Chapter 1047 - 725: The Grand Auction
At this moment, Shen Xuan was unaware of this round of calculations among the upper echelons of the Commerce Alliance.
Out of caution, he had always sought steadiness in his actions, doing his utmost to avoid any entanglement with Nascent Soul True Monarchs.
A child carrying gold and walking through a bustling market is sure to invite misfortune.
Though he was no child, he absolutely did not wish to be tangled endlessly with those old foxes.
If it could be avoided, then avoid it; proceed low‑key—this was the way to longevity.
A few days later, outside the Cave Mansion on Frightening Sword Island, the plaque "Master in seclusion, no visitors" was once again hung up.
Shen Xuan quietly left the island.
Using the Thousand Transformations technique, he turned into a middle‑aged male cultivator of ordinary appearance, took the alias "Zheng Weicheng," a Fire Technique Golden Core, and once more entered the Myriad Phenomena Immortal City.
There were still some days left before the auction. Shen Xuan first went to the Immortal City’s "Cave Mansion Office," spent fifty thousand Spirit Stones, and rented a relatively remote Tier Three temporary Cave Mansion for a term of one year.
The privacy and safety of a Cave Mansion were far superior to any inn.
The Spiritual Qi here was somewhat inferior, but among Cave Mansions of the same tier, the rent was the cheapest, which suited him perfectly.
It was merely a temporary foothold; as long as safety was guaranteed, that was enough.
As for the Spiritual Qi needed for cultivation, he would personally set up a large Spirit Locking Array and make up for it with Upper Grade spirit stones.
After settling in, Shen Xuan restrained his aura, looking no different from an ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivator, and strolled leisurely through the Immortal City with some interest.
Walking at random, he arrived at the West City plaza where Loose Cultivators set up their stalls, and his gaze swept over a familiar spot.
Hong Yu’Er was indeed still there.
Only, compared to four years ago, she now had a few more traces of openness and vitality.
The "old and antique" items on her stall had also clearly increased; she was enthusiastically pitching an Ancient Jade to a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.
Shen Xuan glanced over casually, a faint smile playing in his heart.
Those "antiques"—eight or nine out of ten were crude imitations.
Among them, one or two were genuine, yet they too were incomplete and defective.
Hong Yu’Er did not recognize Shen Xuan.
Shen Xuan browsed for a while and did not discover any High Tier Spiritual Objects worth taking action for.
Afterward, he went straight to the main thoroughfare of the Immortal City, to the largest and most imposing nine‑story glazed treasure building.
This was precisely the flagship shop "Myriad Phenomena Treasure Pavilion" directly operated by the Myriad Phenomena Daoist Palace.
The goods were of the highest grade and the most complete variety; naturally, the prices were also two to three tenths higher than elsewhere.
"Welcome, Senior, to our pavilion! Senior, please allow this junior to escort you upstairs."
As Shen Xuan stepped through the door, a maid of delicate features keenly sensed the Golden Core Spiritual Pressure; the smile on her face bloomed at once as she bowed and led the way.
Within the Myriad Treasure Pavilion, the levels were clearly distinguished.
The first floor was crowded with people, mostly Tier One Spiritual Objects and Qi Cultivation Cultivators.
The second floor was far more tranquil, displaying Tier Two treasures; most of those coming and going were Foundation Establishment Cultivators, with few Qi Cultivation Cultivators venturing up alone.
On every floor, guards of the Daoist Palace in fitted uniforms patrolled in silence.
Looking up, one could see many Treasure Mirrors with flowing symbols hanging throughout the hall, obviously monitoring the entire premises.
The maid guided Shen Xuan directly to the third floor.
Here the space opened up considerably; the displayed treasures radiated strong Spiritual Light, and customers were few.
The maid led Shen Xuan to an unoccupied elegant room, produced a Token to open the Restriction, and stepped respectfully aside: "Honored guest, please wait here for a moment. The Shopkeeper will arrive shortly."
Shen Xuan nodded and stepped inside.
The room was not large, but tastefully arranged; the materials used possessed the effect of isolating Divine Sense probing, clearly designed specifically for negotiating secret transactions.
Not long after, an elder in a brocade robe, eyes bright with hidden radiance, pushed the door open with a hearty smile and closed it behind him with a backward motion.
His aura was steady; he was clearly a Cultivator of the True Pill Realm.
"Greetings, Daoist Friend. This old one is Wen Yuanhao, and unworthily serves as the Shopkeeper of this pavilion. How should I address Daoist Friend?" The elder cupped his hands with a smile.
"Shopkeeper Wen is too polite. I am Zheng Weicheng." Shen Xuan rose and returned the courtesy.
The two sat down again.
Wen Yuanhao went straight to the point: "I wonder, Daoist Friend Zheng, in coming here today, do you seek to purchase something, or is there some treasure you wish this pavilion to handle on your behalf?"
Shen Xuan also did not beat around the bush: "There is indeed a matter in which I must trouble you. Zheng has some artifacts on hand that are of no use to me. I would like your distinguished pavilion to appraise them and estimate a price. If possible, I hope to exchange them for certain materials I require."
"This falls well within the duties of our pavilion; there is naturally no problem." Wen Yuanhao stroked his beard and smiled.
Shen Xuan took out a Storage Pouch and gave it a light shake.
With several soft "ding‑dang" sounds,
seven Spiritual Artifacts, each shrouded in misty Spiritual Light and of different shapes and forms, fell onto the table.
Blade, sword, shield, rope—everything was there.
The Spiritual Light was a bit dim, bearing traces of use, yet both the materials and refining methods were excellent; they were all Tier Three Spiritual Artifacts in perfectly fine condition.
These were precisely that batch of "loot" he had obtained back then from the Storage Pouch of the Blue‑faced Wolf.
As for Yu Jin Feng’s Sea‑Suppressing Seal and Ling Baoshi’s Golden Light Flying Sword, for safety’s sake, Shen Xuan did not bring them out.
"Daoist Friend Zheng, impressive skills!"
Wen Yuanhao let his gaze sweep over them, a flash of understanding crossing his eyes as he voiced a single compliment.
No Golden Core Cultivator would simultaneously Spirit Bind seven Spiritual Artifacts of such mixed attributes, obviously inconsistent with his own Cultivation Technique.
These were certainly his spoils of war.
This move of Shen Xuan’s was both a probe and an exhibition of strength.
Wen Yuanhao refrained from asking too much. He produced a bronze Treasure Mirror with ancient patterns and shone it over the seven Spiritual Artifacts one by one, muttering under his breath.
"Golden Feather Blade, Middle Grade metal‑attribute Spiritual Artifact. The edge is razor sharp, inscribed with an ’Armor‑Piercing’ Spirit Pattern, condition excellent..."
"Thick Earth Shield, Lower Grade earth‑attribute Spiritual Artifact. Three fine cracks on the shield’s surface, requires repair..."
Wen Yuanhao’s appraisal was meticulous, his comments fair and balanced.
After roughly the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, all seven Spiritual Artifacts were appraised.
Wen Yuanhao set down the Treasure Mirror and smiled: "Daoist Friend Zheng, the Daoist Palace will soon be holding a grand auction. These Spiritual Artifacts of yours are in fine condition; if placed in the auction, they should fetch quite a good price. What do you think?"
"The auction is indeed a good idea."
Shen Xuan nodded, then shifted the topic: "Only, the proceeds would merely be Spirit Stones, which hold little meaning for Zheng. Shopkeeper Wen is well‑informed and experienced; I wonder if you have any guidance to offer?"