Chapter 47

Logically speaking, the value of this incomplete sword technique scroll was at most around five thousand low-grade spirit stones. For Fu Yan to spend seven thousand low-grade spirit stones to win it was indeed somewhat of a loss.

But Fu Yan did not care, because she felt it was worth it. After all, spirit stones could be earned again, but once an opportunity was missed, there truly might never be another chance.

Moreover, she had just scammed Ye Zhiyan out of ten thousand low-grade spirit stones. Overall, Fu Yan had not suffered any loss at all.

Although seeing the incomplete scroll in her hand had verified the thought in her heart, and Fu Yan was extremely excited inside, she did not reveal much on her face.

So Shui Liuqing, who was in the private room, watched as Fu Yan only casually glanced at the incomplete scroll before putting it away as if nothing had happened. Shui Liuqing somewhat thought that she was regretting it.

After all, she had spent seven thousand low-grade spirit stones.

After the auction for the low-tier earth-rank sword technique manual ended, very soon, the ceremonial lady once again carried the next treasure onto the stage in the main hall. After something even more precious appeared, everyone’s enthusiasm rose again one after another.

As for the wealth-flaunting fight between Fu Yan and Ye Zhiyan, it was gradually thrown to the backs of everyone’s minds.

The treasures that came next were also very precious. There were upper-grade spirit swords, complete peak-tier human-rank manuals, and so on, causing everyone to throw down fortunes one after another, all for the sake of obtaining the treasure they had set their hearts on.

Because Fu Yan already had the broken Linglong Sword, and aside from sword techniques, she was not very interested in other manuals, she did not bid during the next several rounds.

Perhaps because the later treasures were all very precious, there were actually two occasions where the price was pushed above ten thousand low-grade spirit stones. ​read the original at bailiantales.com​Although the treasures were indeed worth that price, it still made many people click their tongues in amazement.

Outside, the moon had long since hung high in the sky. Bright, clean moonlight spilled over the whole of Chaoyang City. After who knew how long, Chunlü Pavilion’s small auction finally drew close to its end.

After the eleventh treasure was successfully won by someone for twelve thousand low-grade spirit stones, Old Xu on the stage finally slowly stepped forward again. With a smiling face, he looked toward everyone and said, “On behalf of Chunlü Pavilion, I once again thank everyone for taking the time to attend this small auction. Now, there is only one final item left in the auction that has not yet come onstage. I hope everyone will continue to offer plenty of support.”

“Before the final item comes onstage, I still have to say one more thing. Chunlü Pavilion welcomes entrusted auctions from anyone. As long as the item passes our appraisal without issue, we can auction it on your behalf. Chunlü Pavilion looks forward to achieving a win-win result together with everyone!”

Faced with Old Xu’s final speech, everyone was already used to it and echoed him with a few words. However, what made everyone most curious was still the final treasure of this small auction.

For an auction, the later a treasure appeared, the higher grade it naturally was. And usually, the final treasure was the auction’s finale item. It could be said that more than half the people attending the auction had come precisely for this final treasure.

So while there was still a gap before the final treasure appeared, everyone could not help guessing one after another, voicing their own ideas.

“Time actually passed this quickly? Why do I feel like it only took the blink of an eye, yet this auction already has only one final treasure left?”

“Who says it isn’t? Poor me, I still haven’t won anything. Damn it, compared with these people, my fortune really isn’t enough to look at. I can only watch helplessly as the treasures I like fall into someone else’s hands. Wuwu…”

“Speaking of which, what exactly will tonight’s final treasure be? A magic treasure, a manual, or a weapon?”

“This auction isn’t good enough. I remember last time’s small auction had fourteen treasures in total, but today there are only twelve.”

“I heard that the final treasure once presented at a previous auction was a low-grade spirit [Read on BaiLianTales]treasure! That was a spirit treasure! Simply too terrifying. At that time, all the cultivation families and sect disciples really fought desperately for it!”

“I also know of an auction where the final treasure was a complete high-tier earth-rank manual. At the time, everyone fought madly over it too. You have no idea how terrifying that scene was!”

“What you’re talking about are those annual large-scale auctions. For a small auction like this, even if it’s the final treasure, it won’t be that exaggerated.”

