CHAPTER 28: CHAPTER 26: A WITHERED VINE SEGMENT

Qin Ming was instinctively startled.

He knew that the power behind the Juxuan Pavilion was not simple but did not expect the Pavilion Master in front of him to be so young.

And actually a woman at that.

"Mm."

The Pavilion Master merely replied faintly, her voice clear and cold.

Then she prepared to continue walking further down.

"Brother Qin? What brings you here as well?"

Right then.

Su Yuqing, who was beside her, suddenly asked.

"Brother Su, I’m here handling some matters," Qin Ming said with a smile on his face, addressing Su Yuqing.

The Juxuan Pavilion Master asked Su Yuqing with curiosity, "Master Su, you two know each other?"

Su Yuqing nodded and introduced, "This is my good friend, Qin Ming, Fellow Daoist Qin."

Then he introduced to Qin Ming, "This is the Juxuan Pavilion Master, Gu Qingzhao."

Qin Ming gave a courteous bow, "Pavilion Master Gu."

"Since Fellow Daoist Qin is a friend of Master Su, there’s no need for formality. You can call me Fellow Daoist Gu,"

Being called ’friend’ by Master Su was enough to show his recognition.

Compared to the start, Gu Qingzhao’s attitude had also changed.

"Speaking of which, the three Bone Marrow Cleansing Pills I entrusted your pavilion to auction, a part of them is thanks to Brother Qin’s contributions."

As soon as Su Yuqing mentioned this.

Gu Qingzhao was quite surprised, "Is that so?"

She gazed at Qin Ming and asked, "Could it be that Fellow Daoist Qin is also an alchemist?"

"No, it’s just that one of the Spirit Medicines used to refine those Bone Marrow Cleansing Pills was entrusted to Fellow Daoist Qin for cultivation," Su Yuqing said with a smile.

"Reporting to the Pavilion Master, Fellow Daoist Qin is a Tier One Spirit Plant Master. This time, he’s here to discuss the matter of Beast Fang Rice, and the two of us have just signed an agreement,"

Shopkeeper Liao was also greatly shocked. He never expected that Fellow Daoist Qin had dealings with Master Su.

Moreover, their relationship seemed quite close.

To think that the Pavilion Master had tried multiple times to invite this Master Su to serve as an Honored Guest Elder, and was refused each time.

"Oh, I see," Gu Qingzhao gave a faint smile toward Qin Ming.

Qin Ming cupped his hands toward the two and said, "You two go ahead with your work, I’ll take my leave."

"Fellow Daoist Qin, we were just heading to an auction. If you have no other business, why not come along and join in on the fun?" Su Yuqing suddenly invited.

"An auction?" Qin Ming was surprised.

He hesitated for a moment but decided to have a look.

Qin Ming had been in Qingyang Market for quite some time and had never been to an auction house.

Thus.

The three of them left the shop, with Shopkeeper Liao seeing them off respectfully.

Shopkeeper Liao cautiously wiped the fine sweat off his forehead.

"Looks like I’ll have to foster a better relationship with Fellow Daoist Qin in the future,"

"Who would have thought he could associate with such individuals without being ostentatious,"

...

Exiting Juxuan Pavilion.

After about half an incense stick’s worth of time.

The three arrived at the entrance of the auction house.

The Treasure Auction House, one of the Juxuan Pavilion’s industries.

"Pavilion Master,"

"Master Su,"

Several auction house personnel stood respectfully at the entrance, evidently there to greet Gu Qingzhao.

Then.

Qin Ming seamlessly followed the two inside the auction house.

The space inside was extraordinarily wide and round.

In the center was a stage for showcasing auction items.

Gu Qingzhao led the two to a private box with an excellent view.

She also ordered high-grade Spirit Tea and snacks to be served.

Qin Ming and Su Yuqing started drinking their tea.

"Brother Qin, if you have anything you want to auction, you can entrust it to Fellow Daoist Gu for auction," Su Yuqing said to Qin Ming after sipping his tea.

Qin Ming chuckled, "I don’t have anything worthy of auctioning. Just here to take a look."

Before long.

Cultivators gradually filled the seats inside the auction house.

