Spirit-Mystifying Incense

"Oh? I wonder how high the quality of materials you require is. Our shop currently has some materials in stock; please have a look, sir." As he spoke, the middle-aged man took out several product catalogs and handed them to Chen Fan.

Chen Fan accepted the catalogs and began reading. He had already thought of several possible materials, yet he had not expected to find several of them listed here. It seemed they were not particularly precious materials. He selected several items from the catalogs and said, "Black Iron Ore, Purple Gold Stone, Green Gold Copper, Wind-Veined 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 young man truly spent lavishly. He put away the money, only to hear Chen Fan continue, "I will use this money to purchase most of the materials in these catalogs. But some are priced in Spirit Stones, which I do not have for the moment, while others are not priced at all. What is the meaning of that?"

The middle-aged man found it strange that Chen Fan had no Spirit Stones. His cultivation was clearly not low, so he had to be the disciple of some sect or noble household. How could he have known this was Chen Fan's first time descending the mountain to travel? Still, he did not slight him, merely smiling as he said, "That Green Gold Copper is rather precious, and it is generally used for refining weapons and treasures only by accomplished cultivators such as yourself, sir, so it is naturally traded in Spirit Stones. As for the Wind-Veined Jade, it is even more precious. You presumably know that this jade can store a certain amount of heaven-and-earth Origin Qi. If used to forge a sword, it can increase its power. Materials like this are even rarer. To be honest with you, sir, our shop does not have any either."

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

"Please do not worry, sir. While our shop does not have it, we are the largest treasure exchange in this city. We not only sell treasures and materials, but can also search for resources on behalf of our customers, locating sellers so that both parties may trade."

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

"That is correct. Our shop periodically organizes small-scale auctions. Based on the various special needs of our customers in recent times, we invite different sellers and potential buyers to participate. During the auction, everyone may purchase according to their financial means, or exchange items that the other party finds acceptable. Our shop does not charge any handling fees either; 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." Though Chen Fan had no Spirit Stones, he had some pills he had made himself, which should be enough to exchange for the materials he wanted. Or he could sell them for Spirit Stones first, then buy the materials.

The middle-aged man said, "As long as one is an honored guest of our shop, one may participate. Even without Spirit Stones, one may bring out treasures for exchange. Since you wish to attend, sir, I presume you have quite a few valuable things on you."

"Naturally. Then may I ask when this auction will be held?"

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

Inside a branch of the Myriad Treasures Pavilion in Pingliang City, dozens of people already filled the not overly spacious hall. They had all come to participate in the auction, and Chen Fan was among them. Chen Fan swept the room with his senses and found that every one of them was a cultivator, with some even having reached the second realm. Those who came to places like this for auctions were all rather confident in their strength. Otherwise, even if they had the money to win an item, they would only be making a wedding dress for someone else. Chen Fan could already look down upon most people present. After all, cultivators of any higher realm had long ceased to care for the auction items here.

Once everyone had arrived, the auction officially began. There was no lengthy opening speech. A middle-aged host from the Myriad Treasures Pavilion went straight to the point, introducing three treasures at once before putting them up for bidding one by one. The first item was a Qi-Replenishing Pill. It could help cultivators below the third realm of Internal Qi improve their cultivation, and it could also restore Internal Qi after injury. Though it was not especially precious, it still required an alchemist to refine, and its uses were broad. After several rounds of bids, it was bought by a cultivator.

The second item was an iron fan, and it was 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 thus found its way here. Of course, even a defective product was a supreme treasure to these low-level cultivators. For one cultivating a technique compatible with its External Force, it would be like adding wings to a tiger. But if one tried to unleash power at the fourth realm or beyond, it would likely burst apart. Chen Fan was rather surprised. This iron fan should be an exceptionally rare good item here, but his cultivation technique did not match it, so it was useless to him. Sure enough, there were only two bidders, likely because they could use it with their techniques. Yet the opening bid was already very high. After only three bids, one cultivator obtained it at a steep price. It was clear that person's wealth and strength surpassed those of most present.

The third auction item was a cultivation manual named Demonic Chaos Art, a low-tier Internal Qi technique. However, the host explained that legend had it this was a fragment of a high-level 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 make its practitioner somewhat crazed, as though 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, buying it meant not only that one might not be able to cultivate it, but also that it would inevitably draw attention and suspicion of ties to the Demon Cult, and so on. After this manual failed to sell, the host brought out another item and said, "This is Wind-Veined Jade, an excellent material for refining weapons. I trust everyone present is interested in it. Then let us waste no more words. The opening bid is ten Spirit Stones. Begin."

The opening bid was clearly just for show. This jade would surely be bid up to a certain height, and Chen Fan was in no hurry. He would wait until the others had nearly finished bidding.

Before long, the jade's price was driven up to forty Spirit Stones. For many cultivators present, that amount was equivalent to their entire fortune, so bidding stalled for a time. A moment later, someone seemed to steel himself and bid forty-five Spirit Stones. Once that price was called, everyone else appeared short of funds and abandoned their bids. Just as the host was preparing to announce the sale, an immature voice rang out. "Wait."

Everyone looked toward the speaker. It was Chen Fan. The host asked in confusion, "Sir, if you wish to bid, simply state your price."

