Mind-Bewildering Incense

"May I ask what grade of materials you require, young master? Our shop currently has some in stock. Please have a look." As he spoke, the middle-aged man took out several catalogs and handed them to Chen Fan.

Chen Fan accepted the catalogs and began reading. He had already thought of several materials he could choose from, and to his surprise, the catalogs contained quite a few of them. It seemed they were not overly precious materials. He selected several items from the catalogs and said, "Mystic Iron Ore, Violet Gold Stone, Green Gold Copper, Wind-Patterned Jade..."

After listing the materials, Chen Fan took out a pile of gold, silver, and copper coins, paying exactly according to the listed prices. The middle-aged man was slightly stunned. This youth truly spent money like water. He put away the coins, only to hear Chen Fan continue, "I will purchase most of the materials in these catalogs with this money. But some are priced in Spirit Stones, which I do not have for the moment, and some are not priced at all. What does that mean?"

The middle-aged man found it strange that Chen Fan did not have spirit stones. His cultivation was clearly not low; he was obviously the child of some sect or noble household. How could he have known that this was Chen Fan's first time leaving the mountain to travel? Still, he did not slight him and said with a smile, "Green Gold Copper is rather precious, and it is generally used for refining weapons and treasures only by accomplished cultivators such as yourself, young master, so it is naturally priced in spirit stones. Wind-Patterned Jade is even more precious. You presumably know that this jade can store a certain amount of heaven-and-earth essence. If used to forge a sword, it can increase its power. Materials of this sort are even rarer. To be frank, our shop does not have any either."

"You do not have it? Then why list it in the catalog?"

"Please do not be anxious, young master. While our shop does not have it, we are the largest treasure exchange in this city. We do not merely sell treasures and materials; we can also seek out resources for clients, find sellers, and allow clients to trade with one another."

"So you have news of Wind-Patterned Jade?" Chen Fan suddenly understood.

"That is correct. Our shop periodically holds small-scale auctions. Based on the various special needs of our clients during a given period, we invite different sellers and potential buyers to participate. During the auction, everyone may purchase according to their means or exchange items accepted by the other party. Our shop charges no handling fee whatsoever; we merely seek to build our reputation," the middle-aged man explained.

Chen Fan nodded slightly. "That is indeed a good method. However, I have no Spirit Stones on me. I wonder whether I am qualified to participate in such an auction." Although Chen Fan had no Spirit Stones, he did have some pills he had made himself, which should be enough to exchange for the materials he wanted. Or he could sell them first for Spirit Stones, then purchase the materials.

The middle-aged man said, "Any honored guest of our shop may attend. Even without Spirit Stones, you may bring out treasures for exchange. Since you are willing to participate, young master, I imagine you must have quite a few valuable items on you."

"Naturally. Then when will this auction be held?"

"You have come at precisely the right time, young master. There will be an auction this afternoon, and the Wind-Patterned Jade you require is one of the lots. There will also be some other fine items today, which you may appreciate and bid on as well," the middle-aged man said with a smile.

Inside a branch of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion in Pingliang City, dozens of people had already packed the not overly spacious hall. They had all come to participate in the auction, and Chen Fan was among them. Chen Fan sensed the crowd slightly and discovered that every one of them was a cultivator, with some even having reached the second realm. Those who came to places like this to attend auctions were all quite confident in their own strength. Otherwise, even if they had the wealth to win an item, they would merely be making wedding clothes for someone else. Chen Fan could already look down upon everyone present. After all, the auction items here had long ceased to interest cultivators of higher realms.

Once everyone had arrived, the auction officially began. There was no excessive opening speech. A middle-aged host from the Hundred Treasures Pavilion went straight to the point, introducing three treasures at once and beginning the bidding on them one by one. The first lot was a Qi-Replenishing Pill. This pill could help cultivators below the third Internal Qi realm increase their cultivation, and it could also restore Internal Qi after injury. Though not especially precious, it still required an alchemist to refine it and had broad practical use. After several rounds of bidding, it was won by a cultivator.

