Chapter 123: Self-Delusion, Fellow Daoist Lu’s Profound Origins

This is quite the situation.

The method for refining a third-tier spiritual treasure was right in front of him. If this were any other cultivator, they would be eager to kill a rooster, burn yellow paper, and swear a blood oath on the spot to seal the deal, desperate not to let such a sucker slip away.

But for Shen Lian, while the item wasn't entirely devoid of appeal, its allure was virtually non-existent. Even if it were given to him now, he couldn't refine it. By the time he attained the skill to craft a third-tier spiritual treasure, he was certain that his own inheritance of metal-working techniques would contain Five Elements set artifacts far superior to this one. It was a classic case of a "tasteless chicken rib"—something he truly couldn't bring himself to covet. Even the broken spiritual treasure he had purchased earlier was merely a stopgap; once he became a master refiner, he would undoubtedly forge better ones himself.

"It seems I have been too rash."

At this moment, Qian Dai suddenly withdrew the jade slip containing the refining method, the pitiful expression on his face shifting into something more unnatural.

*Damn it.*

He felt a secret surge of regret. His actions today had been ill-considered. As a renowned socialite in the sea territories near the Profound Corpse Sect, his ability to read people was top-tier. He had noticed Shen Lian’s hesitation, but he had seen much more than that. The refining method for this set of third-tier spiritual treasures held no attraction for Shen Lian; there wasn't even a flicker of genuine interest in his eyes.

What did that mean? It meant that, to Shen Lian, a third-tier spiritual treasure refining method was simply not worth looking at!

In the Ten Thousand Star Sea, where cultivation resources were scarce, such a method would be considered a sect-protecting treasure even within the Profound Sea Sect. Outside the Ten Thousand Star Sea, one would generally need to be a direct disciple of an elder in a Nascent Soul sect to even be qualified to access such a technique. To Qian Dai himself, this third-tier spiritual treasure was nothing special; after all, while he was publicly the Young Master of the Qian family, he was privately a direct disciple of the Profound Corpse Sect’s leader. He knew a thing or two about the sect’s secrets, and he knew his master was a Nascent Soul cultivator. To him, a treasure that would be the pride of another sect was no different from a second-tier artifact. He had brought it out merely to follow his usual strategy of befriending promising cultivators.

Using a third-tier refining method to win over a Foundation Establishment cultivator and second-tier alchemist should have been a walk in the park. But that was exactly where things had gone wrong. He had sensed that Shen Lian didn't care in the slightest—he hadn't even blinked. To treat such a method like dirt meant that Shen Lian either already possessed it, had access to it at home, or perhaps even had many more—possibly even fourth-tier ones. It was virtually impossible that he didn't know its value.

Putting himself in Shen Lian's shoes, if someone were to try to bribe him with something of the same grade while secretly radiating a subtle sense of superiority, Qian Dai would definitely want to kick them to death. Did they really take him for some small-time clansman from a Golden Core family who had never seen the world? This wasn't bribery; it was disgusting, and it could easily turn into a vendetta. Having read countless people, how could he have been so blind this time to commit such a blunder?

"Forgive me, Fellow Daoist Lu."

Seeing the chubby Qian withdraw the jade slip and bow to apologize, Shen Lian was momentarily stunned. He felt that the fatty before him was suddenly much more approachable than the one from a moment ago, and there was a genuine warmth in the smile on his broad face.

After apologizing, Qian Dai resumed his pitiful look. "Brother Lu, can we still be friends?"

"Of course. Fellow Daoist Qian is generous and dashing; I would be delighted to be your friend."

Hearing this, Qian Dai breathed a sigh of relief, though he became increasingly curious about Shen Lian’s identity. For all his years of making friends, he had rarely encountered anyone with such potential and background. Those other cultivators were always immensely grateful whenever he produced a third-tier spiritual object.

"Young Master, there are two spiritual items that require your personal touch to break the seals." The maid, Mo'er, approached from a distance, stopping a few paces away.

"Brother Lu, excuse me for a moment. Mo'er, take Fellow Daoist Lu to the Spirit Wood Chamber to rest."

Mo'er paused, then, seeing Qian Dai nod, she hurried over to Shen Lian. "Fellow Daoist Lu, please follow me."

The Spirit Wood Chamber.

As the mottled gates opened, a surge of concentrated spiritual energy rushed out, hitting Shen Lian and opening every pore on his body.

