Chapter 96: Chapter 94: Returning to the Auction, Reaching a Deal

Artifact Peak Master?

The Core Formation Old Monster who has been hidden for many years?

Hearing this, the Qi Refining Perfection guard’s legs went weak, feeling like he had just walked a circle around the gates of death.

If a Core Formation Realm cultivator wanted to kill him, they wouldn’t even need to lift a finger.

Just their imposing aura could make his liver and gallbladder shatter and kill him!

…

Meanwhile, the moment Lin Chen completed the transaction, he dared not linger.

He returned all the way to the Changchun Sect.

Only after restoring his appearance and returning to Pill Peak did he let out a long sigh of relief.

“Phew… It was too risky just now, I shouldn’t have been so impulsive!”

Lin Chen took several deep breaths to barely calm his emotions.

The transaction with Xie Huaying indeed had a bit of impulsiveness.

After all, Lin Chen was already not far from accumulating enough for a hundred thousand Spirit Stones.

As long as the transaction was successful, he could devour a hundred thousand Spirit Stones to achieve the first stage of the Devouring Spirit Root!

The temptation of this was immense for him!

Before the transaction, Lin Chen did have some considerations.

Firstly, it was not his first transaction with Xie Huaying.

From the last transaction, although Xie Huaying’s identity was mysterious, her actions did not seem rash. This was one reason he dared to trade.

Secondly, the Black Market was hers, if she attacked other cultivators there, it would damage the Black Market’s reputation.

Subsequently, fewer Loose Cultivators would likely come to trade.

Thirdly, it naturally came from Lin Chen’s confidence in his own strength.

Foundation Establishment Stage cultivation, Immortal Martial Dual Cultivation, plus numerous equipment…

Lin Chen asked himself, even if facing a newbie Core Formation Stage cultivator, he might still have the confidence to contend.

Thinking of this, Lin Chen sighed softly:

“That said, it was still impulsive…”

“What if Xie Huaying didn’t care about the Black Market’s reputation? What if she was truly an old monster who has been in the Core Formation Stage for many years?”

“What if this Core Formation Old Monster really just has a bad hobby of hiding in this small Black Market to trade with Qi Refining cultivators?”

Lin Chen knew in his heart that although the probability was less than one in ten thousand, such a possibility existed.

“Fortunately, the transaction was successfully completed.”

Now that he was out of the woods, Lin Chen was not too afraid in retrospect.

At most, just be extra cautious in the future…

“Right now, the most important thing is the progression of the Devouring Spirit Root!”

An expectation flashed in Lin Chen’s eyes.

“According to the Jade Scroll, though the progression of the Devouring Spirit Root is not earth-shattering, the commotion it causes is not small either…”

“Therefore, the safest method is, of course, to return to Blue Star for progression.”

Lin Chen glanced at the countdown on his arm.

——58 hours and 37 minutes.

It was two and a half days until his return to Blue Star.

“However, these two days should not be wasted.”

“I still have more than five hundred Upper Grade Magical Artifacts on hand, must quickly cash them in…”

“Otherwise, once the Spirit Root progresses, the remaining Spirit Stones won’t last long.”

Lin Chen pondered a bit, realizing that the market potential of the Changchun Sect Black Market was nearly exhausted.

According to his previous plan, it was time to trade in more distant places.

For instance, with the cultivation clans in Guangyuan Town and Yanlai City…

“The distance to Yanlai City is ultimately a bit far, and those cultivation clans also have Foundation Establishment cultivators… With my Second Layer of Foundation Establishment cultivation, it’s not enough.”

Lin Chen thought silently.

“It’s best to wait until I break into the middle stage of Foundation Establishment, or advance in the Martial Path to High-Level Grand Martial Master before going…”

He was still some way from the middle stage of Foundation Establishment.

Even reaching the Third Layer of Foundation Establishment, it would take at least a month’s time.

After all, the difficulty of progressing in the Foundation Establishment Stage is much greater than that of the Qi Refining Stage.

“However, the path to becoming a High-Level Grand Martial Master is not far…”

Lin Chen glanced at the Qi Blood value displayed on his Qi Blood Bracelet.

