Chapter 56: Purchase, Latest Weapons!

To purchase ***, aside from the exceptionally wealthy who could utilize alternative channels, the only remaining option was through the auction channels of the sects. Because these items belonged to a regulated category, this was the only way to ensure that nothing went wrong.

Inside the auction house, Liang Xin had arrived early.

"Good day, miss. How may I help you today?"

Seeing Liang Xin enter, the receptionist greeted her with a bright smile. Those who worked at this auction house knew better than to judge a book by its cover. Even though she was just a young girl, she might well be the daughter of some wealthy elite.

"I am here to make a reservation to purchase ***. This is my sect's credential!"

At these words, the attendant's expression froze. Purchasing *** required a special reservation deposit of fifty million spirit stones—a sum far beyond the reach of ordinary people. Furthermore, she appeared to be nothing more than a young girl; if not for the official credential presented before him, he would have suspected his own ears.

"Right this way, miss!"

After ushering Liang Xin into a VIP lounge, the attendant finally inquired, "To make a reservation for the purchase, a prior deposit of fifty million spirit stones is required."

An auction house of their stature would never break its word or misappropriate a customer's funds. The deposit rule existed simply because too many people had previously attempted to cause trouble under the guise of bidding; requiring advance funds ensured that whoever won the auction would actually be able to pay. If the winner failed to produce the full amount, the reservation deposit would be entirely confiscated.

However, Liang Xin shook her head and said, "I don't have that much money."

Just as the attendant began to think Liang Xin was merely wasting their time, she unexpectedly produced a cultivation manual from her backpack.

The moment he laid eyes on the manual, the attendant's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

*The Spirit-Wine Immortal Scripture*

The *Spirit-Wine Immortal Scripture* had once appeared at a top-tier world auction, with only four copies in existence globally. Yet now, a fifth copy had miraculously appeared. It was rumored that the buyer who originally acquired the *Spirit-Wine Immortal Scripture* had risen to become a supreme powerhouse through its teachings. Never did he imagine he would lay eyes upon this legendary manual today.

For a moment, his expression froze, turning exceptionally solemn.

"Please wait a moment. I will have our experts come and inspect this immediately!"

He knew very well that if this manual proved authentic, it would inevitably create a massive sensation within the auction world. One could even say that a cultivation manual of this caliber was entirely capable of propelling their auction house to unprecedented fame.

Soon, the professional appraisers completed their inspection of the manual.

"This lady has estimated correctly. After our evaluation, this manual is worth at least one hundred million spirit stones!"

The appraiser set down the manual and nodded involuntarily.

"Then let this manual be used for the auction. I need to keep my identity confidential and open a reservation auction!"

Hearing Liang Xin's request, the auction house personnel naturally agreed readily. Many powerful experts were actively searching for this manual, and the original copy was considered even more precious. Because the original allowed one to comprehend the profound Daoist truths contained within the teachings, its value was astronomical!

...

Meanwhile, back at the White Sword Sect, all the disciples were burying themselves in arduous cultivation. Even the grand defensive array of the sect remained activated twenty-four hours a day.

"sect Master!"

While Liang Chuan was cultivating, Peng Shan hurried into the room. Seeing Liang Chuan nod, Peng Shan proceeded to report everything he had learned.

"News has just arrived from the foot of the mountain: the Sun-Birth Sect has captured Nanyang City. However, because Pang Yongchao surrendered, there were no casualties."

Upon receiving this news, the heavy stone in Liang Chuan's chest settled slightly. His greatest concern had been that the brutes of the Sun-Birth Sect would vent their fury on the innocent civilians of Nanyang City. It appeared, however, that the Sun-Birth Sect still cared about its reputation as a righteous sect and refrained from slaughtering the innocent.

"Did they find out who is leading the expedition this time?"

This was Liang Chuan's primary concern, as it would allow him to formulate appropriate countermeasures based on the enemy's strength.

"The one leading them this time is Dai Xiao," Peng Shan said with an ugly expression.

Although Dai Xiao was merely a disciple, he frequently helped manage the sect's affairs, and his reputation had long since spread far and wide. It was said that whenever he was assigned a sect mission, he would invariably execute it with utmost dedication. Furthermore, he was exceptionally cautious, and many sects had suffered heavy losses at his hands.

"It seems the Sun-Birth Sect is truly determined to fight us to the bitter end!"

A cold sneer surfaced on Liang Chuan's face. They were even disregarding the sect's general affairs just to lead a personal expedition against him. He was so certain of this because he had previously received intelligence that Dai Xiao rarely stepped forward for ordinary matters; whenever he did take the field, it was virtually equivalent to the sect master himself taking action. With a successor being groomed as the next sect master personally leading the charge, their clear intent was to swallow up the White Sword Sect in one gulp.

"sect Master, what should we do now?" Peng Shan asked, his face etched with worry, for the situation was far more perilous than he had imagined.

Liang Chuan leaned back against his chair and spat out a single word indifferently: "Fight!"

At this juncture, fleeing was out of the question, and begging for mercy was entirely impossible. Besides, he was not necessarily truly afraid of them.

"Have the enemy's specific forces been ascertained?" Liang Chuan pursued further.

Peng Shan nodded hastily. "According to our reconnaissance, their grand elder has emerged from seclusion, estimated to be at the peak Nasational Infant stage! Furthermore, there are over sixty cultivators in the Foundation Establishment stage, and approximately four or five in the Core Formation stage."

As these words were spoken, the atmosphere grew even more oppressive, for the enemy's strength vastly exceeded their expectations. They had originally anticipated only thirty or forty foes led by a few Core Formation masters, which might have given them a fighting chance. But the appearance of a Nascent Infant expert completely changed the equation. A peak Nascent Infant expert was equivalent to five early-stage Nascent Infant cultivators—a completely different tier from that heretical scoundrel Liang Ke.

Liang Chuan nodded slightly, waved his hand, and said, "Go cultivate. Tell the other disciples to practice diligently as well and prepare to meet the battle."

Peng Shan cupped his fists and replied, "Understood, sect Master!"

Right now, the disciples within the sect were even willing to lay down their lives for the sake of the sect.

Early the next morning, Liang Chuan received word that the Sun-Birth Sect had set out. All the disciples gathered together at that moment.

"It seems they are moving faster than I anticipated!"

In truth, he had hoped to buy a few more days of time, but the enemy was clearly intent on a swift and decisive victory.

By this time, two squads had already assembled before Liang Chuan. The first was the firearm squad, equipped with guns across all members. The second squad wielded traditional long swords, tasked with safeguarding the firearm squad.

Accompanied by the rest of the disciples, everyone gazed up at Liang Chuan standing above.

Liang Chuan merely nodded calmly and commanded, "Prepare for battle!"

Outside the White Sword Sect, the forces of the Sun-Birth Sect had already arrived.