First update, making up for missing updates
The opening time for the ancient Human Clan relics still hadn’t been officially set, but the date for the Gambling Treasure Conference had, and it was three days from now.
Including the Soul Crystals obtained from trading items from the last visit to Houhai Street and the part exchanged by Lin Qian using his points, he had gathered a total of one hundred million top-grade Soul Crystals, ready to participate in this Gambling Treasure Conference.
Armed with sufficient funds and the backing of the Huaxia Empire to help appraise items, Lin Qian believed that he could make a big profit at this Gambling Treasure Conference.
Ever since his last discussion with Zhuge Ming, Lin Qian had known that there might be a shortage of Soul Crystals in the future, which would affect the development of the Huaxia Empire, igniting a fire in his heart.
As a cultivation fanatic, he absolutely couldn’t allow stagnation in development to occur.
Lin Qian wasn’t going to miss any opportunity to earn Soul Crystals. As the saying goes, it’s best to be prepared. He had to earn enough Soul Crystals before the Huaxia Empire started experiencing a shortage.
In fact, this wasn’t a big crisis. If they just paused the development of the Huaxia Empire when the crisis of Soul Crystals loomed, maintaining the status quo, then there wouldn’t be any problem.
However, due to Lin Qian’s personal character, he was unwilling to consider this option.
The Huaxia Empire could only progress. It could only develop; it must never be satisfied with stagnation.
Cultivation was about limitless improvement with no ceiling – that’s what cultivation was all about.
"Gamble Treasure Conference!" Standing before a magnificent circular building in the midst of the Eight-Armed Sea Clan’s Saint City, Lin Qian’s eyes sparkled as he walked towards the entrance.
Ye Xin, holding onto Lin Qian’s arm, followed him into the vast building.
Zhang Zide, Li Yunfeng, Zhang Qi, and Zhang Wenxuan all followed suit, each eager to witness the so-called Gambling Treasure Conference.
Lin Qian had previously made it clear that if he acquired anything good at the conference, he would share it with everyone.
Sharing the blessings, especially since the funds earned from the Houhai Street were initially provided by Zhang Zide and Li Yunfeng.
The Treasure Gathering Hall was the name of this colossal circular building, and it was the venue for the Gambling Treasure Conference.
Usually, this Treasure Gathering Hall was an ideal place to hold auctions. For this Gambling Treasure Conference, they had specifically renovated many elements inside the colossal structure.
Inside, the hall was circular and divided into three levels. Apart from the crystal pillars that supported the building, the treasury boxes, seats, etc., from the regular auctions had all been cleared away.
After clearing, on the empty ground, there were individual counters placed around, with various ancient and worn items on them, varying in size.
But without exception, the counters where these items were placed were all enveloped by Arrays, which surrounded the displayed goods along with the counters themselves.
The three floors of the Treasure Gathering Hall weren’t completely enclosed; the center was open, connecting all three floors, with a Soul Power screen condensed from Array power above displaying continuous rows of messages. Read new chapters at NovelHub.Côm
Those messages detailed which items from which level and counter were bought.
Every item on the counters had a clear price set by the seller, and the prices were non-negotiable. As for whether or not to buy, it was entirely up to you.
The three floors of the Treasure Gathering Hall had more than seven hundred thousand items for the gambling contest, divided into categories by type.
Upon entering the Treasure Gathering Hall, attendants delivered viewing materials to help guests know exactly where to find each category of items.
When Lin Qian arrived at the Treasure Gathering Hall, it was already bustling with people moving to and fro, examining the counters closely before looking at the price.
Some people just glanced and left immediately. Others inspected the counters closely for a long time as if gauging the value of the price. Likewise, there were individuals who, after seeing the price, simply shook their heads and walked away.
However, not a single person chose to make a purchase from the counters, to take a gamble on the pricing.
On the screens above the open central area connecting the three floors, there were only a sparse two or three messages, indicating that someone had bought something. The prices were low, no more than five hundred thousand mid-grade Soul Crystals, which was at the threshold for selling.
After all, this was only the first day of the Gambling Treasure Conference. Everyone preferred to look around first and make decisions later.
The Gambling Treasure Conference required not only an eye for value and luck but also patience.
After all, items bought at the Gambling Treasure Conference had hefty prices. If you impulsively bought a few at the start and later discovered better items but found yourself short on Soul Crystals, it would be a great pity.
"This Gambling Treasure Conference is indeed rarely held. I have also gained some insight," remarked Zhang Zide, walking inside the Treasure Gathering Hall, marveling at the array of antique treasures, "Compared to the treasures I’ve collected on Houhai Street, this is on a whole different level."
Ye Xin’s eyes landed on a counter. Behind the pale blue Array, she clearly saw a hairpin, complete in form but dull and lusterless.
When she focused on the price written on the counter, it was an astonishing one million mid-grade Soul Crystals, prompting her to shake her head slightly.
Just a small hairpin cost one million mid-grade Soul Crystals, which was ten thousand top-grade Soul Crystals.
If you bought it and after appraisal, the value turned out to be much less than one million mid-grade Soul Crystals, that would be heartbreaking.
The items at the Gambling Treasure Conference all came from ancient relics and were things the sellers couldn’t recognize.
Especially among the Sea Clan tribes like the Eight-Armed Sea Clan, their appraisers don’t have such discerning eyes. Even if they specifically invited grandmaster appraisers from their clan, the appraisal fee might even exceed the value of the item itself.
Some of the relics were broken. Whether they could be repaired and what grade they would be afterward was uncertain.
After repairing, whether you would end up losing money on materials and labor or strike it rich was a risk.
Many people were unwilling to take the gamble, so they came to the Gambling Treasure Conference to sell their items, letting others take the risk while they made a secure profit.
The Gambling Treasure Conference was exactly that—after purchasing an item, you could either become rich overnight or lose everything.
As for the organisers of the Gambling Treasure Conference, the Eight-Armed Sea Clan, they only took a one percent commission fee, safely earning money.
This Gambling Treasure Conference was more grandiose than previous ones because of the presence of the Human Clan allies and the recent discovery of a greater number of ancient relics, hence, the abundance of items.
Everyone was coming and going, looking around without acting upon their desires themselves.
The Gambling Treasure Conference had Array barriers that prevented people from holding the items to scrutinize them, and some goods bore traces of age. Without Dust Removal Water to wash away the traces of time, their true appearance was sometimes hard to discern.
This undoubtedly tested one’s eye for value even further, and luck played an even more significant role.
"Hmm?" Suddenly, Zhang Zide received a message. After taking out his Communication Token, upon receiving the transmitted thoughts, his eyes lit up and he said to Lin Qian, "Brother Lin, there’s good news. You’ll definitely be interested."