Chapter 77: Chapter 77: Tier One Lifespan Extension Pill
"Great King, I have not yet reached the Qi Refining Sixth Layer. One Middle-grade Magical Artifact is more than enough for me.
It will be time enough to consider a second Middle-grade Magical Artifact after I reach the Qi Refining Sixth Layer."
Xu Chang’an’s answer was what the assembled demons expected.
It was perfectly normal for a Quasi-second-rank Alchemist who hadn’t even reached the Late-stage Qi Refining to own a Middle-grade Magical Artifact.
After all, everyone knew that Alchemists were wealthy!
"Mm. Strive to break through to the Qi Refining Sixth Layer as soon as possible."
Jin Yuanba nodded.
He had only been asking casually.
...
The bidding below was fierce. The Middle-grade Magical Artifact was quickly sold to a Late-stage Qi Refining Old Demon for four hundred fifteen Demon Stones.
"Alright, let’s bring out our second auction item: a complete set of Middle-Grade Demon Talismans! This set includes a total of twelve Demon Talismans for escape, defense, attack, illusion, and more..."
"A complete set of Demon Talismans!"
The eyes of some demons lit up.
A complete set of Demon Talismans, designed to work in tandem, was incredibly powerful. What’s more, they were Middle-Grade. Even for an ordinary Qi Refining Old Demon, a set like this could be considered a trump card.
The calls of bidders rang out once more.
One by one, the auction items were brought out and sold.
"The next item we’re bringing out is a Tier-Breaking Elixir that can help one advance from the Mid-stage Qi Refining to the Late Stage: a Qi Gathering Pill!
This elixir was personally refined by our Marketplace’s renowned Gray Rat Alchemist. The starting bid is..."
"A Qi Gathering Pill! A Tier-Breaking Elixir!"
"I’ve been stuck at the Peak of Qi Refining Sixth Layer for ages! With this elixir, I’ll definitely break through to the Late-stage Qi Refining!"
"Haha, this old one doesn’t have much time left. I’ve searched high and low for a Qi Gathering Pill and never found a way to get one. This is excellent, truly excellent!"
"..."
The demons below were in an uproar.
As a Tier-Breaking Elixir that could help one break into the Late-stage Qi Refining, the Qi Gathering Pill was far more valuable than any ordinary Middle-grade Magical Artifact.
Magical Artifacts were merely external tools, but one’s Cultivation was one’s own.
Entering the Late-stage Qi Refining meant a quantum leap in both status and identity.
Only those in the Late-stage Qi Refining could truly be called an Old Demon!
"Grey Rat, the elixir you refined is very popular!"
Jin Ling’Er walked to Xu Chang’an’s side, bringing with her a faint, sweet fragrance.
"Mm."
Xu Chang’an grunted in acknowledgment, saying nothing more.
Jin Ling’Er didn’t seem disappointed and simply stood quietly beside him.
’I’ll have to find an opportunity to clear the air,’ Xu Chang’an thought.
...
"Alright, let’s bring out our next item for auction: the Tier One Lifespan Extension Pill!
We have a total of seven of these pills for auction, all refined from the same batch.
A Tier One Lifespan Extension Pill can extend one’s life by three to ten years.
It can be taken a maximum of three times, with diminishing effects each time!
The exact results will vary from demon to demon."
The Mountain Deer Spirit announced confidently from the round stage.
"A Tier One Lifespan Extension Pill!"
The eyes of some elderly Old Demons glinted with sharp light.
Demons in the Mid-stage Qi Refining could still hope to use a Tier-Breaking Elixir to reach the Late Stage and extend their lifespans.
But for the Late-stage Qi Refining Old Demons with no hope of ever reaching Foundation Establishment, this Tier One Lifespan Extension Pill was their only recourse!
Even an Inferior Foundation Establishment Pill of the worst quality would easily cost tens of thousands of Demon Stones.
Not only was the price astronomical, but they were also incredibly difficult to acquire.
By comparison, the price of a Tier One Lifespan Extension Pill was quite reasonable.
’If I can win a Lifespan Extension Pill, I can live for at least another three years!
Three years... that’s enough time for me to make arrangements for Xiong’Er.’
"We will now begin the auction for the first Lifespan Extension Pill! The starting bid is two hundred Demon Stones. Let the bidding begin!"
The Mountain Deer Spirit announced, his voice filled with excitement.
