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Chapter 37: Yunhai Pavilion Auction
Chapter 37: Yunhai Pavilion Auction
When Qiu Shuny saw Chu Ning, he walked over to greet him.
"Chu Ning, you mentioned yesterday that you wanted to invite more people to make it livelier. So, I asked a few more. Coincidentally, everyone I asked hadn't been to the market in a while, so we ended up with a larger group."
Looking at the group of nearly twenty people, Chu Ning thought to himself that it was more than just a few more.
There were only about thirty new disciples in the Spirit Planting House, and almost half of them were here.
However, instead of feeling worried, Chu Ning was secretly pleased. More people meant more safety.
"It's fine. The more, the merrier," Chu Ning said with a smile, while Qiu Shuny's expression became even more embarrassed.
"I just heard from the others that Yuan Guang will be coming too."
Upon hearing this, Chu Ning was delighted. Even better, he thought. Having a leader among them would make him seem even more low-key. If anything were to happen, it wouldn't fall on him.
As for the apparent discord between him and Yuan Guang, Chu Ning didn't care at all. He had already reached the fifth layer of Qi Refinement, while Yuan Guang was only at the third layer. What was there to feel inferior about?
"It's fine. We're all fellow sect brothers, and we bear no grudges." As Chu Ning spoke, he patted Qiu Shuny's shoulder.
Qiu Shuny thought that Chu Ning was comforting him and, seeing a senior sect member emerge at that moment, quickly pulled Chu Ning along as they hurried over.
"With so many people, we won't all fit in one trip. Let's go ahead."
Chu Ning didn't object. It was better to arrive at the market early so he could browse around. After all, this time he would be returning with the others.
Nearly ten people boarded the spirit boat, including Chu Ning, Qiu Shuny, and Lu Xingyuan, who had accompanied them on their previous trip to the market. There were also several other cultivators.
However, the rest didn't seem too pleased about leaving early.
Chu Ning could guess their thoughts—they were probably waiting for Yuan Guang.
That disciple, who had "simultaneously" reached the third layer of Qi Refinement with him, had become the de facto leader among this batch of new disciples in the Spirit Planting House.
Not long after Chu Ning and the others left, Yuan Guang finally arrived.
As soon as he appeared, several people gathered around him, chattering:
"Brother Yuan, you're just arriving now? Didn't you see? As soon as Chu Ning heard you were coming, he hurried off right away."
"He must have felt embarrassed to see Brother Yuan. If he hadn't planted spirit rice last season, he might still be going hungry this month. Unlike Brother Yuan, who already has access to various cultivation resources."
...
Hearing these words, Yuan Guang forced a smile, looking somewhat uncomfortable.
Ever since Zhuang Yunde told him that Chu Ning's spell cultivation far surpassed his and that he had been recommended as an apprentice disciple, Yuan Guang had been avoiding Chu Ning.
Fortunately, Chu Ning kept a low profile and rarely showed himself, so they rarely had a chance to meet.
He hadn't expected that Chu Ning would also be going to the market today.
However, upon hearing that Chu Ning had already left, he heaved a sigh of relief and forced another smile.
"We're all fellow sect brothers. There's no need to speak ill of others behind their backs. Perhaps Brother Chu's ink spirit bamboo turned out well."
"Brother Yuan is truly magnanimous."
"Indeed, Brother Yuan is so humble, even addressing him as 'Brother.'"
Flattering voices sounded from the surrounding disciples, making Yuan Guang even more uncomfortable.
Fortunately, another sect elder arrived at that moment, piloting a spirit boat.
The disciples quickly dispersed, and naturally, they wouldn't dare discuss such matters on the elder's boat.
On the other hand, Chu Ning remained oblivious to everything that had happened after he left.
He didn't even know that Yuan Guang had already learned about his recommendation as an apprentice disciple from Zhuang Yunde.
Chu Ning nodded, "I need to buy some talisman paper for others."
Qiu Shuny didn't think much of it and assumed that one of Chu Ning's neighbors had asked him to pick something up. He immediately suggested, "Then let's go to Yunhai Pavilion. They have the most comprehensive selection of items that cultivators commonly use, and the quality is the best."
"Alright, now that you mention it, I haven't been inside Yunhai Pavilion before," Chu Ning agreed, and they continued deeper into the bustling market.
Along the way, Chu Ning noticed some temporary tasks similar to the ones he had done before. However, with a few dozen spirit stones already in his pocket, he wasn't very interested in these small jobs anymore.
Unless it was something like Old Sun's task, which offered a reward of ten to twenty spirit stones, then he might consider it.
But to avoid being recognized and accidentally revealing his secret, Chu Ning didn't intend to go back to Old Sun's shop.
Fortunately, Old Sun's store was a bit out of the way, so they wouldn't pass by unless they specifically went in that direction.
As they strolled towards Yunhai Pavilion, they noticed that not only was the market more crowded than usual, but there were also more people heading towards the central area.
Puzzled, Chu Ning turned to Qiu Shuny and asked, "Shuny, why are there so many people today? Something feels a bit off."
"Today is Yunhai Pavilion's auction day, which happens once every two months," Qiu Shuny replied as if it were common knowledge.
"So, you invited me to the market today because you knew about this and wanted to watch the excitement, right?" Chu Ning realized, understanding that Qiu Shuny's motivation for gathering such a large group was to see the auction.
Seeing Chu Ning's clueless expression, Qiu Shuny took the opportunity to explain.
Yunhai Pavilion held a public auction once every two months, offering a variety of valuable items for bidding.
While the prices might be higher due to competitive bidding, these items were rarely available for sale otherwise.
As a result, many cultivators made a special trip to attend the auction, including some at the Foundation Establishment stage.
Yunhai Pavilion, seeking to enhance its influence, provided private rooms for wealthy buyers while keeping the auction process open to the public.
Thus, many low-level cultivators also came to observe and experience the excitement.
According to Qiu Shuny, he had already attended two of these auctions.
After listening to Qiu Shuny's explanation, Chu Ning finally understood the situation.
Just then, they arrived at Yunhai Pavilion.
Upon entering, they found themselves in a grand hall that could accommodate two to three thousand people. The hall was filled with rows of chairs arranged in a stepped fashion, and the seats closer to the front were already occupied by a large crowd, numbering around four to five hundred people.
"There are so many people here today. The auction won't start for a while, so we can sit a little closer to the front," suggested Qiu Shuny, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.
He then turned to Chu Ning and asked, "Do you want to buy the talisman paper first?"
Chu Ning glanced at the crowded counters and the occasional cultivator heading upstairs. Unenthusiastic about joining the crowd, he shook his head and said, "I can buy the talisman paper anytime. Let's watch the auction first."
He didn't feel very secure about buying things in such a crowded place full of cultivators.
Chu Ning decided that he would rather purchase the talisman paper from a small shop outside later.
Since they were already there, he might as well stay and observe the auction to broaden his horizons.
(End of Chapter)
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