Chapter 74: Chapter 74: Not Vying for the Day, but Seeking the Dao
Name: Xu Chang’an
Bloodline: Ordinary Grey Rat (Ungraded)
Lifespan: 108 Years
Realm: Early-stage Foundation Establishment
Skills: Alchemy (Quasi-Tier Two)
Energy: (0/2000)
...
Staring at the stat panel floating in the void before him, Xu Chang’an felt like crying but had no tears.
"I might be the shortest-lived Foundation Establishment Great Demon in history."
He had become a Foundation Establishment Great Demon, and his lifespan had tripled!
But alas, his foundation was too weak. Even after tripling, his total lifespan was a mere 108 years.
That was even worse than a common Qi Refining Realm demon!
His ungraded bloodline talent had, to a certain extent, already sealed his upper limits!
Although Xu Chang’an had used the panel’s power to defy fate, he was ultimately still inferior to demons with gifted bloodlines.
For instance, some long-lived members of the Demon Race could live for two or three hundred years right after becoming a demon!
If they reached Foundation Establishment, living for several hundred, or even nearly a thousand years, wouldn’t be a problem!
"Gain is my fortune; loss is my fate!"
Xu Chang’an sighed and didn’t dwell on it further.
’What more could he ask for, having reached the level of a Foundation Establishment Great Demon with an ungraded bloodline?’
’At worst, I’ll just take every single Tier One, Tier Two, and Tier Three Lifespan Extension Pill. I refuse to believe my lifespan won’t increase then!’
The Foundation Establishment Realm, much like the Qi Refining Realm, also granted a certain degree of lifespan increase upon reaching the Middle and Late Stages.
"Instead of worrying about my lifespan, I should think about my most immediate problems."
"Now that I’m a Foundation Establishment Great Demon, a single top-grade magical artifact, the Golden Radiance Needle, is hardly enough!"
Foundation Establishment Great Demons normally used top-grade magical artifacts, and they usually had several.
Some of the more successful ones would even possess supreme-grade magical artifacts.
Legend had it that the Ancient Demon Race relied on their powerful demon bodies and had no need for magical artifacts or magical treasures at all.
Their own demon bodies were the best magical artifacts and magical treasures.
But the demons of today could hardly achieve such a feat!
To contend with Human Race cultivators of the same realm, they had to rely on the power of magical treasures and artifacts!
Relying solely on the strength of their demon bodies would put them at a huge disadvantage!
"My perfect breakthrough with the panel’s help does alleviate my need for magical artifacts to some extent!
However, I still need a powerful magical treasure!"
Xu Chang’an’s demon body was tough enough to be compared to the most durable middle-grade magical artifact.
Some of its sharper parts could even contend with top-grade magical artifacts for a short time.
In his current state, he wasn’t overly dependent on ordinary top-grade magical artifacts.
However, he was in desperate need of a supreme-grade magical artifact, or even a quasi-magical treasure!
"The demon path is hard, oh so hard!
Wealth, Companions, Dao, and Land—the ’wealth’ is never enough!"
Xu Chang’an heaved a long sigh.
He had painstakingly accumulated enough wealth to purchase a top-grade magical artifact and prepared numerous guarding methods.
But now that he had entered the Foundation Establishment Realm and become a Great Demon, most of those guarding methods had become useless.
Quasi-magical treasures, supreme-grade magical artifacts, Tier Two demon talismans, Tier Two array flags, spiritual items to improve my bloodline, Lifespan Extension Pills, energy accumulation...
So many new needs were laid out before him, it was enough to leave a demon breathless!
"It was the same in my past life, always one urgent step after another!
Even when I reached the Late-stage Core Formation, I still couldn’t stop, always seeking opportunities everywhere!
Now that I am cultivating again, I can’t repeat the same old path!"
"One step at a time, unhurried and steady—that is the proper path!
Being too concerned with gains and losses, too focused on utility, can easily lead one astray!"
"I have the panel. For me, as long as I’m moving forward steadily, that is enough!
As long as I keep moving forward, I will one day reach the peak and see the view!"
