Chapter 77: Chapter 77: The Auction House (Third Update)
“Esteemed guest, may I know if you wish to attend the auction, or have some valuable treasure to offer for sale?”
The attendant of the auction house saw Lu Changsheng donned in a straw raincoat, a black cloth covering his face, and a longsword on his back—the common attire of a swordsman—so he wasn’t surprised.
In the Great Xia Imperial City, you could find characters from all walks of life.
The auction house was in the business of making deals, welcoming all who came.
“I have a treasure to auction, but I wonder if your establishment could handle it?”
Lu Changsheng examined the attendant, who actually possessed the cultivation of the Qi Transformation Realm.
It seemed that the imperial city’s auction house had quite the background, even the attendants greeting guests boasted cultivation of the Qi Transformation Realm, so they were not afraid of troublemakers.
The attendant was clever, realizing that, given how Lu Changsheng posed his question, the item for auction must be valuable: “Heh, there isn’t a treasure in this world that Tianbao Trading Company cannot handle, unless it’s beyond price. Otherwise, we’ll surely sell it for you. Esteemed guest, please come inside; our shopkeeper will personally receive you.”
Lu Changsheng followed the attendant into the auction house, where a shopkeeper of the Golden Core Realm was tallying accounts. Upon seeing Lu Changsheng arrive, his eyelids slightly raised, but he didn’t pay much mind.
He had seen all manner of cultivators—Taoists, swordsmen, high monks, scholars, royal relatives, and nobles.
“What item would you like to auction, esteemed guest? I’ll give you a starting price. However, our Tianbao Trading Company only auctions off rare treasures. For common items, it’s not worth the time; we’ll just purchase them at market price.”
Tianbao Trading Company was truly domineering.
Lu Changsheng, descending the mountain this time, had learned quite a bit about the ways of the world and some common knowledge.
Tianbao Trading Company was the largest trading firm in this realm, with branches in every major city.
The auctions held by Tianbao Trading Company were the highest standard in any city. Elixir Pills and Talismans below the fourth grade didn’t even qualify as auction items; they were purchased outright by the company, marked up in price, and sold without being put up for auction.
Only for rare treasures would Tianbao Trading Company organize the necessary manpower and resources to conduct an auction and take a commission.
“I wish to auction two Elixir Pills.”
“What grade are the Elixir Pills? Are you aware of the rules of our Tianbao Trading Company?”
The shopkeeper became a bit more serious and assessed Lu Changsheng.
Lu Changsheng had an Innate Taoist Body, so the shopkeeper couldn’t discern his cultivation level, and with a black cloth covering his face, his appearance was obscured.
If the other party was aware of Tianbao Trading Company’s rules and intended to auction two Elixir Pills at once, they must be at least two fourth-grade Elixir Pills.
Fourth-grade Elixir Pills were quite sought after by cultivators in the Golden Core Realm and Nascent Soul Realm; two such pills were considered acceptable auction items.
Therefore, the shopkeeper’s attitude slightly improved.
Lu Changsheng held up five fingers.
“Fifth-grade Elixir Pills?”
The shopkeeper’s expression gradually turned respectful.
Two fifth-grade Elixir Pills were quite valuable, useful even to cultivators of the Dao Palace Realm.
Should the two fifth-grade Elixir Pills be auctioned off, Tianbao Trading Company could draw a substantial commission.
Lu Changsheng changed his gesture to six, and both the shopkeeper’s and the attendant’s expressions shifted.
“Two, two sixth-grade Elixir Pills?!”
The shopkeeper felt a tingle on his scalp.
Sixth-grade Elixir Pills were considered treasures of immeasurable value at any auction, let alone two of them.
This was a guest of honor.
“To be precise, one is a sixth-grade Elixir Pill, and the other is a seventh-grade Elixir Pill.”
Lu Changsheng initially wanted to auction off two seventh-grade Elixir Pills directly, but on second thought, producing two at once would be too astonishing, so he compromised, deciding to bring out one seventh-grade and one sixth-grade Elixir Pill for sale.
