Conquering That Great Demon Lord [Xian Ni Fan Fiction] - Chapter 18: Dragonhide Armor

Chapter 18: Dragonhide Armor

Wang Lin delivered the dewdrops to the main pavilion as usual. Just as he set them down and turned to leave, his body suddenly froze in place.

Li Muwan emerged from behind the screen, her aura radiating the dignity of a sect elder.

“Elder, what is this?” Wang Lin asked in confusion, unable to comprehend Li Muwan’s intentions.

Li Muwan circled him slowly, examining him closely. “This is a Body-Freezing Talisman I crafted. I’m testing it on you.”

Wang Lin relaxed his guard, waiting momentarily, yet Li Muwan made no move to undo the spell.

“Can this Body-Freezing Talisman not be broken by magical arts?” Wang Lin’s eyes followed Li Muwan as she paced thoughtfully.

Before him, Li Muwan seemed to shed more of her elder’s dignity, occasionally revealing a maiden’s playfulness. Wang Lin suddenly remembered they were in the Cloud Heaven Sect, not the Sea of Demonic Cultivation.

“Give it a try,” Li Muwan raised an eyebrow, tilting her chin slightly, the smooth line of her neck flowing into his view.

Wang Lin’s body remained immobilized. He averted his gaze and attempted to dissolve the talisman with his Divine Sense, but to no avail.

Li Muwan showed no urgency, knowing Wang Lin wasn’t one to give up easily. Even if he couldn’t break it immediately, he would eventually uncover its secrets through repeated attempts.

Seeing the assessing look in her eyes, Wang Lin felt a surge of competitive spirit. He channeled his Divine Sense once more, yet the magical art remained unbroken.

“Don’t rush,” Li Muwan poured a cup of tea and moved toward the balcony. “Contemplate it slowly.”

“When Zhou Lin was twenty, he could break this spell. Your comprehension isn’t inferior to his. Try again after you’ve figured it out.”

Wang Lin calmed his mind, yet fine beads of sweat continued to form on his forehead. Li Muwan stood on the balcony where the outdoor breeze was particularly gentle, causing the lowered curtains to sway.

Leaning against the railing, she carefully observed the silhouette behind the sheer curtains.

Through the filtering sunlight, her memories drifted back two hundred years. How could she ever forget this figure, this presence?

[Li Muwan: This Body-Freezing Art won’t restrain him for long.]

[Soul Pearl: What are you doing now?]

[Li Muwan: You’re merely a treasure. You cannot comprehend emotions beyond sensing. This silhouette… I know it too well.]

[Soul Pearl: The Soul Pearl’s perceptions are never mistaken.]

Li Muwan gazed distractedly at the faintly visible shadow, a playful idea forming.

[Li Muwan: Would you like to see me tease the Fiend?]

[Soul Pearl: …What?]

Li Muwan lifted the curtain. The breeze billowed her long sleeves as her graceful figure reappeared in Wang Lin’s view.

Unlike Restrictions, this Body-Freezing Talisman showed no trace of attached Spiritual Power. With his body immobilized, he couldn’t form hand seals to break through.

Unhurriedly, Li Muwan produced a handkerchief that faintly carried a delicate fragrance.

Wang Lin tensed, fearing Li Muwan might make another move that would unsettle his heart.

She raised her head in that familiar gesture, with that familiar presence. Pinching the handkerchief between her fingers, she deftly wiped the sweat from Wang Lin’s forehead.

She paid no mind to Wang Lin’s reactionafter all, in his current state, even if he wanted to evade, he couldn’t.

Li Muwan failed to notice the incense on the table had burned out.

“If you can’t break it, it’s fine. This Body-Freezing Talisman will dissolve on its own after one incense stick burns down.”

Wang Lin felt the suppressing force on his body loosen, yet his proud, upright form remained motionless.

Li Muwan’s breath brushed against his neck. His hanging hands clenched into fists, his gaze vaguely fixed on the handkerchief, not daring to look at Li Muwan.

As the soft fabric touched his forehead, he instinctively drew a sharp breath, his throat moving in a half-swallowed motion.

