Sage of Humanity-Chapter 1496 - 1494: The Auction
Lu Ye wandered around the flea market, but couldn't spot Ahn Zhe at his usual spot. In his place was an unfamiliar cultivator, selling items Lu Ye didn't need.
It seems Ahn Zhe hasn't returned yet.
So, Lu Ye decided to browse fire attribute treasures, spending several million spirit jade.
There was still plenty of time, and nowhere specific to go, so after a brief moment of thought, he continued to wander around the flea market.
Compared to massive entities like the All Phenomena Merchants Guild, Lu Ye actually preferred places like this, though he couldn't quite put his finger on why.
As he was looking around, a small voice echoed beside him, "Fellow Daoist, do you need elixir pills?"
Following the voice, Lu Ye saw a young woman seated at a stall, her face slightly flushed, lightly biting her lip as if to muster the courage to ask him.
Glancing at her stall, Lu Ye noticed a dozen or so jade vials, presumably filled with various elixir pills.
He didn't really need any elixir pills. He had been deliberately suppressing his cultivation recently, avoiding active practice out of fear that rapid progress might destabilize his foundation.
Initially, he didn't intend to respond, but upon meeting the woman's gaze, he couldn't resist squatting down.
Her eyes weren't particularly remarkable, but they reminded him of his own awkward beginnings on All Phenomena Island. He could probably tell that her circumstances weren't great; otherwise, she wouldn't be hawking elixirs here.
Such items don't sell well at the flea market, as they're consumed internally. Regular cultivators usually buy elixirs from the All Phenomena Merchants Guild or other Spirit Island shops for assurance. Selling elixirs like this is hard to trust; low-quality elixirs could cause problems if used in combat.
The dozen or so jade vials had labels with the names of each elixir.
Seeing Lu Ye squatting down, the woman quickly composed herself, "Fellow Daoist, feel free to browse. I have all the common elixirs."
Lu Ye casually picked up a vial of Spirit Revitalizing Pills, a commonly needed elixir among Constellation cultivators for replenishing spirit force and cultivation, essential at the Constellation level.
"Are you a healing cultivator?" Lu Ye inquired casually, feeling a familiar, gentle aura from the woman. It was calming, just like Shui Yuan and Hua Ci.
He also caught a faint floral scent, but couldn't identify the flower.
"Yes," the woman nodded.
"Then it's not easy for you!"
Generally, healing cultivators travel with others, as they have fewer means to deal with danger, making them more vulnerable.
A solitary healing cultivator like the woman was uncommon.
The woman tilted her head, clearly not understanding his meaning.
"How much?" Lu Ye asked.
The woman quoted a price.
Lu Ye looked at her, "Your prices are even higher than the All Phenomena Merchants Guild."
No wonder her stall appeared neglected. Selling elixirs at a higher price, it's a wonder anyone buys them here.
The woman explained, "The elixirs I refine are of great quality. If you don't believe me, buy one and see."
Lu Ye responded, "If the quality isn't good after buying, can I return them?"
The woman's expression turned serious, "The quality is assured. I refined them myself, I know."
"What kind of assurance is that!" Lu Ye thought to himself. Her personality wasn't suited for business; she was far from Ahn Zhe's level.
"I'll take all of them," Lu Ye put down the jade vial.
"What?" the woman was momentarily stunned.
"I said I'll take all the elixirs you have!" Lu Ye looked at her. Being alone out here wasn't easy. He imagined if his Second Senior Sister or Hua Ci were here, struggling to attract business, how troubling it would be.
Though, his Second Senior Sister and Hua Ci weren't typical healing cultivators and probably wouldn't be in such a situation.
The woman realized and was overjoyed, "Is Fellow Daoist serious?" She had been at her stall for days but barely sold any elixirs. People passing by never stopped, so she didn't expect someone to buy everything.
"If you think I'm lying, I can leave now!"
"No, don't leave!" the woman quickly said, hurriedly retrieving vial after vial from her storage ring.
She stopped after retrieving over thirty bottles, cautiously looking at Lu Ye, "Fellow Daoist, isn't this too much?"
"Calculate the total!" Lu Ye urged.
The woman cheerfully calculated the final amount, reporting to Lu Ye a figure of just under three thousand spirit jades, which Lu Ye paid promptly.
After putting all the elixir pills away and preparing to leave, the woman kept thanking him repeatedly.
Walking a short distance, Lu Ye took out a vial of Spirit Revitalizing Pills, casually popping one into his mouth, while observing the reaction of the Talent Tree.
