Chapter 948: Underground Trade Fair

"Heh heh, Brother Wang, it's rare to see you out. I thought you'd still be in seclusion, cultivating your 'Turtle Spirit Art.' How could I dare disturb your peaceful cultivation?" The elderly man surnamed Fu seemed to have known the silver-robed cultivator for a long time, greeting him very familiarly.

"This old man's 'Turtle Spirit Art' can only progress to the seventh level; I don't think I'll ever advance to the Nascent Soul Mid-stage in this lifetime. However, I heard from Steward Zhao that a fellow Daoist, possibly a Nascent Soul Mid-stage cultivator, has arrived and wishes to purchase our Heavenly Mechanism Abode, which has been stored here for centuries. And since Brother Fu has also graced us with his presence, how could I, Wang, not come out to meet you?" The silver-robed cultivator, in his fifties, glanced at Han Li, then smiled faintly and cupped his hands in greeting.

Hearing this, Han Li immediately knew that this was Elder Wang, whom the white-robed middle-aged man had mentioned earlier. With a sweep of his spiritual sense, he could tell the man was a Nascent Soul Early-stage cultivator, though his complexion was oddly pale, clearly due to the unique cultivation technique he practiced.

"Brother Wang, you're too kind. I, Han, have long heard of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion's great reputation, which is why I came to visit your esteemed establishment." Han Li offered a faint smile and returned the bow.

"Fellow Daoist Han wants to trade for the Heavenly Mechanism Abode? Tsk tsk, you truly live up to your reputation as an overseas cultivator; your generosity is remarkable. It seems the saying about the abundance of treasures overseas is indeed true." The elderly man surnamed Fu said this with a hint of surprise.

"Overseas, some materials are indeed quite rare, but how can they compare to the vastness and abundant resources of the mainland? You two fellow Daoists are truly jesting." Han Li replied noncommittally.

Naturally, Han Li's words failed to convince the two Nascent Soul cultivators. However, it was also inappropriate to press him further about matters overseas. If such a high-level cultivator like Han Li were to misunderstand their intentions as covetous, that would be no small matter.

At this moment, the middle-aged man surnamed Zhao, who had been following the silver-robed cultivator, stepped forward a few paces. He placed the two jade boxes, one large and one small, from his hands onto the table in front of Han Li, then wisely retreated to the side. He clearly understood that with Elder Wang from the pavilion now present, there was no need for him to say anything more.

"Since you're interested in our Heavenly Mechanism Abode, this old man has brought it along with Fellow Daoist Fu's Thunder Spirit Stone, so you can take a look first." Elder Wang said courteously, gesturing with his hand towards the slightly larger jade box.

"Brother Wang, perhaps you could show Fellow Daoist Han your Heavenly Mechanism Abode a bit later. Let me, Fu, and Fellow Daoist Han complete our transaction first." The elderly man surnamed Fu interjected with a grin.

"I didn't expect Brother Fu to be so impatient. Alright then, Brother Fu, please go ahead. I am also quite interested to see what kind of treasure Fellow Daoist Han will offer in exchange for your Thunder Spirit Crystal." Elder Wang said with a wry smile.

Hearing both of them speak in this manner, Han Li smiled nonchalantly. He casually patted his storage pouch, then flipped his palm, and a palm-sized, emerald green wooden box appeared in his hand. Two gold and silver talismans were affixed to the box.

Seeing the solemn appearance of the wooden box, the elderly man surnamed Fu's eyes lit up.

Han Li simply placed the wooden box on the table, and with a push, it silently slid across to the elderly man.

The elderly man surnamed Fu, invigorated, pressed down on the wooden box. Then, with a sweep of his sleeve across the table, the smaller jade box was steadily pushed over to Han Li.

Han Li showed a look of satisfaction, and with a backhand motion, picked up the jade box. Then he lowered his head slightly and opened the lid.

A mass of silvery-white light bloomed within the box.

A blue light immediately flashed in Han Li's pupils, and he instantly saw what was within the silver light: a fist-sized, silvery-white stone.

Han Li examined the object for a while, then suddenly extended a finger, its tip glowing with spiritual light. A wisp of flickering green light shimmered faintly.

With a flick of his wrist, the green light flashed, and shot directly towards the silvery stone in the box.

As soon as the green light touched the object in the box, a clap of thunder suddenly rang out. Immediately, several slender silver arcs surged from the stone, unexpectedly blocking the green light.

"Hm, it is indeed a Thunder Spirit Crystal. It's just that the quality of this spirit crystal seems to be ordinary, which is a bit of a pity. However, I suppose I can make do with it." Han Li let out a soft breath, then looked up and spoke solemnly to the red-faced elderly man.

"Top-grade Thunder Spirit Crystals are not so easily obtained. This spirit crystal is something I, this old man, painstakingly found by chance inside the belly of a rare lightning-attribute demonic beast." The elderly man surnamed Fu had also finished appraising the Crimson Essence Ganoderma in Han Li's wooden box, and his face was filled with satisfied joy, as if he was extremely pleased with Han Li's Crimson Essence Ganoderma.

"However, the Crimson Essence Ganoderma I possess has not a trace of impure spiritual energy; it is absolutely a top-grade spirit medicine." Han Li said calmly.

Although he wouldn't let go of this Thunder Spirit Crystal, he naturally wouldn't agree to the transaction directly at such a disadvantage.

