79: Chapter 79 The Undercurrents of Tianji City and the Struggle for Private Rooms

"I, Wantong Trading Firm, am willing to add icing to the cake for the cooperation between your two families!"

Qian Baiwan's voice was oily and enthusiastic. His small eyes darted between Lin Chen and Sect Master Shen Cang as if evaluating two treasures that had just been traded.

Sect Master Shen Cang merely let out a non-committal "Hmm" from his nose, picked up the coarse ceramic teacup at his side, and blew on non-existent tea leaves, clearly not intending to say more.

His conversation with Lin Chen was based on respect for equal strength; his conversation with Qian Baiwan was purely business.

Lin Chen wore a perfectly measured smile on his face. He stood up and bowed slightly toward Qian Baiwan: "Manager Qian is well-informed, and I admire that. Since Manager Qian is willing, we will need to coordinate more with Wantong Trading Firm regarding the Ancient Road caravan matters in the future."

His words were both polite and a way to clarify Qian Baiwan's position—you are an important partner, but not a decision-maker.

Qian Baiwan was no fool; he immediately heard the subtext. The smile on his face grew even brighter as he waved his hands repeatedly: "Clan Head Lin is too polite. This is all part of my duty, just part of my duty! I will go back and start making preparations immediately; I will certainly not delay your grand plans!"

Having achieved his goal and confirmed the cooperation, he did not linger. After more flattery, he tactfully excused himself and retreated.

Watching his fat figure disappear outside the hall, Lin Chen withdrew his smile.

This trip to the Iron Sword Sect had yielded results even better than expected.

Not only had they secured the passage rights for the Ancient Road, but they had also formed a deeper bond of interest with the Iron Sword Sect through the "Sword Tempering Pill" card.

With the agreement settled, he and Qin Ruowei did not stay long. After bidding farewell to Sect Master Shen Cang and Chu Yun, they left Broken Sword Peak under the guidance of an Iron Sword Sect Disciple.

The mountain wind remained fierce, but Lin Chen's mood was exceptionally light.

Three days later, Tianji City.

Unlike any other city in the Southern Region, the first impression Tianji City gave Lin Chen was not majesty, but "vitality."

This ancient city, built on a giant Spiritual Vein node, seemed like a huge, breathing living organism.

On the main bluestone road, wide enough to accommodate eight beast-drawn carriages side-by-side, the flow of people was like weaving fabric, with carriages and horses moving like a stream.

Cultivators dressed in various outfits moved in a rush or in groups of three or five. The air was filled with a unique mixture of various Spirit Medicine, talisman ink, and Artifact Refining Materials.

Shops lined both sides of the road, from towering pavilions to inconspicuous stalls, each place exuding prosperity and noise.

Occasionally, a Cultivator riding a strange Spirit Beast would sweep past from low altitude, drawing gasps and envious gazes from below, but no one stepped out to stop them, clearly implying that the city had an unspoken set of rules.

Lin Chen and his group of four had changed into the most ordinary gray cloth robes, blending into the crowd, appearing unremarkable.

Qin Ruowei looked at the scene before her with slight amazement and whispered: "Husband, the concentration of Spiritual Qi here is almost catching up to the gathering array in the inner residence of our Lin Family in Qingzhou City."

"This is just the outer city," Liu Yuan added from the side. His gaze scanned the surroundings vigilantly, maintaining constant guard. "It is said that in the inner city, especially in those top-tier Immortal Caves, the concentration of Spiritual Qi is enough to increase the cultivation speed of Golden Core Stage Cultivators by more than thirty percent."

Lin Chen did not speak, just walked quietly.

He did not release his Divine Sense, simply using his eyes and ears to perceive.

He heard a peddler hawking "Sand Lizard Jerky" in a heavy Western Region accent, and saw a squad of city guards wearing uniform armor patrolling past. The runes on their armor flowed with light, and the lowest cultivation among them was at the 10th level of Qi Refining.

This was a place where the strong gathered, and it was also full of opportunities.

