Conquering That Great Demon Lord [Xian Ni Fan Fiction] - Chapter 49: Auction

Chapter 49: Auction

The bitter winter in the Wang Family Courtyard had faded, the snow melted, and early spring was approaching.

The two had lived here for ten years, having promised to plant a peach tree each year on their wedding anniversary. A row of trees now stood in the courtyard, with those planted in the last two years still small.

Flowing water and peach blossoms seemed to exist beyond the mortal world, while the small bridge and misty willows resembled scenes south of the Yangtze River.

The flowers had bloomed.

Li Muwan asked Wang Lin to pick the petals, which she then washed, dried, and used to brew wine.

“Senior Brother, where are the jars you prepared?”

Wang Lin brought them out from the main room. “Wan’er, you know how to brew wine?”

“I bought the recipe from someone on the street,” Li Muwan focused on her task. “I’m not sure if it will succeed.”

“When the Peach Blossom Wine is ready, Wan’er will play the zither for you.”

Wang Lin stroked her hair, having long grown accustomed to Li Muwan’s silver locks.

They eventually sealed ten jars of wine and buried them beneath the peach trees.

As dusk fell over the green spring mountains, white plum blossoms fell in the courtyard while peach blossoms flourished.

Li Muwan played the zither beneath the peach grove, while Wang Lin half-reclined on a tree branch, holding a wine pot in one hand and using the other as a pillow, leisurely enjoying the flowers and music.

“If no worldly worries burden the heart, every season is beautiful in the human realm.” He drank the spicy wine, sighing yet cherishing the happiness before him.

The zither platform became buried in petals as the music intertwined. Suddenly, an untimely cough interrupted the strings. Wang Lin frowned and straightened up, instantly teleporting to Li Muwan’s side.

She coughed while clutching her chest, the violent sound piercing Wang Lin’s heart with unbearable pain.

“Wan’er?” Wang Lin’s hands caught blood that flowed between his distinct, bony fingersa horrifying sight.

Li Muwan’s face looked haggard, her flushed cheeks from coughing blood now streaked with tears.

“Wan’er…” Wang Lin transferred Spiritual Power into her body, and Li Muwan showed slight improvement.

Over the years, her body had gradually deteriorated. Despite his careful nurturing, he couldn’t prevent the exhaustion of her lifespan.

“Wan’er, I’ll take you back to Cloud Heaven Sect to help you achieve Nascent Soul Formation.” Wang Lin finally made his decision.

A trace of helplessness flashed across Li Muwan’s weary face. All these years, the Soul Pearl had shown no movement, with the favorability meter stuck at ninety-nine. As long as she remained alive, it would never break through to one hundred.

She had long known and accepted her fate, but she didn’t want Wang Lin’s efforts to be in vain. She could only watch him exhaust himself running around for her.

***

The couple offered incense to the elders in the main hall.

“Father, Mother.” Wang Lin bowed. “Wan’er is unwell. I must take her to seek higher-grade Elixirs to extend her lifespan. I cannot fulfill my filial duties hereI am an unfilial son.”

As Li Muwan’s body weakened daily, Wang Lin needed to return to Cloud Heaven Sect to help her achieve Nascent Soul Formation. Over the years, his search for Elixirs could only provide temporary relief. If Ouyang Zi could refine higher-grade pills for her, Nascent Soul Formation might have greater success.

Despite his numerous trips away over the years and countless spiritual herbs collected, nothing had proven effective.

The ten years they spent in the Wang Family Courtyardworking at sunrise, resting at sunset, staying together as companions, and holding their wedding ceremony before his parents’ memorial tabletshad fulfilled a long-cherished wish.

“Wan’er, once we return to Cloud Heaven Sect, we will surely help you succeed in Nascent Soul Formation.”

“Senior Brother, I want to visit the Sea of Demonic Cultivation first.” Li Muwan leaned against his shoulder. “Wan’er wants to see the Cave Residence where we once lived in the Sea of Demonic Cultivation.”

“Alright.”

After bidding farewell to the Wang Family Courtyard, the two rode the mosquito beast to Mount Hengyue Range, where the creature circled overhead.

Wang Lin took twelve Top-Grade Spirit Stones from his Storage Bag and inserted them into the slots. As vast amounts of Spiritual Power surged within the teleportation array, Wang Lin recalled the mosquito beast.

