The auction yielded significant gains.
Chen Jiuyang slipped the spatial ring onto his finger and then examined the half-man-tall Lingzhi mushroom.
Its surface showed signs of weathering, with even some holes.
If not for Chen Jiuyang's inheritance from the Pure Yang Medical Immortal, he wouldn't have been able to discern the presence of the Zhiren Zhimai within.
Such a rare medicinal ingredient was likely only cultivable and sealable by the Pure Yang Medical Immortal.
This Lingzhi mushroom contained a formation, with its spiritual energy continuously sustaining it to seal the Zhiren Zhimai within.
The essence of Zhiren Zhimai was one of the main ingredients required for the Condensing Dao Reversing Death Pill.
Chen Jiuyang first set up a formation around the area to prevent the Zhiren Zhimai from escaping once the Lingzhi's formation was broken.
After about half an hour, Chen Jiuyang finally unraveled the Pure Yang Medical Immortal's formation. A Zhima, white in color, with an upper body resembling a human and a lower body resembling a horse, filled with intelligence, appeared before Chen Jiuyang.
The Zhiren Zhimai immediately attempted to flee in all directions.
Chen Jiuyang chuckled, "Trying to escape as soon as you appear? That won't do. I spent twenty billion to acquire you."
"Bad person, let me go."
The Zhiren Zhimai's childish voice echoed in Chen Jiuyang's mind.
Chen Jiuyang was not surprised that it could speak; such wondrous beings often could.
Chen Jiuyang stated, "Letting you go is impossible. I need you for alchemy."
As his words fell, the Zhiren Zhimai ran even more fiercely, desperately trying to break through the formation Chen Jiuyang had set up.
Chen Jiuyang slowly said, "But you don't need to worry. I won't harm you. I need you to willingly expel your essence for me to refine the pill, without causing you any harm to your life."
Upon hearing this, the Zhiren Zhimai paused slightly and then asked, "Why should I believe you?"
Chen Jiuyang smiled faintly, "Whether you believe me or not is up to you. As we spend more time together, you will gradually understand."
"There is spiritual energy in the world now, so you can grow freely. I still need a few more main ingredients to collect, so you can stay here for now."
With that, Chen Jiuyang left the room.
Chen Jiuyang said, "Qing Zhu Ling Xian, please keep a close eye on the Zhiren Zhimai for me."
"Yes, Master."
Qing Zhu Ling Xian's main body moved to the stone cave beneath their residence, where small amounts of pure spiritual liquid had already accumulated.
Then.
Outside the courtyard.
Qiu Yangzi and his three disciples stood there. Chen Jiuyang had sent someone to summon them earlier, and they were unsure why.
Chen Jiuyang walked out, sat on a chair, and with a gentle wave of his hand, said, "Since you are here, make yourselves comfortable. Please be seated."
Chen Jiuyang's demeanor of respecting those below him slightly lowered their guard, and they sat down.
"Serve tea."
Chen Jiuyang looked at Qiu Yangzi and asked, "Can you take me to the cave dwelling ruins you excavated last time?"
"The cave dwelling ruins we excavated last time? There's nothing left there anymore."
Qiu Yangzi looked puzzled.
Chen Jiuyang's expression remained calm, "I have my own arrangements. You don't need to concern yourself with these matters."
"Where is that relic cave dwelling located?"
Qiu Yangzi's expression was a little awkward, "It's in Ziyang City."
Chen Jiuyang's eyelids twitched, and his expression grew serious, "Are you sure it's in Ziyang?"
Qiu Yangzi slowly nodded, "And it's not far from where Qian Yang Sheng Zi is located."
Chen Jiuyang asked again, "Where?"
Qiu Yangzi looked towards the riverbank and said, "It's beneath this river."
"Three hundred meters underground in Quhe River lies a Water Moon Cave Heaven, which is the location of the relic cave dwelling."
Chen Jiuyang's face twitched. He never expected that the Pure Yang Medical Immortal's relic cave dwelling would be so close to his own home.
However, without the information, who would have thought that three hundred meters beneath this river lay an ancient relic cave dwelling?
Chen Jiuyang asked, "How did you know about this ancient relic cave dwelling in such a hidden location?"
Qiu Yangzi replied, "Before my slumber, this place experienced a 'blood rain' and a spiritual energy boon that nourished the heavens and earth. Based on my experience, I could ascertain that a powerful being must have perished here, and it was highly likely that a relic cave dwelling of a seated great cultivator existed."
Chen Jiuyang's face twitched again, and he looked at Qiu Yangzi with a faint gaze, "You are very professional and experienced."
Qiu Yangzi suddenly felt a chill and chuckled awkwardly, "Qian Yang Sheng Zi jokes."
"I am not joking," Chen Jiuyang said earnestly, "Take me to the relic cave dwelling here, and I will immediately arrange for you to be granted the status of True Disciples of my True Saint Sect, and you can even marry women from my wife's clan, the Han family, thereby becoming completely my subordinates."
To be ranked as True Disciples of the True Demon Sect! And to marry women from the Han family!
Qiu Yangzi and his three disciples' hearts suddenly leaped. Such a great temptation, such genuine sincerity, was something any rogue cultivator could not refuse.
Qiu Yangzi also said earnestly, "Is Qian Yang Sheng Zi serious?"
"Naturally, I am serious. When have I ever made empty promises or false statements?"
For rogue cultivators, their entire cultivation journey has been one of relying on themselves, with no one else to depend on.
For those like them who danced on the edge of a knife, they yearned for a sense of belonging.
The True Demon Sect and the Han family were clans with countless years of heritage. Ordinary rogue cultivators had no right to marry Han family women.
But since Chen Jiuyang had made this offer, it was as good as done.
Qiu Yangzi stood up and bowed respectfully to Chen Jiuyang, "If Sheng Zi speaks the truth, then we four disciples are willing to serve Sheng Zi with our lives from now on."
The Han family was to be bound to Chen Jiuyang. Without Chen Jiuyang having to say more, many under his command had already married direct descendants of the Han family as wives. After a few years, some had even reached the Heavenly realm and had children.
Chen Jiuyang called out, "Someone."
A follower of the True Demon Sect instantly appeared, respectfully asking, "What does Sheng Zi require?"
Chen Jiuyang took out his token and said, "You return to the sect and, on my behalf, pre-arrange the treatment and cultivation techniques for four True Disciples. Also, notify the Han family to build four new residences."
"Yes, Sheng Zi." The follower of the True Demon Sect took the token from Chen Jiuyang and vanished.
Seeing that Chen Jiuyang was indeed serious and not just making empty promises to them, Qiu Yangzi and his three disciples trembled.
Chen Jiuyang looked at Qiu Yangzi and his three disciples and said faintly, "Now, are you willing to believe my sincerity?"
Qiu Yangzi had nothing more to say, only stating, "Please follow me, Sheng Zi. I will take you to the relic cave dwelling beneath the river."
The sincere offer made by Chen Jiuyang indicated that this relic cave dwelling was of great importance to him.
Therefore, without further ado, he would directly lead Chen Jiuyang to the relic cave dwelling where the Pure Yang Medical Immortal had passed away.
Qiu Yangzi took out a talisman and said, "Ignite!" A ball of spiritual light enveloped the five of them, and they gradually sank from the river surface into the riverbed. This was a water-repelling talisman.
After entering the river, Qiu Yangzi continued to descend into the mud. Three hundred meters down, a Water Moon Cave Heaven relic, hidden three hundred meters underground, appeared before them.