章 14: Chapter 14: Cultivation Technique Auction
In the afternoon
The sunlight was just right, shining down on people, making everyone feel pleasantly warm.
Zhao Huai hummed a little tune and strolled nonchalantly down the street.
The cultivation technique auction this time took place at the Heavenly Treasures Trade Association. It was quite a distance from the eastern part of the city.
The Heavenly Treasures Trade Association was the largest and most active commerce guild in the entire Xia Country. In every somewhat prosperous city in Central State, there was a branch of the association, and Zhao Huai was currently heading to the Jinzhou branch of the Heavenly Treasures Trade Association.
The Heavenly Treasures Trade Association was initially formed by a group of powerful cultivators. It has developed over more than eight hundred years and now has become a dominating presence. Apart from Central State, its influence can also be seen in other remote areas.
If a cultivator wanted to obtain cultivation materials quickly, they would inevitably have to deal with them.
Internally, they say that the Heavenly Treasures Trade Association doesn't produce cultivation resources, they are merely the 'movers' of resources, providing a trading platform for the wider community of cultivators.
Strictly speaking, it transcends the mortal world, with its lifespan being longer than most dynasties.
Zhao Huai passed through the bustling crowd and soon arrived at the location of the Heavenly Treasures Trade Branch Association.
Before his eyes was a broad street, the ground was very clean. Looking ahead, there were rows of exquisitely built attics, grand in scale. The entrance of the street was filled with lanterns.
The source of light within the lanterns was not fire but spiritual stones.
In the eyes of real powerful cultivators, gold, silver, and jewelry mean nothing. Therefore, without a doubt, in the realm of cultivators, the mortal world, and imperial court, the hardest currency is the spiritual stone. Besides, demonic cores, demonic bones, strange stones, pills to assist cultivation can also be used for trade.
But how many true cultivators are there?
Usually, only those who have reached the Initiation Realm are considered to have stepped into the door of Immortal Cultivation, and becoming a strong cultivator is a difficult task. However, most people are stuck at refining qi. Considering the situation of most people, gold and silver are also acceptable in the association's transactions, but the exchange rate is quite low.
Zhao Huai had quite a bit of gold and silver, but his spiritual stones were very limited, so his purchasing of a cultivation technique this time was quite targeted.
If there were not cultivation techniques that were extremely valuable to him, he would not buy them.
At the entrance of the Heavenly Treasures Trade Branch Association.
The grand customer lounge was filled with all sorts of people. The ones who could come here were either rich or noble, so they were dressed extravagantly. Even people from slightly affluent families would come here to broaden their horizons.
Among the hustle and bustle, Zhao Huai lazily walked through the door, scanned around - the highest cultivation here was not more than the third stage of refining qi, lower than what he had expected.
After all, those with good aptitude would have joined a sect already, how could they still be here?
Zhao Huai came to a quiet room and found an elder.
"Elder Chu, long time no see." He greeted with a smile as soon as he entered the room.
"Ha ha ha, it's Young Master Zhao. You've finally arrived."
Elder Chu was a kind-hearted old man in a grey Taoist robe. With white hair and a face full of wrinkles, he was quite old. He was a guest elder of the Heavenly Treasures Trade Association and has been stationed at the Jinzhou branch for many years for a retirement pension.
Although he seemed old, he was at the second stage of Initiation Realm. He had lived for more than a hundred years and was a front-line member of an Immortal Cultivation Sect in his youth. Now, he was spending his old age in this branch.
"The pills you bought last time were useful, weren't they? Judging by your complexion and mood, it seems like you've made some progress."
Elder Chu stroked his beard, looking at the spirited Zhao Huai with eyes full of undescribed envy.
The difference between people was huge. When he was as young as Zhao Huai, he was still struggling at the first or second stage of refining qi.
"Thanks to your recommendation, Elder Chu, the pills last time were really good. I encountered a small bottleneck in my cultivation recently, so I decided to come and check out some cultivation techniques." Zhao Huai responded with a light smile.
"Cultivation technique? I heard there are a few top-notch pieces among the new ones this time. Let's see if you can get them."
Elder Chu hinted with a profound tone.
"Couldn't you reveal a bit more?" Zhao Huai was relieved as he couldn't help but smile.
"A little mystery is good." Elder Chu shook his head and chuckled.
Then Elder Chu tossed a token to Zhao Huai, smilingly said,
"Your room has been reserved. Just go straight there. It's at the front and it's a luxurious private room."
Zhao Huai took the token and laughed lightly; "Thanks a lot, I will invite you for some tea another day."...
Arriving at their arranged luxurious private room, Zhao Huai comfortably settled himself on a mink-covered armchair as a pretty maid served him high quality tea and refreshments.
The spot he was sitting in was elevated to the perfect high platform, giving him a bird's eye view of the entire auction and a clear look at the items being sold.
There was a similar platform next to them, currently empty.
This height would also prevent others from recognizing who he was.
He had frequented the place quite often and spent a good amount of money to the point where it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him a member of the Heavenly Treasures Trade Association. It was how he had become acquainted with Elder Chu.
Besides, with all the strenuous cultivation, why shouldn't he enjoy some leisure time?
People had begun to file in and fill the vacant seats; before long, the venue was filled to capacity.
Simultaneously, a young man in a dark green robe entered the room next to Zhao Huai, accompanied by his followers. He was dressed to the nines, wearing three jade rings on one hand, a clear sign of abundant wealth and influence.
Zhao Huai spared him a fleeting glance.
This was just an ordinary man without any cultivation.
His servant, on the other hand, seemed to have some abilities, clearly playing the role of a bodyguard.
Zhao Huai quickly withdrew his gaze, pulling out his golden bronze coins, intending to divine his fortune for the day.
[Misfortune and fortune come hand in hand, let's see]
[Hexagram one: Bringing the spirit into matter, infusing form with life, lucky stars shine brightly, your indication is "fortune"]
Trace Guidance: Fortune bestows its rays, harvest is plentiful.
Upon seeing the emerging text and guidance, Zhao Huai murmured under his breath:
"Bringing the spirit into matter, infusing form with life, it sounds profound, what kind of abundant harvest is it referring to?"
"Money? Cultivation technique?"
The message was unclear, much like a riddle, leaving Zhao Huai somewhat perplexed.
Should he consider upgrading the "Trace Origins" destiny later on? Perhaps the results would be even better?
Regardless, after consulting the bronze coins, Zhao Huai was filled with anticipation.
At this moment, the young man in the dark green robe next to him kept looking around in curiosity, finding everything extremely fascinating. When he caught sight of Zhao Huai's calm and composed demeanor, he couldn't resist striking up a conversation:
"My dear friend over there, you seem to be quite an expert. Do you know what valuable items will be auctioned today?"
Zhao Huai gave him a brief glance.
"I don't know."
The youth in the dark green robe seemed to have already made himself at home and still wore a smiling face as he said:
"I am Li Yanqing, and I have been struggling to find a way to break through my qi refining stage. I came to this auction with the aim of finding a solution."
"Do you know any quick breakthrough methods or any cultivation experiences?"
"I don't know."
Zhao Huai didn't even spare him a glance, his eyes staring fixedly at the auction items being presented at the center of the hall.
Better for a fellow daoist to die than for me to become poor.
Most cultivators are primarily self-interested and generally don't concern themselves with others' affairs, not even to offer advice.
Besides, he doesn't have any familiarity with this person.
"The auction officially begins!"
As the auctioneer called out loudly from the stage, the auction started, and the man in the dark green robe had no choice but to shut up, a trace of regret visible in his eyes.
...
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