Under the guidance of the patrol ships, the Manta Ray successfully docked at the port.
Ning Tianchen spent a little more money to bribe the port officials and secure a long-term berth for the Manta Ray.
"I didn't expect that gold soul coins would also be useful on this continent," Ning Rongrong sighed in relief.
This way, they could save themselves a lot of trouble.
Ning Tianchen shook his head. "They are indeed useful, but their value is discounted here. This continent likely has its own unique currency. We need to find some."
Continuously using gold soul coins would cause them to circulate widely in the market, inevitably drawing attention to their origins, which could lead back to them.
After disembarking, Ning Tianchen and the others had no reason to stay.
Before parting ways, Ning Tianchen gathered the sailors and reminded them, "If you want to spend money, exchange the gold and silver items you brought from the island for local currency. Whatever you do, don't use gold soul coins!"
"Additionally, we still have matters to attend to on this continent. In at most one or two years, we'll return, and then we'll all set sail back together."
"Once we return, we'll pay you each an additional ten thousand gold soul coins as compensation."
If the Manta Ray were to return early, it would be difficult for them to get back to the Douluo Continent.
Thus, offering monetary incentives to keep the sailors here was a reasonable choice.
Upon hearing this, the sailors eagerly patted their chests, guaranteeing that they wouldn't leave early.
Chen Haobai said, "I can't stray too far from the Manta Ray. While you travel this continent, please keep an eye out for any traces of my father. I thank you all in advance."
With that, he bowed deeply to the group.
Ning Tianchen agreed to his request. Afterward, they went into the city and found an auction house, deciding to sell some of the cultivation resources they no longer needed in exchange for local currency.
---
After making inquiries, Ning Tianchen and the others arrived at the coastal city's auction house.
The name of the city was Coastal City, and this auction house likely had the backing of local officials.
The doorman at the entrance, seeing the group dressed in fine attire, quickly approached and respectfully said, "Esteemed sirs, the auction house is not currently open. If you wish to participate in an auction, please wait for the official announcement."
Ning Tianchen shook his head. "We're here to sell some items. Does your auction house have a trading area?"
The most important thing upon arriving on this continent was soul tool technology—preferably acquiring manuals on how to craft them.
And these items might very well be sold within the auction house.
The doorman explained, "Apologies, esteemed sirs, but our auction house does not have a trading area. If you're certain you'd like to sell some items, please follow me."
Ning Tianchen nodded and followed the doorman.
After entering the auction house, the doorman handed them over to the manager, who led Ning Tianchen's group to the appraisal room.
On the way, Ning Tianchen asked, "Manager Huang, might your auction house be willing to sell us some items?"
Manager Huang smiled and replied, "Esteemed guests, in principle, the auction house does not sell individual items before an auction. However, this is not absolute."
Ning Tianchen understood.
If they could offer high-value items for sale or prove they had sufficient funds, the auction house would naturally be willing to sell them something.
Otherwise, they would adhere to the rules.
---
In the appraisal room, an elderly man with gray hair was carefully examining a glass vial in his hands.
Gently pushing open the door to the appraisal room, Manager Huang knocked lightly and said, "Master Hou, there are a few esteemed guests who wish to sell some treasures. Might you take a look?"
The old man set down the vial, removed the magnifying glass perched on his nose, turned around, and looked at them. "What are you selling?"
"Gems or medicinal herbs—I can appraise those. For anything else, you'll need to find someone else."
On the way, Manager Huang had already mentioned that the only appraiser currently working at the auction house was this old man.
Other appraisers were unavailable during non-working hours and shouldn't be disturbed.
To avoid wasting time, Ning Tianchen took out some medicinal herbs from his soul tool, while Ning Rongrong presented some gems she had collected.
The old man chuckled. "Your soul tools are quite impressive—the design resembles those used by the imperial court. You esteemed guests must have quite the background."
These ring-style soul tools had been collected by the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, and their age might even predate the sect's history.
On the Douluo Continent, no one could discern their origins.
But here on the Sun Moon Continent, they were instantly recognized.
Ning Tianchen knew nothing about the political situation on this continent or the royal family of the empire they were in, so he couldn't respond to the old man's remark.
"Sell only the goods; ask no questions about their origins," Feng Xiaotian said indifferently.
The old man nodded with a smile and carefully examined the items handed to him.
