Simple Auction
The two followed the Xiao Shan upwards until they reached the summit.
The mountaintop has been leveled by human hands, and is no more than a few acres wide, where dozens of monks have already gathered.
These people were mainly Foundation Establishment cultivators, with a small number of Golden Core cultivators mixed in.
They either gathered in twos and threes, talking in hushed tones, or sat alone, as if waiting for something.
In the center of the mountaintop, there is a high platform.
On the high platform sat a middle-aged male cultivator.
The male cultivator's aura was profound and unfathomable.
Song Wen guessed that this person's cultivation level had reached at least the Late Golden Core Stage.
"The Treasure Gathering hasn't started yet, let's wait a bit," Tian Zhou explained to Song Wen in a low voice.
Then he walked over to a group of acquaintances and joined the conversation.
After waiting for about half an hour, it was the hour of Chou (1-3 AM).
During this period, cultivators arrived one after another, and the number of cultivators on the mountaintop had exceeded one hundred.
On the high platform, the middle-aged male cultivator suddenly stood up and spoke loudly.
"Welcome, fellow Daoists, to this month's Treasure Gathering. As is customary, the auction will begin first, followed by a period for private transactions among you."
"The first item up for auction is a top-grade Spirit Artifact flying sword, with a starting price of 50,000 Spirit Stone and a minimum increment of 2,000 Spirit Stone."
As they spoke, a long sword appeared in the middle-aged male cultivator's hand. The sword gleamed with a cold light, clearly indicating that it was no ordinary weapon.
On the way here, Tian Zhou had already given Song Wen Wenjie a general overview of the Treasure Gathering.
On the surface, the Treasure Gathering was initiated by a Rogue Cultivator, namely the Golden Core cultivator on the high platform named Gan Hong.
In reality, the Treasure Gathering and the Xing Family have many intricate connections.
Near Fangzhu City, the Xing Family is involved in almost every high-profit business; otherwise, they simply cannot last long.
Soon, the top-grade Spirit Artifact flying sword was auctioned off for a high price of 90,000 Spirit Stone.
As the auction progressed, Song Wen discovered that most of the items being auctioned were second-tier spiritual objects, with the occasional third-tier spiritual material mixed in.
Song Wen showed little interest in the auction items and did not bid.
Until...
"The next item is the thirteenth lot: fifty third-tier spirit medicine herbs, Golden Essence Seed. The starting price is 30,000 Spirit Stone, and each bid must increase by at least 1,000 Spirit Stone."
A jade box floated in mid-air in front of Gan Hong.
Inside the jade box were golden fruits, about the size of walnuts.
Song Wen's spirits lifted; he had finally seen what he wanted.
Song Wen had expected many people to compete for the Golden Essence Seed, but in reality, no one bid.
"Thirty thousand Spirit Stone!"
Seeing that no one was bidding, Song Wen announced his reserve price.
Gan Hong glanced around at the numerous cultivators below the stage and, seeing that no one intended to bid, announced that the sale would be made at the reserve price.
Gan Hong had anticipated that no one would bid for the Golden Essence Seed.
Although Golden Essence Seed is the main ingredient for refining Golden Jade Pill, it requires a third-level Alchemist to refine it.
Although there were many cultivators attending the Treasure Gathering, there were fewer than ten Golden Core cultivators. He knew all ten of them, but none of them were Alchemist.
To ensure that the Golden Essence Seed wouldn't be sold at a low price, Gan Hong deliberately raised its Golden Essence Seed price.
The Golden Essence Seed were sold for 600 Spirit Stone each, which wasn't considered a bargain.
In fact, this price is even higher than the occasional sporadic appearance of Golden Essence Seed in the market.
Gan Hong prepared a total of thirty items for auction, and it took an hour and a half to sell them all, with not a single item going unsold.
"The next hour is reserved for private exchanges among you fellow Daoists. You are free to communicate, display your treasures on the platform, or request to purchase any items you need."
