Chapter Forty-Five: The Beginning of the Auction

Jiang Yan stood in the elegant room on the second floor of the Strange Treasures Pavilion, gazing down at the ceaseless flow of people below. They streamed continuously into a grand hall in the rear courtyard, prompting him to ask the woman in the black veil behind him, “Your Strange Treasures Pavilion seems quite formidable, Miss Yi. Nearly every sect in Linqing Prefecture has been gathered here by you.”

The veiled woman, originally seated and sipping tea, rose and moved to the window, looking down as she replied, “You flatter us, sir. Though our pavilion enjoys some renown in Linqing Prefecture, it is but a shadow cast by the prestige of the main pavilion. On the contrary, your junior sister piques my curiosity greatly.”

Jiang Yan smiled and ignored Miss Yi’s words, continuing to observe the scene below.

After agreeing to auction the Bone-Easing Pill, Ding Yuan had busied himself, entrusting Miss Yi, the pavilion’s alchemist, to accompany Jiang Yan. Yet Jiang suspected Miss Yi had volunteered for the task, for during their hour together, every word from her lips sought information about his mysterious alchemist junior sister.

Seeing Jiang Yan pay her no heed, a sly glint flashed in Miss Yi’s dark eyes. This young master of Mount Hua, Jiang Yan, was indifferent to her conversation—how unappreciative! If not for her oath, she would have removed the black veil to see if he could remain so unmoved.

Below the pavilion, a group of disciples in white robes, led by a grey-robed elder, entered the auction hall.

A mischievous light sparkled in Miss Yi’s beautiful eyes. She had heard the previous master of Mount Hua had fallen beneath the sword of the Tianshan Sect’s leader, so this cadre of Tianshan disciples would surely interest Jiang Yan.

“Sir, the man in grey at the front is Lu Xiyao, junior brother to the Tianshan Sect master, seventh-generation disciple. Rumor has it he is the sect’s foremost expert. I imagine you might be interested,” she said lightly.

“Tianshan’s foremost expert?” Jiang Yan’s fingers clenched tightly. The Tianshan Sect was Mount Hua’s rival, the first adversary on its path to prominence. If his strength were sufficient, he would not hesitate to uproot Tianshan entirely.

The foremost expert of Tianshan must be a peak Qi Cultivation master. Jiang Yan knew he was no match now, and slowly relaxed his grip. He glanced at Miss Yi, who looked rather pleased with herself, guessing she had resorted to provoking him with his master’s killer, hoping his emotional reaction might yield useful information about his junior sister.

Miss Yi, realizing her plot had been seen through, stuck out her tongue and feigned innocence, though her expressive face was masked by the veil and went unnoticed by Jiang Yan.

Jiang Yan continued to fix his gaze on the Tianshan disciples in the pavilion’s courtyard, his eyes settling on Lu Xiyao. A transparent information panel gradually appeared before him.

Name: Lu Xiyao
Sect: Tianshan
Position: Elder
Cultivation: Peak Qi Cultivation
Weapon: Grade One Icewater Sword

Techniques: Grade One Mid-level Ice Technique, Grade One Mid-level Ice Swordsmanship
Merit Points: —

Lu Xiyao was indeed a peak Qi Cultivation master, worthy of his title. The other Tianshan disciples were mostly at the third or fourth layer of Qi Cultivation; none were notably stronger.

Jiang Yan calculated silently. He himself was at the sixth layer of Qi Cultivation, considerably behind Lu Xiyao. He resolved to avoid encountering him; should a conflict arise, he would almost certainly be forced to flee.

Outside the pavilion, night began to fall. The runic symbols above the many shops of Linqing Prefecture glowed, and the three large characters on the Strange Treasures Pavilion’s signboard shimmered in the darkness, guiding cultivators toward the entrance.

Above the second floor, broad runic images flashed, displaying the pavilion’s exotic treasures and enticing passersby to enter and marvel.

“Sir, it’s about time. If you wish to observe the auction, you may enter now,” Miss Yi said, finally impatient after two hours of fruitless conversation.

Jiang Yan had never witnessed an auction firsthand, so Miss Yi’s suggestion suited him perfectly. He seized the opportunity to witness the grand event, gesturing ahead with a single hand. “Lead the way, Miss Yi.”

Miss Yi walked ahead, guiding Jiang Yan into the hall where many local cultivators had entered. Yet upon entering, she took a side door.

Under her guidance, Jiang Yan passed through several corridors and layers of guards, arriving at a modest room. The chamber was fragrant and elegant, furnished with a table and chairs, with portraits of noblewomen adorning the walls. The entire wall facing the auction hall had been removed, replaced by a curtain.

Peering through the curtain, Jiang Yan saw the auction hall, where a long platform stood against the far wall. Behind it, a goateed manager presided over the auction. Facing the platform were countless swaying heads—at least a hundred people, by Jiang Yan’s estimate. Nearly every sect in Linqing Prefecture had sent their disciples.

The auction had already begun. The goateed manager was enthusiastically explaining the rules to the guests...

Miss Yi glanced at the excited manager and chuckled. “Sir, Old Gu is fortunate this time. Thanks to you, he was promoted from an outside manager to an internal position—this is his first time hosting such an auction.”

Jiang Yan remarked in surprise, “Do I wield such influence?”

Miss Yi laughed gleefully. “Any employee who helps the pavilion connect with a promising cultivator receives rewards—higher pay or a better position. Old Gu discovered you and was promoted. If you need anything in future, you may seek him out.”

Jiang Yan stared at her in astonishment. “Your pavilion is remarkable, devising such incentives. Your master is truly capable.”

Miss Yi looked at him, puzzled. “Employee? What does that mean, sir?”

Realizing his slip, Jiang Yan laughed it off. “The auction has begun, Miss Yi.”

Through special spiritual devices, Old Gu’s voice echoed throughout the hall.

“Fellow cultivators, distinguished disciples, tonight all the spiritual treasures up for auction will be presented together for your viewing pleasure. Let us admire the treasures to be sold tonight.”

He clapped his hands, and graceful attendants entered, each holding a tray. They wore pale yellow dresses, their hands cradling trays draped with yellow silk, presenting an enchanting sight.

The attendants lined up before the platform, facing Jiang Yan’s direction.

Old Gu descended from the platform to the first attendant, grasping the yellow silk covering the item with both hands, speaking in an enticing tone, “Behold, the first item tonight—a Grade One Superior Spiritual Weapon: Azure Steel Sword.”

As he unveiled the silk, a dazzling blue light burst forth, drawing murmurs from the crowd.

“This sword is quite good—a Grade One Superior spiritual weapon.”

“Yes, its wood and metal attributes are excellent. A peak Qi Cultivation master would wield it with ease.”

“A fine sword, indeed…”

“The second item, a Grade One Mid-level spiritual artifact: Watercraft. This boat needs no pilot; after special configuration, it can traverse between two river points autonomously—a must-have for merchants transporting goods along canals.”

Old Gu introduced the next item—a few miniature black wooden boats—describing them with enthusiasm...

Jiang Yan, watching Old Gu’s energetic explanations, couldn’t help but ask, “Miss Yi, isn’t it against auction protocol to reveal all items beforehand?” Though he’d never attended an auction, he’d heard of the typical process; displaying all items at the start seemed unusual…

Miss Yi laughed sweetly. “That’s because of you, Jiang Yan! Normally, our pavilion prepares catalogues of auction items for potential buyers. This time is no exception, but your Bone-Easing Pill disrupted our arrangements.”

There were many ballot boxes, and Hong Yan was deeply grateful, updating as promised…