Chapter 15: That Is Respect, Gratitude, and Reverence! |
After a few seconds of commotion in the venue, a voice unable to suppress its excitement rang out. The bidder was a rogue cultivator.
"Five hundred spirit stones!"
"Eight hundred!"
"One thousand two hundred. I am from Dripdrop Cave, and I hope Fellow Daoists can give me some face."
One thousand two hundred spirit stones to buy an eighth-grade spiritual material. No matter how you looked at it, this was exceedingly strange.
Was Water Jade really that valuable?
Yulou blinked. Wang Xianmao naturally knew what he wanted to ask.
"The region we live in is within the sphere of influence of Hongdengzhao. The disciples of Hongdengzhao primarily cultivate fire-elemental arts.
"Water Jade is expensive precisely because it is a water-attribute spiritual material, and the treasures refined from it can break fire arts."
From the enthusiastic bidding of those cultivators, Yulou saw their respect for Hongdengzhao, their gratitude, and their reverence.
They were afraid!
They hated.
They... were furious!
They wanted to buy Water Jade!
In the end, the eighth-grade Water Jade brought out by the Town Guardian Cultivator, Jiang Baobian, surged all the way to one thousand four hundred spirit stones before it was won by an unknown rogue cultivator.
What did this price signify?
Ten times. Compared to slightly inferior eighth-grade spiritual materials, the price of Water Jade was ten times theirs!
Such was the prestige of Hongdengzhao!
From the final transaction price, Yulou also understood Householder Redbrow's obsession with the crushed Water Jade beads—this thing was incredibly valuable.
Or rather, within the jurisdiction of Hongdengzhao where fire arts dominated, it would always be incredibly valuable.
————
The feast of the Ghost Market Auction was initiated by Jiang Baobian, but the true climax arrived after Householder Redbrow took the stage.
Care to see an extremely low-budget, youth-edition Multi-Treasure Daoist?
"Fellow Daoists, since destiny has brought us together here, I, Redbrow, naturally will not be stingy.
"Today, I have brought four exquisite magical artifacts!"
Householder Redbrow took out three small throwing knives from his storage bag and introduced them.
"Low-grade offensive magical artifacts that I refined personally. The base material is ninth-grade Cold Refined Iron.
"Although they only have four layers of restrictions, provided they are used well, their offensive power is not inferior to ordinary mid-grade magical artifacts."
If Jiang Baobian tossing out a rare eighth-grade Water Jade right at the opening was a type of shock, then Redbrow brought everyone a completely different kind of shock—the exact opposite.
He was truly shameless!
"Redbrow, you actually have the nerve to bring out low-grade magical artifacts with four layers of restrictions?"
"Exactly! Get off the stage!"
"No one would want low-grade magical artifacts even if you gave them away!"
"If I'm not mistaken, the handles of your throwing knives are longer than the blades. Isn't your cost-cutting a bit too excessive?"
The attendees below barked with complaints.
Redbrow did not waste words. He directly activated a throwing knife, sending it straight toward the host, Lao Gui.
'I'll beat you to death, you turtle grandson, selling a rat pretending to be a purple sable to my daughter!'
Lao Gui was an information broker, and to be able to land the job of hosting the Ghost Market Auction, he naturally was not someone easy to deal with.
He raised his hand and cast an Earth Wall spell, directly blocking the throwing knife.
"Fellow Daoist, how is the offensive power of this throwing knife?"
Redbrow retracted the throwing knife and asked with a beaming smile.
"Not bad. It is indeed made of Cold Refined Iron, it's just that yours is way too small..."
Lao Gui naturally knew Redbrow. With a darkened face, he helped play along with Redbrow's act.
He had clearly just eaten an attack from Redbrow's throwing knife, yet in the blink of an eye, he had to kiss up to Redbrow, and do it with such professional dedication.
What a magnificent level of professional spirit this was.
"Three throwing knives, starting at fifty spirit stones each. For the first one, does anyone want it?"
Fifty spirit stones for a low-grade magical artifact made of Cold Refined Iron!