"It is like this. Since I did not bring enough Spirit Stones when I left home, I heard earlier that one may also exchange items of equivalent value at the auction, or sell them to the Myriad Treasures Pavilion in exchange for Spirit Stones." As he spoke, Chen Fan took out several small bottles and jars. "These are some pills. Please see whether they can be exchanged for the corresponding amount of Spirit Stones." He did not take out all his pills at once, since that would be far too shocking and might bring him trouble. He had estimated that the pills he brought out should be enough to obtain the Spirit Stones needed for the auction.

The host nodded and signaled for another staff member below the stage to take the pills from Chen Fan. Then he said to everyone, "The request just made by this gentleman conforms to the auction rules. We need to appraise the value of his items. Please wait a moment."

Thus, the auction paused. No one was in a hurry; apparently, such situations were not uncommon. After a while, the host emerged from an inner room. He first exchanged a few quiet words with Chen Fan, then returned to the front of the crowd. "My apologies for keeping everyone waiting. The auction will now continue."

The moment he spoke, Chen Fan immediately bid, "Fifty Spirit Stones." The crowd was instantly shocked and turned to stare at Chen Fan. This boy had opened with an astronomical price. He had to be a direct disciple of some great sect. From the looks of it, he had probably sold all the treasures his elders had bestowed upon him. What a spendthrift. Yet he was truly enough to make others burn with envy, jealousy, and hatred!

Once this price was offered, no one present had any intention of competing further. Even if they could produce more than fifty Spirit Stones, it would be nearly their entire fortune. There was no need to bleed themselves dry over this Wind-Veined Jade.

With no further twists, Chen Fan smoothly completed the transaction. He had learned from the auction host that his pills could be sold to them for sixty Spirit Stones. He used fifty Spirit Stones to win the Wind-Veined Jade. If he participated in further auctions, the remaining amount could be deducted from it, and if it was not all used in the end, the shop would give him ten Spirit Stones.

It was much 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 effects were somewhat similar to the kind he had given Qin Ziyan back then, only far better. Their detoxifying power was stronger, able to combine with other toxins and completely break them down. Any excess medicinal effect left in the body would not cause much harm either. To low-level cultivators, they were practically a universal antidote.

The host also said that if Chen Fan had more such pills in the future, they would buy as many as he could provide. 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 Chen Fan as a foundation for future cooperation. Chen Fan smiled inwardly. Once he obtained the things he wanted today and left, he might never return in this lifetime. Still, a free advantage was not something to refuse. He thought that he had collected nearly all the materials he needed, so there was no need to wait for the auction to end. He was just about to leave when, after the Wind-Veined Jade, two more treasures were sold.

"The next auction item: Spirit-Mystifying Incense." The host's voice was not loud, but Chen Fan's expression changed drastically upon hearing it. He halted the steps he had been about to take 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 a coma. Even cultivators with fairly high cultivation will suffer a sharp drop in power for a short time if they accidentally inhale it."

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

"Have any of you heard of the Spirit-Drunken Fruit?"

At these words, several people in the audience suddenly shuddered, appearing extremely excited. One of them said, "Could it be the legendary object from the Immortal Realm?"

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

"Correct. However, it is said that this incense was merely refined from the peel and dregs of the Spirit-Drunken Fruit, so it cannot display the fruit's proper effects. Moreover, half of this incense has already been used, leaving only half a stick. Yet even if it contains only the tiniest trace of the Spirit-Drunken Fruit's essence, it can still be considered a treasure. I wonder whether everyone is interested?" The host spoke without pause, looking exceedingly pleased and thoroughly confident that this item would fetch a high price. In truth, this item had not been supplied by another cultivator for the shop to auction on their behalf; it was a private collection of the Myriad Treasures Pavilion. If it sold at a high price, he would certainly receive a substantial commission.

Though Chen Fan appeared calm on the surface, towering waves had already risen in his heart. Spirit-Drunken Fruit? Spirit-Drunken Incense? Spirit-Mystifying Incense? What exactly was the connection between these three? If the host was telling the truth, then the Spirit-Drunken Incense that had poisoned him earlier seemed closer in name to the Spirit-Drunken Fruit. Could it have been made directly from the legendary Spirit-Drunken Fruit? But that did not seem right either. If the Spirit-Drunken Fruit truly was an immortal item as this man claimed, could he have been unharmed after being poisoned by something made from it? And this Spirit-Mystifying Incense sounded like it was only poisonous enough for low-level cultivators. Perhaps it would not even affect him.

Right! That person last night... Chen Fan suddenly thought of a possibility, but he was in no hurry to do anything. He simply waited quietly for these people to finish bidding. Chen Fan was somewhat interested in this incense as well, but his remaining Spirit Stones were clearly not enough to purchase it, and he was unwilling to sell more pills. At last, a cultivator bought it for thirty Spirit Stones. That was no low price. After all, there was only half a stick left, and it might be gone 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 items were auctioned off one after another, but none drew much of Chen Fan's attention. The auction thus came to an end. Everyone departed in succession, while Chen Fan remained seated where he was, waiting until everyone else had left.

At this point, the person in charge, who was also the auction host from earlier, saw that Chen Fan was still sitting there. Somewhat puzzled, he walked over and asked, "Sir, may I ask whether there is anything else we can assist you with?" He had already seen the quality of Chen Fan's pills and had concluded that Chen Fan's background must be extraordinary. He also considered him an excellent future partner, so his attitude was exceptionally respectful.

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