“Seventh, seventh-grade Elixir Pills…”
The shopkeeper collapsed into the Taishi Chair.
He hadn’t heard wrong, had he?
A seven-grade elixir actually appeared in an auction house?
Seven-grade elixirs were truly priceless treasures.
“Seven-grade elixir… our auction house has not handled such a level of treasure for many years, it’s really hard to estimate its value. Let me check the records of previous years. Someone, take good care of this esteemed guest, serve the best tea!”
The shopkeeper changed his attitude, commanding that Lu Changsheng, the esteemed guest, be well catered to.
Offending a guest capable of presenting six-grade and seven-grade elixir pills was something their Tianbao Trading Company would not dare to do.
After a while, the shopkeeper came back, holding an ancient tome, and carefully said, “Esteemed guest, the last seven-grade elixir that our Tianbao Trading Company auctioned off was valued at 1 million spirit stones.”
“1 million spirit stones!”
The young servant was stunned as if petrified.
Spirit stones contained abundant nature’s spiritual energy and were a standard medium of exchange among cultivators.
1 million spirit stones would require a space ring to be filled.
“Our Tianbao Trading Company normally takes a commission of fifteen percent, but since the esteemed customer’s item for auction is extremely precious, we will only take a commission of thirteen percent. May I ask if the esteemed customer is satisfied with the commission rate?”
The shopkeeper’s way of addressing Lu Changsheng grew increasingly respectful.
Even with a commission of thirteen percent, Tianbao Trading Company stood to earn 30,000 spirit stones.
Moreover, by ingratiating themselves with Lu Changsheng, the esteemed guest, who knows if he might return to auction more treasures in the future?
“That will be fine.”
Lu Changsheng nodded.
The Tianbao Trading Company was indeed adept at human relations.
“Would it be possible for me to see the seven-grade elixir? I swear on the reputation of Tianbao Trading Company that we will not abscond with the merchandise.”
“Take it.”
Lu Changsheng took out a small jade bottle containing a seven-grade Phoenix Blood Revival Pill.
Having several Phoenix Blood Revival Pills, Lu Changsheng didn’t mind auctioning one off since it wouldn’t affect his own use.
“This item is known as the Phoenix Blood Revival Pill, refined from a drop of the legendary divine beast, the phoenix’s true blood, combined with various Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures. It can rapidly restore vitality, resist cold and yin energies, and has some detoxifying effects.”
“This item is called the Soul Supplement Pill, a six-grade elixir that can repair damaged souls.”
Lu Changsheng took out another small jade bottle.
The shopkeeper received it with extreme care, afraid of breaking the two jade bottles.
If a seven-grade elixir was damaged, selling the shopkeeper who was at the Golden Core Realm wouldn’t cover the losses.
Upon opening the jade bottle containing the Phoenix Blood Revival Pill, a strong medicinal power surged out, making one’s pores relax and a warmth pervading the room.
“Indeed, this is unquestionably a seven-grade elixir. I will put out the word immediately, and there will surely be people coming to bid. I dare not say for other places, but in Tianyu City, there are cultivators who can produce 1 million spirit stones. Additionally, our Tianbao Trading Company will dispatch a Dao Palace Realm powerhouse to preside over the protection of this item during the auction.”
The shopkeeper of the Tianbao Trading Company was very particular about rules and made arrangements in an orderly manner.
“I plan to attend the auction and bid on a batch of treasures. As for my identity, I do not want anyone to know.”
“Understood. Please follow me to the Heavenly Room, the auction will start shortly.”
The shopkeeper personally led Lu Changsheng to the Heavenly Room above the auction hall.
“If the esteemed guest feels it is too quiet, I can invite people to accompany you. Our Tianbao Trading Company can provide the best service for the esteemed guest.”
“There’s no need.”
Lu Changsheng was only there to exchange for a sum of spirit stones and to purchase a batch of Acquired Spirit Treasures to reward his disciples; he did not wish for any complications.