Other cultivators wouldn't dare consume elixirs lightly, but Lu Ye did not mind. With the Talent Tree by his side, he feared no harm from any flaw in the elixir pills.
Moments later, Lu Ye showed a surprised expression. Although the woman earnestly claimed her elixir pills were of higher quality than those sold by the All Phenomena Merchants Guild, words alone couldn't serve as proof. Even if some cultivator consumed them, it would be difficult to discern quality.
But Lu Ye was different; observing the changes in the Talent Tree offered a direct insight into the quality of the elixir pills.
The more impurities present, the lower the quality, and vice versa.
Upon observation, the Talent Tree showed very mild reactions, indeed confirming what the woman said: her elixirs were of high quality.
Looking back, Lu Ye found the woman had disappeared, likely having left after selling out her elixirs.
It was somewhat puzzling. With such alchemy skills, the woman could have joined a faction and become their exclusive Alchemist, saving herself the hardship of setting up a stand here.
Even the All Phenomena Merchants Guild would not turn away such talent.
Yet she preferred the hard work of setting up stalls rather than depending on any faction, suggesting to Lu Ye her character inclined toward independence from constraints.
After wandering the flea market a while longer, Lu Ye headed towards the All Phenomena Merchants Guild.
The auction was set to start in about half a day, and it was the time when cultivators attending the auction began entering the venue.
The entrance was situated inside the All Phenomena Merchants Guild, where many cultivators were lining up to get in. However, Lu Ye made his way directly in another direction.
There was another entrance on that side. Upon reaching it, Lu Ye produced the D-9 token received during financial assessment. Instantly, someone respectfully accepted it and led him inside.
Cao Xiang had previously advised him that the minimum requirement for a financial assessment was a hundred thousand spirit jades. In other words, only with a hundred thousand spirit jades could one gain access to the auction. Naturally, to receive better treatment, one must display more substantial wealth.
The one million spirit jades Lu Ye demonstrated indeed gained him treatment distinct from ordinary cultivators.
Under the guidance of the guild cultivator, he soon arrived at a private suite inscribed with the words "D-9."
The guild cultivator halted at the door, gesturing gracefully, "Honored guest, please enter. Once the auction begins, if something catches your eye, you only need to place your bid from inside; it's visible outside. Should you win a bid, we'll ensure the item is delivered to you."
Lu Ye gave a slight nod, indicating his understanding.
Entering the D-9 room, Lu Ye immediately noticed a colossal transparent mirror-like surface, of unknown material. Standing before it, he had a splendid overhead view of the entire auction venue.
A look around revealed numerous other rooms similar to his own, though from his vantage point, the mirror surfaces of those rooms were shrouded in swirling mists, completely concealing the interiors.
Lu Ye attempted to extend his Mental Consciousness but was still obstructed.
Assuredly, others were experiencing the same when trying to view his side.
The room's furnishings were simple: a large chair and a round table next to it, on which several fruit trays held fresh spirit fruits. Additionally, there was a pot of fine wine.
A protrusion on the chair's armrest showed Lu Ye, after a brief study, it served to place bids during the auction.
At this moment, a large number of cultivators were steadily entering the auction venue, guided by the tokens they acquired earlier for seating, with guild cultivators stationed to provide direction.
Thus, even with the considerable influx of attendees, there was no chaos; everything was orderly. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦
With some time before the auction commenced, Lu Ye reclined in the chair, casually nibbling on a spirit fruit. He didn't recognize the fruit, but it tasted sweet, and the inner spirit force could be refined into his own spirit force.
By the time Lu Ye nearly finished the spirit fruits, the auction hall was fully seated.
Such an orderly scene was still achieved post-financial assessment, leading one to imagine how crowded it might have been without valuation checks.
Lu Ye roughly estimated the participating cultivators numbered at least three thousand.
In the vast All Phenomena Ocean, many cultivators had wealth, though more struggled at the base level.
Suddenly, the previously well-lit auction hall dimmed, followed by a mysterious beam of light striking the front stage.
As the light brightened, an elderly man with white hair and beard materialized at that spot, though his appearance seemed like it always belonged there.
With his eyes half-closed and hands clasped in his sleeves, he stood casually, yet the powerful aura he emitted confirmed him as a formidable Moon Jade cultivator, at the Late Stage!
The previously bustling auction hall became instantly silent, with all eyes fixed on the elder.
The elder spoke slowly, his voice not loud but resonating in everyone's ear: "I am Yooi Xiuzhai, honored to serve as the Ninth Manager of the All Phenomena Merchants Guild, and I will be hosting this auction."