"Fellow Daoist Lu, please rest here. Once the auction begins, I will come to invite you." After ushering Shen Lian inside, Mo'er bowed her head, retreated a few steps, and then turned to leave.

"Tsk..."

Walking into the Spirit Wood Chamber, Shen Lian’s eyes were immediately drawn to a lush, flourishing spirit tree that enveloped the entire room. Beneath its main trunk sat a wide wooden couch woven from living roots. The entire chamber was filled with swirling spiritual mists that submerged his feet.

A third-tier Three-Treasure Bodhi Tree.

Shen Lian recognized the species at a glance. Planted on a spiritual vein, this tree could assist the vein in autonomously absorbing energy from heaven and earth, accelerating its growth. Such a treasure would be a sect-protecting item even in a Golden Core sect. Yet, Qian Dai had used it to furnish a meditation room.

Sitting on the root-woven couch, Shen Lian deduced the cause and effect in a few breaths. By withdrawing the previous gift, apologizing so sincerely, and upgrading his treatment to a third-tier meditation room, Qian Dai clearly believed he had a formidable background.

That worked out well. He truly hadn't cared for that refining method, but his calm, indifferent demeanor had evidently intimidated Qian Dai.

...

In the quiet room, Qian Dai leaned back on his personal couch, rubbing his large head.

"Young Master, the news has been released." Another maid, Hong'er, stood to the side.

"Mhm." Qian Dai nodded. "Keep the news measured; let it spread on its own for a while."

For this auction, he had brought out so many high-tier spiritual items, claiming it was to raise spiritual stones for the Qian family patriarch to purchase a third-tier superior-grade Dongxuan Ze Spirit Pill in the Southern Sea territories. This pill helped Golden Core mid-stage cultivators break through to the late stage. In a Nascent Soul sect, only late-stage Golden Core cultivators were qualified to hold real power; even at the peak of the mid-stage, one was still a step behind. In a Golden Core sect, a late-stage cultivator could suppress several mid-stage ones, and a sect with a late-stage master controlled a larger territory. One could imagine how expensive the pill would be; a million spiritual stones wouldn't even grant one the qualification to attend the auction for it. For the Qian family to sell off assets to buy this for their patriarch was perfectly logical.

"Sigh..." Qian Dai sighed, still regretting his earlier rashness.

It was common in the cultivation world for disciples of major sects to travel, appearing weak but carrying high-tier items for protection, or even having hidden guardians. He didn't see any signs of a guardian on Shen Lian, but to see a major sect disciple out adventuring with lightning-fire artifacts—suicidal as that was—was a first.

Cautious and backed by a powerful lineage. Truly...

Qian Dai shook his head, clearing his mind. He didn't want to dig into which sect Shen Lian belonged to, nor did he want to get to the bottom of it. Making friends was a natural process; once the bond was deep enough, everything would fall into place. Digging would only be counterproductive.

"Mo'er, change Fellow Daoist Lu’s communication jade talisman to blue and hang it on the fifth level of the Spirit Wood."

Qian Dai quickly adjusted his mindset. He would let things take their natural course. Perhaps Shen Lian’s background was strong, but he wasn't doing too badly himself—just a bit fallen on hard times. But he still had a patriarch living. If the old ancestor were to come down and sit for a while, all his problems would be solved.

...

In the blink of an eye, the day of the auction arrived.

Shen Lian was woken from his meditation by the young maid and left the Spirit Wood Chamber, heading toward the auction hall on the spirit ship. The hall was the same quiet room as before, but when Shen Lian stepped inside, he found it completely transformed.

The space had been vastly expanded and was now shrouded in spiritual mist that served to block divine sense. Sensing the array restrictions, Shen Lian retracted his own spiritual perception. In the time it took him to enter, he saw over thirty Foundation Establishment cultivators follow him in, including several at the ninth level.

"Everyone has caught wind of this, as expected," Shen Lian mused. Everyone loved a good treasure, and it seemed they had all brought their family fortunes, hoping to snag their desired items.

Soon, Shen Lian arrived at a wide, high-backed couch that resembled a small private booth, blocked off on the sides and back. There was a small table in front with spiritual fruits and wine. Before long, the room grew crowded. There were even cultivators with whom he had previously discussed alchemy. Almost all were the patriarchs of their respective families, with a vast majority at the seventh, eighth, or ninth level of Foundation Establishment. The count reached three or four hundred; it seemed that not only the local families but those from other sea territories had arrived.

