qí shí cóng yī kāi shǐ ， lín xuān jiù méi yǒu dǎ suàn ná chū zhēn guì de bǎo wù yǔ dōng fāng míng yù jiāo yì ， bì jìng zì jǐ yǐn cáng shí lì yǐ hòu ， xiū wèi jǐn shì yuán yīng chū qī ， tài guò zhēn guì de cái liào ， qǐ bù shì yǐn rén huái yí ， lín xuān zì rán bú huì zuò zhè yàng de shǎ shì 。
其实从一开始，林轩就没有打算拿出珍贵的宝物与东方明玉交易，毕竟自己隐藏实力以后，修为仅是元婴初期，太过珍贵的材料，岂不是引人怀疑，林轩自然不会做这样的傻事。
From the very beginning, Lin Xuan had no intention of offering up precious treasures to trade with Dongfang Mingyu. After all, his hidden strength meant he was only at the early stage of Spirit婴初期, so presenting too valuable materials would surely raise suspicion. Lin Xuan naturally wouldn't do such a foolish thing.
zhì yú huà xíng hòu qī de yāo shòu cái liào ， suī rán rě yǎn le xiē ， dàn bì jìng miǎn qiǎng jiě shì dé guò qù 。
至于化形后期的妖兽材料，虽然惹眼了些，但毕竟勉强解释得过去。
As for the materials from late-stage transformed beasts, although they were eye-catching, they could be somewhat explained away.
hé kuàng lín xuān xīn lǐ yǒu shù ， dōng fāng míng yù zǎo jiù rèn dìng zì jǐ bú shì pǔ tōng de xiū xiān zhě ， yǔ qí cáng zhe yē zhe ， zhè yàng shāo wēi xiǎn lù xiē xǔ bù fán zhī chù ， qí shí gèng róng yì dǎ xiāo cǐ nǚ xīn zhōng yí lǜ 。
何况林轩心里有数，东方明玉早就认定自己不是普通的修仙者，与其藏着掖着，这样稍微显露些许不凡之处，其实更容易打消此女心中疑虑。
Moreover, Lin Xuan knew that Dongfang Mingyu had long since concluded he wasn’t an ordinary cultivator. Hiding and revealing himself slightly would actually make it easier to dispel this woman’s doubts.
fán shì zǒng yǒu gè dù ， guān jiàn shì kàn dāng shì rén zěn me bǎ wò 。
凡事总有个度，关键是看当事人怎么把握。
There's a limit to everything; the key is how one handles it. Originally, he intended to use Master Zheng's fur, bones, and other parts just for show, but unexpectedly, he made some profit. It was indeed lucky.
yuán běn jiāng shī zhēng de pí máo gǔ lóu ná chū ， bù guò shì wèi le xū yǔ wēi yí ， nǎ zhī dào yīn cuò yáng chā ， xiǎo zhuàn le yī bǐ ， yě suàn zì jǐ yùn qì bù cuò 。
原本将师峥的皮毛骨髅拿出，不过是为了虚与委蛇，哪知道阴错阳差，小赚了一笔，也算自己运气不错。
One must know that high-grade crystal stones were valuable treasures in the mortal world as well. Although Lin Xuan had a few, such quantities were unprecedented.
yào zhī dào shàng pǐn jīng shí ， zài rén jiè yě suàn jià zhí bù fēi de bǎo wù ， lín xuān suī rán yǒu yī xiē ， dàn zhè yàng de shù é ， què cóng méi yǒu jiàn guò 。
要知道上品晶石，在人界也算价值不菲的宝物，林轩虽然有一些，但这样的数额，却从没有见过。
He used this as bait to get Dongfang Mingyu’s address of the market district. He said he wanted to see it for himself. Even though she was half-skeptical, she wouldn’t pry too much.
pāo zhuān yǐn yù ， suí hòu lín xuān xiàng dōng fāng míng yù yào lái le fāng shì de dì zhǐ ， jiù shuō xiǎng yào jiàn shí jiàn shí ， cǐ nǚ suī rán bàn xìn bàn yí ， dàn zì rán bú huì bù shí qù de zhuī gēn jiū dǐ 。
抛砖引玉，随后林轩像东方明玉要来了坊市的地址，就说想要见识见识，此女虽然半信半疑，但自然不会不识趣的追根究底。
However, this Hundred Treasures Hall wasn't an ordinary shop at all.