The majority were at the mid to late stages of Qi Cultivation, with four or five at Qi Cultivation Perfection.

Before long.

The auction began.

An old man in a golden robe took the stage and gave an opening speech.

The first auction item was presented on the display stage.

The old man in golden robe unveiled the red cloth.

An exquisite silver Dharma Sword appeared before the crowd.

"High-Grade Spiritual Artifact, Water-Repelling Sword, crafted by the Artifact Refining Master, Master Fang Ye,"

"There’s no need for me to say more."

"Starting bid is eight hundred Spirit Stones."

Wow!

The very first auction item instantly ignited the enthusiasm of the cultivators present.

"To think it was crafted by Master Fang Ye himself, I am determined to get it!"

"I bid one thousand Spirit Stones!"

A voice rang out.

"You’re an agent, aren’t you? How are we supposed to continue raising the bid?"

"One thousand five!"

"!!!"

"Two thousand!"

"Two thousand five!"

"..."

Qin Ming watched the spirited auction scene, dumbfounded.

He only had about two thousand Spirit Stones in his storage pouch and thought he was stretching it, only to find out it was a bit far off.

The High-Grade Dharma Sword was eventually won by a burly cultivator at the late Qi Cultivation stage.

For two thousand eight hundred Spirit Stones.

The old man in the golden robe smiled congratulatingly towards the winning bidder, "Congratulations to this Fellow Daoist. Please proceed to the back for settlement later."

He was very satisfied with the response from the crowd.

Starting with good items to create an atmosphere of consumption was the plan.

"Next, the second auction item."

"A High-Grade Talisman, the Blazing Sun Talisman."

"Starting bid is five hundred Spirit Stones."

"I bid six hundred!"

"Eight hundred!"

"Eight hundred and fifty!"

"One thousand!"

...

Qin Ming gazed at the talisman on the central stage, filled with longing, but unfortunately, his means didn’t allow it.

As time went on.

One auction item after another was auctioned off at high prices.

Qin Ming sighed inwardly.

No wonder they call it the ’Treasure Auction House,’ the items auctioned are indeed treasures.

"Now for this next auction item... even I’m uncertain about it,"

"It was brought out by a cultivator from a Secret Realm."

"Please take a look."

The old man in the golden robe said as he unveiled the red cloth.

A section of thumb-thick black withered vine appeared before everyone’s eyes.

Sadly, it was quite short, only two inches long.

The cultivators present looked at each other, evidently unfamiliar with the object.

"I’ve tried it, and this object is quite peculiar and mystical, impervious to water and fire, and can’t be harmed in the slightest by knives or hatchets,"

"Thinking it might be useful to someone who crafts items, I brought it out,"

"Starting price, one hundred Spirit Stones,"

After the old man in the golden robe finished speaking, there was no response.

The atmosphere became slightly awkward.

"Is no one bidding? Then it will remain unsold,"

Just before he could announce it a third time, someone began bidding.

"One hundred fifty!"

"Two hundred!"

"Two hundred fifty!"

"Is there anyone else bidding?"

"Two hundred fifty once!"

"Two hundred fifty twice!"

Just as the old man in the golden robe was about to call a third time,

"Three hundred!" called Qin Ming from the box.

Su Yuqing looked at Qin Ming in surprise and asked, "Does Fellow Daoist Qin recognize this item?"

Qin Ming gave an awkward smile, "I don’t recognize it either. I was just curious and wanted to bid for study."

In fact, he already had a little plan in mind.

He wanted to use the Regenerative Spirit Seed entry to try to revive the withered vine.

Of course, if the price exceeded his budget, he’d let it go.

"Three hundred once!"

"Three hundred twice!"

"Three hundred three times!"

"Sold! Congratulations to this Fellow Daoist!"

Qin Ming was delighted; he hadn’t expected to acquire it so easily.

Perhaps the cultivators present thought the vine was too short for artifact refining.

"Next is the final highlight of this auction,"

The old man in the golden robe unveiled the red cloth, revealing three exquisite porcelain bottles to the crowd.

"Tier-Breaking Pill — Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill!"

"Refined by the High-Grade Alchemist Su Yuqing, Master Su,"