Chapter 52: Firm Price—Thirty-Eight Thousand Spirit Stones, Await the Auction in Peace
Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW
You can buy coins here to unlock advanced chapters: https://gravitytales.com/coins-purchase-page/
Jiang Liu’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Clearly, he wasn’t used to Yu Xian’s tone.
As the Second Floor Master of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion, very few people dared speak to him this bluntly—especially not someone as weak as a mid-stage Qi Condensation cultivator!
But after a fleeting moment of silence, Jiang Liu forced a brilliant smile and said:
“Brother Ling is indeed a straightforward man! My Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion will not let you down!”
He walked up and peered into the storage pouch.
Even Jiang Liu, who had seen countless valuable items as a floor master, was visibly shaken.
All high-quality goods.
All of it was perfect for display on the second floor—items that could fetch very high prices.
This Ling Youmao… just a mid-stage Qi Condensation… how could he have so many treasures?
“Excellent. Very good.”
Jiang Liu withdrew his gaze, smiling widely.
“All good stuff. Brother Ling, if you’ll allow me a moment—I’ll examine everything thoroughly and give you a fair offer. Agreed?”
“Fine,” Yu Xian replied calmly.
He sipped his tea, sitting at ease, unshaken.
Jiang Liu studied him with eyes full of calculation—greed, caution, even killing intent swirled together.
After three breaths, he finally chuckled and sat down to assess each item seriously.
Hu Li stood beside him, not daring to sit, his eyes filled with excitement.
He had already roughly estimated the goods at no less than thirty thousand spirit stones, though only the floor master’s appraisal would count.
If resold properly in the Pavilion, these could fetch fifty thousand easily!
He just didn’t know how generous Jiang Liu would be with the rewards…
About half an incense stick’s time later, Jiang Liu raised his head and spoke steadily:
“These magical artifacts, pills, and talismans are all quality goods. But we’re buying at wholesale price. I’ll offer twenty-eight thousand spirit stones.”
Hu Li’s brow twitched slightly, but he kept a straight face.
Yu Xian put down his teacup, gave Jiang Liu a glance, and shook his head.
“I’m not here to haggle. One price—thirty-eight thousand. Take it or leave it. This isn’t the only store in Black Mountain Market.”
“Brother Ling, that price is a bit steep… We cultivator-merchants also have our struggles…”
Jiang Liu began his usual bargaining tactics.
But Yu Xian stood up without hesitation, took back the storage pouch, and cut him off coldly.
“If it’s too hard to do business here, I’ll find someone who doesn’t struggle.”
He actually turned to leave.
Hu Li’s expression changed as he looked anxiously at Jiang Liu.
Jiang Liu’s brow twitched. He quickly followed Yu Xian out of the room and saw him heading toward the stairs without hesitation.
Finally, he couldn’t help but shout:
“Fine! Brother Ling! Don’t be angry! Thirty-eight thousand, I’ll buy it!”
Yu Xian’s steps paused.
He turned back and looked at Jiang Liu, who hurried up and smiled:
“Don’t rush off. Thirty-eight thousand it is. If nothing else, I have to give face to Senior Xu.
Even if I earn less—or nothing at all—it’s worth it to make a friend like Brother Ling!”
Yu Xian smiled calmly.
“Indeed. More friends, more opportunities. Well then—shall we proceed with the transaction?”
“Right away!”
Jiang Liu turned and waved his hand.
“Hu Li, go to the account and bring thirty-eight thousand spirit stones!”
“Yes, sir!”
Hu Li replied excitedly and dashed off.
While waiting, Jiang Liu smiled and made casual conversation.
“Brother Ling, if you ever have more items, you’re always welcome here. The Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion pays fairly—we won’t shortchange you.”
“Glad to hear it,” Yu Xian replied with the usual pleasantries.
Jiang Liu sighed nostalgically.
“Ah, I once joined the outer sect of the White Cloud Sect too. Unfortunately, I was assigned to the hardest labor—digging in the mining camp. I barely lasted a few months before fleeing and becoming a rogue cultivator. After struggling for over ten years with a few life-and-death comrades, we founded this Pavilion.”
Then he looked admiringly at Yu Xian.
“Compared to that, Brother Ling’s fortune is enviable.
Working in the Forging Hall, earning side income, enjoying ten times the spiritual energy of the outside world… that’s a far better life than we rogue cultivators could dream of!”
