CHAPTER 620: CHAPTER 605: "GREAT DERIVATION GENG METAL SWORD" AND "LITTLE QIANKUN SHIFTING ARRAY

[Ice Tear Flower] in hand, Zhouyang now possesses three treasures that aid in Nascent Soul Formation.

Typically, a Ninth-Layer Golden Core Cultivator would be ready to make a determined attempt to break through to the Nascent Soul Stage with just a single treasure like the [Fetus Nurturing Pill] to aid them.

Zhouyang now has three types of treasures assisting in Nascent Soul Formation: [Holy Infant Fruit], [Ice Tear Flower], and [Fetus Nurturing Pill], a foundation that few Golden Core Stage cultivators can match.

Especially the [Holy Infant Fruit], which can increase the success rate of forming a Nascent Soul by 30%. If used in conjunction with the [Fetus Nurturing Pill], it can almost boost his success rate to over 50%.

Such a high success rate is quite rare among cultivators preparing for Core Formation and Nascent Soul Formation.

Zhouyang is quite satisfied with this. With these treasures in hand, once his cultivation reaches the Ninth Layer of the Golden Core, he can boldly attempt to break through to the Nascent Soul Stage without having to continue spending substantial time searching for Nascent Soul Spiritual Objects or waiting until his lifespan is nearly exhausted before making a final desperate attempt, like other Golden Core Stage cultivators.

Returning alone to Chongxuan Mountain, Zhouyang spent the following years with his wife and son, peacefully waiting for the day of departure.

Although he didn’t retreat into seclusion to cultivate any divine techniques, he didn’t abandon various preparations.

On the contrary, during these few years of rest, he prepared many items that might be useful for himself.

For instance, using the Tier Five Barbaric Beast Heart from the [Earth-Splitting Divine Elephant] he once killed, along with two drops of [Rejuvenating Immortal Dew], he once again exchanged for a life-saving talisman [Yuqing Immortal Talisman] from the Yuqing Daoist Sect.

Then, with the Tier Five Middle-Grade Barbaric Beast Heart obtained from slaying the giant ape beast in the Wilderness Jungle, he exchanged with the Profound Sun Immortal Sect for a [Profound Sun Purple Sky Divine Thunder] jade talisman.

These Tier Five Barbaric Beast Hearts could have served as the main ingredients for refining life-extending elixirs, and Zhouyang had kept them in his possession, intending for his Dao Companion Xiao Ying to use them for refining pills in the future.

But since Xiao Ying has yet to advance as a Tier Five Alchemist and has not obtained any formula for a life-extending elixir, these two spiritual objects, despite Zhouyang’s excellent preservation, have gradually started losing their essence due to time.

After careful consideration, he decided to exchange these two spiritual objects for life-saving items to carry with him.

Compared to spiritual objects that can be acquired again, the life-saving [Yuqing Immortal Talisman] and [Profound Sun Purple Sky Divine Thunder] jade talisman are undoubtedly more important for him as he is about to embark on a distant journey.

Once everything was ready, Zhouyang finally took out the flying swords he had been nurturing for twelve years from the "pregnancy artifact" tripod cauldron a month before his departure.

The twelve-year "pregnancy artifact" was Zhouyang’s longest time nurturing an artifact since he learned artifact refining skills.

When he cast a spell to open the cauldron lid, clear and bright sword cries whistled out, with golden sword aura soaring skyward, instantly leaving numerous sword holes on the stone ceiling of the Artifact Refining Chamber whose depths were yet unknown.

Witnessing this scene, Zhouyang’s face showed joy instead of surprise.

Since advancing as a Tier Five Refiner, he has successfully refined six or seven Tier Five Spiritual Artifacts, including swords and other similar artifacts.

However, none of the spiritual artifacts produced such phenomena when coming out of the cauldron.

Although the flying sword’s body inside the tripod cauldron hadn’t emerged yet, judging by the momentum just now, it’s evident that the flying sword within is no ordinary item.

"Sword, come!"

With a gesture from Zhouyang, the twelve flying swords infused with his life essence blood during refining immediately streamed out from the opened tripod cauldron, humming as they circled and danced around him.

These twelve flying swords emerged from the same cauldron and naturally shared the same design. Measuring three-feet-three-inches-and-three-centimeters long and displaying a gold-red color, they hovered in midair without any magical power activation, their bodies emitting sharp and fierce sword auras. This was the Geng Metal Sword Aura inherent to the flying swords after Geng Metal was incorporated, known for its unparalleled sharpness.