They soon found the "Listening to the Wind Cottage," an independent courtyard in a quiet spot amidst the noise, which Wantong Trading Firm had booked for them in advance.

After settling in, Liu Yuan immediately led several Family guards into the night of Tianji City to collect more detailed intelligence.

The next morning, Lin Chen and Qin Ruowei, accompanied by Liu Yuan, headed straight to the venue of this auction—Wanbao Pavilion.

Wanbao Pavilion was located in the core central square of Tianji City. The building was nine stories high with flying eaves and brackets. It was built entirely of a type of "Star Wood" that emitted a faint silver glow. In the morning light, it shone brilliantly, as imposing as an immortal palace standing in the mortal world.

The square in front of the building was already crowded with people. Dozens of guards wearing golden-threaded soft armor, with cultivation at least at the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment, stood on both sides to maintain order.

To enter Wanbao Pavilion, one had to present corresponding credentials.

Most Loose Cultivators could only enter the ground floor hall with an invitation letter, while representatives of some small families presented proof of assets, hoping to get a seat closer to the front.

When it was Lin Chen's turn, Qin Ruowei stepped forward. Without speaking, she simply handed two things to the leading guard captain.

One was the "Advanced Alchemist Family" token issued by the Alchemist Association after Su Qingyao won the championship at the Southern Region Alchemist Conference. The token was made of warm spiritual jade, with an ancient Pill Furnace engraved on it, containing inner spiritual light.

The other was a copy of the Jade Slip of the tripartite cooperation agreement just signed with the Iron Sword Sect and Wantong Trading Firm.

The guard captain took the token, scanned it with his Divine Sense, and the formulaic expression on his face immediately became respectful.

He then took the Jade Slip and examined it carefully for a moment.

The Alchemist Association's certification represented that the Lin Family possessed top-tier "productivity"; while the cooperation with the Iron Sword Sect and Wantong Trading Firm proved the Lin Family's powerful "channels" and background.

The weight of these two things combined far exceeded mere Spirit Stone assets.

"Distinguished guests, please enter. A manager will receive you." The guard captain bowed and returned the token and Jade Slip, stepping aside to clear a path.

Entering Wanbao Pavilion, the interior was even more spectacular.

The first-floor hall was extremely spacious, with giant Moonlight Stones embedded in the dome, illuminating the entire space as bright as day.

At this moment, the hall was already bustling with noise and excitement.

Lin Chen's gaze swept casually, and he discovered quite a few Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivators with steady Auras, and even a few obscure Auras that made him feel a trace of pressure, very likely Golden Core Stage Immortal Masters.

"Husband, let's go over there to process the private room qualifications." Qin Ruowei said softly, pointing to a row of areas separated by screens not far away.

To obtain a private room upstairs, which offered privacy and safety far exceeding the seats in the hall, one had to go through a special audit by Wanbao Pavilion.

Lin Chen nodded slightly and sat down with Liu Yuan at a tea table nearby, while Qin Ruowei went on behalf of the Lin Family.

At the audit desk behind the screen, sitting behind a long rosewood table was a woman dressed in gorgeous palace attire.

Her hair was piled high, with a glowing Phoenix hairpin slanted in it. Her eyebrows and eyes were like a painting, and her glances were full of charm.

But in her bright eyes, there flashed a shrewdness and sharpness inconsistent with her appearance.

This person was none other than Wanbao Pavilion's chief auctioneer in the Southern Region, Madam Jinling.

It was said that her cultivation had reached the Foundation Establishment Perfection, just one step away from Core Formation.

"This Fellow Daoist, please sit." Madam Jinling looked up, saw Qin Ruowei, and smiled sweetly. Her voice was like an oriole coming out of a valley, crisp and pleasant.

Qin Ruowei sat opposite her and handed over the two credentials just now.

Madam Jinling took them and examined them in detail. Her gaze lingered for a moment when she saw the "Advanced Alchemist Family" token, then she picked up the cooperation Jade Slip and sank her Divine Sense into it.

