Chapter 15: Then, do I look good to you?

Page (1/3)

Blue Ice seemed to sense it as well; she let out a cold laugh, swiftly dodging from her position and sweeping through the cultivators trapped in the illusion with a series of slashes. In just a few strikes, many of the Chen family’s Spirit Gathering Realm cultivators fell. However, one Earth Soul Realm cultivator soon sensed the strange pressure around him and quickly retreated. Even so, he was struck by a blade in the back and nearly perished.

“What kind of ability is this? Damn it! Retreat for now!” The Chen family’s Earth Profound Realm elder, seeing this, immediately ordered his men to withdraw.

This was a wise decision; otherwise, with this strange ability combined with an unknown Earth Profound Realm level eight cultivator present, continuing the fight might have resulted in severe injuries or even complete annihilation.

Mo Xuan checked the losses on the Mo family’s side—about ten had died, and Elder Zi Xiao had almost fallen here. Mo Xuan immediately administered some restorative potions to those who survived. “If you can’t win next time, don’t hold this position. Losing it now can be recovered later…”

Mo Xuan deeply understood that if Blue Ice hadn’t been here, or if he had arrived later, these people might all have died. This was something he was unwilling to see. Compared to the mine, even as an outsider now, he cared deeply about the safety of his clan members.

Though the group was reluctant, seeing Mo Xuan’s conduct, many were inspired to pledge their lives in loyalty.

Mo Xuan kept his gaze fixed on Blue Ice, who sat atop a rock. Blue Ice found it strange. “What are you staring at? Honestly, even if you hadn’t come, I could have handled them myself!”

“Thank you.”

“No need. We only take what we need,” Blue Ice replied nonchalantly. “Don’t forget your promise.”

“I won’t.”

As night deepened, Mo Xuan, feeling bored, decided to take a walk and clear his mind. In the corridor, he glanced up at the sky. A crescent moon, shimmering with frost-like light, cast its glow onto the courtyard’s peach blossom branches, illuminating the ground with a white frost-like clarity.

Unintentionally, he noticed a few faint blue lights in another courtyard and curiously went to investigate. At the entrance, he saw someone cultivating on a rooftop platform.

It was Blue Ice. She wore a white dress that fluttered down from the eaves, suspended midair. A gentle breeze blew, making even her hair dance and sway.

Mo Xuan was somewhat stunned. This was not the Blue Ice he remembered. He vaguely felt a profoundly familiar sensation, like that of a close family member. But he quickly recovered his composure as he sensed a strange fluctuation nearby.

That was—

He could not explain why what he sensed and what he saw were two entirely different things. It was the aura of a very peculiar cultivation technique: a pale blue energy—no, it was a primordial spirit. Why was her primordial spirit so blurry, almost like mist?

Soon, a pale blue aura resembling flames formed around Blue Ice. This was a sign of an impending breakthrough; the primordial spirit naturally manifested. At this moment, the true form of the primordial spirit revealed itself.

It was a cluster of pale blue energy. Mo Xuan was surprised—her primordial spirit was the same type as his own, only his was black.

Blue Ice soon finished. She had successfully advanced to Earth Profound Realm level nine. She quickly detected Mo Xuan’s presence and used swift movement to appear before him before he could react. Her white dress stretched out nearly two meters, and she seemed a bit annoyed. “Speak! What are you doing sneaking over here at this hour?”

Mo Xuan appeared anxious. “Uh… good evening, Sister Bing. Congratulations on your advancement.”

“Don’t use empty compliments to brush me off!”

Mo Xuan seemed to understand; if he didn’t say something soon, he might get beaten. “I just suddenly felt like taking a walk, nothing else.”

“Do I look good to you?” Blue Ice struck a pose inviting admiration.

Mo Xuan’s mind raced. Normally, this would have gotten him in trouble. If he said she looked good, it would be tacit admission of his intentions. Then he had an idea. “I came with a learning attitude. To be honest, it’s my first time seeing such a strange cultivation method and primordial spirit.”

Page (2/3)

Blue Ice saw Mo Xuan wasn’t falling for it and wasn’t giving the answer she wanted. She frowned and snorted, “Hmph, you say one thing and mean another.”

She was about to turn and rest, but Mo Xuan wasn’t giving up. After all, he was curious about Blue Ice’s cultivation technique and wanted to ask about it. He also hoped to find a method suitable for himself. “Sister Bing, wait, could you tell me—no, I really want to know—what is the name of the technique you practice?”

“Get lost! Don’t bother me. I’m going to rest!”