Observing the twelve flying swords, Zhouyang willed one to fly in front of him, then reached out to grasp its blade.

With his immensely powerful physique, Zhouyang could easily break a Tier Five Lower Grade Flying Sword by simply grabbing it.

However, upon touching the Geng Metal Sword Aura exuding from the flying sword, he felt a sting in his palm, and fine blood lines appeared on its surface, oozing slight blood.

Though he knew he could forcefully grab the sword blade by exerting effort, he realized it was unnecessary.

These flying swords were personally refined by him, and no one understands their material hardness better than himself. Even if he truly mastered the "Azure Dragon Body Refining Technique" to its Fourth Layer, it’s unlikely he could break them.

The testing continued.

Zhouyang cast a spell, directing magical power onto the flying sword. Instantly, a golden arc of electricity shot forth from the sword, striking an iron wall within the Artifact Refining Chamber.

This iron wall, one-zhang thick, was crafted by Zhouyang using Profound Iron, Refined Gold, and various Spiritual Golds, specially made for testing the power of spiritual artifacts.

Now, as the golden arc struck the wall, it left a crack over a chi deep amidst the wall’s array of pits and scratches.

From this perspective, the power of this golden arc of lightning is comparable to an ordinary Tier Five Lower Grade Spell.

However, considering that this is just the power of thunder contained in a flying sword, this strike cannot be viewed so simply.

Without a doubt, these newly crafted twelve flying swords will become a major killing move in Zhouyang’s hands.

"Since they are to be used for performing the Great Derivation Sword Technique, let’s call you the Great Derivation Geng Metal Swords in the future!"

Inside the Artifact Refining Chamber, Zhouyang absorbed the twelve flying swords into his body, smiling as he named them.

With these twelve incomparably sharp Great Derivation Geng Metal Swords, the Taiyin Soul-cutting Saber and the Fiery Sun Heart-Burning Spear, which he has always been using, can retire early.

Even with his Divine Sense and Magical Power, simultaneously wielding twelve Tier Five Lower Grade Spiritual Artifact flying swords, and then using these Tier Five Upper Grade Spiritual Artifacts would be too taxing, somewhat counterproductive.

Among them, the Taiyin Soul-cutting Saber was bestowed by Zhouyang to his eldest disciple Lu Xuewei. As long as she can form her core in the future, she can immediately refine this extraordinarily suitable Tier Five Upper Grade Spiritual Artifact for her use.

As for the Cold Jade Essence and the Jade Liquid Golden Pill needed for Lu Xuewei’s core formation, Zhouyang has also handed them over to his Dao companion Xiao Ying, instructing her to give them to Lu Xuewei only after she fails to form her core once on her own, to prevent her from being tempted and using them prematurely.

The Fiery Sun Heart-Burning Spear was loaned by Zhouyang to Lan Cailian, who had already formed her core, to enhance her magical combat ability. Additionally, Zhouyang also gave Lan Cailian two Tier Five Lower Grade Spiritual Artifacts he refined.

For the newly-core-formed and impoverished Lan Cailian, these artifacts were exactly what she urgently needed. So, even though she knew it was a favor not easy to repay, she could not refuse Zhouyang’s kindness and had to accept the favor, seeking an opportunity to repay in the future.

Then, Zhouyang handed over the Soul Capturing Treasure Pearl, a Tier Five High-Grade Spiritual Artifact, to his Dao companion Xiao Ying for refinement. This item’s effectiveness is remarkable, relying on its suddenness.

Currently, the news that Xiao Ying is cultivating an auxiliary cultivation technique as a Golden Core Stage Cultivator has already spread to Zhouyang’s friends and enemies. Surely, even if his enemies attack Chongxuan Mountain, they won’t pay much attention to Xiao Ying.

In such a situation, if Xiao Ying suddenly deploys this artifact, unexpected results might be achieved.

After arranging everything, when the day of departure arrived, Zhouyang bid farewell to his wife, child, apprentices, and others at the top of Chongxuan Mountain.

"My dear husband, take care on your journey, and don’t forget the promise you made to me!"

At the top of Chongxuan Mountain, Xiao Ying tightly held Zhouyang’s hand, their fingers intertwined, as tears continuously flowed from her beautiful eyes.

