Nine Yang Alchemy Emperor

"The number of appraisers here is limited, so we issue numbers in queue order. You are number 191, please keep your number tag. You'll be called when it's your turn," the attendant handed Chu Feng a wooden number tag.

The seemingly ordinary tag felt like a living creature when held.

The Penglai Auction never fails to surprise.

Chu Feng immediately took the tag and found a secluded corner to sit and wait with Li Shishi.

Having her around meant someone to talk to, making the wait pleasant.

"Number 162, please enter the Treasure Appraisal Room!"

A rather ugly middle-aged man emerged from a compartment. Not only was his appearance unsightly, but his head sported several raised tumors, looking quite terrifying.

"Goodness, the tumors on this guy's head look even scarier than those on the Evil Tumor Monk!" Chu Feng couldn't help whispering to Li Shishi.

"You've got it wrong this time, Master! The bumps on his head aren't just tumors," Li Shishi replied, also examining the peculiar-looking guest.

The clothes the middle-aged man wore resembled those of a Western Regions monk's lama robe.

"It's said there's a unique Sword Sect in the harsh lands of the Western Regions, differing from others in their cultivation methods. Their practice emphasizes the four principles: hardship, endurance, enlightenment, and secrecy."

"Hardship involves enduring laborious tasks and living a lifestyle akin to an ascetic. Endurance means deliberately seeking physical and mental torment to strengthen the body while honing the mind."

"Enlightenment arises from enduring pain beyond what ordinary people can tolerate, leading to profound insights that speed cultivation progress. Secrecy pertains to techniques unknown to outsiders, yet all are immensely powerful."

Li Shishi certainly knew a lot.

The information she shared was entirely new to Chu Feng.

"Tell me, if those on his head aren't tumors, then what are they?" Chu Feng asked, his curiosity piqued.

In this vast world, there are endless wonders.

The harsh lands of the Western Regions are scarcely populated, rarely ventured by common folk.

Moreover, the Western Regions closely border the Divine Demon Continent, separated only by a vast, endless desert.

Going there almost guarantees death for the average person.

Except for sword dao experts weary of life, seeking a novel way to die, they'd steer clear of the Western Regions.

Additionally, it's said the natives of the Western Regions are not only fierce but extremely hostile to outsiders.

Thus, people from the Western Regions tend to be loners, not accepted by the masses of the Divine Martial Continent.

The ability of Penglai Auction to attract a Western Regions Sword Sect individual is indeed impressive.

Chu Feng secretly wondered if Penglai Auction had established a contact point in the Western Regions. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

After all, many resources from the Western Regions aren't available on the Divine Martial Continent.

Such items auctioned would surely be highly sought after.

"There's a legend that each time a disciple of the Western Regions Sword Sect masters a secret technique, a fetal light tumor appears on their head. It's a symbol of wisdom and an indicator of strength. The more fetal light tumors, the stronger the person."

No wonder those things looked quite different from regular tumors.

Chu Feng recalled an ancient drawing he'd seen, a portrait of Buddha.

The Buddha's head featured mushroom-like protrusions.

Chu Feng always thought those were scars, but now they seemed to be fetal light tumors too.

"One, two, three..." Chu Feng counted the growths on the man's head. A whopping eighteen fetal light tumors.

"Shishi, do you think this man could be the top expert in the Western Regions with that many fetal light tumors?" Chu Feng asked quietly.

"It's hard to say; I've never been to the Western Regions Sword Sect. I pieced this together from gathered intelligence; just snippets. Cultivating even one fetal light tumor is challenging, eighteen signifies an extremely skilled expert," Li Shishi replied.

As Chu Feng and Li Shishi continued talking, the middle-aged man entered the Treasure Appraisal Room.

It wasn't visible what treasure he brought; probably kept in a storage ring like Chu Feng's.

Soon, the middle-aged man exited expressionless.

In his hand was a silver token, indicating his treasure was accepted for auction.

Receiving a silver token signifies a highly valuable treasure.

Based on Chu Feng's knowledge, the auction classifies treasures into five categories: Black Iron, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Mythical.

The last category signifies legendary treasures.

It's rare to see even one over a millennium.

The middle-aged man glanced coolly at Chu Feng, briefly smirking before swiftly departing.

Li Shishi frowned, fixating on the man's departing silhouette.

Even long after he left, she remained absorbed in thought.

Chu Feng refrained from disturbing her, knowing that when Li Shishi was processing such matters, she wore this expression. Converting scattered information into actionable intelligence is no easy task.

It's a skill requiring great talent and keeping intelligence work a constant priority.

Li Shishi excelled in this.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say she lived for intelligence gathering.

The numbers dwindled rapidly, with just two ahead of Chu Feng.

Suddenly, a loud and arrogant voice rang outside, "Get out of my way, who dares to stop me?" A young noble in a rich robe strolled into the Treasure Appraisal Hall.

"Young Master Jin Ling, please, don't trouble us small fry. You're the Sword Immortal City Lord's son, naturally we dare not stop you, yet we humbly request you not disrupt our auction's order," several Penglai Auction attendants pleaded, bowing repeatedly.

Chu Feng was shocked by the young nobleman's arrogance, able to act so ruthlessly at the Penglai Auction, without anyone daring to oppose him.

No one even dared to utter a harsh word.

Sword Immortal City?

Chu Feng had heard of Sword Immortal City. As its name suggests, it's home to Sword Immortals.

Considered a Small Immortal Realm.

Only individuals like Young Master Jin Ling and similar second-generation nobles, plus eminent figures from the Divine Martial Continent, and even the Divine Demon Continent, could reside there.

Despite the numerous elites within the Four Great Heavenly Kingdoms and the Eight Great Sects.

Even notable figures like Sect Master Fang Xuanling or Bai Xiansheng don't have the privilege of residing in Sword Immortal City.

It's said one must reach the Nine Tribulations Supreme Sword God level, or achieve the Supreme Alchemy Master realm, to qualify for residence.

This suggests Young Master Jin Ling's immensely powerful background.

Being the Sword Immortal City Lord's son places him above the heads of the Four Great Super Forces.