Chapter 526: Chapter 32: The Ascendant Arrives (Part 3)
In the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain, everyone is quite familiar with Dao artifacts, and some have even ranked known artifacts.
Moreover, the use and efficacy of Dao artifacts are generally considered common knowledge.
However, when the official introduced the effectiveness of this Insect Net, the audience couldn’t help but burst into amazement.
"It can be activated with just a bit of magical power?"
"Is there a limit to the opponent’s cultivation?"
"What about backlash?"
...
As the official finished his introduction, questions erupted from below.
"Everyone, please remain calm while this old man demonstrates it for you."
After the official spoke, a Fake Pill True Man walked onto the stage.
"Go!" The official elder’s fingertip emanated a faint trace of magical power, and the Insect Net swiftly and effortlessly entangled the opponent.
Afterward, the Fake Pill Cultivator exerted his maximum magical power on the spot, trying to break free, but no matter how much he tried, the net remained immobile.
Yet, he himself couldn’t move an inch from his spot.
"Hiss~ Truly a supreme treasure!" Seeing the effect, the audience was thrilled.
"However..." The official saw the atmosphere had peaked, thus introducing a twist.
"However, this Dao artifact only works against opponents with cultivation lower than the user’s."
"Furthermore, it’s purely based on cultivation—if you’re at Foundation Establishment Late Period and the opponent is at Foundation Establishment Middle Stage, it will definitely bind them. But if you are at Foundation Establishment Middle Stage and the opponent is at Foundation Establishment Late Period, it won’t work."
"As for backlash, if you activate the Insect Net to bind your opponent and don’t disengage for a long time, your own actions will slow down." The official elaborated it all in one breath.
"It can only be used on opponents with lower cultivation?"
"Heh~ If the opponent’s cultivation is lower than mine, why would I need to use this item?"
"The backlash seems significantly more severe compared to other Dao artifacts."
...
For a moment, many in the hall shook their heads in disappointment.
"That’s not exactly true. This Insect Net is based purely on cultivation, not combat power. Fellow Daoist, you are also a Fake Pill Cultivator, but how would you fare against Lei Qianchuan of the Nine Tripods Commerce Association?" But someone noticed its extraordinariness.
The person, realizing it upon hearing, said: "Indeed, if I were to face a prodigy like Lei Qianchuan, I would surely be defeated. But if I had this item, even if Lei Qianchuan is exceptionally talented, if his cultivation realm is less than mine, he would find it difficult to escape!"
"Truly a treasure to prevent across-level challenges!"
...
Li Ji’an, understanding the utility of this Dao artifact, found himself somewhat tempted.
But after considering it, it seemed of little use to him. Currently, he was in his third life within the Cultivation Realm, with accumulations from the past two lives. Not to mention opponents of the same level, even Fake Pill True Men he could handle, and he had cards to deal with even Early-stage True Core True Men.
Moreover, the further along he went, the more the foundation from his previous lives grew, making such treasures that rely on overwhelming cultivation less necessary.
Of course, it’s not something he could acquire easily if he wanted to.
After the official’s introduction, the bidding voices in the hall rose and fell, quickly raising the price to a staggering ten thousand Spirit Stones.
As for the Dao artifacts present in the Great Marsh Cultivation Realm today, nearly none benefit cultivation directly; most are auxiliary in nature, containing some Power of Laws.
This is also why cultivators in this world believe Dao artifacts to be formed by fragments of Dao Principles after the ancient Heaven’s Collapse.
"Fifteen thousand Spirit Stones!" Just as competition reached a fever pitch, an ethereal and elevated voice suddenly came from the Nine Tripods Commerce Association box, accompanied by the pressure of a Core Formation Ascendant.
"It’s not Tong Shangren."
"Could it be another Ascendant from the Nine Tripods Commerce Association, possibly invited from the Central Ten Domains to oversee this auction?"
"Would a Core Formation Ascendant truly be interested in such a Dao artifact?"
...
As the ongoing discussion continued, Li Ji’an felt a twinge of discomfort.
Because he wasn’t unfamiliar with that voice!