Chapter 32

Ning Xu followed the South-North Peak Master to find the person in charge at the auction house. This person served as a mediator between buyers and sellers. Without this intermediary, Ning Xu would have had no way to locate the seller.

As they walked, she asked the Melon-Eating System in her mind, “What reason should I give to meet him later?”

While buyers could contact sellers privately in advance, sellers also had the right to refuse meetings. Sellers weren’t always available just because someone wanted to see them. Without sufficient leverage or a convincing reason, arranging a private meeting with the seller was unlikely.

The Melon-Eating System replied casually, 【Just tell him you know his thirty-sixth concubine ran away with her lover and fled north. You even know where exactly they went—request to discuss it in person.】

Ning Xu: “!!!”

The short sentence carried an overwhelming amount of information.

Before she could ask more, she and the South-North Peak Master had already reached the top floor of the auction house.

Two attendants at the door approached and asked, “How may we assist you, fellow cultivators?”

The South-North Peak Master got straight to the point. “We need to speak with your manager.”

“Please wait a moment while I make inquiries.”

Soon, the tightly shut doors opened, and one of the attendants disappeared inside.

Five minutes later, the attendant reappeared and respectfully said, “Please follow me.”

The doors opened again, and Ning Xu followed the attendant inside.

The luxurious interior of the room quickly came into view. It was as opulent as she had imagined. Compared to this, the public auction hall seemed insignificant.

Priceless treasures were neatly stacked on the floor, the air was filled with the fragrance of Penglai tea—so expensive that even a single ounce cost tens of thousands of spirit stones—and spirit stones were used as night pearls, emitting a soft azure glow that illuminated the entire room.

Because of the glow’s unique hue, the room radiated a blue, underwater-like ambiance—serene, mysterious, and ethereal.

Such a distinct sense of aesthetics.

Amid this atmosphere, the auction house manager emerged gracefully from behind an embroidered folding screen.

Clearly recognizing the South-North Peak Master, she greeted him with a warm smile. “Master Zhong, what brings you here?”

Without beating around the bush, he replied, “We need to meet with the seller of the Revival Pill. Could you help us arrange it?”

The mention of the Revival Pill caused a subtle change in the woman’s expression. News about such a high-profile item had already leaked…

This was the most highly anticipated item in today’s auction.

However, she didn’t question how the South-North Peak Master had obtained this information.

In the cultivation world, it was unwise to underestimate anyone.

You never knew what hidden cards or connections someone might have.

The woman offered a polite smile and said, “I’m sorry, but that won’t be possible.”

The South-North Peak Master asked, “Why not?”

“The seller specifically requested not to meet anyone privately.”

Hearing this, the South-North Peak Master shrugged lightly at Ning Xu, indicating he couldn’t help any further.

At that moment, Ning Xu cleared her throat and slowly said, “Just tell him this—I know his thirty-sixth concubine ran away with her lover, and I even know where they went. We need to discuss it face-to-face.”

The manager: ……

She carefully studied Ning Xu, noting that she didn’t seem to be joking.

After a brief hesitation, the manager said, “This…”

Seeing the lack of action, Ning Xu pressed, “You won’t even deliver the message?”

The manager replied, “No, that’s not the issue.”

“Then just relay the message.”

After a moment, the manager reluctantly agreed, “Alright, I’ll give it a try. Please wait here.”

Would delivering such a message about the thirty-sixth concubine’s betrayal really not offend the seller?

But this was Wenxin Sect’s business, not the auction house’s concern.

Relaying the message was a minor task anyway.

The manager disappeared behind the screen, presumably to contact the seller.

With no one else in the room, Ning Xu and the South-North Peak Master—two broke cultivators—began admiring the treasures around them.

Although Ning Xu wasn’t actually broke, as she still had 850,000 high-grade spirit stones, that amount would soon leave her storage bag.

While marveling at the valuables, Ning Xu said to the Melon-Eating System, “I think I’ve exposed too much in front of the South-North Peak Master.”

For example, how did she know about the Grade-8 Revival Pill being auctioned today? And how did she know what to say to get the seller’s attention?

The Melon-Eating System responded nonchalantly, 【Don’t worry. He may not be a Child of Destiny, but he’s probably aware of what it means to be a Daughter of Destiny.】

Ning Xu: “???”

“So in his eyes, I’m a Daughter of Destiny?”

The Melon-Eating System asked back, 【What else could it be? If you’re a Daughter of Destiny, then everything makes sense—how you know so much, how you happened to pick up the Yin-Yang Mirror.】

【He must understand that you can’t evaluate a Daughter of Destiny with ordinary logic.】

【What he can’t accomplish, a Daughter of Destiny naturally can.】

Ning Xu nodded. “Fair point.”

She glanced at the South-North Peak Master, who had been staying within half a meter of her the entire time.

Was he keeping close to protect her from being targeted?

While chatting, the auction house manager returned, now looking at Ning Xu with a trace of curiosity and scrutiny.

She said, “The seller has agreed to meet with you.”

At first, the manager thought the line about the thirty-sixth concubine running away was just a joke. But it turned out to be the correct code?

Even the auction house’s owner had failed to secure a private meeting with the Revival Pill seller.

Yet this outer disciple of the Wenxin Sect had succeeded where others had failed.

So… did the thirty-sixth concubine really elope?

Or was it just a secret code?

Unfortunately, the manager knew she would never get an answer.

Ning Xu asked, “Where will we meet?”

The manager replied, “Here. He’ll be arriving shortly.”

Soon, someone knocked on the door.

The door opened, and a tall male cultivator stepped inside.

He had long, waist-length white hair styled somewhat casually.

The auction house manager quickly left the room to avoid any conflicts of interest.

Now, only Ning Xu, the South-North Peak Master, and the seller remained.

