The black-crowned elder’s smile vanished the moment the other party disappeared from the room, his expression darkening.
By evening, the elder met with two other rogue cultivators at the Core Formation stage in the same room. These two also handed over some materials and left delighted after receiving their rewards.
Meanwhile, Han Li attended the grand auction at the Nine Heavens Hall punctually every morning over the following days. Having gained something on the first day, he held high hopes for the subsequent auctions. Unfortunately, the next few days yielded nothing.
As the wealthy elder who had exchanged for the Scarlet Ganoderma had mentioned, aside from the dozen or so items reserved for the finale each day, rare materials of the grade Han Li sought rarely appeared in the auction. The final items were mostly finished treasures like magic tools.
It seemed that obtaining the Dark Gold on the first day had indeed been a stroke of luck.
During this time, Han Li wasn’t idle outside the auction either. Through various means, he gathered some information about the underground auction.
According to the intelligence he gathered, the early days of the underground auction were similar to the grand auction, with most items catering to demonic cultivators and rarely featuring exceptionally rare treasures.
However, on the final day, there was a barter trade specifically for Nascent Soul cultivators, where many rare materials had appeared in previous years. It was highly likely that the few materials he still lacked could be obtained there.
Yet, this trade wasn’t open to just anyone. Only demonic cultivators or those introduced by relevant parties could participate. Relieved, Han Li set the matter aside for the time being and continued attending the Nine Heavens Hall auction daily.
A few days later, on the last day of the auction, Han Li spotted another material he needed. Energized, he spent over a hundred thousand spirit stones to secure it.
Soon, the grand auction officially concluded.
The cultivators poured out of the auction hall. Han Li blended into the crowd, descending to the ground but not leaving the market directly. Instead, he headed straight for the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion.
Unbeknownst to him, this move coincidentally allowed him to temporarily evade a crisis. The Yin Luo Sect elders, who had disappeared from the market entrance days earlier, suddenly reappeared, now accompanied by the veiled Heavenly Languo Saintess.
She toyed with a small silver mirror in her hand, observing the cultivators entering and exiting the market, occasionally glancing at the mirror with furrowed brows.
As time passed, the mirror’s glow intensified, but she remained silent.
The expressions of Ge Tianhao and the others nearby grew increasingly grim.
“No sign of him. Although a few cultivators entering and exiting used illusions to conceal their appearances, none were that man. Could he really have skipped the auction? If so, our efforts these past days were wasted,” Lin Yinping finally sighed, hesitating.
“Impossible. Few high-level cultivators in Jinjing would miss this auction. Moreover, you saw him lingering outside the Treasure Light Hall that day—clearly, he took this auction seriously,” Ge Tianhao said slowly.
Though Lin Yinping nodded slightly, her contemplative expression remained.
“Could it be that the Mystic Sound Mirror isn’t as miraculous as rumored? Or perhaps the refinement time was too short, preventing you from fully unleashing its power?” the triangular-eyed elder interjected.
“Unlikely. The Mystic Sound Mirror is one of the Seven Wonders of the Seven Wonders True Man, a treasure long renowned in the cultivation world. As for refinement, ancient treasures typically require little. This mirror is somewhat special—without some refinement, its power can’t be fully utilized. But these past few days were sufficient. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have seen through the disguises of those other cultivators,” Lin Yinping explained, shaking her head.
“In that case, either his illusion technique surpasses the mirror’s power, or he’s still in the market or left through other means,” Ge Tianhao mused.
“The Mystic Sound Mirror’s reputation is well-earned. While there are illusions it can’t break, they’re exceedingly rare. It’s unlikely he possesses such a technique. As for the second possibility, the market is surrounded by the Daoist Sect’s renowned Eight Extremities Light-Splitting Formation. He couldn’t have left undetected. He’s probably still here,” Lin Yinping concluded firmly.
“Your suggestion?” the triangular-eyed elder asked hesitantly.
“Keep guarding this spot. If he’s still here, he’ll pass through eventually. Also, send some clever disciples to scout the market for traces of him,” Lin Yinping proposed.
“Agreed. We’ll wait until nightfall. If he’s here, he should appear by then,” Ge Tianhao said after brief consideration.
He then sent out several message talismans, summoning a few low-ranking Yin Luo Sect disciples. After issuing instructions, they dispersed into the market.
While they grew restless over their fruitless search, Han Li had already met with Elder Wang at the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, now restored to his original appearance.
Elder Wang, aware of Han Li’s arrangement with the wealthy elder, warmly ushered him into a VIP room and personally entertained him.
After some casual conversation, the two naturally exchanged cultivation insights, each benefiting from the discussion. When they were deeply engrossed, the wealthy elder arrived as promised and joined the conversation without hesitation.
Their exchange lasted half a day, ending only as dusk approached. With mutual satisfaction, they concluded their fruitful discussion.
The wealthy elder and Han Li didn’t linger, promptly taking their leave.
Once outside, Han Li’s face blurred, transforming into that of a sallow-faced stranger. The wealthy elder blinked in surprise but quickly understood and paid it no mind.
To Han Li’s surprise, however, the elder didn’t head for the market exit but instead led him to a small building near the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion labeled “Pure Spirit Pavilion.”
“Brother Fu, what’s this?” Han Li couldn’t help but ask as they approached.
“This is a private establishment owned by an old friend of mine. He recently set up a temporary teleportation array inside, leading close to the underground auction site. I’ve already arranged for us to teleport directly,” the wealthy elder explained confidently.
“A teleportation array? Aren’t they strictly forbidden in the market?” Han Li’s surprise deepened.
“Don’t worry. My friend has considerable influence. Due to special circumstances, he obtained temporary permission from the market’s overseers. This array will only exist for a few months, and very few know of it,” the elder reassured.
“I see,” Han Li murmured, enlightened.
The owner of Pure Spirit Pavilion was an unremarkable yet refined elderly man whose demeanor exuded warmth. To Han Li’s astonishment, he was also a renowned formation master, sparking Han Li’s interest in befriending him.
Regrettably, pressed for time, Han Li couldn’t engage further. They soon teleported out of the market via a small array in a hidden chamber.
They emerged in a secluded cave. Upon exiting and taking flight, Han Li realized they were now near an unnamed hill south of Jinjing, the city’s massive walls faintly visible in the distance.
Meanwhile, at the market entrance, Ge Tianhao glanced at the darkening sky and turned to Lin Yinping. “The underground auction is about to begin. Some items there will greatly aid my cultivation—I can’t miss it. Given the late hour and no sign of our target, perhaps our earlier assumptions were flawed. That cunning fox may have already left. Why not join me? He might appear there, and even if not, the auction will surely yield rewards.”
“Waiting here seems futile now. Very well, I’ll accompany you. Perhaps we’ll find something there,” Lin Yinping agreed reluctantly, biting her red lips as she glanced toward the market’s depths.
After brief discussions, Ge Tianhao and Lin Yinping departed with one elder, while the triangular-eyed elder and another excused themselves, citing other matters.
Thus, the gathered Yin Luo Sect elders disbanded before even encountering Han Li, each pursuing their own agendas.
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