"Ying’er, you must also take care of yourself and patiently wait for my return!"

Zhouyang reached out with his other hand to wipe the tears from his Dao companion’s eyes, speaking with a tone of deep sadness.

This departure, he didn’t know when he would see his wife and child again, and his heart was equally heavy.

Behind them, Zhou Guangcheng, watching his parents’ wistful farewell, felt a wave of sour sadness and couldn’t help but shout loudly, "Father, I’m waiting for you to come back and take me to the Boundless Desert Sea to pay respects to Grandpa and Grandma. Please come back as soon as you’ve finished your business, don’t let me wait too long!"

"Good son, I will certainly rush back as soon as possible!"

Zhouyang nodded firmly to his son, earnestly reminding him, "While I’m not at home, listen to Elder Qianyang and your mother well, don’t make them angry; if you go out to practice cultivation, be cautious and low-key, think twice before doing anything, and don’t act recklessly; also, don’t neglect your cultivation because you have good talent, and don’t let down the expectations of all your elders!"

"I will remember, Father, don’t worry. I will definitely keep your advice in mind, and I wish you a safe journey!"

Zhou Guangcheng nodded vigorously, responding loudly to his father’s advice, offering his sincerest blessings.

"Husband, safe journey!" Xiao Ying also tightly gripped her Dao companion’s hand, tearfully offering her blessings.

"Master, safe journey!" Lu Xuewei and Wang Yanzhang, his two apprentices, also earnestly offered their blessings with sincerity.

"You all take care too!"

Zhouyang’s gaze swept over his wife, child, apprentices, and others, nodding heavily to everyone with a saddened tone, then with a movement, he stepped onto the back of the quietly waiting Seven-Colored Peacock beside him. "Cai’Er, let’s go."

"Let’s go, on our way to find the master!"

The Seven-Colored Peacock Jiang Cai’Er cheerfully cheered, spreading its wings, transforming into a multi-colored stream of light, carrying Zhouyang and vanishing from the summit of Chongxuan Mountain.

This time, as he headed for the Donghua Continent Cultivation Realm, Zhouyang didn’t take anyone else along, not even his pet, the Golden-winged Thunder Eagle, but solely the Seven-Colored Peacock Jiang Cai’Er.

As the spirit beast of Jiang Fengxian, Jiang Cai’Er, although not bound by the Demonic Soul Contract with Jiang Fengxian, shares a certain connection through some Beast Taming Secret Technique with Jiang Fengxian, making it significantly helpful for Zhouyang in searching for Jiang Fengxian by bringing it along.

Zhouyang rode swiftly on the Seven-Colored Peacock, reaching Liuyun Immortal City in just over two months. This time, as he arrived at Liuyun Immortal City, he didn’t disguise his identity. He appeared in his true form.

So when he high-profiled appeared in Liuyun Immortal City, he was soon noticed by the Copper City Guo Family, who had once issued a bounty on him and hired the Tattooed Face Butcher Wu Biao to assassinate him.

But to this day, even if the Guo Family of Tong City knows that he is the mysterious cultivator who once brought great shame to their clan, they dare not make any small moves in the face of his illustrious achievements.

Back then, Master Cyan Yang told Zhouyang that those families within the Liuyun Commerce Alliance are extremely prone to bullying the weak and fearing the strong. Once they realize their enemies are powerful, they will use a merchant’s method to sacrifice wealth to avoid disaster, actively bringing gifts to seek reconciliation.

Zhouyang, after his identity was revealed during the war between the Profound Purity Dao Alliance and the Six Paths Alliance, originally thought that upon hearing the news, the Guo Family of Tong City would send someone to offer him gifts for reconciliation.

In that case, because he now had a family, a household, and a power, he might just demand compensation to settle this matter.

Unexpectedly, over a hundred years have passed, and the other side still feigns ignorance.

Evidently, in the eyes of the Guo Family, although Zhouyang could kill the "Tattooed Face Butcher" Wu Biao, and his achievements were astounding, they still did not think it worth lowering their dignity to concede, hence adopting a "procrastination strategy" to gloss over this matter.

It seems that in the Guo Family’s eyes, despite Zhouyang’s formidable strength, as long as he does not form a Nascent Soul, they dare not truly provoke their family.

