Chapter 325: Transaction

Is a thousand-year-old spiritual elixir worth three Soul-Guiding Grasses and nine Heavenly Corpse Talismans? Was it a good deal?

"A single thousand-year-old Blue Dewdrop Epiphyllum..." Qin Sang's voice echoed, accompanied by a flash of blue light that shot from his fingertips. The jade box couldn't conceal the Blue Dewdrop Epiphyllum's aura. A deep blue light illuminated the area within a ten-foot radius around Qin Sang, making it glow with a dreamlike azure hue.

Instantly, all eyes in the hall focused on Qin Sang, or more precisely, on the Blue Dewdrop Epiphyllum in his hand. "Thousand-year vintage" — a phrase that could instantly capture everyone's attention.

Qin Sang noticed that many people didn't recognize the Blue Dewdrop Epiphyllum. Seizing the quiet moment in the hall, he quickly introduced it. "The Blue Dewdrop Epiphyllum is the primary ingredient for the Dew-Cleansing Pill. Daoist friends who cultivate wood-element techniques and consume this pill can use its power to refine their spiritual energy. It aids in breaking through bottlenecks. As this Blue Dewdrop Epiphyllum is a thousand-year vintage, its effects need no further elaboration from me..."

As he finished speaking, his heart stirred slightly. He paused, swallowing the words that were about to come out, and adopted a calm, natural tone. "I do not cultivate wood-element techniques, so this Blue Dewdrop Epiphyllum has been useless in my possession. It just so happens that I'm interested in Soul-Guiding Grass. Is there any fellow Daoist willing to discuss a trade?"

Qin Sang had already decided to exchange the Blue Dewdrop Epiphyllum for three Soul-Guiding Grasses, so he wasn't concerned with profit or loss. However, if he could gain a bit more advantage, that would certainly be a good thing.

As Qin Sang expected, the revelation of the Blue Dewdrop Epiphyllum's potent effects drew a fervor no less intense than that for the Soul-Guiding Grass. Even if only one-fifth of the people in the hall cultivated wood-element techniques, that was still a considerable number. Qin Sang's gaze intentionally or unintentionally fell upon the few individuals he had noticed earlier, hoping their demand for Soul-Guiding Grass wasn't too strong. It would be too great a loss if revealing the Blue Dewdrop Epiphyllum still didn't secure the Soul-Guiding Grass.

Just then, someone Qin Sang didn't expect spoke up.

From the moment Qin Sang took out the Blue Dewdrop Epiphyllum, Gao Yi's expression subtly changed. He peered closely, seemingly discerning its authenticity. The thousand-year Blue Dewdrop Epiphyllum's characteristic stardust-like aura was unmistakable. Confirming the item was genuine, Gao Yi suddenly spoke up, "Fellow Daoist, are you certain you wish to exchange the Blue Dewdrop Epiphyllum for these three Soul-Guiding Grasses?"

Qin Sang looked at Gao Yi with some surprise, not expecting the Blue Dewdrop Epiphyllum to pique his interest. The Dew-Cleansing Pill was only effective for Foundation Establishment cultivators and couldn't increase the success rate of Core Formation. Gao Yi, a dignified Pseudo-Core Formation cultivator, had no personal need for the Blue Dewdrop Epiphyllum, unless he was buying it for someone else. Qin Sang was a little surprised, and couldn't help but feel a surge of delight. Undoubtedly, Gao Yi was the wealthiest cultivator in the hall. If he had piqued Gao Yi's interest, this trade was almost certainly going to happen.

Qin Sang immediately nodded and said, "If Commander Gao can offer a reasonable price, I will certainly make the exchange and not go back on my word." This answer left room for negotiation. Qin Sang wasn't overly greedy. A single thousand-year spiritual elixir could be exchanged for a complete, unused Talisman Treasure. There was still much room for bargaining here.

Gao Yi didn't concern himself with these trivial details, nor did he fear Qin Sang breaking his promise. After receiving a definitive answer, he immediately took out a talisman paper from his spatial storage pouch, displayed it, and announced loudly, "I, Gao, will participate in the bidding for the Soul-Guiding Grass. The Gu-Demon Ring Talisman Treasure can defend and attack, with endless wondrous uses, and still retains seventy percent of its power. To ensure fairness, I ask all fellow Daoists to bear witness."