"This gemstone—worth one hundred gold coins. This medicinal herb has a rich fragrance, likely freshly harvested from a spirit beast forest. Its quality is excellent—three hundred fifty gold coins."
The items they had brought could easily fetch thousands or even tens of thousands of gold soul coins on the Douluo Continent. Why were they worth so little here?
Ning Rongrong glanced at Ning Tianchen, feeling as though they had been swindled.
Ning Tianchen didn't jump to conclusions. Instead, he turned to Manager Huang and asked, "If this herb were converted into silver coins, how much would it be worth?"
Manager Huang was surprised. "You don't want gold coins?"
Ning Tianchen replied, "Just curious."
"Oh, oh." Manager Huang nodded and continued, "We certainly don't use the official exchange rate here. Your herb, valued at three hundred fifty gold coins, would be worth about fifty thousand silver coins, or roughly six million copper coins."
"However, if exchanged for copper coins, it might affect your ability to purchase large items. It's better to convert it into gold or silver coins."
Ning Tianchen finally understood.
The exchange rates between currencies on this continent differed from those on the Douluo Continent.
On the Douluo Continent, one gold soul coin could be exchanged for ten silver soul coins or one hundred copper soul coins. Here, the official exchange rate for one gold coin was one hundred silver coins or ten thousand copper coins.
Converted, the value of gold coins here was equivalent to one hundred times the value of gold soul coins.
This meant that the items they sold hadn't depreciated in value—they had actually appreciated slightly.
Manager Huang leaned close to Ning Tianchen and whispered, "Esteemed guest, I suggest you take gold coins. On the city's black market, one gold coin can be exchanged for nearly two hundred silver coins. Exchanging at the auction house would result in a loss."
After all, this manager was just an employee, not the owner or shareholder of the auction house.
His advice earned him a favorable impression from Ning Tianchen and the others.
Ning Tianchen naturally accepted his suggestion.
However, he also realized that while gold coins held high value, using them to buy items at ordinary stalls might make it difficult for vendors to give change.
So they still needed to prepare some silver coins.
About half an hour later, the old man finished appraising all the items.
In the end, they received over thirty thousand gold coins and thirty thousand silver coins.
After receiving the money, Manager Huang escorted them out of the appraisal room and asked, "What would you esteemed guests like to purchase?"
"Most of the items collected by the auction house will be used in future auctions. If the item is of the caliber to be a final auction piece, the auction house will absolutely not sell it in advance."
Ning Tianchen said, "We're looking to buy some soul tool blueprints and instructional manuals. Would your esteemed auction house be willing to sell them?"
As they had walked through the city streets earlier, they had seen many small vendors selling soul tools.
These tools were mostly low-level storage and defensive soul tools. But on the Douluo Continent, even a cubic space storage tool could only be purchased in high-end shops.
Feng Xiaotian and the others could sense that the technology for soul tools on this continent had not been lost.
Thus, Ning Tianchen's inquiry did not come as a surprise to them.
"Soul tools, you say?" The enthusiasm in Manager Huang's eyes dimmed slightly. "If esteemed guests wish to learn how to craft low-level soul tools, they can simply apprentice under a civilian soul mentor or attend their classes. Why spend a fortune on a manual?"
On this continent, while soul mentors weren't ubiquitous, they certainly weren't rare either.
If they apprenticed, it wouldn't cost much at all.
But Ning Tianchen and the others still had divine trials to complete, and time was of the essence for them.
Learning soul tool crafting techniques from scratch would take at least a year or two before they could become proficient.
By that time, it would be too late for their plans.
Thus, purchasing introductory manuals on soul tools and a large number of low-level blueprints to bring back for Lou Gao and the others to study was the most reliable approach.
Seeing their determination, Manager Huang explained, "Low-level soul tool manuals and introductory guides aren't worth much, so the auction house doesn't sell them. However, I can introduce you to a master. What do you think?"
Ning Tianchen understood his meaning and took out a few gold coins from his soul tool, handing them to the manager.
Manager Huang cheerfully pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and wrote down the master's name and address.
"You esteemed guests can visit him to obtain what you seek. However, the cost will have to be negotiated directly with him."
---
When they left the auction house, it was already late in the evening. Ning Tianchen and the others found a hotel in the city and settled in for the night.
At the same time, a divine trial message appeared in their minds.
"Asura's Fifth Trial completed. Reward: 10% increase in Asura affinity, one divine-bestowed soul ring, and an additional ten thousand years added to all soul rings!"
