Realm-Hopping Martial Master-Chapter 519 - 304: The Great Battle Approaches, Accumulating Heritage (Seeking Monthly Tickets)_2
Refining it now would consume too much time. It would be better to temporarily remove this seal, erase the Spirit branding, and first let it endure the Nirvana Wind within the Heavenly Puppet Sect’s Dao Formation, refining it there for a year. We can discuss it further then.
"Our relationship doesn’t require such formalities," Wenren Ping said with a light smile. "In any case, when the Divine Power Conference comes, your True Martial Sect’s team will be passing through our Heavenly Puppet Sect anyway. It would be convenient to take it then, wouldn’t it?
"You indeed lack a Heavenly Rank Treasure. Although you forcibly took a Flame Pearl Phoenix Feather Umbrella from the Sect, this treasure isn’t your Lifebound Treasure and is extremely cumbersome to use. It’s much like if I were to use a Heavenly Rank Puppet; it might appear to be of an equivalent level, but my actual strength would be reduced significantly.
"The confrontations at the Divine Power Conference only prohibit certain special techniques. For example, Disciples from your True Martial Sect and the Dao Yi Sect are not allowed to carry too many Treasures, talismans, Elixirs, or Puppets.
"However, one’s Lifebound Treasure is certainly still permitted. If you lack one by then when facing Yi Meng Dao, you will inevitably suffer some disadvantages. Although I firmly believe that you will win, Brother Jiang.
"But why concede in this area at all? The Dao Yi Sect has been at the forefront for long enough. Every time a great battle begins, they intend to command the other Sects as the leader, thereby obtaining a massive amount of resources.
"This time, it may not go as they wish."
After they chatted idly for a while, Jiang Shu turned into a streak of light and flew out of the Inner Sect of the Heavenly Puppet Sect.
On this trip back, Jiang Shu was no longer in a hurry. In his mind, he continuously recalled some of the major cultivation cities he had passed on his way here.
In the Cang Mang Domain, not all Lords of the Wanxiang Realm cultivated within Sects and became Peak Masters. Some preferred no allegiance to any Sect. They either occupied a whole archipelago in the Endless Sea, commanding overwhelming power, or established massive cities in various famous places, cooperating with the Eight Great Sects and charging high commercial taxes from Loose Cultivators to foster cultivation.
Heavenly Talisman City was one of these extremely famous large cities. It was situated on a boundless plain, with city walls stretching in all directions like rising mountains. Its City Lord, Lord Tian Fu, who had entered the Dao through talismans, had sold Heavenly Rank Talismans multiple times at the Heavenly Mansion Auction. This attracted countless Primordial Pill Realm True Men to exhaust their fortunes just for one talisman, either to protect their lives or to kill powerful opponents.
A great battle looms, and the value of all cultivation resources will skyrocket, Jiang Shu thought. The Dan Fu Sect is gradually reducing its external supply of Elixirs and talismans. Other Sects wishing to purchase talismans in large amounts will only be able to come to Heavenly Talisman City. If I act early this time, I can indeed snatch up some items in advance. First, I can learn various talisman crafting techniques by acquiring different talismans, continuously refining them through the panel, and making a fortune during the great battle. Second, I can also observe the movements of the major Sects. Even the largest Sects will lack resources in the face of a great battle. At such a time, some Disciples will inevitably leave their Sects with missions to come and purchase supplies. By the degree of price inflation, I can roughly infer the urgency and severity of the upcoming battle.
Jiang Shu considered this and calculated the timing. In a few days, the Heavenly Mansion Auction should commence. Therefore, he arrived at this city first. His tunneling light descended, and he had already transformed into an extremely ordinary middle-aged man, now walking in Heavenly Talisman City.
The cities established by these Lords of the Wanxiang Realm naturally differed from the grand cities of ordinary Dynasties. Everywhere, one could see the Dao of Lord Tian Fu. Every courtyard was spacious and deep. All the pillars and tiles were engraved with special talismans. Under the effect of these talismans, the ground was spotlessly clean. Ordinary-looking pillars could support buildings dozens of stories high, which, in mortal eyes, seemed like immortal miracles.
Above Jiang Shu’s head, various Primordial Pill Realm True Men hurried towards the center of Heavenly City with their tunneling lights. Clearly, they, being in Heavenly City, had received more accurate information.