As he spoke, Gao Yi raised his hand. The Talisman Treasure circled the front rows of the hall, allowing other cultivators to inspect it, before he gently placed it on the tray. Gao Yi's action was quite straightforward and open. He presented a posture of open competition based on wealth, without relying on his cultivation or the power of Yinshan Pass behind him to suppress others, leaving no room for complaint.

Since the Soul-Guiding Grass appeared, there had been many twists and turns, and this was the first time it had gone to a bid.

"The Mountain-Suppressing Stele Talisman Treasure, once activated, summons a colossal stele, heavy as a thousand jun and unparalleled. It also retains seventy percent of its power and should be slightly superior to Commander Gao's Gu-Demon Ring." The red-clad woman Qin Sang had noticed earlier was indeed interested in the Soul-Guiding Grass. She let out a soft laugh, displayed a Talisman Treasure, and immediately made her bid.

The others' eyes flickered. No one else followed up, all observing how Gao Yi would respond.

Gao Yi's expression remained unchanged, and he calmly nodded, "Fellow Daoist is right, my Gu-Demon Ring is indeed inferior to your Mountain-Suppressing Stele. I concede... Are there any other fellow Daoists who wish to bid?"

"The Shadowless Whip Talisman Treasure..."

"The Starlight Divine Armor..."

"The Third-Grade Green Lotus..."

Without them being displayed, no one would have imagined that so many cultivators possessing Talisman Treasures had gathered in this small hall. Three more Talisman Treasures, rarely seen on ordinary days, had now appeared. The onlookers were exceptionally excited to watch the spectacle, their horizons broadened.

After all, only a very small number of people had the strength to participate in the bidding, so the competition wasn't fierce. Most weighed their options for a long time before deciding to bid. Among these Talisman Treasures, the best quality was the Daoist's Third-Grade Green Lotus.

Just as Qin Sang was secretly worrying, Gao Yi finally didn't disappoint him.

"The Heaven-Shaking Spear Talisman Treasure, an offensive type, has only been used once." Gao Yi put away the Gu-Demon Ring and took out a new Talisman Treasure. He laughed self-deprecatingly, "I, Gao, have brought out all my hidden treasures. If any fellow Daoist can produce a Talisman Treasure of equivalent value, I can only add spirit stones. All fellow Daoists needn't worry that I will act unfairly; the final choice will be made by the owner of the Soul-Guiding Grass themselves."

This Heaven-Shaking Spear Talisman Treasure was almost equivalent to a complete, undamaged Talisman Treasure. When Gao Yi brought out this treasure, the red-clad woman and others reluctantly gave up. No one continued to compete with him, and thus there was no need for the owner of the Soul-Guiding Grass to make a choice. This was the least contested exchange since the auction began, yet with several twists and turns and powerful treasures appearing frequently, it left people parched and feeling that the trip was worthwhile.

Gao Yi placed the Talisman Treasure on the tray. His palm didn't touch the Soul-Guiding Grass; with a flick of his spiritual energy, he guided the three jade boxes towards Qin Sang. Qin Sang, understanding the unspoken signal, raised his hand slightly and tossed the Blue Dewdrop Epiphyllum in his hand to Gao Yi.

Gao Yi opened the jade box, inspected it again, nodded in satisfaction, and mused, "Fellow Daoist, if the Soul-Guiding Grass had been acquired with the Gu-Demon Ring, I would have given you an additional top-grade magical artifact. However, the Heaven-Shaking Spear's value isn't much less than the Blue Dewdrop Epiphyllum's. So... I will cover the auction fees. Furthermore, I recall Fellow Daoist previously bid on a Fallen Phoenix Vine. I wonder if you still need spiritual wood? I have a Water-Touching Wood here, which I can offer as compensation to you. What do you think?"

"I agree with Commander Gao's proposal!"

Qin Sang cupped his hands and agreed. The Water-Touching Wood was slightly less valuable than the Earth-Fire Coiled Phoenix Tree, but Qin Sang was already satisfied just by acquiring the Soul-Guiding Grass. This spiritual wood was an unexpected bonus.

After Gao Yi presented the Water-Touching Wood to Qin Sang, the transaction was complete, and everyone was delighted.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Qin Sang didn't keep holding the Soul-Guiding Grass to examine it. Once he confirmed the spiritual grass was correct, he put it away and continued watching the auction. With the Soul-Guiding Grass having appeared, he estimated there wouldn't be many items left.