Chapter 321: Im Not Bidding For It

Chapter 321: I'm Not Bidding For It

The Pavilion of Celestial Fate.

It was the day of the auction—the pavilion's busiest day of each month. There was a stage in the center of the pavilion, and the open space around it was spacious enough to accommodate tens of thousands of people.

On the second floor, there was a row of luxurious viewing boxes—rooms for guests to view the auction in private. Important guests or those from major forces like the Divine Nine and the Terrestrial Ten all had their own exclusive boxes.

Before the auction started, the Weapons Master walked through the corridor on the second floor. He was accompanied by a tall white bear standing upright. It was wearing a full set of armor, looking like a majestic general. A wheelchair was strapped to the bear's shoulder armor, and Tantai Jing was sitting in it.

The Mount Shu Sect had entrusted these two men to carry out an important mission in Taotie City.

As they moved through the corridor, a group of people approached from the other end. The person at the front of the group was a tall and burly middle-aged Daoist with bronze-colored skin and a cold, steely expression. He was dressed in a Daoist robe, which had the yin and yang fishes embroidered inside the Eight Trigrams with a fire-red background color[1].

His gaze met the Weapon Master's, and both parties slowed down. Gét latest novel chapters on nov(e)lbj/n(.)c/om

"Greetings, Weapons Master. It's been ages since we last met," the middle-aged Daoist said with a small smile, cupping his hands together and bowing slightly.

"I heard you were in closed-door cultivation at Fanghu for a long time. So, you've finally emerged," the Weapons Master replied, returning the smile.

The person before him was Daoist Chi Niu of the Penglai Supreme Sect.

"I didn't have a choice. I have to get the Demon-Subduing Pestle today." Daoist Chi Niu shook his head. "I don't trust anyone else to do it, so I had to come and do it myself."

"What a coincidence," the Weapons Master said. "My sect is determined to get it too."

"Hahaha." Daoist Chi Niu laughed heartily and threw his hands into the air. "In that case, let's see who will emerge victorious."

Then someone coughed behind Daoist Chi Niu.

Looking over, the Weapons Master saw a rather thin man, who wore black clothes and a jade belt.

The Weapons Master said, "I guess this must be the recently advanced Daoist Xuan Lu? The Penglai Supreme Sect is indeed full of talented people."

"Greetings, Weapons Master. Yes, that is indeed me, esteemed senior." Daoist Xuan Lu bowed in greeting as well. "No matter who gets the Demon-Subduing Pestle today, it is best for both our sects to maintain our friendly relations."

The Weapons Master chuckled. "Of course. All sects following the righteous path share the same qi; it is of utmost importance that we maintain our friendly relations."

He waved his black-iron hand, brushing off the idea that their sects' relationship would sour.

Daoist Chi Niu grinned. "That's right! Let's stay amicable!"

After the exchange of pleasantries, both parties went to their respective boxes and sat down.

"Some years ago, Mount Shu wanted my Demon-Cutting Saber, and now they want to fight me for the Demon-Subduing Pestle. They're so irritating!" Daoist Chi Niu said quietly as soon as he sat down. "If it wasn't because of their intervention, I might have already obtained the Demon-Subduing Pestle."

Before the auction, Daoist Chi Niu had contacted the Pavilion of Celestial Fate in the name of the Penglai Supreme Sect, hoping to offer a price and buy the Demon-Subduing Pestle without going through the auction.

Normally, the Penglai Supreme Sect had a significantly greater influence than Mount Shu, as it was the top immortal sect in the nine provinces. So, under normal circumstances, the Pavilion of Celestial Fate would probably have agreed.

"Fellow Daoists, I thank you all for coming to the Pavilion of Celestial Fate and attending this auction. I believe the treasures being offered tonight will not disappoint you."

A cool breeze swept through the hall, carrying the manager's voice to every corner of the hall.

"Without further ado, let's start today's auction!"

Gonnnng. The gong was struck again.

Two female servants dressed in colorful clothes stepped onto the stage, their skirts fluttering in the breeze as they walked. Each woman carried a golden tray covered with red cloth.

"Today's first treasure is a pair of ancient clam pearls from the East Sea!" the manager announced.

He lifted the red cloth of one of the trays, revealing a pair of large pearls.

One was a bright red, and the other was purple-black. Both were shining brilliantly.

The manager continued, "The light that the red pearl emits is filled with yang qi, and the light that the purple pearl emits is filled with yin qi. The red pearl can dispel all concealment techniques, making it impossible for anyone to hide or move around stealthily within the range of the red pearl's light. The purple pearl can detect ghosts, making yin qi visible as something solid."

"The starting price is two thousand Vermillion-Bird coins. The bids are to increase by no less than one hundred Vermillion-Bird coins." The manager waved his hand. "Please raise your signs!"

The Pavilion of Celestial Fate had a rule that if a person raised their sign, it meant they were participating in the bid for that item at the base price, increasing the bid by a hundred Vermillion-Bird coins. If they wanted to bid more, they had to call out their bid.

These yin and yang pearls sounded quite practical, so many people participated in the bid for them. Chu Liang, however, just enjoyed watching the bidding competition... until Wen Yulong poked him.

"Senior Brother Chu, those pearls are pretty good. They would be great embedded into an enchanted tool," Wen Yulong said excitedly as he gazed at the treasure on the stage. "Hurry up and bid for it!"

Chu Liang tactfully rejected Wen Yulong's suggestion. "Let's just wait and see."

The pearls were quickly sold for the high price of four thousand Vermillion-Bird coins.

Chu Liang did some rough calculations. The base price of two thousand Vermillion-Bird coins for the two pearls had certainly been low, but the winning bid of four thousand was very high. It seemed that more money could be earned through an auction as opposed to a private sale at a set price. Those who really wanted the items had to pay an excessive amount to get them, raising the price of the items significantly.

Lesson learned.

At this time, the second treasure on offer was brought on stage. It was a fist-sized chunk of crystalized wind spiritual qi. The crystal emitted a brilliant azure light that made objects within a ten-zhang radius float.

The manager boasted about the crystal. "This item is excellent for comprehending the Great Dao of the Heavens and the Earth or as an auxiliary material for making enchanted tools!"

"Yes!" Wen Yulong's eyes lit up in excitement again. "If I had this, I could definitely bring up the quality of an enchanted tool to a whole other level! Senior Brother Chu, hurry up and bid for it!"

Chu Liang was feeling rather regretful. He realized that coming to the auction with this guy was a mistake... Every time the auction staff brought out a new treasure, Wen Yulong would think of a great use for it and get all excited.

Who could stand that? What kind of family could afford to buy everything at an auction?

Feeling extremely annoyed, Chu Liang firmly refused to do as Wen Yulong wanted.

"If you want it, bid for it yourself. I'm not bidding for it."

1. See the translator's thoughts section for an image of this. ☜