The two landed from the air, and before long, the teleportation array activated. When their figures reappeared, they were already in a teleportation array outside the Sea of Demonic Cultivation.

“Ten thousand miles east from here, there’s an auction house,” Wang Lin surveyed their surroundings. “They might have pill formulas for auction there.”

He remembered her preferences, knowing she loved pill crafting and delving into Pill Crafting. But over the years, her health had gradually weakened, and the Spiritual Power she could utilize had diminished, making her unable to refine high-grade pills anymore.

“If there are any, we’ll collect them first. When you recover, Wan’er can study them in your free time,” Wang Lin paid attention to her mood, worried she might feel sad. “With my current cultivation level, I can gather more Immortal Herbs for you. Whatever pill you want to refine, I’ll find the ingredients for you.”

Li Muwan smiled, recalling how over the years he had fought and risked his life outside, returning multiple times covered in wounds just to obtain miraculous pills and elixirs to prolong her life.

“Alright.”

Inside the auction house, Wang Lin placed a straw hat on Li Muwan’s head. Her small face showed resentment as her white hair was pressed down by the hat, flattening her newly styled bun.

Noticing her reaction, Wang Lin coaxed, “The auction house is crowded and full of prying eyes. I’m not at ease…”

“Fine, fine, Wan’er will wear it,” Li Muwan wasn’t unaware of his concerns. The last time they went out, he had made her wear this straw hat too. She just wanted to act a little spoiled.

Most of the attendees at this auction house were rogue cultivators here to exchange goods, and the treasures they brought were often of dubious origins. It was common for items purchased at the auction to end up in others’ hands once they left the jurisdiction area.

Concealing his cultivation level, Wang Lin held Li Muwan’s hand as they entered the auction house. A cultivator from the auction led them inside where every seat was filled. Li Muwan observed their surroundings – the lowest cultivation level among the attendees was Foundation Establishment Stage, with numerous Core Formation Stage and Nascent Soul Stage cultivators present.

No wonder Wang Lin insisted she wear the straw hat. If they purchased anything and left this place, it was inevitable that some cultivators might try to rob them openly. But with Wang Lin by her side, she could rest assured.

They hadn’t been seated long when the auction began, starting with a Magical Artifact.

The final lot was a Sixth-Grade Returning Origin Pill formula. Li Muwan glanced sideways at Wang Lin – he seemed to have planned this all along.

She now confirmed that Wang Lin’s coming here wasn’t coincidental but premeditated. But how did he know there would be a Rank Six pill formula auctioned here?

Back when he was searching for Spirit Herbs in Zhao Kingdom several times, he had learned from other cultivators that even if Li Muwan didn’t mention returning to the Sea of Demonic Cultivation, he would have made this trip anyway.

The auctioneer started the bidding at ten thousand high-grade spirit stones. Since most cultivators had come specifically for this pill formula, Wang Lin didn’t rush to bid as many cultivators continued raising the price.

After several rounds, Wang Lin bid twenty thousand spirit stones, but others kept pushing the price higher until it reached thirty thousand. A flicker of disappointment crossed Li Muwan’s face. “Senior Brother, even if it’s a Rank Six formula, it’s not worth bidding this high.”

This Sixth-Grade Returning Origin Pill formula was very important to him. Wang Lin’s clenched hand tightened. “Don’t worry, Wan’er.”

Li Muwan clearly saw the cold glint in his eyes, though she didn’t know what he was planning.

Just as someone raised the price again.

“Wan’er, let’s go.” Wang Lin took Li Muwan’s hand and left the auction house.

Even if she didn’t understand his plans, she should know Wang Lin’s temperament well enough.

After traveling five thousand miles from the auction house, Wang Lin stopped moving forward, hovering in the air as if waiting for someone.

Sure enough, within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the person who had purchased the Rank Six Pill Formula at the auction arrived. He was a middle-aged cultivator whose gaze fell upon the woman beside Wang Lin. Though her straw hat concealed her features, it couldn’t hide her ethereal grace.

Wang Lin’s eyes sharpened, flashing with cold light as he subtly shifted to shield Li Muwan behind him. “Sir, why are you staring at my companion?”

The Nascent Soul Stage cultivator withdrew his smile. “Your dao companion’s Spiritual Power fluctuates unsteadily, showing signs of dissipation. You seek this pill formula for her sake, don’t you?”

Needle-like shards of ice pierced through the air, forming a towering wall of frost that instantly trapped the Nascent Soul cultivator, leaving him unable to move an inch.

