72: Three Years of Searching for Merit and Combining the Five Forms (Part 1)

Three years later, in the black market, Wanbao Pavilion, underground auction house.

"Congratulations to No. 34 for acquiring the Wood Thorn Talisman, with an auction price of 380,000 silver."

This was precisely an auction house organized by Wanbao Pavilion. An underground auction was held only once every ten years during the grand gathering, catering to customers who were at least Acquired Realm Martial Artists.

At the auction, most people were disguised in various ways, wearing black clothes, black robes, and masks, covering themselves completely.

As the beautifully dressed host on stage announced the result of an auctioned item, the atmosphere immediately reached a climax. The beautiful host, Shu Ling'er, continued, "Next, we come to the final three items of the auction. The first item is an Innate Cultivation Technique, 'Water and Fire Lotus Skill'."

"'Water and Fire Lotus Skill' is the famous Cultivation Technique of Lotus Perfected Person from three hundred years ago. It is rumored that this Cultivation Technique is a divine Secret Manual that can be Cultivated beyond the Innate Realm. Upon Perfection, it can achieve the Realm of Water and Fire Fusion, and Yin and Yang Unity, truly invincible. However, it requires Internal Energy with water and fire attributes to purchase. Your Excellencies can decide for yourselves."

There were at least a hundred people in the entire auction hall, but the atmosphere was somewhat tense. No one spoke much. Most people chose to give up after hearing the prerequisites, with only a few breathing more heavily.

"This auction starts with a bid of 100,000 gold, and each bid must not be less than 100,000 silver. If the silver is insufficient, equivalent items can be used as collateral. The highest bidder wins. The auction now begins!"

"Two hundred thousand gold!"

"Two hundred thousand gold and five hundred thousand silver!"

"Three hundred thousand gold!"

As soon as the host finished speaking, several people immediately started bidding frantically. One hundred thousand gold was equivalent to one million taels of silver. This Innate Cultivation Technique was more than ten times more expensive than the previous auctioned items, yet it still couldn't curb the excitement of many Martial Artists.

"Five hundred thousand gold!"

Suddenly, a voice appeared. It was a chubby middle-aged man, bidding very calmly!

"So it's Snow Yang Perfected Person. Forget it, forget it, I'll give up on this Secret Manual."

Another Martial Artist who was just bidding spoke appropriately after seeing the chubby man who had spoken.

Snow Yang Perfected Person was one of the few people in the venue whose Face was not covered.

Hearing the Martial Artist say that, Chen Cuo returned a kind smile to him.

Chen Cuo had excellent hearing and happened to overhear two people next to him whispering, "Sigh, who exactly is this Snow Yang Perfected Person? How does he have such great Face?"

"You don't even know Snow Yang Perfected Person? He is an Acquired Realm expert, and more importantly, he is also a master of medicine, saving countless lives. Do you know the Young Pavilion Master of the Sword Mansion in Jiannan Road?"

"I know. I heard he had an Innate terminal illness and couldn't Cultivate martial arts? I haven't heard about him recently, could it be...?"

"That's right, that Young Pavilion Master's Innate terminal illness has been cured, and it was Snow Yang Perfected Person who cured him. Snow Yang Perfected Person treats illnesses and saves lives without seeking wealth or fame; he only loves collecting Martial Skill Secret Manuals."

"Many Martial Artists suffering from incurable diseases wish they could offer their life-bound Cultivation Techniques to ask Snow Yang Perfected Person for treatment. However, I heard he loves to travel everywhere, like a Dragon that shows its head but not its tail. I didn't expect him to participate in this auction. Who would want to offend such a person!"

"Oh, oh, no wonder that person just now gave up on this Innate Cultivation Technique so easily!"

After Chen Cuo finished listening, his brows relaxed, and his heart was filled with joy. Snow Yang Perfected Person was one of his alternate identities. Three years ago, he began intentionally collecting various Martial Skill Secret Manuals to perfect the divine Cultivation Technique he was conceiving and to Awaken his talents.

