Chapter 50: Chapter 32: Moon Pond Lifts Lotus Seats, Treasure Fair Reveals a Dragon Pearl (Part 1)
Zhang Ji smiled slightly and gestured. "You two, this way please."
Xuzhuang was a little surprised. After a moment of thought, he flicked his robes and stepped onto the lotus pod. Zhang Ji and Fairy Shi followed close behind. Once the three were aboard, the green lotus raised its stalk and began to grow upward with great effort. Its size increased as it grew. By the time the lotus seat was raised several dozen zhang high, the pod alone had grown to three or four zhang in circumference, becoming quite spacious.
Xuzhuang noticed that quite a few lotus seats had already ’sprouted’ around them. He could vaguely make out all sorts of figures on them: some dressed in magnificent brocade, open and at ease; some in Daoist Robes and Magical Robes, meditating with their eyes closed; and others shrouded by veiled hats, their identities a mystery... The entire body of water seemed to have transformed into an Immortal Family’s lotus pond, creating a unique scene.
Zhang Ji glanced at the sky. "The assembly will begin in a moment. Let’s take our seats."
Xuzhuang and Fairy Shi naturally agreed, and the three of them sat cross-legged on the lotus seat.
Sure enough, not long after, a pleasant melody drifted from an unknown source, spreading through the area. It resembled the music of strings and flutes, yet it wasn’t quite the same, possessing a strange, captivating power that drew everyone’s attention.
After Xuzhuang’s group, a few more guests arrived one after another, and more lotus seats rose from the lake, faintly forming a circle. At this point, most people had an unspoken understanding and fixed their gazes on the center. A square, high platform rose from the water. It was carved with wondrous spiritual beasts, gilded in gold, and inlaid with jade. Its style was a stark contrast to the surrounding pristine green lotuses, yet it possessed a strange harmony of its own.
A middle-aged Daoist appeared on the stage, followed by more than ten attendants, each carrying a tray covered with a red cloth. The middle-aged Daoist clasped his hands toward the four directions and announced in a clear voice, "The Pengxuan Treasure Assembly is held once every seven years. Since its inception, the response has grown more enthusiastic with each passing year, all thanks to the staunch support of our fellow Daoists. This humble Daoist is deeply grateful."
"I won’t waste any more of our esteemed guests’ time with official platitudes. Now, let’s welcome our first auction item."
An attendant stepped forward at his words. The moment he lifted the red cloth, a sharp, cold glint of light seemed to flash, revealing the item within—it was a small, handleless sword.
The middle-aged Daoist announced, "This sword is named Hanguang. It has been refined to the perfection of the Earth Demon prohibitions and has a nascent Spiritual Sense, giving it the potential to evolve into a Magical Treasure. The value of such a Magical Artifact needs no further explanation from this humble Daoist, I’m sure."
"A nascent Spiritual Sense, evolution into a Magical Treasure... If it were that simple, there wouldn’t be so few Magical Treasures in the world," Xuzhuang said with a shake of his head and a smile.
"Be that as it may, a Perfect Magical Artifact is still exceedingly precious," Zhang Ji said with a smile. "This Hanguang Sword ranks among the top three of today’s twelve auction items, which is why it was chosen to start the show."
The Pengxuan Treasure Assembly ran for nine consecutive days, with twelve items auctioned each day for a total of one hundred and eight. All were of the highest quality. That’s why, although the Pengxuan Treasure Assembly attracted countless visitors from all corners, only invited guests could actually participate in the auction.
While the two were chatting, the auction for the Hanguang Sword had already concluded. It was sold for the exorbitant price of over ten thousand Three Mountains Immortal Treasures. Converted to Spirit Stones, that would be over a million—almost the value of a small Spirit Vein.
The auction continued, but Xuzhuang and the others weren’t paying much attention. Speaking of Magical Treasures, Xuzhuang brought up their earlier conversation on the boat. "So, Miss Shi," he asked, "how do you plan to find a Magical Treasure?"
On this topic, Zhang Ji couldn’t help but ask, "There may be a good number of Magical Treasures in the world, but they are either hidden away in major sects and great clans or in the hands of Primordial Spirit True Men. Where does Fairy Shi plan on acquiring one?"
This was what Xuzhuang was thinking as well. By now, Miss Shi had put her veil back on. Seeing Xuzhuang’s gaze upon her, her beautiful eyes revealed a hint of a smile. "A matter concerning a Magical Treasure is of course of great importance. It’s not something I can easily disclose. However, if I can gain Young Master Xu’s assistance, I will be seventy percent certain of success."
"Be that as it may, what you’ve said is vague and incomplete. How could I rashly agree to your request?" Xuzhuang replied with a slight smile.
At this, Fairy Shi’s fine brows furrowed slightly. She was tempted to give up on persuading Xuzhuang, but then she thought of her plan. Gaining the help of a Top-Grade Golden Core Cultivator would undoubtedly be like giving a tiger wings.