“I’ll give you three sentences,” Wang Lin said coldly. “Explain yourself.”

Despite this, the man couldn’t resist glancing at Li Muwan. “I’ve heard that cultivators exhaust their lifespan for two reasons: damaged foundations halting cultivation progress until death, or losing one’s Soul of Life, cutting off all advancement.”

Li Muwan’s expression changed abruptly upon hearing “Soul of Life.” How did this person know about it? Was he deliberately mentioning it in front of her because he had also lost his Soul of Life, or could he sense its absence in her? Was he trying to force a transaction?

“Soul of Life?” Wang Lin focused intently. Back when he was a disciple of Cloud Heaven Sect and attended auctions with Li Muwan, he had heard of the Soul of Life. At that time, Li Muwan had shown keen interest in it. Later, when she was drunk and rambling, she had muttered about it too. But she never admitted to it when sober, and soon after, they separated for a century. When they reunited, her cultivation had stagnated, with little lifespan remaining.

“If it’s merely stalled cultivation, the Sixth-Grade Returning Origin Pill can assist the Nascent Soul. But if the Soul of Life is gone, no pill, however advanced, will help.”

Wang Lin watched her from the corner of his eyeshe remained unusually calm.

“Senior Brother, this man speaks nonsense. Let’s not waste words with him.”

“You have one sentence left.” Wang Lin’s voice was icy as the frost needles pressed closer, their chill seeping into the Nascent Soul cultivator’s meridians, freezing even his Spiritual Power.

“Exchange this pill formula for all your dao companion’s records on the Soul of Life.” The Nascent Soul cultivator speculated: if Li Muwan’s Soul of Life had been extracted, then Wang Lin beside her must be the one sent by the Soul Pearl. Why hadn’t she reclaimed her Soul of Life yet, given how protective he was? It puzzled him deeply.

Wang Lin didn’t refuse but gave a slight nod.

Understanding his signal, Li Muwan said softly, “I have no knowledge of this matter. Please step aside.”

The man’s face darkened with suppressed fury, but he dared not act recklessly. Though he couldn’t gauge Wang Lin’s cultivation level, his Divine Sense far surpassed his own. If Li Muwan were alone, he could have used the Soul-Searching Art to probe her mind.

“My wife knows nothing of this Soul of Life you speak of, but what you holdI will have it.” Wang Lin’s eyes gleamed with menace.

“Your cultivation surpasses mine. If you strike, I’ll surely perish.”

Wang Lin retracted his sharp aura, and the ice needles vanished, though the lingering cold remained. Turning to his companion, he said, “Wan’er, wait here. I’ll return shortly.”

He then laid several defensive and offensive Restrictions around Li Muwan and summoned the Second Demon and Thunder Frog from his brow to guard her left and right.

The Nascent Soul cultivator, witnessing such a display, couldn’t help but lament his earlier offensethis person was far too peculiar.

“Let’s speak privately.” Wang Lin spoke with courtesy, but the trembling man dared not resist, instantly teleporting thousands of miles forward.

Wang Lin disliked idle talk and went straight to the point: “I want all the information about the Soul of Life you mentioned earlier. If there’s any falsehood, death.”

“Senior’s Mystical Power is vast, yet you go to such lengths for a Core Formation female cultivator.” The Nascent Soul cultivator shook his head. “The Soul of Life is the lifeline of a cultivator. All cultivators possess it, and once a cultivator loses their Soul of Life, it hinders their cultivation.”

“How can one confirm if a cultivator has lost their Soul of Life?”

“In this world, only those with great power can absorb a cultivator’s Soul of Life. There is also an object called the Soul Pearl, which feeds on cultivators’ Souls of Life. Any cultivator whose Soul of Life is absorbed by a Soul Pearl must complete the Pearl’s tasks to reclaim it.”

“You haven’t answered my question.”

“I also carry a Soul Pearl within me,” as a pearl resembling the Heaven Defying Pearl emerged from the Nascent Soul cultivator’s brow. “This is the Soul Pearl. Because of it, I can sense the abnormality in your dao companion’s Soul of Life.”

“Does my wife carry such a pearl as well?”

The Nascent Soul cultivator couldn’t determine whether Li Muwan possessed a Soul Pearl. Though unable to sense its location, he could feel the emptiness and decay of her Soul of Life within her.

