Chapter 53: Chapter 53: Metamorphosis Progress

’Come on.’

With that silent thought, the Primordial Cauldron in his sea of consciousness trembled. The Essence Blood that had been before him was gone, leaving only a thin film of moisture.

It had been completely drained!

Realizing this, Lin Changheng immediately immersed his Heart and Spirit into his sea of consciousness.

He stared at the Primordial Cauldron at the center.

The azure clouds parted, revealing an illusory, Red Dao Fruit.

He brushed against it with his thoughts.

[Fire Crow Treasure Seed·Fifth Layer]

[Spirit Stealing: 100/100]

[Metamorphosis: 0/10]

’Hm? No change. It seems this wasn’t related.’

Lin Changheng’s brow furrowed slightly.

The experiment he had just conducted had clearly yielded the wrong answer.

With another thought, the azure clouds parted again, this time revealing a new Treasure Seed above the Primordial Cauldron.

This seed was deep red.

It occupied another corner.

Along with the other three Treasure Seeds and one Dao Fruit, it held a corner on the outer ring of the Tripod Mouth, standing apart.

’It’s full?’

The positions of the four seeds and one fruit were perfectly filled, spaced in an orderly fashion. It was clear no more Treasure Seeds could be inserted.

’Can I only have five Treasure Seeds? A quantitative limit?’

Lin Changheng’s frown deepened.

If there was a limit, it would not be a good thing for him.

He immediately suppressed his chaotic thoughts, gritted his teeth, and touched the newly acquired deep red Treasure Seed.

[Earth Fire Lizard Treasure Species - Spirit Stealing Metamorphosis]

[Spirit Stealing: 52/100]

[Utility: Mixed Grade Demon Beast Bloodline with Innate Fire Attribute. Possesses the Lifebound Talents of Sharp Claws, Fire Extinguishing, and Tongue Strike. Upon Spirit Stealing Success, one can be chosen to be Refined into.]

...

He took the Spirit Stealing progress for granted and didn’t spare it a second glance.

After all, getting this far with over a hundred vials of Essence Blood was perfectly normal.

What was more crucial were the three Lifebound Talents of the Earth Fire Lizard.

Lin Changheng’s eyes swept over them.

Sharp Claws might be useful for a Body Cultivator who focused on physical strength and excelled at close-quarters combat.

But for a Cultivator like him, who relied mainly on Magical Power, long-range attacks from a distance were more suitable. Therefore, this Talent was of little use to him, and the combination would be incongruous.

Unless, one day, he found a decent Body Cultivator Cultivation Technique.

The same went for Tongue Strike—even more so than Sharp Claws. It was completely incompatible with a Human Race Cultivator. He couldn’t just stick his tongue out and lick people, could he?

No, wait. Cultivators who specialized in the Joyful Union Technique might be an exception.

Naturally, that only left Fire Extinguishing.

’Extinguishing flames?’

The Liu Family elder had briefly described the three Demon Beasts, which was how Lin Changheng knew that the Earth Fire Lizard lived in veins of Earth Fire.

They could survive despite the extremely high temperatures and scorching flames.

So that was it! They relied on this Fire Extinguishing Talent!

It sounded like the opposite of Fire Control and Fire Manipulation.

But upon deeper reflection, it was more than just that.

For instance, if Fire Control was about increasing one’s manipulation and control over flames, then Fire Extinguishing was about exorcism!

It could directly isolate Fire Spiritual Power, forming a certain range of self-protection against Fire Magic.

At a high enough level, it might even be possible to pinpoint and exorcise Fire Magic, annihilating it completely.

Combining them—buffing one’s own fire while exorcising the enemy’s—what a wonderful picture their clash would paint?!

...

After indulging in the fantasy for a moment, Lin Changheng once again picked up two vials of feihong-colored Essence Blood.

The Muddy Evil Bloodline!

The Flame-tailed Spirit Fox!

His Metamorphosis experiment was not over yet.

Without pouring it into the basin, he dipped his finger directly into the vial to draw out the Essence Blood.

SWISH!

He looked at the illusory Red Dao Fruit again.

But in the next instant, a look of delighted surprise burst forth from Lin Changheng’s eyes.

