213: Chapter 213 Invitation

Without conflict or disturbance, pure, bitter Cultivation is the most grueling, yet also the most nourishing.

The chaos of the outside world was completely left behind him.

Day after day, month after month.

The monotonous and repetitive daily routine of Cultivation, while seemingly plain and unremarkable, allowed Li Qing's strength to skyrocket silently.

More importantly, the long period of quiet, bitter Cultivation made his Heart-Nature increasingly steady and refined, shedding the raw impetuousness of the Early Stage and gaining a few shades of the steady, reserved nature of a veteran Cultivator.

His aura was now perfectly controlled, appearing ordinary on the surface, but actually concealing a formidable power like thunder and lightning within, truly achieving the state of harboring sharpness without revealing it.

Situated in Heiyuan City, a lawless place of mixed reputations and survival of the fittest, low-key, bitter Cultivation and silently growing stronger was undoubtedly the safest and most correct choice.

Li Qing was very clear-headed; the current plain dormancy was all for the sake of a powerful rise in the future.

This day, Li Qing went to the Alchemy hall of Heiyuan Manor to deliver Medicinal Pills as usual.

According to their long-term cooperation agreement, he regularly refined Medicinal Pills for Heiyuan Manor every month to supply the Core Disciples and high-level Cultivators within the mansion.

Today, he started two furnaces at once, refining High Grade Clear Essence Barrier-Breaking Medicinal Pills.

This type of Medicinal Pill was extremely valuable and was a core Medicinal Pill for Foundation Establishment Cultivators to achieve a Breakthrough of their Bottleneck and stabilize their cultivation; the difficulty of refining it was immense, and very few people in all of Heiyuan City could refine it stably, while Li Qing's success rate and the quality of his Medicinal Pills were recognized by Heiyuan Manor as top-tier.

After delivering the Medicinal Pills and completing the handover, Li Qing collected his Spirit Stone payment for the month and intended to turn and leave Heiyuan Manor to return to his Immortal Cave to continue closed-door Cultivation.

But just as he walked out of the Alchemy hall gate, a familiar figure walked quickly towards him.

The person was Steward Xiao.

It was the same steward who had received him three years ago.

Over these past few years, Steward Xiao had always taken good care of him.

Knowing that he was focused on Cultivation and disliked socializing, he never disturbed him casually, nor did he arrange messy chores for him; his treatment and compensation were always settled at the highest standard, making him one of the few trusted acquaintances Li Qing had in Heiyuan City.

Steward Xiao had a hint of a smile on his face as he stepped forward to stop him.

"Master Li, don't rush back just yet. I have a major matter to inform you of."

Li Qing paused, nodded slightly, and said, "Steward Xiao, please just speak."

Steward Xiao did not beat around the bush; he took out an exquisitely packaged, gold-stamped invitation with dark gold patterns from his sleeve and handed it to Li Qing with both hands.

"This is an invitation specifically for you."

"The large-scale auction held once every ten years in the Yunling Mountain Range is about to begin!"

"This year, it is our Heiyuan City's turn."

Li Qing's eyes flickered slightly. He reached out to take the invitation, and as his fingertips touched the material, he could feel its extraordinary quality, faintly exuding the pressure of a Formation, which was definitely not comparable to an ordinary invitation.

He looked up and asked, "An auction once every ten years? I have been in bitter Cultivation in Heiyuan City for three years, yet I have never heard of this."

It wasn't just within Heiyuan City; since he began his path of Cultivation, Li Qing had never heard of this matter.

And one could not blame him, as he was only a low-level Loose Cultivator before.

Seeing his confusion, Steward Xiao smiled and patiently explained, detailing the complete background of this auction.

This auction was by no means an ordinary market auction held locally by Heiyuan City.

Its scale, grade, and volume were on a completely different level.

It was a super grand event jointly organized by the Eight Great Merchant Guilds within the entire region of the Yunling Mountain Range!

Here, one must clarify the layout of the Yunling Mountain Range.

Besides the overlords known as Ten Great Sects, there were countless small Sects.

And Heiyuan City could be said to be the eleventh overlord of the Yunling Mountain Range.

