Chapter 7: The Treasure Auction

Inside the hall.

The female attendant, who had just descended the suspended corridor into the hall under Beishan Baiwei's orders, was startled upon hearing, 'Would the zither fairy come to my Beishan Hu's private room for a chat?' She immediately transmitted a message: 'Grandmaster Uncle, Young Master Beishan Baiwei also requests the zither fairy's presence.'

Ziyi, who was beside the zither fairy, was taken aback for a moment, then smiled.

'Master Hu, Young Master Baiwei also invites the zither fairy,' Ziyi announced loudly.

'Haha, Beishan Baiwei, you want the zither fairy too?' the deep voice said smugly. 'How come I didn't hear you? If you want to invite someone, you need sincerity.'

'I'm not as rude as you,' Beishan Baiwei replied with a cold laugh.

The two spoke loudly from different private rooms.

In other private rooms were young masters from major tribes, outstanding disciples from various sects, and members of the Yinglong Guard, but they were all happy to watch the show. After all, Beishan Baiwei and Beishan Hu were among the most prominent young masters in Anchan Commandery, both being descendants of the Anchan Beishan clan. Their fathers, Beishan Heihu and Beishan Yin, were true big shots.

These two young masters were at odds, and no one dared to interfere.

After all, in Anchan Commandery, the Anchan Beishan clan was the strongest.

Ji Ning stood by the window, following the sound to look carefully. In another private room a few li away, he spotted the figure.

Beishan Hu was burly, with a full beard that didn't match his name. Despite his imposing appearance, his eyes were cold and arrogant, like a venomous snake.

Beishan Baiwei was warm and forthright.

Beishan Hu was cold and ruthless.

They were polar opposites.

'Miss Ziyi,' Beishan Hu called down loudly, 'Beishan Baiwei didn't book the zither fairy in advance, did he?'

'No, he didn't,' Ziyi shook her head.

'Since there's no booking, and both Beishan Baiwei and I want the zither fairy, let's see who offers more,' Beishan Hu's voice rang through the hall. 'I bid ten taels.'

Murmurs arose from various private rooms suspended in midair.

In Ji Ning's private room.

Ji Ning was puzzled. Ten taels of what?

Beishan Baiwei said coldly, 'I bid fifty taels.'

'Haha, Beishan Baiwei, you think you can outbid me?' Beishan Hu's voice was arrogant. 'I bid one hundred taels.'

...

Inside the private room.

Ji Ning, Hun Wuqi, and Beishan Baiwei sat together.

Hun Wuqi whispered, 'Brother Baiwei, if you need to bid, I can help.'

'No need,' Beishan Baiwei smiled. 'When it comes to wealth, how could Beishan Hu compare to you, Little Money God? But inviting the zither fairy usually costs just one tael. Spending too much would be foolish. Now that he's bid one hundred taels, if I raise the bid, he won't go higher. Then I'd be stuck with the cost.'

'Why not bid?' Beishan Hu taunted from afar.

'Then congratulations, Beishan Hu, on spending one hundred taels of primal liquid to have the zither fairy accompany you,' Beishan Baiwei announced loudly.

Primal liquid?

Ji Ning was startled.

So the taels they mentioned referred to primal liquid! Primal liquid was the essence of natural energy, allowing direct cultivation without burdening the body. Ji Ning had once obtained a very thin layer of primal liquid in a stone chamber within a mine, estimated at twenty to thirty jin.

He had used only a third, less than ten jin, to break through to the Zifu level and stabilize the early Zifu stage.

'Twenty to thirty jin of primal liquid equals the entire wealth of my Ji clan,' Ji Ning thought. 'One hundred taels is ten jin. Beishan Hu just spent nearly half my clan's wealth to invite a zither fairy? That's insane.'

'One hundred taels of primal liquid,' Hun Wuqi nodded. 'That's about the value of an Earth-grade magic treasure. Given Beishan Hu's temper, tossing away an Earth-grade treasure in a fit of pique is about his limit.'

Ji Ning was speechless.

Well.

He had killed Xu Li the Daoist and obtained three Earth-grade treasures, painstakingly building up that modest fortune. Compared to the noble young masters of the Anchan Marquis's estate, he was far behind.

...

Outside, Beishan Hu's arrogant voice still rang out, and Ziyi announced that the zither fairy would go to Beishan Hu's room.

Inside Beishan Hu's private room.

Beishan Hu sat with three men, while their servants and attendants had a separate room.

'I didn't expect to run into Beishan Baiwei here today,' Beishan Hu said, holding a beast-head wine cup, licking the wine with his tongue. 'I've recently taken on some formidable retainers and obtained a very rare treasure. That was just an appetizer. Today, I'll make him so furious he'll never forget it, and he'll tremble every time he sees me.'

'We wish you success, Master Hu.'

'Let's see Beishan Baiwei lose face.'

The three beside him, including Zhou Li, raised their cups.

'Haha,' Beishan Hu laughed heartily. Just then, the zither fairy entered. 'Zither fairy, come quickly, please sit.'

'Thank you, Master Hu,' the zither fairy said with a light smile, making Beishan Hu feel light as a feather, even more pleased.

