Chapter 150: Appraising Treasures

Qingyun City, the public square.

Staff from the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion's traveling auction house were busy setting up the auction venue. In a few days, a grand auction would officially take place. The core personnel of the auction house were resting in a nearby villa.

"I am Wang Chengjian of the Qingyun Sect. I have already contacted Vice President Su. Please make an exception for me."

The villa was heavily guarded. Not even a fly could get in. Wang Chengjian handed a crystal to the guard captain at the gate, who then adopted a more polite demeanor: "Vice President Su has already instructed us. Please enter, Young Master Wang."

Suddenly, he noticed two more people behind Wang Chengjian. He couldn't help but frown, "Vice President Su didn't mention anyone else. I cannot let them pass without authorization."

Helpless, Wang Chengjian took out a few more crystals and whispered, "This is the daughter of the Qingyun Sect Master. Please be accommodating."

Upon learning Liu Qingxian's identity, the guard captain no longer obstructed them. Such a person was indeed qualified to meet Vice President Su. Then he looked at Jiang Fan and asked, "And who is this?"

Wang Chengjian replied with a detached attitude, as if it didn't concern him, "Just an ordinary disciple."

The guard captain immediately adopted an imposing air and stated, "You two may enter. He cannot."

Liu Qingxian frowned. Jiang Fan had come with them; how could she leave him here alone? "Junior Brother Wang, can you think of something..." She pleaded with Wang Chengjian.

But Jiang Fan interrupted her, saying, "Sister, you go ahead. It's fine." He hadn't expected Vice President Su to be so difficult to meet. But it didn't matter. His purpose today was merely to inquire about the Yellow Spring Purifying Water in advance. At worst, he could check during the official auction.

He took his leave and turned to go. However, since he was in Qingyun City, he decided to browse the shops selling rare materials and treasures. He wanted to see if he could find Yellow Spring Purifying Water there.

Before long, he arrived at a treasure pavilion called "Myriad Treasures Tower." It specialized in selling various rare materials, divine weapons, and more. This was Qingyun City's most luxurious treasure establishment. It had what other places had, and what they didn't. If the Yellow Spring Purifying Water couldn't be found here, there was no need to ask elsewhere.

But as soon as he entered, he unexpectedly encountered Wen Hongyao. At that moment, a female disciple dressed in Heavenly Mystery Pavilion attire was clinging to her arm, acting spoiled. "Aunt, please help me! If I can't find a good treasure, Vice President Su will demote me."

Wen Hongyao helplessly said, "Didn't I already take you around? If there are no good treasures, what can I do? Are you suggesting I sell my old bones at your auction house?"

Regarding her niece, Wen Shengnan, she genuinely wanted to help, but unfortunately, she didn't possess anything truly valuable enough for the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion's auction. Her attempts to find one or two suitable items for her in the city had also yielded no results.

Just then, she saw Jiang Fan walking towards her and couldn't help but show a look of fondness. Before Jiang Fan could even bow, she said with a beaming smile, "Jiang boy, what a coincidence!"

Wen Shengnan curiously scrutinized Jiang Fan. How strange! Her aunt, who was usually so harsh on disciples, was acting so warm towards this young disciple?

"Disciple Jiang Fan pays respects to Elder Wen," Jiang Fan said politely.

The more Wen Hongyao looked at Jiang Fan, the more pleased she became. She asked with a smile, "What brings you here?"

Jiang Fan truthfully replied, "I wish to inquire about the Yellow Spring Purifying Water."

Wen Hongyao frowned, murmuring, "This item is extremely rare, and it's priceless; there's no market for it."

To her surprise, Wen Shengnan, who was standing nearby, stroked her chin and said, "You want Yellow Spring Purifying Water? Coincidentally, there's a bottle at this Heavenly Mystery Pavilion auction."

Jiang Fan was startled. He had just been wondering where to inquire about the Yellow Spring Purifying Water. This woman actually knew?

Wen Hongyao introduced, "This is my niece. She serves as a manager at the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion's traveling auction. If she says there is, then there is." Then she added, "However, Yellow Spring Purifying Water is very expensive. Do you have enough money to buy it? If it's not enough, I'll lend it to you." She truly valued Jiang Fan's alchemy talent.

Wen Shengnan was dumbfounded. "Aunt, if you've been possessed, just blink." Her aunt, who was usually stingy, petty, strict, and harsh, had never been so considerate to her own niece!

Wen Hongyao glared at her exasperatedly and said, "Jiang Fan is a very capable disciple. If you had half his ability, you wouldn't be begging everyone for treasures."

Wen Shengnan was speechless. She hadn't done anything and still got lectured. She couldn't help but eye Jiang Fan with a competitive gaze, "Oh really? What capabilities do you have? Let me see for myself."

Jiang Fan's mouth twitched slightly. He had inexplicably offended someone. He cupped his hands and chuckled, "Elder Wen is too kind."

Wen Shengnan pouted, wanting to make a few more sarcastic remarks. Suddenly, a gong sounded inside the Myriad Treasures Tower. The customers inside the pavilion immediately perked up, and even passing cultivators swarmed in. In the blink of an eye, the usually quiet Myriad Treasures Tower instantly became crowded. If Elder Wen hadn't emitted a powerful aura that deterred others from approaching, the three of them would have been separated long ago.

"Aunt, what's happening?" Wen Shengnan asked, startled.

Wen Hongyao counted on her fingers, then realized, "Every ten days, Myriad Treasures Tower offers special discounts on a batch of rare materials, spiritual pills, and miraculous medicines. We just happened to come on the right day. Perfect, you two can see if there's anything you need. If so, you could save a lot of money."

"Really?" Jiang Fan showed a flicker of curiosity. However, he also understood. Items offered at special discounts were usually very obscure, of little value, or difficult to sell. There were many pitfalls. To truly benefit, one needed keen discernment.

Wen Shengnan crossed her arms and chuckled, "Well, isn't that a coincidence? Assessing the value of items is my job." She then shot a glance at Jiang Fan. Intending to show off her abilities in front of him, she confidently said, "Junior Brother, if you see anything you like later, I can help you appraise it."

Jiang Fan didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He had no desire to hunt for bargains. Since she offered, he didn't want to offend her and simply said, "Thank you, Senior Sister."

Soon after, four burly men from Myriad Treasures Tower emerged from the back hall, carrying a huge circular platter three zhang wide. The platter was dazzlingly arrayed with a bewildering variety of items. Just as Jiang Fan had analyzed, they were mostly obscure items that were difficult to sell, overpriced goods nobody wanted, or spiritual pills and medicines nearing expiration. As soon as they appeared, cultivators swarmed forward to buy them.

Wen Shengnan observed calmly, her gaze sharp and discerning. Suddenly, she grabbed a jade bottle, her eyes lighting up. "A mid-grade Foundation Establishment Pill? Only half price? Junior Brother, you're lucky. Mid-grade Foundation Establishment Pills are not common. And half price is an absolute steal!"

Jiang Fan merely glanced at it. He then said expressionlessly, "The quality is too poor; even at 30% off, it would be a loss."

Wen Hongyao looked surprised. From her perspective, the pill's surface was smooth and round, and it glowed with ample spiritual light. How could its quality be poor?

Wen Shengnan was momentarily stunned. She couldn't help but laugh and say: "Do you understand medicinal pills, or do I?"