Stronger from Earth

Chapter 362 - 361: The Curtain Falls

"Two million," Wang Xuan said blandly, "I heard that Precious Light Temple has a Medicine Buddha whose achievements in the Alchemy Domain are unparalleled. I suppose it’s possible to restore these two pill recipes, but who knows what the medicinal effect would be."

"Two million and one hundred thousand. Daoist, you don’t lack pill recipes, why compete with this poor monk? If Precious Light Temple restores the pill recipes, we are willing to share them with you. What do you think?" said a man with a big bald head.

"Save your favor; I, Wang, can’t afford it," Wang Xuan shook his head, "Three million. I don’t lack Spirit Crystals. If you really want it, offer twenty million Spirit Crystals, and I’ll let you have these two recipes."

The big bald man didn’t know that Wang Xuan recently held a grudge against the monks of Precious Light Temple, but he did sense Wang Xuan’s displeasure.

Twenty million Spirit Crystals?

Upon hearing this number, the monk took a deep breath, losing interest in the competition. Compared to his wealth, he was definitely no match for Wang Xuan. If he really drove the auction price to twenty million, Wang Xuan might not even back down, but would certainly harbor resentment against him.

"Amitabha, this poor monk will not contend with Daoist," said the big monk.

In this way, Wang Xuan smoothly acquired the pill recipes.

The auction continued, lasting a full day and night before it finally concluded. The items that followed had True Immortals vying for them, consisting of true-tier Immortal Medicine and Immortal Gold, none of which Wang Xuan needed.

He looked at the bill—fifty million Spirit Crystals—certainly not a small sum, yet he recalled that the total price for the items he bid on shouldn’t add up to that much.

Frowning, he pointed to the entry for a Celestial Race girl, the source of the extra significant amount, and said, "Yiyi, isn’t this what you bid on? You should pay for it yourself."

Yue Yiyi shook her head like a rattle drum: "No, no, I originally wanted to keep her as a maid, but I found out she’s too beautiful. What if Master doesn’t favor Yiyi because of her?

I can’t want her; I’d better give her to you, Martial Nephew."

Her little head came up with this after a long thought, so she was very dismissive of the girl from the Celestial Divine Realm, refusing to take her away, afraid she was a nuisance like a third-party in a high position.

The Golden-winged Roc chuckled nearby because it knew Yue Yiyi was worrying for nothing; someone of Hong Xuanji’s stature wouldn’t casually covet beauty.

"You little rascal," Wang Xuan flicked her forehead, thinking she was just making trouble for him.

Yue Yiyi hummed, "Such a beautiful girl being given to you, you don’t even thank Martial Aunt. Don’t all you men like young and pretty girls?"

"Clever little rascal, you really know how to twist words around."

Naturally, Wang Xuan wasn’t angry. Three million Spirit Crystals were just a drop in the ocean to him, so he paid it without a second thought.

He had a vast reserve of Pure Essence Pills and Life Essence Immortal Peaches, planning to exchange some of them with Hong Xuanji for resources. After all, the resources of the Mountain Gate were limited. If he randomly called upon them, the Nine Veins’ disciples would need to cut expenses, which would stir up criticism.

He memorized the pill recipes, and his mind immediately began analyzing and seeking ways to restore them. To him, the alchemical philosophy within the recipes was the most valuable, rather than the fixed recipe itself.

A crystal coffin appeared, sealing within it a girl from the Celestial Divine Realm. Wang Xuan glanced at it, pondering to himself: I wonder what she’s good for.

It might be best to consult Hong Xuanji, lest she becomes a liability. If she’s harmless, I might keep her for myself.

"His Highness Daoist, an elder from the Jade God Tower has procured an item to be presented to you as an apology. Please accept it."

An auction manager approached, handing over a metal cube resembling a Rubik’s cube to Wang Xuan. It was an item from the Mechanical Race, capable of bestowing intelligent systems with life.

In technology, especially regarding mechanical life, the Mechanical Race had made impressive strides. Rumor had it that the emperor of the Mechanical Race started from humble beginnings, initially just a male robot serving as a female owner’s bed companion, but it developed its own will, gradually evolving into the Mechanical God, granting many mechanical beings life and will.

Nowadays, artificial intelligence was widespread on the Mother Star, with everyone having a personal terminal. The intelligent chip inside was an excellent housekeeper. In the future, with widespread personal chips, high-level intelligence might accompany many people for life.

But no matter how intelligent, possessing vast data and algorithms, it’s still different from intelligent life and mechanical beings because life has its own will, is more clever and creative, and can continue to evolve.

Indeed, mechanical beings have a complete evolutionary system, created by the Mechanical God, the emperor of the Mechanical Race.

Wang Xuan accepted it, realizing that Chen Jie’s rash actions had made the Jade God Tower uneasy, and they recompensed him, fearing he might hold a grudge.

"I’ll accept it. Chen Jie is a good young man, he just needs to be a bit more modest," Wang Xuan said lightly.

Many people wanted to offer him gifts, hoping to curry favor, but Wang Xuan refused without thinking. To him, it was all meaningless anyway.

The auction concluded, but Yue Yiyi still didn’t want to return to the Mother Star. She insisted on following Wang Xuan around, especially once she heard about the Beast Fighting Arena events.

The Golden Turtle shuddered: "You still want to go to the Beast Fighting Arena? Then count me out." It was also afraid Wang Xuan might throw it inside, to fight Otherworld creatures to the death.

That’s so bloody and violent; why bother? Wouldn’t it be better to return to Black and White Mountain, sleep, and eat Pure Essence Pills for a comfortable life?

It finally understood the Giant Panda Xiong Bamboo’s lazy lifestyle, realizing that lazing around is quite a blissful existence.

"Do you really have any say in the matter?" Wang Xuan glanced at it, grabbing the Golden Turtle single-handedly. The immense pressure made its shell squeak, frightening the Golden Turtle.

"Fine, fine, I’ll go, just don’t squeeze me," the Golden Turtle shouted, knowing Wang Xuan could easily crush its same-realm impervious shell.

The Moon was bustling and lively. Wang Xuan found himself somewhat missing Lin Cheng. The New Year was approaching, and everyone longed for a reunion.

On the Moon’s dark side, there are countless Beast Fighting Arenas, some only accommodating a few hundred spectators with just fierce beasts fighting, while larger arenas can house millions of spectators, hosting battles with imprisoned Celestial Demons—a wide variety indeed.

The Celestial Bright Beast Fighting Arena featured a ten-kilometer-diameter open area, with towering tiered structures around it, seating up to a million guests.

Sitting in the VIP room, Wang Xuan summoned a manager, holding a palm-sized Golden Turtle, and said, "Arrange a beast fight for it. The opponent should be an upper-rank Earth Demon with a record."

The Golden Turtle looked distressed: "Can’t I refuse?"

It was really nervous. Having lived comfortably in Black and White Mountain for two years, not needing to lift a finger, the last time it fought was when it caught a Fierce Beast for dinner as a Little Demon.

"You can refuse, but then Black and White Mountain will stop providing you with food, and you’ll have to hunt for yourself," Wang Xuan said blandly. "If you don’t win, I’ll keep you in the Beast Fighting Arena until you do. But if you win, I’ll reward you with ten thousand Pure Essence Pills for each match."

The Golden Turtle felt both fearful and eager, barely mustering some fighting spirit. Ten thousand Pure Essence Pills would last a long time.

The manager asked, "Esteemed guest, how about arranging a black tiger at the upper-rank Earth Demon level? It has won five consecutive battles and recently recovered from injuries, with decent combat power."

Wang Xuan waved his hand, aware that the Golden Turtle couldn’t possibly die. As long as it tucked its head into its shell, with the Dominator’s clan defense, no matter how many Earth-level combatants came, they wouldn’t disturb its sleep.

Yue Yiyi cheered from the side: "Go, little turtle, go!" She would always say this, but if the Golden Turtle got beaten up, she’d certainly be laughing heartily from the sidelines.

"Oh heavens, why is the world so cruel to me?" The dejected Golden Turtle followed the manager reluctantly.