bù guò zhè bǎi bǎo lóu hái zhēn bú shì pǔ tōng de diàn pù 。
不过这百宝楼还真不是普通的店铺。
By now, Lin Xuan had already left the market district but still felt a lingering sense of unease on his face. If he hadn’t sensed something amiss and stayed in that second-floor private room, there would have been another woman with far greater cultivation than him, comparable to the Wàngtīng Pavilion from the previous day!
cǐ shí lín xuān zǎo yǐ chū le fāng shì de fàn wéi le ， liǎn shàng què dài zhe jǐ fēn xīn yǒu yú jì 。
此时林轩早已出了坊市的范围了，脸上却带着几分心有余悸。
Late-stage Separation合后期!
gāng cái tā ruò shì méi yǒu gǎn jué chū cuò ， jiù zài nà èr lóu de bāo fáng zhī zhōng ， hái yǒu yī nǚ ， ér qiě xiū wèi yuǎn yuǎn chāo guò zì jǐ ， jī hū néng yǔ dāng rì de wàng tíng lóu xiāng bǐ ！
刚才他若是没有感觉出错，就在那二楼的包房之中，还有一女，而且修为远远超过自己，几乎能与当日的望亭楼相比！
Such a small shop hid such a formidable expert. Lin Xuan wouldn't believe it if he said there was no hidden agenda.
lí hé hòu qī ！
离合后期！
While his realm fell short in terms of level, his divine consciousness could match that of the other party. That's why he noticed their surveillance.
xiǎo xiǎo yī jiā diàn pù ， jū rán yǐn cáng yǒu zhè yàng de gāo shǒu ， ruò shuō méi yǒu māo nì ， dǎ sǐ lín xuān yě bù xiāng xìn dì 。
小小一家店铺，居然隐藏有这样的高手，若说没有猫腻，打死林轩也不相信地。
Though he had some reservations, he wasn’t afraid of Lin Xuan.
lùn jìng jiè ， zì jǐ yǒu suǒ bù jí ， dàn jiù shén niàn ， lín xuān què kě yǐ yǔ zhī xiāng bǐ ， suǒ yǐ fā xiàn le duì fāng de kuī shì 。
论境界，自己有所不及，但就神念，林轩却可以与之相比，所以发现了对方的窥视。
He was curious but wouldn’t waste time asking about the details; it didn’t matter to him anyway.
suī yǒu suǒ gù jì ， dàn pà lín xuān zì rán shì bù pà dì 。
虽有所顾忌，但怕林轩自然是不怕地。
He didn't want to randomly make an enemy.
xīn zhōng hào qí ” dàn lín xuān gèng bú huì wú liáo de qù dǎ tīng duì fāng de dǐ xì ， fǎn zhèng yǔ zì jǐ yòu méi yǒu guān xì 。
心中好奇”但林轩更不会无聊的去打听对方的底细，反正与自己又没有关系。
With his mind made up, he put this aside. He then sank his divine awareness into the jade cylinder, noting everything in detail. However, he didn't immediately head for the auction site.
tā cái bù xiǎng mò míng qí miào de rě shàng yí gè chóu dí 。
他才不想莫名其妙的惹上一个仇敌。
Unlike the market district, secret markets weren't held every day; they only occurred twice a month.
nǎo hǎi zhōng niàn tou jí guò ” tā jiù jiāng zhè shì qíng pāo dào yì biān le 。
脑海中念头集过”他就将这事情抛到一边了。
Fortunately, it was the fifteenth tomorrow. After some hesitation, Lin Xuan didn’t return to his cave but instead found an inn in the city and settled down.
suí hòu jiāng shén shí chén rù yù tǒng jiǎn lǐ ， biāo zhù dé dǎo shì shí fēn xiáng xì ， bù guò lín xuān què méi yǒu mǎ shàng xiàng pāi mài de dì diǎn zǒu qù 。
随后将神识沉入玉筒简里，标注得倒是十分详细，不过林轩却没有马上像拍卖的地点走去。
Though it wasn’t uncommon for cultivators to live rough, he had no need or desire to do so at his level.
