Chapter 18: The Auction

The auction was in full swing, with the third item now making its appearance. From backstage emerged another beautiful woman, just like before, carrying a wooden tray covered with a cloth. She entered from the left curtain while the previous woman exited through the right—everything followed strict protocol.

When the object was finally revealed on the round table, the crowd’s attention sharpened and excitement surged again. It was a single pill. While such things were unremarkable in large cities, here in this remote, impoverished region, it immediately sparked heated discussion.

It was a Foundation Establishment Pill, a miraculous elixir capable of instant purification upon consumption, allowing one to skip the risky process of using another’s inner core or medicinal herbs for cleansing. This was the most basic pill crafted by any common alchemist, and so, only in such backwater places would it be considered a treasure.

Without a Foundation Establishment Pill, one had no choice but to endure harsh cleansing with potent herbs or inner cores, like Fire Qilin and Little Qing—methods that could easily lead to death if anything went awry.

With Elder Qin’s announcement that the third item’s auction was to begin, the crowd erupted into a frenzy of bidding.

Time passed, and the sixth item had already been auctioned off. Now, it was time for the seventh item. As before, a beautiful woman entered while another exited, and a tray was placed upon the table to display the new lot.

This time, it was a divine weapon: a long spear, lying quietly on the tray, its shaft marred by rust. At a glance, it did not appear valuable at all.

This time, the atmosphere below was far less heated. Most people chose to observe rather than bid—few were interested in such a weapon.

Elder Qin announced, “This is a weapon found within a secret realm. Its material is unknown. Starting price: one thousand silver taels. Let the bidding begin!”

His words barely stirred the audience; most simply whispered among themselves or waited for someone else to make the first move. It was clear everyone hoped the seventh item would be dealt with quickly.

Seeing so few bids, Elder Qin added that items could also be traded, but only if he judged them of equal value after evaluation.

In truth, this condition was rather unfair—Elder Qin alone determined the trade’s terms. It was far more straightforward just to keep bidding with silver.

But this was precisely Elder Qin’s cleverness. Hearing such a dubious trade option, the crowd finally began to argue and then to bid against one another.

At first, the bids rose by a thousand silver at a time; later, by two thousand. But after thirty thousand, bidders fell away—no one was foolish enough to buy an unnamed spear at such a price.

In the end, the spear was sold for thirty-six thousand silver taels.

One had to admit, Elder Qin was a master businessman. With him in charge, profit was inevitable. No wonder the city lords had recouped all their investments in just a few days.

Next came the eighth auction item. The familiar scene played out: a woman entered, a tray was brought forth. This time, the item was a map—a treasure map so enticing it threatened to drive the entire hall mad with desire.

This map depicted the layout of a certain region, but its true value was known only to the one who purchased it.

Immediately, the audience began to question its authenticity. Who could guarantee there was a treasure? How had the map come into the auction’s possession? Had the previous owner already taken the treasures, selling the map merely for its leftover worth?

Elder Qin took the floor to explain. Indeed, the previous owner had ventured in, but not too deeply—the dangers were too great. The rusty spear just auctioned off had come from a single location marked on this map. The rest he had not dared touch.

Elder Qin added that this man was not from a great clan or sect, but a wandering cultivator, forced to sell the map to cover the costs of his injuries.

At this, the audience’s interest was piqued, and bidding began in earnest.

Ultimately, only the three city lords were real contenders. Only they possessed the strength to explore such a place; the others either lacked the silver or were unwilling to offend them.

After all, everyone knew the auction was hosted by the city lords. To compete with them was to openly challenge their authority. While the rules forbade violence during the auction, outside its walls, who could say what the three city lords might do?

This was Xuanlin City, Lord Xuan’s domain. If he wanted something, who could oppose him? In the end, the treasure map would surely end up in his hands. Better to avoid trouble altogether.

Xuan Yijian declared, “One hundred thousand taels!”

Lu Yuanyou countered, “One hundred twenty thousand!”

Wang Tingting raised, “One hundred fifty thousand!”

At this level, the crowd fell silent, waiting for the final showdown among those in the second-floor private rooms.

In the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the price soared to a staggering five hundred thousand silver taels—a fortune for these remote cities and islands, representing the life’s savings of everyone present.

At last, Lord Xuan announced he would no longer participate. Having only just recovered his wealth, he wasn’t about to risk it all for an uncertain and possibly perilous treasure map. He was no fool; he’d explored ruins before, and even weakened ancient formations could be deadly.

The other two city lords were also nearly out of funds, but neither wanted Xuan to dominate alone. For the sake of their families’ future and to balance power in the region, they pressed on.

With Xuan withdrawing, the map finally sold to Lord Lu for one hundred eighty thousand silver taels.

With that, all planned auction items had been presented. But at this final moment, Elder Qin brought out one last lot—added at the request of Fire Qilin.

Elder Qin announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, please wait a moment. Today is a special day. I am presenting one last item, added at the last minute. Those interested may remain; the rest are free to go.”

A voice from the crowd called, “What is it, Elder Qin? If it’s something good, we’d all like to stay. But at least let us see it first, right, everyone?”

The crowd voiced their agreement.

Indeed, how could they judge their interest without knowing what was on offer?

This, of course, was Elder Qin’s strategy—masterfully building suspense. No wonder the three city lords had spent so much to bring him in; his skill was undeniable.

Seeing the crowd’s reaction, Elder Qin smiled slightly—just as he had intended. Then, with everyone watching, he went backstage himself to bring out the final auction item.

This time, instead of a beautiful woman, Elder Qin personally carried the tray.

With a flourish, he lifted the cloth to reveal a notebook resembling a journal.

“Please take a look,” Elder Qin said.

“Come on, Elder Qin, don’t keep us in suspense! Tell us what it is,” someone called.

“Very well!” Elder Qin replied. “This manual is called Scorching Palm. It’s a fire-based palm technique—a top-tier profound-grade cultivation art. While it’s not the highest grade, for those in these small outlying cities, it is a rare and valuable practice.”

Though the technique had only one move, mastery or perfection of it could shatter the heavens with a single palm—impressive indeed.

Such solitary manuals were common for Fire Qilin; he possessed many. He had chosen this one at random, for him it was insignificant. He had even found time to learn it during his travels back to Blazing Fire Village, given that his own path was rooted in fire. Naturally, he was willing to part with it for something of greater value—an exchange far more worthwhile.

However, the results did not meet his expectations. Most people here did not practice the Way of Fire, so its value was limited.

Nonetheless, with Elder Qin overseeing things, Fire Qilin was not shortchanged. It was precisely this business acumen that set Elder Qin apart—he could see that though Fire Qilin was young, the quality of his manuscript implied a powerful background or extraordinary fortune. Either way, Elder Qin stood to benefit, his reputation only growing.

In the end, though the manual sold for only fifteen silver taels, the transaction included a silver badge from Elder Qin—a considerable boon.

This silver badge was no ordinary token. It was the exclusive insignia of an auction house in a major city. Possession of it granted entry to that city’s auction hall, and the badge itself was worth one hundred thousand silver taels. In truth, the transaction had been worth two hundred fifty thousand—quite a sum.

All in all, for a mere child like Fire Qilin to accumulate so much wealth was fair and just. Had he dealt with a less scrupulous person, he would have received only the money and not the additional badge.

After Fire Qilin collected his silver with Elder Qin’s guidance, he and Little Qing left the auction hand in hand, full of joy.

But as soon as they stepped outside, tranquility vanished—someone had already set their sights on them.