The way the present cultivators looked at Redbrow completely changed.
Brother, we were barking too loudly just now. We are sorry.
You are bringing the price of Cold Refined Iron magical artifacts all the way down!
"Sixty!"
Redbrow smiled. Success!
"One hundred!"
One knife made back the capital!
He was going to be rich!
Redbrow hurriedly forced himself to hold back his smile, tightening his expression. He was afraid that getting too carried away would invite disaster upon himself.
After selling the three simplified version low-grade magical artifacts, Redbrow took out the real goods he had prepared for today.
"Mirror Silver Golden Thread Shield—a high-grade defensive magical artifact, twenty-six layers of restrictions!
"Three pieces of ninth-grade mirror silver as the base, one piece of ninth-grade spiritual gold melted into threads for carving, and a piece of eighth-grade black steel as the core inside.
"For damage caused by normal attacks, the mirror silver can repair itself. For damage caused by powerful attacks, the eighth-grade black steel can block it.
"Even if the Merit Hall of Hongdengzhao came, you might not be able to exchange for a better defensive magical artifact in there!
"Two thousand spirit stones. Everyone, bid according to your abilities."
If the Redbrow who tried to sell those three simplified version magical artifacts just now looked like a clown, then the current him was the dream lover in the hearts of all the rogue cultivators.
So what if he weighed three hundred catties?
Fellow Daoist Redbrow was not fat; every ounce of his flesh was his strength!
Too ruthless, Fellow Daoist Redbrow!
"Two thousand two hundred!"
"Two..."
The cultivators in the venue began to bid, but Wang Xianmao only smiled lightly.
Redbrow, oh Redbrow, even selling your bottom-of-the-box defensive treasure. You really are preparing for Foundation Establishment!
"Three thousand stones. This mirror silver shield is not bad. My Gu Clan wants it!"
No one expected that a Foundation Establishment cultivator, who came to hold the fort at the auction, would also open his mouth to fight for an item.
After the Second Elder of the Tea King Gu Family stated his price, naturally no one dared to continue bidding.
However, three thousand spirit stones to buy a high-grade magical artifact was actually a relatively high price. It couldn't be considered a forced purchase.
Ordinary high-grade magical artifacts could often be bought for one thousand spirit stones. It was precisely because this shield was a defensive treasure, used plenty of spiritual materials, and had a full twenty-six layers of restrictions refined into it that it was so expensive.
————
The Ghost Market Auction concluded. The Wang Clan naturally bought nothing; instead, they sold a pile of items.
Clans had their own industries and legacies. Many good items that rogue cultivators saw as serendipitous treasures could be produced by the Wang family themselves.
"Patriarch, I don't understand. Why can Qi Refining stage cultivators use pills to increase their cultivation speed, but we in the Qi Induction stage cannot?"
Yulou was truly curious. From his observations, the pill system of this world was quite complete.
But Qi Induction stage cultivators could only use pills for breaking through bottlenecks and other auxiliary pills. They had no way to use any pills that directly improved their cultivation progress.
This was very strange.
"A long time ago, the Qi Induction stage could use pills to advance cultivation progress.
"Once you reach the Qi Refining stage and read the secret records the clan prepared for Qi Refining disciples, you will naturally understand," Wang Xianmao answered with a smile.
Yulou nodded lightly and asked no more.
Reach Qi Refining first. The Patriarch's meaning couldn't be more obvious.
"Why is that, Patriarch?"
Yu'an, oh Yu'an. It still had to be Yu'an.
"Hahahaha, very well. There is no harm in telling you, but do not speak of it to outsiders.
"The resources between heaven and earth are limited. If the cultivation speed of the Qi Induction stage wasn't suppressed, too many resources would be occupied by Qi Induction stage cultivators.
"If Qi Induction stage cultivation was fast, there would be more Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment cultivators, and many things would become troublesome.
"About a thousand years ago, the Grand Cultivators of the world joined forces and altered the rules of heaven and earth. It has been this way ever since.
