CHAPTER 51: CHAPTER 51: HEAVYWATER AND THE SEA-CALMING BELL

"Let it be these two items. Master Gu, how many spirit stones?"

"Sea-Suppressing Bell, twelve hundred spirit stones. Heavy Water Seal, one thousand spirit stones."

Master Gu pondered and said, "Golden Rainbow Sword and Vajra Ring, together worth thirteen hundred spirit stones. You can top it up with nine hundred spirit stones."

In terms of actual value, Golden Rainbow Sword and Vajra Ring are no less than Sea-Suppressing Bell and Heavy Water Seal.

But they’re of Upper Grade water attribute magical artifacts; in Cyan Dragon Bay Market, there’s no other shop available.

Golden Rainbow Sword and Vajra Ring are also second-hand stolen goods.

He was very aware.

After collecting Golden Rainbow Sword and Vajra Ring, Master Gu would definitely resell them to the Tribulation Cultivator Black Wind for maximum profit.

"Alright!" Shen Xuan didn’t haggle.

He also had the intention to befriend Master Gu.

After paying the spirit stone difference, Master Gu’s attitude noticeably became more enthusiastic.

"If Master Shen has any magical artifacts that are difficult to sell, feel free to come to me."

"Then, I thank Master Gu in advance!"

...

In the practice room.

After the golden light flash of the mysterious jade talisman.

[Talent: Water Repelling Proficiency (12/100)]

[Dao Rhyme: 512]

The blood of the Water-Repelling Rhinoceros had been entirely used up.

Plus the insights and understanding from the rhino horn, [Water Repelling Talent] directly jumped to the proficiency stage.

More than five hundred points of Dao Rhyme were also saved.

"Keep it for now. The proficiency stage [Healing Talent] is sufficient for the time being. If good talent comes along in the future, points can be quickly increased for enhancement."

[Spirit Root: Water 28/100)]

Why has the spirit root talent only increased by 3 points?

According to Shen Xuan’s understanding, the bloodline talent of the Water-Repelling Rhinoceros should definitely surpass that of the Iron Armor Crocodile.

Could it be, the higher the spirit root talent, the harder it is to improve?

This left Shen Xuan slightly uneasy.

Subsequently.

Shen Xuan inwardly inspected his dantian.

Upper Grade magical artifacts already possessed spirituality and could be easily minimized and nurtured within the dantian.

Sea-Suppressing Bell and Heavy Water Seal were nurtured by Shen Xuan, enveloped by pure Water Spiritual Power.

[Concealing Breath Technique]!

[Invisibility Technique]!

Shen Xuan’s body completely vanished.

An hour later, at the bottom of Longze River, a figure clad in green appeared.

It was Shen Xuan, who had emerged from the Spirit Pool Dark River.

He first tested [Water Repelling Technique].

With a slight movement of his Divine Thought, directing his will, he could directly repel the external Water Spiritual Power.

It was entirely different from [Water Control Technique].

[Water Control Technique] is about manipulating and mastering the Water Spiritual Power to use it as one’s own.

[Water Repelling Technique] is about restriction and exclusion, preventing Water Spiritual Power from being harnessed.

"This is a technique of restriction!"

"When cultivated to a profound level, it can prohibit surrounding water-based techniques from forming. In other words, water spiritual power can be repelled by me, so naturally, water-based techniques cannot harm me!"

That evening.

Shen Xuan repeatedly tested along the Longze River.

[Water Repelling Technique], like [Water Control Technique], also had a range limit.

Once the distance is too far, the effect is greatly reduced.

"Thus, even in river water, if I encounter a water cultivator, I will have the strength to protect myself!"

Shen Xuan speculated that he could easily dismantle the technique attacks of water cultivators.

"Excellent. Against water cultivators, I use [Water Repelling Technique]; against other cultivators, I use [Water Control Technique]. As long as there’s a water source around, my strength far exceeds peers of the same tier!"

Shen Xuan took out the Water-Repelling Rhinoceros Horn.

With spiritual power infused, and once again deploying [Water Repelling Technique], the effective range increased from one zhang to two zhang.

"So, if time allows, I should visit Master Gu to forge the Water-Repelling Rhinoceros Horn into an Upper Grade magical artifact!"

The Water-Repelling Rhinoceros Horn was merely an auxiliary magical artifact, extremely compatible with Shen Xuan’s spiritual power, requiring very little spiritual power to command it.

Subsequently, Shen Xuan summoned Sea-Suppressing Bell and Heavy Water Seal.

Shen Xuan infused spiritual power into Sea-Suppressing Bell, causing it to swell against the wind.

Eventually, it expanded to more than a zhang in height, with the bell mouth’s diameter reaching half a zhang.

Numerous cyan spiritual lights surged, and countless Water Spiritual Power continuously gathered inside along the bell cover.

Shen Xuan guided with Divine Thought, gently shaking the interior bell tongue.

"Boom! Boom!"

A series of archaic bell sounds rang out, transforming into waves of air shaking and spreading.

Raising tumultuous waves, sweeping away like a tsunami.

"Group sound wave attack, can assault Divine Soul, but the attack power still leaves something to be desired."

