31: Yellow Thunder Apricot

“This is a copied edition of a Formation classic from the ‘Heavenly Secret Pavilion’. While not a unique copy, its content is extremely valuable! It includes thirteen types of top-tier First-Grade Formations, such as the ‘Lesser Five Elements Reversal Formation’, ‘Mirage Wave Tracking Formation’, and ‘Mystic Tortoise Rock Formation’, covering offense, defense, confinement, and illusion! What’s even rarer is that it also elucidates some incomplete basic principles of Second-Grade Formations, such as the core Profound Truths of ‘Qi Gathering’, ‘Space Restriction’, and ‘Energy Transformation’. This Jade Slip not only teaches one how to fish, but also how to make a living! For those aspiring to the Dao of Formation, its value is immeasurable. The selling price is one thousand five hundred Spirit Stones.”

“This set of Jade Slips can be called a treasure trove for Alchemy enlightenment! The main Jade Slip, ‘Elementary Alchemy Explanation’, details basic pharmacology, medicinal properties and their interactions, and the principles of sovereign, minister, assistant, and envoy herbs; ‘Fire Control Essentials’ specifically teaches fire control techniques and methods.

‘Pill Formula Essentials’ compiles complete Pill Formulas, refining steps, critical fire control points, common mistake analyses, and Senior experiences for thirty-two of the most commonly used First-Grade Medicinal Pills, including Qi Gathering Pills, Spring Return Powder, Detoxification Pills, Fasting Pills, Bone Strengthening Pills, and Clear Heart Pills!

The content is detailed and easy to understand. It was jointly compiled by several experienced Alchemists from the ‘Medicine King Sect’, with a complete system, making it a dream entry-level treasure for countless Alchemists. The selling price is one thousand two hundred Spirit Stones.”

“This is a high-quality Pill Furnace—the crimson bronze cauldron—produced by ‘Hundred Refinements Valley’! Its main body is forged from crimson fire refined copper mixed with star-patterned steel, making it sturdy and durable with excellent thermal conductivity, perfectly locking in medicinal properties.

The ‘Nine Revolutions Fire Control Formation’ inscribed inside the cauldron greatly enhances an Alchemist’s control over fire, reduces the risk of cauldron explosions, and increases the success rate of Medicinal Pill Formation.

For Fellow Daoists just starting in Alchemy, this furnace is an excellent aid. The selling price is eight hundred Spirit Stones.”

Lin Feng looked at the ancient Jade Slip, which was entirely pristine white and emitted a gentle glow. The surface of the Jade Slip flowed with countless tiny golden runes, vaguely forming a complex Formation diagram—the ‘Elementary Advanced Formation Explanations’. He also looked at a set of four azure Jade Slips, one large and three small. The large Jade Slip glowed with a profound light, while the smaller ones shimmered with spiritual light—the ‘Elementary Alchemy Explanations’. A wave of satisfaction surged in Lin Feng’s heart.

Finally, there was a Pill Furnace, half a person tall and entirely crimson like fire.

The cauldron body had smooth lines, covered in profound fire-element cloud patterns, with three legs standing firmly, exuding a steady and profound aura. A fiery red crystal was embedded in the center of the cauldron lid, with a faint flow of fire spiritual energy. The inside of the cauldron belly was engraved with a precise fire control Formation.

Looking at the four dazzling treasures with their distinct auras before him, a glint of satisfaction flickered in Lin Feng’s eyes. He unhesitatingly handed back the Jade Token containing eighteen thousand Spirit Stones: “Elder Jin, these are all I need. Please settle the bill.”

Elder Jin took the Jade Token and quickly processed the transaction. A moment later, he pushed the Jade Token and the four treasures back to Lin Feng: “Azure Astral Sword Talisman four thousand, ‘Formation Explanations’ one thousand five hundred, crimson bronze cauldron eight hundred, ‘Alchemy Explanations’ one thousand two hundred, totaling seven thousand five hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

Your Jade Token still has ten thousand five hundred Spirit Stones remaining. Please verify, Fellow Daoist.”

