Han Li spent some time and finally found an obscure small Taoist temple in the city, where all the resident priests were genuine mortals without the slightest trace of magical power.
Han Li was quite satisfied with this. He immediately donated some silver, moved the temple’s abbot, and secured temporary lodging there.
After spending a night in the temple, Han Li left early the next morning and headed straight for a scholarly academy he had noticed the previous day, which bore traces of cultivator activity.
Since this academy was established in a place like Jinjing and appeared rather sizable, it must have some background—possibly even connections to the Confucian sect.
However, Han Li paid no mind to this. When he stealthily infiltrated the academy and appeared before an elderly, white-haired Confucian scholar, he made no effort to conceal the overwhelming aura of a Spirit Infant-stage cultivator.
The old scholar was initially startled upon seeing Han Li and instinctively tensed his entire body with magical power. But as soon as he discerned Han Li’s true cultivation level, his expression relaxed, and he abandoned all defenses. He took half a step forward and bowed respectfully.
“Esteemed Venerable, your presence graces this humble academy. Is there anything this junior can assist you with?”
“You’re quite perceptive. I do have a minor request. Tell me the locations of the major markets in Jinjing and any information you have about upcoming auctions. As a local cultivator, you should be well-informed on such matters,” Han Li replied with a faint smile.
“The market locations are no trouble at all! This junior will immediately copy a map onto a jade slip. As for the auctions, my knowledge is limited. What exactly would you like to know?” The elderly scholar agreed without hesitation, retrieving a white jade slip from his storage pouch and beginning to imprint it with the market locations.
“The exact time and place of the auction, as well as whether any rare materials will be available for sale,” Han Li asked expressionlessly, his earlier smile fading.
“The time and place are straightforward. The auction will be held nine days from now at the Treasure Light Hall in the Jinxi Market, divided into Core Formation and Spirit Infant tiers, held separately. Spirit Infant cultivators may attend the Core Formation auction, but Core Formation cultivators cannot enter the Spirit Infant auction. As for the materials being sold, this junior truly cannot say. Such large-scale auctions are jointly organized by the major markets of the Great Jin, and outsiders rarely know what will be offered. However, based on past experience, at least a hundred rare materials will appear. Additionally, some Venerables may submit their own treasures for auction at the last moment. Typically, the auction lasts five or six days.”
“I see. The Treasure Light Hall…” Han Li nodded slightly, murmuring to himself.
“Venerable, the jade slip is ready. Please accept it.” The old scholar finally finished copying the information and presented it to Han Li with both hands.
Han Li wordlessly took the jade slip and scanned it with his spiritual sense, nodding in satisfaction.
“Good. Do not mention meeting me today to anyone. Otherwise…” Han Li gave a dark chuckle, his body flickering with cyan light before vanishing on the spot.
The old scholar’s eyelids twitched. He sat back in his chair, frowning slightly in thought.
After a long while, he swept the room with his spiritual sense, confirming that no one else was present. Only then did he exhale deeply, a bitter smile crossing his face.
—
After leaving the academy, Han Li carefully reviewed the jade slip before heading straight for the Jinxi Market.
The so-called Jinxi Market was actually a small, secluded street in the western part of Jinjing, concealed year-round by a high-level concealment formation.
When Han Li arrived at the market’s entrance, he effortlessly passed through an invisible barrier imperceptible to mortals and suddenly found himself on a relatively quiet street. Of course, “quiet” was only in comparison to the bustling crowds outside. At a glance, there were at least several hundred cultivators moving in and out of the shops lining both sides.
Without even scanning the street with his spiritual sense, Han Li knew that during the auction period, this Jinxi Market must have Spirit Infant-level cultivators overseeing it. Otherwise, organizing such a large-scale event would be impossible.
With this in mind, Han Li strolled forward, his gaze sweeping the surroundings.
The Jinxi Market was noticeably different from the markets Han Li had seen in the southern regions of the Great Jin. The shops here were mostly two- or three-story grand pavilions, suggesting substantial financial backing. Some of the names were even familiar—evidently, the major merchant houses of the Great Jin’s cultivation world had branches here.