"Don’t fight for the fleeting day, but seek the everlasting Dao!"
Xu Chang’an’s gaze grew firm, his Dao Heart solidifying.
"Now that this is settled, it’s time to return to the marketplace."
He put away the array flags, destroyed the cave with a RUMBLE, and concealed his tracks.
Then, Xu Chang’an activated his magical artifact, transforming into a streak of rainbow light that shot toward the horizon.
...
After being away for some time, Xu Chang’an returned smoothly to the Lujiao Mountain Marketplace.
As a Quasi-second-rank Alchemist who was supposedly researching new elixir refining techniques, it was only natural that no demon would disturb him.
Thus, no demon knew he had been away.
For the next several days, Xu Chang’an refined elixirs, taught his apprentices, studied magic, and acclimated to his new strength.
As the Chief Alchemist, he was entitled to a share of the Langlang Mountain Elixir Workshop’s profits.
With the auction drawing near, he also needed to accumulate some demon stones to bid on items he desired.
Now that he was a Quasi-second-rank Alchemist, it was not inappropriate for him to display a bit of wealth.
As long as he stayed in the marketplace, kept to himself, and had the goodwill of Lion’s Mane Cave, ordinary demons wouldn’t target him.
"Did you hear? They’re auctioning a Foundation Establishment Pill at the marketplace auction this time!"
"A Foundation Establishment Pill?! For real?"
"Of course it’s real! And not just a Foundation Establishment Pill, but Tier Two Demon Talismans and arrays too! I heard they’re even auctioning supreme-grade magical artifacts."
"HISS~ So many valuable resources up for auction! Lujiao Mountain is really going all out!"
"Tsk, that’s old news. And you’re all still gossiping about it."
"Oh? You have fresher news, perhaps?"
"Of course."
"Please, fellow Daoist, do enlighten us."
"The items at this auction are both rare and expensive. To ensure security, Lujiao Mountain is sending over four Foundation Establishment Great Demons."
"Four Foundation Establishment Great Demons?! Including the one already at the marketplace, doesn’t that mean there will be a total of five Foundation Establishment Great Demons overseeing things?!"
"Naturally. This auction is a huge event. The demons attending will be a mixed bag, and even many Foundation Establishment Great Demons will be present.
If the marketplace doesn’t have enough Great Demons presiding, how could they possibly deter the riffraff?!"
"True enough."
"..."
The Lujiao Mountain Marketplace grew increasingly lively, and conversations like this could be heard everywhere.
Xu Chang’an, however, was focused on alchemy, with no time for distractions.
As a shop within the marketplace, the Langlang Mountain Elixir Workshop was naturally expected to provide items for the auction.
Xu Chang’an planned to refine some Quasi-Tier Two Elixirs to be sold as the workshop’s auction items.
If there were profits, after deducting costs, he and Langlang Mountain would split them thirty-seventy.
He would get thirty percent, Langlang Mountain seventy.
This ratio was actually quite good. After all, he ate their food, lived in their space, and borrowed their reputation and platform.
Receiving a thirty percent cut was already a sign of considerable respect for his status as a Quasi-second-rank Alchemist.
Ordinary alchemists who refined elixirs for sale would only receive a fixed stipend, with no share of the profits.
Time passed, and with about seven days left until the official start of the auction, the Yellow Wasp Spirit from Yellow Wasp Mountain arrived at the Lujiao Mountain Marketplace.
Following the directions in Xu Chang’an’s letter, he made his way to the entrance of the elixir workshop.
"Langlang Mountain Elixir Workshop. This is the place."
Gazing at the plaque hanging above the workshop, the Yellow Wasp Spirit’s eyes were deep with emotion.
"Your Majesty, is this where your old friend resides?"
The Yellow Wasp Spirit was flanked by two other demons, a Wild Boar Spirit and a Leopard Spirit.
It was the Leopard Spirit who spoke.
His face was filled with curiosity. The workshop before them occupied a large area and had a constant stream of demons coming and going. It was clearly no simple establishment.
He had followed his king for nearly ten years and never imagined he had such a connection.
...
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