Qi Blood Value, 450 points!

Since Lin Chen broke through to Grand Martial Master, he had consumed the blood and flesh of demon beasts twice.

Coupled with over a month of natural cultivation, it had pushed him to the strength of a Middle-Level Grand Martial Master.

Middle-Level Grand Martial Master, Qi Blood standard at 400 points, basic strength exceeds thirty thousand jin, and peak running speed reaches 110 meters per second.

As for the High-Level Grand Martial Master, Qi Blood standard is 500 points, basic strength exceeds forty thousand jin, with a peak running speed of 130 meters per second.

“According to ancient records on Ancient Body Cultivators, a High-Level Grand Martial Master is roughly equivalent to a Middle Stage Body Cultivator in the Foundation Establishment Stage.”

“Once I reach High-Level Grand Martial Master, along with my own cultivation, even in a frontal confrontation with a late-stage Foundation Establishment, I wouldn’t be at a disadvantage…”

Lin Chen marveled at the advantages of Immortal Martial Dual Cultivation.

The Martial Path and cultivation have neither superior nor inferior, each has its own merits and drawbacks.

While his Immortal Martial Dual Cultivation perfectly compensates for the shortcomings of both.

Cultivation grants him more mysterious methods and powerful techniques; the Martial Path gives him a stronger flesh body, greatly ensuring his safety.

“If I can reach the Martial General Realm, I will have the power of a thousand men, equivalent to a late-stage Foundation Establishment Body Cultivator.”

“As for the Martial Spirit Realm…”

Lin Chen’s speech halted.

According to his calculations, once a Martial Artist reaches the Martial Spirit Realm, awakening a Martial Spirit signifies a qualitative leap in strength.

Indeed, at this realm, Martial Artists are not far inferior to Core Formation Cultivators…

“I’m still quite far from the Martial Spirit. But within a month, reaching High-Level Grand Martial Master should not be difficult…”

“At that time, I’ll attempt to contact those cultivation clans in Yanlai City… For now, I can first go to Guangyuan Town for some trading.”

Lin Chen thought so.

Based on what he observed earlier, the Loose Cultivators in Guangyuan Town Marketplace weren’t of high realms.

With his Foundation Establishment Stage cultivation, it was enough to ensure his own safety.

“With a Devouring Spirit Root and the support of resources from the High Martial World… if I don’t venture out to trade more and merely remain content near Changchun Mountain, the inflow of resources will still be too slow…”

“Calculating the time, tomorrow is the day for the new round of auctions at Guangyuan Town.”

With this in mind, Lin Chen prepared to leave the mountain gate again.

First, he greeted his master, then Lin Chen returned to the marketplace at the foot of the mountain.

A Foundation Establishment Cultivator can fly four hundred miles in a two-hour period with ease.

Lin Chen stood on the Purple Jade Gourd, heading towards Guangyuan Town.

Until dusk approached, Lin Chen, a hundred miles outside Guangyuan Town, disguised himself as the master of Five Thunders.

Under the cover of night, Lin Chen entered Guangyuan Town.

Finding an inn, he rested for the night.

Early the next morning, Lin Chen headed to the auction in the marketplace.

At this time, the auction had not yet started, but there were already many Qi Refining Cultivators seated.

Many cultivators who wanted to consign treasures entered the backstage of the auction, and Lin Chen took the opportunity to enter as well.

Before long, a late-stage Qi Refining manager noticed Lin Chen.

Feeling the aura of the Foundation Establishment Stage from him, the manager spoke with great respect.

“Esteemed Senior, are you here to consign any items?”

Lin Chen didn’t waste words; he took out dozens of upper-grade Magical Artifacts.

“A set of upper-grade Flying Swords, twelve in total…”

“Seven upper-grade Long Blades, six Long Spears…”

Seeing Lin Chen produce so many artifacts in succession, the manager’s heart skipped a beat.

“Senior… the value of these treasures is immense. I fear I can’t decide on my own.”

“Please wait a moment…”

After Lin Chen nodded in agreement, the manager hurried away.

Shortly after, a mid-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator arrived.

“I am the Vice Chairman of Guangyuan Auction House, Zheng Huayuan…”

“This fellow Daoist, how shall I address you?”

