104: Auction items
As the auction approached, the crowd at Sanchuan Workshop reached its peak, shoulder to shoulder, noisy and boisterous.
The street was lined with dense rows of stalls, and the sounds of hawking and bargaining were incessant.
Gao De, wearing a black bamboo hat he had conjured, walked slowly through the crowd, his gaze sweeping over each stall.
The goods on the stalls were indeed much richer than usual, and from time to time, some exquisite items brimming with Spiritual Qi would appear, attracting Cultivators to stop and look.
But more often, they were a mixed bag, making it difficult to distinguish the genuine from the fake.
Some stalls displayed seemingly ancient "Magical Artifacts" that were actually dim in spiritual light with rough internal structures; others boasted of Spirit Pills that could achieve "Foundation Establishment in one step," yet their medicinal aroma was impure and mixed.
Various deceptive schemes were quietly being carried out under the cover of the massive crowd.
Gao De watched coldly. With his powerful Divine Thought and increasingly discerning eye, most of these scams could not hide from him.
He did not buy anything, but took this Opportunity to silently memorize the market prices of various common cultivation resources, such as Medicinal Pills, Talismans, and standard Materials, comparing them with the output and needs of his Qianjiao Cliff.
After some comparison, his heart sank slightly.
The high standard of the Nine Dragons Chamber of Commerce auction could be seen from the prices and the exquisite items circulating in the market.
The batch of Spirit Stones he had prepared might have been sufficient in normal times or at small auctions, but in such a grand event, facing the baxia carapace and other potential items that might catch his eye, he feared he would be strapped for cash.
After weighing his options repeatedly, Gao De no longer hesitated. He turned and headed toward the outskirts of the market, to the huge area temporarily cordoned off by the Nine Dragons Chamber of Commerce.
The business establishment temporarily set up by the chamber of commerce was grand in scale, occupying a large, flat open space outside the market.
It was enclosed by a Fourth-Rank Low Grade Formation, and the entrance was guarded by fierce-looking chamber of commerce guards.
After entering the Formation, one could see several already completed, uniformly styled, and ornately carved halls. Further away, a large area was still being busily constructed, which was said to be the main auction venue for a few days later.
Gao De walked straight toward the halls that were already in use.
Stepping into the main hall, the interior space was open, decorated luxuriously without losing its solemnity.
The hall was divided into many areas, with specialized counters for Medicinal Pills, Formations, Talismans, Magical Artifacts, and so on. Behind the polished counters stood chamber of commerce clerks with professional smiles, and Cultivators coming and going to conduct business were endless, yet orderly.
Gao De did not stop on the first or second floor; he slightly released a trace of the Spiritual Pressure unique to a Third-Tier Demon King.
Immediately, a maid dressed in an elegant palace gown with proper demeanor hurried forward. Sensing his unfathomable aura, her attitude became increasingly respectful: "Senior, please follow this Junior to the third-floor private room to talk."
Following the maid up to the third floor, the environment suddenly became quiet.
On both sides of the corridor were individual private rooms with closed doors. Faint spiritual light flowed on them, evidently equipped with Restrictions to block sound and Divine Sense probing.
The maid led Gao De into one of the rooms. The interior was elegantly furnished, and a shimmering spirit mirror was embedded in the wall. He did not know its purpose, but it certainly provided excellent privacy.
Not long after, the room door opened slightly, and a woman dressed in a water-blue floor-length dress, with a gentle and composed temperament, walked in slowly.
She was beautiful and looked young, but the spiritual power fluctuations radiating from her were, shockingly, also at the Third-Rank level!
Gao De was not surprised by this. For a behemoth power like the Nine Dragons Chamber of Commerce that spanned several states to send a Golden Core level Cultivator to receive distinguished guests was perfectly normal.
"Greetings, Fellow Daoist. This humble one's surname is Su, and I am a Third-Rank Deacon of the chamber of commerce on this tour, responsible for receiving and appraising distinguished guests on the third floor." The woman's voice was soft and her demeanor proper, neither lacking in courtesy nor appearing fawning.
Gao De nodded slightly without exchanging pleasantries. He directly flicked his sleeve, and several items appeared on the jade table in the center of the room.
They were the Third-Tier Medium Grade black long spear obtained from the Dragon Palace armory, the Third-Tier Low Grade deep blue small shield, and the complete snake skin, snake bones, poison fangs, poison glands, and other core Materials carefully processed and preserved after he slew that Third-Tier Black Water Profound Serpent earlier.
The snake gallbladder had already been used by himself. These were currently the most presentable items he had, apart from his life-bound demon artifact and a few core treasures, and he was certain they could catch the chamber of commerce's eye.
Deacon Su's gaze swept over the jade table, and a flash of professional scrutiny crossed her eyes.
She first picked up the black long spear, her fingertips gently stroking the cold patterns on the spear body. She then injected a trace of Spiritual Qi to feel the sharpness and Evil Qi contained within, nodding slightly: "This spear is made of superior Materials, the forging technique is experienced, and it contains a sharp gold Qi capable of piercing armor. It is an exquisite item among Third-Tier Medium Grade Magical Artifacts, especially suitable for Body Cultivators or Fellow Daoists of the Yao Race."
Next, she checked the deep blue small shield, "The shield body is sturdy, and the water element protection is excellent. Although it is only Low Grade, as a defensive Magical Artifact, it has its own value."
Finally, her attention fell on the set of Black Water Profound Serpent Materials. She carefully examined the integrity of the snake skin, the luster of the snake bones, and the preservation of the poison gland's activity, finally showing a hint of approval in her eyes: "The complete Materials of an Early Third-Rank Black Water Profound Serpent have been processed quite appropriately. Especially these poison glands, the activity is kept extremely well; they are excellent items for refining certain special Medicinal Pills or poison-path Magic Treasures. Fellow Daoist, this batch of goods is of superior quality and is fully qualified to enter this auction."
She took out a Jade Slip and quickly recorded the information of the items for the record, then handed Gao De a token that was neither metal nor wood, feeling warm to the touch. The front of the token was carved with a pattern of Nine Dragons circling, and the back had a flashing serial number.
"Fellow Daoist, this is the VIP token for this auction. With this token, you can enter the corresponding private room on the third floor to participate in the bidding. The items you have consigned will be arranged to be auctioned in appropriate sessions."
"After the auction ends, after deducting a ten percent commission, the proceeds in Spirit Stones will be directly deposited into this token. Fellow Daoist, you can withdraw them at any Nine Dragons Chamber of Commerce at any time using the token, or use them directly to pay for items you win at the auction," Deacon Su explained in detail.
The deal was concluded, the process was crisp and efficient, fully displaying the high efficiency and professionalism of a large chamber of commerce.
Gao De put away the token and said no more, rising to leave. With this batch of goods consigned, his confidence in bidding was now much greater.
Next, he would quietly wait for the auction to officially begin, to see if he could successfully secure that baxia carapace, as well as other potential Opportunities that might appear.