On Northsky Island, in the Myriad Treasures Market belonging to the Merchant Association, stood a building called the Golden Toad Pavilion.
Li Ling and Mu Qingsi sat in the private VIP room the Money Guild had specially prepared for them, sipping rare spirit-material tea and chatting at ease.
"It looks like they're fully prepared. The only question is how well it will turn out."
"The Money Guild excels at this sort of thing. It should be a complete success."
"I don't expect an astronomical price this time, but this first public auction may affect future sales. At least two million would count as a success. After that, a few hundred thousand less won't matter."
The Money Guild attached great importance to this auction. Not only had it launched an intensive publicity campaign to spread the word far and wide, it had also invited the three renowned experts who had previously appraised this Treasure Pill to vouch for it again.
Although those experts were distinguished customers of the Rare Treasures Tower, merchant associations often cooperated. One man lifted another's flower-bedecked sedan chair, and they gave the pill a tremendous round of praise.
Li Ling hoped to start with a resounding victory.
The venue on Northsky Island was hung with lanterns and colorful decorations, presenting a grand and solemn spectacle. Every guest attending was a specially invited regular customer of the Money Guild.
They arrived one after another, ascending to different floors according to their status and taking their assigned seats.
Shang Yuxian finally hurried over as well, joining Li Ling and his wife.
"Sorry to have kept you both waiting. I just received the guest list for this auction. Steward Huo and the others have invited wealthy, powerful figures. Even the rogue cultivators mostly have cultivation ages of over five hundred