Chapter 336 - 333: Cuihua City
Chapter 336: Chapter 333: Cuihua City
「Five days later」
At dusk, the silhouette of a grand city gradually came into focus on the horizon.
The city walls, built from massive, dark gray stones, stood over a hundred feet tall. They cast long shadows in the twilight, exuding a sense of profound, time-worn gravitas.
Banners fluttered atop the city walls, on which the two characters for "Cuihua" were faintly visible.
Even at dusk, an endless stream of carriages, horses, and people flowed through the city gates. The clamor could be heard from a great distance, painting a picture of a bustling, prosperous city.
This was one of the major cities of Donglu County—Cuihua City.
Dressed in simple green robes and covered in the dust of his journey, Fang Han stood by the main road, gazing at the city before him.
After several days of traveling at full speed, even with his Middle Stage of Fourth Grade Cultivation, he felt a touch of fatigue. His Inner Qi reserves had been significantly depleted.
Fortunately, the map of Donglu County that Lan Yuexin had given him was extremely detailed. It not only marked the county’s major towns, mountains, and terrain but also thoughtfully outlined several recommended routes between various locations.
The route he chose, while not the most direct, bypassed several dangerous regions. It also had many inns and small towns along the way for supplies and rest, making it the safest and most efficient option.
’I finally made it,’ Fang Han thought to himself.
Today was the last day of the month, and the auction was scheduled for tomorrow.
If he hadn’t had this map, or if he had been delayed even slightly on his journey, he would have missed the auction—a prospect he would have deeply regretted.
He lingered no longer, joining the stream of people heading toward the city gates. After paying the entrance fee, he passed through smoothly.
The scene inside Cuihua City was not fundamentally different from the major cities of Qingyang County. The streets were wide, lined with shops, and crowded with pedestrians brushing shoulders.
The cries of vendors, the sounds of laughter and conversation, and the rumbling of carriages all mingled into a vibrant symphony of the marketplace.
Dusk was peak time for the city’s restaurants, and the air was filled with the scents of food, spices, and the unique smells of various goods.
Fang Han had no interest in sightseeing. His gaze swept quickly over the signs on both sides of the street.
Before long, he found a clean, tidy-looking, medium-sized inn and requested a superior room in a quieter location.
After a hasty dinner, Fang Han returned to his room, shut the door, and sealed himself off from the noise outside.
After washing up, he swallowed two True Spirit Pills and sat cross-legged on the bed.
’Profound Wind Technique.’
His mind calmed, and the Cultivation Technique in his body began to circulate slowly.
The Inner Qi of a Middle Stage of Fourth Grade cultivator surged from his already opened acupoints, like trickles of water converging into a river, flowing ceaselessly along its designated path.
The medicinal effects of the True Spirit Pills were rapidly absorbed and activated, converting into Inner Qi to replenish what he had consumed over days of travel.
Time slipped by quietly as he focused on his Cultivation.
Outside the window, the sky darkened completely. Lanterns were lit, and the sounds both inside and outside the inn gradually subsided.
Fang Han’s mind was as still as an ancient well, neither hurried nor impatient. He simply guided his Inner Qi through its Circulation with patience.
Four hours later, he slowly ceased his practice. A sharp glint flashed in his eyes; the Inner Qi he had expended during his journey was now restored.
His Inner Qi could be recovered by cultivating the Profound Wind Technique, but the mental fatigue from days of travel could not.
He lay down to rest, seeking to eliminate his mental exhaustion through sleep. However, he remained fully clothed, maintaining a state of light sleep and high alert.
Although he wasn’t actively using the Spirit Smelling Technique, his sense of smell—enhanced by this Secret Technique—was constantly aware of the subtle changes in scent outside his door, in the hallway, and even in the inn’s courtyard.
He was in a foreign place, carrying a massive fortune to participate in an auction. He couldn’t afford not to be extra cautious.
The night passed uneventfully.
The next day, Fang Han awoke at dawn. The first thing he did after getting up was to cultivate the Profound Wind Technique, performing his daily routine.
Afterward, he went out and strolled around the city for a bit, familiarizing himself with the local customs of Donglu County and confirming the location of the Golden Scale Commerce Association.
As evening approached and the last golden rays of the setting sun grazed the flying eaves, Fang Han stood up and adjusted his clothes.
He strapped the Cloud Splitting Sword to his back, then double-checked the hidden inner pouch containing a huge sum of silver notes, making sure everything was in order.
He pushed open the door, descended the stairs, and merged into the lantern-lit streets and flowing crowds, heading toward the western part of the city where the Golden Scale Commerce Association was located.
The farther he walked, the wider and cleaner the streets became. The buildings on either side grew more magnificent and grand, and the pedestrians were noticeably dressed in more opulent attire. He had clearly entered the affluent district of Cuihua City.
Before long, a sprawling, brightly lit building appeared ahead.
The building stood three stories tall, its ancient architectural style imbued with luxury. The flying eaves and bracket sets were all outlined in gold lacquer, glittering brilliantly under the lights.
The main entrance was exceptionally wide, crafted from precious redwood. Above it hung a massive ebony plaque, on which were inscribed four powerful, gilt words: Golden Scale Commerce Association.
Flanking the entrance stood eight guards—four on each side—with solemn auras and sharp eyes. All of them possessed Middle Third Grade Cultivation and were maintaining order.
Many well-dressed Martial Artists with formidable auras, arriving either by carriage or on foot, were already being respectfully ushered inside after presenting their invitations.
Fang Han strode forward calmly.
As he reached the entrance, a middle-aged man who looked like a steward approached him and asked politely,
"Sir, may I please see your invitation?"
