"You know," Lin Chen said calmly, a dangerous edge slipping into his voice, "I usually don't lose my temper with people. But the longer I look at you, the closer I get to wondering how much patience a cultivator is actually supposed to have."
Yan Shou's smile stiffened—just a little.
"You keep circling around the point," Lin Chen continued. "I'm asking you one last time—how confident are you that you can help me obtain those items?"
His tone left no room for jokes.
If this guy continued dodging the question, Lin Chen would turn around and seek his master instead.
True, she was unreliable, lazy, and allergic to effort—but he was certain of one thing. If he annoyed her enough, she would get the materials for him. Even if she complained the entire time.
Yan Shou scratched his cheek and gave a helpless chuckle.
"I thought you were the type who enjoyed surprises."
"No," Lin Chen replied flatly. "I hate surprises that bring trouble. Speak."
Yan Shou raised both hands. "Alright, alright. No need to glare like you're about to carve my name onto a grave marker."
He leaned in slightly and lowered his voice.
"I received word that the two materials you're looking for will soon appear… at an auction."
"Auction?"
Lin Chen's expression sank instantly.
In theory, auctions were fair. As long as one possessed enough spirit stones, any treasure could be claimed.
But that was only in theory.
In this world, auctions were nothing short of trouble magnets. Winning the bid was merely the opening act. What followed were jealous cultivators, assassins lurking in the shadows, greedy rogues weighing risks, and scavengers who firmly believed that stealing was far cheaper than bidding.
Purchasing something valuable at an auction was less a transaction and more an announcement—one that effectively painted a bright, unmistakable target on one's back.
A fifty-percent chance of walking away safely—at best.
Lin Chen let out a slow breath. "Which auction house?"
He was already praying it was some third-rate trading pavilion run by loose cultivators.
Yan Shou hesitated for half a breath.
"Ten-Thousand Treasures Hall."
Lin Chen froze.
"…Say that again."
"The Ten-Thousand Treasures Hall. The largest merchant alliance in the entire Eastern Region."
That single sentence was enough to shatter Lin Chen's faint hope. He was certain that, before long, he would encounter something troublesome there.
***
By the time night fell, the wooden flying boat descended above a massive city.
Lin Chen looked down and paused.
This was the largest city he had seen since coming to this world.
Compared to the towns near the sect, it was on a completely different level—wide streets, countless buildings, and lights stretching as far as the eye could see. It reminded him of a medium-sized city from his previous world.
"This is Purple Cloud City," Yan Shou said.
After entering the city, Lin Chen quickly noticed something else.
Cultivators were everywhere.
They walked openly through the streets, blending in with ordinary people. Most of those he sensed were in the Essence Forging Realm, yet from time to time, powerful auras passed by without any effort to conceal themselves.
Lin Chen's gaze subtly sharpened. This truly was a massive city. Even within the sect, he had never seen so many cultivators gathered in one place.
'What Yan Shuo said was right. This is undoubtedly a major city—one overflowing with cultivators.'
As they walked, Lin Chen asked, "So… can we attend the auction?"
He glanced at Yan Shou. A top merchant association wouldn't allow just anyone inside.
"Normally, only those with a membership token are allowed," Yan Shou replied. "And those aren't easy to get."
"So you have one?" Lin Chen asked, already doubtful.
"Of course." Yan Shou smiled and took out a golden plate-like token engraved with the words Ten-Thousand Treasures Hall.
Lin Chen looked at it, then sighed.
"Figures."
At this point, he was certain of one thing—this guy wasn't simple.
After finishing his body refinement, he would definitely investigate Yan Shou properly. No ordinary disciple could casually pull out rare information, a flying treasure, and now a high-level merchant token.
Like a certain blue robotic cat from his previous world, Yan Shou seemed capable of taking anything out of his sleeve.
No ordinary disciple could do that.
Either he was a hidden elite disciple… or trouble of a much worse kind.
Moments later, the auction house came into view.
It was a massive five-story pavilion standing at the heart of Purple Cloud City. Even among the surrounding buildings, it stood out immediately—wide, tall, and heavily guarded.
Guards stood on both sides of the entrance, their expressions cold and alert as they watched the crowd coming and going.
Yan Shou stepped forward and produced his token.
The instant the guards caught sight of it, their expressions changed.