yǔ fāng shì bù tóng ， mì shì jiāo yì bú shì tiān tiān dōu yǒu de ， yí yuè liǎng cì ér yǐ 。
与坊市不同，秘市交易不是天天都有的，一月两次而已。
Lin Xuan preferred solitude, so he chose a more secluded inn where only low-grade cultivators usually stayed. The owner and staff were shocked by his presence as an "old ancestor of the Spirit婴期" and went out of their way to be accommodating.
hǎo zài yùn qì bù cuò ” míng tiān jiù shì shí wǔ ， lín xuān lüè yī chóu chú ， méi yǒu huí zì jǐ de dòng fǔ ， ér shì zài chéng zhōng xún le yī jiā kè zhàn ， suí biàn zhù xià le 。
好在运气不错”明天就是十五，林轩略一踌躇，没有回自己的洞府，而是在城中寻了一家客栈，随便住下了。
Having seen such situations before, Lin Xuan remained calm. He was just staying here for one night.
suī shuō duì yú xiū xiān zhě ， fēng cān lù sù bù suàn shén me ， dàn shí lì dào le tā nà ge děng jí ， méi yǒu bì yào ， yě bú huì kuī dài zì jǐ 。
虽说对于修仙者，风餐露宿不算什么，但实力到了他那个等级，没有必要，也不会亏待自己。
The next day, Lin Xuan arrived in the western part of Línghǎi City, which was several dozen miles away from the market district. This celestial city was vast and expansive, surpassing even the Luánzhōu's Yellow Emperor City.
dàn lín xuān bù xǐ huān rè nào ， suǒ zhǎo de kè zhàn ， yě shì bǐ jiào piān de nà zhǒng ， yì bān dōu zhǐ yǒu dī jiē xiū xiān zhě guāng gù ， tā zhè wèi “ yuán yīng qī lǎo zǔ ” jià lín ， ràng zhǎng guì yǔ huǒ jì dà wèi zhèn jīng ， pīn mìng xiàn yīn qín 。
但林轩不喜欢热闹，所找的客栈，也是比较偏的那种，一般都只有低阶修仙者光顾，他这位“元婴期老祖”驾临，让掌柜与伙计大为震惊，拼命献殷勤。
A magnificent building caught his eye, far more impressive than any secular palace. There were patrolling guards around it, with defenses far superior to those of the market district. After all, what appeared here wouldn’t be ordinary items; they would likely have considerable value.
zhè yàng de shì qíng ， lín xuān jiàn guò duō cì ” dàn rán chǔ zhī ， fǎn zhèng zài zhè lǐ zhǐ shì lín shí zhù shàng yī xiǔ ér yǐ 。
这样的事情，林轩见过多次”淡然处之，反正在这里只是临时住上一宿而已。
Lin Xuan walked past calmly.
dì èr tiān ， lín xuān lái dào le lín hǎi chéng xī qū 。
第二天，林轩来到了临海城西区。
The bronze-colored door was ancient and grand. Two cultivators stood guard there.
yǔ fāng shì ， què xiāng jù shù shí lǐ ， zhè zuò xiān chéng de miàn jī ， guǎng kuò wú bǐ ， bǐ yún zhōu de xuān yuán chéng ， dōu hái yào shèng shàng yī xiē 。
与坊市，却相距数十里，这座仙城的面积，广阔无比，比云州的轩辕城，都还要胜上一些。
They seemed to be at the peak of Core Formation期顶峰 cultivation, with formidable strength.
yī zuò jīng měi huá lì de jiàn zhù yìng rù yǎn lián lǐ ， shì sú de gōng diàn yǔ qí xiāng bǐ ， jiǎn zhí bù zhí yī tí 。
一座精美华丽的建筑映入眼帘里，世俗的宫殿与其相比，简直不值一提。
"Salutations, esteemed senior. According to custom, you need to pay two middle-grade crystal stones to enter the auction," said an elderly man who bowed respectfully.
zài jiàn zhù de zhōu wéi ， yǒu bù shǎo xún luó de jiǎ shì ， qí fáng yù ” yuǎn fēi fāng shì kě bǐ ， bì jìng zhè lǐ chū xiàn de dōng xī ， dōu bú huì shì dà lù huò ” shí yǒu **， dōu yǒu zhe bù fēi de jià gé 。
在建筑的周围，有不少巡逻的甲士，其防御”远非坊市可比，毕竟这里出现的东西，都不会是大路货”十有**，都有着不菲的价格。
"Two middle-grade crystal stones?" Lin Xuan was slightly surprised. While not a large sum for him, it could buy several top-grade spiritual artifacts for low-grade cultivators.
lín xuān huǎn huǎn de zǒu guò qù le 。
林轩缓缓的走过去了。
This entrance fee was exorbitant!
qīng tóng sè de dà mén ” gǔ piáo ér zhuàng lì ， liǎng míng xiū shì zhàn zài zhè lǐ 。
青铜色的大门”古朴而壮丽，两名修士站在这里。
But Lin Xuan felt relieved instead.
jū rán shì níng dān qī dǐng fēng de yàng zi ， xiū wèi dào yě bù dī 。
居然是凝丹期顶峰的样子，修为倒也不低。
The other party daring to charge such high prices suggested the market district had some real worth. Otherwise, aggrieved cultivators would have long complained about being cheated.
“ gěi qián bèi jiàn lǐ ， àn zhào guī jǔ ， xiǎng yào cān jiàn pāi mài jiāo yì ， xū yào jiāo nà liǎng méi zhōng pǐn jīng shí *……”
“给前辈见礼，按照规矩，想要参见拍卖交易，需要交纳两枚中品晶石*……”
Lin Xuan flipped his hand, and a flash of light appeared before him—two middle-grade crystal stones.
shuō huà lǎo zhě xiǎn de bīn bīn yǒu lǐ ， duì zhe lín xuān xíng le yī lǐ 。
说话老者显得彬彬有礼，对着林轩行了一礼。
Their vivid colors confirmed their grade.
“ liǎng méi zhōng pǐn jīng shí ？” lín xuān lüè gǎn chà yì ， zhè diǎn shù liàng duì tā lái shuō bìng bù suàn duō ， dàn luò zài dī jiē xiū shì de shǒu lǐ ， què zú gòu mǎi shàng jǐ jiàn dǐng jiē líng qì 。
“两枚中品晶石？”林轩略感诧异，这点数量对他来说并不算多，但落在低阶修士的手里，却足够买上几件顶阶灵器。
"Esteemed senior."
zhè mén piào kě shì guì dé lí pǔ ！
这门票可是贵得离谱！
The elderly man handed over a piece of identification.
bù guò lín xuān què bù jīng fǎn xǐ qǐ lái le 。
不过林轩却不惊反喜起来了。
It was emerald green, like fine jade, with a number inscribed on it.
duì fāng gǎn shōu rú cǐ gāo de jià gé ， fāng shì kǒng pà hái zhēn yǒu jǐ fēn zhí de qī dài zhī chù ， fǒu zé shàng dàng shòu piàn de xiū xiān zhě ， hái bù zǎo jiù gǔ zào qǐ lái le 。
对方敢收如此高的价格，坊市恐怕还真有几分值得期待之处，否则上当受骗的修仙者，还不早就鼓噪起来了。
Although Lin Xuan had only been in the Spirit界 for a short while, he had participated in similar auctions several times. The details were familiar, so he wasn’t surprised.
lín xuān shǒu zhǎng yī fān ， líng guāng shǎn dòng ， liǎng kuài jīng shí chū xiàn zài le miàn qián 。
林轩手掌一翻，灵光闪动，两块晶石出现在了面前。
After receiving the badge, he entered calmly.
sè zé yàn lì ， zhèng shì zhōng pǐn de wú yí 。
色泽艳丽，正是中品的无疑。
"Ah?"
“ qián bèi qǐng 。
“前辈请。
Passing through a colorful light curtain, a miniature world appeared before his eyes—green mountains, clear waters, small bridges, and waterfalls...
lǎo zhě yī biān shuō ， yī biān dì guò lái yī kuài yāo pái yàng de dōng xī 。
老者一边说，一边递过来一块腰牌样的东西。
The sky was blue like a wash, but it seemed to be another realm. This didn't seem like an ordinary building at all.
bì lǜ sè ， gēn huá lì de fěi cuì chà bu duō ， shàng miàn kè zhe yí gè shù zì 。
碧绿色，跟华丽的翡翠差不多，上面刻着一个数字。
Lin Xuan merely felt slightly surprised but soon regained his composure. He had experienced similar things before, though not many.
lín xuān suī rán chū dào líng jiè méi duō jiǔ ， dàn lèi sì de pāi mài huì zǎo jiù cān jiā le shù cì ， dà tóng xiǎo yì ， zì rán bú huì gǎn jué dào jīng qí 。
林轩虽然初到灵界没多久，但类似的拍卖会早就参加了数次，大同小异，自然不会感觉到惊奇。
These beautiful scenes were created with intricate illusions and restrictions, offering both aesthetic appeal and defense—two benefits in one.
jiē guò yāo pái ， shén sè dàn rán de zǒu le jìn qù 。
接过腰牌，神色淡然的走了进去。
"Esteemed senior, is there anything you need help with?" A maid in white robes approached him when he seemed lost in thought.
“ yí ？”
“咦？”
Though her cultivation was only at the Foundation Establishment期 stage, she was strikingly beautiful. Her snow-white dress fit her slender figure perfectly, enhancing her charm.
chuān guò yī piàn wǔ yán liù sè de guāng mù ， yī fāng xiǎo qiǎo de tiān dì yìng rù yǎn lián 。
穿过一片五颜六色的光幕，一方小巧的天地映入眼帘。
"I have a few treasures I’d like to auction off. Do you think they can be included?" Lin Xuan casually glanced at her and said.
qīng shān 、 lǜ shuǐ 、 xiǎo qiáo ， pù bù “…………
青山、绿水、小桥，瀑布“…………
He had seen many beauties before; this level of appearance wouldn’t draw much attention. However, it did indicate the auction’s quality was high, making him more eager. Yet, he showed no outward signs of excitement.
tiān kōng zhàn lán rú xǐ ， lǐ miàn jìng shì bié de tiān dì ， zhè nǎ lǐ xiàng shì zài yī zuò jiàn zhù lǐ 。
天空湛蓝如洗，里面竟是别的天地，这哪里像是在一座建筑里。
"You wish us to bid on your treasures? That can be arranged. Please follow me," said the maid with respect. She couldn't make decisions; her only role was to guide.
bù guò lín xuān jǐn jǐn shì lüè gǎn chà yì ， suí hòu jiù shén sè rú cháng le ， lèi sì de jīng lì tā suī rán bù duō ， dàn hǎo dǎi yě céng jīng yǒu guò 。
不过林轩仅仅是略感诧异，随后就神色如常了，类似的经历他虽然不多，但好歹也曾经有过。
In this illusionary space, there were restrictions against flying. The maid led Lin Xuan to a lakeside and onto a small boat.
zhè xiē měi lì de jǐng wù ， shì yòng jí qiǎo miào de huàn shù yǔ jìn zhì nòng chū lái de ， jì yǒu měi guān dà fāng de xiào guǒ ， ér qiě hái yǒu fáng yù de zuò yòng ， yī jǔ liǎng dé 。
这些美丽的景物，是用极巧妙的幻术与禁制弄出来的，既有美观大方的效果，而且还有防御的作用，一举两得。
A single flat-bottomed boat had some turbid wine on it, along with an old man in a raincoat.
“ qián bèi ， qǐng wèn yǒu shén me xū yào bāng zhù ？” jiàn lín xuān fā dāi ， páng biān yī shēn chuān bái yī de shì nǚ zǒu le guò lái 。
“前辈，请问有什么需要帮助？”见林轩发呆，旁边一身穿白衣的侍女走了过来。
His face was lined with age; even if he was 100 years old, it wouldn’t be out of place. However, he was an early-stage Spirit婴期 cultivator.
xiū wèi suī rán jǐn jǐn shì zhù jī qī ， dàn rén zhǎng dé què pǒ wèi měi lì ， yī shēn xuě bái de yī qún ， gèng shì xiān shòu hé dù ， zī róng bù sú 。
修为虽然仅仅是筑基期，但人长得却颇为美丽，一身雪白的衣裙，更是纤瘦合度，姿容不俗。
His eyes were unusually bright as they swept over Lin Xuan before settling again: "I heard you want us to bid on some treasures?"