Lin Feng swept his Divine Sense over the Jade Token and the items, and after confirming everything was correct, he waved his hand, putting them all into his Storage Pouch. Carrying such a large sum of money and precious treasures, a strong sense of security welled up in his heart, but it was followed by an even deeper sense of urgency—resources were acquired; the next step was to convert them into true strength!

Just as Lin Feng was about to bid farewell, Elder Jin seemed to suddenly remember something and quietly mentioned, seemingly casually: “By the way, Fellow Daoist, if you are moving around the market recently, you need to be extra careful. Some not-so-good news just came from outside, it seems… it’s related to ten years from now.”

Lin Feng paused his steps and looked at Elder Jin.

Elder Jin’s face no longer held its previous smile, only solemnity: “According to an urgent announcement from the higher-ups of the Huangsha Sect, the once-in-a-century ‘Great West Sea Beast Tide’ will erupt in ten years! This Beast Tide will be unprecedented in scale, possibly sweeping across the entire West Sea, and even Transformed Demon Kings might appear… It seems a bloody storm is unavoidable. Inside the market, people are panicking.”

“Ten years… Great West Sea Beast Tide… Transformed Demon King?!”

Every word was like a heavy hammer striking Lin Feng’s heart!

The slight joy that had just arisen from acquiring a large sum of money and treasures was instantly frozen and shattered! An icy, bone-chilling coldness shot up from his spine to the top of his head!

He suddenly remembered the fragile coastline of Black Reef Island, the defenseless clansmen on the island, and his own Foundation Establishment Demon Core that had not yet been refined into a Foundation Establishment Pill… Ten years! In the Cultivation world, that was but a flick of a finger!

Under the Beast Tide, Black Reef Island would surely be reduced to dust!

‘Foundation Establishment… is merely the starting point for self-preservation! Higher Realms… must be achieved! At all costs!’ An unprecedented sense of urgency, mixed with fear and determination, like an invisible shackle, instantly tightened around his heart, almost suffocating him. He cupped his hands heavily towards Elder Jin, his voice low and hoarse: “Thank you for informing me, Elder Jin!”

… …

On the day of the Vast Sea Auction, the “Vast Sea Hall” on the top floor of Juzhen Pavilion was packed.

Starlight flowed across the dome, and the floor was paved with spiritual jade. Hundreds of seats made of deep-sea sunken wood surrounded the large crystal auction platform in the center.

Powerful Restrictions isolated the inside from the outside.

The air was filled with high-grade incense, mixed with the auras of countless powerful Cultivators.

Lin Feng, with the Juzhen Pavilion’s VIP token, obtained a relatively independent, curtained private room on the second floor. More Advanced private rooms belonged to Purple Mansion Grand Cultivators and top-tier forces.

He wore his thousand illusions mask and sat quietly in the corner, his Divine Sense cautiously sweeping the entire venue. The hall below was filled with Qi Refinement Late Stage and Foundation Establishment Cultivators, and the auras emanating from behind the curtained private rooms on the second floor were even more profound and terrifying.

The auction was personally presided over by the Lord of the Violet Palace Pavilion, a Purple Mansion Immortal Master with a profound aura and a warm smile.

The opening featured several rare treasures, quickly pushing the atmosphere to a climax: Third-Grade spiritual materials, rudimentary Magic Treasures, rare spiritual beasts… Bidding voices rose and fell, and Spirit Stones seemed to be just numbers.

Lin Feng remained calm, his goal very clear.

Finally, a small boat, sleek and streamlined, silver-white like jade, only about ten feet long, and shaped like a crescent moon, was presented on the auction platform. The boat body was intricately carved with fine wind-element runes, emitting a light and swift spiritual glow.

“Next up, the ‘Moon Shuttle’!” The Lord of the Violet Palace Pavilion’s voice carried a hint of admiration, “A First-Grade supreme-grade flying Magical Artifact! Made primarily from ‘Void Gazer Jade’ and crafted by an Artifact Refining Grandmaster, it is inscribed with three core runes: ‘Extreme Speed’, ‘Aura Concealment’, and ‘Lightness’! When fully activated, its speed is comparable to the escape light of a Foundation Establishment Middle Stage Cultivator!