Their gazes sharpened, and one of them immediately inclined his head before stepping aside—no questions asked.
"Esteemed guest," he said respectfully, "please follow us."
Without a single question, they were escorted past the main hall and into a secluded VIP section above the auction floor.
Lin Chen looked around briefly, then made a decision.
Ignore it. Thinking too much about this guy is bad for my mental health.
Soon after they sat down, a woman approached them gracefully. She wore a fitted cheongsam embroidered with patterns, the fabric hugging her figure just enough to draw the eye without crossing any lines. She bent slightly as she handed over a thin jade paper.
"Esteemed guests, this is the catalogue for today's auction."
As she straightened, she glanced at Lin Chen and gave him a faint wink, her smile carrying a hint of meaning before she lingered for a breath longer than necessary.
Before Lin Chen could react, Yan Shou coughed lightly.
The sound was calm—but sharp.
The woman stiffened, met Yan Shou's gaze, and her smile instantly became professional. Without another word, she bowed and left.
Lin Chen stared after her, then slowly turned to Yan Shou.
"…This is an auction house, right? Not some shady place?"
Yan Shou laughed softly. "Of course it is."
Then he shrugged, as if explaining something obvious. "Anyone with a VIP token is considered powerful or influential within the Eastern Region. Naturally, the Ten-Thousand Treasures Hall offers… additional services."
Lin Chen twitched. "That kind of service?"
Yan Shou nodded casually. "For some people, one glance from the right guest can change their entire fate. Cultivation resources, backing, status—things like that don't come easily."
Lin Chen leaned back in his seat, expression complicated.
So even this is normal here…
In the cultivation world, strength ruled everything. Whether it was men or women, everyone schemed in their own way. Beauty was a resource. Influence was a weapon.
For a brief moment, a ridiculous thought crossed his mind.
Maybe I should become one of those carefree young masters—pampered by powerful female cultivators.
The thought died instantly.
He sighed.
'Yeah… no chance. I'm not even that handsome.'
This world wasn't any different from his previous one. Looks mattered. Status mattered. Strength mattered most of all.
Romance without power was nothing more than wishful thinking.
Lin Chen picked up the auction catalogue, pushing those thoughts aside as his gaze settled on the list of items to be sold.
"Let's get this over with," Lin Chen muttered. "I just want what I came for."
He found the two things he needed.
First—the blood of a Winged Tiger, a fierce beast at the fifth stage of the Spirit River Realm, carrying lightning and wind attributes. Second—the Azure Flame Fruit, a rare spiritual treasure.
Lin Chen glanced at Yan Shou. "At least tell me—how much will these two cost?"
Yan Shou thought for a moment before answering, his tone calm.
"The Winged Tiger blood isn't an issue. Fresh or sealed, it won't go beyond fifty high-grade spirit stones. Since this is an auction, it might rise to two hundred at most."
"And the fruit?" Lin Chen asked.
"That's where the real cost lies," Yan Shou replied. "The Azure Flame Fruit is rare and highly sought after. Realistically, the total price will reach nine hundred to one thousand high-grade spirit stones." He paused briefly before adding, "But demand is high, so I can't predict the final price."
Lin Chen's expression stiffened.
That amount was far beyond his means. His entire savings—most of it bestowed by his master—barely amounted to five hundred high-grade spirit stones.
Yan Shou noticed his silence and waved his hand casually.
"Low on funds? Don't worry. I'll cover it."
Lin Chen turned toward him, his eyes lit up instantly.
"Then I'll trouble you, Brother Yan."
Yan Shou's mouth twitched.
This guy—couldn't he at least pretend to be polite? Just moments ago, he had been cautious and guarded, and now he was smiling as though they were sworn brothers who had shared wine for decades.
Inside his mind, Aiva's voice sounded.
[I still recommend maintaining vigilance.]
'Trust him.' Lin Chen replied calmly.
[You are trusting a highly suspicious individual simply because he offered help and money.]
'That's how men are sometimes, idiots who trust too easily.'
[He approached you with ulterior motives.]
'Who doesn't have motives?' Lin Chen replied. 'What matters is how they act on them. Helping each other—this is how friendship begins.'
Aiva fell silent.
And just like that—without grand vows or dramatic declarations—Lin Chen realized something.
In this vast and ruthless cultivation world, he had gained his first friend.
*****
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