ARK SPIRIT

The central district of Thanh Van City was completely different from the outer city.

The roads were wider.

The buildings were taller.

The shops were more luxurious.

Protective runes were carved into the stone walls on both sides of the street. Spiritual birds occasionally flew overhead, while carriages belonging to major clans moved back and forth below.

Most of the people walking the streets were cultivators.

Some gave Hao Nhien the clear impression that they were stronger than him, but determining their exact cultivation realms was much more difficult.

He could only make rough estimates based on cultivators he had encountered before.

For those at the same realm or below, if they were not deliberately concealing themselves, he could still judge a little.

But the stronger someone was compared to him, the harder it became to make an accurate estimate.

Hao Nhien rented a better room in the central district.

The price was four hundred low grade spirit stones per week.

It was much more expensive than the outer city, but the room was spacious, had a small spirit gathering formation, and was located close to the commercial district.

Under the current circumstances, it was worth the price.

That morning, after settling in, Hao Nhien and Tieu Lan walked around the central district.

He wanted to learn more about the places that served cultivators.

Weapon shops.

Medicine halls.

Auction houses.

Talisman shops.

Tea houses where cultivators exchanged information.

Every place could hold an opportunity.

It could also hold danger.

Tieu Lan walked beside him and no longer called him Young Master.

She still seemed slightly awkward from time to time, but the two words “Hao Nhien” were gradually becoming more natural to her.

“Hao Nhien, there’s a weapon shop over there.”

Hao Nhien followed the direction she pointed.

A large shop displayed a black signboard with silver lettering, while faint metallic reflections shimmered inside.

He nodded slightly.

“Let’s take a look.”

He wanted to buy Tieu Lan a real sword.

The wooden sword was only for practice.

Now that they had reached Thanh Van City, he could not let her continue without a proper weapon.

The two entered the weapon shop.

Saber blades, swords, spears, gauntlets, small crossbows, and protective armor filled the interior. The aura of metal mixed with spiritual power, cold and sharp.

An old man with a white beard stood behind the counter. Seeing the young man and young woman enter, he immediately smiled and asked:

“What kind of weapon are the two of you looking for?”

Hao Nhien replied:

“A light sword suitable for a female cultivator in the early stage of Qi Condensation.”

The old man nodded and took out several swords, placing them on the counter.

“Artifacts are generally divided into four grades: Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow.”

“Yellow grade is the lowest.”

“Each grade is further divided into low, mid, and high quality.”

He pointed at the swords before them.

“With this young lady’s current cultivation, a Yellow grade weapon is the most suitable.”

“If the grade is too high, she may not be able to bring out its full power, and it could also attract unnecessary attention.”

Hao Nhien nodded slightly.

The old man took out a slender sword.

The blade gleamed like water, and elegant patterns were carved into the hilt.

“This sword is high quality Yellow grade, forged by the Zhao family.”

“It is very suitable for a female cultivator.”

“The price is one hundred mid grade spirit stones.”

One hundred.

The hand Tieu Lan had just extended drew back slightly.

Hao Nhien looked at the sword.

It was indeed good.

But it was too expensive.

His current wealth consisted of more than one thousand low grade spirit stones, more than one hundred mid grade spirit stones, along with gold coins and several pieces of loot that he had not yet dealt with.

Since entering Thanh Van City, spirit stones had become the primary currency for transactions.

One thousand low grade spirit stones could be exchanged for one mid grade spirit stone.

One thousand mid grade spirit stones were needed to exchange for one supreme grade spirit stone.

The three supreme grade spirit stones in his possession were immensely valuable.

But to Hao Nhien, their significance was not limited to their monetary value.

The Cosmic Ark could use supreme grade spirit stones to recover.

He might also encounter situations in the future where he needed an enormous source of spiritual energy.

He could not casually use them.

In the end, Hao Nhien chose a mid quality Yellow grade sword.

The blade was thin.

The sword was light.

Its balance was good and it felt comfortable in the hand.

The spiritual power flowing through it was also fairly stable.

