The Demonic Cultivator In Zombie World

Chapter 223: Blood Demon Soul Condensation Technique

"Wow, that woman is stunning. Who is she?" He Ze peered through the one-way glass, noticing a few figures escorting someone into the auction hall.

Chu Xuan glanced over, his eyebrows lifting in recognition. Among those figures, he recognized Xun Zhao and Zhao Qian. There was also a composed middle-aged man, likely Wu Shang.

The man walking in front, with silver at his temples, was clearly identifiable as the Nascent Soul elder of the Majestic Sword Sect who governed this Heavenly Sword City—Ximen Qing.

Yet, Ximen Qing, walking alongside the icy beauty, cautiously remained a half-step behind her. Could she be the one who, according to rumors in Heavenly Sword City, supplied the auction items? It seemed likely she was Leng Hanshuang, the saintess of the Reincarnation Divine Church.

"Leng Hanshuang... It's said she's born with earth-grade spirit root and spirit body." He Ze whispered, intrigued by the gossip. "Though her talents fall slightly short of the Holy Son of the Reincarnation Divine Church, Situ Kong, her perfectly matched spirit root and body allow her cultivation speed to keep pace without lagging."

Chu Xuan pondered this information. He wasn't sure of the exact nature of Leng Hanshuang's spirit root and body, or whether they suited his needs.

As they mused, the doors to the auction hall thundered shut. The lights dimmed, and beams of light converged on the auction stage. A woman in a tight-fitting red pleated dress gracefully ascended the stage.

"Presenting the first auction item," she announced. "A Nascent Soul spiritual item, the Gold Crumble Mud!"

The crowd gasped in shock. A Nascent Soul spiritual item right from the start? This auction was truly unprecedented!

"Master He, your tea is ready," He Ze announced, bringing over a teapot and cup, brewing a new spiritual tea that Chu Xuan had acquired called "Mist Gazing Flower." As it brewed, a dense fog rose, with the silhouette of a flower faintly visible within—hence its name.

Chu Xuan had few hobbies, but he was particularly fond of tea tasting. He planned to acquire some seeds of this Mist Gazing Flower to plant on Blue Star.

While Chu Xuan savored his tea, the Gold Crumble Mud was purchased by a late-stage Golden Core cultivator for a staggering 130,000 small spirit stones.

"130,000 small spirit stones... That's an outrageous price," He Ze remarked, wide-eyed. He had never seen such an enormous sum of spirit stones in his entire life.

Chu Xuan chuckled, explaining to He Ze the dynamics of the auction market, "Low-grade magic treasures usually go for about ten thousand small spiritual stones. Mid-grade ones need around forty thousand. Nascent Soul spiritual items, being rare, typically fetch around ninety to one hundred thousand small spiritual stones in previous years. This jump to one hundred thirty thousand might indicate someone deliberately driving up the price in the shadows."

He Ze, still puzzled, asked, "Master He, aren't you going to bid for the Nascent Soul spiritual items?"

Chu Xuan casually replied, "Gold Crumble Mud is one of the more impactful Nascent Soul spiritual items. With so many people eagerly competing for it, how could I possibly outbid them? Let fate decide. I've already secured a Nascent Soul spiritual item for my descendants; now, all I need is a top-tier Soul Condensation technique to honor the ancestors."

He Ze gave a thumbs up, impressed, "Master He truly knows gratitude and is looking to repay it. If your ancestors knew of your deeds from beyond, they would surely feel comforted."

Chu Xuan raised an eyebrow. Comforted? If he recalled correctly, He Liang indeed came from a Foundation Establishment family lineage, but his ancestor had likely been executed by the righteous sects of Yu Country. If anything, his ancestor, if aware, would probably be less than comforted—more likely furious.

As the auction proceeded, Chu Xuan had He Ze place bids only a couple of times, acquiring a medicinal manual and a poison scripture. They made a tentative bid on a high-grade Soul Condensation technique but did not engage in further bidding.

Hours later, the auctioneer's voice had grown somewhat hoarse, but she remained professional, standing diligently on the auction stage.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the forty-second item up for auction is a top-tier Soul Condensation technique!" She lifted her hand gracefully, and the red cloth covering the scripture flew off, revealing the manual underneath.

"The Heavenly River Soul Condensation Technique! Utilizing millennium water essence as a catalyst, it forms a Heavenly River Water Soul, suitable for cultivators with water attribute spirit roots. Those of you with water attributes, don't miss this chance!"

The technique stirred immediate interest, and many bidders quickly called out their offers. Soon, the "Heavenly River Soul Condensation Technique" sold for one hundred sixty-six thousand small spiritual stones. Chu Xuan had He Ze make a bid, though they didn't continue as the price climbed.

After a brief pause, the auctioneer sold another top-tier Soul Condensation technique named "Severing Gold Soul Condensation Technique," suitable for metal attribute cultivators, for one hundred fifty-eight thousand small spiritual stones.

"Next up, the third top-tier Soul Condensation technique!" the red-clad auctioneer announced. "This technique is known as the 'Blood Demon Soul Condensation Technique'! It harnesses fresh blood as a river, irrigating the body to break the core and form the soul. This technique can increase the success rate of forming a Nascent Soul by 10%. If the advancement fails, there is still an 80% chance to form a false soul. A Nascent Soul formed by this method is called a Blood Demon Soul."

Clearing her throat, the auctioneer continued, "Once the Blood Demon Soul is formed, combat power surges dramatically! Both spiritual Qi and soul strength will see significant increases, making it one of the premier techniques among top-tier Soul Condensation methods!"

As she finished, some knowledgeable cultivators in the audience laughed out loud.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"Why does the fellow daoist not mention the drawbacks of the Blood Demon Soul? The quickest way to gather large amounts of blood is through the slaughter of mortals, which accumulates heavy karmic debt. The resulting heavenly tribulation one must face when breaking the pill to form the soul is terrifyingly formidable!"

The auctioneer's smile turned somewhat awkward.

"Indeed, the Blood Demon Soul is powerful, but it's also akin to courting death. The enhanced heavenly tribulation that follows is not something everyone can survive!"

"If one can survive such a tribulation, why would they need the 'Blood Demon Soul Condensation Technique' to step onto the path of the Nascent Soul?"

"I agree, this method harms both heaven and humanity and is more trouble than it's worth!"

Many cultivators vocally disparaged the Blood Demon Soul Condensation Technique.

The auctioneer's face grew increasingly awkward, but she continued, "The starting bid is eighty thousand small spiritual stones. Each increment must be no less than one thousand small spiritual stones. Please, make your bids..."

She braced herself for the possibility that the item might not sell.

However...

"Eighty-five thousand!"

"Eighty-eight thousand!"

"Ninety-six thousand, and nobody better competes with me! If someone's going to do something this morally reprehensible, let it be me!"

"One hundred thousand! I'll take it! Don't anyone dare outbid me!"

The auctioneer was left speechless. Weren't they just calling it ethically abhorrent? Weren't they just saying it was utterly useless? Why were they now outbidding each other so eagerly?

He Ze was also shocked, "Why is this happening?"

Chu Xuan simply chuckled, "Advancing from Golden Core to Nascent Soul is successful for only one or two out of ten cultivators. Regardless of the method used, forming a Nascent Soul always invites a heavenly tribulation. The only difference lies in its severity. With such odds, why not choose a technique that not only increases the chances of success by 10% but also offers an 80% chance of forming a false soul if one fails?"