Observations at the Auction House

Wanjin Auction House.

This was the largest and most famous auction venue in Yan City. Belonging to the Wanjin Chamber of Commerce, it saw an endless stream of rare treasures traded within its walls every single day.

Lin Yiqing wove through the dense crowd, surrounded by the constant chorus of hawkers. Such a bustling scene was something Qingyang Town could never hope to match.

The Wanjin Auction was divided into an outer and inner layer. The outer layer usually consisted of ordinary trading stalls where common items were exchanged; one could occasionally find a bargain, though the odds were slim.

The inner layer was the actual auction venue, featuring exclusive auctioneers and premium service. Naturally, only valuable items were auctioned there.

"Little brother, come, let me show you a treasure!"

Suddenly, a man with an honest face and simple attire pulled Lin Yiqing aside, his chest bulging as if stuffed with something.

"Uncle, I have no money!"

Lin Yiqing rolled his eyes. Such an archaic trick—what era did this guy think he was in?

"Hey, little brother, I'm really not a swindler. I only approached you because I saw you have an extraordinary aura. Just take a look at my goods first!"

The middle-aged man looked anxious as he hurriedly pulled open his coat to reveal what was inside.

Tucked against his chest was a small tripod about a foot tall. The body of the tripod was carved with exotic beasts and covered in rust, looking extremely ancient.

Lin Yiqing couldn't help but inspect it, though he felt speechless. Wasn't this just an ordinary bronze tripod?

"Uncle, are you trying to scam me just because I look young?"

With that, he broke free from the man's grip and prepared to walk away, but the middle-aged man wouldn't give up and continued to follow him.

"Little brother, take another look. This really is a treasure! I obtained it from an ancient tomb, and I'm only selling it because my family fortunes have declined. It's only five hundred Yang Yuan Stones. You won't lose out, and you won't be cheated!"

The middle-aged man chattered as he followed. Lin Yiqing was getting annoyed and was just about to push him away when his heart skipped a beat.

Just a moment ago, he had subconsciously probed the man with his spiritual energy, but that strand of energy had vanished as if it had sunk into the deep sea!

What is going on?

Lin Yiqing hesitated. Either this man was a hidden expert, or this item was truly unusual.

"Five hundred Yang Yuan Stones is too expensive. Fifty at most!"

Lin Yiqing feigned impatience; he wanted to see what the man was really up to.

"Fine! Deal!"

The middle-aged man's seemingly honest face twisted into a bitter expression, but his hands moved with lightning speed, shoving the small tripod into Lin Yiqing's hands and holding out his palm.

"..."

Lin Yiqing was stunned. What just happened? He had clearly overpaid!

"Sigh, scamming even a child. This world..."

"Morals have declined, and hearts are not what they used to be."

The surrounding crowd sighed in unison upon seeing this. That scoundrel was swindling people again!

"Haha, another big score! This piece of junk actually sold for fifty Yang Yuan Stones!"

After walking a short distance, the middle-aged man rubbed his hands in excitement. The honesty on his face vanished instantly, replaced by a lecherous grin.

"You bastard!"

Lin Yiqing had been monitoring the man with his spiritual energy the whole time. Seeing this, he nearly coughed up blood. So much for that "honest face"!

Lin Yiqing tucked the small tripod away and headed straight for the inner venue. He didn't want to see the man again, lest he lose control of a palm strike fueled by his Earth Origin Realm late-stage cultivation!

I hope there are suitable martial arts techniques for sale at this auction!

Lin Yiqing thought to himself. He didn't lack cultivation methods, but he was missing high-level martial arts and spiritual secret techniques, which was a major factor limiting his strength.

Passing through a long corridor, Lin Yiqing took a black bamboo hat from his Universe Bag and put it on. Regardless, it was better to be cautious.

The entire inner hall was circular and extremely spacious, capable of holding hundreds of people. In the center stood a round stage. At the moment, the crowd was sparse.

Lin Yiqing chose a secluded corner, closed his eyes, and began to rest, waiting for the auction to begin.

