Record of a Demon's Cultivation

Chapter 407: Simple Auction



Translator: Cinder Translations

The two of them followed the narrow mountain path, making their way to the mountain peak.

The summit had been artificially leveled, only a few acres in size, and there were already dozens of cultivators gathered here.

Most of these people were Foundation Establishment cultivators, with a few Golden Core cultivators mixed in.

They were either gathered in small groups, speaking in low voices, or sitting alone in meditation, seemingly waiting for something.

At the center of the mountain peak was a high platform.

On the platform sat a middle-aged male cultivator.

His aura was thick and unfathomable.

Song Wen speculated that this person's cultivation was at least at the late Golden Core stage.

"The Treasure Conference hasn't started yet, so let's wait for a bit," Tian Zhou whispered to Song Wen.

Afterward, he walked over to a group of familiar faces and joined the conversation.

After waiting for about half an hour, the time reached the hour of the rat (11PM-1AM).

During this time, more and more cultivators arrived, and the number of cultivators on the summit had surpassed one hundred.

Suddenly, the middle-aged male cultivator on the platform stood up and spoke loudly.

"Welcome, friends, to this month's Treasure Conference. As usual, we will first start with the auction segment, followed by time for private trades."

"The first item up for auction is a top-grade spiritual flying sword, with a starting price of 50,000 spirit stones. The bidding increment will not be less than 2,000 spirit stones."

As he spoke, the middle-aged cultivator took out a long sword, which radiated a cold gleam, clearly not an ordinary item.

On the way here, Tian Zhou had briefly introduced the Treasure Conference to Song Wen.

Officially, the Treasure Conference was organized by a loose cultivator, the Golden Core cultivator on the platform, named Gan Hong.

However, in reality, the Treasure Conference had deep ties to the Xing family.

Almost all high-profit businesses around Fang City were linked to the Xing family, as without their involvement, they could not survive for long.

Soon, the top-grade spiritual flying sword was auctioned off for the high price of 90,000 spirit stones.

As the auction continued, Song Wen noticed that most of the items being auctioned were second-tier spiritual materials, with occasional third-tier spiritual items mixed in.

Song Wen was not particularly interested in these items, and did not bid on any of them.

Until...

"Next, we have item number thirteen, a third-tier spiritual herb, Golden Spirit Seed, fifty pieces. The starting price is 30,000 spirit stones, and each bid increment must be no less than 1,000 spirit stones."

In front of Gan Hong, a jade box appeared out of thin air.

Inside the box were golden fruits, about the size of walnuts.

Song Wen's spirits were lifted, and he finally saw something he wanted.

Song Wen thought that there would be many people fighting over the Golden Spirit Seed, but to his surprise, no one placed a bid.

"30,000 spirit stones!"

Seeing no one bidding, Song Wen called out the starting price.

Gan Hong looked around at the many cultivators below, saw that no one had any intention to bid, and then announced that it would be sold at the starting price.

Gan Hong had long expected that no one would bid for the Golden Spirit Seed.

Although the Golden Spirit Seed was the main ingredient for refining the Golden Jade Pill, it required a third-tier alchemist to refine it.

While many cultivators attended the Treasure Conference, fewer than ten were at the Golden

Core stage, and he knew all of them. None of them were alchemists.

To ensure that the Golden Spirit Seed wouldn't be sold at too low a price, Gan Hong deliberately raised its starting price.

Selling the Golden Spirit Seed at 600 spirit stones per piece wasn't a poor deal.

In fact, compared to the sporadically available Golden Spirit Seeds in the market, this price was even slightly higher.

Gan Hong had prepared thirty items for auction, and within an hour and a half, all of them were sold, with none left unsold.

"The next hour is reserved for fellow daoists to conduct private trades. You can freely trade with each other, or come to the high platform to display your treasures or request items you

need."

"The Treasure Conference provides a venue for these private exchanges. The value and authenticity of the items traded privately are the responsibility of the daoists themselves; the Treasure Conference assumes no liability."

"I also remind everyone: no fighting is allowed here!"