Yu Xian gave a casual smile.
“Maybe I’ve just been lucky.”
“Luck, yes… Haha…”
Jiang Liu laughed with deep meaning in his tone.
Soon, Hu Li came hurrying back and respectfully presented three storage pouches.
“Master, thirty-eight thousand spirit stones. All here.”
A low-grade storage pouch could hold just over ten thousand stones—so three pouches were just right.
Jiang Liu didn’t take them. He waved and said:
“Give them to Brother Ling.”
Hu Li turned and handed them over with both hands.
“Brother Li, thirty-eight thousand spirit stones. Please verify.”
Yu Xian smiled and accepted them.
“No need to count. I trust you.”
Then he handed Jiang Liu the original goods pouch.
“Fellow Daoist Jiang, we’re settled.”
Jiang Liu discreetly checked it again, then laughed loudly:
“Hahaha! Brother Ling is truly straightforward! The deal is complete!”
Yu Xian replied:
“And you’re refreshingly direct too. I’ll bring more in the future. Farewell for now.”
With that, he turned and walked down the stairs.
“Brother Li! Don’t forget the auction!”
Hu Li couldn’t help but call after him.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be there the day after tomorrow!”
Yu Xian’s voice echoed faintly—he had already disappeared.
As Yu Xian left the Pavilion, Jiang Liu let out a cold snort.
“He’s not really Ling Youmao.”
“Eh? But how do you know, Master?” Hu Li asked in confusion.
“Disciples from White Cloud Sect always come in disguise to avoid the Discipline Hall. They barely recognize each other—how can you tell?”
Jiang Liu looked at Hu Li and shook his head.
“You’re too honest. But that’s why we like you—none of us floor masters trust clever types. Like that guy just now…”
With a flick of his hand, he tossed Hu Li a pill bottle.
“Here. A bottle of Bloodburst Pills—your reward for stopping that man and securing this big deal. Also, go to the account and get two hundred spirit stones for your bonus.”
Hu Li caught it and beamed with joy.
“Thank you, Master! Thank you so much!”
Jiang Liu nodded faintly and walked off.
Hu Li bowed deeply.
“Respectfully sending off the Floor Master!”
After Jiang Liu disappeared, Hu Li’s smile faded. He turned and returned to his post as the second-floor steward.
—
As for Yu Xian, he left the Pavilion in a great mood.
Although he hadn’t reached the third floor, and the mysterious heat in his jade pendant remained unresolved, he wasn’t worried.
He was certain—if the pendant reacted, then something must be there.
That object wouldn’t run away.
And if there was nothing on the third floor, the pendant wouldn’t react at all.
So, whatever it was—it must be resting quietly somewhere up there.
Once the auction begins, he’ll get his answer.
Selling the items had gone smoother than expected.
As for Jiang Liu, Yu Xian had already seen through most of his intentions.
More than once, the man considered killing and looting—but held back.
Jiang Liu may not have known who Yu Xian was—but he knew he must be closely connected to Xu Haoming and Ling Youmao, perhaps even someone from the White Cloud Sect’s inner circle.
After all, how could a mid-stage Qi Condensation cultivator possess so many rare items?
To Jiang Liu, Yu Xian was likely a middleman, acting on behalf of someone powerful.
If he really dared to rob and kill inside the Pavilion, the fallout would be catastrophic.
Yu Xian had seen it all—but wasn’t afraid either way.
If Jiang Liu had tried to rob him, Yu Xian was fully confident he could handle it.
With the matter settled, Yu Xian no longer thought about the treasure.
Instead, he strolled casually through the market, enjoying the busy, festive atmosphere.
Vendors shouted from every corner. It reminded him of his childhood—sitting on his father’s shoulders at a New Year’s market in An’nan County.
He found himself enjoying it.
By the time evening fell, he had picked up a few rare herbs for cheap and made another thirty or so spirit stones.
Eventually, boredom set in.
He glanced around and sighed softly.
Those moments from memory were forever just that—memories. They could never return.
He found an inn, spent two spirit stones, and rented a quiet Earth-ranked room.
There, he sat cross-legged on the bed, closed his eyes, and began cultivating with Ten Thousand Longevity Wood Spring Technique—
—waiting patiently for the auction two days later.
