Immortality begin with Alchemy Grandmaster
Chapter 1678 - 617: The Master’s Fame Spreads, An Old Friend Arrives

Chapter 1678: Chapter 617: The Master’s Fame Spreads, An Old Friend Arrives

Longyuan Immortal City, though dilapidated, spans a vast area.

Within its bounds rises a mountain, atop which stands a Daoist temple rumored to be the cultivation site of True Master Longyuan.

At the mountain’s base lies a sprawling cluster of newly constructed palace complexes.

The headquarters of the Demon Hunter Bureau is nestled here.

However, as the day of the Longyuan Auction approaches, the Demon Hunter Bureau is evidently no longer the main focus.

The true protagonist has become Deputy City Lord Huo Fang.

A cultivator of profound realm, Huo Fang is one of the rare Golden Core Ninth Layer Grandmasters attending the Ten Thousand Immortals Gathering, rivaling the three Eight-Star Demon Hunters of the Demon Hunter Bureau.

At this moment, Huo Fang sits at the head of the palace hall, listening intently as subordinates report on the auction preparations.

People continue to trickle into the hall.

When a lady in purple palace robes gracefully enters, Huo Fang rises proactively from his seat.

"Daoist Zi Hou has arrived."

Zi Hou smiles faintly, her radiant beauty seemingly casting an ethereal glow upon the otherwise modest palace.

"The resources gathered by the Demon Hunter Bureau have already been delivered. Each item has been meticulously curated to ensure they do not disappoint City Lord Huo Fang."

Huo Fang nods in satisfaction, then says, "What is your decision regarding that matter? Though there are many talented individuals in the Ten Thousand Immortals Gathering, only one with your beauty, cultivation level, and eloquence is suitable for this role."

"Haha, hosting the auction is hardly a major matter. Deputy City Lord is rather skilled at flattering people." Zi Hou chuckles, accepting the task with aplomb.

For an auction of this scale, the auctioneer must be no less accomplished.

Typically, such a role is filled either by a renowned appraising master or a well-traveled high-order cultivator.

In choosing Zi Hou, Huo Fang undeniably made the right choice.

Having accepted the responsibility, Zi Hou is determined to execute it to perfection.

She immediately requests the auction list from Huo Fang, needing to familiarize herself with the details of the auction items to craft introductions and prepare phrases to drive up the prices and stir excitement.

The auction list’s sequence remains roughly outlined for now, so Zi Hou must plan it carefully. Priceless treasures must not be presented too early, lest the later items seem underwhelming; yet the initial lots cannot be dull, as they must ignite the attendees’ intrigue.

As her gaze lands on a certain item, Zi Hou’s expression subtly changes.

"Nine Dragons True Fire Veil?"

A busy Huo Fang overhears her murmur and casually replies, "It’s an ascendant-grade magic tool from a small sundry shop within the city. A steward who happened to pass by thought it interesting and added it to the auction lineup. I believe the shop is called Qingyang Store. It seems like the business of a Foundation Establishment family on the surface, but it’s actually a money-making endeavor of a Golden Core Artifact Forger. I think his name is... Qingyang Zi Luo Hai..."

Huo Fang pauses mid-sentence.

"Zi Hou, didn’t you have a grudge against this person? Shall I remove this item from the auction for you?"

Such trivial matters required hardly any effort, and he was happy to do Zi Hou a favor.

Unexpectedly, Zi Hou shakes her head.

"No need, it’s merely an ascendant-grade magic tool. There’s no need to trouble anyone over such a minor matter. Besides..."

She calmly states, "This Qingyang Zi doesn’t truly have any enmity with me. It’s just a matter concerning some disputes with a junior of his."

Huo Fang, seeing this, nods approvingly.

Rogue Cultivators are often known for bearing grudges, but only when their personal interests are affected.

More often, they adhere to the principle of yielding to foster harmony. Petty disputes involving descendants rarely escalate as they do within great sects or clans.

Scenes of elders avenging their juniors are uncommon in the world of rogue cultivators.

For high-order rogue cultivators especially, ties of familial sentiment tend to be relatively faint.

As they set aside the matter to resume their tasks, hurried footsteps echo from outside the hall.

Shortly thereafter, a Foundation Establishment steward strides in, beaming with excitement.

"Deputy City Lord, I’ve acquired another treasure!"

"What treasure has you so exhilarated?"

"A magic item—a water attribute magic tool."

"Oh? Let me take a look at it!"

Though magic items are valuable, their worth depends on the observer.

Cultivators at the Golden Core stage, like Huo Fang, are likely to possess at least one or two magic items. Especially to overcome Nascent Soul Thunder Tribulation, every Golden Core cultivator spares no effort after Core Formation to create a natal magic item perfectly suited to themselves.

Ordinary magic items scarcely interest Huo Fang.

However, once the blue-tinted armor plate falls into his hand, his expression shifts dramatically.

A mix of astonishment and uncertainty surfaces as he channels his Qi Power into the plate, revealing a suit of azure armor adorned with shimmering watery patterns before his eyes.

"Hmm, a purely defensive magic item?"

Witnessing the phenomenon, Zi Hou’s face betrays a hint of surprise.

"This is quite the rare find. Who would surrender this for auction?"

In the Immortal Cultivation World, offense-oriented magic items are exceedingly common, as they can be forged by any skilled Artifact Forger with suitable materials.

Even unique Strange Gate magical treasures are not particularly remarkable.

Yet defensive magic items are remarkably scarce in circulation.

This rarity stems, first, from their critical importance in shielding cultivators during life-and-death situations.

Second—and more importantly—their extreme difficulty to forge!

The latter reason is paramount!

Destruction is always easier than creation; likewise, defense is more challenging than offense.