The value of the Violet Sun Jade needed no explanation, the Wood Element Crystal was a critical treasure for breaking through to the Purple Mansion stage, and the cyan-colored pill was the Green Jade Breakthrough Pill.
The Green Jade Breakthrough Pill was another supportive treasure for breaking through to the Purple Mansion stage. Consuming it could increase the success rate by an additional 10%. Remarkably, it could be used in conjunction with other treasures like the Wood Element Crystal.
This pill was incredibly precious, but unfortunately, the pill recipe wasn't available in Chu Kingdom. The Yuan Immortal Clan was the only one in Yan Kingdom to possess the formula, making it a unique source of wealth for the family.
The clan's mastery of this exclusive trade had made them immensely prosperous, with a staggering 27 or 28 Purple Mansion cultivators—rivaling even the Deng family.
"Ladies and gentlemen, you are all knowledgeable individuals. I won't elaborate further on these three treasures," Yuan Weiwei said gracefully.
"If you have suitable third-rank treasures or sufficient spirit stones, feel free to exchange them with me."
The crowd stirred at her words. Yuan Weiwei smiled subtly, signaling the start of bidding.
Elian exchanged a glance with Wei Xuyuan. Just as Wei Xuyuan prepared to bid, a voice interrupted from the crowd.
"By my calculations, my good-for-nothing grandson is nearing the threshold of the Purple Mansion stage," said an elderly man in a black robe, his cultivation at the mid-Purple Mansion stage. Clearly familiar with Yuan Weiwei, he was likely a patriarch of a Yan Kingdom Purple Mansion clan.
The elder produced a white luminous pearl, its brilliance dazzling.
"This is a third-rank Profound Jade Pearl, a rare treasure produced by my family's pearl farm. It is highly sought after for alchemy and artifact crafting."
"Your family's pearl farm is renowned in Yan Kingdom, Senior Zhang," Yuan Weiwei replied respectfully.
"Profound Jade Pearls produced by third-rank pearl kings are indeed extraordinary treasures. How many are you willing to offer?"
After a moment of contemplation, the elder replied, "Seven pearls. Would that suffice?"
Elian was taken aback. A single third-rank Profound Jade Pearl was worth at least 20,000 spirit stones. Offering seven pearls—equivalent to 140,000 spirit stones—for a single Violet Sun Jade was an extraordinary exchange.
This was still a barter. If someone like Wei Xuyuan had tried to purchase the jade with spirit stones, he would have faced a significant markup, as spirit stones were easy to collect incrementally, whereas third-rank treasures were exceedingly rare.
"Wait," another Purple Mansion cultivator spoke up.
"Profound Jade Pearls are indeed excellent treasures, but I can offer 160,000 spirit stones. Will that suffice, little girl?"
Yuan Weiwei hesitated. The Violet Sun Jade typically fetched 140,000 to 150,000 spirit stones, so 160,000 was already an overpayment by 10,000 to 20,000 spirit stones. Clearly tempted, she seemed unsure.
Seeing her wavering, the elder furrowed his brow and said, "I'll add one more Profound Jade Pearl. If you still disagree, I'll simply head to Chu Kingdom to purchase a Crystal of Blazing Flame."
"No need, Senior. I agree to the exchange," Yuan Weiwei replied quickly.
The deal was sealed: eight Profound Jade Pearls for the Violet Sun Jade, leaving both parties satisfied.
With the first transaction complete, bidding began on the other two treasures. Among them, the Wood Element Crystal drew the most attention. Many cultivators vied for it, with some even offering third-rank treasures. In the end, however, Wei Xuyuan secured the crystal.
A Wood Element Crystal could typically be exchanged for a third-rank treasure worth around 50,000 spirit stones. However, purchasing one with spirit stones was far more expensive, especially for Foundation Establishment clans, who often faced exorbitant markups of up to 80,000 or more.
Having traveled millions of miles for this crystal, Wei Xuyuan came well-prepared, carrying 100,000 spirit stones. Given the lack of competition from Chu Kingdom cultivators, he ultimately acquired the Wood Element Crystal for a steep 96,000 spirit stones.
Overjoyed, Wei Xuyuan held the treasure and turned to Elian.
"Could you lend me some spirit stones?"
Clearly, he intended to bid for the Green Jade Breakthrough Pill to further increase his chances of breaking through to the Purple Mansion stage.
Considering their long-standing friendship, Elian hesitated briefly before nodding.
"I can lend you some, but our efforts to cultivate Yuyang Market's spiritual vein drained much of my resources. I may not have enough for you to win."
"We'll try," Wei Xuyuan replied, calculating their combined remaining spirit stones at just over 20,000—barely enough to bid on the pill.
Unfortunately, the pill's rarity made it highly contested. Even with 20,000 spirit stones, they couldn't secure it. One pill went to Deng Yuanwu, and the other to a local Purple Mansion rogue cultivator.
After Yuan Weiwei concluded her transactions, a second participant took the stage: Lin Muyang, a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator from another Golden Core clan.
The Lin family controlled a fourth-rank water vein and several third-rank water veins, making them a significant producer of Water Element Crystals. Elian had specifically targeted them for this reason.
Lin Muyang did not disappoint. He presented three treasures, one of which was a Water Element Crystal. The others included a jade slip and a third-rank water-attribute flying sword.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I trust you understand the value of this Condensing Cold Immortal Sword and Water Element Crystal," Lin Muyang said.
"As for the jade slip, it contains the method for crafting the natal sword 'Clear Moon Skyward Sword,' a renowned top-tier sword suitable even for Purple Mansion cultivators."
"Please place your bids."
The flying sword quickly sold to a Purple Mansion cultivator for a third-rank treasure and an additional 20,000 spirit stones. The crafting method for the Clear Moon Skyward Sword fetched over 80,000 spirit stones before Deng Yuanwu purchased it for 100,000.
Finally, bidding for the Water Element Crystal began, with prices quickly surpassing 60,000 spirit stones.
Frowning slightly, Elian retrieved a small, ancient bell.
"I have a third-rank defensive treasure, the Kunwu Earth Bell. Will you trade this for the Water Element Crystal?"
"A defensive earth-attribute treasure?" Lin Muyang's eyes lit up with delight, clearly intrigued by the offer.
...
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I need POWAAA! Gimme Power Stones :D