About half an hour later, the venue was packed, yet it remained eerily quiet. Looking around, most people were wearing bamboo hats just like Lin Yiqing.

Lin Yiqing felt thoughtful and couldn't help but mutter, "So, what I read in those storybooks was true! A bamboo hat really is an essential item for life in the cultivation world."

At this moment, an old man in white silk robes stepped onto the central stage, smiling and cupping his hands in a salute to the crowd.

"Haha, welcome everyone to our Wanjin Auction House. I shall be presiding over today's auction!"

After speaking, the old man waved his hand toward the back, and rows of dainty maids emerged, carrying trays in their hands.

"Hurry up and start! Elder Qin, we're all old acquaintances here. Let us see what good things you have for this auction!"

"That's right..."

There were many spectators in the auction who were purely there for the novelty, and they began to clamor as soon as the event started.

"Heh, since everyone is so enthusiastic, let's look at the first item of the day: the Red Tooth Blade. It was forged by a Four-Seal Rune Master using the sharp teeth of a Fire Python Tiger and inscribed with an Armor-Piercing Rune. The starting bid is six hundred Yang Yuan Stones!"

Elder Qin flicked his sleeves and gently picked up a palm-sized bone blade from the first maid's tray, displaying it to the crowd.

The bone blade was as white as jade, and the most miraculous thing was the tiny rune engraved upon its edge—it was none other than an Armor-Piercing Rune!

"Eight hundred Yang Yuan Stones!"

"One thousand..."

Soon, the atmosphere of the entire auction was whipped into a frenzy, and item after item was sold off.

Lin Yiqing could not help but feel a bit anxious; he had pinned his hopes on purchasing a high-level martial art at this auction.

Perhaps sensing Lin Yiqing's thoughts, Elder Qin picked up a scroll of animal hide from the tray held by the attendant beside him and smiled toward the crowd below.

"The next item up for auction is a fifth-grade martial art, the Thousand River Moon Reflection Sword! Once mastered, this martial art allows one's sword intent to manifest as a moon, making one invincible in battle! The starting bid is three thousand Yang Yuan Stones!"

As soon as Elder Qin finished speaking, the venue immediately erupted; a fifth-grade martial art was a rare sight even in Yan City!

"Three thousand five hundred Yang Yuan Stones!"

"Four thousand Yang Yuan Stones..."

In an instant, four or five people began placing bids. Lin Yiqing grew anxious; currently, all he had to his name was a little over two hundred Yang Yuan Pills.

"Elder Qin, I am very interested in this martial art, but the current price far exceeds my expectations. I wonder if you could help me see if this item might be accepted as payment?"

Seeing this, Lin Yiqing hurriedly stood up and cupped his hands toward Elder Qin. He did not have enough Yang Yuan Pills on him, but this martial art moved him deeply.

After speaking, he took an ancient book from his Universe Bag and tossed it to the other man; it was the Spirit Refining Chapter.

Elder Qin took it and glanced at it, stunned for a moment before his brows furrowed tightly.

"A rare item indeed, but I must consult the owner of the martial art regarding this matter. Would you mind waiting a moment, young friend?"

Seeing that Elder Qin had relented, Lin Yiqing could not help but breathe a sigh of relief. Since the other party was willing to ask, it meant he still had a chance.

"Of course, no problem. Regardless of whether the owner agrees or not, I thank you, Elder Qin." Lin Yiqing quickly expressed his gratitude to Elder Qin.

Elder Qin nodded upon hearing this and then walked toward the back; such occurrences were quite common in this auction house.

Many guests participating in the auction would trade items if they did not have enough currency on hand.

As long as both the buyer and seller agreed, the Wanjin Auction House would naturally not interfere, though the corresponding handling fees were mandatory.

A short while later, Elder Qin returned to the center of the venue, first smiling and cupping his hands in a salute to those around him.

He then announced in a loud voice: "The owner of the martial art greatly appreciates this young friend's item, and therefore, this martial art shall be awarded to him!"