Chapter 31

Ning Xu suppressed the shock in her heart and, after calming herself, asked, “He… was that impatient?”

The moment he got the Spirit Essence, he swallowed it directly. If the Spirit Essence had a shell, she felt this cultivator probably wouldn’t have had the patience to peel it—he’d have swallowed it whole instead.

The Melon-Eating System responded matter-of-factly, 【He’s been waiting for the Spirit Essence for many years. Now that he’s finally obtained it, of course, he wouldn’t want to wait even a second longer.

Spirit Essence, as a heavenly treasure, is different from longevity pills and similar elixirs. Longevity pills have usage limits—taking more than three renders them ineffective.

But Spirit Essence doesn’t have any such restrictions. This means that many cultivators desire it.

To avoid any mishaps, he chose to consume it immediately. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with his decision.】

The issue, however, was with this particular Spirit Essence.

Even though the outer layer had been peeled off, it still carried a faint smell—like the scent of a latrine pit.

It wasn’t strong, just faint, but it definitely wasn’t odorless.

After consuming the Spirit Essence, the cultivator’s spiritual energy was greatly refined, and his cultivation advanced by a significant step.

Feeling the benefits brought by the Spirit Essence, he burst into laughter. But soon, his laughter stopped, and he wore a puzzled expression.

“What’s that smell?

Why does it smell kind of like…”

At that moment, the auctioneer interrupted his musings.

“Fellow Daoist, please return to your seat. We’re about to auction the next item.”

The cultivator raised his hand to his mouth, exhaled lightly, and then waved his hand.

The next second, as if he smelled something, his face turned pale, then green, and then pale again.

He looked like he was about to vomit. “This Spirit Essence you sold—”

Before he could finish speaking, the auctioneer cut him off with a blank expression.

“Fellow Daoist, our auction house guarantees that every item sold here is authentic.”

“We support any form of verification.”

“If there’s no further issue, please return to your seat.”

By the end of his statement, the auctioneer’s tone carried a faint hint of menace. The auction house’s owner had significant backing. Even if this cultivator could casually produce a million top-grade spirit stones, the auction house was completely unafraid.

The cultivator knew confronting the auction house wouldn’t end well for him. So, despite his doubts, he reluctantly returned to his seat.

What was that smell?

Forget it.

Although the scent was a bit odd, this was undeniably genuine century-old Spirit Essence, and his cultivation had indeed advanced.

Since that was the case, there was no point dwelling on it.

---

Even from such a distance, Ning Xu felt as if she could catch a whiff of that scent.

All she could say was that consuming century-old, marinated Spirit Essence wasn’t something just anyone could stomach.

She said to the Melon-Eating System, “I kind of feel sorry for that gutsy brother.”

Spending a million top-grade spirit stones to buy a smelly Spirit Essence… He might not mind it at first, but the aftertaste would probably hit hard.

The Melon-Eating System responded nonchalantly, 【Why feel sorry? He genuinely needed the Spirit Essence, right? After consuming it, his cultivation did increase, right? He waited so long and finally got what he wanted, right? What does that mean?】

Having grown familiar with the system’s twisted logic, Ning Xu played along, “It means he got his money’s worth.”

【Exactly!】

【This purchase was totally worth it!】

When it came to crooked reasoning, the Melon-Eating System had it down to an art.

Still, its words weren’t entirely nonsense.

There was some truth to them.

With this in mind, Ning Xu let it go. As long as the value matched the cost, it was fine.

---

After the first auctioned item was sold, the auction house quickly sent Ning Xu 850,000 top-grade spirit stones.

The remaining 150,000 went straight into the auction house’s pocket.

Ning Xu couldn’t help complaining to the Melon-Eating System, “They’re taking too big of a cut.”

The auction house’s service fee was a whopping 15%! How was that any different from outright robbery?!

That was 150,000 top-grade spirit stones!

The Melon-Eating System chimed in, 【Right? That’s why running an auction house is so profitable!】

Ning Xu agreed, “Starting an auction house is definitely something we should consider.”

【Good! Coincidentally, someone’s looking to sell their auction house right now. If the opportunity arises, we can approach them.】

“Alright.”

As the two chatted, the second item was brought out.

This time, it was a partially incomplete map.

With a smile, the auctioneer introduced it, “This map is rumored to be a copy of the treasure map leading to the Immortal Qingjiu’s cave.”

The moment the name ‘Immortal Qingjiu’ was mentioned, the room’s atmosphere instantly heated up.

Immortal Qingjiu!

He was the most powerful cultivator five hundred years ago!

Unfortunately, he seemed to have vanished overnight.

Some speculated he ascended successfully, while others believed he had fallen.

Regardless, whether he ascended or perished, his cave likely contained numerous treasures.

If someone could locate his cave and obtain the treasures he left behind, their cultivation journey would undoubtedly progress much more smoothly.

Seeing the crowd’s excitement, the auctioneer calmly continued, “Starting bid: 1,000 low-grade spirit stones.”

As soon as he spoke, cultivators began shouting bids.

While munching on some fruit, Ning Xu noticed the Miscellaneous Hall Master and North-South Peak Masters chatting nearby.

The Miscellaneous Hall Master asked, “Should we bid on it?”

The North-South Peak Master hesitated, then said, “Leaving aside whether the map is genuine, it’s incomplete… Even if we win the bid, it might be useless.”

The Miscellaneous Hall Master shook her head slightly. “But if we do bid, we might still have a chance to locate the cave. If we don’t, we’ll have no leads at all.”

It was clear the Miscellaneous Hall Master was tempted.

“Besides, the price isn’t high right now. The sect can afford it.”