Thus, he had dared to test her earlier. Li Muwan’s reaction showed no abnormality, but Wang Lin’s actions now confirmed the Nascent Soul cultivator’s suspicions.

“This… I cannot determine.”

“What are these Soul Pearl tasks you mentioned?”

“Different Soul Pearls have different attributes and tasks. If she carries such a pearl, I cannot ascertain what tasks your dao companion has received.” The Nascent Soul cultivator pondered. “Perhaps you could ask her.”

If Wang Lin could get answers from Li Muwan, he wouldn’t be wasting time here. Suddenly, a golden light shot into the Nascent Soul cultivator’s browWang Lin was using the Soul-Searching Art.

The Nascent Soul cultivator’s face contorted in pain. Wang Lin’s expression turned grave. “Soul of Life!”

“I’ll take this pill formula.” He withdrew the Soul-Searching Art, employed the teleportation technique, and the Rank Six Pill Formula fell into his hand.

The Nascent Soul cultivator knelt, unable to rise, overwhelmed by the terrifying Divine Sense invasion. The foolish cultivator attempted to strike a fatal blow against the distracted Wang Lin, but without even looking up, Wang Lin crushed the cultivator’s Nascent Soul with a flick of his sleeve.

On his return journey, his expression remained heavy. “So Wan’er’s lifespan is exhausted because she lost her Soul of Life? But I’ve examined Wan’er’s bodyit’s clearly due to severe foundation damage, unable to sustain high cultivation levels and Spiritual Power. Then what about this Soul of Life…?”

“That person said if lifespan exhaustion is due to lost Soul of Life, this pill formula would be ineffective?”

Wang Lin calculated silently. Upon returning to Cloud Heaven Sect, he should probe Li Muwan further.

The Restriction lay ahead, and Li Muwan was still waiting for him. He wouldn’t let her see him like this. A smile spread across his handsome features as he saw Li Muwan sitting on the Thunder Frog, idly tossing fruits to Xiao Ling.

The Thunder Frog maintained its simple-minded expression, but having consumed many of Li Muwan’s Elixirs, it had grown fond of her. Seeing her boredom, it entertained her by blowing bubbles.

However, Li Muwan watched the lightning-formed bubbles with resentment. Within ten thousand miles radius, aside from its master, probably no one dared approach this place anymore.

A ripple passed through the Restriction. Sensing the familiar aura and Spiritual Power, Li Muwan knew Wang Lin had returned. As the Restriction fully opened, his figure emerged.

Adjusting her straw hat, she leaped down from the Thunder Frog’s back. With a spring-breeze smile, Li Muwan spread her arms and fell into his embrace. “Senior Brother.”

Wang Lin caught her steadily. The softness of her body in his arms reconsolidated his spirit and form that had nearly dissipated at the brink of truth.

“Wan’er.” As her straw hat pressed against him, Wang Lin bent down to bury his face in the curve of her neck.

“Senior Brother,” she murmured under his gentle weight, her hand stroking his back. “What did you discuss with that Nascent Soul cultivator?”

Straightening up, Wang Lin caressed her back and showed her the pill formula. “I’ve kept you waiting, Wan’er.”

After a moment’s silence, Li Muwan summoned a smile. How he had retrieved it wasn’t worth questioning. What kind of person Wang Lin might be didn’t concern her either. He was simply Wang Lin – whether Fiend or deity made no difference.

To the world he was a demonic ghost, but to her he was divine Buddha.

That was enough.

“Senior Brother, let’s go.”

Wang Lin recalled the two Fiends, and they mounted the mosquito beast to journey toward the Sea of Demonic Cultivation.

At the sea’s periphery, rolling thick fog spread more intensely than centuries prior.

Stepping into the dense mist, memories flooded back. A faint smile graced Li Muwan’s face, her beauty rivaling that female cultivator from bygone days. Her silver hair hadn’t stolen her youthful innocence, instead adding an ethereal grace.

“Centuries ago, Senior Brother saved my life from villains here multiple times,” Li Muwan remarked. “Back then, I thought you colder than the chilling Spiritual Power of this Sea of Demonic Cultivation.”

“You always maintained such an unapproachable air that Wan’er hardly dared breathe around you.”

Hearing this, Wang Lin’s expression turned remorseful. In those days he trusted no one – the slaughter of the World of Cultivation had forged his iciness. Yet deep within, there had always been warmth capable of melting that frost, steadily growing hotter.

Until finally, it thawed him with blazing intensity.