News of the wager spread rapidly throughout the entire auction house.
In an instant, a crowd of cultivators poured into the main auction hall.
Upon hearing that Longevity Grass had actually appeared in the earlier auction, these newcomers were even more astonished. After all, such a treasure was incomparably rare; under normal circumstances, it would only be featured in a major auction after at least half a month of aggressive promotion and build-up. The allure of Longevity Grass was inherently irresistible to cultivators, and given ample time to generate hype, it likely would have fetched an even higher price. Some speculated that a cultivator had been desperate for funds and rushed to the auction house at short notice.
However, when they heard that mysterious black-robed figures were going to compete against Wang Heyang in an alchemy duel, sneers and mockery dominated the room.
"Heh, Wang Heyang's character might be questionable," an old woman scoffed, glancing at the three figures on the stage. "But as a core disciple of Yundan Pavilion, he became a Grade 3 alchemist long ago."
"Indeed. Combined with Yundan Pavilion's unique alchemy techniques, the pills he refines are of consistently fine quality. These people have picked the wrong opponent."
Many observant cultivators noticed that the auras of the three were utterly ethereal, making it impossible to gauge their depths. Even so, under the current circumstances, no one favored them—after all, their identities were unknown. Just looking at the confidence plastered across Wang Heyang's face, everyone present believed Li Guanqi and his companions stood no chance.
Soon, the vast hall was packed to the brim.
Standing on the stage, Li Guanqi's eyes narrowed slightly as he sent a low voice transmission: "There are quite a few people in the crowd keeping their eyes on us. Third Brother, does your random teleportation talisman really work? How far can it take us at most?"
Cao Yan pondered for a moment, then transmitted back in a heavy tone: "It definitely works. But inscribing this talisman is exceedingly intricate and mentally draining. These three can only transport us up to a thousand zhang at most!"
Li Guanqi considered this and brought up a map within his sea of consciousness.
"This place is very far from Yundan Pavilion. That elder who transmitted to Wang Heyang earlier won't be able to get here for at least two shichen, even at top speed."
"Phew..."
Li Guanqi suddenly turned to Cao Yan and asked, "How long would it take if I had you draw three more talismans?"
Cao Yan thought for a moment and answered with a grave expression, "Half a shichen! But if I can get better talisman parchment made of beast hide and demonic beast blood, a quarter of an hour!"
Without hesitation, Li Guanqi turned to the woman and transmitted a message.
A look of surprise flickered in her eyes as she appraised the three of them briefly before announcing, "The competition will commence in a quarter of an hour. I must prepare the materials; until then, you may all rest."
With that, Qianqiusui offered no further explanation to anyone and turned to leave.
Li Guanqi and the other two seized the opportunity to follow her out of the hall, and someone led the trio to an elegant private room.
Before long, everything Cao Yan requested was brought over.
And the one who delivered the items was none other than the master of Yunding herself!
Setting the items casually on the table, the woman leaned back against a chair, took a puff from her pipe, and looked at Cao Yan, murmuring softly, "I brought you the finest materials, but I want one of the talismans you draw. Would that be acceptable?"
Cao Yan furrowed his brow slightly and looked toward Li Guanqi.
Li Guanqi generously took off his black robe, looking calmly at the woman as he spoke in a low voice: "How about a deal?"
At his words, a sharp glint flashed in the woman's eyes.
*This boy... is very sharp!*
A faint, enigmatic smile curled the corner of her lips. Leaning forward, she lightly tapped her pipe, then casually tucked it into her bodice. Looking up at Li Guanqi, she said softly, "You are quite smart. Speak, then. What are your conditions?"
Li Guanqi smiled faintly. "I wouldn't dare play petty tricks before Senior. The talisman can be yours. Third Brother, draw it now."
Cao Yan did not dwell on the matter; whatever his eldest brother said, he would do.
Meanwhile, Ye Feng, who usually loved admiring female beauty, maintained eyes that were completely clear. He could sense the tremendous pressure radiating from this woman. In other words, the woman before them was far stronger than Fang Yishan—he even suspected she might be more powerful than his master! He did not want to cause any misunderstandings. His self-control had improved drastically, all thanks to the stimulation he had received from Li Guanqi and Cao Yan.
Cao Yan looked at the materials brought before him, his eyes lighting up slightly. These were top-tier Grade 3 materials.
Yet when Qianqiusui saw the talisman brush in Cao Yan's hand, her brows instantly furrowed. In her eyes, that brush was utter trash; barely ranking at any grade, using it with these materials was practically a waste.
Cao Yan, oblivious to her thoughts, took a deep breath, a glint flashing in his eyes. With a slight flick of his arm, the talisman brush was fully saturated with demonic beast essence blood. Looking at the azure talisman paper before him, his brush swept across it rapidly without the slightest hesitation.
At the same time, Cao Yan's surging divine sense gushed forth!
Seeing this, a look of astonishment crossed Qianqiusui's eyes!
Right at that moment, Li Guanqi's voice interrupted her thoughts as he spoke softly: "After the competition ends, escort us out safely. In the future, Yunding provides the ingredients, and we will refine pills for you on a seventy-thirty split."
The woman knit her brows slightly, looking exceedingly striking. Yet the trio had their own concerns and were in no mood to admire her stunning features.
*Buzz—!*
A mysterious spatial fluctuation rippled out. Shock filled Qianqiusui's eyes as she abruptly rose to her feet!
"You are drawing a spatial teleportation talisman?!" she exclaimed in utter astonishment.
Cao Yan glanced back at her, seeing nothing unusual about it, and proceeded to draw the second talisman.
Qianqiusui turned to Li Guanqi and said in a grave voice, "Deal! In the future, we provide the ingredients, and for the refined pills, seventy percent is yours and thirty percent is ours. However, will you be staying in the city?"
Li Guanqi shook his head and said softly, "No. When the time comes, we will contact you via jade slip, and you can send the materials to the nearest relay station."
Although the woman found this somewhat troublesome, she glanced back at Cao Yan, whose brush flowed smoothly like drifting clouds and flowing water, and nodded in agreement.
Rising slowly, the woman said in a soft voice, "Let us wait until you can defeat Wang Heyang before speaking further of this. If you cannot win, everything is null and void. Quite a few pairs of eyes are watching you outside. If you lose, you will have to fend for yourselves."
Li Guanqi smiled faintly. "Naturally."
A smile touched the woman's beautiful face as she murmured softly, "You little fellows possess quite commendable composure."
She smiled happily, for no other reason than that the eyes of all three were remarkably clear, devoid of the slightest lustful intent.
After she departed, Li Guanqi gave a slight shake of his head to Ye Feng, who was just about to speak. The two quietly waited for Cao Yan to finish inscribing the talismans.
Taking two talismans each, Li Guanqi smiled, patted Cao Yan on the shoulder, and said, "Relax. You're definitely going to win!"
Chapter 235