"I wonder how many Heavenly Rank Talismans will appear at this Heavenly Mansion Auction," one cultivator mused aloud. "If I could obtain one, I would also be considered a significant figure among those in the Primordial Pill Realm." 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖
"It is said that the main auction item this time is from Lord Tian Fu’s third Disciple, True Monarch Red Cloud," another chimed in. "His most famous talisman is the Ten Thousand Miles Red Cloud Falling Phoenix Talisman. Once this talisman is activated, it’s comparable to an endless Nirvana Fire burning over. Even some Early-stage Nirvana Realm True Monarchs can’t withstand such a strike."
"Tsk, such talismans are beyond our reach," a third voice lamented. "I fear even some Nirvana Realm Monarchs would find their wealth insufficient."
"It’s a pity Heavenly Talisman City and the Dan Fu Sect only collaborate on talismans," someone else sighed. "If only we could also bid on Heavenly-grade Elixirs here. Obtaining a single Nirvana Pill would increase my chances of Crossing Tribulation by ten percent."
"Tribulation Crossing Pills, huh?" scoffed another. "Those are reserved for the geniuses within a Sect. Heavenly-grade Elixirs are beyond what we ordinary cultivators of the Primordial Pill Realm can even dream of. Don’t kid yourself. Not to mention that the Heavenly Mansion Auction doesn’t auction Elixirs; even if it did, are you sure you could afford one?"
"Ah," a final voice said with resignation, "I’d be content just bidding on some decent Earth-rank Talismans this time."
Amidst the various voices, Jiang Shu gradually merged into the crowd.
Ordinary cultivators, even those who have reached the Primordial Pill Realm, aren’t aware of the imminent war in the Cang Mang Domain. In this world, only one’s own might and background can provide a semblance of safety. Although he hadn’t personally experienced the great war between the Human Clan and the Demon Race, Jiang Shu knew clearly from the archives of the True Martial Sect. Once the war began, all Sect Disciples and Loose Cultivators in the Cang Mang Domain would be drafted into the Endless Sea. They would be at the mercy of the major Sects and powers, unable to control their own fate. Although he was currently surrounded by many Primordial Pill Realm True Men, in two years, out of the hundreds present, only a few might remain.
Such is the cruelty of war, Jiang Shu reflected. Sect Disciples, at least, are always under the watchful eyes of their elders. But what about these Loose Cultivators? Not to mention, the path of cultivation is inherently a path of resource monopolization. The resources in the Cang Mang Domain are diminishing, while the number of cultivators is increasing. In such circumstances, achieving a balance can only be done through means such as war, performing a major purge. This makes resources more plentiful and reduces the number of people who can obtain them. Cultivators immersed in their cultivation might not understand this principle, but I, having lived through two lifetimes, saw it clearly in my previous world.
The Heavenly Mansion Auction was located right in the heart of Heavenly City, resembling a colossal, mountainous pagoda. Guards of the Furnace Fire Realm checked the identities of customers at each of the entrances from all directions.
Of course, this "identity" wasn’t referring to true personal information, Jiang Shu noted. It referred to one’s Cultivation Realm.
Only cultivators at or above the Primordial Pill Realm could enter the Heavenly Mansion Auction. After all, the lowest grade of talismans inside started at the Earth Rank. Even the most lavish cultivators of the Furnace Fire Realm would find themselves financially stretched thin inside.
Upon entering the Great Hall of the Heavenly Mansion Auction, Jiang Shu saw numerous private rooms. From the outside, these rooms looked exceedingly small. Peering through the half-opened doors, the space inside seemed only large enough to accommodate a single person sitting. However, as a Maid led the way, a space roughly ten feet square appeared before Jiang Shu. Chairs, tea sets, and beverages were all readily available.
Clearly, these private rooms are also a result of Lord Tian Fu’s techniques, capable of creating vast spaces within small confines, Jiang Shu mused. This Lord Tian Fu must have comprehended the Dao of Space. These private rooms are akin to peculiar Storage Bags. Indeed, every Lord has unique methods. Such methods not only save space within the auction house and increase seating capacity but also serve to intimidate foolish troublemakers. These private rooms must be controlled by talismans. Should a customer refuse to pay, even someone in the Nirvana Realm might find themselves trapped inside for a short duration.
