Since this was a secret gathering, with very few exceptions, the weakest Demons in attendance were at least at the Mid-stage of Qi Refining.
Naturally, the resources being traded were of high quality.
"One Low-grade Attacking Magical Artifact, five Low-Grade defensive Demon Talismans, and two Escape Demon Talismans. Only accepting Demon Stones. Highest price gets them."
"A three-hundred-year-old Profound Ginseng that has already developed Spirituality. I'm prioritizing a trade for a Tier-Breaking Elixir—I can cover any price difference. Otherwise, Demon Stones. Highest offer wins."
"A set of Command Flags for a Low-grade Mist Formation Array. An essential for traveling and for protecting your cave abode. Who's interested?"
"..."
The gathering was extremely lively, with Demons showing off their wares one after another. Those who saw something they needed began negotiations on the spot.
Soon, it was Xu Chang'an's turn.
"One Tier-Breaking Elixir: a Qi Condensing Pill. I am only accepting Spirit Plants, Spirit Medicines, or Qi Replenishing Pills in trade."
A Qi Condensing Pill!
An elixir for breaking through to the next cultivation tier—this was a rare treasure.
In terms of value, it was far more precious than an ordinary Low-grade Magical Artifact.
Magical Artifacts could be damaged, but one's cultivation was for life.
A single Qi Condensing Pill could, with a high probability, help a Demon break through to the Mid-stage of Qi Refining.
Even if they couldn't use it themselves, it was a perfect tool for building connections within the Demon community.
As soon as Xu Chang'an finished speaking, a flurry of voices from the other Demons rang out.
"The Qi Condensing Pill! I have a hundred-year-old Fleeceflower Root to trade for it. I can cover any difference in value with Demon Stones."
"How about two two-hundred-year-old Lingzhi mushrooms and a ginseng root that's over a hundred years old!?"
"..."
The appearance of the Qi Condensing Pill made the trading atmosphere extremely heated.
Among the factions from smaller mountains, a Tier-Breaking Elixir like the Qi Condensing Pill was a rare sight.
Ultimately, Xu Chang'an chose to trade for a three-hundred-year-old Profound Ginseng.
The demon who had offered the Profound Ginseng earlier hadn't received any suitable offers for what they were seeking.
This worked out perfectly. The other Demon needed a Tier-Breaking Elixir, and Xu Chang'an needed a Spirit Medicine.
The value of a three-hundred-year-old Profound Ginseng was considerably less than a Qi Condensing Pill, but because it had developed Spirituality, the difference was no longer significant.
To make up the remaining difference, the other party even threw in five Demon Stones.
"Friend, if you have any more Tier-Breaking Elixirs to trade, contact me directly. I'll give you a good price."
A flash of light shot out, and the other Demon sent a small wooden plaque over to him.
Carved on it was the Demon's contact address.
'So they're from the Marketplace. No wonder they aren't afraid of exposing their identity.'
"If the right opportunity arises, there will be more."
Xu Chang'an discreetly put away the plaque, having given a noncommittal answer.
'I wonder how many Energy Points I can accumulate after consuming this Profound Ginseng that has developed Spirituality.'
Xu Chang'an inspected the age and Spirituality of the Profound Ginseng he just got his hands on as he mulled it over.
The trading at the gathering continued, the atmosphere as lively as ever.
Many Magical Artifacts were traded back and forth. Array Command Flags, Demon Talismans, and Elixirs—all rarities on the open market—also appeared from time to time.
At one point, there was even a trade involving a Middle-Grade Demon Talisman.
He had to admit, the caliber of this secret trade gathering was truly impressive.
Soon, the first phase—where the Demons displayed their own resources and traded amongst themselves—came to an end.
The second phase began: an auction hosted by the organizers of the gathering.
"Now that we've reached this point, I trust you've all had some fruitful exchanges.
So, let's begin the second phase. We will be auctioning a total of six items at this gathering.
And now, for the first item up for auction..."
The Lynx Demon stood atop a large boulder, acting as the auctioneer.
The auctioned items were high-quality; even the least valuable was a premium set of Low-grade Magical Artifacts.
This prompted the various Demons to eagerly compete for them.
"Eighty Demon Stones!"
"Eighty-five Demon Stones!"
"..."
Item after item went under the hammer, and soon they were on to the fifth.