Since that was the case, there was no need for meticulous scrutiny. Han Li carried a list of materials he needed and proceeded to inquire at each shop one by one.
However, the items he sought were all exceedingly rare, and none were easily obtained. Han Li wasn’t impatient; he hadn’t expected to find them in the market so readily. His true purpose for visiting was something else entirely.
Participating in the auction would require a substantial amount of Spirit Stones. While Han Li had originally possessed a considerable sum, his masked incarnation had spent most of it acquiring other materials. Now, facing such a grand auction, his remaining funds were insufficient.
Han Li intended to sell some rare items at a major merchant house to replenish his Spirit Stones. Given the amount he needed, the buyer would have to be financially robust.
When Han Li arrived before a three-story pavilion, his eyes narrowed slightly. This building was noticeably larger than the previous shops, and the steady flow of cultivators entering and exiting suggested it was a promising candidate.
However, when he saw the signboard above the entrance—emblazoned with the three golden characters “Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion”—he was momentarily taken aback. Could this be the same Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion known for selling Heavenly Mechanism Houses?
After a brief hesitation, Han Li stepped inside.
The first floor was spacious, measuring about thirty to forty zhang in length and width. Five or six clear-eyed Qi Condensation attendants were guiding customers, pointing out items on the surrounding shelves.
As soon as Han Li entered, one of the attendants approached with a smile, ready to assist.
“Step back. I will personally attend to this Venerable.” A white-robed middle-aged man, who had been leisurely sipping tea in a corner, abruptly set down his cup upon sensing Han Li’s cultivation level. He quickly adjusted his robes and strode forward, bowing respectfully.
“Venerable, your presence honors our Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion. The first floor holds nothing of interest to you. Would you accompany this junior to the third floor for further discussion?”
“Good. I was hoping to speak with someone in charge,” Han Li replied calmly, his eyes flickering. He followed the man upstairs at a measured pace.
The cultivators shopping on the first floor immediately recognized Han Li as a Spirit Infant-level expert, sparking a wave of murmurs.
“A Spirit Infant Venerable! This is my first time seeing one. He looks so young!”
“It seems the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion is about to make a major deal. Tsk tsk…”
A chorus of astonished whispers followed.
The third floor was smaller but elegantly furnished. Two beautiful young female cultivators immediately served a pot of fine tea upon their arrival.
“Venerable, please try this Rainmist Spirit Tea. It was acquired at great expense and has a unique flavor,” the middle-aged man introduced with a smile once Han Li was seated.
“The tea can wait. First, let’s see if your pavilion carries any of the materials I seek. To be honest, I’ve already visited several shops without success, so my expectations for the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion are not high.” Han Li ignored the tea and instead calmly produced a green jade slip from his sleeve, placing it on the table.
“Since the Venerable is in a hurry, this junior will take a look. But if the previous shops lacked what you seek, these materials must be extraordinary.” The man chuckled, summoning the jade slip to his hand and immersing his spiritual sense within it.
Moments later, his expression shifted slightly.
Han Li remained unfazed—he had seen this reaction many times before. The materials he sought were all exceedingly rare, with some even unheard of by ordinary cultivators.
“No wonder the Venerable found nothing in the other shops. These materials are indeed beyond the reach of ordinary merchants. Aside from a small piece of ‘Lightning Spirit Crystal’ in our possession, the rest are beyond our capabilities,” the white-robed man admitted with a wry smile after withdrawing his spiritual sense.
“You have Lightning Spirit Crystal?” Han Li, who had braced for another disappointment, couldn’t hide his surprise.
“Indeed. The Venerable’s timing is fortunate—this piece was recently acquired. However, there’s a complication. It doesn’t belong to our pavilion but was entrusted to us by another Spirit Infant Venerable in exchange for other materials. If no suitable trade is found, it will be auctioned in a few days.”
Han Li was momentarily taken aback by this revelation.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage