Jing Yan’s Divine Thought was silent, formless, and invisible.
The martial artists present, even the practitioners from the Dao Emperor Realm, couldn’t perceive it. Those Dao Emperor Realm practitioners might sense Jing Yan’s Divine Soul but couldn’t detect his Divine Thought, because they hadn’t formed their own Divine Thoughts.
Common sense dictates that for martial artists to develop Divine Thought, they had to step into the Saint Realm first.
Thus, Jing Yan subtly influenced the emotions of the martial artists present undetected.
The Light in the eyes of those Dao Emperor Realm powerhouses and big family members burned even fiercer, each one determined to secure the Ten Thousand Spirit Returning to Origin Pills.
The competition for the eighteen Ten Thousand Spirit Returning to Origin Pills officially began.
In merely a breath’s time, the competition turned fierce. Among those present, there were quite a few Dao Emperor Realm practitioners, along with members of the great families, bidding non-stop and raising the prices.
Jing Yan maintained a smile, his gaze lightly shifting, continuously locking onto the latest bidder and their bid.
The value of the Ten Thousand Spirit Returning to Origin Pills certainly couldn’t reach the level of the Plum Blossom Pills or Longevity Pills, but the current bids from these martial artists had already far surpassed Jing Yan’s expectations.
Indeed, had there not been Perfect Quality pills among Jing Yan’s Ten Thousand Spirit Returning to Origin Pills, the enthusiasm of the Dao Emperor Realm practitioners wouldn’t have reached this peak.
Even though the First-class, Second-class, and even the worst Third-class Ten Thousand Spirit Returning to Origin Pills would greatly assist a Dao Emperor Realm practitioner in cultivation, it was the Perfect Quality ones that were most precious, especially to practitioners in the late or peak stages of the Dao Emperor Realm. The Ninth-level Elixir containing the power of laws immensely aided them.
"Congratulations, Brother, on successfully exchanging for two Ten Thousand Spirit Returning to Origin Pills, please come forward to choose your pills."
"Congratulations to the friend in the red robe, for successfully exchanging for a Ten Thousand Spirit Returning to Origin Pill..."
"Hehe, Brother, you look quite unfamiliar. Congratulations on successfully exchanging for five Ten Thousand Spirit Returning to Origin Pills!"
As time went on, more Ten Thousand Spirit Returning to Origin Pills were exchanged, and most of the recipients were loose cultivators.
Jing Yan had not personally met most of the Dao Emperor Realm martial artists from the great families, but through the Holy Hall, he knew plenty about those who frequently appeared. Once he saw one, he almost instantly recognized them.
As for those completely unfamiliar ones, they were almost certainly practitioners who had not appeared on the continent for a long time. Such Dao Emperors were generally loose cultivators.
"Hahaha... Both of my pills are of Perfect Quality. Looks like I’m quite lucky!" someone said with a hearty laugh, the glee evident in their voice.
His words, undoubtedly, made the following bids for the pills even more competitive.
The eighteen Ten Thousand Spirit Returning to Origin Pills were quickly exchanged. Jing Yan lost those eighteen pills, but the precious resources he received in exchange were plentiful, including a full ten stalks of Soul Containing Grass.
"Hall Master Jing Yan, I have a question to ask!" a martial artist in a black robe and wearing a mask called out.
"Please speak, Brother." Jing Yan looked at him.
"Hall Master Jing Yan! Not to hide it from you, but my purpose in attending the pill conference you’re hosting is mainly for the pills. I wish to obtain a Longevity Pill, but with the current situation, my chances of exchanging for one are slim— I do not possess that many precious materials," the robed martial artist said slowly.
He paused before continuing, "It would be fine even if I can’t exchange for a Longevity Pill but can obtain a Ten Thousand Spirit Returning to Origin Pill. However, just now, I wasn’t able to compete with the others here. Having finished exchanging the Ten Thousand Spirit Returning to Origin Pills, I haven’t secured a single one, so I feel quite downcast. I would like to know, does Hall Master Jing Yan have more Ten Thousand Spirit Returning to Origin Pills in stock? If so, I humbly request that Hall Master Jing Yan release some more for exchange."
From his voice, one could tell that the black-robed martial artist was quite aged. But his martial arts cultivation seemed to be just at the early stages of the Dao Emperor Realm. His financial resources were far inferior to those late-stage and peak Dao Emperor Realm powerhouses, even less so compared to the great families.
Seeing that the Ten Thousand Spirit Returning to Origin Pills had been exchanged by others, he was a bit anxious, and that’s why he stood up to inquire with Jing Yan.
Jing Yan pondered for a moment.
He certainly had more Ten Thousand Spirit Returning to Origin Pills! In fact, he had quite a number.
However, he no longer planned to continue exchanging them for materials at this time.
"Is Brother a loose cultivator?" Jing Yan asked.
"I am indeed a loose cultivator," the black-robed martial artist nodded.
"If that is the case, Brother can consider joining the Splendid Dojo. Once you join, there’s a great chance to get Ten Thousand Spirit Returning to Origin Pills," Jing Yan said with a smile.
This martial artist, although only of the early stage Dao Emperor Realm, was after all, in the Dao Emperor Realm. The Splendid Dojo would certainly welcome Dao Emperor Realm practitioners. Not just the Dao Emperor Realm, but even Dao King Realm practitioners, if they passed the Splendid Dojo’s background check, could join the Splendid Dojo.
Hearing Jing Yan’s words, the black-robed martial artist’s eyes moved slightly; he didn’t immediately respond, likely contemplating.
Being a loose cultivator, he had the freedom to decide whether to join or not join the Splendid Dojo, but accustomed to freedom, would joining the Splendid Dojo limit his freedom?
Most loose cultivators valued their freedom greatly. And those Dao Emperor Realm practitioners who liked or were willing to join large forces typically had early on chosen to join some great family or power and wouldn’t practice alone in some secluded place.
Seeing him hesitate, Jing Yan could guess his thoughts and continued with a slight smile, "Joining the Splendid Dojo, I won’t restrict your freedom. Furthermore, even if you join the Splendid Dojo and feel unsatisfied, you can leave anytime. I definitely won’t force you to stay."
Jing Yan’s words hit right at the heart of the black-robed martial artist, and his spirit instantly relaxed.
"Hall Master Jing Yan, with your words, I think I can join the Splendid Dojo," the black-robed martial artist spoke up without further consideration.
"However, we can discuss this matter later. The pill exchange isn’t over yet, would Brother mind waiting a moment?" Jing Yan politely said to the black-robed martial artist.
"There’s no rush, Hall Master Jing Yan, please continue," the black-robed martial artist chuckled.
Jing Yan had said that by joining the Splendid Dojo, there would be a great chance of obtaining Ten Thousand Spirit Returning to Origin Pills. And the Splendid Dojo wouldn’t restrict his freedom; leaving the Splendid Dojo was also at his discretion.
So what more was there to consider?
Furthermore, judging from Hall Master Jing Yan’s conduct at this pill conference, he seemed to be a person of broad-mindedness, not the kind to go back on his word or be a petty villain.
Already a Pill Master who was stronger than Guiyang Great Pill King, and even Guiyang Great Pill King himself had joined the Splendid Dojo, then it should be a good thing for a loose cultivator Dao Emperor like himself to join the Splendid Dojo. At the very least, obtaining precious pills would become somewhat easier.