“What? You people still don’t know what today’s final treasure is? In order to attract major figures here, Chunlü Pavilion actually already quietly released the news. This time, the final treasure is neither a spirit treasure nor any manual. It seems to be a map.”

“What? A map??”

“Exactly. Who are you trying to fool? A map can be the final treasure? Are you still half-asleep and dreaming?”

“Tch. Believe it or not, it definitely won’t be a simple map. Just watch.”

“…”

Listening to the chaotic discussions coming from below, Fu Yan inside the private room also grew somewhat curious. What exactly would the final treasure of this auction be?

However, the suspense did not last too long. After Old Xu’s voice on the stage fell, in less than two breaths’ time, the final treasure was finally carried up by the ceremonial lady.

Old Xu smiled and walked over. Then, under everyone’s extremely curious gazes, he finally raised his hand and lifted the bright red silk covering the wooden tray.

In the next second, an ancient sheepskin scroll directly entered everyone’s sight.

“What is this? Don’t tell me it really is some kind of map?”

“Exactly. Even if there’s no rare treasure, they don’t have to casually take out a sheepskin scroll to fool people, right?”

“Could it be another incomplete manual?”

“Aiya, why is everyone so anxious? Chunlü Pavilion has held auctions in Chaoyang City for so many years, so it still has basic credibility. Let’s hear what Old Xu has to say first.”

…

As the words fell, everyone in the main hall could not help looking toward Old Xu on the stage, urging him to hurry and explain.

Old Xu still smiled gently. Under the gazes of everyone, who were nearly growing impatient, he finally slowly explained, “That’s right. Tonight’s final treasure is indeed a map. To be precise, it is actually a treasure map.”

“What treasure map?”

“Hurry up. Can you say everything at once? Listening to this is about to give people a heart attack.”

Old Xu truly felt somewhat helpless. He had been preparing to explain everything in one breath, but unfortunately, in the time it took him to breathe, the people below had already voiced doubts one after another.

“After appraisal by Chunlü Pavilion’s top appraisers, unauthorized copythe conclusion we reached is that this is a treasure map left behind by an Earth Immortal!”

As soon as these words came out, the whole hall was in an uproar.

“Earth Immortal?? My goodness, it’s actually a treasure map left behind by an immortal? Chunlü Pavilion, are you certain there wasn’t a mistake in the appraisal? Our Northern Region hasn’t produced an Earth Immortal for tens of thousands of years, has it?”

“It really is somewhat exaggerated. The Earth Immortal level can basically be considered beyond the three realms. I’ve never heard of an Earth Immortal appearing in our Northern Region.”

“Exactly, exactly. Think about it, an Earth Immortal! Even if this immortal truly left behind some treasure, how could it end up in our Northern Region?”

“If there really is treasure, why doesn’t Chunlü Pavilion hurry and go dig it up? Why take it out for auction?”

“Wuwu… If I could obtain an Earth Immortal’s inheritance, I would definitely be able to walk sideways across the Tongxuan Continent! Let’s see who would still dare provoke me!”

“…”

Old Xu saw that after everyone heard the words “Earth Immortal,” they could not control themselves. This scene was naturally exactly what he had hoped to see. Only when everyone’s emotions had settled a little did he continue, “This treasure map was indeed created by an Earth Immortal. However, the treasure map is divided into roughly four parts in total. If all four treasure maps cannot be gathered, then there is no way to deduce the location of the treasure the Earth Immortal left behind.”

Hearing this, everyone immediately showed expressions of sudden understanding. “I knew it wouldn’t be that simple. Sure enough, it’s another pit. Four treasure maps—how could they possibly be gathered?”

“That’s right, another pit. And I dare guarantee that the treasury’s location definitely isn’t in our Northern Region.”

Seeing that everyone immediately seemed to lose interest again, Old Xu could only speak up once more and explain, “Although gathering all four treasure maps [Read on BaiLianTales]is somewhat difficult, everyone, think carefully. This is treasure left behind by an Earth Immortal. Forget an Earth Immortal’s inheritance—even one random magic artifact or manual inside could allow someone to soar to the heavens in one leap. Holding this treasure map is the same as grasping one-quarter of that hope!”

“All right, I won’t say any more. Earth Immortal treasure map. The starting bid is six thousand low-grade spirit stones. Each increase must be no less than five hundred low-grade spirit stones!”