Yet, its spiritual energy consumption is far lower than flying with an artifact! It is a supreme Sharp Weapon for long-distance travel, pursuit, and escape! The starting price is one thousand five hundred Spirit Stones, and each bid increment must not be less than one hundred!”

The appearance of the “Moon Shuttle” immediately caused a sensation! Flying Magical Artifacts were already precious, and such a compact, fast, and energy-efficient supreme-grade one was even rarer!

“One thousand seven hundred!”

“One thousand nine hundred!”

“Two thousand two hundred!” …

The price instantly soared! Almost all participants in the bidding were Foundation Establishment Cultivators and representatives of wealthy Families. Speed, in the Cultivation world, often meant survival!

Lin Feng’s heart stirred. With this boat, traveling between Black Reef Island and Huangsha Market would be incredibly convenient, no longer relying on Family boats, greatly increasing his freedom of movement! He no longer hesitated, speaking in a deep voice that passed through the private room’s Restriction:

“Two thousand eight hundred Spirit Stones!”

Jumping directly from two thousand five hundred to two thousand eight hundred! The hall fell silent. Many gazes turned towards the inconspicuous private room on the second floor.

“Two thousand nine hundred!” An old voice came from another private room, indicating a determination to win.

“Three thousand!” Lin Feng did not hesitate, raising the price again, his voice firm and decisive, conveying an unquestionable resolve.

The entire hall buzzed. Three thousand Spirit Stones for a First-Grade Magical Artifact, although it was a supreme-grade, was still quite an overpayment. The old voice was silent for a moment, then let out a cold snort and stopped bidding.

“Three thousand Spirit Stones! Sold! Congratulations to this Fellow Daoist!” The Lord of the Violet Palace Pavilion brought down the hammer, a smile on his face. Lin Feng successfully bid for the “Moon Shuttle”.

Immediately afterward, a sapling, about a foot tall, entirely yellowish-brown, with leaves resembling condensed lightning, and faint electric sparks flickering between its branches, was brought out.

“A Second-Grade Advanced Spiritual Plant—the ‘yellow thunder apricot’ sapling! This tree matures in three hundred years, blooms in a hundred years, and bears fruit in a hundred years! The ‘yellow thunder apricot’ fruit it bears contains a trace of mystic lightning power, which can not only enhance cultivation but also refine the Physical Body and cleanse Impurities! For Body Cultivators, it is a supreme treasure! Starting price two thousand Spirit Stones!”

Body Tempering spiritual fruit! Lin Feng’s eyes lit up. This item would be of great benefit to his ‘Rock Body Tempering Art’!

But seeing the strong lightning aura emanating from the sapling, he immediately thought of the Black Reef Island’s Spiritual Vein, which was on the verge of collapse and utterly incapable of sustaining it. He hesitated for a moment but ultimately made a bid:

“Two thousand five hundred Spirit Stones!” After some bidding, he finally secured it for three thousand two hundred Spirit Stones. He couldn’t plant it immediately, but it would definitely be a core item when establishing a new Dao field in the future!

Subsequently, a batch of five “Foundation Establishment Pill” appeared, causing a frenzy throughout the venue! The price soared to twelve thousand to fifteen thousand Spirit Stones per pill! Lin Feng observed with a detached gaze.

He had the ‘Solid Foundation Method’, a Body Refining Foundation, powerful Divine Sense, and a Foundation Establishment Demon Core in hand, so he believed his chances of Foundation Establishment were not small and did not need this pill.

However, he did see the Lin Family’s private room grit their teeth and bid for one, spending nearly fifteen thousand Spirit Stones, which made him shake his head slightly. The Family’s Foundation was still too shallow.

When a set of five small sword Formation Flags of different colors and a cracked Formation Plate were presented, Lin Feng’s gaze instantly froze!