“Aren’t primordial spirits supposed to be—”

Before Mo Xuan could finish, there was a loud bang as she slammed the door shut. However, her skirt had been forgotten and was half outside the door, creating an awkward scene.

Seeing this, Mo Xuan wisely took his leave.

For the time being, he set the matter aside but wasn’t willing to give up. With such a perfect example before him, he was determined to get his hands on it, at least to see if it suited him.

Over the next two days, Mo Xuan often came by Blue Ice’s place, trying to help or do something, but was repeatedly turned away.

Volinma Auction House!

When Mo Xuan arrived, the auction was halfway through. Thanks to a VIP card, he bypassed the queues and entered the designated seating area. The current item up for bidding was a mid-grade magic instrument called the Ghost Shadow Twin Blades.

Right away, Mo Xuan was invigorated. The starting price was five thousand spirit coins.

This was exactly what he needed. The set’s quality seemed low, but if it could be upgraded, that would be excellent!

The Ghost Shadow Twin Blades looked very elegant—entirely black with a glossy sheen, adorned with beautiful blue and white spiritual patterns. Mo Xuan planned to bid on it, both for appreciation and as a gift for Blue Ice. If she softened, he might even teach her to use it.

As the auction progressed, the items got better, but none were within Mo Xuan’s budget.

He watched mostly as an observer, paying the most attention to the five bottles of top-tier potions brought in. The results surprised him—these “top-tier” potions were incredibly effective, strengthening his resolve to refine them himself. Typically, a third-tier potion costs no more than a thousand spirit coins, but adding the “top-tier” label boosted the price by tens of times. Blue Ice hadn’t seemed to spend much time teaching either.

The five bottles sold for over two hundred thousand spirit coins. To put this into perspective, the Mo family’s total annual income might not reach that amount.

The final, most anticipated item was an ancient scroll from the Blood Spirit Path series. The final price soared to over one million spirit coins, beyond Mo Xuan’s reach.

The Blood Spirit Path scroll was a mysterious relic from ancient times, its effects akin to a forbidden technique but milder, with few side effects. However, the chance of unlocking hidden powers was almost nonexistent. It was said to have been created by a legendary ancient god who communicated with the laws of heaven and earth. A complete scroll held immense power.

“Two million!” a voice rang out from a room on the top floor.

“That voice sounds so familiar!” Mo Xuan wondered.

This interrupted the previously winning bidder, who became somewhat angry but kept his composure. “Miss, aren’t you afraid to bid this alone?”

“You old man, why so many words? If you want it, raise your bid. If not, I’ll just take it for fun. Why waste time?”

What? An ancient scroll just taken for fun? Who was this girl?

“Since you don’t mind, may I have it then?”

Page (3/3)

“Hey, it’s been so long already. Are you going to keep bidding or not?” the young woman called to the auctioneer.

The auctioneer realized and called out, “Two million, once! Two million, twice!”

In the end, no one else raised their bids. Even the four great families of Luochuan City would hesitate at such a price.

After hearing the voice many times, Mo Xuan was sure it was Lin Mengyao!

Was this girl really that wealthy?

She must come from an extraordinary family.

Strangely, he hadn’t seen her for days and now she had shown up here.

Still uncertain, Mo Xuan went to find Tian Xi, the auction house owner.

“Five bottles total, after a 5% handling fee, it’s 213,000 spirit coins. Everything is in this long box. You should count it first!” Tian Xi seemed very attentive and even gifted him a personal space container.

“No need,” Mo Xuan said, not wanting to bother. He stored it away directly.

“If you have more in the future, remember to come often!”

As Mo Xuan was about to leave, he bumped into Lin Mengyao, meeting face to face.

“What a coincidence! You’re here too!”

“Yeah, what a coincidence,” Mo Xuan replied.

Lin Mengyao didn’t say much, instead pulling Mo Xuan along.

Tian Xi seemed to recognize they knew each other and asked happily, “You two know each other?”

“Yes,” Lin Mengyao introduced, “Sister Tian, this person has helped me. Please take good care of him.”

Mo Xuan was surprised; he hadn’t expected this outcome. But it wasn’t a bad thing.

Tian Xi laughed, “Haha, he needs my care? Even I need him here!”

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going now.” Mo Xuan felt the atmosphere was a bit awkward and decided to leave.

Lin Mengyao soon caught up after settling the payment and said, “I didn’t expect you to be so impressive.”

“I’m just a middleman!”

“No need to say that. You don’t owe me anything. We just help each other, that’s all.”