Even if it turned out to be fake, it wouldn’t matter.

After all, no one expected this item to fetch a high price.

Many cultivators shared their sentiment. Spending a few thousand low-grade spirit stones on a potential treasure map was worth a gamble. Even if it turned out to be a dud, it wouldn’t hurt too much.

Hearing this, the Melon-Eating System clicked its tongue.

【Seriously? Just adding the word ‘Immortal’ makes a random piece of paper valuable.】

【This thing is obviously fake.】

【Why are so many people falling for it?】

Ning Xu responded lazily, “Because many cultivators dream of striking it rich overnight.”

Finding Immortal Qingjiu’s cave would definitely count as overnight riches.

The Miscellaneous Hall Master: …

Apparently, she was one of those cultivators.

Hearing Ning Xu’s response, the Melon-Eating System burst out laughing.

【They know Immortal Qingjiu was amazing, but don’t they know he was dirt poor?】

【A cave? What cave?】

【He couldn’t even afford a decent robe, let alone treasures.】

【They’re dreaming if they think they’ll find anything.】

Ning Xu exclaimed, “!!!”

“Wait, isn’t he supposed to be a mighty expert? How could he be so poor?” This was completely different from the image she had of a powerful figure.

The Melon-Eating System replied casually, 【Because he’s a hopeless romantic. No matter how many treasures he has, he can’t hold on to them.】

【He gives them all to his beloved.】

Ning Xu was speechless. “…Is that even possible?”

The Hall Master of the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall and the North-South Peak Masters both had complicated expressions.

Who would have thought that the renowned prodigy from five hundred years ago—the Immortal of Clear Wine—would turn out to be not only broke but also a hopeless romantic?

Ning Xu curiously asked, “Based on what you said earlier, no one has successfully ascended in the past thousand years. So did he die?”

The Melon-Eating System replied casually, 【No, he’s still alive. And in fact, he’s here today.】

Ning Xu, the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall Master, and the North-South Peak Masters: “???”

The Melon-Eating System continued unhurriedly, 【This treasure map was drawn by him personally.】

Ning Xu felt conflicted.

Just how broke does someone have to be to sell information about their own treasures?

And all for just a few thousand low-grade spirit stones.

It seemed the Immortal of Clear Wine truly lived up to his reputation as a pauper.

“But didn’t you just say this treasure map was obviously fake?”

【Following the map will indeed lead you to his former residence.】

【It’s just that the place is completely empty. There’s nothing left.】

Ning Xu fell silent.

Fortunately, the Melon-Eating System quickly added, 【Although the treasure map isn’t worth buying, he also brought out another item today.】

Ning Xu asked casually, “What item?”

【An eighth-grade pill—the Revival Pill.】

【As long as there’s even a single breath left, this pill can pull someone back from the brink of death.】

Ning Xu: “!!!”

Even the usually sharp-tongued and hot-tempered Melon-Eating System spoke with a rare seriousness, 【You must obtain this pill.】

【In the cultivation world, even with my assistance, you’ll still face life-or-death situations. Not to mention, the Tianya Secret Realm is about to open.】

【Although it’s a secret realm intended for Qi Refinement cultivators and hasn’t posed much danger in the past, this year…things may be different.】

【Having this pill is equivalent to having an extra life.】

Ning Xu understood this perfectly.

Who wouldn’t want an eighth-grade Revival Pill?

Of course, she wanted it too.

But such an item would tempt everyone.

Her assets were nowhere near enough to compete for it.

A pill like this would likely be auctioned off for an astronomical price.

The Melon-Eating System suggested, 【I recommend you negotiate a private deal with him. Once the Revival Pill hits the auction stage, your 850,000 high-grade spirit stones won’t stand a chance.】

Ning Xu frowned. “Would a private deal really give me an advantage?”

【Why not? You can trade information with him. I know quite a few secrets he’d be very interested in. He’ll need them.】

【The Revival Pill is the tenth auction item. You can contact him through the auction house right now.】

The auction house didn’t provide catalogs for the items.

Each auction item remained confidential until it was presented on stage.

This also meant auction items could be reordered or withdrawn as long as the seller agreed to a private deal.

Ning Xu glanced calmly at the two senior members of Wenxin Sect in the private booth. “What excuse should I use?”

If she wanted to contact the seller privately through the auction house, there was no way to bypass the North-South Peak Master.

The Melon-Eating System advised, 【Just be honest. Tell him you know one of the auction items is an eighth-grade pill and you want it. He won’t ask too many questions—he’s reasonable and upright.】

Ning Xu asked, “What about the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall Master?”

【She has her own little schemes, but overall, she’s not a bad person. She’s also extremely loyal to the sect. Since you’re part of Wenxin Sect, she won’t do anything to harm you.】

“Alright!”

Given the limited time, Ning Xu decided to come clean with the North-South Peak Master.

After hearing the news, both the North-South Peak Master and the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall Master feigned surprise.

The North-South Peak Master’s eyes widened. “An item like that is being auctioned today?”

The Miscellaneous Affairs Hall Master immediately stood up. “We can’t miss this. Go contact the seller right now.”

The North-South Peak Master looked at Ning Xu. “I’ll accompany you.”

Ning Xu didn’t overthink it and said directly, “Thank you, Peak Master.”

The North-South Peak Master nodded and clutched a divine artifact provided by the Sect Leader, following Ning Xu out of the private booth.

Fortunately, after the banquet at Wan Geng Peak, the Sect Leader and others had improved the divine artifact, reducing its mind-blocking range from two meters to just half a meter. It could even be adjusted between half a meter and two meters as needed.

Otherwise, today would have been troublesome.