Once a martial artist reaches the Blood Exchange Realm, where they refine their marrow and blood, their Lifespan can reach as high as 180 years.
Gold and silver are no longer what they want to pursue.
What they pursue is a higher realm and a longer lifespan.
This is also the fundamental reason why high-level martial artists often do not use gold or silver in transactions; they primarily use elixirs as currency to barter for goods.
Jiang Shu put out a bid for his fifty bottles of High-Grade Medicinal Pill Qi Gathering Pill.
The plaza below erupted in screams as countless martial artists gasped and turned their gazes toward the second floor.
"Fifty bottles of Qi Gathering Pill once!"
The Goat-Bearded Elder spoke with fervor. With his level of expertise and experience, he naturally figured out the root cause of the VIP pricing for the Qi Gathering Pill at the first moment.
On the market, one bottle of Qi Gathering Pill is equivalent to ten bottles of Essence Great Elixir. However, the Qi Gathering Pill is undoubtedly more precious.
Directly asking for the Qi Gathering Pill not only raises the price but also demonstrates one's status and strength.
This mysterious guest was either from a noble or prestigious Aristocratic Clan, or held a high position in the merchant guild. Even someone at the Aperture Opening Realm like himself couldn't produce fifty bottles of Qi Gathering Pill all at once.
"Fifty bottles of Qi Gathering Pill... the second time."
His voice was deliberately slowed, and his gaze was fixed on the VIP room on the third floor, anticipating an even higher price.
First-class VIP room.
"Fifty bottles of Qi Gathering Pill, that's quite a price. Xiao Yu, do you think your young master should bid again?"
A young man, around twenty years old, lay half-reclined on the bed, dressed in a purple robe. In the shadows, a golden python seemed to appear and disappear, exuding an air of nobility.
He smiled knowingly, toying with a Jade Thumb Ring in his hand.
"Young master, this Little Five Elements Sword Formation is only a half-repaired Treasure Artifact. Any one of the treasures in your Storage Bag could easily surpass it."
"Five hundred bottles of Essence Great Elixir are already considered a high price."
Behind the young man, a woman spoke. Compared to women dressed in elegant and noble attire, this woman was dressed extremely simply. Yet, as she stood in the center of the VIP room, the Aperture within her body and the Origin Qi surrounding her resonated perfectly.
Looking through the window, he took in every move of everyone in the square.
The energy dissipated from all directions, and the calloused hands gripped the hilt of the knife, as if ready to draw it at any moment.
"I was just thinking that since you, Xiao Yu, are skilled with swords, and you've broken through to the Aperture Opening Realm, your young master should at least give you a gift. However, this Little Five Elements Sword Formation is still a defective product, and five hundred bottles of Essence Great Elixir are indeed too expensive. When we return to the Royal City, I'll pick one out for you from the treasury."
"Alright, don't be so tense. This is just Azure Sky Prefecture under Cloud State, not the frontier where you and I were back then."
"I haven't been back to the Royal City for many years, so I don't know how the Royal City Dragon-Tiger Rankings is doing now."
" The Hundred Dynasty War a year from now... I wonder how many true geniuses our Great Jing will produce this time?"
The young man murmured incessantly.
The images in my mind have shifted from the auction to the Royal City of many years ago.
In the square, seeing that no one else was willing to bid, the Goat-Bearded Elder finally struck the gavel.
The Little Five Elements Sword Disk was quickly delivered to Jiang Shu's hands.
"Go down. Tell the steward to prepare a Earth Fire Alchemy Room, along with the materials for Qi Gathering Pill. I will be refining pills here."
Feeling the softness behind him, Jiang Shu spoke directly in a low, husky voice, her age indiscernible.
He touched the set of Treasure Artifact in his hand and watched the maid leave with a heavy heart.
He didn't look down at the auction below.
The auction has now reached a climax, and the remaining items will tend to be more ordinary.
The real treasures are only presented as the grand finale.
But for me now, this Little Five Elements Sword Formation is already my biggest gain from this trip.
There is absolutely no need to participate in other auctions and risk making enemies by flaunting your wealth.
With a thought, a drop of Essence Blood rolled from Jiang Shu's finger onto the Little Five Elements Sword Formation.
The Treasure Artifact recognizes its owner.
Five Treasure Blade, each no more than eighty centimeters long, hummed softly.
Guided by Jiang Shu's True Force, they flew out from the Formation Disk and quickly formed a sword array. As they rotated, sonic booms echoed throughout the VIP room!
"Receive!"
Jiang Shu waved his hand, and five streams of True Force burst forth from his five fingers, retrieving all the Treasure Blade back into the Formation Disk.
Even without real combat.
But Jiang Shu could clearly feel the power of these Treasure Artifact. Even before he had officially unleashed their Treasure Pattern, these five treasured Treasure Blade had already significantly boosted his combat strength.
