Infinite Professions from a Pearl Collector

Su Yuan stood at the door with her hands on her hips. When she saw Chen Ye, she grinned and said, "Let’s go, let’s go! I heard the inner area of the grand event is opening today. It’s filled with real treasures. Let’s hurry and get a good spot!"

This "inner area" was actually the Core Area of the trading event.

Most of the stalls in the outer plaza belonged to Loose Cultivators and small-time merchants. The goods they sold were a mixed bag, so you needed a discerning eye to find any real treasures.

The inner area, on the other hand, was jointly organized by several major merchant guilds and Sects from Qingzhou Prefecture. It was located in a massive, three-story pavilion at the center of the plaza.

Everyone who was able to set up a stall in the inner area was an influential figure, and the items for sale were all authenticated, genuine articles with clearly marked prices.

Of course, the barrier to entry was also high.

The entrance ticket alone cost one tael of silver per person.

By the time Chen Ye and Su Yuan arrived at the pavilion, a long line had already formed.

As far as the eye could see, the Cultivators in line all had profound auras and wore fine clothes. The weakest among them were experts at the Unobstructed Realm, and there were even a few powerhouses from the Sea Condensation Realm whose auras were as deep as the ocean.

Chen Ye and Su Yuan, a pair of seemingly young kids, looked somewhat out of place mixed in with the crowd, drawing quite a few appraising glances.

However, no one was foolish enough to start any trouble.

In a place like Qingzhou Prefecture City, any young person who dared to venture into the inner area was either a fool who rushed in where angels fear to tread or a Sect disciple with a powerful backer.

Until they knew someone’s background, no one would risk offending them.

The two of them waited obediently in line, paid the two-tael entrance fee, and received a pair of wooden tokens before finally being allowed to enter the pavilion.

The moment they stepped inside, a luxurious aroma washed over them—a mixture of medicinal herbs, Spiritual Qi, and the faint scent of sandalwood.

The pavilion’s interior was immense, resplendent with carved beams and painted pillars.

The first floor was a grand hall lined with display cases made of the finest nanmu wood. Each case was protected by a faint, glowing Restriction, and within them were all manner of treasures on display.

There were shimmering Magical Artifacts, crystal-clear Elixir Pills, Cultivation Technique Jade Scrolls radiating extraordinary auras, and all kinds of rare ores and Spirit Grasses.

Beside each item was a label noting its name, effects, and price.

Chen Ye’s eyelids twitched after just a cursory glance.

"Clear Wind Sword, a Profound Rank Low Grade Spiritual Artifact. Price: Three thousand taels of silver."

"Spirit Storage Pill, enhances the Power of the Divine Soul. Price: Five hundred taels of silver each."

"Thunderbolt Fist, an Upper Grade Fist Technique. Price: 1,500 taels of silver."

...

The prices here were in a completely different league; the unit of currency had jumped from taels to thousands of taels.

Chen Ye touched the few pieces of broken silver and the tens of taels of Gold he’d gotten from Cong Bo, feeling like a beggar who had stumbled into the Imperial Palace.

"Wow, look at all this amazing stuff!"

Su Yuan, on the other hand, was completely unfazed. Her eyes sparkling, she pulled Chen Ye along, darting from one display case to the next and critiquing the treasures inside.

"This Fire Jade Marrow is pretty good quality. If I fed it to my Fire Scorpion Gu, it would definitely evolve."

"Hey, isn’t this Soul-Breaking Wood? This is great stuff, perfect for refining Enchanting Soul Type gu-venom."

"This Hundred Poison Scripture sounds kind of interesting, but it’s nothing compared to the legacy of my Gu Saint Sect. Complete child’s play."

As she looked, she muttered to herself, her words revealing that she wasn’t particularly impressed by these treasures that cost thousands.

Chen Ye, meanwhile, activated his Asura’s Eye to carefully observe the treasures within the display cases.

The items in the inner area truly lived up to their reputation. In his vision, nearly every object was wreathed in a bright, pure halo of Energy, a clear sign that they were all genuine articles.

He also spotted a few things that he could use.

For instance, there was a material called Soul Nourishing Stone. It emanated a gentle Energy and was miraculously effective at nourishing the Divine Spirit. Using it to aid his Cultivation of the Soul Nurturing Stage of the Sword Nurturing Technique would definitely double his results with half the effort.

Unfortunately, the price was just as breathtaking: a small piece cost eight hundred taels.

There was also a Sword Technique Manual for a technique called the Thunderous Waves Saber Technique. Judging by its energy flow, the movements were grand and powerful. It seemed to share some principles with his Thorn Blade Technique. If he could study it, he might be able to take his own Saber Technique to the next level.

Price: three thousand taels.

SIGH...

Chen Ye sighed internally.

’Treasures everywhere, but my pockets are empty.’

’Looks like I need to find a way to make some money.’

’Relying on the scattered missions from the Demon Slayer Department, it’ll take me forever to afford any of this.’

"Come on, let’s check out the second floor."

Just as Chen Ye was silently despairing over his finances, Su Yuan grabbed his arm and pulled him toward the stairs.

The second floor of the pavilion was a free-trade zone.

Instead of display cases, it was filled with individual private rooms.

Cultivators could rent one of these rooms and post information about items they wished to sell or trade on a wooden plaque by the door, then wait for an interested party to come and negotiate.

This method was more flexible than the fixed prices downstairs, and it was easier to stumble upon rare items or things that couldn’t be easily valued in terms of money.

The two of them made a circuit of the second floor and discovered an even wider variety of goods and services being traded.

Some were looking to buy materials from specific Demon Beasts, others were selling original Pill Formulas in exchange for Cultivation Techniques. There were even those accepting assassination contracts, trading heads for resources.

It was like the world of Cultivators in miniature, filled with raw, undisguised transactions.

Chen Ye stopped in front of one of the private rooms.

A notice was written on the wooden plaque: "Seeking all ancient texts, personal insights, and secret lore related to Saber Techniques. Price negotiable."

The signature read: Mad Swordsman.

Chen Ye’s interest was piqued.

What he needed most right now was a follow-up Cultivation Technique and a deeper understanding of the Sword Dao.

This Mad Swordsman seemed to be a Cultivator who specialized in the Sword Dao. Perhaps he could get some useful information from him.

He glanced at the door to the room. It was closed.

After a moment’s thought, Chen Ye decided against disturbing him rashly.

’I’m just a nameless newcomer with nothing of value to trade. If I go in now, I’ll probably just be wasting my time and getting snubbed.’

’I’d better wait until I’m stronger and have enough capital to make it worthwhile.’

Just as he was about to leave, a sudden commotion erupted from the grand hall below. A moment later, a resonant voice echoed throughout the entire pavilion.

"Fellow Cultivators! Tomorrow at Noon, Celestial Sword Manor will hold a public auction right here for a Realm-Breaking Pill! This pill can help a Sea Condensation Realm Cultivator break through to the Inner Realm! This is an opportunity that must not be missed, so we invite you all to grace us with your presence!"