Chapter 228: The Second Spiritual Aperture Illuminating Fruit
The burly man beside him, with a stern face, said coldly: “Although the Beast King Sect has a solid foundation, our Monster Suppressing Guard is no worse. Even in the top tier of combat power, the Flag Bearer Guards include people like Zhao Huan and Li Zhanqiu—what is there to fear?”
Half-step Dan Qiao Realm, the Monster Suppressing Guard naturally has them too, all outstanding among the younger generation. They travel through various places in the prefecture, slaying countless True Intent Realm Martial Artists who commit crimes and Feral Beasts.
Their combat experience is probably stronger rather than weaker compared to sect disciples.
Wang Cu did not believe that the Flag Bearer Guards under him would lose to Beast King Sect disciples.
“Old Wang, calm down a bit.”
The leading Prefectural Governor Mu Qubing spoke unhurriedly, looking at Qi Nianshuang and asking: “What do you think?”
“To be safe, issue a batch of pills to the Flag Bearer Guards. With the Nine Peaks Sect and Sword One Sect here, we don’t need to target the Beast King Sect excessively, but we absolutely cannot let them stand out like this. If overall strength increases, the number of Blood Flood Dragon Spirits they hunt will be more. One or two high combat powers cannot decide the outcome.”
“Good,” Mu Qubing nodded and said: “Take my command token and go to the treasury to collect a batch of True Essence Recovery and healing pills.”
“Yes.”
……
Nantian Prefecture City, inside Yuan Shan Pavilion.
“Yuan Shan Pavilion is the largest trading pavilion in Nantian Prefecture City. It’s said to be backed by a Dharma Aspect True Person. The materials here are the most complete, and there are even cultivation manuals auctioned. Materials that sects can’t find might be available here by chance, though it costs money.”
Xia Wan’er was concerned about the Spiritual Aperture Illuminating Fruit in Su Yan’s hand. As soon as the group settled in the Listening Martial Tower, she brought Su Yan and Lan Yunyue out to stroll around Nantian Prefecture City.
“How are you so familiar with Nantian Prefecture City?”
Su Yan was quite surprised, while Xia Wan’er looked at him strangely instead: “Haven’t you heard of the Xia Family in Nantian Prefecture City?”
Su Yan shook his head: “Just heard about it.”
Xia Wan’er: !
She glanced at Su Yan, then said: “I grew up in the city since childhood, and only later went to the Beast King Sect to take a master and learn arts.”
She did not elaborate, just roughly explained the Xia Family’s situation.
The Xia Family’s power is not weak. In Nantian Prefecture City, it is also a Dan Qiao family, with the Old Ancestor and the previous Family Head both being Dan Qiao Realm Martial Artists.
There are many young talents among its disciples. Although Xia Wan’er is direct lineage, she is not the only daughter.
Above her, there is an elder sister Xia Xier who joined the Monster Suppressing Guard, and another brother Xia Luo who joined the Imperial Observatory Academy.
For great families, they never easily put all their eggs in one basket—this can be seen from this.
“Miss Xia, the medicinal herbs you ordered have all been prepared, totaling thirteen thousand four hundred First-order Origin Stones.”
A total of three portions of auxiliary medicine for refining Seed Aperture Pills. Although not as precious as the Spiritual Aperture Illuminating Fruit, they are not cheap either.
“Here.”
Lan Yunyue at the side took out one hundred forty Second-order Origin Stones. The shop’s steward’s eyes lit up slightly, and he immediately said: “Second-order Origin Stones have a premium over First-order Origin Stones; one hundred thirty is enough.”
Su Yan collected the items. The three agreed that the two women would provide the materials, with one Seed Aperture Pill each for Xia Wan’er and Lan Yunyue, and the rest all for Su Yan.
This is a profitable deal, with Su Yan benefiting the most through technical investment. Unfortunately, neither Xia Wan’er nor Lan Yunyue has Su Yan’s physique; they cannot use Seed Aperture Pills many times.
“Are the three of you here for Seed Aperture Pills?”
The steward was shrewd and asked in a lowered voice.
“Steward Li, speak directly.”
Xia Wan’er fixed her gaze on him.
Steward Li smiled and said: “A patron has consigned three Spiritual Aperture Illuminating Fruits for auction, so there’s a small gathering tonight. I wonder if Miss Xia and the two are interested.”
The Spiritual Aperture Illuminating Fruit is a hot spiritual fruit. Even without making Seed Aperture Pills, it is valuable material.
Directly listing at a high price is not always the best way to profit, hence such small gatherings for everyone to bid.
Moreover, sometimes other goods can be sold at the small gathering, which is also a good method for Yuan Shan Pavilion.
Xia Wan’er looked at Su Yan and asked: “What do you think?”
Su Yan thought briefly: “Sure, let’s go check it out tonight.”
The three left Yuan Shan Pavilion. Xia Wan’er said: “Being able to take out three Spiritual Aperture Illuminating Fruits at once is probably that group from Bai Cang Mountain. This is their usual method; tonight it won’t be cheap.”
Lan Yunyue said: “No problem. With the three of us together, taking one should be no issue.”
No matter how expensive the Spiritual Aperture Illuminating Fruit is, it won’t exceed what the three can afford.
The price of a Third-order spiritual fruit is around twenty thousand Origin Stones, and even with premium, it won’t exceed much.
The three found a place to eat, then visited shops selling Spirit Sealing Talismans and Spirit Tools, each buying some things.
Although Nantian Prefecture City is also a major city in Lingnan Prefecture, it is indeed much more prosperous than Southern Sky City. Just in the Forging Soldier Tower and Spirit Talisman Tower, there are Third-order Spirit Artifacts and Spirit Sealing Talismans for sale.
Though the prices are high, at least there are channels; Southern Sky City has far fewer.
Su Yan and the others have high standards; although they saw Third-order items, they did not buy any.
At night, the three headed together to Yuan Shan Pavilion.
Yuan Shan Pavilion’s shop assistant had been waiting for a while, leading them to the second floor, where they were greeted by daytime Steward Li and a pretty-faced maid.
“Miss Xia, please follow the maid into the pavilion. This is the catalog of items for sale tonight.”
The maid respectfully led the three to a private room. The private room was on one side of the corridor, surrounding the central display stand. Scanning the entire space, it occupied about a quarter of the floor, with about seven or eight compartments.
After the maid delivered fruits, melons, and wine, she left the private room, leaving the three alone in the room.
“He guessed our identities; this Treasure Gathering Meeting has all good stuff.”
Just a glance, and Xia Wan’er roughly understood the Treasure Gathering Meeting’s level.
Su Yan asked curiously: “Do Treasure Gathering Meetings vary greatly in level?”
“Of course.”
Xia Wan’er said: “Not to mention the annual auction, even Treasure Gathering Meetings have three levels: Dharma Aspect, Dan Qiao, True Intent. The Dharma Aspect level might not happen once in several years, or perhaps we just don’t know. Usually organized by the Yuan Shan Pavilion Master, we have no way to join.”
Lan Yunyue asked: “So this one is True Intent level?”
“Yes and no.”
Xia Wan’er explained: “A True Intent level Treasure Gathering Meeting usually doesn’t have so many Third-order items; this one is considered Dan Qiao level.”
Steward Li recognized the three’s backgrounds through Xia Wan’er. Although True Intent Realm, with Beast King Sect backing and no lack of wealth, they qualified for this.
Interesting.
Such a trade surely has plenty of good things, at least all useful.
Su Yan glanced at the items on the auction list and grew more curious.
“Ding.”
A crisp striking sound rang out. A thin-faced old man in neat white robes was already on the stage.
“All guests are here and have seen the catalog, so this Treasure Gathering Meeting begins. First item up.”