[Fire Crow Treasure Seed·Fifth Layer]

[Spirit Stealing: 100/100]

[Metamorphosis: 1/10]

"The Metamorphosis progress increased by one point!"

"Just as I thought! My reasoning was correct!"

"Using the Essence Blood of a higher-level Fire-element Demon Beast to stimulate Metamorphosis can push the Dao Fruit toward completion!"

Lin Changheng’s thoughts raced.

’Next, the main goal is to acquire more Flame-tailed Spirit Fox Essence Blood.’

’Another eighteen portions should be enough.’

At the same time, his gaze swept back and forth across the Tripod Mouth, but he didn’t find any new Treasure Seeds appearing.

’It seems Metamorphosis takes precedence, while Spirit Stealing comes second.’

Lin Changheng’s face showed a pensive expression.

Regardless, he was on the right path. The True Intent of the Fire Manipulation Divine Power was nearly within his grasp.

...

Next, Lin Changheng tried to perform Spirit Stealing on the White Spirit Sparrow Essence Blood again.

However, the Primordial Cauldron in his sea of consciousness no longer responded.

The Essence Blood remained untouched, not being drawn in.

It was just as he had thought moments ago: the number of Treasure Seeds was full.

Five!

Regarding the number five, an ancient text had once said that it relates to the foundation of the Five Elements, the basic composition of all things in the world, and is also a symbol of the intersection of heaven and earth—the center of the universe, the starting point of order.

Lin Changheng didn’t dwell on this, but he was pondering a few things:

’The slots for Treasure Seeds formed from Mortal Filth Bloodlines must be full,’

’but within the outer ring of the Tripod Mouth, there is a chaotic, unseeable area. There should be empty space there. Can I still perform Spirit Stealing on a Muddy Evil Bloodline?’

’And if the Fire Crow Treasure Seed successfully undergoes Metamorphosis, it should no longer be in this category. Would that free up another slot?’

Lin Changheng retained the problem-solving mindset from his previous life, listing out the possibilities.

...

「Several days passed in the blink of an eye.」

The Ruins District Auction officially began.

On his way there, Lin Changheng noticed the crowds in the Marketplace were a third larger than usual.

One could even say it was booming.

Clearly, they had all come for the Auction.

Even the Immortal Inn where he was staying had quietly raised its prices, but since he had booked early, the price hike didn’t affect him.

The Auction was held in a grand hall located at the southern edge of the district.

It was said that there was a reason for choosing this location:

after winning an item, one could either retreat and quickly leave the Marketplace, disappearing into the mountains, or advance and hide within the Marketplace for as long as needed to ensure their safety.

...

Lin Changheng, mixed in with the crowd, arrived outside the auction hall.

He presented an anti-counterfeit bamboo token bearing a Magical Power Mark.

Since the entry spot had been purchased with Spirit Stones, there was no need to verify his assets.

However, at the entrance, he had to pay an additional fee of three Spirit Stones for his seat and tea, which could be refunded upon leaving if he presented a "proof of purchase" from the auction.

If one bought nothing or didn’t even bid, the fee would not be returned.

Lin Changheng’s face, hidden beneath his bamboo hat, twitched. He cursed the organizers inwardly for not mentioning this beforehand and hitting him with an extra, non-refusable fee at the last minute—unless he chose not to enter.

Obediently paying the Spirit Stones, Lin Changheng entered the extremely spacious hall.

Stone chairs, at least a hundred of them, were arranged in a semicircle around a high platform. They were spaced quite far apart, so it didn’t feel crowded.

Above, there were also enclosed, transparent boxes that protruded inward—the VIP rooms.

These were for use by major influences, powerful Cultivators, or those of distinguished status.

Lin Changheng went straight to the seat corresponding to the number on his bamboo token. He sat down and waited quietly, keeping to himself.

In less than an hour, the entire hall was packed.

Looking up, he could also see the shadowy figures in the private boxes, which were clearly occupied by many people as well.

The sudden, clear chime of a bell rang out.

The entire venue immediately fell silent. Then, a woman in a gauze dress gracefully walked onto the stage, pulling back the curtain on the auction.

"Welcome, everyone, for your continued support of the Ruins District Auction. This humble one is Luo Lian’Er, and it is my pleasure to be your host for this grand auction event today."

"I wish you all the best in finding what you’re looking for!"