Chapter 679: Bloodbath on Four Islands, Obtaining the Fragmented Scroll

People whispered, believing with near certainty that Su Mu belonged to the Pill Cauldron Pavilion.

The Divine Intent Diagram is inherently difficult to comprehend without a matching cultivation technique guide; moreover, the current document is merely a fragmented version. Trying to grasp even an entry-level understanding from such a snippet is akin to dreaming, so the fragment itself isn’t worth further bidding.

Every attendee was disguised, hiding their true identity, but when Su Mu immediately offered two hundred and fifty high-grade elixirs, it was tantamount to revealing his affiliation.

The bidding ceased, and the private booths fell silent, no longer competing with Su Mu.

Observing every subtle change and hearing the murmurs, Su Mu was surprised, not only by people’s misconception about him being from Pill Cauldron Pavilion but also by the Pavilion’s esteemed reputation.

He had underestimated the status held by an alliance founded by a group of alchemists. Highly skilled alchemists are extremely prestigious, and an Alchemy Master capable of refining a Fourth Grade Pill can easily become the honored guest of top-tier powers in Donglai County.

Master Zhou Cang exemplified this, holding a revered position within the Cyan Fish Gang. Even the former Gang Leader held him in high regard, and Great Elder Qiu Mountain treated Zhou Cang as a friend rather than a subordinate.

An Alchemy Grandmaster who can refine Third Grade Spirit Pills has a status higher than ordinary Third Grade cultivators for a simple reason: no cultivator can do without the aid of elixirs; even if they don’t consume them directly, they ensure their clan’s younger generation and their force’s juniors do.

This creates an unseen but potent network; it is said that a Pavilion Master from the Pill Cauldron Pavilion once faced attacks by two Third Grade cultivators.

After surviving barely, the Pavilion Master alone managed to enlist six Third Grade Great Cultivators to retaliate, pursuing the attackers for three entire years, eventually joining forces to kill them.

One may say that high-level alchemists should not be easily provoked, or their vast network could become an endless menace.

“It’s quite a delightful surprise.”

With no further bids, and circumstances favoring Su Mu, he certainly wouldn’t step forward to clarify, as two attendants, a man and a woman, approached him. The maid carried the fragment of the Flood Dragon Shocking Skill, while the sturdily built man emitted the aura of a Fourth-Grade Martial Artist.

“Guest, payment and goods exchange on the spot.”

Without wasting words, Su Mu directly retrieved twenty-five small porcelain bottles. The man accepted the elixirs, casually opened one bottle, and poured out a pill. As the glossy blood-red pill revealed itself, a rich aroma, tinged with the scent of blood, permeated the air.

Those closer took a slight sniff, feeling a soothing effect, plus a ripple in their internal qi blood.

“The pill pattern is distinct, its body glossy and translucent… this quality is very close to a top-grade elixir.”

“What? A top-grade elixir?”

The assembly, sharp-eyed, quickly recognized the quality of the elixir Su Mu presented, stirring some commotion. Many felt their hearts ache, secretly lamenting the big profit these sea pirates would make.

The value of these two hundred and fifty Three-Turn Qi and Blood Pills surpasses seventy-five million, easily starting at a hundred million; Even if the sea pirates don’t consume it internally, selling all the pills would effortlessly regain them thirty million.

Feeling sorry for Su Mu, people imagined his heart aching, but Su Mu knew nothing of it; nearly thirty percent of these Three-Turn Qi and Blood Pills were kept aside when disciples from Cyan Fish Gang sought alchemy.

Another third were spoils from past campaigns with his big brother and second sister to eradicate sea pirates, originally belonging to sea pirates.

The remaining third were generously sponsored by the Tao Family, with the highest quality elixirs kept by Su Mu himself; these used in the auction he deemed as ‘defective goods’.

Hardly any raw materials came from him, and they were defective goods. Why would Su Mu feel heartache?

Conversely, in Su Mu’s perspective, the auction proceeded remarkably smooth; he actually prepared even more elixirs for bidding, yet everyone mistakenly claimed him as a Pill Cauldron Pavilion member and refrained from competing, making it indeed a delightful surprise.

“No mistake, this indeed is the missing part of the Flood Dragon Shocking Skill. With this added fragment, the skill is thoroughly complete!”

Su Mu was inwardly delighted; the Flood Dragon Shocking Skill, as the Cyan Fish Gang’s cherished martial art, with its creator intending to elevate it to a Second Grade cultivation technique, showcased its potential and prowess, standing tall among Third Grade martial dao techniques.

“Let’s see what other treasures are here.”

Su Mu felt hopeful.

…

Meanwhile, on South Fire Island.

All accompanying crew members disembarked onto a designated island area. The auction would last three days; they needed to remain on the island at least until the fourth morning before they could return.

“Is this one of the strongholds of Jiao Blood Gang, the leader among the five major pirate groups in the Outer Sea Region?”

Under the night sky, Zhou Ding gazed at everything on the island, eyes filled with excitement, curiosity, and exploration. Few in Donglai County had reached Jiao Blood Gang’s stronghold, many regarding it as a dragon’s den, and now he stood at the dragon’s den!

“I wish I could stroll the island, not having come in vain!”

Yet after a while, the young man showed a sign of frustration; his third uncle was adamantly forbidding him to disembark, insisting he remained onboard these days.

“Third Uncle is truly fearful, getting more cowardly with age… when has any incident occurred during an auction? Participants are major powers from Donglai County and even other large counties.”

“Though these sea pirates are ruthless, would they dare harm auction attendees…”