Shen Lian leaned back on the couch, squinting. His most urgent need was for body-tempering spiritual objects; beyond that, he needed materials to prepare the Spirit Cloud Pills for his own cultivation. His next goal was to accumulate Divine Enlightenment points to refine his Five Elements spiritual roots to perfection and then form his Golden Core.

"Brother Lin, we haven't seen each other in over twenty years, have we?"

With so many cultivators gathered, it was inevitable that acquaintances would exchange pleasantries.

"Twenty years gone, and Brother Wu is already at the ninth level of Foundation Establishment. You’re close to the Golden Core stage!"

On the couch next to Shen Lian, two elderly-looking cultivators were chatting.

"Brother Lin is not doing so badly either; it seems you've reached the eighth level. I heard you went to the Sea King Sect’s secret realm. How was it? Did you reap many treasures?"

The Lin-surnamed cultivator looked pained. "Don't ask. I barely kept my life. The opportunities in the realm were great, but the realm itself eats people." Mentioning the Sea King Sect’s secret realm, he began to complain, "Some 'Sky-Supporting Alliance' suddenly appeared and slaughtered two Golden Core masters from the Profound Sea Sect, including the Yunhai Master, who had formed his core on his own."

"The Grand Elder of that Sky-Supporting Alliance used some secret technique; most of the restrictions in the realm didn't affect him, but we who entered suffered for it. The restrictions collapsed, triggering a chain reaction. Many fellow daoists were swallowed by the collapsing arrays before they could even react. I was lucky; I hadn't gone far, and when I sensed the destruction, I ran for my life. Even then, I was badly injured and spent three years recovering."

...

On the side, Shen Lian, always attentive to the turbulent environment, pricked up his ears.

The Wu-surnamed cultivator sighed. "Brother Lin, you are blessed. To escape from the hands of a Golden Core master is a stroke of incredible fortune. I've heard of this Sky-Supporting Alliance, but who knows where they came from to dare challenge the Profound Sea Sect? Two Golden Core masters slaughtered at once—as the strongest sect in the Ten Thousand Star Sea, how could the Profound Sea Sect swallow that?"

"That’s not for us to consider. Anyway, for the time being, if there's no urgent business, it's best to stay away from the Profound Sea Sect's territories to avoid being caught in the crossfire."

"And definitely don't go near the Sea King Sect's secret realm," the Lin-surnamed cultivator added with a sigh.

...

"It seems you two have been in seclusion at your families since returning," a blue-robed elder said, approaching them.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou." The two stood up to greet him.

"I just returned from the Profound Sea Sect’s territory. As Brother Wu said, three masters from the Profound Sea Sect, led by the Zhenhai Master, personally attacked the Sky-Supporting Alliance’s base, but unfortunately, they returned in defeat. Now, the Profound Sea Sect has declared them a demonic sect and is calling upon all cultivators in the Ten Thousand Star Sea to unite and purge the demons. I believe the news will reach here before long."

The Zhou-surnamed cultivator paused. "It is rumored that the Grand Elder of this Sky-Supporting Alliance is none other than the Black Cliff Old Demon who founded the Black Cliff Sect?"

"Is that true?" Immediately, the two older cultivators wore looks of gossipy excitement.

"That's the rumor, but there’s no proof. However, the Profound Sea Sect wouldn't label them a demonic sect without reason."

"Whatever, it has nothing to do with us. The Profound Sea Sect has been the top sect for so long; they've grown arrogant. It's not a bad thing to have someone knock them down a peg."

"Shh... don't say things that undermine the stability of the Ten Thousand Star Sea."

...

On his couch, Shen Lian listened intently. Many others were discussing the same thing. He had already seen through everything long ago; back in Black Whale City, he had known the Sea King Sect’s secret realm was a trap.

*Wise as I am, I alone remain clear-headed.*

As for whether the Grand Elder of the Sky-Supporting Alliance was truly the Black Cliff Old Demon, it was quite possible, as Shen Lian had seen the Old Demon’s possession techniques with his own eyes.

*If it really is the Old Demon, and he can easily slaughter a Golden Core initial-stage master while forcing a mid-stage master like the Zhenhai Master to retreat, then his strength is not to be underestimated.*

Shen Lian calculated whether his current talismans, arrays, and puppets could kill the Old Demon. His hand subconsciously touched his dantian, where his primary Great Derivative Jade Talisman floated. He remembered the Old Demon feared lightning and fire. Now, facing the Old Demon, he felt much more confident.

Nothing else—he was just tougher now.