NOVEL WEB Chapter 785: Skyfire Furnace! (Part 2)
However, in the third month after Bai Ling arrived at the valley, an unexpected piece of news shattered their peaceful life.
It turned out that Bai Ling was a disciple of a large sect, and she was sent to approach Luo Chen for some reason, with the purpose of investigating Luo Chen's artifact refining skills.
When Luo Chen learned about this news, he felt very disappointed.
He thought he had found a like-minded friend, only to realize it was all a meticulously designed deception.
Bai Ling looked at Luo Chen's disappointed eyes, her heart full of guilt.
She knew she had hurt Luo Chen's feelings, but she also had her own difficulties.
"Luo Chen, I'm sorry, I... I can't help it," Bai Ling said in a low voice.
Luo Chen was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke, "Bai Ling, I understand your situation, but I hope you can understand that sincerity is more important than anything."
Bai Ling nodded, knowing Luo Chen was right.
She decided to leave the valley, return to her sect, and face her responsibilities and challenges.
"Luo Chen, Qing Shuang, thank you for taking care of me during this time, I will remember you," Bai Ling's eyes shimmered with tears.
Luo Chen and Qing Shuang smiled and nodded, knowing that even though Bai Ling was leaving, her words would always be remembered by them.
Bai Ling turned and left, and Luo Chen and Qing Shuang watched her back with mixed feelings.
They knew that the path of cultivation was full of uncertainties, but as long as they stuck to their beliefs, they would surely find their own path.
The valley returned to peace once more, and Luo Chen and Qing Shuang continued their cultivation and artifact refining.
Although Bai Ling had left, they believed that more friends and challenges awaited them in the future.
In the coming days, Luo Chen and Qing Shuang's cultivation levels continued to improve, and the magic artifacts they refined became increasingly exquisite.
Their reputation began to spread in the cultivation realm, attracting more and more attention from others.
However, Luo Chen and Qing Shuang did not become arrogant and boastful because of this.
They knew that the path of cultivation was long and arduous, and only through continuous effort and exploration could they reach higher realms.
In a chance encounter, Luo Chen and Qing Shuang learned about an old relic.
It was said that inside the relic were countless treasures and secret manuals that could help cultivators break through bottlenecks and improve their cultivation.
This news greatly excited Luo Chen and Qing Shuang, and they decided to explore the relic.
However, before heading to the secret realm.
Luo Chen planned to refine more spiritual artifacts.
After all, venturing into the secret realm was fraught with danger, and he was responsible for his and Qing Shuang's safety.
...
Temporarily, after leaving the valley.
Luo Chen once again went to the auction house in the workshop.
He wanted to continue acquiring some special refining materials.
"Halt."
In front of the auction house, two cultivators spoke coldly to Luo Chen.
Luo Chen was slightly stunned, not expecting to be stopped outside the auction house.
He took a good look at the two cultivators in front of him; they wore uniform clothing and were obviously the auction house guards.
"Friends, I'm here to purchase some refining materials, may I know why I'm being stopped?" Luo Chen politely inquired.
One of the guards sized up Luo Chen and then said, "Our auction house has rules, non-members cannot enter at will. If you wish to enter, you must first become a member."
Luo Chen nodded, understanding it was a measure taken by the auction house to ensure transaction safety and order.
He then took out a token from his pocket, obtained from previous transactions at the auction house.
"This is my token, I've traded here before," Luo Chen handed the token to the guard.
The guard checked the token carefully, confirmed it was correct, and his attitude became respectful, "Ah, it's Master Luo Chen, my apologies, please come in, please come in."
Luo Chen smiled slightly, retrieved his token, and walked into the auction house.
Upon entering the hall, he was captivated by the bustling atmosphere inside.
The hall was crowded with people, various cultivators were whispering, or closely inspecting the displayed items.
Luo Chen headed straight to the materials section, where all kinds of strange materials were arranged.
He began carefully selecting, calculating in his mind the types and quantities of materials needed this time.
"Master Luo Chen, here to purchase materials again?" a familiar voice came from behind.
Luo Chen turned around to see a middle-aged man walking towards him with a smile.
This man was the auction house manager named Zhao Wuji, with whom Luo Chen had made several transactions before.
"Manager Zhao, long time no see," Luo Chen responded with a smile.
"What materials does the Master need this time? Perhaps I can help," Zhao Wuji warmly inquired.
Luo Chen handed his list of needed materials to Zhao Wuji, who examined it carefully, then nodded, "We have these materials at the auction house, but some of them will appear at the upcoming auction. Is Master willing to wait?"
Luo Chen pondered for a moment and decided to wait for the auction.
He believed that perhaps he could purchase these materials at a better price during the auction.
"Alright then, Master, please follow me, I'll arrange a VIP room for you, and I will notify you when the auction starts," Zhao Wuji said.
Luo Chen followed Zhao Wuji to a luxuriously decorated VIP room with an excellent view, allowing a clear view of every detail on the auction platform.
While waiting for the auction to begin, Luo Chen chatted idly with Zhao Wuji.
Zhao Wuji expressed great interest in Luo Chen's artifact refining skills and asked some questions about artifact refining.
"Master Luo Chen, your achievements in artifact refining are truly admirable. I wonder if you are willing to host a small refining lecture for our auction house's VIPs after the auction?" Zhao Wuji sincerely invited.
Luo Chen thought for a bit, felt this was also a good opportunity for exchange, and agreed.
Soon, the auction officially began.
The atmosphere of the auction gradually heated up as one rare item after another was displayed, and the crowd in the hall became more and more enthusiastic.
Luo Chen sat in the VIP room, his gaze following through the transparent wall, watching the auction platform below.
Zhao Wuji sat beside him, occasionally introducing the upcoming items to him.
"Master Luo Chen, I believe you'll be interested in the next item," Zhao Wuji said in a low voice, a hint of slyness in his eyes.
Luo Chen smiled slightly, said nothing, and just nodded.
He knew Zhao Wuji wouldn't mention an item for no reason; there must be something special about it.
As the auctioneer introduced it, an ancient artifact refining furnace was presented to the crowd.
The artifact refining furnace was covered in traces of time, but the aura it emitted made Luo Chen feel a sense of familiarity.
"This refining furnace is called 'Skyfire Furnace,' said to be crafted by an artifact refining master from ancient times, possessing incredible refining effects," the auctioneer's voice echoed in the hall.
Luo Chen's heart moved; the origin of this Skyfire Furnace was extraordinary, and if he could obtain it, it would undoubtedly be a great aid to his artifact refining skills.
He decided to participate in the bidding.
The auctioneer announced the starting price, and the bidders raised their paddles one after another.
Luo Chen also joined the bidding, each of his bids higher than the last, but other bidders seemed equally determined to obtain this Skyfire Furnace.
However, Luo Chen's actions gradually caught the attention of those nearby.
"Who is this person? To dare snatch items from me!"
A young man in brocade clothing looked displeased as he stared in Luo Chen's direction, his attendant immediately echoed, "Young Master, this person seems to be a nobody, daring to compete with you for treasures, truly not knowing how high the sky is."
Luo Chen paid no heed to these provocative remarks, fully focused on the situation on the auction platform.
The price of the Skyfire Furnace climbed steadily amidst the heated competition of the bidders, and Luo Chen's brow gradually furrowed.
He knew that to obtain this treasure, he must be prepared to pay a higher price.