"Enough! Enough!"
"One cannot solely pursue the Secret Seal; the Secret Seal merely distinguishes Dao Lineage and Spiritual Sense, but it doesn't mean other Dharma Seals are without merit."
Gu Yuan looked carefully at the two Dharma Seals for a long time, finally sighed deeply, and took the latter one.
Although the Secret Essence Arrow Seal is not a Secret Seal, its power is astonishing, almost unrivaled among the Dharma Seals Gu Yuan has seen.
Gu Yuan needed a trump card.
If a confrontation does occur, thunderous tactics are indispensable!
The most crucial point is that this seal might achieve miraculous effects with the Cloud-Walking Celestial Seal.
"Buzzing!"
Accompanied by Gu Yuan's actions, the restriction on the Jade Scroll instantly disappeared, and the Jade Order in Gu Yuan's hand dimmed completely, losing all its luster.
Gu Yuan dared not delay; with a smile at the corner of his mouth, he quickly picked up the Jade Scroll and scrutinized it.
But after just a moment, the smile on his face froze.
"So expensive?!"
Gu Yuan couldn't help but curse silently in his heart.
In this world, in cultivation, Dharma Seals require the assistance of Dao Patterns, and to refine Dao Patterns, one must purchase spiritual materials.
The two Dharma Seals Gu Yuan held required rare items.
The main material for the Cloud-Walking Celestial Seal was the Dao Pattern from the turtle shell of a Green Turtle of over five hundred years, although not much was needed, it was still an expensive item from a five-hundred-year-old demon.
The Secret Essence Arrow Seal required a piece of "Secret Essence Gold Stone," not too rare, but the auxiliary materials were overwhelming, listed with over a hundred lines, dazzling to behold.
Gu Yuan clutched his Storage Bag tightly, feeling as if his heart was bleeding.
It was like being completely satisfied with a renovation's effects in the pictures, but feeling deterred immediately upon seeing the price.
Compared to these rare spiritual materials, comprehending the Dao Patterns of the Dharma Seals seemed trivial.
Actually, not all Dharma Seals require such precious spiritual materials; some superior Dharma Seals only require simple spiritual materials.
This is because Dharma Seals emphasize the comprehension and refinement of "Dao Patterns."
Some Dao Patterns can even be found on a three-year-old Spirit Grass, like the Grass Sword Seal.
But to comprehend this Dao Pattern and forge it into a Dharma Seal requires highly exceptional insight.
This world is vast, and "money, companion, Dharma, land" are the four-word secret.
If one's insight is superb and talent remarkable, it might not be impossible to defy the heavens.
Though Gu Yuan felt distressed over the heavy resource expenditure for these two Dharma Seals, he actually felt relieved.
Because he... wasn't born to be a prodigy.
If cultivation relied solely on insight rather than consuming resources, it would be bad news for him.
But this matter did not bring him any joy; he could only sigh quietly in his heart.
...
...
Gu Yuan memorized the details of refining the Dharma Seals and then stood up.
The Jade Tower seemed to understand Gu Yuan's intention, enveloping him in a gentle beam of light, and he suddenly found himself outside the Transmission Hall.
Looking at the golden sunrise spreading across the world, Gu Yuan couldn't help but take a deep breath.
With the Dharma Seal in hand, he now felt much more confident; next, he only needed to cultivate step by step.
But before that, he still needed a sum of money to continue cultivating.
"Hopefully, Cyan Crane Spirit Water won't disappoint me..."
Gu Yuan straightened his Daoist Robe, then mounted the Cloud-Stepping Shuttle and flew towards Silver Moon Bay.
As per the agreement, if Gu Yuan did not repay the Spirit Stones, today would be the day of auctioning the Cyan Crane Spirit Water.
Since Gu Yuan had already successfully refined Spiritual Flood Dragon Celestial Water, he no longer needed Cyan Crane Spirit Water and could naturally exchange it for resources.
This auction impacted Gu Yuan's future cultivation, and he eagerly hoped for a few spendthrifts to appear.
During the flight, he inexplicably thought of Lan Tianlu.
One wonders whether that guy has consumed the Spirit Water or not?
...
...
The market in Silver Moon Bay was already bustling with people.
