Cultivation Starting from Full Talent

Chapter 104: Chapter 102 Tiger-shaped Root Map

Days on Qiongbi Peak were tranquil and leisurely.

Before the auction began, Ning Daoran busied himself within the Spirit Garden Cave Heaven.

Surrounding the Mystic Frost Tree, vessels for collecting sap were densely planted, and now the vessels brimmed with snow-white liquid.

The Mystic Frost Tree, having just reached eight hundred years of age, appeared wilted and sickly, a fate resulting from being excessively drained of its sap.

It seemed as though it had been hollowed out…

Ning Daoran began making paper, and after several busy days, a new batch of Profound Frost Spirit Paper was produced, with more potent spiritual energy than the last. As the tree aged, the spiritual energy naturally intensified.

Afterward, Ning Daoran refined a batch of Paper Substitutes, infusing the most concentrated spiritual energy into five of them.

As always, two of the five Paper Substitutes were exact replicas of Ning Daoran; their destiny was to serve as substitutes, or rather, decoys.

The remaining three depicted a thin, old Daoist with immortal charm, a voluptuous, charming matron, and a flat-chested, ethereal young girl.

Including Ning Daoran’s own forms, there was a variety for every preference.

“Collect!”

With a light lift of his hand, Ning Daoran retracted the Divine Souls from the previous five Paper Substitutes and immediately refined them into new ones.

After the refinement, he gently twisted the matronly Paper Substitute, injected Mana, and tossed it forward. Accompanied by a swelling sound, an elegantly poised woman appeared before him.

Due to the extraordinarily divine assimilation of the Paper Substitute, the matron’s facial features carried a hint of sultry charm.

‘I am indeed a genius…’ Ning Daoran grinned.

He then decided to systematically categorize these Paper Substitutes.

The five Paper Substitutes, equivalent to about thirty-five percent of his own cultivation, were named Class A Paperfolk.

Those not imbued with Divine Souls but still made of Profound Frost Spirit Paper, possessing roughly ten percent of his combat abilities, were named Second-class Paperfolk.

And those made from High-quality Talisman Paper, devoid of substantial combat abilities and suitable only for deceiving Qi Refinement Realm users, were named C-class Papermen.

Each class of Paperfolk had its uses; even the C-class Papermen were produced in excess, in case future needs arose.

Additionally, he sent a dozen Second-class Papermen throughout various workshops in Qingzhou for a few days, where they purchased First-tier Lower Grade and First-tier Middle-grade Talismans from various shops.

Most of these talismans were inexpensive, especially the First-tier Lower Grade Talismans, costing merely five Spirit Stones each, while even the First-tier Middle-grade Talismans could be bought for just over ten.

Thus, after several days, Ning Daoran had spent over ten thousand Spirit Stones, enriching his Storage Bag with thousands of low-level First-tier Talismans.

Their use was simple; the Second-class Paperfolk would employ the low-level Talismans, conquering formidable foes through sheer numbers—the strategy being to overwhelm with quantity, coupled with the combat power of his own true self and the five Class A Paperfolk, plus an Array.

So, Ning Daoran’s true combat ability was far from what was apparent on the surface, and certainly not merely that of an Early-stage Foundation Establishment, for if he were truly serious, he might even contend with a Golden Core Middle Stage Practitioner.

…

With all plans in place, the Qingfu Square auction was about to begin.

Early in the morning.

Ning Daoran offered some guidance on cultivation to Chen Weimo and fed the fish in the backyard, then he descended the mountain with Big Stupid Deer.

As they neared Yellow Dragon Square, he used Earth Tunneling and Transformation.

Emerging from the woods via Wood Escape, he had adopted the form of a high-cheekboned young cultivator with a rebellious, pugnacious demeanor.

The Concealing Breath Technique whirled actively, his cultivation appearing as Perfect Qi Refining.

Walking through Yellow Dragon Square at Perfect Qi Refining was convenient; ordinary cultivators wouldn’t dare offend, whereas Foundation Establishment and Golden Core cultivators wouldn’t bother, ensuring relatively high safety.

Upon reaching Qingfu Square.

Chen Ping’er, in a flowing palace dress, stood resplendent.

Ning Daoran immediately approached, feigning flippancy, his eyes scanning liberally over her full, perky chest and rounded hips; altering his voice, he chuckled, “Is the lady the Workshop master of this Qingfu Square, Chen Ping’er?”

“Indeed, it is I.”

A flash of displeasure crossed Chen Ping’er’s face, quickly replaced by a smile, “What brings the Fellow Daoist here?”

“I’d like to participate in today’s auction; here’s the payment for a private room,” Ning Daoran declared, slapping down twenty Spirit Stones with grandeur.

Chen Ping’er’s eyes lit up, and after collecting the Spirit Stones, she said, “You’re in luck, Fellow Daoist. There’s just one VIP room left; I shall take you there.”

“Thank you.”

Once inside the room, Chen Ping’er smiled slightly, “I have other matters to attend to. Would you like a maid to accompany you?”

“No need.”

“If that’s the case, here’s the Jade Talisman for the auction. I’ll have someone inform you how to use it.”

“No need, I know how.”

“Very well then, I shall take my leave.”

With that, Chen Ping’er hurried away, eager to converse no further with this patron.

Ning Daoran chuckled, having glimpsed another side of Chen Ping’er.

…

The auction began in the morning.

Initially, a few First-tier Top-grade Spirit Artifacts were auctioned, each eventually concluding at about nine hundred Spirit Stones. Subsequently, Second-order Spiritual Artifacts were auctioned.