"Our Wang Clan ancestors were already inside Hongdengzhao at that time, and thus recorded this matter.
"Many newly risen families and small sects from the past few centuries do not know these secrets."
The Grand Cultivators of the world joined forces and altered the rules of heaven and earth.
As if spellbound, Yulou subconsciously and repeatedly chewed on this sentence.
From it, he felt an unfathomable majesty, an indescribable grand heroism.
Changing heaven and earth!
Immortal cultivators should be exactly like this!
A burst of veritable dog barking interrupted Yulou's reverie and imagination.
"Screw you!
"Rogue cultivators? Nothing but beggars!
"Even the unlicensed prostitutes in Clear Stream Market know the rules better than you!
"The Merit Hall of Hongdengzhao is arriving soon. By sleeping on the streets, you are intentionally ruining Clear Stream Market's grand event!
"Get lost! If you don't get lost, I'll whip you to death!"
At the entrance of Fortune Source Residence, Gao Jian brandished the Spirit-Binding Rope, crackling as he whipped the rogue cultivators huddled in the corner.
Too many rogue cultivators had flooded into Clear Stream Market recently. All the shops and various courtyards were raising their rent.
Many cash-strapped rogue cultivators chose to lie by the street corners and walls, stubbornly waiting for the Merit Hall's arrival.
As a member of Clear Stream Market's security patrol, Gao Jian naturally couldn't stand these paupers affecting Clear Stream Market's image.
Therefore, he was crazily swinging his whip here, almost swinging out sparks.
If you asked why these rogue cultivators didn't wait outside first, and come in only after the Merit Hall of Hongdengzhao arrived...
"Milord, Milord, we paid the entry fee!"
"Who knows whether you paid or not! If you can't afford a room, get lost. Don't ruin the appearance of Clear Stream Market!"
Gao Jian belonged to the patrol. What did the entry fees collected by the gatekeepers have to do with him?
If these pauper rogue cultivators affected his master Jiang Baobian's image in front of the Purple Palace Grand Cultivator, he, Gao Jian, would have to take the blame!
Seeing this scene, Wang Xianmao casually cast a concealment spell, covering himself and the two youths.
He led Yulou and Yu'an to Gao Jian's side, ensuring the two of them could clearly see the ugly display of this Hongdengzhao outer gate disciple.
Afterward, the Patriarch asked,
"Yulou, Yu'an, how do you think this matter should be handled?"
Yulou furrowed his brows, realizing this matter was far from simple.
If 'not simple' had levels, then the Patriarch's seemingly casual question would be of the highest level.
Because casualness was a special posture; in certain situations, it possessed an inverse significance.
So what if he weighed a hundred and fifty kilograms?
Fellow Daoist Redbrow was not fat; every ounce of flesh was pure strength!
How ruthless, Fellow Daoist Redbrow!
"Two thousand two hundred!"
"Two..."
The cultivators in the venue began to bid, while Wang Xianmao merely smiled faintly.
Redbrow, oh Redbrow, to even sell your most prized defensive artifact from the bottom of your trunk... you really are preparing for Foundation Establishment!
"Three thousand spirit stones. This Mirror Silver Shield is not bad, my Gu Clan will take it!"
No one expected a Foundation Establishment cultivator overseeing the auction to suddenly speak up and snatch an item.
After the Second Elder of the Tea King Gu Clan called out a price, naturally no one dared to continue fighting for it.
However, three thousand spirit stones was a relatively high price for a high-grade magical artifact. It couldn't be considered strong-arming.
An ordinary high-grade magical artifact could potentially be bought for one thousand spirit stones. It was only because this shield was a defensive treasure, utilized ample high-quality spiritual materials, and was refined with a full twenty-six layers of restrictions that it was so expensive.
The Ghost Market Auction ended. The Wang Clan naturally did not buy anything, but instead sold several items.
A clan had its own industries and heritage. Many good things that rogue cultivators saw as lucky finds were items the Wang Clan could produce themselves.