He didn’t know whether to move or remain still.

He didn’t want to move!

“The fog has been heavy these past few days. You needn’t come so early to deliver the dewdrops.” Li Muwan retrieved her handkerchief and, seeing his composed expression, didn’t press further before turning to enter the inner chamber.

As her figure vanished from sight, Wang Lin breathed a sigh of relief, yet a trace of loneliness seemed to stir within him. He turned sideways, gazing through the sheer curtains toward the Southern Garden bathed in sunlight, while the sounds of pill refinement echoed from the inner chamber.

He always felt Li Muwan was testing him in some way. Staying daily in the Southern Garden, no matter how well one concealed themselves, there would inevitably be moments of inadvertent vulnerability. Wang Lin sighed and left the pavilion, contemplating in his heart to find an opportunity to move away from the Southern Garden.

***

Li Muwan had recently been preparing to refine a Longevity Pill. Over the years, she had gradually collected most of the required medicinal ingredients, with only one primary ingredient remainingthe Blood Lotus Heart.

According to ancient texts, within the Land of Immortal Remains beyond the Chu Kingdom’s borders, several secret realms were distributed according to the five elements. The Blood Lotus Heart she needed grew in the second layer of the Frost Pond Realm within the Land of Immortal Remains. It was extremely rare and could only be encountered by chance, not sought deliberately.

The pill refined from this ingredient could consolidate one’s foundation, extend lifespan, reverse the leakage of spiritual power from the body, and stabilize cultivation level.

After obtaining the map of the Land of Immortal Remains from the Scripture Repository, Li Muwan planned her route. For this journey, she would need to bring Wang Lin along.

She knew the fiend cultivated frost-based techniques. If he could train in an extremely cold environment, it would greatly benefit his cultivation advancement.

After hearing Li Muwan’s explanation, Wang Lin recalled seeing the Land of Immortal Remains on a map he had obtained from the War God Hall. Legends told of many cultivators who had entered the secret realms seeking spirit beasts and immortal herbs, never to return.

With his current Foundation Establishment Stage cultivation level, venturing into the perilous Land of Immortal Remains would likely be difficult.

However, during his Core Formation Stage, he had even braved the Ancient God’s territory. Could there be any place more treacherous than that?

Moreover, if he could find opportunities in the Land of Immortal Remains, it might aid his core formation. Wang Lin was still weighing his options.

Seeing his hesitation, Li Muwan reassured him, “With your current Foundation Establishment Stage cultivation, venturing into the secret realms of the Land of Immortal Remains is somewhat risky. But as long as you don’t enter the depths of the Frost Pond, there should be no major danger. Rest assured, with your master here, I will definitely ensure your safety.”

A faint bitterness passed through Wang Lin’s heartwhy did these words sound so familiar?

Besides, it was his master’s assignment; he had no reason to refuse. Moreover, the depths of the Frost Pond might offer extremely cold locations that could accelerate the fusion of his three Frost Pills.

After careful consideration, Wang Lin cupped his hands and said, “This disciple is willing to go.”

Three days later, with all preparations complete, Li Muwan led the way to a teleportation array that could access the auction grounds in the Sea of Demonic Cultivation.

She brought two fingers together, and eight spirit stones floated out from her storage bag. Several pale blue beams of light descended into the spirit stone slots, whereupon each slot erupted with powerful energy pillars that converged overhead, forming a vortex connected to the teleportation array.

In an instant, their figures reappeared near an auction house on the outskirts of the Sea of Demonic Cultivation.

“Are we just going in like this?” Wang Lin glanced at their attireclearly identifiable sect disciple robes.

Li Muwan pressed her palms together, then slightly parted her fingertips, causing a veiled hat to appear in her hand. The light veil covered her entire body, concealing her face and graceful figure.

“This is for you.” She then produced a black robe and conical hat, handing them to Wang Lin. He put on the gray robe, and an aura of noble mystery emanated from him.

Li Muwan stared for a moment, inwardly sighinghe looked far too similar.

“Let’s go.”