If he were in Fusang right now, even if Fighter Jet came, he was confident that he could cut through the air with five swords and kill them all at once!
Only missiles and nuclear weapons could instill fear in Xuanxing.
"It's time to go to the state capital. Once I successfully climb the Little Dragon-Tiger Rankings, learn the Superior Grade Cultivation Method, and advance to the Aperture Opening Realm, I can go back!"
" The Liang Family's matter should be resolved as well."
With these thoughts in mind, Jiang Shu gripped the Little Five Elements Formation Disk and left the VIP room.
The Earth Fire Alchemy Room.
A certificate with Panel that is permanent.
He just needs to increase his proficiency level, and his success rate will gradually approach 100%.
The success rate of the Qi Gathering Pill is getting higher and higher.
He swallowed a Qi Gathering Pill and felt the changes in his Origin Qi.
Jiang Shu refined elixirs once more.
Cultivation and alchemy.
It has been going on without interruption for a month.
His cultivation level finally reached the late stage of the Blood Exchange Realm.
Both the Four Symbols True Strength and the Four Seasons Swordplay are at a high Great Accomplishment.
"Master... you've come out..."
The stone door to the Earth Fire Alchemy Room slowly opened.
Outside the door, the steward waited every day. Seeing Jiang Shu emerge from the cloak, he quickly winked at the maid beside him and then went to greet him with an awkward smile.
"Twenty bottles of Qi Gathering Pill."
His voice betrayed no trace of joy or sorrow. With Jiang Shu's True Force guiding his movements, twenty bottles of pills landed on the table, making up for the previous price difference.
"Master, please wait a moment."
The person in charge rubbed his hands together, somewhat embarrassed, and said...
The status of High-Grade Alchemist is far beyond what a minor official like him can handle.
After a while, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside, followed by a fragrant breeze, and the door was pushed open and people entered.
Beneath the cloak, Jiang Shu's brows furrowed slightly.
Then, the woman in purple, who had once lured countless martial artists to open their wallets at the auction, strode over. Her prominent breasts were now clearly visible to Jiang Shu.
"Is this the High-Grade Alchemist? I am very pleased. May I ask if you have joined the Danxia Merchant Guild? If you are single, our Yanding Merchant Guild would like to hire you. You only need to refine ten bottles of Qi Gathering Pill per month."
"Regarding compensation, we will collect various rare Pill Formula for you. As long as you desire any Cultivation Method or Treasure Artifact, our Yanding Merchant Guild will immediately arrange a transaction with you."
Yu Ya'er's voice sounded as if it were ringing in Jiang Shu's ear, sending a tingling, soft sensation through him.
Her eyes were fixed on Jiang Shu, seemingly about to overflow with desire. Her slender waist swayed unconsciously from time to time, exuding natural allure.
"I'm used to being alone."
Even a regular Blood Exchange Realm martial artist, or even Aperture Opening Realm martial artist, might fall for this woman's tricks.
However, Jiang Shu, who had advanced to the Dan Jin and achieved a unity of essence, energy, and spirit, only felt a tremor in his heart before immediately regaining his clarity.
His voice remained unchanged as he continued, "Let's examine it. After that, I have other things to do."
"Good."
Looking at Jiang Shu with a puzzled expression, Yu Ya'er took a deep breath and slowly examined each bottle of pills, feeling a pang of disappointment. However, she quickly composed herself, smiling as she took out a Zhang Gui card from her sleeve, saying, "This is a VIP card from our Yanding Merchant Guild. With this card, Master, you can enjoy a 10% discount on purchases within our Yanding Merchant Guild, enter the auction without an invitation, and have your 20% commission on auctioned treasures reduced to 10%."
"If you join our Yanding Merchant Guild, we will not take a single penny of the auction Yanding Merchant Guild."
Finally, as if somewhat unwilling, Yu Ya'er invited her again.
"No."
He took the VIP card from Yu Ya'er's fair and slender hand.
Jiang Shu turned and left.
A short while later, the Goat-Bearded Elder came into another room and said, "Miss Yu, have you figured it out?"
"No, but something's strange."
Yu Ya'er shook her head.
"It's normal that you can't see anything. High-Grade Alchemist refine pills for a long time, so their mental strength is generally stronger than that of martial artists of the same level. Although Miss Yu cultivates Cultivation Method that brings natural charm, she is still only at the Blood Exchange Realm and cannot charm such a being."
"It's enough to be on good terms with them. Even in the state capital, a High-Grade Alchemist is treated with great respect by all the major powers. It's just a pity that we couldn't recruit them."
The Goat-Bearded Elder sighed with regret.
Unbeknownst to them, Yu Ya'er was staring blankly out the door.
Very few people know that the Cultivation Method she practices, while naturally alluring, has a major drawback.
A man who retains his pure yang nature will be more attractive to her than other men.
If I'm not mistaken, that High-Grade Alchemist from earlier was actually... a virgin?