Old Xu was truly worthy of being a veteran auctioneer. This speech made everyone’s hearts stir again. After all, having a one-in-four chance of obtaining an Earth Immortal’s inheritance was simply a fatal temptation to anyone.

Almost everyone was willing to take a gamble. For the sake of an Earth Immortal’s inheritance, what was wrong with going crazy once?

“I don’t care anymore. There’s a one-quarter chance of obtaining an Earth Immortal’s inheritance. This temptation is too great. I offer six thousand five hundred low-grade spirit stones!”

“I’ll gamble too. Seven thousand low-grade spirit stones!”

“I offer seven thousand five hundred low-grade spirit stones!”

For a time, bidding voices once again rang out one after another throughout the entire main hall.

At this moment, Fu Yan inside the private room paused slightly. Her thoughts seemed to drift somewhat far away. After hearing Old Xu’s introduction, she remembered a plotline from the book.

The male lead had also once obtained an Earth Immortal treasure map. However, this so-called treasure map was actually only a key. The Earth Immortal’s treasure was actually his mausoleum. It would appear at a specific time, and there was no need to gather all the treasure maps to find the location at all.

When the mausoleum opened, all cultivators could enter to seek treasures, while the treasure maps left behind by the Earth Immortal counted as keys. Holding one map meant the opportunities one obtained would be greater than others, but it was not as mysterious as Old Xu claimed.

After all, wanting to gather all four treasure maps by oneself could basically unauthorized copy be said to be impossible.

Thinking of this, when Fu Yan raised her eyes again and looked at the map on the auction stage, she guessed that this map was one of the ones left behind by that Earth Immortal. She was only somewhat surprised. She had not expected this treasure map to actually appear in this kind of small auction.

After all, holding the treasure map meant that in the future, when entering the Earth Immortal’s mausoleum, one would have a greater opportunity. Moreover, having one was enough. There was no need to gather them all. So at this moment, Fu Yan was naturally somewhat tempted.

After steadying herself and holding the thought that she would bid if she could, Fu Yan quickly called out a price as well. “I offer eight thousand low-grade spirit stones!”

However, as for this Earth Immortal treasure map, the people in the private rooms seemed all very interested, so bidding voices followed one after another.

“Eight thousand five hundred low-grade spirit stones!”

“Nine thousand low-grade spirit stones!”

…

“Ten thousand low-grade spirit stones!”

In almost the blink of an eye, the price of this final treasure had already successfully broken through ten thousand low-grade spirit stones.

Ten thousand spirit stones was already an unreachable number for the rogue cultivators in the main hall. So aside from looking up in envy, they could only watch to see which family this treasure map would ultimately fall into.

“Twelve thousand low-grade spirit stones!”

Fu Yan once again increased the bid. She knew this was already her limit. Any higher, and she would definitely bleed heavily. However, looking at the current situation, she and this treasure map were probably not fated.

Sure enough, the moment her voice fell, another private room continued increasing the price. “Thirteen thousand low-grade spirit stones!”

“Fourteen thousand low-grade spirit stones!”

“…”

Listening to the voices outside, Fu Yan no longer continued bidding. Looking at this momentum, it was very possible the price would climb straight to twenty thousand low-grade spirit stones. She took one last sip of tea and waited for the auction to end.

Seeing this from across the room, Shui Liuqing did not quite understand why Fu Yan had suddenly given up the competition. After all, this Earth Immortal treasure map was something even she was extremely tempted by. Moreover, if Fu Yan added Shui Liuqing’s spirit stones too, the two of them might really be able to win this treasure map.

Thinking of this, Shui Liuqing hesitated for a moment, but still could not help asking, “Master, why…”

But before she could finish asking, Fu Yan interrupted her. “There’s no need.”

Fu Yan naturally saw through Shui Liuqing’s thoughts. For one treasure map, there truly was no need. Moreover, Fu Yan knew nothing at all about the later plot in the book, so when exactly this Earth Immortal mausoleum would appear was still a mystery.

As for the treasure map, obtaining it would naturally be good. If she could not obtain it, there was no need to care too much. But naturally, Fu Yan would not explain these thoughts in detail to Shui Liuqing.

This small auction did not continue for too long. Very soon, this final treasure was won by someone for twenty-one thousand low-grade spirit stones, tunauthorized copyruly shocking the crowd in the main hall.

“It should be someone from the Ye family.” Listening to the private room that had spent more than twenty thousand spirit stones to win the treasure map, Fu Yan slowly said.

Shui Liuqing also paused slightly. She had recognized that the person who had won it was precisely the Ye family’s young master, Ye Xuanye, whom she had met before.

“This auction has now completely concluded. Whether or not everyone won the treasure you desired, I still hope that everyone…”

Below on the auction stage, Old Xu’s final statement quickly sounded as well, announcing that Chunlü Pavilion’s auction had already ended.

Before long, a staff member of Chunlü Pavilion came in with an account book and slowly pushed open the door to Fu Yan’s private room.

“Hello, Immortal Master. This is the bill for the high-grade body-tempering movement method you entrusted Chunlü Pavilion to auction on your behalf, along with your expenses during this auction. Please look it over.” As he spoke, the person handed the bill to Shui Liuqing before him.

Shui Liuqing nodded lightly and directly reached out to accept the bill. After glancing at it, she quickly handed it to Fu Yan sitting opposite her.

Naturally, Chunlü Pavilion’s staff member had no issue with her action. He simply continued explaining, “The fourth-grade body-tempering movement method was auctioned for ten thousand low-grade spirit stones. According to our rules, Chunlü Pavilion should have taken a thirty percent handling fee, which is three thousand low-grade spirit stones. However, because Immortal Master has an exclusive crystal card, the handling fee is half off, so we only collected one thousand five hundred low-grade spirit stones.”

Fu Yan lowered her eyes and glanced at the bill. It was indeed exactly as this person had said, without any issues. Only, this exclusive crystal card…

Pausing slightly, Fu Yan raised her eyes and looked at Shui Liuqing. However, because someone was present, she did not ask aloud. She merely shifted her gaze to the staff member and slowly said, “Deduct the spirit stones for the incomplete scroll we won directly from there.”

“All right.” The staff member was not surprised either. He respectfully took out one thousand five hundred low-grade spirit stones from his robes and handed them over, [stolen content]saying, “This is the one thousand five hundred low-grade spirit stones owed to you.”

Fu Yan reached out and picked them up, weighing them in her hand. Then she nodded.

Since all accounts had been settled, the staff member naturally did not stay any longer. Very soon, he withdrew from Fu Yan’s private room again.

“Let’s go.” Putting down her teacup, Fu Yan prepared to leave. She also could not be bothered to run into the Ye family’s people later. After all, with her current strength, if she truly went against the Ye family, she would not gain any advantage.

“Wait a moment,” Shui Liuqing suddenly said. Only then did she explain, “Because our family has cooperated with the Ye family before, I have met the Ye family’s young master a few times. That crystal card was borrowed from him. Please wait while I go return it to him, Master.”

Fu Yan paused slightly. She had not expected Shui Liuqing to still have a connection with the Ye family. However, she did not say much either. She only nodded lightly and said casually, “Then go. I’ll wait for you outside Chunlü Pavilion.”

“Yes.” Shui Liuqing answered and instantly got up, leaving the private room.

On the other side, just as Ye Xuanye brought Ye Zhiyan and Cheng Wanwan out of the private room, they happened to run into Shui Liuqing, who had come to return the crystal card.

“Young Master Xuanye, many thanks for your crystal card.” Shui Liuqing acted as if she had not seen Ye Zhiyan and Cheng Wanwan behind him. She directly looked at Ye Xuanye in front and returned the crystal card in her hand.

Ye Xuanye was not surprised either. He calmly accepted his crystal card. Only then did he smile and say, “Liuqing, there’s no need to be polite. Since Liuqing came specially to Chaoyang City, if anything comes up, you can come directly to me.”

Shui Liuqing answered politely and distantly, “I only came down the mountain with a fellow junior sister from my sect to train, so I won’t disturb you further.”

After speaking, she said goodbye aloud, then left without looking back.

From the moment Shui Liuqing appeared until she left, Ye Zhiyan had been staring at her curiously. Only after seeing her walk completely far away did she tease her big brother. “Big Brother, didn’t you say you had no interest in her? Then why did you still lend your crystal card to someone from the Shui family?”

