Chapter 314: Chapter 200: Auction (Part 1)_2

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Desolate Ancient City-Floating Harbor remains bustling, with cultivators on spiritual ships, spirit beasts, and sword flight forming a continuous stream outside the city gates.

The sheer number is overwhelming.

Even the ground cultivators have diverse travel methods, but everyone needs to dismount three yards before reaching the city gates.

Li Mu followed suit, paid a hundred Middle Spirit Stones, still presented as ’Old Man Zhang’, and entered the Desolate Ancient City.

Li Mu, with Yin Yang Spirit Plants on his mind, didn’t want to delay and headed straight for the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion.

Today, the pavilion was distinct from usual, with more bustling crowds and powerful figures than before.

Li Mu casually glanced around, spotting three Divinity Transformation Powerhouses, who walked together, chatting cheerfully, while several Peak of Foundation Stage maidens obviously recognized them and greeted them warmly at the door.

As these Divinity Transformation figures entered, a few more Divinity Transformation auras approached the pavilion from afar.

“Today’s auction is indeed lively; if I want to buy some good items, it’ll cost more Spirit Stones,” Li Mu sighed softly, speaking to himself with a hint of helplessness.

In more prosperous places, auction levels are higher, and bidding costs naturally differ; this is unchanging in both the Cultivation and Immortal Realms.

Enough of that; just take it step by step.

My foundation should be enough not to be outbid by others.

Li Mu moved to the front of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion, coincidentally meeting Wan’Er, who had just arrived to replace someone.

Seeing Li Mu approach, Wan’Er’s eyes lit up as she quickly stepped forward to greet him warmly: “Elder Zhang, you’ve arrived.”

“Hmm!” Li Mu maintained his aloof demeanor, simply responding while giving a light tap on the token at his waist.

Wan’Er knew ’Elder Zhang’ to be reclusive and reserved, but even if her warmth met indifference, she wasn’t deterred in the face of such a wealthy patron.

Wan’Er warmly led ’Elder Zhang’ toward the auction venue on the ninth floor.

Wan’Er’s excessive enthusiasm even caused her to bypass greeting a Divinity Transformation Powerhouse, puzzling some observers.

An ordinary Nascent Soul True Monarch needn’t receive such enthusiasm, as though encountering a father.

These ignorant individuals couldn’t possibly comprehend Wan’Er’s perspective; Li Mu’s transactions can match her decades of earnings effortlessly.

Serving those Divinity Transformation Powerhouses involves meager commissions, and constant caution against committing a single error.

Wan’Er brought Li Mu before the Cloud Ascending Ladder, where they both stepped on it, rapidly ascending to the ninth floor’s top, a quick, light ascent without discomfort.

“Senior, the auction venue is ahead; please hand me your token, so Wan’Er can arrange a seat for you. Rest here for now.”

Wan’Er, her cheeks rosy with joy, motioned towards a nearby reception room.

The reception room was filled with many cultivators, evidently waiting to verify their token placements.

Li Mu didn’t waste words, removing his token and handing it to her.

Wan’Er immediately utilized her Body Technique, swiftly proceeding, while Li Mu surveyed his surroundings, strolling forward.

This ninth floor indeed has a distinctive flair.

The decor is elegant, with gold as the primary tone, illuminated by Tier Four Materials – Golden Essence Stones, showcasing the pavilion’s financial strength.

The golden corridor is roughly four yards wide, leading to a deceivingly large purple-gold door, guarded by four uniformed sentries with a strong Golden Core Peak aura.

The Cloud Ladder soon brought up a group, including four Divinity Transformation Powerhouses and seven Nascent Soul True Monarchs.

The reception took their tokens, but notably, Divinity Transformation Powerhouses and individuals with high status bypassed waiting in the reception room, guided directly into the auction venue.

In contrast, ordinary Nascent Soul True Monarchs waited quietly, none daring to complain.

Li Mu also entered the reception area, casually finding a seat. In the reception area, some Qi Cultivation cultivators served tea and water to everyone.

The service was quite good!

They brought Tier Four Enlightenment Spirit Tea, which helps stimulate enlightenment; Li Mu tasted it slowly while waiting.

Nearby, several cultivators gathered at a table, chatting freely, but an elderly man in a purple robe, holding Buddha Beads, ignored the surrounding chatter.

His eyes fixating on the Buddha Beads, which glinted faintly as they rotated, seemingly targeting something specific.

The beads’ golden light alternated between bright and dim.

When the Buddha Beads turned towards Li Mu, the inscriptions filled with golden light, trembling slightly, attempting to fly towards him, but were held down by the old hand, controlled with Spiritual Energy.

“Such a strong vibration; that person surely has a great treasure!”

The elderly man, purple-robed with the white eyebrows, flickered with greed in his eyes.

“Fellow Daoist Wan Ling, what’s wrong?”

A Nascent Soul True Monarch at the same table noticed Wan Ling Daoist’s strange demeanor and asked curiously.

“It’s nothing, thanks for your concern, fellow Daoist; just the Buddha Beads artifact I refined, the spiritual energy is difficult to control. They almost flew away despite the Buddha’s Voice comfort.”

Wan Ling Daoist fabricated a reason to cover up, prompting laughter and curiosity among his table companions about this treasure.

Wan Ling Daoist described it as a lucky charm, though his eyes discreetly darted towards the composed Li Mu sipping Spirit Tea.

Who is this person?

Why keep watching me?

Li Mu continued savoring his tea, aware of the keen gaze from afar. Almost all auction participants were Nascent Soul True Monarchs.

The Star Nebula Visualization Method’s Divine Thought Divine Techniques – Star Concealment, were strong enough to match Divinity Transformation, as the Divine Sense covers this area, undetectable by others.

Just right to overhear Nascent Soul True Monarchs’ conversations and gather some information about Central State.

After all, Desolate Ancient City is close to Central State; many cultivators come from there, offering opportunities to acquire intelligence about it.

While I may not expect significant intel, collecting some information is beneficial; entering Central State is inevitable.

Knowing more is advantageous.

But unexpectedly, while subtly probing, I discovered that the purple-robed elder has been observing me all along.

I recall previous interactions with this person.

Could he be a Celestial Secret Pavilion spy?

Or has the identity of Sword Immortal Li been exposed? Is he now verifying it?

At this thought, Li Mu felt a chill within.

I can’t help but wonder where I might have slipped up?

Could it be the batch of Demon Artifacts I dealt with, sold and traced back by someone familiar?

No, it shouldn’t be possible!

Li Mu furrowed his brows, not wanting trouble now; the Yin Yang Spirit Plants will mature in another twenty years. If disturbed now, relocation is inevitable.

The Independent Cultivator Alliance is still hunting me; I’ve twice ruined Nine Demons Sect’s plans, they must be resentful, potentially dispatching a Divinity Transformation Killer.

If my identity is exposed, troubles will be unending.

Li Mu wasn’t worried about the Independent Cultivator Alliance catching up; the Divinity Transformation Sect’s Teleportation Array from Luotian City to here takes months.

I can easily leave after the auction ends and hide in Yin Yang Valley for a while, remaining safe.

Li Mu’s outward calm belied his internal flurry of thoughts.

This person seems familiar; where have I seen him before?

Li Mu glanced at the purple-robed elder, recalling his identity; he resembles the silver-haired elder from Bihai City, who invited him to explore an ancient Water Mansion.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep