Extreme Spirit Chaos Technique

"So, Medicine Cauldrons have Grades?"

"Of course they have Grades. Look at that red Medicine Cauldron on the display stand—that’s a Third-Grade Medicine Cauldron. It can only refine Third-Grade Medicinal Herbs or lower. You can tell a Medicine Cauldron’s Grade mainly by the number of vents it has underneath. A cauldron with three vents like this one is a Third-Grade Medicine Cauldron. Likewise, one with four vents is a Fourth-Grade Medicine Cauldron."

Mu Chen was taken aback. ’Only Third Grade? Then why does everyone look so frantic?’ He glanced around and saw a crazed look on everyone’s faces; they looked like they were one step away from rushing the stage to snatch it.

The Profound Old Ghost curled his lip in annoyance. "Do you think Medicine Cauldrons are common trash you can find anywhere? Right now, only a single faction is capable of making them, and that faction rarely allows their cauldrons into the outside world—they’re all used internally. And you’re severely underestimating a Medicine Cauldron’s function. It can absorb the Medicinal Power of any Third-Grade Medicinal Herb or lower, then automatically categorize it for detoxification, enhancement, or Healing. When you need it, you can freely call upon Medicinal Power with various effects. You can’t possibly think they only absorb one type of Medicinal Power, can you?"

"What? It can absorb all Level 3 or lower Medicinal Herbs? In that case, if I had a Seventh-Grade Medicine Cauldron, wouldn’t I be invincible?" Mu Chen’s eyes widened as he stared again at the small Medicine Cauldron on the display stand. He never would have imagined such a tiny object could be so powerful.

"That’s nothing. Because of these Medicine Cauldrons, another profession emerged on the Extreme Martial Continent besides Martial Artists—one with a much higher status." The Profound Old Ghost paused.

"What profession?"

"Cauldron Masters!"

’Cauldron Masters?’ It was another new term for Mu Chen.

"That’s right. And Cauldron Masters are divided into two types: Holy Cauldron Masters and Poison Cauldron Masters. Although they are both considered Cauldron Masters, their purposes are diametrically opposed. One exists to save people, the other to kill."

Hearing this, Mu Chen’s pupils shrank. He asked in a grave voice, "Master, are you saying that a Medicine Cauldron can absorb Poisonous Grass as well as Medicinal Herbs?"

The Profound Old Ghost nodded. "Inevitably. However, once a Medicine Cauldron you have bonded with absorbs a powerful Poisonous Grass and becomes a Poison Cauldron, it can no longer hold any herbs for enhancement, Healing, or detoxification. It will transform into a deadly weapon used only to poison others. That is why Poison Cauldron Masters and Holy Cauldron Masters have always been at war, each viewing the other as a mortal enemy."

’So that’s how it is. I really have been shortsighted.’ With a sigh, Mu Chen’s thoughts returned to the auction. The price for the Medicine Cauldron had already been driven to the astronomical sum of three million Purple Elemental Crystals. Rubbing his nose with a wry smile, Mu Chen said sheepishly, "Well, it looks like I can’t afford this."

A glimmer of hope appeared in Mu Chen’s eyes, but when he remembered that even a Third-Grade Medicine Cauldron cost three million Purple Elemental Crystals, he knew it was utterly beyond his current financial means. Just then, however, the Profound Old Ghost beside him let out a soft chuckle. Mu Chen turned to look, curious, only to find the old man sitting turned away from him, seemingly lost in thought. Just as Mu Chen was about to look away, the Profound Old Ghost suddenly spoke. "Actually, among the things I left for you, there is a Medicine Cauldron. And as for its Grade... hehe..."

He left the sentence half-finished, but those words made Mu Chen’s heart skip a beat. "Master..."

The Profound Old Ghost waved a dismissive hand. "Alright, alright, don’t give me that look. Once the Shanjin Auction is over, focus on your Cultivation. You have five months, so you need to pick up the pace and improve. The stronger you are, the higher your chances of successfully absorbing the Extreme Ice Element. That is your true goal here."

"Right!" Mu Chen nodded solemnly. Just then, the auction finally concluded. The red, Third-Grade Medicine Cauldron was ultimately won by a white-haired old man. When he took possession of the Medicine Cauldron, his hands trembled uncontrollably.

Seeing that the final item had been sold, Elder Zhou was beaming. This auction had been an exceptional success. Not a single one of the hundred-plus items had failed to sell; every one found a buyer. It was without a doubt the most flawless auction in years. Overcome with excitement, Elder Zhou once again cupped his fists toward the crowd. "Distinguished guests, with your participation, this Shanjin Auction has come to a successful conclusion. On behalf of the Shanjin Commerce Association, I thank you all. Now, will all buyers who have won valuable items please come backstage to collect your purchases."

With that, Elder Zhou turned and walked backstage. The other attendees—those who had already received their items or those who had won nothing—began to file out of the hall, some sighing, others murmuring amongst themselves. The buyers who had won valuable items made their way backstage one by one. Mu Chen, however, waited until the very last person had gone through before he slowly followed.

This was a form of self-preservation for Mu Chen. ’The Purple Elemental Crystals I have on me are definitely not enough to cover my purchases, so I’ll have to exchange a Combat Skill.’ Straightening his sleeves, Mu Chen finally stepped backstage. He was surprised to find a hallway with many rooms. A small wooden plaque hung on each door, engraved with the name of an item.