"Patriarch, I don't understand. Why is it that Qi Refining stage cultivators can use pills to increase their cultivation speed, but we at the Qi Induction stage cannot?"
Yulou was genuinely curious. According to his observations, the pill system in this world was quite complete.
But Qi Induction stage cultivators could only use pills for breaking through bottlenecks and other auxiliary purposes; they could not use any pills that directly advanced their cultivation base.
This was very strange.
"A long time ago, cultivators in the Qi Induction stage could use pills to advance their cultivation progress.
"Wait until you reach the Qi Refining stage and read the secret records the clan has prepared for its descendants. You will naturally understand then," Wang Xianmao answered with a smile.
Yulou nodded gently and asked no more.
Reach the Qi Refining stage first. The Patriarch's meaning couldn't be more obvious.
"Why is that, Patriarch?"
Yu'an, oh Yu'an... leave it to Yu'an to ask.
"Hahaha, fine. There is no harm in telling you, but do not speak of it outside.
"The resources of heaven and earth are limited. If the cultivation speed of the Qi Induction stage wasn't suppressed, too many resources would be occupied by Qi Induction cultivators.
"If the Qi Induction stage cultivated too quickly, there would be far more Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment cultivators, and many things would become troublesome.
"About a thousand years ago, the great cultivators of this world joined forces and altered the rules of heaven and earth, and it has remained that way ever since.
"Our Wang Clan's ancestors were already part of Hongdengzhao at the time, which is why they recorded this matter. Many clans and small sects that have risen in the past few hundred years do not know these secrets."
The great cultivators of this world joined forces and altered the rules of heaven and earth.
Mesmerized, Yulou subconsciously chewed over this sentence.
He felt an unfathomable majesty within it—an indescribable, grand ambition.
Changing heaven and earth!
This is how immortal cultivators should be!
A barrage of crude, dog-like cursing interrupted Yulou's reverie.
"Get lost! Rogue cultivators? You're just beggars!
"Even the secret prostitutes in Clear Stream Market know the rules better than you!
"Hongdengzhao's Merit Hall is arriving soon. Sleeping on the streets like this is intentionally ruining Clear Stream Market's grand gathering!
"Get the hell out! If you don't roll away right now, I'll whip you to death!"
At the entrance of Fortune Source Residence, Gao Jian swung his Spirit-Binding Rope, whipping the rogue cultivators by the corner of the wall with loud cracks.
Recently, too many rogue cultivators had flooded into Clear Stream Market. All the shops and residences had raised their rent.
Many financially strapped rogue cultivators chose to lie by the street corners and wall bases, stubbornly waiting for the Merit Hall's arrival.
As a member of Clear Stream Market's security patrol, Gao Jian naturally couldn't stand seeing these paupers ruining the market's image.
That was why he was frantically lashing his whip here, swinging it so hard it practically threw sparks.
As for why these rogue cultivators didn't just wait outside and come in only after Hongdengzhao's Merit Hall arrived...
"Sir, sir, we paid the market entry fee!"
"Who knows if you paid or not! If you can't afford a room, then get lost! Don't ruin the appearance of Clear Stream Market!"
Gao Jian was part of the patrol. What did the market entry fee collected by the gatekeepers have to do with him?
If these pauper rogue cultivators ruined his master Jiang Baobian's image in front of the Purple Palace Grand Cultivator, he, Gao Jian, would have to take the blame!
Upon seeing this scene, Wang Xianmao casually cast a spell to conceal their figures, covering himself and the two youths.
He led Yulou and Yu'an to Gao Jian's side, ensuring the two of them could clearly see the ugly display of this Outer Gate Disciple of Hongdengzhao.
Then, the Patriarch asked,
"Yulou, Yu'an, how do you think this matter should be handled?"
Yulou furrowed his brows, realizing the matter was not simple at all.
If there were levels of complexity to this situation...
Then this seemingly casual question from the Patriarch belonged to the highest tier.
Because casualness was a deliberate posture. In certain scenarios, it possessed the exact opposite significance.
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