Chapter 59

Great Yan Dynasty

Royal Capital

Lin Xuan looked up at the towering, ancient city that seemed to sprawl across the landscape like a primeval beast resting upon the earth. His face lit up with a slight smile—after a week of intense travel, he had finally reached his destination. He then turned to Li Qiudao, who was glancing around eagerly. Having a guide along certainly made journeys smoother.

“Brother Han, why are you looking at me like that?” Li Qiudao asked warily, wondering if his intention to slip away had once again been noticed.

Although this young man in front of him appeared youthful and innocent, like a naive son of a wealthy family, Li Qiudao knew better. This boy was sharper than he looked—cunning, even—and his vigilance and calculating mind could rival his own. More than once, he had tried to make a break for it during the journey, yet each time the young man had caught on to his intentions with uncanny perceptiveness.

Lin Xuan glanced away, choosing not to respond.

In no time, they arrived at the city gates, paid the standard entry tax, and entered the capital. Inside, the streets were bustling with people, and even with a brief glance, Lin Xuan spotted several formidable figures whose cultivation had reached the Qi Sea Realm. He marveled silently; the capital of the Great Yan Dynasty was indeed worthy of its reputation.

Li Qiudao observed Lin Xuan and couldn’t help but become more curious. He was now convinced that this young man was neither a disciple of a major sect nor a scion of a top family, which made his identity all the more intriguing.

While Li Qiudao was still puzzling over Lin Xuan’s background, the young man turned to him and asked, “Do you have any spirit stones on you? Lend me some, and I’ll pay you back later.”

Lin Xuan wanted to buy some herbs, but all the low-grade spirit stones he had gathered were either left with his grandfather or given to Lin Yan. Although he still had some pills, they would be difficult to trade. If Li Qiudao weren’t here, Lin Xuan might have headed to an auction house instead. But with a ready “helper” available, why not take advantage?

Everyone knew that those blessed by fortune were often wealthy, and Lin Xuan suspected that the disheveled young man in front of him was wealthier than he seemed.

“Me?” Li Qiudao hesitated for a moment before asking in a low voice, “How many spirit stones do you need?”

Lin Xuan thought it over and then replied, “Ten million low-grade spirit stones.”

At his words, Li Qiudao’s face turned dark. “Forget it. You might as well kill me.”

Ten million low-grade spirit stones? The nerve!

Ten million low-grade spirit stones were the equivalent of one hundred thousand medium-grade spirit stones—a significant sum. Though Li Qiudao had gathered many resources while traversing from one end of the Qingyan Province to the Great Yan Dynasty, it amounted to…well…about that much.

Watching Li Qiudao’s steadfast expression, Lin Xuan fell silent. Ten million low-grade spirit stones…perhaps he had overestimated.

“How about five million low-grade spirit stones? I’ll return them within three days,” he proposed, fixing Li Qiudao with a serious gaze.

“…Fine,” Li Qiudao grumbled, clearly disgruntled. “But if you don’t repay me in three days, you’ll have to return the Sky Thunder Array Diagram.”

He was still sore over Lin Xuan’s acquisition of the diagram; it was a valuable artifact, and he had counted on using it for some quick wealth.

“Deal,” Lin Xuan agreed without hesitation.

After waiting briefly, Li Qiudao handed Lin Xuan a storage ring, although he couldn’t help asking, “Brother Han, what exactly do you need all these spirit stones for?”

Inspecting the ring, Lin Xuan saw that it contained a total of fifty thousand medium-grade spirit stones, each exuding a strong energy—several times more potent than that of low-grade stones.

He glanced at Li Qiudao and realized that he had underestimated the young man in front of him. Li Qiudao seemed to have handed over such a large amount effortlessly, which suggested his wealth was even greater than expected.

In response to Li Qiudao’s inquiry, Lin Xuan said simply, “I’m buying herbs for alchemy.”

“You’re an alchemist?” Li Qiudao looked at him in disbelief. “And you’re saying you’re a…what grade, exactly?”

“I suppose I could count as a fifth-grade alchemist,” Lin Xuan replied, his expression unchanging.

Though he hadn’t formally made a fifth-grade pill before, he was already proficient in creating perfect-grade fourth-level pills. He was confident that crafting a fifth-grade pill wouldn’t pose much difficulty.

“Hah!” Li Qiudao chuckled skeptically. A fifth-grade alchemist, at this age? If true, the alchemy guild in the Central Region would be all abuzz.

Lin Xuan ignored Li Qiudao’s disbelief and, with guidance from locals, soon arrived at the Treasure Pavilion Auction House.

—

Treasure Pavilion Auction House

As the headquarters of the largest auction house in the Great Yan Dynasty, its decor was lavish beyond words. Even in the highly prized real estate of the capital, the auction house sprawled across nearly a thousand square miles. At the entrance, rows of heavily armored guards stood, each radiating a menacing aura; clearly, these were seasoned warriors who had survived countless battles.

With such formidable guardians, the Treasure Pavilion Auction House was untouchable, even with its vast wealth; no one dared attempt a robbery.

However, a group of young nobles had gathered outside the grand hall, each clad in luxurious robes embroidered with intricate designs. At the center of this group stood a young man in an alchemist’s long robe. Upon his silver badge gleamed two stars, making him stand out among the others.

The young man, with a proud expression, had a refined but somewhat haughty face, and a few of the aristocrats around him looked on with admiration. In their midst were several disciples wearing the robes of the Great Yan Academy.