27: Buy

Inside the flying ship auction house, the bidding for the sub-mirrors of the tianji mirror was in full swing. Prices were skyrocketing, with the starting price of over ten thousand Spirit Stones per sub-mirror clearly intended for powerful Sects and Golden Core Rogue Cultivators.

However, to the surprise of all low-level Cultivators and even some Golden Core Cultivators, at almost the same time, the floating market below the flying ship also saw a sales frenzy for the "tianji mirror"!

In the center of the market, several conspicuous light screens had appeared at some point, clearly demonstrating the various wonders of the tianji mirror sub-mirrors: long-distance messaging, real-time conversation, and even sending simple text and images!

Beside the light screens, over a dozen Cultivators wearing uniform clothing with the "Tianji" emblem embroidered on their chests were busy setting up temporary counters.

They were not from the Nine Dragons Chamber of Commerce, but from another top-tier Sect in Western Shu—the Tianji Sect! This tianji mirror was primarily developed by the Tianji Sect, with the Nine Dragons Chamber of Commerce handling sales and promotion.

A Golden Core Cultivator from the Tianji Sect, who looked like a manager, channeled his magic power, his voice clearly spreading throughout the market:

"Fellow Daoists! I am an External Affairs Deacon of the Tianji Sect! Today, I use this auspicious place to promote our Sect's wondrous item, the 'tianji mirror'!"

"I'm sure you've all heard its name! Its marvels need no further explanation!"

"However, our Tianji Sect and the Nine Dragons Chamber of Commerce know well that even a Magic Treasure must be spread throughout the world to manifest its true meaning of connecting all things!"

"Therefore, we hereby announce: during this market period, we are offering a limited release of three thousand simplified sub-mirrors of the 'tianji mirror'!"

"This simplified version's core messaging function is no different from the premium ones at the auction. It is only slightly streamlined in Materials, posting permissions, and some additional Formations. The price is only one thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones each! First come, first served!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire market fell dead silent for a moment before erupting into a mountain-shaking roar of noise!

One thousand Spirit Stones! For the vast majority of Foundation Establishment Cultivators, and even some wealthy Qi Refining Cultivators, this was still a significant expense, but it was now within reach if they pushed themselves!

Compared to the exorbitant price of over ten thousand Spirit Stones at the auction, this was practically a bargain!

"I want one!"

"Give me three! For my fellow Sect Senior Brothers!"

"Fellow Daoist, the Spirit Stones are here! Give it to me quickly!"

"Don't push! Don't push! Line up!"

In an instant, the Tianji Sect's stall was overwhelmed by a surging tide of people.

Cultivators waved their Spirit Stone bags, scrambling to be first, fearing they would miss out if they were a step too slow.

This scene was ten times more explosive than any stall selling Spirit Pills or Divine Weapons!

Gao De was also shocked by this frenzied atmosphere in the crowd.

Looking at the demonstrations on the light screen—the miraculous scene of clear conversation across thousands of miles as if Face-to-Face—waves of emotion also rose in his heart.

"Long-distance messaging, instant communication... If this item is used properly, whether for gathering information, coordinating actions, or calling for help in a crisis, it will be of great benefit!" Gao De immediately realized the immense value of this tianji mirror.

This was practically a Sharp Weapon tailor-made for a loner like him who needed to stay hidden yet craved information!

One thousand Spirit Stones—he had just sold his Materials, and the Spirit Stones on him were just enough!

However, his cautious nature immediately raised doubts:

"Could such a wondrous item have a back door for tracking? Are the Tianji Sect and Nine Dragons Chamber of Commerce using this to monitor all users?"

"As a member of the Yao Race, will using this Human Race Magical Artifact expose my aura?"

"Is the functionality of this simplified version truly guaranteed? Will it be easily damaged?"

He suppressed the urge to rush forward and buy it immediately, observing calmly.

He saw many Cultivators, after buying the mirrors, impatiently trying to contact nearby fellow Disciples or relatives, their Faces filled with surprise and joy.

He also saw some meticulous individuals checking the mirrors repeatedly, seemingly probing for hidden dangers.

The Tianji Sect deacon seemed to sense some people's doubts and called out loudly: "Fellow Daoists, rest assured! My Tianji Sect guarantees with its reputation that the core messaging Formations of the tianji mirror have no monitoring or recording functions, only the most basic identification spiritual seal used to connect to the 'Tianji Network'!"

"This is a move to expand the market, intended for popularization, not surveillance! As for the stability of the Magical Artifact, although it is a simplified version, it will have no problem lasting for decades under normal use!"

These words dispelled many people's concerns, and the buying frenzy became even more intense.

Gao De weighed the pros and cons in his heart.

The risk certainly existed, but the potential gains seemed greater.

With this mirror, he might be able to more quickly obtain information about resources, dangerous areas, and even the movements of major figures.

Furthermore, he possessed the "Evil-Slaying Law-Breaking" ability of his unicorn horn. If he truly found a problem with the mirror, he could try to forcibly break or block it.

"The opportunity outweighs the risk! It's worth a shot!"

Having made up his mind, Gao De no longer hesitated. Spotting a brief lull in the crowd, he quickly swam to the stall and handed over a thousand Spirit Stones wrapped in Divine Sense.

The Tianji Sect Disciple was momentarily stunned to see a black fish coming to buy, but then understood.

It wasn't rare for Yao Race Cultivators to use Magical Artifacts, as long as they provided Spirit Stones.

He skillfully took the Spirit Stones and handed Gao De a palm-sized bronze mirror with an ancient design, its surface flowing with a faint light like ripples on water, along with a Jade Slip.

"These are the instructions and the basic spiritual seal codes for the 'Tianji Network'. Fellow Daoist can refine it with Divine Sense or Demonic Power to use it."

Gao De took the mirror and Jade Slip and immediately fled to a secluded corner.

He first carefully probed it inside and out several times with his Divine Sense. After confirming there were no obvious traps or tracking marks, he followed the Jade Slip's instructions and cautiously diverted a wisp of Demonic Power to begin refining it.

The process went unexpectedly smoothly.

When that wisp of Demonic Power merged into the mirror, the surface rippled, and some simple points of light and lines appeared, representing that he had connected to the so-called "Tianji Network."

He could vaguely sense that in the extremely distant Void Realm, there existed a vast and complex network where countless pieces of information were flowing silently.

"It's a success!" Gao De felt relieved.

He tried to send a faint Divine Thought according to a public "channel" spiritual seal provided in the Jade Slip: "Test."

A moment later, ripples appeared on the mirror's surface, and an unfamiliar Divine Thought replied: "Newcomer? Where are you from, Fellow Daoist?"

Gao De didn't reply and immediately disconnected. But this brief experience had already allowed him to truly feel the wonder of this item!

"With this, I am no longer an isolated Yao with no access to information!" Gao De carefully put away the tianji mirror as if he had acquired a precious treasure.

He looked up at the flying ship auction house where high-end games were still being played, then at the dark red stone in his possession whose mysteries were yet to be uncovered, and finally at the newly acquired tianji mirror.

This trip to Lake, even if he couldn't enter the core auction house, his gains had already far exceeded his expectations.

The path to dragon transformation required not only strength but also information and wisdom. Today, he had undoubtedly taken a crucial step on this path.

The market remained noisy, the flying ship remained majestic, and the Dragon Fish hidden beneath the water had already quietly woven his own information web, waiting for the next surge of wind and clouds.