Chapter 111: The Pavilion of Alchemical Arrays
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A month had passed since the pills were refined, and Heavenly Star Island was now exceptionally bustling.
Countless ships came and went across the waters, while the sky above was filled with flying vessels as well. The entire city had begun operating beyond capacity.
The whole island was caught up in a celebration. A month earlier, the Twin Saints of Heavenly Star had announced that they would be holding a grand auction.
Among the crowds was a man who had just traveled here from the Twenty-Four Outer Islands. Seeing the feverish activity throughout the island, he could not help but feel curious.
He was a merchant who traveled constantly from place to place, possessing a cultivation level in the late Foundation Establishment stage. He managed a fairly large caravan.
When he arrived at the main island of Heavenly Star, he discovered that every mooring site had already been occupied.
“What are we going to do, Manager?”
“All the berths are taken. We can’t find anywhere to dock. What should we do?”
A sailor beside him asked the manager. Every berth on the main island had already been filled, and after circling the harbor, they had still found nowhere to land.
The manager was puzzled as well. Such a situation generally occurred only once every hundred years, during the assembly held to select a new island master.
Yet the next such assembly was still several decades away. How had the island become so lively?
“You stay here and keep watch. Little Liu, go buy some food for everyone. I’m going out to take a look.”
After making the necessary arrangements, the manager flew directly toward the city. By then, the city was almost completely clogged with people of every description, all coming and going in a ceaseless stream.
The manager flew to the top of the city wall, where the gate guards were stationed.
The guards came over to question him. Seeing them approach, the manager understood perfectly well what they wanted and stood motionless.
“Who goes there? How dare you trespass on the city walls? Do you have a death wish?”
The manager looked at the guard leading the group. The two of them clearly knew each other, yet the man was still putting on a show of official business. It was obvious that the manager had not made a sufficient offering.
He immediately took out a pouch and handed it over with an ingratiating smile.
The guard accepted the storage pouch and examined its contents with his spiritual sense. His expression brightened at once.
“Well, if it isn’t Manager Hu! What brings you here today? Have you come to reminisce with me?”
The leading guard waved his hand. The guards behind him were delighted, knowing that they would be able to enjoy an extra feast that evening.
“Brother Sun, I was simply curious. So many ships have filled the entire harbor that our caravan cannot even find a place to dock.”
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“I wonder if you could help us make some arrangements and find our caravan a place to rest.”
The guard surnamed Sun could only shake his head when he heard this.
“If this were an ordinary day, I might be able to help you. But most of the people occupying the berths this time are either rich or powerful.”
“I wouldn’t dare interfere on your behalf. Let me point you in the right direction: take your ships to the outer islands.”
“You’ll never get a berth here.”
Although the guard had accepted the money, there was truly nothing he could do. Most of the ships that had arrived belonged to great clans.
A minor city guard like him had no courage to order those people around. Besides, the hundred spirit stones Manager Hu had given him were barely enough to satisfy him. He certainly was not going to undertake a losing bargain.
“Then I won’t trouble you further, Brother Sun. But why are there so many people on Heavenly Star Island this time?”
“I remember the assembly to select a new island master isn’t due for several decades yet.”
Seeing that there was no other way, Manager Hu could only ask what was really happening.
“I’ll tell you frankly. This is inside information I obtained from some brothers working within the city.”
“If you tell me what’s going on, Brother Sun, I’ll treat you to a meal at the Celestial Immortal Tower.”
The Celestial Immortal Tower was the finest restaurant south of Heavenly Star Palace, only two miles from these city walls.
The guards stationed at the city gates often gathered there for meals. The place was also rather disreputable—a kind of pleasure district—and frequently kept the guards lingering long after their meals were over. It was the best place for anyone wishing to curry favor with them.
“Oh, Old Hu, you’re certainly going to spend a fortune. Since you’re being so sincere, I suppose I’ll reluctantly accept your invitation.”
“The reason is that our Star Palace has gained a master alchemist—the foremost honored alchemist in the Chaotic Star Sea. He wants to hold an auction to collect the materials he needs, while also selling some top-grade pills that are rarely seen.”
“The news that has spread concerns the legendary Nascent Soul Formation Pill. That’s why it has drawn every Nascent Soul clan from the Twelve Inner Islands and the Twenty-Four Outer Islands.”
“Some Golden Core clans may even sell everything they own to scrape together enough money for a chance to obtain one.”
“Fortunately, I stopped you. If you had recklessly offended someone, you might not even have known how you died.”
Brother Sun spoke as casually as if he were discussing the weather, but cold sweat had already broken out across Manager Hu’s back.
“That certainly is frightening. Thank you, Brother Sun. But what exactly is this Nascent Soul Formation Pill?”
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Manager Hu was rather curious about the pill Brother Sun had just mentioned. He had no idea what sort of supreme elixir could attract so many clans.
“Like its name suggests, the Nascent Soul Formation Pill helps someone at the peak of the Golden Core stage form a Nascent Soul. It can increase the chances of success by a full twenty percent.”
“If you could obtain even one pill, your clan’s prosperity could be guaranteed for a thousand years.”
“Just think how many clans that alone would attract. And there are also countless other pills.”
“I see. No wonder these clans have gone mad and rushed here from every direction.”
“This is truly a grand event. I only wonder whether my goods will sell.”
Manager Hu was not concerned with the grand event itself. With his financial resources, he had no hope of entering the auction. His only worry was whether he would be able to sell his merchandise.
“Stop worrying needlessly. At present, Heavenly Star Island lacks everything except spirit stones.”
“And with an event like this, you have no idea how many people it has attracted. As far as I know, at least several hundred thousand people have arrived in Heavenly Star City over the past few days.”
“Even people from beyond the Chaotic Star Sea have come.”
“The goods your caravan carries probably won’t even be enough to fill the gaps between their teeth.”
Hearing this, Manager Hu finally relaxed.
“So that’s how it is. Thank you for clearing things up, Brother Sun. I’ll prepare a banquet for you at the Celestial Immortal Tower tonight.”
“But when will the auction be held, and where?”
Manager Hu asked curiously. Although he could probably not afford anything there, he could at least broaden his horizons.
“In the square outside Heavenly Star Palace. It used to be an ordinary square, but the Palace Master assigned it to the honored alchemist, and a large building has now been erected there.”
“I believe it was named the Pill Formation Pavilion. The auction is being held tonight. Why not postpone your invitation until tomorrow? I want to go and see this grand event myself.”
“Very well. I’ll accompany you tonight, Brother Sun.”
……
At that moment, Lin Yang was busy coordinating the auction.
He would personally conduct the auction this time, while also using the opportunity to appear before the various clans.
After all, if he wanted to earn money on their territory, he would have to pay a certain amount of protection money. Once the auction concluded, he planned to personally summon the Nascent Soul cultivators and hold a banquet so that they could become acquainted with one another.
Afterward, he would openly discuss the development of the Pill Formation Pavilion.