Dragon-Elephant Body Tempering Technique (Seeking Follow-up Reads)

"The first auction item today is..."

After Lu Tianxiong finished introducing the grand finale item, he handed the subsequent proceedings over to a poised and elegant woman, while he himself continued to mingle and build rapport with the various guests at the banquet.

It must be said that although the Snake Tribe demon-man was considered difficult to tame in the eyes of the crowd, there were always people glancing at him from time to time; after all, demon-men were a rare sight in Black Stone County.

Within the Great Jing, demon-men were scarce, and it was only in the small villages extremely close to the Black Profound Mountain Range that they would frequently raid, burn, and pillage.

Because of the protection provided by powerful martial artists, even in a county like Black Stone County, which was near the Black Profound Mountain Range, incidents involving demon-men were extremely rare.

Zhou Yun had little interest in the subsequent auctions. He felt a slight stir of interest whenever he heard of certain precious medicines, but since a single stalk would cost him the better part of his savings, they seemed less like absolute necessities.

"The next item up for auction is a rare Buddhist martial art, known as the Dragon-Elephant Body Tempering Technique..."

The beautiful auctioneer held up a yellowed booklet and explained in a melodic voice, "This is a defensive martial art from the Buddhist sects of the West Cold Lands. It is said to be able to enhance one's physical strength to a certain degree, functioning as a unique form of body tempering..."

A method for body tempering?

Zhou Yun's eyes brightened slightly, and he became interested.

"Due to various reasons, when I acquired this Dragon-Elephant Body Tempering Technique, I only obtained the first half. Furthermore, it requires a massive amount of internal energy to temper the body, making it quite difficult... The starting bid is fifty taels."

As soon as these words were spoken, many onlookers shook their heads.

Although methods for body tempering were rare, they were not exactly extinct; martial artists with even a bit of background had more or less come into contact with them.

However, because body tempering consumed even more blood essence and internal energy than grueling martial arts training, very few people had the resources to sustain it.

Not to mention that once one began a body-tempering martial art, they had to persist, or else their physical strength would regress rather than advance.

Even among wealthy families with ample resources, few would let their martial artists practice a body-tempering art, as the time and energy required were simply not proportional to the results.

"Is Junior Brother Zhou interested in this body-tempering art?"

Seeing Zhou Yun's interest, Chen Jingping spoke up, "This body-tempering art is different from unarmed combat techniques. Unless one can persist in grueling training for years, there will be no results to speak of..."

He naturally knew that Zhou Yun possessed certain attainments and talent in martial arts, but he did not want Zhou Yun to waste too much time on body tempering.

Even in the main city, geniuses who could settle their minds and achieve something in body tempering were extremely rare; most either could not endure the hardship required to persist.

Or, they felt that if they had that time, they would be better off learning a few more combat techniques to gain more versatility.

"Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother, but I still want to give it a try..."

Zhou Yun did not finish his sentence. For others, the issue of insufficient blood essence might be a concern.

But for him, what he lacked most was a means of physical protection.

As for the accumulation of years of effort? All of that could be smoothed over by his massive blood essence; what Zhou Yun lacked the least was a continuous supply of it.

Currently, his Black Ape Fist Technique had reached perfection, having already derived a Great Success palm technique and finger technique, along with a Great Success movement technique.

In terms of weapon-based martial arts, the Thunder Meteor Spear Art was enough to keep him busy with grueling practice.

Right now, he was indeed missing a hard-style defensive technique to enhance his physical toughness.

"Very well, since that is the case, I, as your senior brother, cannot stop you."

Chen Jingping did not say anything more. When the bidding for the body-tempering technique began, he was the first to raise his paddle.

"Sixty taels."

The beautiful auctioneer's eyes lit up. She had not held high expectations for this body-tempering art, and she had not expected someone to raise the price by ten taels of silver right from the start.

"This young master has bid sixty taels. Are there any other guests who would like to bid higher?"

Among the crowd, a burly man with a thick beard hesitated for a long time before raising his paddle and saying, "Seventy taels."

"Eighty taels."

Seeing someone raise the price, Chen Jingping simply raised his paddle again with an indifferent expression.

"Eighty taels? That can be considered a high price for a body-tempering art... Since you like it so much, brother, I shall yield and let it go."

The burly man gave up on raising the bid, as it seemed he had only wanted to try his luck to see if he could win it at a lower price.

Once the price went high, it immediately exceeded his expectations.

Afterward, those who had hoped to pick up a bargain saw that the price had already reached eighty taels and one by one gave up on the idea of bidding.

"Very well, then this Dragon-Elephant Body Tempering Technique goes to this young master!"

The beautiful auctioneer smiled enchantingly, clearly quite satisfied with the result.

A graceful maidservant placed the martial art manual on a tray and swayed her hips as she walked over to Chen Jingping.

"Junior Brother Zhou, I have won this martial art for you. If you like this maidservant, you may take her as well."

Chen Jingping handed the body-tempering manual to Zhou Yun; spending eighty taels seemed to cause him no great disturbance.

"This... thank you, Senior Brother."

Zhou Yun did not know what to say for a moment and could only nod in agreement.

From the guidance he received when he first posted the notice, to the subsequent financial support... and now the promises made at the White Phoenix Martial Hall, as well as this gift of a martial art.

Chen Jingping's kindness toward him was beyond words.

"You may return, miss. I do not particularly like taking in concubines."

Zhou Yun spoke to the attendant beside him, and seeing this, she did not insist, turning around to return to the auction floor.

"Junior Brother, there is no need for such formalities. You helped my Chen family secure the mineral vein for the White Phoenix Martial Hall last time, and I have yet to thank you properly in private."

Chen Jingping smiled indifferently: "Besides, you are a martial artist I have been sponsoring; your increase in strength is also beneficial to me."

"If you have any need for my assistance in the future, Senior Brother, just say the word."

Zhou Yun cupped his hands and said.

The other party had done him a great favor, saving him a significant portion of his wealth.

Although it might not mean much to this Senior Brother Chen, one must understand the principle of repaying kindness.

"Having your word is enough."

Chen Jingping patted Zhou Yun on the shoulder and said nothing more.

Standing beside the two, Liang Chengshi said with a hint of envy: "It must be nice to have a sponsor. That old man in my family complains about the cost whenever he buys me something extra. Why don't you sponsor me too, Senior Brother Chen..."

"You? Spend less silver at the Kiln Pavilion... Master Liang has taught you plenty of martial arts, yet it is a pity you have only achieved minor success in two of them..."

Chen Jingping sighed, looking as if he felt sorry for Master Liang.

"Senior Brother Chen, exposing my past is fine once, but could you stop using it as a running joke..."

Seeing his past misdeeds brought up for a lecture again, Liang Chengshi felt rather sullen.

"Hahaha, alright, alright... Next time, Senior Brother will treat you to the Cuiyun Pavilion personally."

Seeing Liang Chengshi's gloom, Chen Jingping laughed heartily.

"Really? Then I'm going for the top performer; I'll definitely make you bleed some silver, Senior Brother..."

Upon hearing this, Liang Chengshi immediately became interested, the gloom on his face swept away in an instant.

Zhou Yun watched from the side, finding it amusing, yet he also felt that having such camaraderie among fellow disciples was not half bad.

The auction banquet proceeded quickly. After a few more pieces of precious armor and medicinal treasures, the event reached the grand finale: the Snake Tribe savage.

"A Snake Tribe savage with Bright Force at the Great Success stage, starting bid... one hundred taels!"

The beautiful female auctioneer announced to the crowd.