In the World of Cultivation, bartering is the most common form of transaction. The auction house is filled with a dazzling array of goods, most of which are obtained by cultivators through unconventional means and exchanged for equivalent Magical Artifacts.

Outside the auction venue, thick mist and a peculiar fragrance permeated the air, as if one were drifting through ethereal dark clouds.

Upon stepping through the entrance of the auction house’s Cave Residence, intricate and unique carvings of ancient Spirit Beasts came into view. Faintly visible beyond these patterns were Ancient Runes, shimmering with multicolored glimmers under the influence of Magical Artifacts.

At the center of the auction hall, four disciples in uniform attire guided the arriving cultivators to their seats and arranged the order.

Li Muwan and Wang Lin were led to a private booth in the eastern section of the auction house. A screen adorned with Spirit Beast patterns stood in front of the booth, separating them from the main area. The auctioneer managing the event on the stage was a female cultivator at the Core Formation Stage.

Unlike the artifact refinement pavilion, where Magical Artifacts were sold at fixed prices, the auction house operated on the principle of highest bidder wins.

The main hall was packed to capacity, with cultivators of all kinds gathered.

“So many cultivators have come to this auction. Unless there’s a treasure of astronomical value, such a crowd wouldn’t gather,” Li Muwan remarked, her gaze as calm as a lake’s surface yet tinged with a barely concealed excitement.

Wang Lin sat to her left, his slender, well-defined fingers holding a white jade cup. His sharp eyes scanned the crowd of cultivators as he said calmly, “Sword cultivators, alchemists, Formation masters, artifact refiners, talisman specialiststhe lowest Cultivation level among them is early Core Formation Stage. They must possess quite a few superior Magical Artifacts.”

“What treasure could possibly draw such people here to trade?”

“Don’t rush. The auctioneer will start with a few ordinary-grade Magical Artifacts to warm up the atmosphere,” Li Muwan replied.

Wang Lin glanced at Li Muwan from the corner of his eye, then lowered his gaze in contemplation. He wondered what her goal was in coming here. If she sought something highly contested, she wouldn’t be so leisurely sipping tea.

Moreover, for the Magical Artifacts these cultivators were gathered to compete for, the real struggle would begin only after leaving the auction house’s jurisdictionthat was when the bloodshed would start.

The life-threatening incident caused by the Hundred Beast Spirit Furnace at the artifact refinement pavilion in the Sea of Demonic Cultivation was still vivid in his memory.

A clear, resonant voice interrupted Wang Lin’s thoughtsthe auction had officially begun.

The seated crowd remained composed at first. A disciple attendant pushed forward a jade box emitting a faint blue glow. Even the box itself was crafted entirely from spirit stones, indicating the superior grade of the Magical Artifact inside.

As the auctioneer opened the spirit stone jade box, a radiance brimming with dense energy emerged. Faintly visible within the pearl were Ancient Runes rapidly swirling.

Around it, subtle fluctuations could be sensed.

The auctioneer’s voice rang out once more: “This is the Heavenly Scale Serpent Pearl, a top-grade serpent pearl excavated from the deep sea by several cultivators beyond the Sea of Demonic Cultivation. It can provide immense Spiritual Power replenishment for cultivators, aiding them in breaking through bottlenecks and overcoming the shackles of their Cultivation level. The starting bid is two thousand spirit stones. Bidders, please state your offers.”

Wang Lin’s gaze sharpened. Even the initial warm-up item was a superior treasure; it seemed anything from this auction would command an astronomical price elsewhere.

If it could help break through bottlenecksespecially a chasm like the Extreme Realmthis item might be useful to him.

But then he shook his head, dismissing the thought.

The Extreme Realm couldn’t be breached so easily.

Li Muwan noticed his reaction. “Is this useful to you?”

Wang Lin shook his head.

As the price continued to climb, the crowd eagerly raised their bids, and the atmosphere grew increasingly tense.

The auctioneer’s gaze swept across the hall, calm and composed as if no commotion could disturb her. With a light smile, she raised her hand and announced, “Three thousand five hundred spirit stones once, three thousand five hundred spirit stones twice, three thousand five hundred spirit stones thrice! Sold!”