With that, Gan Hong descended from the high platform.

Immediately, a Golden Core female cultivator in the early stage leaped onto the platform.@@novelbin@@

"Fellow daoists, who has 'Mysterious Gold Stone' on hand? I am willing to buy it at a high price or trade other items for it."

Mysterious Gold Stone is a third-tier spiritual ore, an excellent material for refining metal- type magical treasures.

The female cultivator waited on the high platform for half an incense stick of time, but seeing

no response, she looked disappointed and left the platform.

Shortly afterward, another cultivator stepped onto the platform.

...

Song Wen did not crowd the platform to make a spectacle of himself; he imitated what others

were doing.

He set out a cloth in front of him with three spiritual flying swords placed on it. Next to them

was a wooden board with the words "Looking to Purchase Mysterious Spirit Ginseng, Warbling Flowers."

Perhaps the three low-grade spiritual flying swords he presented didn't attract any attention,

or perhaps no one had Mysterious Spirit Ginseng and Warbling Flowers.

No one was interested in his booth.

After the auction concluded, Gan Hong, who had disappeared for a while, suddenly appeared

next to Song Wen's booth.

"Young friend seems somewhat unfamiliar. Is this your first time at the Treasure

Conference?"

Gan Hong's sudden arrival was a surprise to Song Wen, who bowed slightly and replied,

"Junior Wu Sheng, greetings to Senior Gan. Indeed, this is my first time at the Treasure

Conference. It is thanks to Fellow Daoist Tian from Myriad Treasures Pavilion that I had the opportunity to participate."

Gan Hong gave Song Wen a once-over. Song Wen was wearing a mask that concealed his aura

and cultivation level.

However, he could sense that the iron mask on Song Wen's face was only a top-grade spiritual

artifact. If he wished to forcefully probe Song Wen's appearance and cultivation, the iron

mask would not stop his spiritual sense.

But he did not do so.

"I see, you are indeed from Myriad Treasures Pavilion. Young friend, you bought the Golden

Spirit Seed and requested Mysterious Spirit Ginseng and Warbling Flowers. Are you a third- tier alchemist?"

"Junior is only at the Foundation Establishment stage; how could I be a third-tier alchemist?

I am acting on my Master's orders to purchase these three spiritual herbs."

"Your teacher is a third-tier alchemist?" Gan Hong continued to ask.

Song Wen nodded.

Gan Hong's expression brightened.

"Though I am a loose cultivator, I have spent many years in Fang City. I am familiar with all

the Golden Core cultivators on Fang Island. Is your teacher someone I might know? Perhaps

an old friend?"

Song Wen replied, "My Master goes by the title Ji Yin. My teacher and I have only recently come to Fang Island, so Senior probably wouldn't be familiar with them."

TLN: For those of you who still don't know, Ji Yin can mean 'Extreme Yin', and since Yin can be

translated to Dark, Cold, Evil etc; It could also mean Extremely Evil or Extremely Cold.

Gan Hong said, "Young friend, could you introduce me? I would like to get acquainted with

your teacher."

Hearing this, Song Wen instinctively felt a bit wary.

While third-tier alchemists were rare, it was unusual for a late Golden Core cultivator to stoop

so low as to take the initiative to form a relationship, wasn't it?

Moreover, there were many suspicious aspects about the auction of the Golden Spirit Seed.

Gan Hong, who organized the Treasure Conference every month, should know which spiritual materials were easily bought and which were difficult to sell.

However, it was puzzling why he would still present the Golden Spirit Seed, which no one bid

for.

It seemed he was deliberately trying to draw out a third-tier alchemist?

Song Wen had a difficult expression on his face.

"Senior, my teacher generally dislikes forming relationships with others. I do not dare to take

the liberty of introducing you without first seeking my teacher's permission. I must return

and consult with my teacher before making such a decision."

Hearing Song Wen's refusal, Gan Hong showed no displeasure or disappointment.

High-tier alchemists were generally reclusive and did not like being disturbed by strangers,

which was quite normal.

(End of the Chapter)

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