“Upper Second-order Beast Taming Ring, a Spirit Sealing Artifact refined by Master Nangong Duanfeng. Can control Feral Beasts below Dan Qiao Realm, used as a protective tool for juniors. Starting bid ten thousand Origin Stones, each raise no less than one hundred Origin Stones.”
A purple special ring was brought up by a maid, about the size of a human head, along with a ring engraved with the same pattern.
Seeing this, Su Yan showed some interest, thinking to himself: ‘A creation of a Spirit Sealer, but also involves artifact refining techniques; it’s an extension branch of Spirit Sealers.’
Spirit Sealers essentially control and imbue powers like True Intent and Beast Souls, guiding them to produce unique effects.
Mainstream Spirit Sealers make Spirit Sealing Talismans, sometimes secretly called Spirit Talisman Masters. With sufficient spirit and True Essence, plus durable Spirit Sealing Talismans, one can fully summon a same-realm Sealed Spirit Beast as a fighter or unleash a powerful attack.
Of course, besides Spirit Sealing Talismans, Spirit Sealing Artifacts with special effects like this are another branch.
Forcibly controlling Feral Beasts, though not as seamless as a Contracted Beast, requires no raising or consuming one’s own True Intent—clearly a quick-form fighter.
Good choice for protecting juniors or boosting family power.
“Twelve thousand Origin Stones.”
Yuan Shan Pavilion auctioneer Qiu Rong had just finished speaking when someone started bidding.
“Thirteen thousand Origin Stones.”
Voices came gradually, unhurried, all with full vigor, likely not young.
Su Yan’s trio just watched without intending to bid; the Beast King Sect has no need for such methods.
After three or four rounds of bidding, it finally stopped at sixteen thousand Origin Stones.
With the Beast Taming Ring to warm up, the remaining two items sold smoothly too.
Upper Second-order Origin Consolidation Pill and Steel Crocodile Soft Armor, both good treasures for True Intent Realm Martial Artists.
Competition was not fierce, but prices went a few more rounds.
“Spiritual Aperture Illuminating Fruit, three in total. Everyone knows the effects of this Third-order spiritual fruit: nurtures acupoints, can refine Seed Aperture Pills. Even for Dan Qiao Realm’s All Stars Heaven realm, it offers some help. Starting bid fifteen thousand Origin Stones each, starting with the first.”
“Twenty thousand.”
The central private room finally spoke, a slightly hoarse voice with distinct recognition.
Xia Wan’er thought briefly and whispered: “Seems like Pill Master Han from Rong Bao Zhai.”
“Thirty-five thousand Origin Stones.”
Su Yan spoke directly, immediately raising nearly double.
Xia Wan’er and Lan Yunyue looked at him in surprise, and the entire Treasure Gathering Meeting quieted for a moment.
In the opposite private room, Han Shidao frowned: “What background do those opposite have?”
He was clearly unhappy. Though bidding, this premium method…
The disciple beside him was slightly panicked, thought briefly, then hurriedly said: “The leader is the Xia Family’s second miss, with two young people… I heard Beast King Sect arrived today.”
“Beast King Sect.”
Han Shidao relaxed his brows slightly, then shook his head: “No need to compete with them.”
There are still two Spiritual Aperture Illuminating Fruits; no need to fight over the first.
Many shared his thinking; for a long time, no one bid.
On stage, Qiu Rong said: “Congratulations to the guest in private room 5.”
The first Spiritual Aperture Illuminating Fruit was quickly delivered, personally by daytime Steward Li.
He said softly: “Please verify the goods.”
Su Yan pointed with a finger, taking the Spiritual Aperture Illuminating Fruit in hand, nodded: “Good, take these Origin Stones.”
He handed over the Origin Stones. Steward Li counted them before leaving the room.
At this time, the second Spiritual Aperture Illuminating Fruit was being bid on. Without Su Yan interfering, its price rose steadily, soon exceeding thirty thousand.
“The Origin Stones just now, Yunyue and I will split half each. Do we want the second one?”
The two had given Su Yan the Origin Stones, as per their agreement.
Su Yan was not polite, pocketed the Second-order Origin Stones, glanced at the venue, and shook his head: “No need, the price will only go higher.”
As he said, with gradual bidding, everyone always felt they could probe a bit more.
The second Spiritual Aperture Illuminating Fruit sold for thirty-five thousand Origin Stones, matching his purchase of the first.
By the third, it reached fully forty-one thousand Origin Stones, thousands higher.
Even if Xia Wan’er and Lan Yunyue had money, the second and third would be straining, especially since they provided the auxiliary materials.
There were five Third-order items total. Besides Spiritual Aperture Illuminating Fruits, a segment of Third-order Thunderstruck Red Blood Wood and a piece of Silver Frost Jade—both good materials—bid up to forty thousand Origin Stones at peak.
The fourth item was a set of Third-order Black Scale Profound Water Armor, Third-order Low-grade Spirit Armor.
The grade seemed not high, but aside from Su Yan’s private room, the other rooms stirred.
From starting bid one hundred thousand Origin Stones, it rose to three hundred thousand in three rounds.
The Xia Family joined in, nearly clashing with the Feng Family; fortunately, Qiu Rong suppressed them.
Ultimately, the Feng Family outbid by a bit, taking the Spirit Armor set at three hundred thirty thousand Origin Stones.
“One armor equals ten crossbows; this saying holds even among Martial Artists.”
Su Yan sighed somewhat. Lan Yunyue said indifferently: “With Spirit Armor on, you have an extra life in combat, so it’s naturally valuable.”
Did they three not want to buy?
Far from it. Armored Garments are hard to refine, high requirements, and extremely life-saving—who wouldn’t want protective gear?
Just too expensive; they simply couldn’t afford it.
Xia Wan’er was somewhat worried. The Feng Family and Xia Family are at odds; though not to fight outright, an extra Armored Garment boosts their foundation considerably.
She took a deep breath, then said: “Last item.”
On stage, Qiu Rong pulled back the silk on the tray, revealing a red-stamped, mottled seal with left-right flying wing tiger patterns. The large seal bore a headless tiger, only a broken tiger body remaining.
“Originally Upper Third-order Spirit Artifact, damaged in combat, fallen to Third-order Low-grade level, but comparable to a pristine Third-order Low-grade Spirit Artifact. If repaired by a Third-order Artifact Refiner, restoring to Third-order Mid-grade is not difficult. Seal like a mountain, can suppress all things. Starting bid eighty thousand Origin Stones.”
Qiu Rong praised it heavily, but the starting bid revealed the seller’s and Yuan Shan Pavilion’s expectations.
A normal Third-order Low-grade Spirit Artifact is about this price.
This doesn’t look easy to repair.
“Eighty-five thousand Origin Stones.”
Xia Family Head Xia Tianzong bid first. Though slightly damaged, the Xia Family has foundation to try repairing.
The Feng Family then raised: “Ninety thousand Origin Stones.”
“Feng Zhishan, can you even take out that many Origin Stones?”
Xia Tianzong mocked aloud. Feng Zhishan laughed back: “No need for your concern; just don’t leave empty-handed yourself.”
“Ninety-two thousand Origin Stones.”
Xia Tianzong continued bidding; other private rooms gradually called a few prices too.
Ninety-five thousand Origin Stones…
Three rounds of bidding, each raise only one thousand Origin Stones. Though wanted, everyone was restrained.
“A damaged Spirit Artifact still has some power, but harder to attune. If not repaired, it’s somewhat useless. If repaired, the cost is another expense.”
Xia Wan’er had not finished speaking: hiring a Third-order Artifact Refiner might even require a favor.
Su Yan slightly raised his eyes, smiling: “How much do you think it’ll end at?”
“One hundred thousand Origin Stones.”
The words just fell when Su Yan nodded and said: “One hundred thousand Origin Stones.”