With beauty by his side, laughter filled Beishan Hu's room.

After a long while.

'Hmm,' Beishan Hu looked at the stage being set up in the hall below. 'The treasure auction should be starting soon.'

Beishan Hu flipped his hand, revealing a large seal, and handed it to the zither fairy. 'This seal, the Qushan Seal, is a top-grade Human-level magic treasure. It was refined from a mountain called Qushan. Its rarity lies in being only a Human-level treasure, yet its power rivals that of an ordinary Earth-grade treasure. Thus, it's an absolute top-grade among Human-level treasures.'

'Top-grade Human-level?'

'Top-grade treasures are extremely rare. Master Hu actually has one.'

Even Zhou Li and the others were amazed.

Zifu cultivators could use Human-level treasures.

Wanxiang Adepts could use Earth-grade treasures, but most used low-grade or mid-grade ones. High-grade Human-level or Earth-level treasures were rare, and top-grade ones were exceedingly precious.

'I'll send it now,' the zither fairy said, rising.

...

Below, a stage was set up. Ziyi stood on it, her voice echoing through the hall: 'Now it's time for the treasure auction. Today, our Wuyou Cave has prepared eighteen treasures, each with its own uniqueness. Those who wish to buy can bid directly; the highest bidder wins!'

Inside the private room.

Ji Ning was taken aback. Wasn't this just like an auction from Earth? Here, in this gathering of immortals and demons, they had a so-called 'treasure auction.'

'Moreover, honored guests, if you have rare treasures you wish to sell, you may also present them for bidding,' Ziyi smiled. 'Just now, Master Beishan Hu offered a top-grade Human-level magic treasure, the Qushan Seal, making it the nineteenth treasure of this auction.'

'Beishan Baiwei! What treasure are you offering?' the deep voice taunted again.

A slap in the face.

It was like a direct slap to Beishan Baiwei's face.

Inside the room, Beishan Baiwei's face darkened. Hun Wuqi frowned: 'Beishan Hu actually got a top-grade Human-level treasure. This is troublesome. We could produce many Earth-grade treasures, but in terms of rarity, none can match the Qushan Seal.'

Ji Ning understood.

These noble young masters showed off treasures for rarity. Even a high-grade Earth-level treasure might be more valuable, but it lacked the novelty.

'What luck, stepping in dog shit,' Beishan Baiwei gritted his teeth. 'I didn't expect to run into him this time, and he came prepared. I'll have to endure it and get back at him next time.'

'Brother Baiwei, I happen to have a top-grade Human-level treasure,' Ji Ning said.

'Oh?' Beishan Baiwei and Hun Wuqi looked at Ji Ning in surprise.

Top-grade Human-level treasures couldn't be bought with wealth alone; they were classified as top-grade because of their scarcity.

'Look,' Ji Ning flipped his hand, revealing a dragon pearl and four dragon scales. Inside the pearl, a dragon-shaped shadow swam.

'A dragon pearl!' Beishan Baiwei and Hun Wuqi were startled.

Hun Wuqi said in shock, 'Four-sided formation plates with a dragon pearl? The complexity of the plates is incredible. What formation is this?'

'The Nether Dragon Locking Heaven Formation,' Ji Ning said.

'The Nether Dragon Locking Heaven Formation?' Beishan Baiwei was even more surprised. 'Our Beishan clan has a formation called the Nether Dragon Locking Heaven Formation, but that's a Heaven-grade formation, one of the most powerful. This formation actually has a Human-grade version? Simplified to Human-grade? Unbelievable.'

Hun Wuqi quickly added, 'Such a formation is far rarer than his. And Beishan Hu only has a seal treasure. Brother Ji Ning's formation is much more valuable.'

Formations were indeed more valuable than treasures of the same level.

Hun Wuqi looked at Ji Ning with new respect. A top-grade Human-level formation wasn't easy to come by. It seemed Beishan Baiwei's friend Ji Ning was no ordinary person.

'Ji Ning, are you sure you want to sell it? Such a treasure is hard to buy back once sold,' Beishan Baiwei said.

'Sell it,' Ji Ning smiled.

With the Anchan Marquis's protection, the Ji clan no longer needed the Nether Dragon Locking Heaven Formation. Moreover, the formation required five people to unleash its full power. Ji Ning had brought it to Anchan City to sell and exchange for a large number of Human-level flying swords, greatly enhancing his Thousand Swords Formation.

'Good, Brother Ji Ning, I won't say much in thanks. This time, I'll slap Beishan Hu's face hard,' Beishan Baiwei said, his face reddening.

'Beishan Baiwei, don't tell me you, the young master of the Beishan Heihu Estate, have no treasures?' the deep voice taunted again.

Beishan Baiwei smiled slightly and called out, 'Miss Ziyi, I have a formation here. It's quite ordinary, but certainly far better than Beishan Hu's.'

The atmosphere in the hall became tense.

Everyone understood that Young Master Beishan Baiwei was finally striking back.

But would the slap land?

It depended on whether this formation treasure could outshine the Qushan Seal.

...