This... how is this possible!
With such a level of attainment and status, what kind of woman couldn't he have?
This High-Grade Alchemist... is truly strange.
I can't figure it out.
Shaking her head, Yu Ya'er pulled herself out of her thoughts. She raised her jade-like hand, and her already alluring and exquisite face underwent a slight change.
The mature demeanor gradually disappeared.
Instead, there was an undeniable air of naiveté.
Her face went from looking like she was in her late twenties to looking like she was under twenty.
Inside the Qiankun Bag was a trench coat that completely covered her curves.
A thin veil was instantly placed over her face, concealing that hint of stunning beauty.
"Master Qian, this training has been very successful. I can feel that my Cultivation Method are about to be mastered. Thank you for your care during this time."
"Miss Yu, you're too kind. My cultivation level has reached its limit; I failed twice to break through to the Rebirth Realm. Perhaps when we meet again, your strength will far surpass mine. I wish Miss Yu a successful breakthrough and a place on the Dragon-Tiger Rankings after returning to the city."
The Goat-Bearded Elder smiled and congratulated him.
Meanwhile, Jiang Shu, who had left the Yanding Merchant Guild, changed his cloak after confirming multiple times that no one was following him and headed straight for the Danxia Merchant Guild.
"Young Master Jiang, this is the Little Dragon-Tiger Rankings for this issue."
"The biggest change is Chu Xisheng, the genius of the Chu Family in the state capital. He has challenged many times and directly reached the 23rd place, and fought to a draw with Zhao Zhongming. There is also Yu Ya'er from the Yanding Merchant Guild. She was originally ranked 9th, but because she has not appeared in the past six months and has no new achievements, she has been ranked 12th this time."
Jiang Shu held the Little Dragon-Tiger Rankings in his hand, while on the other side, a person in charge of this matter provided some specific details.
Chu Xisheng, Zhao Zhongming.
Jiang Shu didn't expect that she would hear these two familiar names as soon as she arrived.
He had heard of Zhao Zhongming's reputation for a long time. If nothing unexpected happened, Zhao Zhongming was currently waiting for him at the Danxia Merchant Guild in the state capital.
The moment he steps into the city, he will be met with a thunderous blow.
"It seems that Zhao Zhongming's strength is even greater than I imagined."
Jiang Shu murmured to himself.
Chu Xisheng was a martial artist in the late stage of the Blood Exchange Realm, and with his Aristocratic Clan background, his Cultivation Method arts were definitely at the peak of the same realm.
Even so, he managed to fight Zhao Zhongming to a draw.
It seems that Zhao Zhongming's strength has been rapidly improving since arriving in the capital. He is definitely not like Zhao Chengxuan, a mere showpiece with no substance.
"Alright, I understand. Thank you, Manager Jiang."
He quickly scanned the Little Dragon-Tiger Rankings in his hand.
Jiang Shu spoke up.
Without exception, all of the top twenty players are extremely strong.
Every genius has their own trump card.
Those in the top ten have Great Accomplishment mastered the Improved Forbidden Technique.
When used, combat power increases by 1.5 times.
In addition, every martial artist in this ranking has cultivated the most advanced Middle-Grade Cultivation Method techniques.
Even if the weapon in his hand wasn't Pseudo-Treasure Artifact, it had a similar hardness to Pseudo-Treasure Artifact.
Just like the Purple Gold Long Spear in Chu Xisheng's hand.
With such a powerful configuration, even a beginner at the Qi Aperture Opening Realm could be unexpectedly killed by someone from a higher realm.
Although his combat power soared after obtaining the Little Five Elements Sword Formation from the auction.
Completely unafraid of these.
But he still wanted to see if he could reach the top of the entire Little Dragon-Tiger Rankings without relying on Treasure Pattern, simply by relying on his own realm and strength!
At this moment, Manager Jiang looked at the incredibly young Jiang Shu with a conflicted expression.
He was also from the same lineage as the guild leader, so he naturally knew everything Jiang Shu had done in Yongning Prefecture and the battles he might face after entering the state capital.
From his perspective, he naturally hoped that Jiang Shu would win.
But... Zhao Zhongming, the genius ranked twenty-second, is too powerful.
Even though Young Master Jiang has outstanding martial arts talent, he still comes from a small county town and his background is not deep enough.
I still hope he fully understands the combat strength of the geniuses on the Little Dragon-Tiger Rankings before going to the state capital.
On the path of martial arts, just wait a bit, everything should be alright.
After hesitating for a moment, he spoke:
"Young Master Jiang, I've only heard from others that in Empress, there will be a challenge among the geniuses on the Little Dragon-Tiger Rankings in the county seat of Azure Sky Prefecture. It's Young Master Tang, ranked ninety-second, challenging Young Master Ouyang, ranked eighty-first. If Young Master Jiang has the time, you might as well go and take a look."