Shen Xuan closely observed the wave attacks raised by Sea-Suppressing Bell.

The surface of Longze River soon appeared with numerous spiritual fish and demon shrimp.

All were knocked unconscious by Sea-Suppressing Bell.

Shen Xuan chose Sea-Suppressing Bell for its defensive capabilities.

The Water-Splitting Mount Emei Needle was held in hand, with four Cold Ice Divine Dragons congealing at the tip.

"Onward!"

The four Cold Ice Divine Dragons, baring their claws and brandishing their fangs, charged toward the Sea-Suppressing Bell.

"Splash!"

The divine light on the Sea-Suppressing Bell only dimmed slightly before quickly restoring itself.

Looking at the four Cold Ice Divine Dragons formed by the Condensed Water Blade Technique, they shattered into sprays of water upon the tremendous impact.

"What defensive power!"

Shen Xuan was slightly excited inside.

He kept increasing the intensity of the Condensed Water Blade Technique.

Under the support of the Water Control Technique, Critical Strike Technique, and Iron Bone Technique,

when fully unleashed, the solidified Cold Ice Divine Dragons could push the Sea-Suppressing Bell back three zhang.

Yet, the Sea-Suppressing Bell floated on the river surface, still intact, continuously absorbing Water Spiritual Power from the river to restore its Spiritual Light.

"My full power strike on the river surface is comparable to the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment!"

"Master Gu wasn’t exaggerating, it truly can withstand a full power strike from the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment. The premise is, the opponent’s magical artifact isn’t too formidable!"

At the Foundation Establishment Realm, one would use upgraded versions of magical artifacts, known as magical treasures.

After putting away the Sea-Suppressing Bell,

Shen Xuan began to test the Heavy Water Seal.

After injecting spiritual power, it similarly expanded wildly against the wind until it reached the size of a millstone.

The entire body was pitch-black, with a surface that seemed like the vast sea with turbulent waves.

The sound of water splashing echoed continuously.

Countless strands of Water Spiritual Power continuously surged toward the Heavy Water Seal from deep within the Longze River.

Shen Xuan sensed the changes in the Heavy Water Seal, gently guiding it with his Divine Thought.

The first sensation was extremely heavy, like a massive mountain; even with the Iron Bone Technique, he found it somewhat strenuous.

"Initially a thousand pounds. But after injecting spiritual power, it greatly absorbs surrounding Water Spiritual Qi, reaching ten thousand pounds!"

Heavy as a mountain, overturning rivers and seas, the immense power could smash any living being into fragments!

Like the legendary black hole, absorbing the world’s Water Spiritual Qi to condense into heavy water, its momentum was extraordinary!

Shen Xuan, controlling it, felt quite laborious.

"This is still on the river. If it were on land far from a water source, I wouldn’t even be able to control it!"

"It seems it’s time to devote myself to cultivation, striving to break through to the Late Stage of Qi Cultivation within a year!"

After putting away the Heavy Water Seal, Shen Xuan was lost in thought.

As of now, he could be considered quite well-off.

Inside his Storage Pouch were as many as twelve hundred Spirit Stones, enough for some indulgence for a while.

The rumors about him in the market were getting more and more exaggerated.

Which also made Shen Xuan become more cautious.

"The tallest tree in the forest is sure to be toppled by the wind. Lately, I’ve been too high-profile; it’s just the right time for a bit of rest and adjustment."

"However, before going into seclusion for cultivation, there’s one more thing to do!"

...

Several days later.

Ding Family Auction House.

The host loudly said with a smile: "As per old customs, let’s start with a warm-up round, one Youthful Appearance Pill!"

"Starting price of thirty Spirit Stones!"

"Each increase by one Spirit Stone!"

"Please, fellow Daoists, place your bids!"

The Youthful Appearance Pill isn’t a particularly precious Spirit Pill.

It is tier one middle grade, capable of slowing the aging of one’s appearance.

Actually, Immortal Cultivation Techniques mostly have similar auxiliary effects.

Some techniques far surpass the Youthful Appearance Pill.

Like Shen Xuan’s.

Practicing the Divine Hidden Sea Technique inherently has the effect of nourishing the yin and preserving health, delaying the decline of bodily functions.

And with the acquired Longevity talent, there seemed to be faint traces of reverse aging.

The older he got, the more vibrant and charismatic he became.

But for cultivators at the bottom level.

Especially female cultivators, the Youthful Appearance Pill is an incredibly rare luxury.

The prices on the market remain high.

As soon as the host’s words fell, someone placed a bid.

"Thirty pieces!"

"Thirty-five pieces!"

"Forty pieces!"

Soon, the price was raised to fifty Spirit Stones.

When the Youthful Appearance Pill reached the price of fifty Spirit Stones, those making bids and increases gradually reduced.

The bids increased only in units of one piece.

Shen Xuan participated in a dozen auctions.

The Youthful Appearance Pill has appeared more than ten times.

The final prices were around sixty Spirit Stones.

Seeing fewer bids, Shen Xuan raised his sign to bid.

"Sixty-two pieces!"