Chapter 1291: Find a Quiet Place to Talk

The Void Bright Grass was a fourth transformation immortal herb of the Heavenly Immortal Path.

There had once been cultivators who had reached the seventh transformation following the Heavenly Immortal Path. This was proof enough of how extraordinary it was, as it allowed its practitioners to become Ancient Immortals, making it far more powerful than many other paths that only led up to the fourth, fifth, or sixth transformation.

The only drawback was that the Heavenly Immortal Path's complete inheritance could be found solely among certain great sects in the Upper Three Realms. Within the Lower Six Realms, not only were those who knew of this path exceedingly few, but even they only knew of the immortal herbs required up to the fourth or fifth transformation.

"Though the herbs for the fifth and sixth transformation may well need to be sought within the Upper Three Realms," Jidu Kongyuan said with an affable smile. "the simple fact that the Heavenly Immortal Path's upper limit reaches the seventh transformation is more than enough reason for it to outshine all other Immortal paths."

He gestured grandly toward the jade case on stage. "Bidding on the Void-Bright starts at three hundred immortal crystals. Each increment must not be less than ten."

The auction commenced.

At once, bids rang in from every corner of the hall. This time, even sixth-transformation immortals joined in. Still, their presence did not daunt the lesser cultivators. Without hesitation, bids surged upward.

The most frantic among them was those in the third transformation. These were cultivators who had saved and scrimped, hoarding immortal crystals over many long years, waiting precisely for a day like today.

But there were also the fourth and fifth transformations, many of whom considered their clans and sects. Some of their geniuses teetered upon the brink of advancing to the fourth transformation. For the sake of such talents, they too were willing to pay an exorbitant price.

The price soared swiftly, passing eight hundred immortal crystals in no time, and it continued climbing.

Had Fang Chen not already invested in purchasing the invitation letter to the Upper Three Realms and the Yang Essence, he might well have seized this plant outright. Yet it was clear to him that the Void Bright Grass held little true value for his own path.

At last, after round upon round of heated bidding, the price approached nine hundred immortal crystals, already grazing the limits of a fourth-transformation immortal herb.

Had this been a herb for the Earth Immortal Path or the Corpse Transcending Path, the bids would have stalled at six hundred immortal crystals.

One by one, the sixth transformation immortals abandoned their bids. None of them was willing to squander such a vast fortune upon the uncertain future of a junior.

For a Loose Immortal, immortal crystals were not only essential for cultivation, but far more importantly, they extended one's lifespan. To lavish nearly a thousand crystals upon one's offspring was something few would do—unless the talent of that child was so dazzling that they might one day reach the fifth or even sixth transformation, that is.

Finally, the winner was finalized. It was a cultivator concealing his appearance and aura. His hands trembled uncontrollably as he handed over the tower of immortal crystals to Jidu Kongyuan.

The very moment he received the Void Bright Grass, he tipped his head back and swallowed it on the spot. Without delay, he sprinted out of the auction hall and disappeared into the distance, making straight for the meditation chambers of a nearby inn.

"Must he be so paranoid? This is truly... laughable."

Many cultivators shook their heads, their faces sour.

Truth be told, more than a few of them had planned to "try their luck" once the exchange concluded, perhaps to rob the man who had acquired the Void Bright Grass. Yet now that he had consumed it at once, all such schemes evaporated instantly.

And thus did the auction conclude in full measure.

Fang Chen and the others dispersed in their own directions.

Later, back in the mediation room, Fang Chen's soul sense drifted to where Ji Tiandu and Lady Suya resided.

Ji Tiandu sat there with an ashen face, remained silent, and not a single word left his lips.

Lady Suya said nothing too. The two simply sat in silence. Only after the time it took to steep a cup of tea did she finally speak, her voice cold, "This mission has failed. We must both go and confess to your elder brother. After this, I doubt we'll be included in his Immaculate Immortal Path plans ever again."

Ji Tiandu's eyes snapped open, his gaze locking fiercely upon Lady Suya. "We haven't failed yet!"

"I know who bought the Yang Essence. So long as we seize it from him, we will have the Yang Essence and the immortal crystals we would've used to pay for it!"