As the man entered, Ning Xu discreetly sized him up.

She was curious to see what kind of person this “lovestruck pauper” from the cultivation world looked like.

The man wore ill-fitting robes, exposing his ankles and wrists. It was clear he was indeed poor—otherwise, he wouldn’t be wearing such shabby clothes.

Despite his poverty, he moved gracefully, exuding a sense of charm.

Even without smiling, he carried an air of flirtatiousness.

Ning Xu whispered to the Melon-Eating System, “Was this guy really the strongest cultivator of his time?”

Without hesitation, the Melon-Eating System replied, 【The strongest cultivator was once the Clear Wine Immortal. What does that have to do with this broke fool?】

Ning Xu: ……

South-North Peak Master: ……

Clear Wine Immortal, who had just stepped within earshot: ???

Hearing those thoughts, countless ideas flashed through his mind.

What were those voices?

Why was he here?

At this moment, Ning Xu continued asking, “What do you mean? Are there now cultivators stronger than him?”

The Melon-Eating System responded: 【Five hundred years ago, he was in the Mahayana Stage and was undoubtedly the number one cultivator in the cultivation world. But now, five hundred years later, he’s only at the Golden Core Stage. Any elder from a major sect could easily surpass him in cultivation.】

Ning Xu was stunned for a moment. “Golden Core Stage? Why is his cultivation so low now?”

Then, she speculated, “Could it be that being love-obsessed not only made him lose all his spirit stones but also caused him to lose his cultivation?”

The Melon-Eating System burst out laughing: 【No, that’s not the reason.】

At that moment, the Immortal Qingjiu had already stopped three steps in front of Ning Xu.

His eyes were clear, and his pupils were pale, almost silver-white—matching the color of his hair.

Perhaps because she knew this once-mighty figure was a hopeless romantic, Ning Xu didn’t feel the slightest bit of restraint or hesitation. She calmly said, “Fellow Daoist, let’s sit down and talk.”

Immortal Qingjiu glanced at her and said, “Alright.”

Initially, the North-South Peak Master standing to the side felt a bit uneasy.

He was just a minor cultivator with mediocre talent. Facing someone who was once the strongest in the world would naturally make him feel somewhat uncomfortable.

But after learning that this former powerhouse now only had Golden Core Stage cultivation, his mind was filled with curiosity rather than anxiety.

Like the North-South Peak Master, Ning Xu was also extremely curious about how this once-dominant cultivator had ended up in such dire straits.

She didn’t forget to keep gossiping. “What’s wrong with him?”

The Melon-Eating System fell silent for a moment before replying: 【Even he probably doesn’t know what’s wrong. Ever since he advanced to the Mahayana Stage, his spiritual energy started dissipating inexplicably.】

Ning Xu immediately sensed there was more to this story.

She asked, “Then do you know what happened?”

The Melon-Eating System chuckled: 【Of course I know.】

Hearing this, Immortal Qingjiu’s pupils shrank slightly.

However, having once been the strongest cultivator in the world, this slight change in expression went unnoticed by anyone.

Indeed, ever since he had stepped into the Mahayana Stage, his spiritual energy had gradually slipped out of his control.

Over the past five hundred years, the spiritual energy he painstakingly cultivated had mostly dissipated.

Perhaps in just a few more years, he would run out of spiritual energy completely and become a mortal.

When that time came, his remaining lifespan would be short, and he might quietly pass away in some nameless corner of the world.

Was he willing to accept this fate?

Of course not.

He had once stood at the peak, admired and worshipped by all.

Now, no one even knew he was the once-famous Immortal Qingjiu—not even the new concubine he had taken, who had run off with someone else.

For the past five hundred years, he had been searching for a solution, but he had found nothing.

Could today be the day he finally found a breakthrough?

Ning Xu pressed, “So what’s the real reason?”

The Melon-Eating System clicked its tongue: 【It’s complicated—too complicated for you to understand right now.】

Then, as if quoting a scumbag’s excuse, it added: 【You have to trust me. I’m doing this for your own good.】

Ning Xu: “…Fine.”

After finishing her chat with the Melon-Eating System, Ning Xu turned to face Immortal Qingjiu and said, “I know where your thirty-sixth concubine is right now.”

Having already recognized that this young Daoist had extraordinary encounters, Immortal Qingjiu wasn’t surprised. He simply asked, “What’s your condition?”

“I want to buy your Soul Revival Pill for 850,000 high-grade spirit stones.”

Immortal Qingjiu didn’t hesitate and immediately said, “Deal.”

In her mind, Ning Xu asked the Melon-Eating System, “What’s the market price for a Soul Revival Pill?”

The Melon-Eating System responded: 【Typically, it sells for around 8 million high-grade spirit stones.】

【But in reality, eighth-grade Soul Revival Pills are extremely rare in the cultivation world.】

【Many cultivators can’t buy one even if they have the spirit stones.】

【If his Soul Revival Pill went up for auction today, it would likely fetch an astronomical price.】

Ning Xu: “???”

Wait a minute—this pill was worth 8 million high-grade spirit stones, and the Melon-Eating System told her to offer just 850,000?

And not only did she make that offer, but Immortal Qingjiu actually agreed to sell it?

One dared to buy, and the other dared to sell.

Speechless, Ning Xu muttered, “Looks like that runaway concubine meant a lot to him.”

The Melon-Eating System replied: 【Of course. Why else would he be labeled as a hopeless romantic?】

【He really does love her.】

【Compared to love, spirit stones are just worldly possessions. How can they compare to matters of the heart?】

Originally, Immortal Qingjiu hadn’t felt anything unusual about the situation.

But after hearing the Melon-Eating System’s remarks, he suddenly felt inexplicably embarrassed: ……