Eternal Life: I Can Harvest Demon Beast Talents

"Such an Exotic Fire is a rare sight. I happen to possess a stubborn Spiritual Material that ordinary Earth Fire and True Fire cannot refine in the slightest—a problem that has plagued me for ages. By chance, I sensed today that you, Fellow Daoist, possess an Exotic Fire, which is why I've brazenly approached you with this presumptuous request."

He set down his wine cup, his expression candid as he looked at Lin Changheng. "I am willing to offer you the Secret Skill, 'Smell the Wind and Distinguish Spirits,' in exchange. I only ask that you, Fellow Daoist, lend your aid once to help me refine that item. Whether we succeed or not, I will depart as soon as this matter is concluded and will never reveal the slightest information about you to anyone. If I go back on my word, may I suffer a Heart Demon backlash and my path of Cultivation be utterly ruined!"

With that, Wu Jiu had directly sworn an incredibly severe Heart Demon oath.

"Oh?"

Lin Changheng hadn't expected him to swear a Daoist Oath.

"What am I refining, and how long will it take?"

Lin Changheng neither confirmed that he possessed an Exotic Fire, nor did he rashly agree to the request.

"Seven days at the fastest, half a month at the latest."

"As for what the item is, you'll find out when the time comes, Fellow Daoist."

A hint of joy appeared on Wu Jiu's face as he spoke, though he remained secretive about the item itself.

'Could it be some kind of Treasure?'

A thought sparked in Lin Changheng's mind, and he spoke directly. "The refining must take place here in the market. I will not go elsewhere."

"And that first condition is also debatable. I don't have that many Spirit Stones. I still need to participate in the Auction and have no Spirit Stones to spare."

'First of all, I can't just follow an old Daoist I don't know to some unfamiliar place. What if he's set an ambush or is leading me into a trap?'

'Second, I'm no fool. The old Daoist's Secret Skill might be valuable, but does he think it takes no effort for me to use my Flame to refine a Treasure? The ability to control such a Flame is valuable in itself. Why else wouldn't he just find someone else?'

So, he began to haggle.

"This…"

After a moment of consideration, Wu Jiu agreed.

But Lin Changheng wasn't about to let him off that easy. He kept haggling until it became a direct, one-for-one trade.

Not a single extra Spirit Stone would be paid.

Wu Jiu was dumbfounded. He never imagined that the Fellow Daoist who had seemed so generous just moments before, even willing to share a table, would be such a sharp and unyielding haggler. He was left speechless, afraid of jeopardizing their deal.

In the end, he could only agree to all the terms.

'Fortunately, this was still within his acceptable range. He couldn't very well go and ask a Core Formation Cultivator to help him with their Pill Fire, could he?'

'Never mind that he couldn't afford the price; what if the other party got greedy and decided to kill him for his Treasure?'

'Among Foundation Establishment Cultivators, he was fearless. But Core Formation Cultivators were a different story—the gap in power was simply too vast.'

'That was why a Foundation Establishment Cultivator with an Exotic Fire was his primary target. He had waited for so many years to find one!'

'He certainly wasn't about to give this chance up.'

Once the two had agreed on the fine details of their cooperation and a specific time, they went their separate ways.

...

「An incense stick later.」

Lin Changheng's figure, like a phantom, drifted through the night sky as he watched the slovenly old Daoist stagger his way out of the city.

He held a wine gourd in his hand, making no attempt to conceal himself.

He looked just like a common drunkard.

Only when the man disappeared into the shadows outside the city did Lin Changheng silently turn back.

Although the old Daoist hadn't shown any signs of trouble, Lin Changheng had wanted to be extra cautious, hoping he might discover something.

But his efforts were fruitless.

'Ah, well…'

'Since the man agreed to all my conditions and has something I need, there's no harm in cooperating with him once, so long as it's on my terms.'

...

In the days that followed, Lin Changheng spent his time either out purchasing supplies or in Cultivation.

The Auction arrived quickly.

At dawn, streaks of Escape Light and figures riding Magical Artifacts descended upon the lowest mountain peak to the west.

Lin Changheng, disguised as a burly Foundation Establishment Cultivator in a yellow robe, blended into the crowd and entered.

The moment he arrived, Lin Changheng was taken aback.

This wasn't an indoor venue or a grand hall, but an incredibly spacious, open-air field!

The mountaintop looked as though it had been sliced flat by the single sword stroke of a Great Divine Power User, creating an immense bluestone plaza. No buildings had been constructed upon it. Instead, thousands of cushions were arranged in a staggered, yet orderly, fashion, following the natural rises and dips of the terrain.

These cushions were not placed randomly; they formed a huge, subtle ring, rising in tiers like the stands of a mortal arena, ensuring every participant had a clear view of the plaza's center.

In the center of the plaza was a slightly raised, circular stone platform, as smooth as a mirror—the place where the auction items would presumably be displayed.

By now, many Cultivators had already arrived, each finding a cushion and settling down. Despite the large crowd, there was little clamor. Most were either conversing in low whispers or resting with their eyes closed. The atmosphere felt somewhat solemn and tense.

Faint fluctuations of a powerful Array emanated from the sky, likely there to both maintain order and protect the Auction from outside interference.

What caught Lin Changheng's attention even more was that most of the Cultivators present were like him. They had either cast a simple Illusion Skill, were wearing bamboo hats or veils that blocked Divine Sense, or had simply used oversized robes to hide their figures. It was clear that no one wanted to reveal their true identity, and the air was thick with caution and wariness.

This open-air auction format, though seemingly crude, created a peculiar sense of fairness and secrecy. Everyone was exposed under the same sky, yet everyone also concealed their identity, letting only their wealth do the talking.

Lin Changheng found a cushion in a relatively secluded spot that still offered a good view. As his gaze swept across the venue, he thought to himself, 'An open-air auction… How novel.'