Soon, Mu Chen spotted the plaque for the "Water-Repelling Pearl" and "Fire Crow Grass." The room next to it, of course, was for the "Martial Power Pill." ’The person who bought the Martial Power Pill was Han Jun. If that’s the case...’ An idea flashed through Mu Chen’s mind, but his expression remained unchanged as he pushed open the door to his room.

An ordinary-looking, middle-aged man was seated inside. As Mu Chen sized up the man, the man was sizing him up in return. Before Mu Chen could speak, the man asked, "Buyer number 14,111, correct?"

Mu Chen nodded. With a flash from his ring, a Jade Token appeared in his hand. A Maid had given it to him upon entering the hall; it seemed everyone had one. His was engraved with the number 14,111. After glancing at the Jade Token, the man retrieved a blue Brocade Box from his Storage Ring. It was square and palm-sized; Mu Chen knew it held the Water-Repelling Pearl. The man then took out a Jade Box, from which a red glow emanated. It was clearly the Fire Crow Grass.

"That will be five hundred thousand Purple Elemental Crystals in total." The man smiled, pushing the Brocade Box and Jade Box toward Mu Chen.

Mu Chen didn’t take the boxes. Instead, he looked at the man and said calmly, "I don’t have five hundred thousand Purple Elemental Crystals."

"Hm?" The man’s expression changed. "You don’t have five hundred thousand Purple Elemental Crystals? Are you here to cause trouble?"

"Heh." Mu Chen chuckled. "Of course not. I’m saying I don’t have five hundred thousand Purple Elemental Crystals in cash. But see if this is valuable enough to cover the cost." 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

With a flick of his wrist, a white Scroll appeared in Mu Chen’s hand. Just as the man had done, Mu Chen pushed the Scroll a short distance across the table. The man frowned, picked it up, and quickly unrolled it, unconcerned about any hidden traps. In the few moments he spent reading, his expression shifted from confusion to surprise, and finally, to utter shock.

"Please wait here for a moment." The man’s attitude shifted instantly. He bowed and backed out of the room. Mu Chen was puzzled, but after a moment, the man returned, guiding an old man inside.

The newcomer wore a plain, hemp-colored robe. His face was a roadmap of deep wrinkles, giving him the frail appearance of a man at the end of his life. But his eyes, which glinted with a shrewd light, told Mu Chen this elder was anything but simple.

"Oh? So this is the young friend who produced the Profound Rank Middle Grade Battle Technique?" the elder asked, glancing at Mu Chen before turning to the man beside him.

The man found the elder’s respectful term for the black-robed youth strange, but he didn’t question it. He simply nodded deferentially. "Second Elder, yes, that’s him."

The man addressed as the Second Elder smiled even more broadly, his wrinkles bunching together. "Alright, you may go. I will handle the rest of this transaction."

The man was startled and bowed again. "But..."

The elder’s brow furrowed. "What?" he said coolly. "Does my word as Second Elder no longer carry any weight?"

The man bowed his head in a hurry. "I wouldn’t dare. I’ll take my leave now."

With that, the man exited, closing the door behind him. Once they were alone, a sharp glint flashed in the Second Elder’s eyes. His expression became solemn, and his entire aura underwent a dramatic transformation. "Young friend, no need to be alarmed. I only wish to ask you a question. If you answer it, I see no harm in simply giving you these two items."

Mu Chen took a step back, his nerves instantly on high alert. He could feel the immense Primordial Power radiating from the elder, but it didn’t seem malicious. Mu Chen swallowed hard. "What do you want to ask?"

The elder smiled faintly. "This scroll of yours contains the Cold Wind Palm, a Profound Rank Middle Grade Battle Technique. Its value is more than double that of your purchased items. But that’s just its monetary value. No one has ever been willing to sell it. You’re the first."

Mu Chen said nothing, aware that the elder had not yet asked his real question. Seeing Mu Chen’s silence, the elder’s smile widened. The imposing aura from a moment ago vanished, replaced by a fawning expression. "Young friend, I was just looking at the contents of your technique and I noticed something. This technique doesn’t seem to be a standalone scroll. There should be a companion scroll that goes with it. Only with both can its full effect be realized. I was wondering... do you happen to have the other scroll?"

Mu Chen blinked. He suddenly recalled that his Master had given him two scrolls: Cold Wind Palm and Wind-Breaking Leg. One technique for the upper body, one for the lower; they were likely related. Realizing this, he grew wary and asked, "Second Elder, may I ask your purpose for asking this?"

The Second Elder let out a sudden sigh. "The fact that you ask means my guess was correct. To be honest, I’m asking for personal reasons. I want to buy both scrolls from you. Can you agree to this?"

Mu Chen was taken aback, clearly seeing the desperation in the elder’s eyes. Just then, the Profound Old Ghost’s voice echoed in his mind. ’Kid, this old fellow’s Martial Artist Realm is at the Peak of Nine-Ring Martial King. He’s just one step away from the Martial Emperor Realm. Since that’s the case, you can sell it to him. But you need to bleed him dry.’

The corner of Mu Chen’s mouth twitched. He looked at the Second Elder and asked, "What are you offering for my two Combat Skill scrolls?"

The Second Elder heard this and knew he had a chance. He thought for a moment before saying, "I see your Martial Artist Realm is only that of a Third Ring Martial Artist. How about this: I’ll give you three million Purple Elemental Crystals plus five Martial Power Pills in exchange for the two scrolls. What do you say?"