The calamity clouds had finally dissipated.
Gu Yan lingered beside the refining furnace, standing silently for a long moment before finally letting out a bitter sigh.
"Master Gu, you've done an incredible job," Marquis Tianyang said, stepping forward. His hand rested lightly on Gu Yan's shoulder.
Tianyang Hou looked youthful, clad in golden-red brocade robes, yet his gaze held fanatic devotion as he stared at Gu Yan.
During the sword's refinement, Gu Yan had observed the process carefully. He had witnessed the immortal sword soar into the sky, battling against heaven and earth… only to be shattered by the heavenly calamity. Such an accomplishment, even in failure, was unparalleled in the entire world of cultivation.
Tianyang Hou's voice was calm, reassuring: "Master Gu, don't worry. Refining immortal weapons is extremely difficult. You've done well!"
Gu Yan's eyes burned with determination. "The Immortal Sword is nearly complete. Only the last step remains! It failed when tempered by the thunder and fire of the heavenly tribulation. I believe I know the problem now."
Marquis Tianyang's heart stirred slightly. "If given another chance… could you succeed, Master?"
Gu Yan nodded solemnly. "I have discovered the flaw. Another attempt, and I will forge it into a true immortal weapon!"
"Very well!" Marquis Tianyang said, nodding. "Follow me back to the mansion. I have another piece of Celestial Iron—an immortal material!"
Gu Yan's eyes gleamed. "Heavenly Eclipse Iron?! Truly?!"
Tianyang Hou only smiled, saying nothing further.
The Heavenly Eclipse Iron, alongside the Mist and Snow Stone, had been provided by Tianyang Hou's second son, Nangong Qi. It was because of the Wuxue Stone that Gu Yan had pledged loyalty to Tianyang Hou.
Tianyang Hou's thinking was simple. Gu Yan was the Dayu Dynasty's top weapon refiner. Even if he couldn't complete an immortal weapon, he could still craft top-grade flying swords and magical artifacts.
But what Tianyang Hou didn't realize: refining immortal artifacts had become Gu Yan's obsession. Until he completed a true immortal weapon, he would be unable to craft other magical arms.
Unbeknownst to him, Xiaodao was already observing the heavenly tribulation, silently ensuring that Gu Yan would never know he had already successfully refined the immortal sword.
---
Meanwhile, under Yun Ranran's guidance, Chen Xiao had fully embraced the inner demon tribulation, transforming into a physical and mental demon. Using the consciousness of those undergoing the tribulation as his battlefield, he trained through actual combat.
His external incarnation had become a dark shadow, slipping silently out of Aurora City.
Several hundred miles away, in a mountain range stretching 30,000 miles, lay Yuxia Mountain. It was home to the largest black crystal copper vein in the Dayu Immortal Dynasty, one of the key materials for refining flying swords.
This mine was jointly controlled by the three northern immortal cultivation families: the Chen family of Aurora City, the Lu family of Moon City, and the Xue family of Ice Blue City. The Liu family cultivators were sent here to work as miners.
Chen Xiao's shadow demon incarnation silently infiltrated the area, three hundred miles beneath Yuxia Mountain.
Within a natural cave stood a massive bronze tripod: the super-grade immortal weapon, Daluo Sword Cauldron.
At this moment, it remained dormant, not yet born.
According to the original plot, Chen Xiao would swallow the innate anti-spiritual pill and forge the immortal spiritual root here the following day. The pill had been left by the Daluo Sword Cauldron's previous owner. Using it to forge the immortal spiritual root could subdue this super-grade weapon.
However, a cultivator only had one chance to reforge spiritual roots in a lifetime. Yun Ranran had already prepared a far more extraordinary Chaos Spiritual Root for Chen Xiao, so he did not take the innate anti-spiritual pill.
The shadow demon incarnation flipped a hand, revealing a formation diagram—the ultimate killing formation of Fire Kirin Chen Daqiang: the Inverted Five Elements Formation.
Chen Xiao wasn't a formations expert, but this one was simple. With enough spirit stones, it could be activated. Yun Ranran would guide him.
Soon, the inverted five elements formation was deployed near the Daluo Sword Cauldron, then concealed using another formation diagram.
Chen Xiao's shadow demon clone remained hidden, patiently observing.
He knew the villain of destiny, Nangong Qi, would come. Spirit stones were no problem for him—ten million here, another ten million there. In the immortal cultivation world, spirit stones were precious resources. Even the most dangerous incense that destroyed bones and scattered souls could be effortlessly resolved by Nangong Qi.
At the Liu family, Chen Xiao's shadow demon incarnation had previously caught Nangong Qi off guard, using clever tactics. The villain may have been powerful, but he was not infallible.
---
The next day: Yubaozhai Auction, afternoon.
One stick of incense remained before the official start.
In the Chen family's exclusive box, Chen Xiao smiled faintly. "Add a temporary item to the auction."
The steward hesitated. Chen Xiao tossed him a photo stone. "Open it."
Circulating true energy, the steward tapped the image stone.
Instantly, Nangong Qi appeared—bare buttocks exposed—being held under Sikong Zhao's armpit, fleeing in panic.
The manager's eyes lit up. "This… this will fetch a high price!"
The news of Nangong Qi spending ten million high-grade spirit stones to challenge Chen Xiao had spread across Aurora City. If he could nonchalantly spend another ten million… this was the perfect target.
Chen Xiao grinned. "This photo stone will be the first auction item."
The steward responded immediately. "No problem at all!"
As for offending Marquis Tianyang? In Yubaozhai, business came first. History had shown they feared no one—even nobles.
"Make a few copies to sell elsewhere after the auction," Chen Xiao added.
The steward blinked, then nodded with a sly smile.
---
Elsewhere, in a private room, Nangong Qi sat calmly in a soft chair.
Opposite him was an elderly woman, gray-clad, gray-haired, face indistinct. Her hoarse voice spoke slowly: "Will you truly help me get the Seven-Colored Sky Mysterious Grass?"
Nangong Qi smiled faintly. "I, Nangong Qi, always keep my word."
The woman nodded, silent. "If you obtain the grass, I will refine elixirs for you… for a hundred years."
The Seven-Colored Tianxuan Grass, one of the finest spiritual herbs, was among the auction items. Alongside the Innate Anti-Spirit Pill, Nangong Qi was determined to acquire it. Spirit stones were plentiful—no issue there.
---
The auction began.
"Now, the first item!" the auctioneer announced.
On the table lay a photo stone.
The cultivators below murmured in curiosity.
"A photo stone?"
"Is it a map? A secret martial technique?"
Anything entering Yubaozhai was valuable. Previous auctions had included rare martial arts or mystical maps.
The old man lightly tapped the stone. Swish—
Instantly, Nangong Qi, fleeing naked, appeared for all to see.
"A GIF of the Young Marquis Tianyang running naked is up for auction!" the auctioneer declared. "Starting price: one low-grade spirit stone."
The crowd was stunned. Then, laughter erupted.
Up in the Chen family's box, Nangong Qi spat blood in shock.