"That's true. In terms of value alone, my Thunder Spirit Crystal is indeed slightly inferior to your top-grade Crimson Essence Ganoderma, Brother Han. How about this: I'll add thirty thousand spirit stones as compensation?" The red-faced elderly man was quite straightforward; he didn't try to hide the difference in value and immediately put forth his condition.

"Fellow Daoist, no need to rush. First, take a look at this list I have here, and see if you can provide any of the other materials on it, or know any information about them. If there's anything useful, I, Han, don't even need these spirit stones." Han Li smiled, calmly placed the jade box back on the table, then raised his hand to take out a jade slip containing a list of needed materials, and tossed it to the elderly man.

"Brother Han needs other materials?" The elderly man surnamed Fu looked surprised, but without much thought, he took the jade slip and quickly scanned it.

At this moment, Elder Wang, who was standing by, gazed at the Crimson Essence Ganoderma in the elderly man surnamed Fu's hand. After his eyes flickered a few times, he fell into thought.

A moment later, the elderly man surnamed Fu finished reading the jade slip. He cast a strange look at Han Li, a hint of hesitation in his eyes.

"I'm afraid I, Fu, will disappoint you, fellow Daoist. These materials are too rare; I don't possess any of them. However, I might be able to point you to a simple place where you can obtain these materials." After a moment of hesitation, the elderly man finally spoke with determination.

"Point me to a way? Are you perhaps referring to the grand auction in a few days?" Han Li's eyes darted around, and he gave a half-smile.

"Haha, you can indeed buy common materials at the grand auction. However, the chances of items of the quality you require appearing there are extremely low. After all, fellow cultivators who possess such rare materials, like you and I, mostly prefer to trade item for item." The red-faced elderly man chuckled dismissively.

"Oh, judging by your tone, is there perhaps some other private trading event?" Han Li was startled, then inwardly overjoyed. He couldn't help but press for more details.

A strange expression appeared on the elderly man surnamed Fu's face. Suddenly, his lips parted slightly, but no sound came out. Yet, Han Li's ears suddenly heard the elderly man's voice.

"Brother Han, you are indeed a smart person. However, this isn't exactly a 'private trading event.' For many years, the Ten-Year Jinjing Auction has naturally split into an overt and a covert session. The overt one is naturally the trading fair held in marketplaces supported by righteous sects, known to most cultivators. The covert one is an underground trading fair hosted by demonic and evil sects. At the underground trading fair, common items are naturally still auctioned with spirit stones, but materials of the caliber you require are mostly traded item for item. However, because many items sold at the underground trading fair are explicitly forbidden by the cultivation world, they are fundamentally illicit. Therefore, usually only cultivators with known backgrounds can participate in this fair. As an overseas rogue cultivator, you might find it a bit inconvenient. But if you agree to this current transaction, I'd be willing to be your referrer. I'm sure you'll gain much at the underground trading fair." The elderly man rattled off a long explanation in one breath, then stared solemnly at Han Li, waiting for a reply.

"I see. But Brother Fu, are these two overt and covert trading fairs held simultaneously? Although I wish to attend the underground trading fair, I also don't want to miss the grand auction." Han Li frowned and pondered for a moment before asking carefully.

"That's simple. Although both are held concurrently, the auction and exchange of the most rare materials in the latter part are intentionally staggered by one day. Presumably, you won't be interested in the common items offered earlier, so there's no need to worry about missing anything." The elderly man replied confidently.

"In that case, I'll follow your suggestion. I am indeed very interested in this underground trading fair." Han Li was also a decisive person; he agreed without further hesitation.

"Good, I knew Brother Han was a straightforward person. On the last day of the grand auction, just come to wait for me in front of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion." The elderly man surnamed Fu, seeing that he could save tens of thousands of spirit stones in an instant, also said with great joy.

This time, the words were not transmitted telepathically. This caused the silver-robed cultivator, who had been quietly observing their telepathic exchange, to have a thought. However, he maintained a smiling expression and showed no unusual reaction.

Only after Han Li and the elderly man had put away their Thunder Spirit Crystal and Crimson Essence Ganoderma, respectively, did he speak with a smile:

"Congratulations to both fellow Daoists on your gains. Brother Han, are you still planning to examine our Heavenly Mechanism Abode now? However, the treasures required to exchange for this item of our pavilion—a single thousand-year Crimson Essence Ganoderma is far from enough." Although his words were exceptionally polite, in a few sentences, he subtly indicated the approximate value of the Heavenly Mechanism Abode.

"It's fine. As long as this item truly satisfies me, Han, I won't be stingy." Han Li gave a faint smile and said indifferently.

"Since Brother Han has spoken thus, I also believe that with Brother Han's vast fortune, acquiring this Heavenly Mechanism Abode should be no problem. Fellow Daoist, please follow me to our pavilion's specially made Sumeru Space to witness the restored Heavenly Mechanism Abode." Elder Wang's smile deepened upon hearing Han Li's confident tone.

"Sumeru Space?" Han Li's heart trembled, and a hint of surprise involuntarily appeared on his face.

"What, you haven't heard of a Sumeru Space? Oh, I almost forgot; this secret technique of refining spatial rifts into private spaces was only researched and developed in the Great Jin over the last thousand years. It's not surprising that you, being from overseas, wouldn't know about it." Elder Wang patted the back of his head, as if suddenly enlightened.