“ lǎo fū yǒu jǐ jiàn bǎo wù ， bù zhī dào yī huì er shì fǒu yě kě yǐ cān yù pāi mài me ？” lín xuān piǎo le yī yǎn cǐ nǚ ， shén sè dàn rán de shuō 。
“老夫有几件宝物，不知道一会儿是否也可以参与拍卖么？”林轩瞟了一眼此女，神色淡然的说。
"Yes."
měi nǚ tā jiàn dé duō le ， jǐn jǐn shì zhè zhǒng chéng dù ， zì rán bú huì yǐn qǐ zhù mù ， dàn què cóng lìng yí gè jiǎo dù ， shuō míng zhè cì pāi mài huì de bù sú ， zì jǐ hái zhēn méi yǒu lái cuò ， lín xuān xīn zhōng yuè lái yuè qī dài le ， dàn biǎo miàn shàng ， què fēn háo yì sè bù lù 。
美女他见得多了，仅仅是这种程度，自然不会引起注目，但却从另一个角度，说明这次拍卖会的不俗，自己还真没有来错，林轩心中越来越期待了，但表面上，却分毫异色不露。
"Can I examine them? If the value is too low, according to custom, we can’t..."
“ qián bèi xū yào wǒ men dài pāi shǒu zhōng de bǎo wù ， zhè zì rán shì kě yǐ de ， qǐng suí xiǎo bì lái hǎo le 。”， shì nǚ shén sè gōng jìng de shuō ， zhè yàng de shì qíng ， tā kě zuò bù liǎo zhǔ ， wéi yī de zhí zé ， jǐn jǐn shì yǐn lù 。
“前辈需要我们代拍手中的宝物，这自然是可以的，请随小婢来好了。”，侍女神色恭敬的说，这样的事情，她可做不了主，唯一的职责，仅仅是引路。
"Don't worry about it. I know what I’m doing. The items I wish to sell are a stroke of luck, but their value is something I have faith in," Lin Xuan said with a smile.
From the very beginning, Lin Xuan had no intention of offering up precious treasures to trade with Dongfang Mingyu. After all, his hidden strength meant he was only at the early stage of Spirit婴初期, so presenting too valuable materials would surely raise suspicion. Lin Xuan naturally wouldn't do such a foolish thing.
As for the materials from late-stage transformed beasts, although they were eye-catching, they could be somewhat explained away.
Moreover, Lin Xuan knew that Dongfang Mingyu had long since concluded he wasn’t an ordinary cultivator. Hiding and revealing himself slightly would actually make it easier to dispel this woman’s doubts.
There's a limit to everything; the key is how one handles it. Originally, he intended to use Master Zheng's fur, bones, and other parts just for show, but unexpectedly, he made some profit. It was indeed lucky.
One must know that high-grade crystal stones were valuable treasures in the mortal world as well. Although Lin Xuan had a few, such quantities were unprecedented.
He used this as bait to get Dongfang Mingyu’s address of the market district. He said he wanted to see it for himself. Even though she was half-skeptical, she wouldn’t pry too much.
However, this Hundred Treasures Hall wasn't an ordinary shop at all.
By now, Lin Xuan had already left the market district but still felt a lingering sense of unease on his face. If he hadn’t sensed something amiss and stayed in that second-floor private room, there would have been another woman with far greater cultivation than him, comparable to the Wàngtīng Pavilion from the previous day!
Late-stage Separation合后期!
Such a small shop hid such a formidable expert. Lin Xuan wouldn't believe it if he said there was no hidden agenda.
While his realm fell short in terms of level, his divine consciousness could match that of the other party. That's why he noticed their surveillance.
Though he had some reservations, he wasn’t afraid of Lin Xuan.
He was curious but wouldn’t waste time asking about the details; it didn’t matter to him anyway.
He didn't want to randomly make an enemy.