Aside from the initial effects, over time, even with access to black market and government channels, he still felt powerless. Relying on heavy spending to buy them, he simply couldn't collect top-tier divine Cultivation Techniques, let alone Innate divine Cultivation Techniques.

No one would easily sell their foundation for living, but it was different if it was a favor to be repaid.

Snow Yang Perfected Person was thus born. Relying on the talents 'Physician' and 'Pharmacist' Awakened from the Fusion of numerous medical classics, Chen Cuo began treating illnesses and saving lives under the alias of Snow Yang Perfected Person, extensively collecting divine Cultivation Techniques through fair and honest transactions.

Snow Yang Perfected Person's persona was that of someone obsessed with martial arts, fascinated by various Martial Skills, astonishing in medical Dao, and fond of traveling through mountains and rivers. In reality, it was merely an excuse for Chen Cuo to appear as himself.

This time, Wanbao Pavilion organized an auction, and Chen Cuo, as the Gang leader of West Guard City and an Acquired Realm expert, was naturally among those invited. Furthermore, there was the Innate Cultivation Technique 'Water and Fire Lotus Skill' that interested him, so he specifically dressed up as Snow Yang Perfected Person to attend the auction.

Currently, Snow Yang Perfected Person's name was far more famous than Chen Cuo himself. In three years, countless Martial Artists and forces had benefited from Snow Yang's grace. For example, in the Southern Barbarian Martial Forest, Jiannan Road was known for its natural barriers, and the Sword Pavilion was the chief Gang of Jiannan Road. It was rumored that the previous Pavilion Master of the Sword Pavilion was also an Innate expert, but he was no longer in Jiannan Road.

Two years ago, the Young Pavilion Master of the Sword Pavilion, due to an Innate terminal illness, secretly practiced martial arts, almost having his Meridians severed and dying from Qi Deviation. It was entirely thanks to Chen Cuo's intervention that the Young Pavilion Master's life was saved, and his terminal illness was cured.

The entire Sword Pavilion was deeply grateful to Chen Cuo. Although Chen Cuo demanded an Innate Cultivation Technique as compensation, the Sword Pavilion was wealthy and didn't mind. On the contrary, the current Pavilion Master said he was straightforward and became close friends with him.

'Water and Fire Lotus Skill' was the last link in Chen Cuo's conception, and also the most suitable choice.

Currently, his Cultivation was close to Acquired Perfection. It wasn't that Chen Cuo's Cultivation speed was slow; rather, he deliberately slowed down his progress in Realm, focusing instead on Martial Skills.

【Chen Cuo】

Race: Human

Gender: Male

Age: 26 / ∞

Cultivation: Acquired Realm (Major Achievement)

Skills: Medical Dao, Brewing, Incense Making, Butchering, Archery, Disguise...

Cultivation Technique: 'Unnamed Cultivation Method', 'Mountain Moving Skill' First Layer (Trait: Gigantic Strength), 'Blade God Art' (Under Fusion and Self-creation), 'Nine Stars Linked Arrows' (Under Fusion and Self-creation), 'Great Dismemberment of the Heavenly Devil' (Under Fusion and Self-creation), 'Shrinking the Ground into an Inch' (Under Fusion and Self-creation), 'Shifting Stars and Changing Constellations' (Under Fusion and Self-creation), 'Five Elements Five Spirits Art' (Under Fusion and Self-creation), 'Hundred Forms Divine Skill' (Under Fusion and Self-creation), 'Beast Taming Spirit Skill' (Under Fusion and Self-creation)...

Talents: True Spirit Undying, Blade God, Physician, Pharmacist, Five Spirits True Meaning, Heavenly Demon Dismemberment, Nine Stars Linked, Shrinking the Ground into an Inch, Faceless, Telepathy...

Fate Points: 1082

The System panel's information became more concise, but it wasn't a System upgrade, just a function integration. Chen Cuo's strength also advanced by leaps and bounds within three years. Although Chen Cuo had never fought an Innate expert, he speculated that his strength was already equivalent to an Innate expert, and a very formidable one at that.