As the final call echoed, the Heavenly Star Flood Dragon Pearl was claimed by a cultivator in blue robes wearing a tiger-patterned mask. The other cultivators showed no regret, as if all were waiting for the final mysterious lot.

The auction continued, with mysterious treasures being presented one after another, each attracting the covetous gazes of the cultivators.

Exaggerated bidding voices rose and fell across the auction hall, while the auctioneer’s steady voice rolled like tides, calmly yet powerfully guiding each round of bidding.

As the auction entered its mid-to-late stage, Li Muwan’s initial excitement had faded into disinterest.

Wang Lin noticed her propping her chin with one hand, drowsily nodding off now and then. The sheer veil of her bamboo hat obscured her features, leaving only a faint silhouette visible.

Yet Wang Lin remained silent. Could Li Muwan also be waiting for the final auction item?

On the auction platform, the auctioneer presented another treasure. “This is an inner armor crafted from flood dragon hide. Impervious to blades and poison, the starting bid is three thousand spirit stones.”

Wang Lin suddenly straightened up, his eyes locking onto the auction platform. If flood dragon leather armor could fetch three thousand spirit stones, he still possessed one piece that Li Muwan had tailored for him back in the Sea of Demonic Cultivation, though it was currently with his True Body.

Li Muwan slowly raised her head, delicate fingers brushing aside the veil to reveal an exquisitely beautiful face carrying a moonlight-like cool elegance.

She raised her bidding paddle, her melodious voice weaving through the auction hall. “Three thousand five hundred spirit stones!”

Cultivators in the central area turned toward the source of the voice, their gazes falling upon Li Muwan. Wang Lin’s eyes narrowed slightly, watching these stares with vigilance.

Beside the veiled immortal figure, a sharp-eyed companion cast a warning glare around.

A bidder called out, “Four thousand five hundred spirit stones.”

Silence fell over the venue. The auctioneer scanned the crowd. “Four thousand five hundred spirit stones once, four thousand five hundred spirit stones twice…”

Wang Lin glanced sideways at her. Li Muwan bid again, her gentle tone carrying an intangible authority that commanded respect. “Six thousand spirit stones!”

Though flood dragon armor was precious, the amount required for an inner armor was small. Six thousand spirit stones was already an astronomical price.

“Six thousand spirit stones? For mere flood dragon leather armor?”

“Forget it, we should just wait for the finale item.”

“Six thousand spirit stones once, six thousand spirit stones twice, six thousand spirit stones thrice. Sold!”

The auctioneer’s gavel fell decisively. Beneath the veil, the corner of Li Muwan’s mouth lifted as she casually told Wang Lin, “Consider this flood dragon leather armor a gift from your master. The Land of Immortal Remains is perilous, and at your Foundation Establishment Stage, this armor will enhance your defense.”

Wang Lin was stunned. Had she waited all evening just for a piece of flood dragon leather armor?

“Did you know they would auction flood dragon leather armor?” Wang Lin asked, a trace of expectation in his probing tone.

“The auction house offers a dazzling array of items. Even without flood dragon leather armor, there would have been other treasures as substitutes. The Heavenly Star Flood Dragon Pearl earlier would have sufficed too.”

“Then why insist on this particular flood dragon inner armor?” Wang Lin couldn’t help asking.

“Practical.” But Li Muwan uttered these two words absentmindedly, as if this wasn’t the answer he wanted to hear.

Wang Lin concealed a trace of disappointment, then quickly regained his composure. “Shall we depart for the Land of Immortal Remains now?”

“Not yet, let’s wait a little longer.” Li Muwan pressed down on Wang Lin’s wrist and tilted her chin toward the auction platform.

“The final auction item is coming up. Ar
en’t you curious what it is?” Li Muwan lifted her bamboo hat slightly, revealing starry eyes that blinked through the gap, carrying a maiden’s charm – a liveliness only Wang Lin could see.

In the dimly lit venue, this made warmth rise to his cheeks.

