19 A Brief Flight Duel and the Acquisition of the Hundred-Year Heart Binding

"Want to engage in close combat?"

Wei Yang stood still, his body emanating a faint golden light that coalesced into a battle armor, covering him from head to toe.

At the same time, he let out a low shout, making a grasping motion with both hands. Out of thin air, two shimmering blades of light took form, their edges gleaming sharply.

"I'm coming!"

Gripping the twin blades tightly, Wei Yang locked eyes with Qi Tian and charged forward without hesitation.

Wei Yang's Blade Light Gu was on par with the Sword Shadow Gu, known as the strongest offensive Gu among the three-turn rank. If it clashed with Qi Tian's Jade Blade, the latter would surely shatter.

However, Qi Tian showed no signs of panic. He activated his Blade Qi Gu and Blade Intent Gu, enveloping his jade blade in a layer of energy, making its attack power comparable to Wei Yang's Blade Light Gu.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Blade light clashed against jade blade repeatedly.

"Hahaha! Brother Qi, your strength is still as fierce as ever!"

"I rely on brute force alone—how can I compare to your speed, Brother Wei?"

The two exchanged blows while chatting casually. They were merely testing each other's skills, not fighting with full force.

"I specialize in the Light Path, so speed is naturally my forte. But your raw power is something to be reckoned with!"

"Haha! You flatter me, Brother Wei. Now, I'll be getting serious!"

Qi Tian forced Wei Yang back with a powerful slash, then swiftly retreated several steps.

Qi Yuan Slash!

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Three streaks of blade energy shot toward Wei Yang.

Seeing that he was about to be overwhelmed, Wei Yang suddenly chuckled.

Just as the three slashes were about to land, his entire body erupted with white light—transforming into a streak of radiance and vanishing in an instant.

The blade energy, instead of striking the stone floor, suddenly altered course, chasing after Wei Yang.

A white streak tore through the air, and as the light faded, Wei Yang's true form reappeared.

In the blink of an eye, he had retreated a hundred paces.

The pursuing blade energy arrived moments later, now significantly dimmed. With a flick of his light blades, Wei Yang shattered them effortlessly.

Surprised, Wei Yang commented, "I didn't expect your killing move to have a tracking effect this time!"

Then, after a pause, he added, "But this move has a weakness—its range limitation. If the opponent excels in mobility, they just need to escape beyond a hundred paces, and the blade energy's power drops by more than half."

"I'm aware," Qi Tian admitted. "Regular blade energy weakens by half after fifty paces. I incorporated Locking Qi Gu, extending the range to a hundred meters. But there aren't many people as fast as you, Brother Wei."

Gu Masters usually kept their Gu worms and combat techniques a secret. However, Qi Tian and Wei Yang had a strong bond, so they openly shared some of their abilities—though with careful discretion, revealing only what had already been exposed in battle.

The sparring resumed, this time mid-air. Qi Tian's flight was agile and practiced, while Wei Yang transformed into light, freely soaring. Their aerial duel ended in a draw.

Every time they sparred in aerial combat, Qi Tian would make noticeable progress.

Wei Yang marveled at Qi Tian's talent in flying. Compared to renowned aerial Gu Masters like Flying Weasel King, Blue-Browed Crane, and Red Flying Fish, Qi Tian still had some distance to go—but it was only a matter of time before he reached their level.

What Wei Yang didn't know was that Qi Tian had been holding back. If he unleashed his full mastery over flight, along with his Berserk Strength, he would already rival them—his only shortcoming being a lack of cultivation level.

Wei Yang was even more determined to recruit Qi Tian into the Shang Clan. The clan had already investigated Qi Tian's background and found it spotless.

Qi Tian had previously shared fragments of his past with Wei Yang. With the Shang Clan's influence, acquiring detailed information from the Jia Clan was a trivial matter.