The second lot was an iron fan, a weapon of the third realm. It was said to have been forged by an elder of Black Dragon Pool, though it was a defective product and had therefore found its way here. Of course, even a defective product was a supreme treasure to these low-level cultivators. For someone who cultivated a corresponding External Force technique, it would be like adding wings to a tiger. But if one tried to unleash power above the fourth realm, it would likely burst apart. Chen Fan was rather surprised. This iron fan should count as a rare and excellent item here, but it was useless to him since it did not match his cultivation technique. Sure enough, there were only two bidders, likely because they could use it alongside their techniques. However, the starting price was already high, and after only three bids, one cultivator acquired it for a steep price. It was obvious that person's wealth and strength exceeded those of most people present.

The third lot was a cultivation manual called the Demon-Mingling Art, a low-grade Internal Qi technique. However, the host explained that legend had it this was a fragment of a high-grade technique cultivated by members of the Demon Cult, which had vanished from the entire continent long ago. Though this fragment could still be cultivated to the peak of the second realm, it would cause its practitioner to become somewhat mad and muddleheaded, as if possessed by demons. Perhaps because it was originally a Demon Cult technique, no one dared cultivate it.

Sure enough, no one bid on the manual. After all, even if they bought it, they might not be able to cultivate it, and it would inevitably draw attention and suspicion that they were connected to the demonic sect. After the manual failed to sell, the host brought out another item and said, "This is Wind-Patterned Jade, an excellent material for refining weapons. I presume everyone present is interested in it, so I shall not waste words. The starting price is ten spirit stones. Begin."

The starting price was clearly just for show. This jade would certainly be bid up to a considerable sum, and Chen Fan was in no hurry. He would wait until the others had nearly finished bidding before making his move.

Before long, the jade's price was raised to forty Spirit Stones. For many cultivators present, that sum was equivalent to their entire fortune, so the bidding stalled for a time. A moment later, someone seemed to grit their teeth and bid forty-five Spirit Stones. Once that price was called, everyone else looked empty-pocketed and gave up bidding. Just as the host was about to announce the sale, a childish voice rang out. "Wait."

Everyone looked toward the source of the voice. It was Chen Fan. The host asked in confusion, "Young master, if you wish to bid, you may simply name your price."

"It is like this. Since I did not bring enough spirit stones when I left home, I heard earlier that items of equal value may also be exchanged at the auction, or sold to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion in exchange for spirit stones." As he spoke, Chen Fan took out several bottles and jars. "These are some pills. Please see whether they can be exchanged for a corresponding amount of spirit stones." He did not take out all his pills at once. That would have been far too shocking, and might bring trouble upon him. He had already estimated that the pills he brought out should be enough to exchange for the spirit stones needed for the auction.

The host nodded, signaling another staff member below the stage to take the pills from Chen Fan. Then he addressed the crowd. "The request this young master has just made complies with the auction rules. We must appraise the value of his items. Please wait a moment."

Thus, the auction paused. No one was in a hurry; it seemed that such situations occurred from time to time. After a while, the host emerged from the inner room. He first whispered a few words to Chen Fan, then returned to the front of the crowd. "Thank you all for waiting. The auction will now continue."

The instant he spoke, Chen Fan immediately bid, "Fifty Spirit Stones." Everyone was instantly shocked and turned to look at Chen Fan. This brat had opened with a sky-high price. He had to be a direct disciple of some great sect. Judging by his appearance, he had probably sold all the treasures bestowed upon him by his elders. What a spendthrift. Yet it truly made people burn with envy, jealousy, and hatred!

Once this price was called, no one present had any intention of competing further. Even if they could offer more than fifty spirit stones, it would nearly drain their entire fortunes. There was no need to bleed themselves dry for this Wind-Patterned Jade.

With no further twists, Chen Fan completed the transaction smoothly. Earlier, the auction host had told him that his few pills could be sold to them for sixty spirit stones. He used fifty spirit stones to win the Wind-Patterned Jade. If he participated in further bidding, the remaining amount could be deducted from it; if it was not used up in the end, the merchant would give him ten spirit stones.

It was roughly as Chen Fan had estimated. The pills he had brought out were a new type of antidote pill he had developed himself according to the methods in the Treasure Record. Their effect was somewhat similar to the kind he had given Qin Ziyan back then, only much better. Their detoxifying ability was stronger, able to fully break down toxins after combining with them. Even if excess medicinal effect remained in the body, it would not cause much harm. To low-level cultivators, they were practically a universal antidote.