A moment later, she looked up, and the smile on her face became a bit more genuine: "So it is the Qingzhou Lin Family, I have long heard of your name. Alchemist Su suppressed the Pill Talisman Pavilion single-handedly, shocking the Southern Region with her skills. My Wanbao Pavilion also admires that."

"Madam is too kind." Qin Ruowei responded neither humbly nor arrogantly.

"I wonder what the approximate capital amount the Lin Family plans to use this time?" Madam Jinling asked seemingly casually. This was the key question for auditing the private room Rank.

Qin Ruowei pondered for a moment and reported a number she had agreed upon with Lin Chen.

This number was not shocking, but enough to buy several rare Rank 4 Magic Treasures, showing sufficient sincerity without appearing overly ostentatious.

After hearing this, Madam Jinling covered her mouth and chuckled. Her expressive eyes swept past the screen with hidden meaning, taking a look at Lin Chen, who was quietly tasting tea not far away.

"Although the Lin Family is a new noble in the Southern Region, your Medicinal Pill business is making money hand over fist. Now that you have connected with behemoths like the Iron Sword Sect and Wantong Trading Firm, your potential is limitless, and the future is immeasurable." Her words carried a hint of solicitation.

She pushed a bronze token engraved with profound runes to Qin Ruowei: "The 'Yi-7' private room on the third floor belongs to you distinguished guests. I wish you all a fruitful return from this auction."

"Many thanks, Madam." Qin Ruowei took the token and stood up to leave.

When she turned, Madam Jinling's seemingly casual gaze fell on Lin Chen's back again, and did not move away for a long time.

Guided by an attendant, the three soon arrived at the "Yi-7" private room on the third floor.

The private room was not large, about three zhang square, and was furnished elegantly and quietly.

On one side was a comfortable soft couch and tea table, and on the other was a huge one-way glass window, which could clearly overlook the auction stage on the first floor and most of the seats, while people outside could not peek into the private room at all.

As soon as they entered the private room, Liu Yuan immediately took out several Formation Flags from his Storage Pouch and skillfully set up a layer of soundproofing and anti-peeking Restriction around the room.

After doing all this, he lowered his voice and began to report the intelligence he had gathered last night.

"Clan Head, it has been confirmed that the main targets of our trip, the star meteor iron essence and that incomplete Yunshen Pill Formula, are both on the list of auction items. The starting price for the star meteor iron essence is 30,000 Low-Grade Spirit Stones, while the Yunshen Pill Formula is even higher, with a starting price of 50,000, and it only accepts High-Grade Spirit Stones or treasures of equivalent value in exchange."

Lin Chen nodded; this price was within his expectations.

"And that incomplete map from outside the territory," Liu Yuan's expression became more serious, "The description of it is very vague, only saying it is 'suspected to point to some ancient ruins,' but the starting price is as high as 10,000 Spirit Stones. I used some connections and found that many forces are paying attention to this map, including several large trading firms from the Central Plains, who seem determined to get it."

"Besides that," Liu Yuan paused, his voice lower, "Last night and just now downstairs, I sensed several very deeply hidden Auras, also processing private room qualifications. One of them was cold and elusive, appearing and disappearing. I tried to lock onto its position, but was shaken off by the other party several times. That feeling... is very strange. The other party's cultivation is very likely at the Golden Core Stage, or even higher, and they are definitely a top expert proficient in concealment and assassination."

Golden Core Stage?

Lin Chen's brows furrowed slightly.

He walked to the huge one-way glass window, hands behind his back, looking down at the Cultivators who were gradually filling the seats below.

His Divine Sense, like an invisible, gentle net, spread out cautiously, sweeping past the noisy crowd below, and then probing toward the private rooms on higher floors.

Soon, he captured the cold Aura Liu Yuan mentioned.

It was like a poisonous snake hiding in the shadows. Although it had retracted most of its fangs, the inherent chilling intent could not be completely covered.

That Aura finally stopped in the direction of a private room on the fourth floor diagonally opposite, and then there was no more movement.