“What do you know?” Ye Xuanye replied casually, seemingly too lazy to explain further.

The two of them seemed not to notice that Cheng Wanwan, who had not spoken at the side, had actually kept her gaze on Shui Liuqing all along. Then she looked at the crystal card in Ye Xuanye’s hand, and immediately lowered her eyes.

But very soon, the three of them all left Chunlü Pavilion one after another.

After Shui Liuqing reunited with Fu Yan, she had originally thought Fu Yan would ask about her relationship with the Ye family. Unexpectedly, Fu Yan did not show the slightest intention of learning about it.

Fu Yan naturally had no such thoughts. The twists and turns between these cultivation families had nothing to do with her, so she could not be bothered to think about them. Now that the auction had ended, thinking about where she should go next to train was more important.

More than a month had already passed since they descended the mountain, and Fu Yan had also remained at middle Illumination stage for more than a month. What she needed to do at present was break through to late Illumination stage as soon as possible.

Because several months later, during the sect competition, the entire Northern Region would undergo a great upheaval. Then an ancient battlefield secret realm would appear. At that time, nearly half of all sect disciples and cultivation family disciples would enter to explore and search for treasures.

If she did not break through to late Illumination before the competition, forget exploring and seeking treasures—Fu Yan felt that even protecting herself would be a problem.

Speaking of this great secret realm, Fu Yan could not help thinking of Bai Yueli, because in the plot of the original book, the male lead and Bai Yueli had precisely formed a relationship in this great secret realm because of an accident. Bai Yueli’s yin essence had been taken by the male lead then.

Bai Yueli, Fang Yu.

Fu Yan silently recited these two names in her heart. For some reason, from the moment she transmigrated into the book until now, this was the first time she had the thought of actively destroying the original plot. After all, if Bai Yueli truly ended up being sacrificed to the male lead, no matter how she looked at it, it felt wrong.

Bai Yueli deserved better.

Moreover, from the time Fu Yan returned to the sect until now, Bai Yueli had helped her so, so much along the way. Fu Yan felt that she should all the more pull her away from that stud male lead. Bai Yueli should never have been part of anyone’s harem to begin with.

She belonged to herself, not to anyone else.

Her future life should have been decided by Bai Yueli herself, rather than being entangled by this damned and melodramatic plot.

After making up her mind to split apart Bai Yueli and the male lead’s plotline, for some unknown reason, Fu Yan suddenly felt as if the clouds had parted to reveal the sun. Everything instantly became bright and clear.

Withdrawing her thoughts, Fu Yan finally looked at Shui Liuqing before her and asked, “Do you know whether there’s any good place in Chaoyang City, or nearby, where one can train? Preferably somewhere that allows real combat sparring.”

No matter what, the current Fu Yan only wanted to strengthen herself quickly. Chaoyang City’s cultivation secret rooms were indeed a good place, so she planned to break through to late Illumination stage in the cultivation secret rooms.

However, going directly into seclusion to break through now was useless. Fu Yan still needed battle. She needed real, solid combat to enrich her strength. Only when her qi sea showed signs of breaking through could she directly enter seclusion and advance.

Hearing this, Shui Liuqing fell into thought, seeming to carefully consider whether there was any place that fit what Fu Yan had described. Only after a long while did her eyes brighten. However, she also showed a somewhat uneasy expression.

“What’s wrong?” Fu Yan naturally saw the hesitation in her eyes.

“In Chaoyang City, there is indeed a place where real combat sparring can be carried out.” Shui Liuqing paused slightly. After hesitating for quite a while, she still said truthfully, “But this place also has a very high danger factor.”

Fu Yan looked at her, signaling Shui Liuqing to continue.

Seeing that Fu Yan had no intention of giving up, Shui Liuqing could only helplessly explain in the end, “In the northernmost corner of Chaoyang City, there exists an extremely large martial market. All kinds of people frequently enter and leave it.”

Fu Yan paused slightly. Toward the place Shui Liuqing mentioned—the so-called martial market—she had a trace of curiosity. And so, very quickly, the two arrived at the entrance to the martial market.

Although it was already deep into the night, the entrance to the martial market was still crowded with people. Fu Yan raised her eyes and looked over, only to see four large characters carved on the signboard:

Martial Market Arena.