Chapter 145: Chapter 144: Beginning
Wen Qingye returned to his room and began his daily cultivation. He felt he was just a hair’s breadth away—so close to a breakthrough. Tonight, he would attempt to shatter this barrier.
......
The monthly Divine Wind Auction in Qiyang City had begun. It was arguably the liveliest day of the month for the entire city. Countless scions from various families, members of different factions, and other notables would all come to have a look.
The streets of Qiyang City grew even more boisterous, with street vendors and peddlers taking full advantage of the occasion.
Wen Qingye strolled to the entrance of the Divine Wind Auction House, where a crowd was already starting to file inside.
"Let’s go, let’s head in!" Lu Fangliang said, emerging from a corner.
Without another word, the two walked side by side toward the Divine Wind Auction House. Suddenly, two guards at the entrance blocked their path.
Lu Fangliang took out twenty Mid-grade Primordial Stones and handed them to a guard. Only after stowing away the stones did the guard step aside.
Inside the Divine Wind Auction House, the two entered the general seating area and found a spot near the back.
"So many masters here," Wen Qingye remarked with a frown, his eyes sweeping across the hall.
Wen Qingye couldn’t discern the cultivation level of many people in attendance. The VIP section above, in particular, was teeming with powerful masters.
Lu Fangliang scoffed, "Hmph. The more masters, the better."
Wen Qingye nodded and said no more. The two of them sat in silence.
Before long, the hall was nearly full.
The venue gradually fell silent. Just then, an old man walked slowly to the front of the stage. He had a serene expression, snow-white hair, and a sharp, bright glint in his eyes.
The old man smiled and said, "The monthly Divine Wind Auction is starting once again! On behalf of the Divine Wind Auction House, I welcome you all. I won’t waste any more of your time with idle chatter. Let the auction begin!"
"Our first item up for auction is a treasure indeed: the Third-Grade Weapon, the Purple River Bow! The bow’s shaft is crafted from a Fourth-Grade Heavenly and Earthly Treasure, Moon Bamboo. It incorporates the horn of a Refining Essence Ninth Heaven Rhino Demon Beast and the sinew of a Refining Essence Eighth Heaven Cyan Wind Snake. Even among Third-Grade Weapons, this bow is the absolute pinnacle—the finest of its kind! The starting bid is ten Top-Grade Primordial Stones."
The moment the old man finished, a low murmur of discussion rippled through the crowd below.
"I bid fifteen Top-Grade Primordial Stones," a powerful voice rang out.
"Seventeen!"
"Twenty!"
.......
A fierce bidding war had erupted. Wen Qingye glanced at the Purple River Bow, a faint smile on his lips as he shook his head.
"What is it?" Lu Fangliang asked curiously.
With a glint of amusement in his eyes, Wen Qingye shook his head. "The materials he listed are indeed excellent, he’s not wrong about that. But this Purple River Bow isn’t nearly as good as he’s making it out to be."
"Oh? You’re an expert on bows, too? Do tell," Lu Fangliang prompted.
Wen Qingye pointed at the Purple River Bow and explained slowly, "Aside from the exquisite materials, the setting of the bowstring and the crafting of the grip require exacting workmanship and technique. He’s clearly glossing over the flaws in this Purple River Bow’s construction. He doesn’t want to mention them and reduce the bow’s value."
Of course, Lu Fangliang knew nothing about the craftsmanship of the Purple River Bow, but he couldn’t help but nod at Wen Qingye’s explanation.
The Purple River Bow was soon sold to a woman for seventy Top-Grade Primordial Stones. Following that, a host of other treasures were brought out, and the crowd bid fiercely for them.
「Meanwhile, in the VIP section above.」
A middle-aged man spoke respectfully to a youth lounging lazily in his chair, "Third Prince, I’ve carried out your instructions, more or less."
From their exchange, it was clear that this youth was none other than the Third Prince, one of two princes of the Celestial Martial Country currently locked in a struggle for the throne.
The Third Prince nodded in satisfaction. "Excellent," he chuckled. "I came here in secret for the sole purpose of acquiring Xiaxia. I can’t have my elder brother finding out about this."
The middle-aged man hesitated before asking in confusion, "Third Prince, she’s only a Fifth-Grade Alchemist. Besides, I heard that when Xiaxia refined that Fifth Grade Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill, she only succeeded by pushing past her absolute limit..."
"I know what you’re getting at. But I’m interested in Xiaxia’s potential. A near Fifth-Grade Alchemist at only eighteen years old... her future accomplishments are limitless. Besides..." The Third Prince’s eyes suddenly lit up. "I’m more curious about her master. Who in the world is he? Who could train such an incredible disciple? And to think he can even refine something like the Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill."
The middle-aged man nodded in sudden understanding.
The Third Prince glanced around the VIP section and shook his head with a laugh. "This Divine Wind Auction House in Qiyang City is so provincial compared to the ones in the Imperial City. There’s simply no comparison."
The middle-aged man replied, "But of course. The Divine Wind Country establishing this auction house within our Celestial Martial Country is already pushing the boundaries. Although they are stronger than us, they don’t dare act too brazenly."
"’Pushing the boundaries? You say they’re pushing them, but in reality, it’s our Celestial Martial Country that’s boxed in!’ the Third Prince sneered. ’The Divine Wind Auction House is clearly an outpost of power planted by the Divine Wind Country right in our territory. It’s a thorn in our side, yet the Celestial Martial Country is constrained by them at every turn, afraid to make a single move.’"
The middle-aged man gave a wry smile. "It can’t be helped. Who can we blame when so many people from the Divine Wind Country hold positions in the Celestial Profound Sect?"
........
"Our next item is quite interesting... a most peculiar treasure. How should I describe it? To be honest, even I’m not entirely sure what it is. Please, have a good look for yourselves."
As the old man spoke, a female attendant walked onto the stage carrying a platter.
The old man gently lifted the cover from the platter. On it lay two crescent-shaped blades, mottled with rust, yet emitting a faint, reddish-cyan glow. They were just that—two blades, with no discernible handles or grips.
The old man said slowly, "Our own appraisers couldn’t identify this item. Its materials are unknown. All we know is that it seems to be a weapon, and a most extraordinary one at that."
"It’s so rusty, and you call it a treasure?"
"How ridiculous! You could just grab any old piece of scrap metal, call it a treasure, and expect us to buy it?"
"Yeah! If it’s really a treasure, show us what it can do!"
"A weapon? I’ve never seen a weapon so bizarre. How are you supposed to hold it? By the blade?"
"HAHAHAHA!"
Hearing the old man’s words, the crowd erupted in jeers.
Wen Qingye gazed at the two blades on the platter, his brow furrowing slightly. ’This thing isn’t simple.’
Wen Qingye’s keen eyes noticed that the rust spots seemed to be arranged in a very specific pattern, almost like a mystical Array meant to conceal something.
Wen Qingye was too far away and hadn’t touched the item, so he couldn’t be sure of its origin. But one thing was certain: it was a genuine treasure.
Seeing the crowd’s reaction, the old man hurriedly announced, "The starting bid for this treasure is five Top-Grade Primordial Stones! The bidding starts now!"
