Chapter Twenty-Six: A Withered Vine

Qin Ming was startled, almost instinctively. He had always known that the forces behind Juxuan Pavilion were anything but simple, yet he had never expected the Pavilion Master standing before him to be so young. And, unexpectedly, a woman.

The Pavilion Master merely responded with a cool, clear "Mm," her voice both crystalline and aloof, before preparing to continue down the corridor.

"Brother Qin? What brings you here as well?" At this moment, Su Yuqing, at her side, suddenly asked.

"Brother Su, I just have some business to attend to here," Qin Ming replied with a faint smile.

The Pavilion Master glanced at Su Yuqing with a hint of curiosity. "Alchemist Su, do you know each other?"

Su Yuqing nodded and introduced, "This is my good friend, Daoist Qin Ming."

Then, turning to Qin Ming, he added, "This is the Pavilion Master of Juxuan Pavilion, Gu Qingzhao."

Qin Ming offered a respectful bow. "Pavilion Master Gu."

"If you're Alchemist Su's friend, there's no need for formality. Please, call me Daoist Gu," she replied. The use of the word "friend" from Su Yuqing’s lips was no small matter; it signified approval. Compared to her initial demeanor, Gu Qingzhao’s attitude clearly shifted.

"Speaking of which, part of the credit for the three Marrow Cleansing Pills I consigned to your auction house actually belongs to Brother Qin here," Su Yuqing said.

Gu Qingzhao was taken aback. "Is that so?"

She turned to Qin Ming. "Daoist Qin, are you an alchemist as well?"

"No, but one of the spirit herbs required for refining the Marrow Cleansing Pill was cultivated by Daoist Qin at my request," Su Yuqing replied with a knowing smile.

"To report to the Pavilion Master, Daoist Qin is a first-tier spirit plant master. He’s here today to discuss the matter regarding Beast Tusk Rice. We have just signed the agreement," Manager Liao interjected, equally shocked. He never would have imagined that Daoist Qin was acquainted with Alchemist Su, and, by the look of things, that their relationship was far from shallow. After all, the Pavilion Master had repeatedly tried to invite Su Yuqing as a guest alchemist, but to no avail.

"I see," Gu Qingzhao said with a faint smile directed at Qin Ming.

Qin Ming cupped his hands to the two of them. "If you'll excuse me, I’ll take my leave and let you both attend to your business."

"Daoist Qin, we were just about to attend the auction. If you’re not otherwise engaged, why not join us for some excitement?" Su Yuqing suddenly suggested.

"The auction?" Qin Ming was a little surprised. After a moment’s hesitation, he decided to go along. Though he’d been in Qingyang Market for some time, he’d never attended an auction before.

Thus, the three of them left the shop, Manager Liao seeing them off with utmost deference. He dabbed at the sweat on his brow, murmuring to himself, "It seems I must strive even harder to befriend Daoist Qin in the future. Who would have thought someone so unassuming could be connected to such figures..."

After leaving Juxuan Pavilion, half a stick of incense later, they arrived at the entrance to the auction house—Treasure Auction House, a subsidiary of Juxuan Pavilion.

"Pavilion Master."
"Alchemist Su."

Several staff members stood at the entrance, respectfully welcoming Gu Qingzhao.

Qin Ming followed the two inside without hindrance. The interior was a spacious, circular hall, with a stage at the center for displaying auction items. Gu Qingzhao led them to a private box with an excellent view and had exquisite spirit tea and refreshments brought in. Qin Ming and Su Yuqing sipped their tea.

"Brother Qin, if you have anything you wish to auction, you can entrust it to Daoist Gu," Su Yuqing said, taking a sip.

Qin Ming smiled. "I don’t have anything worth auctioning. I’m just here to see what’s on offer."

Soon, the auction house filled with cultivators, most in the mid to late stages of Qi Refining, and four or five at the peak of Qi Refining as well.

The auction began. An elder in a golden robe took the stage and delivered a brief opening address. The first item was brought forth and placed on display. The elder lifted the red cloth, revealing an exquisite silver magic sword.

"A superior-grade artifact: the Water-Veiling Sword, crafted by Master Artisan Fang Yizi. There’s little need for further introduction. The starting price is eight hundred spirit stones."

An excited murmur swept the room.

"A weapon forged by Master Fang Yizi himself? I must have it!"

"I bid one thousand spirit stones!"

"Are you a plant? How are we supposed to raise the price after that?"

"One thousand five hundred!"

"Two thousand!"

"Two thousand five hundred!"

The bidding was fast and furious.

Qin Ming watched the electrifying scene, dumbfounded. He had two thousand spirit stones in his own storage pouch and thought himself well-off, but here, he realized how far that sum truly was from the heights of the market.

In the end, the superior-grade magic sword was won by a burly late-stage Qi Refining cultivator for two thousand eight hundred spirit stones.

The golden-robed elder smiled warmly at the victor. "Congratulations, Daoist. Please proceed backstage to finalize the transaction."

He was visibly pleased with the reaction. Starting with a fine item was the perfect way to stoke the crowd’s enthusiasm.

"Next, the second item: a superior-grade talisman, the Blazing Sun Talisman. Starting price, five hundred spirit stones."

"I bid six hundred!"
"Eight hundred!"
"Eight hundred fifty!"
"One thousand!"

And so it went.

Qin Ming eyed the talisman on the central stage with longing, but, alas, lacked the resources to bid.

Item after item fetched impressive prices. Qin Ming couldn’t help but sigh. No wonder it was called the Treasure Auction House—every lot was a true treasure.

"Now, the next item... Even I am uncertain about it," the golden-robed elder declared. "It was brought out of a secret realm by a cultivator. Please, take a look."

He pulled back the red cloth, revealing a thumb-thick segment of black withered vine, barely two inches long.

The cultivators exchanged puzzled glances, clearly unfamiliar with it.

"I have tested it myself. This vine is most peculiar—resistant to both water and fire, immune even to blades and axes forged artifacts. Thinking someone might find a use for it in crafting, I brought it here. The starting price: one hundred spirit stones."

But the hall fell silent, the atmosphere awkward.

"No one wishes to bid? Then it shall go unsold—"

Before he finished, someone finally called out.

"One hundred fifty!"

"Two hundred!"

"Two hundred fifty!"

"Any further bids?"

"Two hundred fifty, once!"

"Two hundred fifty, twice!"

Just as the elder was about to call for a third time, Qin Ming called out from the box, "Three hundred!"

Su Yuqing glanced at him in surprise. "Daoist Qin, do you recognize this item?"

Qin Ming gave an awkward smile. "No, I don’t. I’m just curious and wanted to buy it for research."

In truth, he was already plotting. He wanted to use the "Regeneration Spirit Seed" trait to see if he could revive the withered vine. Of course, if the price soared beyond his expectations, he would give up.

"Three hundred, once!"
"Three hundred, twice!"
"Three hundred, three times! Sold! Congratulations, Daoist!"

A look of delight spread over Qin Ming’s face. He hadn’t expected to win the bid so easily. Perhaps the others thought the vine too short to be of use in crafting.

"Next, the final highlight of today’s auction."

The elder unveiled three exquisite porcelain bottles.

"Breakthrough elixir—Marrow Cleansing Pill! Refined personally by the renowned alchemist, Su Yuqing!"