'Five Elements Five Spirits Art' was the Innate Cultivation Technique Chen Cuo was conceiving and self-creating, with 'Spirit Demon Five Animal Play' as its foundation, 'Yin and Yang East Union Art' as its principle, and five Innate Cultivation Techniques of the Five Elements as its roots, to achieve the conceptual Realm of Yin and Yang convergence and Five Elements Unity.

Finally, it would transform his Hunyuan Inner Force into Mixed Origin One Qi, achieving the Innate Realm.

'Water and Fire Lotus Skill' was precisely the water and fire attribute Innate Cultivation Technique he chose. The earth attribute Cultivation Technique was 'Earth Origin Skill' Acquired from the Sword Pavilion, which was perfectly balanced and incredibly stable.

The gold attribute Innate Cultivation Technique was precisely 'Big Dipper Seven Kill Sword Scripture', and the wood attribute was 'Myriad Woods Eternal Spring Art'. Therefore, he was determined to obtain this 'Water and Fire Lotus Skill'.

Seeing Chen Cuo, disguised as Snow Yang Perfected Person, bid a high price of 500,000 gold, which was far beyond what ordinary Martial Artists or forces could match, and some top-tier forces were also willing to give Snow Yang Perfected Person some Face. Just as he thought he could easily win, a gritting voice followed with a bid!

"Five hundred thousand gold and one hundred thousand silver!"

Chen Cuo stared over, realizing it was a short, black-robed figure whose Face was unclear, and he didn't know where he was from. However, he suddenly felt a slight sense of familiarity with the person.

But he didn't care, unhurriedly calling out, "Six hundred thousand gold!"

Chen Cuo was now immensely wealthy, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he was rich enough to rival a nation. A mere few hundred thousand gold was nothing!

The short black-robed figure opposite seemed to shake his head slightly and no longer bid. Chen Cuo successfully Acquired the Cultivation Technique.

After Wanbao Pavilion delivered the items he had won, he slowly took out the silver deposit certificate, and the transaction was settled!

Chen Cuo then left directly. The last two items were meaningless, and there was no need to participate. Leaving early was also to avoid some trouble.

Although he wasn't afraid of others, it was better not to expose his Snow Yang Perfected Person alias for now.

Chen Cuo put away the auctioned items and left first. He was in a very good mood looking at today's gains.

"Oh, we common folk, we're truly happy today!"

Humming a song, he sped along. Just as he was about to change his original appearance, a strange smile suddenly appeared on his Face.

"There really are some who don't know death..."

As a Physician, and a master of medical Dao, with considerable wealth, everyone knew there were those who coveted it. However, they all became souls under Chen Cuo's blade.

Chen Cuo executed his movement technique, covering several hundred meters in the blink of an eye. It was just one step, as if the entire distance of the ground had been greatly shortened.

However, this was merely an illusion, due to Chen Cuo's speed having surpassed the limits of human vision, making his moving figure invisible. Yet, the person behind him still chased him at full speed. Chen Cuo sensed the lingering aura of the pursuer, frowned, and instead slowed down.

"Then I'll send him on his way!" Chen Cuo was speechless. Someone actually came so eagerly to their death. He hadn't even planned to bother with him.

He didn't return towards Wei City, but instead came to a mountain range shrouded in mist.

"May I ask who is behind me? I am Snow Yang Immortal Master, and I have some slight Face in the Jianghu. Please speak directly if you have anything to say!" Chen Cuo stopped ahead, looking at the figure approaching behind him, and asked coldly.

"Snow Yang Immortal Master? Hand over what you just Acquired at the auction, and I'll spare your life!"

The short black-robed figure appeared, threatening with murderous intent.

Chen Cuo's disguised chubby Face showed some panic, and he asked in great surprise, "So it's you. May I ask Your Excellency where you are from?"

"Hmph, no need to stall for time. You only have two choices: either hand over the Secret Manual, or die!" The black-robed man's voice was extremely harsh, without any trace of mercy!