The host had also said that if Chen Fan had more pills like these in the future, they would buy as many as he had. Furthermore, the Green Gold Stone Chen Fan had previously taken an interest in, which originally cost at least five spirit stones, was actually given to him by the Hundred Treasures Pavilion as a foundation for future cooperation. Chen Fan laughed inwardly. Once he left after winning what he wanted today, he might never return in this lifetime. Still, he would take a free bargain when it was offered. Thinking that he had gathered nearly all the materials he needed, he was about to leave without waiting for the auction to end. Yet at that moment, after the Wind-Patterned Jade, two more treasures were sold.

"The next lot: Mind-Bewildering Incense." The host's voice was not loud, but Chen Fan's expression suddenly changed drastically upon hearing it. He stopped in his tracks, which had been about to carry him away, and stared straight at the stage.

The host continued, "This incense is a type of Spirit-Mystifying Incense. It can cause those poisoned by it to lose consciousness and fall into an unending coma. Even cultivators with considerable cultivation will suffer a sharp decline in power for a short time if they accidentally inhale it."

Whether in name or effect, this thing resembled the incense that had poisoned him. Could there be some connection? Once it involved Golden Wheel Temple, it concerned him directly. Chen Fan did not dare be careless and continued listening to the man's introduction.

"I wonder if you have heard of Spirit-Drunken Fruit?"

The moment these words were spoken, several people among the crowd below suddenly trembled, looking extremely excited. One of them said, "Could it be that legendary object from the Immortal Realm?"

"Could this incense be related to that thing?" another cultivator chimed in.

"Correct. However, it is said that this incense was merely refined from the peel and dregs of Spirit-Drunken Fruit, so it cannot display the effects Spirit-Drunken Fruit should possess. Moreover, half of this incense has already been used, leaving only half a stick. Yet even if it contains only the slightest trace of Spirit-Drunken Fruit's essence, it still counts as a treasure. I wonder whether you are interested?" The host spoke fluently and endlessly, looking exceedingly pleased. He was very confident that this item would fetch a high price. In truth, the item had not been provided by another cultivator for consignment auction; it was a private collection of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion. If it sold for a high price, he would certainly receive a considerable commission.

Although Chen Fan appeared calm on the surface, stormy waves had already risen in his heart. Spirit-Drunken Fruit? Spirit-Drunken Incense? Mind-Bewildering Incense? What exactly was the connection between these three? If what this host said was true, then the Spirit-Drunken Incense that had poisoned him earlier sounded closer in name to Spirit-Drunken Fruit. Could it have been made directly from the legendary Spirit-Drunken Fruit? But that did not seem right either. If Spirit-Drunken Fruit truly was an immortal object as this man claimed, then after being poisoned by something made from it, could he have remained unharmed? And this Mind-Bewildering Incense sounded capable only of poisoning low-level cultivators. Perhaps it would not even affect him.

That person last night... Chen Fan suddenly thought of a possibility. But he was not in a hurry to do anything at this moment. He merely waited quietly for these people to finish bidding. Chen Fan was somewhat interested in the incense as well, but his remaining Spirit Stones were clearly insufficient to buy it, and he was unwilling to sell more pills. Finally, a cultivator won it for thirty Spirit Stones. This price was not low, considering that there was only half a stick left, which might be used up after a single use. Yet it was also a divine tool that could be used for sneak attacks or even to save one's life under special circumstances.

After that, several more lots were sold in succession, but none drew much of Chen Fan's attention. The auction came to an end. Everyone left one after another, while Chen Fan remained seated where he was, waiting until everyone else had departed.

At this point, the person in charge—the auction host from earlier—saw that Chen Fan was still sitting there. Somewhat puzzled, he walked over and asked, "Young master, is there anything else we may do for you?" Having already witnessed the quality of Chen Fan's pills, he had concluded that Chen Fan's background must be extraordinary and that he would be an excellent future partner. Thus, his attitude was exceptionally respectful.

Chen Fan smiled and nodded. "If I am not mistaken, that half-stick of Mind-Bewildering Incense auctioned earlier should have been acquired by your pavilion not long ago, correct?"