Apart from this overlord, there were the Eight Great Merchant Guilds.

The Yunling Mountain Range spanned ten thousand li, with vast territories, numerous Sects, rampant Merchant Guilds, countless experts, and innumerable cities and factions of all sizes.

Among them, those who truly stood at the very top of the business world in the entire Yunling Mountain Range, controlling over ninety percent of the circulating resources, were the renowned Eight Great Merchant Guilds.

These Eight Great Merchant Guilds each had deep foundations and a long Legacy. Although they did not have Nascent Soul old monsters backing them, they monopolized eighty percent of the circulation of high-level Materials, Medicinal Pills, Magical Artifacts, Cultivation Techniques, and Secret Realm resources across the entire Yunling Mountain Range.

On ordinary days, the Eight Great Merchant Guilds operated individually, occupied their own territories, competed with each other, and did not interfere with one another.

However, once every ten years, the Eight Great Merchant Guilds would set aside all competitive conflicts, join forces, and jointly fund, prepare, and preside over this cross-regional super auction, rotating between the main cities of Ten Great Sects and Heiyuan City.

And this year, it happened to be Heiyuan City's turn.

Steward Xiao's expression was solemn as he continued, "Ordinary small auctions happen every year and can be held in any market."

"But this one is different. It only opens once every ten years, has been prepared for a full ten years, and the Eight Great Merchant Guilds have exhausted their resources to stock it!"

"At that time, Cultivators, Loose Cultivators, Family members, Sect Disciples, and big shots from all over the Yunling Mountain Range will gather in Heiyuan City."

"Low-level Spirit Stones and Medicinal Pills will be everywhere, mid-level Materials will be as common as cow hair, and most importantly—a large amount of high-level rare resources that usually cannot be bought even with money, out-of-print Body Tempering Materials, ancient Incomplete Manuals, and high-level Magical Artifacts will all appear at the auction!"

Hearing this, Li Qing's pupils shrank slightly, and he instantly grasped the key point.

Rare Body Tempering Materials!

Was this not exactly what he was most lacking and in urgent need of right now?

His Body Refining had reached the Middle Stage of the second rank over these past three years, but he had been lacking Body Refining Materials for subsequent Cultivation and had been stuck here for a long time.

But this ten-year grand auction jointly organized by the Eight Great Merchant Guilds, encompassing the top resources of the entire Yunling Mountain Range, would have a high probability of allowing him to bid for all the Materials needed to Breakthrough to the Late Stage of second-rank Body Refining!

Steward Xiao looked at him and added, "Ordinary Loose Cultivators and regular Cultivators don't even have the qualifications to enter."

"The threshold for this auction is extremely high. Only Core Disciples of major factions, top Alchemists, Artifact Refiners, or those who hold large assets or are special contributors can obtain an invitation."

"You have refined countless second-rank Medicinal Pills for our Heiyuan Manor over these three years, making huge contributions and holding a special status. The Mansion specially fought for an exclusive invitation for you; the quota is extremely precious."

"Three days from now, the auction will officially begin, lasting for seven days and seven nights, with finale treasures appearing every night."

Li Qing lowered his head to look at the heavy, gold-stamped invitation in his hand, and his mind instantly became clear.

Five years of dormancy, five years of bitter Cultivation—the Opportunity that belonged to him had finally arrived!

The Body Refining Bottleneck that had troubled him for so long, and the high-level scarce Materials that had been stalling his progress, were very likely to be obtained all at once at this once-in-a-decade super auction!

Li Qing put away the invitation, a flash of long-lost sharpness appearing in his eyes, and a calm smile appeared on his face.

"Many thanks to Steward Xiao for informing me, and many thanks to the Mansion Master for the favor. I will definitely attend this auction."

Steward Xiao nodded, "Prepare well. This grand auction is full of hidden Dragons and crouching Tigers, with countless Opportunities. Whether you can seize the chance depends on yourself."

After saying this, Steward Xiao turned and left.

Standing at the entrance of Heiyuan Manor, a gentle breeze blew past.

Li Qing looked up towards the bustling downtown area of Heiyuan City, having already made his decision in his heart.