I sped down the street, Jiě jie in hand as I examined the jade bottle in my hands.
Other than the leftover spiritual energy inside the bottle, there's nothing that stands out. Weird. There's usually something special about these types of items. Though, I did just randomly bolt toward the closest signature I could detect, so I guess that makes sense. Not all of my findings will be irreplaceable treasures like the spatial ring and wood sword I found. Still, fairly disappointing. I originally planned to gather a haul of rare items and spoil Jiě jie tonight. But with how much time that brat wasted, we'll need to head to the Boshai sect soon after this auction trip.
A small fire ignited at the pit of my stomach, most likely anger. When I return to the sect, I should buy a heart-suppressing pill; the effects of the medicine the fox gave me last time have clearly worn off.
I could probably find a heart-suppressing pill here, but if the earlier prices said anything, something like a heart-suppressing pill would be stupidly overpriced. I just made a fortune from victim fees from that kind junior; if I'm going to spend it on anything, it will be for Jiě jie.
We stopped by the inn we were staying in, Jiě jie, set up a spirit gathering array as I took out the wooden sword from my storage bag. I took out a mending talisman, pasting it onto the blade of the sword. The next moment, the sword was covered in a faint green light, and the rot slowly broke off, and the wood slowly repaired itself. Within a few minutes, the wooden sword was fully restored, the spiritual pulse within the blade growing stronger.
After, Jiě jie finished setting up the array and activated, and I tossed the repaired sword into the array. The surrounding spiritual energy condensed into the array, the sword absorbing it just as fast.
Now we wait.
I adjusted my position, sitting cross-legged as I took out the jade bottle, scanning it with my spiritual sense again. The result was still the same, a strangely high amount of spiritual energy stored around the bottom of the bottle, yet other than that, I don't sense anything inside the bottle.
Maybe the contents are concealed by its original owner? That woman did say that it was a gift from a cultivator. Then again, that could be a lie to up the price.
I opened the jade bottle, and as expected, there was nothing. Jiě jie leaned in, examining the bottle in my hand.
"Anything?"
She shook her head, "If you can't find anything, I won't be able to either."
She paused for a moment, then suggested, "Maybe break open the bottom?"
I nodded, turning back to the bottle. I flicked the bottom, cracks forming along the jade until the bottle crumbled completely. And from the broken shards was a piece of translucent stone. It was shaped like a flat disc, an unfamiliar character carved into the jade, brimming with pure spiritual energy.
Once I saw it, I had to stop my mouth from dropping. I stared at the disc in disbelief, looking to Jiě jie to check if I was seeing things. Thankfully, she looked just as shocked. I turned back to the stone, a wave of emotions bubbling in my chest.
This was a spiritual token, practically a free entry into a secret realm.
What is this luck?
Is this heaven's compensation for sending that brat my way?
I gripped the token, turning to Jiě jie, and placed it in her hand. Her eyes widened, staring at the token in her hand, then at me.
"It's safer in Jiě jie's hands. If we can't find a secret realm, we can sell it for a fortune," I explained, checking on the wooden sword.
The wooden sword was steadily absorbing spiritual energy, and the array is still stable. As expected of Jiě jie's arrays, very reliable, unlike a certain snake's.
I turned back to Jiě jie, meeting her stare. It was the look she always gave me when I did something wrong.
I furrowed my brows, confused.
What did I do this time?
I opened my mouth to ask, but decided against it. Asking her about it never ended well.
Suddenly, she threw something at me. I caught it easily, realizing that it was the Clear Jade token. I looked back at Jiě jie, even more confused.
"It's safer with you," she said, mimicking my flat tone.
I was just about to argue, but shut my mouth again, repeating to myself not to argue with her when she's in a mood. The worst outcome would be her not speaking to me afterwards.
I sighed, "fine, I'll hold onto it for now."
"Good," she nodded, a smile finally showing on her face.
Seems like her mood is better. Jiě jie's always scary when she's angry. I was half-expecting a shoe to be flying at my face.