"Total affinity: 60%."
With the total soul ring years increased by eighty thousand, Ning Tianchen's fifth soul ring successfully evolved into a crimson hundred-thousand-year soul ring.
His current soul ring configuration was four black and four red.
"Boss, at this rate, won't all your soul rings eventually reach the hundred-thousand-year level?" Chen Huayu asked, his face full of envy.
Oscar laughed heartily. "A full set of hundred-thousand-year soul rings is a feat unparalleled across the entire continent."
"The records set by Tianchen might never be broken, even after tens of thousands of years."
Ning Tianchen rolled his eyes. "Enough nonsense. The three of you are currently at level sixty-nine. You're just one step away from becoming Soul Sages. Focus on breaking through as soon as possible, and afterward, we'll help you acquire soul rings collectively."
Feng Xiaotian couldn't help but ask, "By the way, are there any large spirit beast forests on this continent?"
As he spoke, a majestic voice echoed once again in their minds.
"Asura's Sixth Trial: Venture deep into the Evil Demon Forest and find the legendary Butterfly Valley. Time limit: one year!"
"Upon completion of the trial, reward: 20% increase in Asura affinity, one divine-bestowed soul ring, and an additional twenty thousand years added to soul rings."
"Failure penalty: Deduction of half affinity, and subsequent trials will double in difficulty."
"Butterfly Valley is on this continent!" Yu Die exclaimed in surprise.
Feng Xiaotian smiled. "It seems the Evil Demon Forest is this continent's version of the Great Star Dou Forest. But who knows if the Evil Demon Forest harbors extremely powerful spirit beasts?"
Ning Tianchen said gravely, "The further we go, the harder the trials will become. The dangers of the Evil Demon Forest will undoubtedly exceed our imagination."
He remembered well that within the Evil Demon Forest existed a special species of spirit beast—the Tyrant Evil Eye.
The ruler of this species was the second most terrifying figure among the Ten Great Ferocious Beasts, and it was also an extremely mysterious spirit-type beast.
With their current strength, encountering this creature would almost certainly mean death.
"Our immediate priority is to secure soul tool technology. The Douluo Continent has been without soul tool technology for far too long—it's time to bring it back into the world."
After a pause, Ning Tianchen continued, "Tomorrow, we'll split into two groups. Xiaotian, you take everyone to inquire about the situation on this continent and locate the Evil Demon Forest."
"Rongrong and I will meet with this master."
---
The next day, everything proceeded according to Ning Tianchen's plan.
The residence of this soul mentor was a cluster of classical buildings.
"Is this guy really this wealthy?" Ning Rongrong asked in astonishment.
Ning Tianchen wasn't surprised. "The value of low-level soul tools here is dirt cheap. However, soul mentors capable of crafting high-level soul tools are as rare as phoenix feathers."
"Perhaps during this visit, we can trade for quite a few advanced soul tool blueprints."
As they spoke, the two arrived at the entrance of the estate.
Looking up, they saw two gilded characters hanging above the gate: "Cang Manor."
The gates were tightly shut. Ning Tianchen knocked, and immediately a servant opened the door slightly, peeking out to ask, "Who are you looking for?"
Ning Tianchen clasped his hands together and bowed slightly toward the estate. "We're here to see Master Cang Tianyou to discuss a transaction."
The servant, seeing their fine attire, didn't turn them away but instead explained, "Master rarely meets outsiders. What kind of transaction do you have in mind? If you have sufficient bargaining chips, I can inform him."
"As for whether Master will see you, I cannot guarantee."
Ning Tianchen nodded. "We'd like Master Cang Tianyou to help craft a soul tool. Price is no object."
The servant nodded, closed the gate, and quickly went inside to report.
About fifteen minutes later, the servant reopened the gate and responded, "Master does not wish to see anyone."
"However, Master also said that if you are capable, helping him hunt a thirty-thousand-year spirit beast might make him reconsider."
A thirty-thousand-year spirit beast's soul ring could generally only be absorbed by Soul Sages at the quasi-Soul Sage level.
Hunting a thirty-thousand-year soul ring was no problem for Ning Tianchen.
"Tell your master that among us is a Soul Sage. A thirty-thousand-year soul ring is no issue."
With that, Ning Tianchen turned and left.
Since the other party had a request, they could seize the initiative in the upcoming negotiations.
If they stayed here any longer, the initiative would fall into the other party's hands.
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