Han Yi nodded. Since he had brought them out, he intended to sell them.
No matter how high the grade, what good was a Magic Artifact that didn't suit him? Selling it would provide the funds to purchase one that did.
Only the wearer knows if the shoe fits.
With Han Yi's approval, He Fangwei stepped forward, carefully picked up one of the Silverlight Pearls, and slowly infused a wisp of Mana into it.
After a moment, he set it down.
"This set of Silverlight Pearls still bears the original owner's imprint, and the resistance is strong. This indicates the pearls are undamaged. They simply need to be re-refined to regain full control of the Magic Artifact."
He Fangwei set down the first pearl, picked up the second, then set it down again before taking the third.
This appraisal took longer. As a High-Grade Magic Artifact, even he had to handle it with utmost care.
After a while, he laid all the pearls down and took a deep breath. Appraising High-Grade Magic Artifacts was no simple task, even for him.
"The price range for High-Grade Magic Artifacts typically ranges from one hundred to one thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, equivalent to ten thousand to one hundred thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones."
"This set of Silverlight Pearls is a High-Grade Magic Artifact, complete and flawless," Shopkeeper He appraised. "I estimate its value at six hundred Mid-Grade Spirit Stones. What do you think, Fellow Daoist?"
Although Han Yi knew the general price range for High-Grade Magic Artifacts, he was still stunned by the figure. Six hundred Mid-Grade Spirit Stones was equivalent to sixty thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones. Most cultivators at the Ninth Layer of Qi Refinement didn't possess such wealth, explaining why only those at the peak of the Ninth Layer could afford High-Grade Magic Artifacts—they were simply too expensive.
"Alright, I'll sell them."
"Also, Shopkeeper He, do you have any Magic Artifacts for sale? I'm looking for a set of daggers, at least Mid-Grade, or preferably High-Grade."
Han Yi stated his request. Shopkeeper He shook his head regretfully.
"I regret to inform you that the shop's entire stock of Magic Artifacts was cleared out a few days ago."
"Moreover, we've never stocked complete sets of dagger-type artifacts at the Nine Dragons Merchant Guild."
Han Yi felt a pang of disappointment.
"However," Shopkeeper He added, "I can assist you. If the Sect has such artifacts, the Nine Dragons Merchant Guild can acquire them and resell them to you. What do you think, Fellow Daoist?"
Han Yi's heart leaped with joy.
Han Yi had other, more straightforward options for acquiring magic artifacts, such as purchasing them directly through the sect's management platform. This would save time and effort, and likely guarantee a successful purchase.
However, doing so would negate his efforts to maintain a low profile.
The Nine Dragons Merchant Guild offered a different approach.
Located in the Inner Peak market, it operated under its own set of rules. The risk of his identity being exposed was significantly lower, and even if it were, the number of people who would learn of it would be limited, making the risk far more manageable.
Another reason was the preliminary trust he had already established with the Nine Dragons Merchant Guild.
This was also why he chose to sell the magic artifacts he had obtained in Heavenfall City to them.
In essence, Han Yi's approach perfectly illustrated the purpose of the Inner and Outer Peak markets within the Profound Pill Sect.
Without these semi-gray markets, Han Yi would never have dared to openly display his acquired magic artifacts.
"Very well, I'll leave it in Shopkeeper He's capable hands."
He Fangwei was equally eager. High-Grade Magic Artifacts, or complete sets of Mid-Grade ones, were highly profitable. The commission from brokering this transaction alone would undoubtedly earn him a substantial sum.
Why wouldn't he seize such an opportunity?
"Seven days, Fellow Daoist," He Fangwei said with absolute confidence. "Give this old man seven days, and I guarantee everything will be handled flawlessly when you return."
Han Yi nodded, agreeing to come back in a week.
As Han Yi turned to leave, He Fangwei called him back, hesitating slightly. "Fellow Daoist, didn't you ask about the recent conflict with the Blood God Sect earlier?"