The prices of Spiritual Artifacts were significantly higher, especially Top-grade and Top-grade Spiritual Artefacts, typically exceeding two thousand Spirit Stones.

Later, some Spiritual Medicine and materials were auctioned.

Then came the main event.

Two Foundation Establishment Pills were auctioned, one of which was a Top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill!

Eventually, the Top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill sold for seven thousand three hundred Spirit Stones, and the Standard Foundation Establishment Pill went for five thousand six hundred Spirit Stones.

Recently, the economy of the Eastern Wasteland Cultivation World was struggling, and the prices of various goods were slightly depreciated, even affecting the transaction price of the Foundation Establishment Pills.

Then, the true highlight of the auction arrived.

A Tiger-shaped Root Map!

It was said that the Tiger-shaped Root Map had been transferred from the main branch of Qingfu Square located in Central State. This move was intended to increase the popularity of the branch stores and pave the way for opening more branches in Qingzhou.

The Tiger-shaped Root Map had two uses.

One was known by a few; it was necessary for the Shape-shifting Technique.

The other was widely known, the fundamental map for Blood Qi Martial Artists!

Many martial artists’ techniques were derived from imitating wild beasts, such as the Tiger Form Skill and the Hidden Tiger Fist, etc. If they could cultivate these techniques with the reference of the Tiger-shaped Root Map, they could greatly and quickly refine their cultivation.

Therefore, the Demon Form Root Maps were in high demand and their prices were consistently high.

“The last auction item, the Tiger-shaped Root Map!”

On the auction stage, a female cultivator with a pleasant appearance held a jade scroll in her hands. On the jade scroll, the shape of a ferocious tiger seemed to jump forth, even faintly emitting the sound of a tiger’s roar.

“Is it truly a Tiger-shaped Root Map?”

A group of cultivators and martial artists in the grand hall were visibly moved, among them were martial artists dressed in government black robes, likely all personnel from Zhenxian Tower.

“The starting bid is 5,000 Spirit Stones.”

The female cultivator smiled slightly, “If you wish to bid, please enter the price you desire into the auction’s spirit scroll, and once you win, someone will deliver the root map directly to you.”

Ning Daoran did not hesitate and immediately entered a bid of 5,500 Spirit Stones.

But his bid was surprisingly not high enough, and it was immediately overshadowed by another bid of 7,000 Spirit Stones!

“Damn it…”

He furrowed his brows, inwardly lamenting, feeling a sense that he was bound to lose money today.

“Oooh~~~”

Inside the Spirit Garden Cave Heaven, Big Stupid Deer gently called out, indicating to his elder brother not to insist, suggesting that if it was too expensive, they should not buy it.

“No!”

Ning Daoran decisively said, “We can yield on anything else, but we must not yield on the Demon Form Root Map. Old Lu, this is your chance for foundation establishment!”

He quickly raised his bid.

Another unknown esteemed guest also followed by raising the price, and soon, a fierce battle of bids began between the two.

“Damn, you’re competing with me?!”

Ning Daoran kept raising the bid; he looked at his Storage Bag, filled with exactly 60,000 Low Grade Spirit Stones!

He furiously taunted, “Come on, raise the bid, do you think I would be afraid?”

At this moment, he was no longer concerned about his own image.

Ultimately, the Tiger-shaped Root Map was sold for an astonishing 18,000 Spirit Stones.

In fact, the real price of a Demon Form Root Map was around 10,000 Spirit Stones, but due to the fierce bidding war, the price had been significantly inflated.

“This esteemed guest…”

A woman entered the private box holding the Demon Form Root Map.

Ning Daoran immediately took out 18,000 Spirit Stones, and then he verified the Demon Form Root Map; it was indeed a map drafted by a Golden Core Late Stage practitioner who had slain a Third-tier Demon Tiger and drawn using its Essence Blood and Divine Soul!

The other party also confirmed the number of Spirit Stones.

The transaction was completed.

Ning Daoran immediately left through the secret passage provided by Qingfu Square, striding away.

Of course, he did not know that his extravagant spending of 18,000 Spirit Stones had completely infuriated another formidable entity.

…

“Damn it!”

Inside a private box of Qingfu Square, a handsome young man’s face turned fierce, and a surge of Jiao Dragon energy suddenly emerged from his arms, smashing the table before him with a “bang”.

“This young master has traveled a long distance to this godforsaken place, determined to obtain the Tiger-shaped Root Map, yet it was unexpectedly snatched away by someone else!” His eyes gleamed with murderous intent, “No matter who he is, he must die!”

“Young Master…”

Beside him, an old servant with a long continuous breath frowned and said, “This place belongs to Qingfu Square, and given their immense power, if we forcefully demand the identity of that person, I fear…”

“What, you, a Baodan Realm Martial Artist, are scared?”

“I’m just worried…”

“Immediately find out the identity of that person, grind his bones to dust, and retrieve the Tiger-shaped Root Map back!”

“Yes!”

Soon after, a robust figure appeared in the woods – the same aged Baodan Realm elder with strong vitality and bloodline.

After several movements through the woods, his face grew more skeptical.

The slim figure of the young cultivator suddenly disappeared, traceless, and he could no longer sense any information about the cultivator.

“Hmph!”

He lingered for a long time and eventually left coldly.

…

Hundreds of meters away, within a dry piece of wood.

Ning Daoran was concealing himself using Wood Escape, watching the elder’s departing figure from afar, firmly memorizing his aura.

This Baodan Realm elder looked like he was about to die; if Ning Daoran encountered him after reaching Gold Core Great Success, he would readily help him on his way!