One month later.
After tidying up his robe, Xu Ping stepped out to the commercial district of the inner city.
After turning several streets, he stopped in front of a three-story building named ’Qiu Xuan Commerce Association.’
It was obvious that ’Qiu Xuan Commerce Association’ was a property of Qiu Xuan Mountain.
Besides the inner city, Qiu Xuan Commerce Association also had a shop in the city center.
The ’Profound Light Array’ he was selling today was high-priced, so it was better to sell it in some major industry.
And in Qiu Xuan Immortal City, the biggest industry was clearly owned by Qiu Xuan Mountain.
A disguised middle-aged Xu Ping entered Qiu Xuan Commerce Association and was slightly taken aback.
A spacious hall that could accommodate dozens of people without feeling crowded, ultra-long counters made of noble red paulownia wood, and seven or eight attendants dressed in uniform green robes, all of which gave off an absolutely grand and impressive feeling.
In the hall, two of these green-robed attendants were explaining something to several luxuriously dressed cultivators.
Within the counters, there were a variety of items, all of which were precious.
At this moment, a person resembling a green-robed attendant approached with a broad smile, saying, "What would this guest like to see? Would you like some help with an introduction? The things in this shop are guaranteed to satisfy all customers!"
"I want to sell a few First Rank Mid-grade arrays. Do you accept them?" Xu Ping said indifferently.
"Yes, of course, we accept them." The green-robed attendant eagerly invited Xu Ping into a quaint, ancient-style small room with a carpet and all the necessities.
After saying ’Please wait a moment, I will fetch our steward,’ he politely exited the room.
After the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, an elegant middle-aged man entered the room with a smile, saying,
"I am Tian Li, the steward of Qiu Xuan Commerce Association. How should I address you?" Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs NovєlFіre.net
"Li Xuan." Naturally, Xu Ping would not reveal his real name.
"Ah, Fellow Daoist Li, have some tea." Tian Li unhurriedly took out a teacup and poured Xu Ping some hot tea.
"Thank you." Xu Ping took a small sip before setting the teacup down.
"I have a few Profound Light Arrays. What price will you offer for them?" He planned not to waste too much time and directly stated his purpose.
He then took out four array plates engraved with Profound Light Arrays from his storage bag and placed them on the table.
Tian Li picked up an array plate, examined it carefully, and nodded, "Indeed, these are Profound Light Arrays, and the array patterns are clear and undamaged, clearly just recently engraved."
It must be said that Steward Tian had an exceptionally keen eye. A simple examination revealed the array was newly engraved.
"The Profound Light Array is considered to be quite difficult among First Rank Mid-grade arrays. Is this something you engraved, Fellow Daoist?" Tian Li smiled slightly, seemingly asking unintentionally.
Xu Ping said expressionlessly, "Fellow Daoist Tian, you might be overstepping. Just tell me how many Spirit Stones you’ll offer for these four Profound Light Arrays."
Tian Li was not bothered by Xu Ping’s terse tone. He had dealt with countless customers, and those with a greater sense of secrecy than Xu Ping were not rare—he saw several such mysterious customers every day and was long accustomed to it.
"On the market, a single Profound Light Array goes for about one hundred and twenty Spirit Stones. Our association would acquire it for ten or twenty percent less, so for four Profound Light Arrays..."
After pondering for a moment, Tian Li said, "Let’s say four hundred Spirit Stones."
"Agreed."
Xu Ping nodded. The price was fairly reasonable and within his expectations.
"Fellow Daoist, please count the Spirit Stones." Upon hearing this, Tian Li smiled slightly and took out four hundred Spirit Stones from his storage bag, placing them on the table.
With a simple count, Xu Ping knew the number was correct. With a wave of his sleeve, the Spirit Stones on the table disappeared.
"Now that the transaction is complete, I’ll take my leave." He wasted no time in making to leave.
"Fellow Daoist Li, please stay." At this moment, Tian Li called after him.
"Fellow Daoist Tian, is there something else?" Xu Ping became alert.
"There’s no need to be nervous, Fellow Daoist." Tian Li smiled, taking out an invitation from his pocket, "Our Qiu Xuan Commerce Association’s quadrennial small auction will commence in a few months. I hope Fellow Daoist will do us the honor of attending."
Although it’s a small auction, the items are very valuable, and ordinary people can’t even meet the threshold.
The man before him, likely an array master, was indeed worth inviting.
Xu Ping took the invitation, glanced at it, and put it into his storage bag, "If time permits, I will certainly attend."
...
...
Back home.
Xu Ping took out the invitation; it was made of an unknown material, somewhat resembling beast hide, yet also like paper.
He flipped through the invitation, which specified the time and place of the auction.
On the last page, there was also a catalog of items for auction.
Xu Ping glanced over it, the lowest items were of First Rank Upper Grade level, and there were many of Second-stage and above.
"The items are quite good, but unfortunately, they’re of no use to me right now."
After a brief look, Xu Ping casually tossed the invitation back into his storage bag.
He didn’t plan to attend this auction.
He’d rather spend the time cultivating at home.
...
.....
One month later.
In the cultivation chamber.
Xu Ping opened his eyes, joy spreading across his face.
"I’ve finally reached the eighth layer of Qi Cultivation!"
Calculating briefly, it had taken him over a year.
"The pace is getting slower and slower. Reaching the ninth layer might take another two years."
Xu Ping wasn’t anxious. He was still young; even in two years, he’d only be thirty-two.
He remained far from the sixty-year Foundation Establishment limit.
He carefully sensed the changes after his breakthrough.
Apart from Mana increasing by two or three percent, his Divine Sense was also stronger.
Now he could extend it to ten zhang away.
He believed if his cultivation advanced once more, his Divine Sense would continue to strengthen.
By then, the twenty zhang distance of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator wouldn’t be far behind.
Thinking of this, Xu Ping felt even more cheerful.
He left the cultivation chamber and came to the small courtyard, where he saw the golden-tailed carp in the small pond swimming happily and his eyes suddenly sparkled with spiritual light as he glared at them.
In an instant.
The golden-tailed carp, which had been swimming happily, became completely motionless, floating on the water’s surface.
Ding!
[Shocking God Needle experience +1]
"Success!!"
Seeing the system prompt appear, Xu Ping was ecstatic.
After spending over a year, he finally succeeded in entering the Entry Level.
Now he understood why the Shocking God Needle had never been successful.
His Divine Sense was too weak!
The breakthrough in cultivation strengthened his Divine Sense, barely reaching the threshold.
Moreover, after using the Shocking God Needle once, he felt a thread of fatigue creeping into his mind. He realized that if he tried it two or three more times, his Divine Sense would be overly exhausted.
"But at least I have reached Entry Level. As my proficiency increases, even without strong Divine Sense, the power should not be weak!" Xu Ping murmured to himself.
Looking ahead, all the golden-tailed carp in the small pond were belly-up and motionless.
"Uh... could they be dead!" Xu Ping’s expression stiffened.