"This old fool was so busy I forgot," He Fangwei said. "It only just occurred to me now."
"There have indeed been some rumors circulating."
Han Yi couldn't help but be surprised that the old man was willing to talk. Then it struck him: the magic artifacts he had just sold had significantly elevated his standing in He Fangwei's eyes.
To He Fangwei, an ordinary disciple with decent pill refinement skills was merely a customer—someone to be dealt with routinely.
But a disciple with outstanding pill refinement abilities and even greater combat prowess—one capable of single-handedly killing multiple Late-Stage Qi Refining disciples from the Blood God Sect—occupied an entirely different position in his mind.
He Fangwei, a seasoned businessman, was accustomed to sizing people up and tailoring his approach accordingly.
And that was exactly it.
Although Han Yi hadn't explicitly stated his exploits, and He Fangwei hadn't pressed for details, the truth was clear.
The fact that Han Yi possessed four Magic Artifacts, including one pristine High-Grade artifact, and that these artifacts clearly bore the marks of the Blood God Sect, led He Fangwei to surmise that Han Yi must have slain at least three, possibly even four, disciples during the previous night's battle.
Of course, other possibilities existed, but He Fangwei chose to trust his intuition.
This was terrifying.
After a moment's contemplation, He Fangwei decided it would be wise to extend a small gesture of goodwill toward Han Yi.
As Han Yi resumed his seat, He Fangwei leaned closer, maintaining a safe distance, and lowered his voice to a solemn tone.
"Unofficial reports indicate the Sect suffered heavy losses in last night's battle, forcing your emergency retreat."
"I heard that even a Golden Core Stage cultivator from one of the main peaks was ambushed and nearly perished, barely escaping back to the Sect."
"Alas, compared to the Profound Pill Sect, the Blood God Sect's combat prowess is far superior."
He Fangwei sighed, glancing at Han Yi with a peculiar expression.
"By the way, Fellow Daoist, do you know why the Blood God Sect's combat strength is so universally superior to the Profound Pill Sect's?"
Han Yi shook his head, indicating his ignorance.
"It's no secret in the Cultivation World."
"The Blood God Sect is located in western Shu Prefecture. Beyond that, beyond the borders of Great Qian, lies one of the Cultivation World's forbidden zones: the Blood River."
"The Blood River?" Han Yi had never heard of it before.
"That's right. The vast, boundless Blood River doesn't originate in the Jade Balance Realm. Its source lies in the legendary Nether River Immortal Realm, where true immortals are said to reside."
"Strictly speaking, the Blood River in the Jade Balance Realm is merely one of countless tributaries of the true Blood River. Yet, within this tributary, demonic creatures known as Blood Demons ravage the areas near its banks."
"The Blood God Sect, bordering the Blood River, has disciples who constantly battle Blood Demons. Their combat experience and prowess are among the best in the Cultivation World. It's not surprising that a Profound Pill Sect disciple of the same cultivation realm would often fall to a Blood God Sect cultivator."
"Because of the Blood River, the Magic Artifacts wielded by Blood God Sect cultivators are often imbued with Blood Fiend Aura. The Blood Blade and Blood Soul Banner you sold earlier are typical examples of their sect's artifacts."
He Fangwei paused, glancing thoughtfully at Han Yi.
Han Yi straightened his expression, realizing the weight of the information He Fangwei had just revealed.
"So this cultivation world is called the Jade Balance Realm," Han Yi mused, committing the name to memory.
"Apologies for digressing. Let's return to the matter of the recent sect war."
"We've already established that the Profound Pill Sect suffered a crushing defeat. I'm sure you suspect there's more to it, and that's true—what you see is merely the surface."
"The true root of the conflict involves the Three Great Sects."
"The Three Great Sects?" Han Yi felt bewildered. What connection could a war between the Blood God Sect and the Profound Pill Sect possibly have with these three powerful entities?