Zhong Lin lowered his head and chuckled softly.
The saying goes, "First respect the clothes, then the person." Mei Weixuan’s display of the Qi-Blood unique to Middle Third Grades Martial Artist was for this purpose.
The wooden pavilion was constructed almost like an imperial palace, layer upon layer, with indescribable vistas all around.
"First, give us a tour!"
"Certainly, esteemed guests, please follow me."
The Treasure Pavilion’s disciple respectfully led the way, passing by other customers to arrive at the display shelves on the First Layer.
There, on the wooden shelves, were various treasures. The first to catch the eye was a "White Phoenix Jade Carving." This jade carving used white jade as material, depicting a phoenix dancing gracefully among the clouds, conveying meanings of auspiciousness and freedom.
Beside the White Phoenix Jade Carving was a blue and white porcelain plate, blue all over like the sky, with patterns of sea waves and the sky on the surface, bright and refreshing, as if bringing the blue sea and sky into the plate.
There were dozens more various treasures nearby, each worth a fortune.
Zhong Lin waved his hand and said, "Forget these mundane items, take us to see something else."
"If the esteemed guests are interested in Martial Arts treasures, please follow me to the Second Layer."
The Second Layer was considerably less crowded compared to the First Layer, with most passing persons being Martial Artists, and the shelves displaying porcelain bottles with descriptions on accompanying paper sheets.
"Esteemed guests, this layer trades all kinds of elixirs, from First Grade to Third Grade, with a wide variety. Do the guests have something in mind?"
Zhong Lin glanced around. Familiar elixirs like the Blood Replenishing Pill, Bone Strengthening Pill, Qi Blood Pill, Five Spirit Pills, Red Blood Pill, and the elixirs needed for top Third Grade Martial Artists were present, showing the Treasure Pavilion’s immense wealth.
"Why are there no Fourth Grade elixirs?"
"You jest, esteemed guest. Each Fourth Grade elixir is worth a fortune and is rare in the world, how could they be displayed here? If you need them, the auction tomorrow should have some." The Treasure Pavilion disciple respectfully replied.
"Do you sell elixir recipes?"
"We do, but the price..."
"The price is not an issue, prepare a copy of the recipes for those Poison Pills for me."
Mei Weixuan nudged Zhong Lin with his elbow, curiously asking, "Why are you interested in Poison Pills?"
"Medicine and poison are not distinct, sometimes poisons are more effective than healing elixirs, and it can be fun to secretly hinder a few people."
"How do you secretly hinder?"
"Put a few Poison Pills in the elixirs I carry for cultivation, whoever dares to rob me will be poisoned," Zhong Lin replied casually.
Upon hearing this, Mei Weixuan shivered all over, looking at Zhong Lin as if seeing him anew, his gaze now different.
"I’ll take that as a compliment."
Under the guidance of the Treasure Pavilion’s disciple, the two went to the Third Layer, where all kinds of weapons were traded, each hammered and refined into good weapons. However, top Divine Weapons were clearly intended to be auctioned tomorrow.
The Fourth Layer had various rare herbs, and the Fifth Layer had all kinds of Cultivation Techniques and Martial Arts.
Among them, Zhong Lin found a martial art named "Soul Extinguishing Fan," a rare martial art that uses a fan as a weapon, greatly enriching his arsenal of weapons.
Acupoint Bone Breaking, graceful demeanor.
A rare mysterious weapon martial art.
Unfortunately, the Fourth Layer did not have the Nine Curved Spirit Ginseng needed by his Master. If it was there, he would have bought it straight away.
After wandering around, the two left. Few items in the wooden pavilion could catch their eye, better to participate in tomorrow’s auction honestly!
Zhong Lin and Mei Weixuan each held an invitation, stepping into the auction house under the guidance of a Treasure Pavilion disciple.
The invitations had a pure gold base, with characters formed of Cold Iron, making even just one of these worth a fortune, with small factions generally unqualified to receive one.
The construction of the auction venue was somewhat similar to a sports arena of a previous life, with seats surrounding it from low to high, while upstairs were booths, only for those with invitations.
Soon, Zhong Lin was led to a private room upstairs.
The room had no door but was blocked by a silken screen, allowing clear view of the outside scene.
The seats below were filled with people, waiting for the Treasure Pavilion to present the items for sale and then find suitable opportunities to purchase.
Mei Weixuan also had an independent booth, just next door.
"Greetings, young master. I am Qing Yi, here to bid on your behalf."
A beautiful maid in a green dress entered, respectfully bowing to Zhong Lin.
After about a quarter of an hour, the auction finally began.
A gray-robed elder walked up beside a large sacrificial altar in the plaza center.
Without much ado, after a brief introduction, two Middle Third Grades Martial Artists carried a wooden box up.
The wooden box opened, revealing an eight-foot-long piece of Divine Iron to the crowd.
"Esteemed guests, this is Deep Sea Cold Iron, obtained by our Treasure Pavilion after tremendous effort from the deep sea. It is a prime material for crafting the Ice Blade, with a starting price of three thousand taels of silver, and each increase must be no less than one hundred taels." The elder announced.
Zhong Lin’s eyes lit up. Although he hadn’t learned the art of forging, he knew this material was a prime material for weapon crafting. Introducing some of it into a weapon could impart an icy attribute, greatly increasing its power.
"Five thousand taels."
"Five thousand three hundred taels."
"Six thousand taels."
Before long, this Cold Iron was purchased for a high price of seven thousand two hundred taels.
Following the sale of the Cold Iron, the second item was brought up, a peculiar piece of wood.
Entirely black, like metal, exuding a peculiar fragrance. Even Zhong Lin, sitting in the private room, could vaguely smell it, bringing a sense of peace.
Ultimately, it was bought for a high price of fifteen thousand taels.
While Zhong Lin eagerly watched the upcoming auction items, Mei Weixuan suddenly entered from next door.
"It’s too boring alone, I’ll accompany you."
Mei Weixuan sat next to Zhong Lin with a cheeky grin, grabbing some snacks from the table to eat.
Zhong Lin couldn’t be bothered to react to this guy and continued watching the auction.
Watched through all the way, the subsequent dozens of treasures.
Including towering Blood Jade Coral, various Secret Techniques and Martial Arts, Divine weapons, elixirs, and various precious treasure medicines.
Each sold for extremely high prices, leaving everyone in awe.
Zhong Lin was also keenly interested, buying an elixir recipe for the "Vajra Pill," an elixir that, when taken long-term, can enhance one’s strength and body toughness.
This elixir belonged to Third Grade, extremely difficult to refine, and its materials were costly, so not many were interested in it, allowing Zhong Lin to snag it easily.
Mei Weixuan also bought many items, Divine weapons, elixirs, and Secret Techniques, spending considerable amounts.
"Esteemed guests, this is the Nine Curved Spirit Ginseng, one of the primary materials for refining the Breakthrough Pill, with a starting price of thirty thousand taels of silver."
The Nine Curved Spirit Ginseng in the wooden box was entirely snow-white, shaped like a human, resembling a little old man.
"Nine Curved Spirit Ginseng, it’s really Nine Curved Spirit Ginseng, the main material for refining the legendary Breakthrough Pill. The Treasure Pavilion is impressive for acquiring such a thing."