Fang Han retrieved the gold-stamped invitation from his robes and handed it over.
The steward took it, carefully examining the words "Golden Scale Commerce Association" and the unique flame insignia on the cover before opening it to inspect the inner page.
His smile broadened. He bowed slightly and returned the invitation with both hands.
"Ah, a distinguished guest. My apologies for not recognizing you. Please, follow me."
The steward led Fang Han not through the main entrance into the bustling first-floor hall, but instead to a side corridor carpeted in soft fabric.
The walls of the corridor were adorned with landscape paintings of profound artistic depth, and the faint scent of sandalwood permeated the air.
They ascended a wide, red-carpeted staircase to the second floor.
Unlike the open expanse of the first floor, the second floor consisted of a circular balcony. The inner wall of the balcony was lined with private boxes, separated by carved wooden doors and veiled by beaded curtains, making it difficult to see inside from the outside.
The outer edge of the balcony featured an exquisite railing, from which one could look down upon the brightly lit, red-carpeted auction stage in the center of the first floor.
Dozens of such private boxes lined the circular balcony.
At this moment, most of the beaded curtains were drawn, and one could faintly make out the silhouettes of figures moving and hear the low murmur of conversations.
"Your box is this way, sir. Please."
The steward led Fang Han to a box in the middle of the balcony and lifted the beaded curtain for him.
The box was not large, but it was elegantly furnished with a square rosewood table and two armchairs with brocade cushions. Exquisite refreshments and fruits were arranged on the table.
The view from the railing at the front was excellent, directly facing the auction stage.
"During the auction, if you require anything, simply pull the bell cord by the door. A maid will attend to you. I wish you success in your bidding."
With that, the steward bowed and withdrew.
Fang Han sat down in one of the armchairs and scanned the private box.
The privacy was excellent. Wooden partitions separated the adjacent boxes, and the beaded curtain effectively blocked the line of sight. Only the side facing the auction stage was open.
He took a sip of tea and sat quietly, regulating his breathing as he awaited the start of the auction.
The clamor from the hall below and the faint sounds from the other second-floor boxes reached his ears, which had grown increasingly sharp since his Cultivation reached the Middle Stage of Fourth Grade.
Every person seated in a second-floor box was either of noble status or immense wealth. Among them, he could sense several auras that gave him a faint feeling of pressure.
About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the seats in the first-floor hall were nearly full, buzzing with a cacophony of voices. The lights in almost all the second-floor boxes were lit as well.
Just then, an amiable-looking, clean-shaven old man in a brocade robe walked out from behind the auction stage.
He walked with a steady gait to the center of the stage and cleared his throat.
Without him needing to shout, a soft yet clear voice spread to every corner of the venue, demonstrating an impressive Inner Strength Cultivation.
"Good evening, distinguished guests. I am Jin Buyi, and I am humbled to be your host for this auction."
"Thank you all for traveling from afar to grace this grand auction held by our Golden Scale Commerce Association. Without further ado, I declare the auction officially open!"
As his voice faded, the noise in the hall gradually subsided, and all eyes focused on the stage.
A beautiful maid, holding a silver platter covered with red silk, gracefully walked onto the stage.
Jin Buyi unveiled the silk, revealing a longsword, about three feet in length, its scabbard inlaid with several blue gemstones.
"Our first item is the Cold Water Sword. It was forged from Cold Pool Iron Essence mixed with a small amount of Ice Soul Sand. When drawn, it emanates a natural chill that can slow an opponent’s qi and blood flow. It is a fine specimen among Top-grade Weapons."
"The starting bid is 300,000 silver. Each increment must be no less than 10,000 silver."
"Three hundred and ten thousand!"
"Three hundred and twenty thousand!"
"Three hundred and fifty thousand!"
A flurry of bids erupted from the seats in the first-floor hall. For most Martial Artists, a Top-grade Weapon was a rare treasure.
Fang Han merely watched in silence. He already possessed the Cloud Splitting Sword, a Low Grade Magical Soldier, and had no need for this item.
Ultimately, the Cold Water Sword was sold for 1,480,000 silver to a wealthy-looking, middle-aged merchant on the first floor.
The auction proceeded in an orderly fashion. The subsequent items were varied, including the "Jade Toad Pill," capable of neutralizing a hundred poisons.
There was a fragmented scroll of a Top Grade Martial Arts, the "Shocking God Finger," which recorded a formidable finger technique. There was the "Tiger Soul Pill," refined from the heart’s essence blood of the Red Flame Tiger Demon Beast, which could temporarily grant a massive boost to strength and explosive power.
There was the "Golden Silk Armor," renowned for its toughness, and the "Warm Jade Meditation Mat," a wondrous item with a calming effect...
Every item was a treasure in its own right, and each one sparked a round of bidding, some fierce, some mild.
The occupants of the second-floor boxes also bid occasionally. Whenever they did, their offers would silence many of the bidders in the hall below, demonstrating their immense financial power.
Fang Han remained silent from beginning to end.
His gaze swept calmly over each item, his heart completely unmoved.
Though these items were good, they were not the purpose of his trip.
Most of his attention was instead focused on the other boxes on the second floor.
In some of the boxes, he sensed auras that were obscure and profound, while others emanated a distinct killing intent or a sinister chill. Clearly, their occupants were not to be underestimated.
This couldn’t help but put him on high alert.
He worried that after he won the bid for the Howling Moon Spirit Deer antlers, some of these people might resort to "unconventional methods."
It wasn’t impossible. As the saying goes, opportunity breeds avarice. It was common for Martial Artists to kill for treasure.
Especially now that he was no longer in Qingyang County, he could be considered someone with "no background" to speak of.