"Alright, I'll hand it over then!"

Chen Cuo's gaze flickered. He reached for his lower back with his right hand, lifted his single hand, and the blade light was like electricity, like wind, like rain, too fast and too heavy. It seemed as if the entire world was shocked by it, and the mountain forest fell silent. The short man hadn't even reacted before his entire body was instantly cut, severed into two halves.

His Draw Slash had reached a state of Perfection, slaying experts of the same Realm as easily as slaughtering pigs.

The Blade God talent endowed him with a unique Divine Might with the blade. Various blade Concept could be used effortlessly, seamlessly integrating into all kinds of blade techniques.

【Blade God: Obsessed with the blade, mad for the blade, the Dao of the Blade reaches the divine, unparalleled in the world.】

A trace of blood red stained the Chain Blade in his hand. A surge of Evil Qi gathered into form, showing considerable power. Chen Cuo's new Chain Blade was made of finer materials, and it was also nurtured by a peculiar forbidden art he practiced, the 'Blood Refining Tool Nurturing Art', giving it impressive growth potential.

After he had Cultivated many forbidden arts, most of the talents he Awakened were strange and unusual. For example, the talent Awakened by this tool nurturing art was 'Blood Heart', which allowed him to condense a heart made of blood to nurture tools at any time. However, this would consume a large amount of his Qi and blood, which was entirely more disadvantageous than advantageous.

The negative effects of forbidden art talents were very obvious; most belonged to the type that consumed potential to instantly burst forth with strength. Finally, through Chen Cuo's deliberate selection, talents of the same type gradually merged into one, named 'Heavenly Demon Dismemberment'.

【Heavenly Demon Dismemberment: Destroys Qi and blood, self-mutilates the Physical Body, erupts with ten times the Cultivation power.】

The simpler the description, the more it proved the ultimate potential of the talent, reaching a profound conceptual level of rules.

Once this talent was used, Chen Cuo would exhaust his Qi and blood and have his Meridians severed, but his strength would also increase tenfold, making it easy to fight opponents beyond his Realm.

However, before Awakening talents similar to Physical Body Indestructibility or recovery types, he would not use this talent, and there was no need to.

After severing the black-robed man with a single strike, Chen Cuo routinely searched the body. He instantly found a spiritual talisman on him, which was precisely the Wood Thorn Talisman that had been auctioned. This talisman was similar to the sword talisman Han Nao used, also activated and controlled by vital blood.

A casual search revealed some loose change and a purple-gold medallion. One side had a lotus shape, and the other side was engraved with the characters 'Qinglian'.

"White Lotus Sect? Damn it, no matter where I go, I run into these unlucky ghosts!" The reason he said this was because the White Lotus Sect had been increasingly restless recently, with signs of rebellion becoming more and more obvious.

As far as he knew, in several Dao counties and prefectures under Wuya Prefecture, they were still officially government, but in reality, they had already been controlled by the White Lotus Sect. Who knows when they would raise the banner of rebellion!

The key was that these bastards seemed to be naturally at odds with him. When he was traveling everywhere as Snow Yang Immortal Master, he was also harassed by a special envoy of the White Lotus Sect, almost exposing his alternate identity.

After tidying up the scene, he immediately returned to his original appearance and went back to Wei City.

Living the decadent life of a Gang leader, chatting with the old man daily, routinely inspecting his businesses, and engaging in some charity work.

Now, the accumulation of Fate Points had become very easy. As the ruler of a large Gang, every word and action had the power to rewrite the destiny of others.

Chen Cuo had now accumulated nearly a thousand Fate Points, which was temporarily sufficient, so there was no need to deliberately pursue more. Because of the experience of repeatedly rewriting the destinies of others, even if it wasn't intentional, it still caused a hint of apprehension, even unease, in his heart.

This feeling came from nowhere, but it also made Chen Cuo vigilant. Those who play with the destinies of others will inevitably be played by destiny themselves. On the contrary, changing one's own destiny conforms to natural principles, so it's best to let everything take its natural course and have a clear conscience.