Xianxia: Establishing an Immortal Clan Through Simulation (Patreon)

Chapter 39: Blood Blade Xiao Kuang

Although the True Essence Pill can only increase a Master Realm martial artist's cultivation by one to three years, this seemingly modest amount carries immense value. Consider that a Master's natural lifespan, barring the consumption of life-extending treasures, typically does not exceed 250 years. An increase of two years—taking the average—is equivalent to one 125th of a Master’s entire life’s worth of cultivation.

This is already a significant boost.

Moreover, the cultivation provided by the True Essence Pill is not only immediate but also sustainable. For Masters attempting to break through bottlenecks, its effects are invaluable. The allure of such a pill for martial artists cannot be overstated.

"This True Essence Pill is mine!"

Just as the auction hall fell silent, with all eyes fixed on the pill in the auctioneer's hand, a greedy voice suddenly rang out, breaking the quiet.

In the next instant, a massive hand formed from condensed True Qi shot toward the auction platform with unstoppable force.

"Blood Blade Xiao Kuang! It’s him—he’s still alive!"

"I recall that Masters typically live up to 200 years. Xiao Kuang’s age has long surpassed that. Could he have broken through to the mid-stage Master? Or perhaps he consumed a life-extending treasure?"

"Mid-stage Master! That aura is unmistakably mid-stage Master Realm."

"This spells trouble for the Luminous Trading Firm. A mid-stage Master with a dwindling life span and nothing to lose could ruin the entire auction."

"..."

As the infamous Blood Blade Master, seated inconspicuously among the crowd in the front row, suddenly made his move, the other martial artists in the hall instinctively retreated, regrouping with their allies. Upon recognizing Xiao Kuang’s face, exclamations of shock echoed throughout the hall.

Blood Blade Xiao Kuang was a renowned rogue Master in the Wutong County.

He had ascended to the Master realm over 60 years ago and had been active in the region until his sudden disappearance more than a decade ago. Many had assumed he had succumbed to his lifespan and passed away.

Yet here he was, making an unexpected appearance.

And his first act was to brazenly target the Luminous Trading Firm, attempting to seize a mid-grade spirit pill being auctioned in full view of the public. This was a blatant show of disrespect for the trading firm.

Despite the chaos, everything happened in a mere instant.

As Xiao Kuang struck, Lin Sihuang, who had previously dismissed Lin Zichen's concerns as overthinking—was instantly enraged. Without further concealment, he leapt onto the auction platform.

Unleashing the full might of his mid-stage Master Realm cultivation, he countered Xiao Kuang’s massive hand with a single punch.

"Hmph, a mere dying Master dares to cause trouble in my Luminous Trading Firm?"

"Foolish thought!"

In the martial path, a warrior’s vitality directly correlates to their combat strength until they transcend the limits of life itself. The younger and more vigorous the fighter, the greater their advantage.

Though Lin Sihuang could no longer be considered young, he was at his physical and martial peak. Compared to Xiao Kuang, whose life force was nearly depleted, his superiority was undeniable.

Boom!

Almost effortlessly, Lin Sihuang overwhelmed Xiao Kuang. The rogue Master staggered backward dozens of steps before finally steadying himself, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth—a stark testament to the overwhelming disparity in their strength.

"Mid-stage Master!"

"I didn’t expect that a small place like Qingfeng City would produce a formidable figure like you. I had scoffed at the rumors about the Luminous Trading Firm being guarded by a mid-stage Master. It seems I was sorely mistaken..."

Clutching his chest, Xiao Kuang looked at Lin Sihuang in the distance and let out a bitter smile.

"Nothing is impossible; you simply underestimated others and overestimated yourself," Lin Sihuang said, his tone neutral and devoid of emotion.

"If I were you, I wouldn’t make a move here."

Through his experiences over time, Lin Sihuang had long ceased to take such confrontations to heart. Moreover, having practiced a technique that altered his appearance, he had assumed a different visage before leaving the Lin family. Thus, none of the forces in Qingfeng City nor Blood Blade Xiao Kuang knew his true identity.

"Overconfident?"

"Hah, I don’t think so."

Xiao Kuang’s face twisted into a wry grin at Lin Sihuang’s taunt. He admitted that he had underestimated the true strength of the Luminous Trading Firm.

However, the fact that he dared to storm Qingfeng City and seize a treasure as coveted as the True Essence Pill was proof enough that he had come prepared. After all, even if he succeeded here, escaping the city under the watchful eye of its lord—who himself commanded mid-stage Master strength—would be no simple task.

"You, still in your prime, cannot understand the desperation of those of us nearing the end of our lifespans. I don’t want to die—not just me, but many of my peers share the same sentiment. When your Luminous Trading Firm put up a True Essence Pill for auction and spent half a month publicizing it, you should have expected something like this."

"Brother Mu, Brother Tian, let's take them down together!"

As Xiao Kuang spoke, his gaze shifted toward two figures shrouded in black robes not far away.

"Ke-ke-ke..."

"You should’ve just let Brother Xiao take the pill peacefully. Why must there be a fight?"

"If Brother Xiao isn’t your match, then what about the three of us?"

To the shock of everyone present, the two black-robed figures removed their masks and unleashed powerful auras simultaneously.

mid-stage Master realm!

"Both surnamed Tian and Mu... Aren’t they rogue Masters from Huaiyang County next to Wutong County? Iron Hand Tian Tang and Shadowstep Mu Feng? They’re here too?"

"This is bad. The Luminous Trading Firm is in serious trouble now. These two are far more renowned and stronger than Xiao Kuang. Worse yet, their combat strength seems to be at its peak!"

"Sigh, just when we thought there was hope of acquiring a True Essence Pill to break through to the Master realm, this happens."

"..."

The spectators couldn’t help but express their regret.

Even Qingfeng City Lord Qin Xiong, who had been silently observing the events unfold, now wore an unpleasant expression.

With just one additional mid-stage Master, it might have been feasible to extend a helping hand to the Luminous Trading Firm. But now, with three mid-stage Masters opposing them, even he had to reconsider his options carefully.

"Three mid-stage Masters?"

"Well, well. Quite the display of force!"

"But do you really think this is enough to take down my Luminous Trading Firm?"

The sudden turn of events did catch Lin Sihuang off guard.

However, he had just received a voice transmission from Lin Zichen, reassuring him that there was no need to worry.

This news sent a jolt through Lin Sihuang’s heart, instantly restoring his confidence.