Despite the Celestial Star Dark Market's entrance fee of five Spirit Stones, it was crowded with moonlit figures.
In the vast Celestial Palace, everyone was expectantly watching the highest Jade Platform.
On the Jade Platform, a shadow with an indistinct face was holding a small jade-colored hammer, smiling broadly as he looked below.
"Thank you all for your continued support, as the Celestial Star Dark Market thrives even more, the treasures for sale are increasingly numerous. Elder Xuan has just emerged from seclusion and brought some treasures, so I'm hosting this auction for fellow disciples to bid!"
The old man exchanged a few pleasantries, then gestured with his hand, and another indistinct figure gracefully arrived, raising a Dharma Artifact.
"A high-grade Dharma Artifact, the Soul-Chiseling Hammer!"
"This hammer, upon striking, inevitably disturbs the Spiritual Sense of enemy cultivators below Qi Refining Eighth Layer, causing turbulence in the Sea of Consciousness and rendering them immobile. It's a trump treasure to defeat foes. If one has consumed high-grade Spirit Water, there's minor resistance, but it does not affect the treasure's power. Starting price, fifty Spirit Stones!"
On the Jade Platform, the elder called out loudly.
"Fifty-one!"
"Fifty-three!"
"Sixty!"
And below the Jade Platform, bids were shouted immediately, and the atmosphere quickly heated up.
And Gu Yuan's ears were greeted by a familiar voice of explanation:
"Forgive me, Senior Brother."
"The Celestial Star Dark Market was founded by Elder Xuan himself; his elderly highness is a Celestial Craft Pavilion elder, with many disciples adept in Artifact Refining. To support their businesses, the Celestial Star Dark Market periodically receives Dharma Artifacts for auction."
"We intended to auction by ourselves, but did not expect to happen upon this Celestial Craft Pavilion auction, fortunately, we placed it together, perhaps it might fetch a high price."
"Due to the Celestial Craft Pavilion's sudden auction, there is no commission this time, offering free exposure, hope Senior Brother does not mind."
The shadow who had led Gu Yuan into the Celestial Palace explained with a smile.
"Senior Brother Si is considerate; Yang would never mind."
Gu Yuan replied with a smile.
"Si" and "Yang" were obviously their code names for ease of address.
"Glad you are not offended. This time, the Celestial Craft Pavilion has quite a few good items, and some treasures from other channels. If Senior Brother is interested, feel free to bid."
"As far as I know, six or seven disciples from Noble Families have already arrived for the Cyan Crane Spirit Water; surely it will fetch a high price, and Senior Brother can make a good profit!"
Senior Brother Si praised with a smile.
Cyan Crane Spirit Water is the superior of high-grade Spirit Waters, ranking above the Daoist School's "Silverfish Spirit Water." Any Noble Son with some wealth would surely compete for it, giving their descendants a better future.
Hearing this, Gu Yuan felt much at ease and quietly watched the auction.
The auction was lively, with both Dharma Artifacts and Dharma Seals showcasing highlights, but to Gu Yuan, who had just returned from the Transmission Hall, it felt lacking.
Only a few spiritual materials caught Gu Yuan's attention; he made several mid-session bids, spending thirty-five Spirit Stones in total to acquire the most crucial auxiliary materials for the Secret Essence Arrow Seal.
The auction then proceeded smoothly until the highlight arrived.
"Today, there are two treasures in the auction event, which I am sure many of you have eagerly awaited!"
"Without further ado, Cyan Crane Spirit Water, a high-grade Spirit Water of Spiritual Sense Pass, starting bid, two hundred Spirit Stones!"
At the sound of the Jade Hammer, the crowd erupted into noise.
"Two hundred ten!"
"Two hundred twenty!"
"Two hundred forty!"
The crowd was noisy, making Gu Yuan's lips curl upward uncontrollably, almost unable to suppress his smile.
And below the Jade Platform, a shadow looking at the Spirit Water on the platform felt his heart filled with bitterness and resentment.
"Gu Yuan!"
"This is my Spirit Water!"
"It's my Spirit Water!"
"The White Worm Cold Prison has given me new encounters; this time I will definitely kill you!"
While cursing with the most venomous thoughts in his heart, he obediently raised his hand and shouted:
"Two hundred fifty Spirit Stones!"