Even if Zhouyang does manage to form a Nascent Soul in the future, he would still have to consider the views of the Nascent Soul stage cultivators and powerful forces within the Liuyun Commerce Alliance before moving against the Guo Family.

The likely outcome, in the end, is that the Guo Family would make amends with a substantial gift, and the matter would be settled.

Of course, in Zhouyang’s eyes, such thinking by the Guo Family is merely self-deceptive and daydreaming!

He indeed has no time nor convenience to act against the Guo Family right now, but when he successfully forms a Nascent Soul in the future, this insignificant Guo Family will surely pay a heavy price for their foolishness!

One day, they will realize what a precious reconciliation opportunity they have missed!

Moreover, upon entering Liuyun Immortal City, Zhouyang was not in the mood to wander around but directly rented a courtyard in a high-level Immortal Inn within the city, patiently awaiting the grand auction to be held in over a month.

He had already obtained accurate information that this grand auction would feature fifteen teleportation slots to the Donghua Continent Cultivation Realm.

According to the intelligence he gathered, the cross-cultivation realm teleportation array within Liuyun Immortal City could transport up to a hundred people per activation, with over half the teleportation slots reserved in advance by various Nascent Soul stage cultivators and major forces within the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm. Only the remaining slots would be auctioned off.

This time, fifteen slots were available, which was quite a lot, so the price should be somewhat discounted.

Over a month later, the grand auction was held as scheduled.

This auction was exclusively for high-tier cultivators, with only cultivators above the Purple Mansion Stage eligible to participate, and the entry fee was as steep as three thousand lower-grade spirit stones.

Zhouyang had no special privilege within Liuyun Immortal City, so he merely bought a regular ticket and was allocated a modest small room.

The facilities within the small room were similar to those he had experienced during auctions in Immortal Sun City and Jade Capital City, except the space was much smaller, barely accommodating one person to move around.

Zhouyang was not at all unaccustomed to this; he was here to participate in the auction, not to enjoy himself. As long as it didn’t affect his bidding, he could endure these conditions.

"Thank you to all the seniors and Daoist friends for attending this auction. I am Xia Bingyun, the auctioneer for this event, and I will now introduce the various treasures available in this auction to all the seniors and Daoist friends."

Zhouyang sat in the room for more than a quarter-hour, during which the crystal projection spiritual artifact illuminated, displaying the figure of a ravishing lady in a red dress, who was the auctioneer of this grand auction.

At this moment, as both Zhouyang and all the participating cultivators cast their gaze upon her, the lady in the red dress smiled slightly, and elegantly produced a shimmering silver spirit talisman, holding it in her hand while softly stating, "This is the teleportation talisman used for the cross-cultivation realm teleportation array, which will be activated in a month. At that time, simply holding this teleportation talisman will allow you to be directly teleported to Donghua Immortal City in the central region of Donghua Continent Cultivation Realm."

After introducing the origins and function of the spirit talisman in hand, she placed the item on the table in front of her and proclaimed loudly, "The auction starting price for this item is fifty thousand lower-grade spirit stones, with each bid increment no less than one thousand lower-grade spirit stones."

"Sixty thousand!"

"Sixty-five thousand!"

"Seventy-seven thousand!"

...

The demand for the teleportation talisman was evidently high, with its price soaring rapidly, making one speechless.

Zhouyang originally intended to compete for the first teleportation talisman because he knew there were fifteen talismans in total, but with each subsequent one, the price might climb higher and higher.

However, now seeing the heated scene, he hesitated for a moment and restrained his urge to bid.

This was because he suddenly remembered that he received the information about the fifteen teleportation slots from the Profound Sun Immortal Sect, and such information isn’t accessible to ordinary forces.

It’s very possible that some people currently bidding are unaware of exactly how many talismans will be auctioned and thus are desperately increasing the price to obtain this first teleportation talisman for fear of missing the opportunity.

Of course, there might also be others with the same original plan as his, aiming to seize this first teleportation talisman by spending less spirit stones.

Just like that, the price of the first teleportation talisman soared rapidly, quickly exceeding one million low-grade Spirit Stones, and was eventually bought for 1,050,000 low-grade Spirit Stones.

So many Spirit Stones just to buy a ticket; Zhouyang couldn’t understand what the buyer was thinking. Perhaps the person had something very urgent and needed to get to the Donghua Continent Cultivation Realm quickly!