The Lifespan Extension Pill was a special type of elixir.
It was not only difficult to refine, but its key ingredients were also hard to find. A starting bid of two hundred Demon Stones was perfectly normal.
"A Lifespan Extension Pill!"
Inside the private box, Xu Chang’an’s eyes lit up.
The Tier Three Alchemy Inheritance he was studying naturally included the Alchemy Technique for the Tier One Lifespan Extension Pill.
It didn’t just have the Tier One version; techniques for Tier Two and Tier Three were recorded as well.
With his current skill as a Quasi-second-rank Alchemist, he could refine it.
The only problem was, while he had the skill, he lacked the main ingredients.
Moreover, the Alchemy Technique inherited from Langlang Mountain contained no record of how to refine a Lifespan Extension Pill.
Even if he had the key ingredients, he couldn’t possibly start refining them openly.
Xu Chang’an was about to enter the bidding.
"Elder Grey Rat, are you interested in bidding for the Lifespan Extension Pill?"
Seeing Xu Chang’an’s interest, Jin Yuanba asked.
"Great King, I am of the Mouse Demon clan, a race born with a short lifespan.
Combined with my inferior Bloodline and talent, my Demon Path has been difficult. If I could win a Lifespan Extension Pill, it would give me some hope for the future."
Xu Chang’an explained.
Jin Yuanba nodded. Xu Chang’an’s explanation was perfectly reasonable.
The Mouse Demon clan was known for its short lifespans, so it was understandable that he would want to extend his.
"If you were to win the Lifespan Extension Pill, could you perhaps reverse-engineer it and deduce the Alchemy Technique?"
Jin Yuanba asked suddenly.
Hm!?
Xu Chang’an’s mind raced.
"Great King, the Alchemy Technique for the Lifespan Extension Pill is indeed difficult. But with my current skill as a Quasi-second-rank Alchemist, if I had the right guidance, mastering it wouldn’t be too hard.
If I could win a few Lifespan Extension Pills to study through repeated trial and error, there’s a very high probability I could deduce the Alchemy Technique."
Of course, Xu Chang’an was just saying what Jin Yuanba wanted to hear.
Reverse-engineering an Alchemy Technique from a finished elixir wasn’t impossible, but it was about as difficult as ascending to the heavens.
Xu Chang’an had said this simply to achieve his goal in one fell swoop: to acquire three Lifespan Extension Pills at once.
In his current position, if he were to bid himself, winning one pill might be fine. But winning three would draw far too much attention.
But if he had Jin Yuanba’s support...
"Is that really true?!"
Jin Yuanba’s eyes lit up.
"I once had a small gathering with friends on Red Cloud Mountain, where I had a chance to speak with an Alchemist from there.
Even if my own attempts at reverse-engineering fail, I could still pay them a visit with gifts in hand to ask for guidance."
Xu Chang’an said, his expression calm.
"Red Cloud Mountain!
You have friends on Red Cloud Mountain?!"
Jin Yuanba pressed.
"Old Ancestor, it’s true."
Before Xu Chang’an could answer, Jin Ling’Er, who was standing beside him, spoke up to confirm it.
"Good."
The cost of a few Tier One Lifespan Extension Pills was a loss he could afford, even if this venture failed.
But if they succeeded in reverse-engineering the Alchemy Technique, the returns would be...
A glint flashed in Jin Yuanba’s eyes, and he made his decision in an instant.
By now, the bidding for the Lifespan Extension Pill on the floor had already reached three hundred twenty Demon Stones.
"Four hundred Demon Stones!"
Jin Yuanba’s voice rang out, decisive.
Down below, a Qi Refining Old Demon who was about to make a bid realized the voice came from one of the private boxes above.
’A Foundation Establishment Great Demon!’
The expressions of some Qi Refining Old Demons changed.
’This is only the first Lifespan Extension Pill, and there are still six more to go!
Offending a Foundation Establishment Great Demon isn’t worth the trouble! The potential loss far outweighs the gain!’
Heaving a final sigh, they decided to give up on the first Lifespan Extension Pill for now.
"Four hundred Demon Stones going once, four hundred Demon Stones going twice... Sold!
The first Lifespan Extension Pill goes to the distinguished guest in private box number five!"
The Mountain Deer Spirit scanned the crowd, and seeing no other bidders, announced loudly.
The first Lifespan Extension Pill was secured.
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