Just as Lin Chen tried to perceive further, trying to see if he could peek into the other party's origins, the coarse stone ring on his thumb, which he had been rubbing, suddenly transmitted a trace of extremely faint, almost negligible coolness.

This coolness flashed and disappeared. It was not the stinging pain when the System warned of danger, but rather more like... a weak resonance generated when encountering energy fluctuations of the same source or similar?

Lin Chen's heart moved suddenly.

He immediately thought of a type of extremely rare energy signature that had once been marked in his System panel's [Resource Log]— "Spatial Fluctuation."

When the System upgraded, there had been a similar record.

Could it be... that the so-called "map from outside the territory" was not just a map?

Just as he was thinking, a melodious bell rang, "Dang—," resounding through the entire Wanbao Pavilion, suppressing all the noisy sounds.

The auction officially began.

On the huge auction stage below, light flashed, and the graceful Madam Jinling appeared out of thin air, holding a small jade hammer.

"Welcome, Fellow Daoists, to this Tianji City Wanbao Auction. My name is Jinling, and I have the honor to host for you." Her voice, enhanced by the array, was clearly transmitted to every corner, every private room. "Without further ado, let us look at the first auction item!"

She was eloquent and soon stirred up the atmosphere.

The first few auction items were common Spiritual Artifacts and Medicinal Pills, serving as warm-ups. The bidding was calm, and most were won by Cultivators in the first-floor hall.

Lin Chen did not make a move. He leaned on the soft couch, closing his eyes to rest, his mind entirely on digesting the discovery just now.

It was not until the bidding for a Rank 4 top-tier defensive Magical Artifact called the "Black Turtle Shield" that the private room diagonally opposite, which he was paying attention to on the fourth floor, finally had movement.

"32,000 Spirit Stones."

A voice processed by a special Magical Artifact came out, neutral and hoarse, unable to tell age or gender.

This price was only 1,000 Spirit Stones higher than the previous bid.

And after someone immediately raised the price to 33,000, that private room had no sound, as if the previous bid was just a casual gesture.

But Lin Chen keenly noticed that the timing of the other party's bid was exactly when the bidding entered a brief calm period, a moment when most people were hesitating, and the timing of giving up was also decisive, without any hesitation.

This was by no means a casual test, but a veteran who grasped the rhythm of the auction and human hearts extremely accurately.

"It seems this opponent is not simple." Lin Chen thought to himself.

The warm-up session passed quickly. Madam Jinling's smile became even brighter. She clapped her hands, and two guards carried a tray covered with red cloth and placed it steadily on the auction stage.

"Everyone, the next auction item is something many Fellow Daoists who specialize in Artifact Refining must have been looking forward to for a long time!"

Madam Jinling raised her slender hand, and the red cloth flew up suddenly, revealing a strange piece of metal the size of a fist, pitch black, but covered with silver spots like stars on the surface.

A heavy and sharp Aura instantly permeated the air.

"Rank 4 top-tier Artifact Refining Material, star meteor iron essence! It is an excellent main material for forging Flying Swords and Magic Treasures. If integrated into a Lifebound Treasure, it is enough to raise its quality by a whole level!"

Lin Chen slowly opened his eyes and sat up straight.

He glanced at Qin Ruowei beside him, and through the Restriction, sent a "prepare" signal to Liu Yuan in the auxiliary private room next door.

The light in the private room was soft. Outside the window was the sound of roaring astonishment and discussion like a mountain and sea, while inside the window, it was a quiet calculation.

He was determined to win this first target, but how to take it at the lowest cost without exposing his strength too early and becoming a target for everyone needed careful planning.

Below, Madam Jinling scanned the audience, enjoying the fiery gazes of the crowd. She raised the jade hammer, her crisp voice carrying a hint of bewitching power, echoing throughout the venue:

"star meteor iron essence, starting price, 30,000 Low-Grade Spirit Stones! Each bid increment must not be less than 1,000! Now, let the bidding begin!"