After the first teleportation talisman was sold, the lady in the red dress, Xia Bingyun, indeed raised her jade-like hand again and took out the second teleportation talisman. The starting bid was still fifty thousand low-grade Spirit Stones.

Soon, the second teleportation talisman was bought for ninety-eight thousand low-grade Spirit Stones, and Zhouyang still did not make a move.

Subsequently, one teleportation talisman after another was brought out for auction, with fluctuating prices, but few exceeded a million.

Finally, when Zhouyang decided to act, it was the twelfth teleportation talisman up for auction. By this time, the bidding had become more rational, lacking the previous fervent atmosphere.

Thus, Zhouyang ultimately used only eighty-three thousand low-grade Spirit Stones to acquire this teleportation talisman.

When all fifteen teleportation talismans were auctioned off, Xia Bingyun, the lady in the red dress, began to bring out other treasures for auction.

The treasures featured in this auction were naturally precious, with several making Zhouyang’s eyes gleam with interest.

However, he was about to head to the Donghua Continent Cultivation Realm and was unsure if he would need a large amount of Spirit Stones there, so he didn’t dare to spend recklessly and managed to restrain his impulse to bid.

Until a certain treasure was taken out by Xia Bingyun.

"This is the latest masterpiece created by a Tier Five High-grade Array Master, named the [Little Qiankun Shifting Array]. It allows one to instantly teleport to a pre-set array as long as this set of array plates in my hand is set up at one location, and the other array plate is arranged in less than ten breaths. The teleportation distance can reach ten thousand miles!"

"I must mention that this item can only be used once, and it can teleport two people. Moreover, if intercepted by a Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator proficient in space laws, or if encountering some divine techniques that can disrupt space laws, its effectiveness may greatly diminish, or it may even fail directly."

"Well, let’s cut to the chase. The starting bid for this set of [Little Qiankun Shifting Array] is eighty thousand low-grade Spirit Stones, and each increment must not be less than one thousand low-grade Spirit Stones. Now, all esteemed seniors and fellow Daoists may begin bidding."

We must acquire this item!

In a cramped room, Zhouyang looked at the array plate in Xia Bingyun’s hand, his eyes flashing with determination.

As Xia Bingyun mentioned, if unnecessary, this [Little Qiankun Shifting Array] is definitely a life-saving treasure.

A distance of ten thousand miles, even for a Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator flying at full speed, would take at least half an hour to reach.

Moreover, even the divine sense of a Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator can only cover a range of two to three hundred miles.

So as long as the [Little Qiankun Shifting Array] can be successfully used, escaping from under the nose of a Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator is not that difficult.

The most important thing is that after using this item, it merely consumes the treasure itself, unlike using secret techniques like "Blood Escape Technique," which consume a large amount of essence blood and primordial qi, leaving sequelae.

Such a treasure is certainly desired by many.

So, after Xia Bingyun announced the starting price, the price of this [Little Qiankun Shifting Array] rose rapidly, surpassing 1,500,000 low-grade Spirit Stones in less than half an hour.

At this price, there were fewer bidders. After all, although the treasure is good, it is ultimately a one-time item with some limitations.

And it is mainly desired by Golden Core Stage Cultivators, who may not have much use for it.

"1,700,000 low-grade Spirit Stones!"

Zhouyang made his move, directly increasing the bid by twenty thousand low-grade Spirit Stones.

This extravagant bidding method startled other competitors, and even the auctioneer Xia Bingyun showed a hint of surprise in her eyes.

"1,700,000 low-grade Spirit Stones, is there a higher bid?"

Xia Bingyun’s voice trembled slightly, as this price was indeed high for a Golden Core Stage Cultivator.

Spending so many Spirit Stones on a treasure that does not benefit cultivation was something few Golden Core Stage Cultivators would do.

Thus, after announcing three times as per the rules, with no higher bids, this set of [Little Qiankun Shifting Array] was successfully acquired by Zhouyang.

Including the previous teleportation talisman, Zhouyang had already spent 2,530,000 low-grade Spirit Stones at the auction, about one-third of the Spirit Stones he brought on this trip.

Therefore, he did not bid on any more treasures at the subsequent auction. After the auction ended, he completed the transaction for the Spirit Stones and treasures, then returned to the Immortal Inn where he stayed, patiently waiting for the teleportation array to open a month later.