This Zheng Huayuan looked like a middle-aged man in his forties or fifties, with ordinary features.

Lin Chen paused for a moment and said in a low voice:

“On the path, cultivators call me Master of Five Thunders…”

Master of Five Thunders… why does that sound familiar?

Chairman Zheng was momentarily stunned upon hearing this, then quickly recalled.

Changchun Mountain’s marketplace is less than eight hundred miles from here, with many loose cultivators traveling between, including those who once traded on the black market.

The fame of Master of Five Thunders is not small in the black market, so he had heard of him to some extent.

There are rumors that Master of Five Thunders specializes in crafting Five Thunders, with cultivation reaching the peak of Foundation Establishment.

Additionally, there are rumors that Master of Five Thunders is a Core Formation Old Monster…

Recalling this, Chairman Zheng’s attitude became even more respectful.

“So, it’s Master of Five Thunders in person…”

“Since the Master wants to consign items, may I appraise them first?”

After Lin Chen nodded in agreement, Chairman Zheng began his examination.

Moments later, he wore a look of amazement.

“Indeed, you are a master; this Artifact Refining Technique is truly exquisite…”

“Such upper-grade Magical Artifacts are rare in the Guangyuan Town marketplace. If the Master had informed us earlier, with our auction house’s promotion, each item might fetch no less than four hundred Spirit Stones…”

“Is the Master planning to sell at this auction, or wait until the next one?”

Lin Chen slightly shook his head and said, “These upper-grade Magical Artifacts were crafted by me years ago. I have a surplus. The sooner they are consigned, the better.”

Hearing this, Chairman Zheng showed a look of regret, gesturing to the set of twelve upper-grade Flying Swords.

“This set of Flying Swords comes from the same source and is finely crafted. It could serve as a foundation for some cultivation clan. If we promote this set of Flying Swords in advance, the price might not be lower than six thousand Spirit Stones.”

“But if the Master insists on selling now, five thousand Spirit Stones might be the maximum…”

Lin Chen showed a look of surprise.

Chairman Zheng, having been involved with loose cultivators for many years, naturally understood the details of buying and selling better than Lin Chen.

If the auction house could help regularly sell some artifacts, it would likely be very profitable.

With this in mind, Lin Chen waved his hand and said:

“I said before, I have plenty of upper-grade Magical Artifacts… If they can sell now, they can surely sell next time too!”

As he spoke, Lin Chen waved his hand again.

Before him appeared two more sets of twelve Flying Swords, totaling twenty-four.

“For this set of Flying Swords, I only want five thousand Spirit Stones. The remaining profits can all go to you…” Lin Chen said calmly.

Upon hearing this, Chairman Zheng was overjoyed, “Is the Master truly saying this? If really so… for the next half year, I guarantee to sell a set monthly for the Master.”

The auction’s commission is usually around ten percent, but since Lin Chen only wants five thousand Spirit Stones, it’s equivalent to the auction’s commission reaching twenty percent.

It’s almost double the profit, so he was more than willing.

Lin Chen affirmed, “What I say, I will not go back on.”

He spoke with his considerations in mind.

Whether a set of Flying Swords sells for five thousand or six thousand Spirit Stones, the difference is not that significant.

On average, selling one Flying Sword for just three or four less Spirit Stones.

But it could encourage the auction house to put more effort into selling for him.

Even selling one or two more sets would be hugely profitable.

After all, he was not lacking upper-grade Magical Artifacts, just sales channels.

Lin Chen’s generosity and Chairman Zheng’s professionalism reached an instant understanding.

Soon, the two finalized the transaction details.

For this auction, some artifacts would be sold first for promotion.

In the future, every month, Lin Chen would consign a set of upper-grade Flying Swords and five upper-grade Magical Artifacts at the auction house.

After the deal was secured, Chairman Zheng said courteously:

“The auction is about to begin. Master could wait in the upstairs box, where there are maids to serve and some little entertainments available.”

Lin Chen shook his head and declined, “I have other matters. I’ll return for the Spirit Stones after the auction concludes.”

With that, Lin Chen turned and left.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep