Chapter Forty-Four: The Death of Yuan Tianci

Cangcang explained to the bewildered Du Gu Ling, “A relic is an energy bead left behind when a cultivator, a Buddhist practitioner, or a demonic cultivator dies of old age. For cultivators, it’s called an Immortal Relic; for Buddhists, a Buddha Relic; and for demonic cultivators, a Demon Relic. You possess the Chaos Sacred Body, which requires immense energy. This final auction item is a High Immortal Relic left by a high-level immortal who died naturally—perfect for your use.”

“So you’re saying I can absorb the energy within this relic?” Du Gu Ling asked after listening.

“Others can’t, but you can, because you not only have the Chaos Sacred Body but also the Chaos Sacred Canon. That book details how to absorb the energy within a relic,” Cangcang replied.

“So, apart from me, others simply can’t use it? Then why are they bidding for it?” Du Gu Ling asked in confusion.

“How naïve you are. Though they can’t absorb it, the relic still has marvelous uses. Embedded in magical treasures, it can enhance their power; used in alchemy, it improves the quality of pills; and when ground into powder and taken regularly, it prolongs life. Of course, these are wasteful uses, utilizing less than a tenth of the relic’s energy, while you can absorb it all.”

“I see,” Du Gu Ling mused. He hadn’t expected the relic to have so many wondrous uses. He was determined to bid for it.

This entire conversation between Du Gu Ling and Cangcang was conducted through the mind, so Yuan Shanshan, sitting beside him, had no idea that a cute little girl was floating next to Du Gu Ling.

Meanwhile, on stage, the enchantress Miao Miao swayed her slender waist and spoke to the audience in a bewitching tone, “Honored guests, the next item up for auction is the last of the evening—” Sima Miao Miao deliberately elongated her words, then announced loudly, “the High Immortal Relic.”

“As the name suggests, this relic was left behind by a powerful immortal at the end of their natural life. I won’t list all the marvelous uses of a relic, for I’m sure you all know them well. What I want to emphasize is that as a cultivator, dying a natural death is no easy feat, and for a high immortal to leave behind such a relic is even rarer. I’m sure you understand its value, so I declare the auction open with a starting price of one million.”

In Box 13, the young man watching the relic grew excited. “I can’t believe Miao Miao Auction House truly managed to acquire an Immortal Relic, and not just any relic, but a priceless High Immortal Relic!”

He stood up and entered a number on the bidding device.

“Box 13 again! The guest in Box 13 is determined this time, offering two million gold coins. Any higher bids?” Sima Miao Miao teased, eager to stir the crowd.

Du Gu Ling sneered. Though he didn’t know who was in Box 13, he found them irritating, perhaps because they were so extravagant—something Du Gu Ling detested, seeing it as uncultured.

He stood and entered his own bid.

“Very well, the guest in Box 4 now bids two million one hundred thousand,” Sima Miao Miao announced.

“Hm?” In Box 1, Ouyang Chi glanced curiously at Box 4, wondering why Iron Bull Forge would be interested in the High Immortal Relic. He hesitated, then decided to let it go. It seemed he would leave the auction empty-handed, he thought wryly.

The auction house erupted.

“Box 3 bids two million three hundred thousand!”

“Box 11 bids two million five hundred thousand!”

…

Evidently, those who had held back earlier were all waiting for this High Immortal Relic.

“Ling, do you need this High Immortal Relic?” Yuan Tianci asked.

Du Gu Ling looked at Yuan Tianci and nodded firmly.

Yuan Tianci entered a number on the bidding device.

“Five million. Box 4 bids five million.”

Suddenly, the auction house fell silent. Yuan Tianci was clearly a seasoned bidder; the price was just right, making others hesitant to continue.

In Box 13, the young man anxiously glanced outside. “Why hasn’t Elder Zhao returned yet? Damn it.” He pounded the table in frustration.

“Five million, first call.”

“Five million, second call.”

“Five million, third call—sold.”

Du Gu Ling let out a sigh of relief. This trip to the auction had been a resounding success: not only had he acquired Nine Yin Mystic Iron and the High Immortal Relic, but his herbs had also fetched a high price. He felt truly fortunate.