“If Grandmaster wishes to see, this disciple will naturally accompany you.” Wang Lin casually moved his arm away. Understanding his meaning, Li Muwan naturally released her grip without minding.

Yet the warmth of her fingertips still lingered on his wrist.

“It seems all cultivators have been waiting for this particular item, especially those from the major sects – they haven’t raised their bidding placards all night,” Li Muwan remarked.

“They came prepared,” Wang Lin responded.

The auctioneer, brimming with excitement, watched as over a dozen Restrictions were instantly deployed throughout the venue. Immediately, unrest spread through the crowd, with cultivators growing increasingly agitated.

“What does the auction house mean by this?”

“Deploying Restrictions, could it be…?”

“…”

“Honored guests need not worry. These Restrictions aren’t meant to prevent your comings and goings. They’ve been deployed because once the next item is unsealed, it will leak vital energy. These Restrictions are meant to contain the life force that will emanate from the auction item.”

Wang Lin’s brow furrowed tightly. These Restrictions were comparable to Ancient Restrictions, their Formations exquisitely crafted. Yet they weren’t being used on cultivators – over a dozen Restrictions deployed just to preserve the Spiritual Energy of a single auction item.

“This auction item will likely bring calamity,” Wang Lin murmured quietly.

Li Muwan glanced over. “What’s wrong?”

“To employ so many Restrictions just to prevent an item from leaking Spiritual Energy – whichever faction wins this bid will likely face certain death,” Wang Lin said with cold eyes and detached expression.

“Then we’ll leave right after seeing it,” Li Muwan said with determined eyes. For some reason, she felt faint unease about this auction item, yet it compelled her to stay and witness it.

“Stop keeping us in suspense! Unseal it already!” someone called out impatiently.

The auctioneer glanced toward the highest private chamber where an elder with a long white beard nodded slightly. With permission granted, the auctioneer deployed a Formation, formed hand seals, and broke the item’s seal.

Wang Lin observed every movement in the auction hall.

From the Soul Locking Pearl emerged wispy threads like blue smoke that, under the auctioneer’s continuously chanted incantations, slowly coalesced into a human figure.

The Spiritual Power around the figure roared wildly, swirling through the entire auction hall and rushing toward every corner. Everyone quickly held their breath and focused their minds to avoid having their Divine Senses disrupted by the rampant energy.

Teacups on tables shattered into dust, water droplets splashed onto Li Muwan’s sleeves, her light gauze garments fluttered recklessly, and all the cultivators’ robes billowed violently. Wang Lin employed his Divine Sense to suppress the massive impact, barely managing to remain seated.

“This item is the Soul of Life of a cultivator at the peak of late Nascent Soul stage,” the auctioneer announced, hair flowing while maintaining steady breath. “If one can absorb this Soul of Life, it’s possible to advance two entire realms. Since a cultivator’s Soul of Life typically cannot be extracted except through rare fortune, tonight’s finale item is essentially priceless.”

“It now depends on what Magical Artifacts our fellow cultivators can offer in exchange.”

“Soul of Life?” Wang Lin pondered. He had specifically come for this treasure, clearly already understanding its function. Most rogue cultivators had never even heard of it, and it could raise one’s cultivation by two whole realms. If a Core Formation Stage cultivator absorbed it, wouldn’t they be able to break through to Spirit Transformation?

“A sale item with no fixed price, but requiring buyers to offer their own exchange items?” Wang Lin was puzzled.

Li Muwan tapped her finger on the table. “They want to see what kind of sect-guarding Magical Artifacts the visiting sects can offer in exchange for this item.”

Someone in the audience asked, “What value of spirit stones should the exchange Magical Artifact be worth at minimum?”

The auctioneer replied, “At least the equivalent of one hundred thousand high-grade spirit stones. As for whether the Magical Artifact is worthy of trade, that will be decided by the auction house.”

Wang Lin observed thoughtfully, “So they’re casting a wide net. The auction house must already have a specific Magical Artifact in mind. We can withdraw from this feast.”

Just as Wang Lin prepared to stand and leave, Li Muwan fell into a trance, her expression beneath the bamboo hat completely frozen.