Its value is considerable; a complete piece of Spirit Marrow costs at least one hundred thousand Spirit Stones.

It’s also the energy source for high-tier Puppets, such as the Invisibility Puppet obtained in the Black Water Swamp tomb, whose energy source is a piece of Spirit Marrow.

However, for cultivators within the Celestial Cyan Domain, its use is quite limited and it’s considered a defective piece.

Ultimately, this auction piece was passed over.

Li Ji’an was tempted several times but managed to resist.

Even though it’s a defective piece, the starting price was four hundred thousand Spirit Stones.

For something that is of little use to ordinary cultivators yet so expensive, it was indeed shocking for him as a mid-stage Foundation Establishment loose cultivator.

However, as the auction ended and everyone began to leave.

Li Ji’an went to the back hall of the organizers.

He had already activated the True Pill Magical Power aura of Fu Xiaochen in the Faceless Mask and concealed his appearance and figure with magical power.

"Why didn’t you bid earlier?" The cultivator in charge asked after discerning Li Ji’an’s intention.

"I thought it was useless, but suddenly had the idea it could be used to cultivate a secret technique, though I need to try it firsthand." Li Ji’an answered fluently.

The head was all smiles: "Very well, very well, do try it, friend."

He then ordered someone to bring the centerpiece Spirit Marrow.

As the host of this auction, he needed to be accountable to the Ten Thousand Laws Palace.

For this auction, sixty percent had achieved its anticipated goals, with ten percent earning a premium, thirty percent sold at regular price, making it a success, except for the centerpiece Spirit Marrow, which did not sell.

If it were an ordinary item, it wouldn’t matter.

But this Spirit Marrow belonged to the current True Monarch of Ten Thousand Laws; failing to sell it might displease the True Monarch.

"Is this Spirit Marrow refined by the current True Monarch?" Li Ji’an verified the Spirit Marrow and then cautiously asked.

The head paused slightly and immediately saw that Li Ji’an seemed genuinely interested in making a deal, then lowered his voice: "A good eye, it’s indeed refined by the current one."

Li Ji’an’s heart stirred: "The True Monarch also possesses Fire Element Magical Power, so it should be possible."

The complete Spirit Marrow is encased in a Spirit Shell, and the magical power of the first refiner will have an impact on it.

"Good. With the protection of the current one’s aura, you will surely succeed, friend." The head was overjoyed.

"But about the price..." Li Ji’an returned the Spirit Marrow, looking troubled.

The head was not displeased but instead was more convinced Li Ji’an had a need, entering the normal bargaining phase.

"If you’re straightforward, I’ll be candid, a flat rate of thirty thousand Spirit Stones!"

"Twenty thousand!"

"Twenty-eight thousand, no lower."

"I’m a bit tight on funds, twenty-two thousand!"

"Twenty-five thousand, the lowest price, really can’t cut by another half."

"Twenty-three thousand, all I have!"

...

"Alright, alright, I’ll personally cover the loss for the True Monarch."

Transaction successful, Li Ji’an felt a thrill inside.

With this Spirit Marrow, the Tier Five Puppet can be activated, the only thing left is whether Ning Sujin’s Nascent Soul and Primordial Spirit can bind and contract it.

Normally it’s difficult, but the contract within the Puppet has been there for at least six thousand years, the Divine Soul Seal inside is surely eroded by time, hopeful.

Once the contract is successful, Ning Sujin’s Primordial Spirit could probably exert at least thirty percent of the Puppet’s power.

By then, Ning Sujin should have no problem protecting herself.

Reactivating the Faceless Mask, transforming into Huang Jie, Li Ji’an headed to the city gate.

Before long, the Biyun Sect group left the city, led by Master Tian with a team of Law Enforcement Hall disciples and a Master Jade Pill.

Li Ji’an was surprised to see Xu Xiaochun appearing behind Master Jade Pill, looking around.

A mere mid-stage Qi Cultivation junior managed to persuade Master Jade Pill to bring him, showing Master Jade Pill’s fondness for this boy.