Her gaze returned to Xuzhuang’s face, only to see the corners of his lips curve into a half-smile as he stared right at her. For some reason, a memory suddenly surfaced in her mind:
In the Nameless Immortal Mansion, she had unexpectedly encountered Xuzhuang.
The treacherous river in the gorge churned with violent undercurrents, hiding unknown dangers. In the sky, thunder boomed and lightning flashed with such ferocity that it was impossible to fly across. The two cliffs were connected only by a single bridge made of a withered log.
Back then, Xuzhuang had only been at the Law-Refining Realm. Under her control, he was forced to scout ahead. Before he had even reached the other side, she had suddenly struck his back with her palm, knocking him into the perilous river. Xuzhuang had turned his head back, his eyes flashing with shock and confusion.
The eyes from her memory overlapped with the man before her now. Xuzhuang’s appearance hadn’t changed in the slightest, but Fairy Shi felt he had become far more inscrutable. She unconsciously averted her gaze.
She reached out a slender finger to tuck a strand of dark hair behind her ear, collected her thoughts, and said, "Alright, what Young Master Xu says is not without reason. Who asked me to be a treacherous Demoness? It’s only natural that I’m hard to trust."
Zhang Ji opened his mouth to speak, but then stopped.
Fairy Shi continued, "I am willing to swear on my Dao Heart that my plans contain absolutely no intention of harming Young Master Xu. If Young Master Xu is willing to help, I will reveal everything at the appropriate time. If Young Master Xu wishes to stand aside, he may withdraw at any moment... If I violate this oath, may I perish at the hands of a Celestial Demon, my body and soul destroyed."
"With this, can Young Master Xu rest assured?"
"This! There’s no need to go this far," Zhang Ji said, shocked.
Hearing this, Xuzhuang’s heart was stirred. Seeing Fairy Shi look back at him, he mused for a moment and said, "Alright! Since Miss Shi has gone to such lengths, I am not one to be ungracious. I accept."
"Thank you, Young Master." Hearing his reply, Fairy Shi also breathed a secret sigh of relief and smiled radiantly. "With your words, I feel much more confident. Since you are willing to help, I wonder if you could first do me a small favor."
"Oh?" Xuzhuang said doubtfully. "Please, Miss Shi, speak plainly."
Fairy Shi’s gaze returned to the auction. "I came to this treasure assembly today specifically to bid on a treasure. This item is crucial to the success of my future plans, so I am determined to get it."
"However, it is not convenient for me to bid on this item. I was rather troubled by this, but thankfully, Young Master Xu is here now. I would like to ask you to bid on this item on my behalf."
Hearing this, Zhang Ji’s expression remained impassive, but a sliver of doubt rose in his heart.
Xuzhuang, of course, was unaware of Zhang Ji’s doubt. He pondered for a moment, then, without asking why it was inconvenient for Fairy Shi, he replied, "That’s not a problem. What is it that Miss Shi wants me to bid on?"
Fairy Shi’s vermilion lips parted slightly, and she slowly uttered two words: "Dragon Pearl."
The moment those two words, "Dragon Pearl," were spoken, Zhang Ji’s heart jolted. His lips moved almost imperceptibly, but he ultimately said nothing. Xuzhuang’s brow twitched, and he couldn’t help but echo, "Dragon Pearl?"
"What? A Dragon Pearl!" A Hornless Jiao Dragon abruptly poked its head out of Xuzhuang’s sleeve and cried, "This blasted treasure assembly is actually auctioning a Dragon Pearl? Don’t tell me it’s..."
"Lieyun, be quiet." Xuzhuang knew what Lieyun was thinking. The moment the words "Dragon Pearl" were mentioned, an image of the confrontation between Marquis Fuhai and Lieyun surfaced in Xuzhuang’s mind. He vaguely felt that some pieces were falling into place, but it was still like trying to see flowers in a fog.
"Oh? What an adorable little jiao," Fairy Shi said. "I didn’t expect that you, Young Master Xu, keep a jiao dragon with you."
"Master!" Lieyun, unbothered by Xuzhuang’s interruption, cried out, "If this little beast can refine the Dragon Pearl, I’ll have a chance to shed my jiao form and become a true dragon! Master..."
Fairy Shi leaned down, reached out a delicate hand to pat Lieyun’s jiao dragon head, and said with a smile, "Little jiao dragon, do you want to refine the Dragon Pearl? I’m afraid that won’t do. I have great use for this Dragon Pearl."
"ROAR?" Lieyun bared a mouthful of sharp teeth, its ferocious nature showing, and snarled, "What do you think you are..."
Before it could finish its words, Lieyun suddenly saw a cold glint flash in the woman’s eyes and instinctively recoiled.
Dragons are Divine Beasts, born with all sorts of Divine Techniques. Although Lieyun was a jiao dragon, it too possessed wondrous abilities and was born with a keen sensitivity to danger. In that single instant, Lieyun felt a chill run down its spine and cried out internally: ’This is bad! This is bad! How is this woman so dangerous?! Her cultivation level is probably no lower than Master’s!’