With his mind made up, he put this aside. He then sank his divine awareness into the jade cylinder, noting everything in detail. However, he didn't immediately head for the auction site.
Unlike the market district, secret markets weren't held every day; they only occurred twice a month.
Fortunately, it was the fifteenth tomorrow. After some hesitation, Lin Xuan didn’t return to his cave but instead found an inn in the city and settled down.
Though it wasn’t uncommon for cultivators to live rough, he had no need or desire to do so at his level.
Lin Xuan preferred solitude, so he chose a more secluded inn where only low-grade cultivators usually stayed. The owner and staff were shocked by his presence as an "old ancestor of the Spirit婴期" and went out of their way to be accommodating.
Having seen such situations before, Lin Xuan remained calm. He was just staying here for one night.
The next day, Lin Xuan arrived in the western part of Línghǎi City, which was several dozen miles away from the market district. This celestial city was vast and expansive, surpassing even the Luánzhōu's Yellow Emperor City.
A magnificent building caught his eye, far more impressive than any secular palace. There were patrolling guards around it, with defenses far superior to those of the market district. After all, what appeared here wouldn’t be ordinary items; they would likely have considerable value.
Lin Xuan walked past calmly.
The bronze-colored door was ancient and grand. Two cultivators stood guard there.
They seemed to be at the peak of Core Formation期顶峰 cultivation, with formidable strength.
"Salutations, esteemed senior. According to custom, you need to pay two middle-grade crystal stones to enter the auction," said an elderly man who bowed respectfully.
"Two middle-grade crystal stones?" Lin Xuan was slightly surprised. While not a large sum for him, it could buy several top-grade spiritual artifacts for low-grade cultivators.
This entrance fee was exorbitant!
But Lin Xuan felt relieved instead.
The other party daring to charge such high prices suggested the market district had some real worth. Otherwise, aggrieved cultivators would have long complained about being cheated.
Lin Xuan flipped his hand, and a flash of light appeared before him—two middle-grade crystal stones.
Their vivid colors confirmed their grade.
"Esteemed senior."
The elderly man handed over a piece of identification.
It was emerald green, like fine jade, with a number inscribed on it.
Although Lin Xuan had only been in the Spirit界 for a short while, he had participated in similar auctions several times. The details were familiar, so he wasn’t surprised.
After receiving the badge, he entered calmly.
"Ah?"
Passing through a colorful light curtain, a miniature world appeared before his eyes—green mountains, clear waters, small bridges, and waterfalls...
The sky was blue like a wash, but it seemed to be another realm. This didn't seem like an ordinary building at all.
Lin Xuan merely felt slightly surprised but soon regained his composure. He had experienced similar things before, though not many.
These beautiful scenes were created with intricate illusions and restrictions, offering both aesthetic appeal and defense—two benefits in one.
"Esteemed senior, is there anything you need help with?" A maid in white robes approached him when he seemed lost in thought.
Though her cultivation was only at the Foundation Establishment期 stage, she was strikingly beautiful. Her snow-white dress fit her slender figure perfectly, enhancing her charm.
"I have a few treasures I’d like to auction off. Do you think they can be included?" Lin Xuan casually glanced at her and said.
He had seen many beauties before; this level of appearance wouldn’t draw much attention. However, it did indicate the auction’s quality was high, making him more eager. Yet, he showed no outward signs of excitement.
"You wish us to bid on your treasures? That can be arranged. Please follow me," said the maid with respect. She couldn't make decisions; her only role was to guide.
In this illusionary space, there were restrictions against flying. The maid led Lin Xuan to a lakeside and onto a small boat.
A single flat-bottomed boat had some turbid wine on it, along with an old man in a raincoat.
His face was lined with age; even if he was 100 years old, it wouldn’t be out of place. However, he was an early-stage Spirit婴期 cultivator.
His eyes were unusually bright as they swept over Lin Xuan before settling again: "I heard you want us to bid on some treasures?"
"Yes."
"Can I examine them? If the value is too low, according to custom, we can’t..."
"Don't worry about it. I know what I’m doing. The items I wish to sell are a stroke of luck, but their value is something I have faith in," Lin Xuan said with a smile.