Chapter 80: The Purple Small Pot
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The Black Water City Auction House had meticulously prepared for this event, ensuring every lot was captivating. While the items presented after the Realm-Breaking Pill didn’t reach its astronomical price, they still kept the audience engaged, with no piece falling flat. The competitive atmosphere grew more intense with each round.
“Our next artifact is quite intriguing,” Fu Rong teased, her voice enchanting. “But its charm cannot be conveyed through mere words. To do it justice, I will demonstrate its unique qualities for everyone to see.”
Fu Rong’s statement instantly piqued the crowd’s curiosity.
With a captivating smile, she gestured for the 88th item to be brought to the stage. It was a small Purple Small Pot, made of clay, with a slender handle and a long spout. It bore a striking resemblance to a common teapot.
Some were visibly disappointed.
Others found their interest growing stronger.
Yu Zhao furrowed her brows.
She sensed a familiar illusionary fluctuation emanating from the Purple Small Pot. Could it be related to the Illusory Tides Technique?
At that moment, Fu Rong held the pot delicately in her hands, showing it to the audience. She then spoke softly, “I will now infuse the pot with spiritual energy. Keep your eyes open—you won’t want to miss this.”
As her words faded, spiritual energy flowed into the Purple Small Pot, which began to emit a faint, eerie glow. A wisp of smoke floated from the spout, slowly condensing into the form of a woman in her thirties.
The woman wore a crimson palace dress, with willow-shaped eyebrows, captivating phoenix eyes, and striking red lips. Her beauty was enchanting, yet her presence radiated a chilling aura of dominance.
Her piercing gaze swept across the audience, causing a collective shiver. Instinctively, everyone held their breath.
Then, her eyes sharpened. Her voice was icy, but her words thundered through the hall: “Those who block my path shall perish.”
The mere four words carried boundless killing intent. Lesser cultivators began to sweat profusely, their legs trembling in fear.
“The demonstration is over. Please pardon the offense,” Fu Rong said warmly, breaking the tense atmosphere.
As her voice faded, the commanding figure dissolved back into a plume of smoke, retreating into the Purple Small Pot.
A moment of silence hung over the hall before it erupted into astonished murmurs.
“That was incredible! A mere artifact created such a vivid illusion!”
“For a second, I thought I was face-to-face with a Golden Core cultivator. I didn’t even dare to breathe!”
“So… is this artifact just for scaring people?”
“…”
Meng Yue’s face lit up with excitement. “Sister Yu, do you think that illusionary woman was real? If she existed, she must have been an extraordinary figure!”
Yu Zhao pondered for a moment before nodding. “I believe she was real.”
Her gaze deepened.
Although she had never met Bright Moon Hermit, the creator of the Illusory Tides Technique, the moment she saw the crimson-robed woman, a strong premonition gripped her. The woman was none other than Bright Moon Hermit, the legendary figure who achieved enlightenment through the act of slaying her husband.
This Purple Small Pot was likely crafted personally by Bright Moon Hermit as an Illusory Artifact.
Determined, Yu Zhao resolved to acquire it.
“Esteemed guests,” Fu Rong resumed, her voice melodic, “I trust there’s no need for further explanation. This artifact’s greatest feature lies in its ability to create illusions based on the spiritual energy infused. It can disrupt the opponent’s mind, offering a potential lifesaving advantage. The starting price is two superior-grade Spirit Stones, with no minimum increment. Let the bidding begin!”
However, many cultivators who had initially shown interest were immediately deterred by the high starting price.
While the craftsmanship of the Purple Small Pot was remarkable, and it could prove invaluable in certain scenarios, its utility was somewhat niche. Moreover, it offered little to aid personal cultivation.
They would rather absorb the spiritual energy contained in two Superior Spirit Stones than trade them for that item.
At the same time, they secretly ridiculed, wondering who the foolish buyer might be to purchase such an appealing but useless Magical Artifact.
“Ten Superior Spirit Stones.”
Yu Zhao raised her bidding paddle.
She didn’t care what others thought; she was determined to win this Purple Small Pot.
The crowd was stunned, their gazes turning toward Yu Zhao.
Seeing her youthful appearance yet realizing she was already a late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator with an extraordinary aura, many people showed expressions of envy and jealousy.
Fu Rong paused, then smiled slightly. “Guest number 119 bids ten Superior Spirit Stones.”
The remaining few who still intended to bid shook their heads after hearing Yu Zhao’s offer, abandoning their thoughts.
In the end, Yu Zhao secured the Purple Small Pot for ten Superior Spirit Stones.
She played with the certificate sent by the auction house, feeling elated.
If it weren’t for the Supreme Essence Water that had yet to appear, she would have taken the certificate to claim the Purple Small Pot immediately to examine it in detail.
As Yu Zhao basked in her satisfaction, three members of the Green Wood Sect seated in the VIP section turned their discussion toward her.
Tian Han was the first to recognize Yu Zhao.
The events in Dragon Roar Valley had just passed, and she remained vivid in his memory.
If Yu Zhao hadn’t insisted on rescuing someone, Mu Ye wouldn’t have felt compelled to help, and they wouldn’t have disagreed with Mu Ye, leading to their estrangement.
He blamed Yu Zhao as the root cause, his expression tightening.
Noticing his reaction, Wang Qian and Guo Ming En exchanged puzzled glances.
Tian Han silently signaled to Guo Ming En, who turned to look at Yu Zhao. His face darkened instantly.
“Are you two playing wordless charades in front of me? What’s the secret I’m not supposed to hear?” Wang Qian said unhappily.
Tian Han and Guo Ming En, seeking tasks from Wang Qian, naturally dared not offend their benefactor. Fueling their resentment, they exaggerated the events of Dragon Roar Valley while narrating them to Wang Qian.
Knowing Wang Qian and Mu Ye were at odds, they emphasized the close relationship between Mu Ye and Yu Zhao.
Wang Qian was surprised to learn that Yu Zhao was a disciple of the Five Elements Dao Sect.
In the cultivation world, the saying goes, “One sect, two clans, four factions.” Although these seven sects appeared equally powerful, the ranking indicated the Five Elements Dao Sect’s unrivaled status.
His pride as a Pill Hall Disciple of the Green Wood Sect seemed insignificant compared to her.
However, Wang Qian recalled that disciples of the Five Elements Dao Sect were divided into inner disciples, outer disciples, and personal disciples.
If the woman named Yu Zhao was merely an inner disciple, they could still be on equal footing.
He asked, “Whose personal disciple is she in the Five Elements Dao Sect?”
After a moment of silence, seeing no response from Tian Han or Guo Ming En, Wang Qian looked at them in confusion.
Tian Han forced a smile and said in a low voice, “She’s the personal disciple of Master Qing Yan.”
Wang Qian’s body trembled, rendered speechless.
Master Qing Yan was universally acknowledged as the foremost cultivator in the cultivation world.
It was no wonder Guo Ming En and Tian Han harbored resentment toward Yu Zhao but didn’t dare express it, not even risking a glance at her lest she noticed the hatred in their eyes.
Wang Qian began to waver, inclined to drop the matter. However, he noticed the eager, trusting gazes of Tian Han and Guo Ming En directed at him.
His throat tightened, leaving him feeling trapped.
Considering she used illusions for herself earlier, when leaving the sect, it seems amiss from a a story-telling perspective that she ceased doing so, thereby allowing this altercation to even occur.