Yet, what Du Gu Ling didn’t realize was that ever since he’d fallen off the cliff, an invisible force had been guiding his fate, and he remained oblivious.

Meanwhile, the guest in Box 13 glared viciously in the direction of Box 4. No matter what, he was determined to get his hands on that relic.

Du Gu Ling, Yuan Tianci, and the others made their way to the backstage area. The enchantress Miao Miao approached, carrying a tray.

“Iron Bull Forge truly rivals nations in wealth! No wonder you’re the richest in Cold Moon City. It seems you’ve made a killing today,” she said. Du Gu Ling found her headache-inducing, but fortunately Yuan Tianci was there to deal with her.

“Miss Sima, you flatter me. A man’s wealth is his own undoing. I’d best take my leave,” Yuan Tianci replied. “I’ll visit again when I have time.”

“Oh, leaving so soon? Why is it that you never notice my devotion?” Miao Miao replied, casting a pitiful look at Yuan Tianci. Though he spent most of the year forging and was burly and rough, some women apparently liked that rugged manliness.

“Fox spirit, stop seducing my father!” Yuan Shanshan snapped at Sima Miao Miao. She grabbed the goods, pulled Yuan Tianci and Du Gu Ling away, and muttered to Du Gu Ling as they walked, “That fox Miao Miao always tries to seduce my father since my mother died. I can’t stand her.”

Du Gu Ling glanced at Yuan Tianci, who scratched his hand awkwardly. Though Du Gu Ling had been at Iron Bull for a year, he hadn’t realized the enchantress was interested in Brother Yuan—clearly, she had unusual tastes.

They didn’t know that as they left, a dark figure was tailing their carriage.

The group sat in the carriage for a long time before Yuan Tianci sensed that something was wrong. Why hadn’t they reached Iron Bull Forge yet?

Yuan Tianci drew back the curtain. “Not good,” he shouted. Their carriage had entered a dark, deserted alley.

Yuan Tianci slammed his fist onto the carriage roof, and with a loud bang, the carriage shattered apart. The force was terrifying—though Yuan Tianci wasn’t a cultivator, years of forging had given him strength rivaling that of an early-stage celestial cultivator.

A figure flipped from the driver’s seat to the ground, wrapped in black, and said, “As expected of the head of Iron Bull, you noticed something was off so quickly.”

Yuan Tianci shouted, “Who are you? What do you want? Speak now!” He grabbed a thick wooden beam from the wreckage and swung at the black-clad figure.

The intruder summoned a sword with a thought. Yuan Tianci had no choice but to sweep the flying sword aside and exclaimed, “You’re a cultivator?”

“That’s right, I am,” the figure replied.

Yuan Tianci smiled. “You’re only an early-stage celestial cultivator. If you think you can handle me so easily, you’re sorely mistaken.”

To his surprise, the intruder was unfazed and even smiled back. “I’ve long heard that Master Yuan’s strength rivals that of a celestial cultivator. That’s why I’m not alone tonight.”

Suddenly, Yuan Tianci sensed a sharp blade coming for his neck. Du Gu Ling and Yuan Shanshan shouted, “Watch out!”

Yuan Tianci swung the beam, knocking aside the deadly sword.

Another figure emerged from behind.

“What—” Yuan Tianci was shocked. There were two cultivators.

He edged closer to Du Gu Ling and whispered in his ear, “When I count to three, grab Shanshan and break out the back. Got it?”

Du Gu Ling nodded—he’d had the same thought. If they broke out from the back, they could escape danger.

“One, two, three!” Yuan Tianci shouted, charging at the black-clad figure with his wooden beam, Du Gu Ling close behind with Yuan Shanshan on his back.

Yuan Tianci swung with all his might, forcing the cultivator back rather than risk injury. Seizing the moment, Du Gu Ling dashed out with Shanshan.

Just then, the other cultivator rushed after them, sword in hand. “Don’t let them escape!” he yelled.

Du Gu Ling called out, “Now’s our chance! Run!”

But to his shock, Yuan Tianci hadn’t escaped with them.

He heard Yuan Tianci shout, “Run! Take care of my daughter!”