However, since Qi Tian was unwilling to join any family, Wei Yang didn't press the issue. He decided to guide Qi Tian gradually, knowing the harsh realities of the demonic path and hoping his friend wouldn't take too many wrong turns.

---

Three Days Later—The Auction Begins

The auction hall was packed to the brim. Private booths had long been reserved by influential figures.

Qi Tian stepped into the bustling hall.

"Senior Qi, my young master, Shang Yazhi, invites you to Booth No. 5 for a private discussion."

"Qi Daren, our young master, Pulao, has already prepared a banquet in Booth No. 4 for your arrival."

"Sir Qi Tian, this is an invitation from my master, Chao Feng. Please accept it."

…

In an instant, several retainers squeezed through the crowd, each representing their young master, extending invitations to Qi Tian.

Qi Tian snorted coldly, ignoring them. Upon hearing Wei Yang's secret voice transmission, he strode directly into Booth No. 9.

The retainers exchanged glances, then dispersed helplessly.

"I've already gathered intel. The Century-Old Heart Knot you're after is the twelfth auction item," Wei Yang informed Qi Tian as soon as he entered.

"However, several Refinement Path Gu Masters are likely to compete for it. Additionally, the Xiong Family's three brothers will be formidable rivals."

Ordinarily, auction item sequences were confidential, and the identities of booth occupants were strictly protected. But as a high-ranking intelligence officer of the Shang Clan, Wei Yang's Wind and Rain Pavilion had easily uncovered such details.

Qi Tian silently acknowledged that he had chosen his friends well.

Peering through a narrow gap in the booth's window, Qi Tian observed the heated atmosphere of the auction hall.

As time passed, more distinguished figures arrived.

"Thank you all for your patience! The auction officially begins now!"

A young, beautiful female Gu Master took the stage, using a Voice Amplification Gu to address the crowd.

Knowing that attendees were eager to start, she kept her words brief and immediately introduced the first auction item:

Swallow Water Gu.

A four-turn Gu, resembling a frog with a massive mouth and a short body.

This Water Path Storage Gu could absorb most sub-four-turn water-based attacks, and even weaken direct four-turn strikes. It was highly valuable for both Water Path Gu Masters and those who countered them. Even in the Eastern Sea, it was considered rare.

"Starting at 100,000 primeval stones!"

"110,000!"

"120,000!"

…

Bidding escalated rapidly, soon surpassing 300,000, and finally settling at 380,000.

Time passed unknowingly.

The ninth item, then the tenth…

Auction items varied widely, from Gu refinement materials to secret recipes, from Gu insects to merman slaves…

"Now, we present the twelfth auction item—a Century-Old Heart Knot!"

The female auctioneer gave a grand introduction, but the Refinement Path Masters in the audience were already eyeing it eagerly.

"I must have it! 100,000 primeval stones!"

Before the auctioneer could announce the starting price, Qi Tian made his bold bid.

His aggressive offer immediately discouraged several hesitant bidders.

"110,000!" The Xiong Family's three brothers countered. Each was a three-turn Gu Master, but together, they could challenge a four-turn opponent. If they successfully refined the Heart-Knot Gu, their battle prowess would soar.

"120,000." Another Refinement Path quasi-master joined in.

"200,000!"

Qi Tian crushed their hopes with an instant 80,000 increase.

The auction hall erupted into a frenzy.

"He's loaded! Spending 200,000 for a four-turn Gu material?"

"He's been dominating the Arena of Martial Arts, his wealth is immense."

In the face of Qi Tian's overwhelming bid, the Refinement Path Master withdrew, and after several grudging bids, the Xiong Brothers also conceded.

Final price—280,000.

"You overpaid for this item," Wei Yang commented.

"It's rare and crucial for my future Gu refinement. Even if it cost 100,000 more, it would be worth it."

Wei Yang chuckled. "You're right. The most valuable things are those you truly need."

He smiled knowingly—Qi Tian's extravagant spending would only make it easier for the Shang Clan to recruit him in the future.