Chapter 152: Chapter 135: Wind and Thunder of the Wood Attribute, an Opportunity for the Golden Core

As the auction officially came to a close, the results were immediately reported to the top floor.

"Reporting to the Daoists, the auction has concluded. The highest bid was one hundred and eight thousand Spirit Stones."

Hearing the report from the Thousand Bamboo Tower’s Shopkeeper, Master Ming Yue was clearly taken aback. "Oh? It went that high?"

After all, he had only just broken through to the Golden Core Realm, so a sum as high as one hundred thousand Spirit Stones made the deepest impression on him.

The other Golden Core True Men had all seen their fair share of grand occasions, but they were still somewhat astonished.

Master Yusha asked curiously, "I wonder what item could have sold for such a high price."

The Shopkeeper answered respectfully, "In response to the Daoist, it was a set of Top Grade Magical Artifacts—a pair of Wind and Thunder Dual Swords forged from Donghua Wood."

Now Master Yusha was truly shocked. "Just a Top Grade Magical Artifact? That price is enough to buy a Spiritual Artifact."

Master Yaohua, however, immediately perceived the subtlety. "Wind and Thunder are associated with the Wood Attribute. This could be an opportunity for one’s Golden Core."

"To spend such a high price on a pair of Wood swords from the same source... could it be that the buyer intends to use the Wind and Thunder to comprehend the Path of Yin and Yang and form a Ninth Grade pure Wood Golden Core?"

"Is the buyer someone with a Wood Spirit Root?"

The Shopkeeper hastily sent someone to inquire and then replied, "In response to the Daoist, the buyer is Xiao Chen of the Li Huo Sect. I hear he has a Wood Spirit Root."

A knowing smile appeared on Master Yaohua’s face.

Then, she looked toward Master Ming Yan. "In that case, it seems this Xiao Chen must be the Golden Core candidate you’ve been cultivating, Ming Yan."

The other Daoists immediately understood.

They had been wondering how a never-before-heard-of Foundation Establishment Cultivator could afford so many Spirit Stones. So that was the reason.

Only Master Ming Yan was, at this moment, a little dumbfounded.

’Xiao Chen?’

’A Golden Core candidate?’

The name did ring a bell, but the Xiao Chen he remembered was just a seventh-level Qi Refining disciple he had met once, two years ago.

’Everyone here today is at the Foundation Establishment Realm. Could this possibly be the same person?’

Fortunately, a Golden Core’s memory is outstanding. With a moment’s recollection, he realized he had indeed seen Xiao Chen in the Chen Family’s group that morning.

’Then it must be him. No doubt about it.’

This whole thought process seemed complex, but in reality, it took less than a single breath’s time.

Master Ming Yan responded with a smile, "Fellow Daoist Yaohua, you exaggerate. He can’t really be called a Golden Core candidate; he just has a little spiritual aptitude."

This so-called "little spiritual aptitude" was just like calling someone clever when you don’t know what else to praise them for—purely a polite platitude.

However, to the other Daoists, his words sounded like he was just being modest.

.

Although it was already late, the cultivators from the three Major Sects chose not to stay the night, instead boarding their Spiritual Boats to return home.

Master Ming Yan had given a casual response earlier, but inwardly he had already decided to summon Xiao Chen for a proper inquiry to understand what was going on.

Ever since breaking through to the Golden Core Realm, he had hardly ever concerned himself with the sect’s internal affairs.

Therefore, during the journey, he first summoned several Elders to get an overview of the situation.

Only then did he dismiss them and call Xiao Chen to his side.

The Spiritual Boat had only a single, vast cabin, its interior no less impressive than a sect’s grand hall on the ground.

As soon as they met, Master Ming Yan got straight to the point. "I recall that just two years ago, you were only in the late stages of Qi Refining. How has your Cultivation progressed so rapidly?"

Upon hearing the question, Xiao Chen first clasped his hands and bowed.

Only then did he give his long-prepared answer: "Reporting to the Daoist, this disciple was fortunate to be appreciated by Elder Chen and has gained some insights while practicing Alchemy."

"After that, by a stroke of luck..."

In short, he attributed the speed of his cultivation to Elixirs and the various Treasures of Heaven and Earth he had consumed.

Master Ming Yan nodded slightly. What Xiao Chen said was more or less consistent with the information he had gathered earlier.

Although this disciple’s Spiritual Root was indeed a bit poor, he’d heard that his comprehension was excellent. Not to mention his several previous epiphanies, his speed at cultivating Magic was also exceptionally fast.

Furthermore, he usually disliked socializing and focused solely on cultivating in his courtyard.

He was the type of promising candidate who was single-mindedly devoted to the Dao.

Comprehension, diligence, and a large quantity of Spirit Medicines could indeed result in such a rapid breakthrough speed.

’What a pity.’

Master Ming Yan felt a slight sense of regret for Xiao Chen.

Although the probability of someone with a low-grade Spiritual Root achieving Core Formation is less than five percent, there is still a glimmer of hope if one cultivates steadily.

But forcibly raising one’s Realm with Elixirs would inevitably lead to an unstable foundation.

Even if he could quickly reach the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment, he would be stuck at the Foundation Establishment Realm for the rest of his life, with no possibility of advancing further.

At this moment, a conclusion similar to Yun Jingxing’s formed in his mind.

Namely, that Xiao Chen was merely an Alchemist cultivated by the Chen Family, who would switch to focusing on Alchemy in the future.

However, he didn’t need to guess; he could ask directly. "You bid for the Five-Colored Golden Lotus earlier. Are you already refining Foundation Establishment Pills?"

Xiao Chen answered honestly, "Replying to the Daoist, this disciple is indeed preparing to refine and sell Foundation Establishment Pills to earn Spirit Stones."

His suspicion confirmed, Master Ming Yan looked at Xiao Chen with a hint of disappointment in his eyes.

’I thought there might be a surprise, but it seems there wasn’t one.’

He had been thinking that if Xiao Chen were truly a cultivation genius he had previously overlooked, he could consider giving him special training.

But now, it seemed he was just another Alchemist for earning Spirit Stones.

To Golden Core True Men like him, one more or one less of such a tool didn’t matter.

Still, it was acceptable. After all, if Xiao Chen became an Alchemy Master in the future, he might have a chance of learning to refine Tier Three Spirit Pills.

In the end, Master Ming Yan still offered a word of encouragement: "Alchemy is also quite good. Remember to consult with Tian Yuan and the others often, and strive to surpass your masters."