I let out a breath of relief before tossing the token into my storage bag. I slumped onto the bed, sending a part of my spiritual sense to monitor the sword in the array. Not that I doubt Jiě jie's skill in formations, I just don't trust that the sword won't turn on us after regaining its strength. Then again, if this wooden sword managed to cultivate a consciousness, it wouldn't have fallen into the hands of a mere qi refining cultivator. But it's never wrong to be cautious.
An hour passed, during that time, I watched Jiě jie read a new novel she's been fond of for a few months before I got bored and sat down to meditate instead. After a few minutes, the wooden sword finally absorbed enough qi to return to its former state. I waved it over into my hand, scanning it with spiritual sense.
After a look, I smiled.
An artifact of the wooden attribute, not an invaluable treasure on the surface, but with a deeper look, you could sense an inscription engraved inside, most likely an inheritance.
Tch, if only I or Jiě jie had a wood root, this trip would've been a bigger windfall. But given that we found a Clear Jade token, finding an inheritance would seem a little too coincidental. Even so, this will make the sword more valuable when we put it up for auction.
I tossed the wooden sword into my storage bag, getting up from the bed. I turned to Jiě jie, who was still reading her novel.
"Are you coming?"
She placed a piece of talisman paper between the pages and closed her book, stuffing it into her storage bag.
"It's been a while since I went to an auction with you," she grinned, stretching her limbs before walking to the door.
I followed after her, heart a little lighter.
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After letting Jiě jie ask around, we arrived at the Xiangtu auction house.
We sat in front of the appraiser of the auction house. I took out the wooden sword from my storage bag, placing it on the table, and pushed it towards the appraiser.
"This is a wood attribute artifact I found by chance. I wish to sell it," I explained, watching the appraiser for any schemes.
The appraiser took the sword, examining it with her spiritual sense. After a moment of scanning, her expression changed into shock, eyes sparkling. I can understand. I also had that look when I restored that sword and discovered its properties. Judging by the rarity of wood-attribute artifacts, this sword should be sold for at least one hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones, and with the inheritance, the value would only rise. Even if there were no cultivators of the wood attribute, some people would definitely buy it for the novelty.
The appraiser turned back to us, a sparkle in her eyes.
"Fellow Daoist, this wooden sword is extremely valuable. Not only does it have a wood attribute, but also has an inheritance inscribed inside! Fellow Daoist must have extremely good luck!" the appraiser beamed, before rattling off a few lines of praise towards us.
After the compliments, the appraiser finally composed herself.
"Ahem, since this artifact is so valuable, Xiangtu Auction House will not leave you at a loss. Normally, we would take twenty percent of the profits from our clients, but due to the value of your artifact, we are willing to take only half that percentage," she explained.
I raised a brow, glancing at Jiě jie. She had a big smile on her face, she seemed very satisfied. I let myself have a small smile as well, as I looked back at the appraiser. I nodded, quickly agreeing to the deal.
The appraiser's eyes shone even brighter, calling another worker to store the sword.
She turned back to us, rubbing her hands together as she explained, "The auction will start in two days. For now, we will store the artifact in the auction house. Once the auction starts, Fellow Daoists will be given premium seats to view the auction."
Jiě jie nodded, thanking the appraiser before leaving. I followed after, casting a glance at the appraiser's relaxed expression before leaving.
A qi refining cultivator, but her spiritual sense is much sharper than most. It seems the auction house is in good hands.
I walked beside Jiě jie as we wandered the market. Jiě jie watched the skies, sending a message into my spiritual sea.
It will be the hour of Zi soon. Be prepared.
I frowned, nodding with resignation.
Suddenly, the sound of an explosion echoed nearby. I turned towards the explosion, anger threatening to erupt to the surface.
That damn snake!
A/N
Hello everyone! I deeply apologize for the delayed upload. I'm still recovering from jet-lag and I'm trying to get back in my groove.
Thank you for reading this chapter and I hope you keep reading my silly stories.