Eternal Life: I Can Sell Everything

The Black-clothed Blade Master standing in the corner by the side door of the Hongsheng Martial Arts Hall was, of course, Song Ciwan.

She had used the Fetal Transformation Technique to alter her appearance, completely changing her persona. Now, she stood aside, quietly observing Niu the Sixth’s every move, patiently waiting for the next scene to unfold.

The Ancestral Dragon Coins had guided her here, and her own Spiritual Sense gave her a sudden, chilling premonition. All of this indicated that the Hongsheng Martial Arts Hall was anything but simple.

’What secrets could this seemingly ordinary martial arts hall possibly hold?’

As Song Ciwan pondered, she was unaware that she was not the only one watching the Hongsheng Martial Arts Hall at this very moment. There were many, many other Cultivators as well.

「On Wangjiang Mountain Peak.」

The light screens at the peak had now split into several panels, and the main scene had switched from the Floating Platforms of Illusory Nether City to Pinglan City.

However, the screens’ perspective was not a simple view of the Mortal World.

Through the screens, the Cultivators on the peak could see not only the sights of the Mortal World but also the Cultivators from Illusory Nether City existing in strange dimensions, as well as the various forms of invisible qi drifting in the void.

The existence of this qi was truly shocking, because no one had ever seen it with the naked eye before. Perhaps some had, but it was undoubtedly not common knowledge.

Most low-level Cultivators, and even a large portion of high-level ones, had never even heard of this qi, let alone seen it with their own eyes.

And even among the Divine Dao Cultivators present, none had ever truly seen the real form of this invisible qi before.

They used various Abnormal Techniques, special Divine Dao Magical Artifacts, or unique channels to absorb a certain amount of qi, but this process was always blind and indistinct.

Could the feeling of vaguely absorbing it even compare to seeing the screens filled with the presence of invisible qi?

On Wangjiang Mountain Peak, beneath the several high-floating light screens, the Cultivators either gazed up in silence or discussed in hushed tones.

Some were in emotional turmoil but appeared calm on the surface. Others seemed restless and excited, yet their hearts were like still waters running deep.

Of course, some were the same inside and out—some were truly incompetent, while others were simply true to their nature...

Each person was a study in their own right.

But what none of them could see was that, as their emotions churned over the invisible qi filling the screens, wisps of that same invisible qi were swaying and drifting above their own heads.

The screens’ perspectives were limited. They could only see the few scenes displayed, which meant they could see others, but not themselves.

There were currently four screens. One showed the Hongsheng Martial Arts Hall, one showed Bright Moon Square’s Yao Fang Courtyard, one showed the South City Slums, and the last showed Pinglan City’s largest place of confinement, the Government Prison.

At first, everyone’s attention was focused on Yao Fang Courtyard and the Government Prison. The Hongsheng Martial Arts Hall and the South City Slums were mostly ignored.

Of course, some people were quietly sending messages, telling their contacts to rush to the four locations shown on the screens.

After all, no matter what secrets lay behind these scenes, calling for backup in advance couldn’t be a mistake.

The scene at the Hongsheng Martial Arts Hall was the most mundane. On the Martial Arts Arena in the main hall, Martial Masters, guards, and apprentices mingled together, drinking and celebrating the new year with joyous laughter.

Musicians played zithers and reed pipes, and Dancing Girls twirled gracefully.

But none of this was strange. What was so special about hiring a troupe of musicians and dancers during the new year celebrations?

Just as the banquet was reaching its peak, the martial hall’s vice master, Feng Chuncai, suddenly clapped his hands. He chuckled and said, "Brothers, I have recently acquired a new treasure. When mixed with wine, this item has the profound effect of extending one’s life. I cherish it dearly, but..."

A smile played on his lips as his tone suddenly shifted. He cupped his hands toward the old master seated in the main seat and said, "I have long been the recipient of your recognition and support, Master. Now that you are advanced in years, how could I possibly enjoy this life-extending item alone? Of course, I must offer it to you!"

As his voice fell, the sounds of music and dancing seemed to quiet down for a moment.

In the main seat, the old master of Hongsheng Martial Arts Hall was slumped in a large, round-backed armchair. One hand was propping up his forehead, and his body was half-curled as his head nodded intermittently. He was clearly overcome with drowsiness.

Feng Chuncai had cupped his hands and spoken to him, but the old man seemed not to have heard, giving no response.

Then, Feng Chuncai raised his voice and repeated, "Master, I have a treasure I wish to present to you. Would you care to take a look?"

Startled by the voice, the old master’s wrist suddenly gave way. His hand slipped, and his head plunged forward.

Just as he was about to fall to the floor, a young man attending him reacted with lightning speed, catching him with an outstretched hand. Only then did the old master jolt awake.

"Whoa!" the old master exclaimed. "I’m getting old. Can’t even stay up to see the new year in! What’s all this? Did I just hear someone say they wanted to present a gift to this old man?"

The young man attending him bowed and said, "Master, it was Uncle Feng. He said he has a life-extending treasure to offer you."

"A treasure?" The old master opened his dim, aged eyes and said in a hoarse voice, "Chuncai, you’ve always been the most thoughtful one. During the new year, shouldn’t it be this old fellow giving red envelopes to the children? Yet you’re the one thinking of giving a gift to this old fellow. You’re really determined to move me to tears!"

Standing below, Feng Chuncai’s shrewd eyes crinkled into a smile. He bowed slightly and said, "Although you are too humble to say so, Master, in my heart, your kindness is like that of a teacher. What is offering a gift to one’s mentor?"

"Master, I... shall I have someone bring the gift up now?"

The old master’s back was slightly stooped. His neck craned forward as he struggled to keep his wrinkled, drooping eyes open. His voice was still raspy as he said, "Xiaofeng, if it’s truly a life-extending item, these old bones of mine aren’t worthy of using it! I’ve received your filial piety. Take it back, take it back. I won’t accept your gift..."

He waved his hand, telling Feng Chuncai to take the gift back.

Feng Chuncai only said, "Master, please do not refuse. Look at the gift first."

Having said that, he clapped his hands again.

The music of strings and pipes, which had faded, somehow started playing again, soft and thin. But this music was not festive and lively like before. Instead, it carried a slow, melancholic air that unknowingly silenced all the clamor in the arena.

As one, everyone turned their gaze toward a small cart being slowly pushed in from the east side of the Martial Arts Arena.

On the cart rested a graceful Cyan Flower Bottle. The bottle was a full three feet tall, with a slender waist like that of a beautiful woman. A curved spout extended from below its mouth, resembling a beauty’s raised arm. From a distance, it possessed a certain delicate charm.

As everyone watched the Cyan Flower Bottle draw closer, they were initially filled with doubt.

The bottle was beautiful, to be sure, but no matter how exquisite its craftsmanship, it was still just a bottle. On what grounds did Feng Chuncai call it a treasure? As for extending one’s life, that seemed even more absurd...

Then, the Cyan Flower Bottle was pushed out from the distant shadows and into the brightest patch of light in the arena.

Its full form was suddenly revealed under the lamplight, down to the finest detail.

Those who had been dismissive just moments before suddenly felt as if something terrifying had seized them by the throat. For an instant, both their words and thoughts went blank.

Their eyes widened, one by one, as if their sockets weren’t large enough to contain the horror before them!

’What... what in the world is that?’