Lady Suya's expression hardened. "Do you think a person who can casually produce a thousand immortal crystals can be dealt with so easily? You and I cannot draw upon the true might of the clan. This matter involving your elder brother must remain discreet. If whispers of it ever reach his enemies, and they raise the right suspicions, then our offense would be far greater than two mere failed missions."

Ji Tiandu's face darkened further. He leaned close, speaking in a heavy tone. "Sister-in-law, you are forgetting—the Grand Desolate Immortal is also in the Nanqing Constellation. In fact, he is in this very same inn."

Listening in the dark, Fang Chen's eyes brightened slightly.

The

Grand Desolate Immortal is in this inn as well?

If he could trace Ji Tiandu to the Grand Desolate Immortal, he could observe whether the man had dealings with the Spirit God Sect.

According to the Immortal Worshipping Palace's intelligence, almost every fifth and sixth transformation immortal that had come to the exchange was here for the Ancient Immortal Golden Body.

Lady Suya arched her brow, her tone faintly mocking. "Oh? And just how do you intend to request his aid? Do you forget the last time? Last time, merely requesting him to stand by without even acting cost us a fourth-transformation immortal herb. To make him fight personally against a Loose Immortal who could be at the fourth or even fifth transformation—how many herbs would that take?"

Ji Tiandu's eyes flashed with ruthless cunning.

"Not to seek his help, no. He shares blame for our first failure. How could we rely on him again? But Myriad Immortal Palace intends to make trouble for him, do they not? Then we may ally with Immortal Xingyu. Her master, Immortal Taixu, is a half-step Ancient Immortal. Even in the Little Immortal Realm, such a figure holds tremendous prestige. With their strength backing us, reclaiming the Yang Essence will be inevitable."

Lady Suya was taken aback for a moment. After a while, she lowered her gaze thoughtfully, then gave a slow nod. "That... could indeed work. If Immortal Xingyu intervenes, it would be far more reliable. And with Immortal Taixu himself aware of the Ji Family's influence, he would likely grant a thin layer of courtesy."

She paused, then added, "But merely pointing them toward his whereabouts likely won't suffice. Their true goal is surely the Ancient Immortal Golden Body. Its contenders will be many in number, and in such a battle, immortal crystals will play their part. The more they hold, the better. If we offer them both his trail and five hundred immortal crystals, that should serve as a worthy foundation for cooperation.

"I leave this matter in your hands. I won't appear. You bear the Ji name and can show your face, while I can't."

Lady Suya produced seven hundred immortal crystals and handed them to Ji Tiandu.

"Seven hundred?"

"That's the upper limit. If they still refuse, then it is a sign that the Myriad Immortal Palace has chosen to show no respect to the Ji Families. Take it and go to the Grand Desolate Immortal. Work with him if need be. And remember this time—the Spirit God Sect is very likely here for that same Ancient Immortal Golden Body."

Her tone was cool, edged with steel.

Ji Tiandu gave a slight nod. Taking the pouch of Immortal Crystals in hand, he turned and departed the quiet chamber.

The lodgings of Immortal Xingyu and Immortal Taixu were no secret. Every cultivator in the Nanqing Constellation knew of their residence. In their daily walks, they made no effort to hide their presence.

Thus, for Ji Tiandu, seeking an audience with Xingyu was no difficult task.

However, his mind kept churning as he walked, rehearsing his words carefully. What should he say to ensure her cooperation with this costly alliance? A single misstep could see his proposal refused.

Midway along the road, he caught sight of two very familiar figures, and his steps slowed.

His face sank. He lingered for a moment, watching one of them depart. When only the other remained, Ji Tiandu approached, his expression smoothed into a polite smile.

"Daoist Fang."

"Oh, it's you. Do you need something?" asked Fang Chen flatly.

Ji Tiandu gave a reserved chuckle, voice light and even. "I happened to recall just now that I still have a few pieces of peak-grade spirit stones I plan to part with. I wonder if you're interested?"

At that, Fang Chen's eyes lit ever so slightly, a flicker of curiosity stirring across his features. He replied, "Of course."

His lips curved faintly. "Shall we find a quiet place... to discuss it in detail?"