Stranger Danger

“As you can see, this is both a clay pot and a Strange Artifact. It is a Phenomenon-class Strange Artifact, and its name is Bone Grows Flesh.”

Zui Yun twinkled at the participants. “Of course, I’m aware that everyone here is at a level where a Phenomenon-class Strange Artifact doesn’t really cut it anymore. However, this particular Strange Artifact possesses an outstanding ability.”

“As its name implies, ‘Bone Grows Flesh’ possesses the power to regrow one’s flesh. No matter how grievous your physical injuries are—and I do mean grievous to the point where not a speck of flesh is left on your bones—you simply need to wipe the soil inside the pot over your wounds to regenerate new flesh.”

“It does sound like a good item.”

Ye Qing lifted his eyebrows. A Strange Artifact that could heal any physical injury was something no one could overlook, but…

“I bet its side effects are equally huge.”

If this clay pot came with no side effects, then its value would be astronomical. But in that case, it could not be a Phenomenon-class Strange Artifact. It would have to be a Disaster-class Strange Artifact at the minimum.

As if on cue, a strange voice that sounded neither male nor female broke out from somewhere, “What about the side effects? You’re not just going to expound about its upsides, are you?”

Clearly, the question was voiced by a guest. No one present was stupid. If he could see the problem, then everyone else could as well.

On a related note, the Lampfire Palace had twisted the voice so that it was impossible to make out the gender or even the age of the speaker.

“Your wisdom knows no bounds, honored guest. That is correct. Although ‘Bone Grows Flesh’ can restore any physical injuries, its side effects are not to be underestimated.”

Zui Yun began her explanation, “First, the soil stored inside the clay pot is no ordinary soil. It is the undersoil of a century-old coffin, namely the soil at the bottom of a century-old coffin. Once you have used up everything, you would have to replenish it with new coffin undersoil.”

“Second, the new, regrown flesh would be eroded and influenced by the soil. This is nothing in the short term, but if you’re using it for a prolonged period of time, then you would eventually transform into a living zombie.”

“The biggest problem with ‘Bone Grows Flesh’ is that the yin qi would become one with your flesh and blood, making it incredibly difficult to remove. The transformation is also irreversible once you have transformed into a living zombie.”

A living zombie referred to a human whose body was as stiff as a zombie, but their mind and consciousness were normal. In short, a living zombie.

“Of course, if you don’t use ‘Bone Grows Flesh’ frequently, then its yin qi would not influence your body overly much.” Zui Yun continued, “According to our tests, anyone below Trueman stage must not use it over five times, and anyone who is a Trueman or higher must not use it over ten times. This is because not even a Trueman’s physique can resist the erosion of yin qi too many times.”

A short pause later, Zui Yun said smilingly, “With that said, the starting bid for ‘Bone Grows Flesh’ is one thousand silver. Each bid must be a hundred silver higher than the previous bid. The highest bidder wins. You may begin bidding!”

“Thousand silver!”

“Three thousand silver.”

“Three thousand and five hundred silver!”

As soon as Zui Yun finished, the bids began flying in from every direction. It was clear that a lot of people were interested in “Bone Grows Flesh”.

Although the side effects of “Bone Grows Flesh” were pretty severe, it wasn’t so bad that it overshadowed its upside. The fact that it could heal any kind of physical injury was temptation enough. At a critical moment, it could even be the difference between life and death. In that sense, it was priceless.

Speaking of which, its side effects were manageable so long as they did not overuse it. Not only that, its side effects were actually beneficial to unorthodox warriors who cultivated heretical arts such as zombification, possession and so on.

With that in mind, its popularity was perfectly understandable.

Ye Qing called out his bid twice, and twice he was outdone by another bidder in no time at all. So, he gave up.

It wasn’t that he didn’t have enough money to force a purchase. It just wasn’t necessary when he already had the “Earthly Sovereign Scripture”. His physique was strong, his vitality was rich, and his regeneration was a sight to behold. That was why he did not attach too much importance to “Bone Grows Flesh”.

In the end, “Bone Grows Flesh” was sold for a hundred and fifty thousand silver. This was just the first item, so it was quite the eye-opening experience for Ye Qing.

It was no wonder that the Dragonmount Meet set their bars so high. In fact, they might have set it too low considering that the very first item already exceeded the wealth requirement to participate in the Dragonmount Meet by fifty thousand silver.

Also, there was no such thing as pay first and receive the goods later. The transaction was performed on the spot. A wisp of flame carried “Bone Grows Flesh” to a certain pavilion at the same time another wisp of flame carried a pile of silver into the fiery sea below.

After the transaction was done, a new wisp of flame lifted a painting into the air.

The art composition of the painting was quite simple. It was composed of a mountain surrounded by wisps of clouds, a Taoist temple behind the same clouds, and three men on the empty space in front of the Taoist temple.

One person was training with a sword, another was playing a qin and se on the floor, and the third person was reading a book.

As mentioned, the art composition was extremely simple, and the art style and technique did not look particularly impressive either. Strangely, it gave off a harmonious and natural feeling. It was ephemeral, mysterious and lofty like the celestials who lived in the heavens. It was as if it wasn’t a painting, but a hidden slice of celestial paradise.

“‘Impenetrable Clouds’?”

It was at this moment Feng Qingyou suddenly spoke up, her tone overflowing with rare disbelief.

Before Ye Qing could voice a question, countless voices came from everywhere inside the Lampfire Palace.

“Is that the ‘Impenetrable Clouds’, Miss Zui Yun?”

“Is that the legendary ‘Impenetrable Clouds’?”

“Where on earth did you acquire the ‘Impenetrable Clouds’, Miss Zui Yun?”

“Is this painting the genuine article, Miss Zui Yun?”

“Miss Zui Yun…”

Every single voice was filled with shock and urgency.

“What is this ‘Impenetrable Clouds’, Qingyou? What’s gotten them all riled up and shocked?” Ye Qing asked curiously.

“‘Impenetrable Clouds’ is both the name of this painting and a myth that exists in the wulin of Yan,” Feng Qingyou answered.

“A myth? What myth?” Ye Qing asked.

“Legend has it that there exists a celestial paradise within the cloudy mountains of the celestials called ‘Impenetrable Clouds’. It is said that it is a profound place that cannot be found or reached by mere mortals.”

Feng Qingyou answered, “Only one who bears a celestial fortune may enter the ‘Impenetrable Clouds’, and this painting is one way to do so.”

Ye Qing became even more curious. “What fortune lies within this so-called ‘celestial paradise’?”

“What else? The opportunity to change one’s fate and transform one’s life forever, of course,” Feng Qingyou replied. “‘Step deep into the clouds, and thou shall scale the nine heavens’. This is what the passage was referring to.”

“Nine hundred years ago, a shepherd boy came across this painting by chance and accidentally stumbled into a massive, cloudy mountain while shepherding his cows. He soon found himself in a Taoist temple and encountered a man who was playing music and drawing art.”

“When the man saw the shepherd boy, he asked him a question. After the shepherd boy gave him an answer, the man shook his head with sympathy and claimed that it is not yet time for the shepherd boy to become a celestial. However, the shepherd boy did enter the Impenetrable Clouds, meaning that he was fated with that place. So, the man taught him the four arts—qin, go, literature and art—before sending him away.”