of cunning in his eyes: "Young friend, rest assured, entry to the auction does not require special conditions. However, that Puppet Legacy is the highlight of the auction, and it won't be easy to obtain. Many people will surely compete then, so young friend, you must be prepared."

Chen Cuo nodded, already having a plan in mind. He knew that although his cultivation was impressive, in a place like Tianbo City, where experts were as numerous as clouds, it would not be easy to obtain that Puppet Legacy.

Chen Cuo planned to stay a few more days; for a Golden Core Stage Puppet Legacy, it was very worthwhile.

The next day, Bai Tang returned to Chen Cuo's side, her expression somewhat unnatural. Chen Cuo observed her demeanor and immediately noticed.

"Just say what you want to say, why be so hesitant?"

"Senior Brother, regarding your previous request to find the Five Elements Spiritual Fire, our Chamber of Commerce also has a commission in Tianbo City. Yesterday, I received news that there was originally a wood-attribute Spiritual Fire seed here, and the holder of the Spiritual Fire even agreed to sell it. But for some reason, when I went to acquire it, the other party changed their mind. What do you think should be done?"

After listening to Bai Tang, Chen Cuo frowned slightly and pondered for a moment before saying, "Since the other party had already agreed to sell but then suddenly changed their mind, there must be something fishy. The Five Elements Spiritual Fire is extremely rare, and a wood-attribute Spiritual Fire, though not as precious as a water-attribute one, is still hard to come by. Investigate quietly, and if necessary, I will go personally."

Bai Tang nodded in agreement: "I thought so too, but the other party's attitude is very firm; they seem to have made up their mind not to sell anymore."

Chen Cuo stood up, paced to the window, looked at the distant sky, and slowly said, "Go again. No matter what, you must find out the other party's true intentions. Remember, don't alert them; prioritize harmony in everything."

Bai Tang assented and turned to leave. Chen Cuo watched her disappearing back, a glimmer of determination in his eyes.

The Five Elements Spiritual Fire, especially Spiritual Fire of other attributes, was hard to find and of extraordinary value. He had to find a way to obtain this wood-attribute Spiritual Fire seed, no matter what.

As night fell, Bai Tang arrived at the inn in Tianbo City again.

She skillfully engaged in conversation with the Cultivator's companions, trying to glean information about the Spiritual Fire holder from them. After some effort, she finally learned the real reason for the other party's change of mind.

"So, the other party learned about the auction and hopes to sell the Spiritual Fire for a good price?"

Chen Cuo looked at the information Bai Tang had collected, and a ripple stirred in his heart.

The Cultivator holding the Spiritual Fire, a Foundation Establishment Middle Stage Loose Cultivator, had originally agreed to sell the wood-attribute Spiritual Fire to him but had a change of heart due to the upcoming auction in Tianbo City.

Chen Cuo knew that the reason for this was simply that the other party felt the price he offered was not enticing enough.

Although both parties had a verbal agreement, in this cultivation world, verbal agreements were often the most unreliable.

Without a formal contract, it was understandable for the other party to go back on their word.

Although Chen Cuo felt a bit helpless, he also understood that in the cultivation world, strength was paramount, and going back on one's word was common.

However, this did not mean the matter could not be resolved.

A glint of determination flashed in Chen Cuo's eyes. Since the other party thought the money was too little, then he would just add more money.

As long as the price was enticing enough, the other party had no reason to refuse.

"In that case, just add more money." Chen Cuo said to Bai Tang beside him, "Junior Sister, contact that Cultivator again and ask him how many Spirit Stones he needs to sell that Spiritual Fire."

Bai Tang nodded in agreement. She knew Chen Cuo's personality; once he decided on something, he wouldn't easily change his mind.

Chen Cuo had enough strength and financial resources to solve this problem. If the other party truly remained stubborn, she wouldn't mind using her influence to pressure him, a mere Foundation Establishment Loose Cultivator.