"Ancestor, has the master replied yet?"

Suddenly, Li Ji’an caught their conversation.

Master Jade Pill shook his head slightly.

"I searched the entire Profound Light Immortal City these days without finding a trace of Master; you said there was no sign at the auction either, so Master likely didn’t come here.

According to Fairy Yunyao, Master might have been captured by rogues in the Yellow Wind Marketplace!" Xu Xiaochun both anxious and angry, fists clenched, veins bulging.

Master Jade Pill gazed into the horizon, sighing with brows knit: "At least the Soul Lamp isn’t extinguished; your Master is fortunate, shouldn’t be in trouble.

Besides, Changfeng True Man has also been silent, maybe your Master is with him."

"That boy!" Feeling Xu Xiaochun’s anxiety and concern, a warm feeling inexplicably crossed Li Ji’an’s heart.

Ever since meeting Fairy Yunyao a month before, he received communication from sect colleagues including Master Jade Pill.

But at that time surrounded by hostility, all sects had a motive to eliminate him.

He couldn’t be sure whether there was a traitor in the sect and even suspected Zhao Qi or Elder Tian of seeking revenge.

Having been promoted to Tier Three Pill Master, the communication talisman received from the sect came with a locator, fearing exposure; he has thus sealed it.

Watching the Biyun Sect group depart, Li Ji’an wasn’t worried about Master Jade Pill and Xu Xiaochun’s safety.

In the Celestial Cyan Domain, true confrontation between True Pill Masters rarely happens, mostly mere sparring as those with high cultivation value their lives, while as True Pill Cultivators are wary of each other’s unknown trump cards, leading to mutual harm.

If Li Ji’an were a True Pill Master, even if Fairy Yunyao sought him out, the Fiery Sun Sect wouldn’t launch an attack hoping to frame him.

Before long, seeing another group of scattered cultivators leaving, Li Ji’an mingled with them, flying south.

But after three days of flight, many cultivators were already gathered ahead.

Most of them were attendees from the south region of the Ten Thousand Laws Palace auction, all blocked within the restricted area.

"Turns out it’s the Pill King seeking Spirit Flame!"

"Rumor has it the Pill King sensed the Spirit Flame upon returning from abroad, but it soon vanished, hence this grand search."

"The Pill King seems off, determined, is this Spirit Flame perhaps stronger than Tier Three Spirit Flame?"

...

Nearing the place, traveling cultivators were queued up.

Ahead, True Pills from Ten Thousand Laws Palace were inspecting something.

Slowing his pace, Li Ji’an watched from distance, listening to the surroundings, surprisingly no discontent, all empathizing with the Pill King, cooperating and queuing for inspection.

This left him uneasy.

Hoping to slip away in the chaos had fallen through.

Gazing at the cultivators of Ten Thousand Laws Palace inspecting the front of the queue, Li Ji’an fluidly altered direction, heading to the east.

Uncertain of the method of Ten Thousand Laws Palace’s inspection?

And lacked the certainty of slipping through.

If questioned with something like the clapper Dao Artifact whether he’d seen a Fire Spirit, it could be instant doom.

Fortunately, many were redirecting like him.

Most possibly saw the lengthy queue, afraid of delay or concealing secrets from Ten Thousand Laws Palace.

Soon, Li Ji’an, with sparse numbers, reached the southeast border.

A lone Foundation Establishment disciple of Ten Thousand Laws Palace was stationed here.

"Not passable, if wishing to exit, any of the cardinal directions is possible." The disciple, despite facing cultivators above his level, ordered indifferently.

Yet none dared argue or attempt to force through.

Given Ten Thousand Laws Palace’s might, any hint of threat brings prompt reinforcement.

"Is this not a death trap? Where is the escape?" Li Ji’an, after six lifetimes, first felt a fatal crisis.

With Pill King True Man Chunyuan’s resolute determination exposed, even hiding, few remaining cultivators will sooner reveal him.

How could he withstand a conscience test with the Spirit Flame?