"The Treasure Gathering merely provides a venue for exchange. The value and authenticity of items traded privately are for each member to discern independently. The Treasure Gathering assumes no responsibility whatsoever."
"Gan would like to remind everyone one last time: fighting is strictly prohibited here!"
After speaking, Gan Hong stepped down from the platform.
Immediately afterwards, a female cultivator at the Golden Core Early Stage leaped onto the high platform.
"Fellow Daoists, if anyone has a 'Mystic Goldstone,' I can buy it at a high price, or we can barter."
Mystic Goldstone is a third-tier spirit ore, and is an excellent spiritual material for refining metal-attribute Law Treasure.
The female cultivator waited on the high platform for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, but seeing no response, she descended the platform somewhat disappointed.
Immediately, other cultivators stepped onto the platform.
Song Wen didn't go to the platform to join the fun; he followed the example of the others.
He laid out a piece of cloth in front of him, on which lay three Spirit Artifact flying swords. Next to it stood a wooden board with the words "Seeking to purchase Profound Spirit Ginseng and Sparrowcry Flower" written on it.
Perhaps no one wanted the three low-grade Spirit Artifact flying swords he took out; or perhaps no one possessed the Profound Spirit Ginseng and the Sparrowcry Flower.
His stall attracted no customers.
After the auction ended, Gan Hong, who had disappeared for some time, suddenly reappeared next to the stall.
"Young friend, you seem unfamiliar. Is this your first time visiting the Treasure Gathering?"
Gan Hong's sudden arrival took Song Wen somewhat by surprise, and he bowed in response.
"Junior Wu Sheng greets Senior Gan. This is indeed my first time at the Treasure Gathering. I am only able to participate thanks to Fellow Daoist Tian from the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion's introduction."
Gan Hong looked Song Wen up and down. Song Wen was wearing a mask, which concealed his aura and cultivation level.
However, he could sense that the iron mask on Song Wen's face was merely a high-grade Spirit Artifact. If he wanted to forcibly investigate Song Wen's appearance and cultivation level, the iron mask would not be able to block his Divine Sense from probing.
However, he did not do so.
"So you're a distinguished guest of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion. Young friend, you've won the bid for the Golden Essence Seed and are also requesting to purchase the Profound Spirit Ginseng and the Sparrowcry Flower. Are you a third-tier Alchemist?"
"This junior is merely at the Foundation Establishment stage; how could I be a third-tier Alchemist? This junior is acting on the orders of my master to purchase these three spirit medicine."
"Is your master a third-tier Alchemist?" Gan Hong continued to ask.
Song Wen nodded.
Gan Hong's face lit up with joy.
"Although I am Rogue Cultivator, I have cultivated in Fangzhu City for over a hundred years. I am familiar with Golden Core cultivator on Fangzhu Island. Who is your master? Perhaps he is an old friend of mine."
Song Wen said, "My master calls himself 'Extreme Yin.' My master and I have only been on Fangzhu Island for a short time, so you probably don't know us."
Gan Hong said, "Young friend Wu, could you please introduce me to your master?"
Upon hearing this, Song Wen almost instinctively became wary.
While third-tier Alchemist are rare, it's hardly something a Late Golden Core Stage cultivator would deign to take the initiative to curry favor with.
Moreover, there are many suspicious points surrounding the auction of Golden Essence Seed.
Gan Hong organizes the Treasure Gathering every month, so it's impossible that he doesn't know which spiritual materials are easy to buy and which are difficult to sell.
However, what's puzzling is why he would bring out the Golden Essence Seed, which had no bidders?
It seems he's deliberately trying to lure out a third-tier Alchemist?
Song Wen looked troubled.
"Reporting to Senior, my master has always disliked making friends with others. As for the matter of introductions, I dare not make the decision on my own. I must return and report to my master, who will then make the final decision."
Gan Hong showed no displeasure or disappointment upon hearing Song Wen's refusal.
It's normal for high-level Alchemist to be solitary and dislike being disturbed by strangers.