"Everyone, let us now present the fifth auction item."
With a flash of light, a bell-like object appeared before the assembled Demons.
A Middle-grade Magical Artifact!
Beneath the thick fog, the gazes of many Demons in the crowd grew feverish.
The Lynx Demon was a master of pacing.
It first introduced the Magical Artifact's functions to the crowd, then gave a brief demonstration.
This Middle-grade Magical Artifact was named the Illusory Bell.
Its two main functions were producing Demonic Sound and creating an Illusion Barrier. Its material was tough and resilient, lending it some defensive capabilities, though it couldn't compare to a dedicated Defensive Magical Artifact.
Its size was adjustable, and by channeling one's Demon Power into it, one could even use it to fly through the air.
"The Middle-grade Magical Artifact, the Illusory Bell. The starting bid is one hundred fifty Demon Stones. Highest bidder wins. Let the bidding commence!"
"One hundred sixty Demon Stones!"
"One hundred sixty-five Demon Stones!"
"Enough of this nickel-and-diming! Two hundred!"
"..."
The allure of a Middle-grade Magical Artifact was immense. Any Demon in the crowd with the means to do so placed a bid.
Even the Mountain Boar Demon, the Hedgehog Spirit, and the Old Demon shrouded in thick fog—all at the Qi Refining Seventh Layer—joined the fray.
"Two hundred thirty Demon Stones! I'm telling you, old toad, you already have a Middle-grade Magical Artifact. Don't you go snatching it from this old boar."
The Mountain Boar Demon called out, attempting to dissuade the fog-shrouded Old Demon from bidding further.
'So he's a Toad Spirit!'
Xu Chang'an's focus sharpened.
His own cultivation was limited; if he tried to probe rashly, he would likely be discovered.
That was why he had only just learned that the Old Demon's true form was a Toad Spirit.
"Hahaha, that artifact of mine was a repaired one to begin with. After so much Magical Combat, it's on the verge of breaking.
Besides, who would complain about having too many Middle-grade Magical Artifacts?
Mountain Boar, you'd best not compete with me.
Two hundred forty Demon Stones!"
The Toad Spirit's voice was mild.
But his words were laced with a threatening undertone.
'He owns a Middle-grade Magical Artifact and has been in frequent Magical Combat!'
All this revealed his absolute determination to win the item.
"Two hundred fifty Demon Stones!"
The Hedgehog Spirit also joined the bidding.
In total, forty to fifty Demons were participating in the trade gathering.
Among them were quite a few at the Qi Refining Sixth Layer.
However, besides the organizer, the Lynx Demon, there were only five Old Demons at the Late-stage of Qi Refining.
Aside from the Toad Spirit, the Mountain Boar Demon, and the Hedgehog Spirit, two others remained hidden in the thick fog, their specific race unknown.
But the aura of their cultivation was unmistakable, striking fear into any who might look their way.
All five of these Old Demons were at the Qi Refining Seventh Layer of cultivation.
Judging by the situation, the mild-mannered Toad Spirit seemed to be the most dominant and formidable of them all.
The ultimate reason for this was likely the Middle-grade Magical Artifact he already possessed!
When cultivation levels and Magical Combat experience were similar, the advantage granted by a Magical Artifact was not to be underestimated.
The Old Demons bid against each other in turns, with a few Mid-stage Qi Refining Demons trying to join in.
But they were jointly intimidated with veiled threats from the Old Demons and forced to back down, one by one.
Although the Lynx Demon intervened to placate them and maintain order,
reiterating that fighting and intimidation to suppress bids were strictly forbidden at the gathering,
or the Thirteen Shop Alliance would certainly not stand idly by—
—the Mid-stage Qi Refining Demons still didn't dare to bid again.
Xu Chang'an sighed to himself. Ever since the Demon Race established its own civilization, the law of the jungle had been gradually suppressed.
But in their bones, the principle of 'might makes right' still reigned supreme.
One could imagine that if the Toad Spirit, Hedgehog Spirit, and Mountain Boar Demon weren't Old Demons at the Late-stage of Qi Refining,
they would have been swiftly suppressed by the powers behind the gathering!
In the end, the Middle-grade Magical Artifact, the Illusory Bell, was won by the Toad Spirit for the high price of three hundred forty-five Demon Stones.