Although it could not compare to the high quality sword from before, it was more than enough for Tieu Lan at her current level.

The price was fifty mid grade spirit stones.

Hao Nhien paid.

Then he handed the sword to Tieu Lan.

“Use this one for now.”

“If you need something better later, we’ll replace it.”

Tieu Lan accepted the sword, her eyes lighting up.

She gently swung it a few times.

It felt far more comfortable in her hand than the wooden sword, and the blade gave off a soft ringing sound.

“Thank you.”

“I think it’s already very good.”

Seeing her smile, Hao Nhien felt a little lighter as well.

After leaving the weapon shop, the two continued along the central street.

The number of people passing by gradually increased.

Many small stalls lined both sides of the street, displaying antiques, old talismans, broken artifact fragments, and spiritual herbs of uncertain origin.

Some items looked worn and obviously had little value.

Others were difficult even for Hao Nhien to judge.

As they passed an old goods stall near the roadside, Tieu Lan suddenly stopped.

She stared at an object placed in one corner of the stall.

It was a small gray black furnace that looked like an old incense burner.

Its surface was covered in scorched stains.

Without looking closely, it was almost indistinguishable from scrap.

Yet Tieu Lan stared at it for a long time.

Hao Nhien stopped.

“What is it?”

Tieu Lan leaned closer to him and whispered:

“Hao Nhien, the medicinal properties left on that furnace feel very strange.”

“It’s very old.”

“But they’re still very clear.”

She hesitated slightly before continuing:

“I don’t know what’s inside it, but it feels like it was used to process many high quality medicinal herbs over a very long period.”

“The medicinal properties clinging to it still haven’t completely faded.”

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

Hao Nhien looked at the old furnace.

His gaze shifted slightly.

Tieu Lan was extremely sensitive to medicinal herbs and their properties.

If she had stopped on her own because of this item, then at the very least it was worth examining.

He nodded.

“Let’s take a look.”

The two stepped in front of the stall.

The stall owner was a middle aged man wearing an old robe, leaning back in his chair with a relaxed expression.

Seeing them stop, he merely glanced at them and did not immediately begin advertising his goods.

Hao Nhien pointed at the small furnace.

“Shopkeeper, how much for this?”

The middle aged stall owner looked at him, then at Tieu Lan.

Only then did he smile.

“Young brother has a good eye.”

“This isn’t an ordinary incense burner.”

“It’s an old medicinal furnace.”

“I bought it from someone who had once traveled through the Western Wastes.”

“As for its exact origins, I wouldn’t dare make any guarantees.”

Hao Nhien thought a little more highly of the man after hearing that.

At least he had not immediately claimed it was some ancestral treasure or peerless divine weapon.

The stall owner raised a hand.

“Sixty mid grade spirit stones.”

Tieu Lan immediately frowned slightly.

“Shopkeeper, sixty mid grade stones is still too much.”

“This furnace is already so old, and even its origin is unclear.”

“He just bought a sword for me.”

“Please don’t make things difficult for my brother.”

Her voice was soft.

But her bargaining was very clear.

The stall owner looked at her for a moment.

Then he smiled.

“Young lady, you know how to bargain.”

He shook his head.

“Fifty.”

Tieu Lan also shook her head.

“Thirty.”

The stall owner laughed.

“If I sell it for thirty, what would I even earn?”

“Forty.”

Tieu Lan looked at Hao Nhien.

Hao Nhien said nothing.

She looked at the furnace again, then said:

“Thirty.”

“You’ve kept this thing in the corner of your stall for so long. I’m guessing no one has truly wanted to buy it.”

“If someone were really willing to pay a high price, you wouldn’t still have it sitting here.”

The stall owner fell silent for a moment.

Hao Nhien did not know whether it was because Tieu Lan’s voice was pleasant, because she had called him her brother, or simply because she had touched on the exact reason the item was difficult to sell.

But the man’s attitude clearly softened.

Finally, he sighed.

“Fine.”

“Thirty.”

“Consider it a lucky sale for today.”

Hao Nhien hesitated slightly.

Thirty mid grade spirit stones was not a small amount.

He had already spent fifty mid grade spirit stones on the sword that morning.

If he bought the medicinal furnace as well, the total would come to eighty mid grade spirit stones.

That would consume most of the mid grade spirit stones he could freely use at the moment.

But Tieu Lan rarely took the initiative to pay attention to an item like this.

In the end, he decided to take the gamble.

Hao Nhien paid thirty mid grade spirit stones and placed the medicinal furnace into his storage ring.

“We’ll examine it carefully later.”

“If you can still sense unusual medicinal properties on it, then it must have had some special use in the past.”

Tieu Lan nodded slightly.

Joy was clearly visible in her eyes.

The two cupped their hands in farewell to the stall owner and left.

After walking a few steps, they could still hear the middle aged man muttering behind them:

“They know how to bargain, but they’re still pleasant to talk to.”

“Business would be much easier if I met more customers like that.”

Hao Nhien laughed when he heard it.

Tieu Lan lowered her head and laughed as well.

By noon, the two turned into a large medicine hall in the central district.

Inside were rows of precious medicinal herbs, pills, body refinement liquids, and medicinal powders.

Clearheart Pills.

Spirit Recovery Pills.

Body Refinement Liquid.

Detoxification Powder.

Each item had a placard describing its effects and price.

Tieu Lan walked around once.

The more she looked, the more serious her expression became.

Hao Nhien noticed.

He lowered his voice and asked:

“How does our medicinal liquid compare to these?”

Tieu Lan thought carefully for a long moment.

Then she whispered:

“I’m not sure about the formulas.”

“But ours has cleaner medicinal power.”

“And stronger vitality.”

She paused.

“Maybe the herbs on the Cosmic Ark are different because they’re nourished by wood qi.”

Hao Nhien nodded slightly.

That was close to what he had suspected.

The medicinal liquid Tieu Lan prepared had value.

But exactly how much value it had would still need to be judged by someone with expertise.

He said quietly:

“Let’s take one bottle of Clearheart Liquid to have it appraised.”

“If the price is suitable, we’ll sell it.”

“There’s no need to take out too much.”

Tieu Lan nodded.

“All right.”

Hao Nhien looked toward the end of the street.

A large signboard stood out among the surrounding buildings.

Heavenly Treasure Pavilion.

After asking around over the past few days, he had learned that it was the largest auction house in Thanh Van City.

He smiled.

“Let’s go.”

“Let’s see how much our Clearheart Liquid is worth.”

Tieu Lan blushed slightly.

“All right.”

The two walked toward Heavenly Treasure Pavilion together.

The building rose before them like a grand structure standing proudly in the central district.

It was built from glossy black profound iron stone.

Its roof curved gently upward.

Pure white jade lined the edges.

A large spirit stone hung above the roof, releasing a faint glow that illuminated the surrounding area.

The main entrance was wide.

Two stone qilin statues stood on either side, their eyes set with spirit stones.

Imposing.

But not excessively extravagant.

Tieu Lan looked up at the signboard and lightly gripped Hao Nhien’s sleeve.

“This place… is so luxurious.”

Hao Nhien also looked around.

It was not merely luxurious.

It had order.

Most of the people entering and leaving were cultivators.

Among them were many who gave Hao Nhien the clear impression of being far stronger than himself.

But he could not determine their exact realms.

No one shouted loudly or caused disturbances.

Nor did anyone openly release pressure or trouble others.

That alone was enough to show that the power behind Heavenly Treasure Pavilion was not simple.

Two female cultivators dressed in white silk robes with silver trim stood on either side of the entrance, smiling in welcome.

“Welcome, fellow cultivators, to Heavenly Treasure Pavilion.”

“Please enter.”

The atmosphere changed the moment they stepped through the entrance.

The floor was paved with glossy black profound jade, reflecting the light of the luminous pearls hanging from the ceiling.

A faint fragrance of precious sandalwood lingered in the air.

The spiritual qi was also slightly denser than outside.

The main hall on the first floor was spacious enough to hold several hundred people without feeling crowded.

At its center was a round pool.

The water was crystal clear.

Several spirit fish swam slowly beneath lotus flowers that gave off a faint glow.

Reception counters made of red sandalwood stood on both sides.

A female cultivator attended each counter.

Tieu Lan stared with wide eyes.

“Hao Nhien… I’ve never seen a place like this before.”

Hao Nhien nodded slightly.

His gaze passed over each detail.

The pool.

The luminous pearls.

The runes on the walls.

The entire arrangement made guests feel respected while quietly reminding them that this was not a place where trouble could be caused casually.

He led Tieu Lan to a nearby reception counter.

The female cultivator behind it appeared to be around twenty years old, with delicate features and graceful movements.

She smiled and bowed politely.

“Welcome to Heavenly Treasure Pavilion.”

“May I ask whether the two of you are here to view goods, participate in the auction, or consign an item for sale?”

Hao Nhien took a small porcelain bottle from his storage ring and placed it on the counter.

“I’d like you to examine this and give me an appraisal.”

“If the price is suitable, I want to consign it to the auction.”

The receptionist smiled and accepted it.

She opened the bottle.

Then she held a small jade slip near its mouth.

A faint light flashed across the jade slip.

The woman studied the result for a moment, then lightly inhaled the medicinal fragrance drifting from the bottle.

The professional smile on her face paused slightly.

She immediately closed the bottle.

Her attitude also became more serious.

“Please wait for a moment.”

“This medicinal liquid requires further examination by the counter manager.”

“I’ll invite him over immediately.”

With that, she turned and quickly left.

Tieu Lan looked at Hao Nhien.

Her eyes held both nervousness and anticipation.

Hao Nhien only gave a small nod.

Not long afterward, a middle aged man with a short beard emerged from behind the counter.

He wore a dark green robe embroidered with silver thread.

He was tall and thin.

His gaze was sharp.

He carried the calm demeanor of someone accustomed to evaluating countless items.

He cupped his fists toward the two.

“Greetings, fellow cultivators.”

“This one is Luu Van, manager of the first floor of Heavenly Treasure Pavilion.”

“I heard the two of you have a medicinal liquid you wish to consign for auction.”

“Allow me to examine it.”

Hao Nhien nodded.

He pushed the bottle of Clearheart Liquid toward him.

Luu Van carefully picked up the bottle.

He opened it.

Then he took out a thin jade strip and placed a single drop of medicinal liquid on its surface.

Spiritual light slowly spread across the jade.

Luu Van studied it for a long time.

Then he lightly smelled the medicinal fragrance.

His expression shifted from calm to surprise.

But he quickly regained his composure.

Only after examining it once more did he put the bottle down.

“Clearheart Liquid.”

Hao Nhien nodded slightly.

Luu Van said:

“The formula itself is not particularly rare.”

“But the quality of this bottle is very high.”

“The medicinal power is pure.”

“There are very few impurities.”

“Most importantly, the vitality within its medicinal properties is noticeably stronger than ordinary Clearheart Liquid.”

He looked at Hao Nhien.

“If judged within the Yellow grade, this bottle has reached high quality.”

Tieu Lan’s hands tightened slightly.

High quality Yellow grade.

That was higher than she had expected.

Luu Van continued:

“I don’t know what is special about the ingredients the two of you used.”

“But judging from the finished product alone, the medicinal herbs must have been of excellent quality.”

Hao Nhien merely nodded.

He did not explain.

Luu Van did not press the matter.

After thinking for a moment, Luu Van said:

“If this is placed in tonight’s auction, a starting price of one hundred mid grade spirit stones would be appropriate.”

“High quality Yellow grade Clearheart Liquid is not particularly rare in Thanh Van City, but your bottle has purer medicinal power and stronger vitality than ordinary examples.”

“Cultivators who need to stabilize their meridians or regulate their breathing after an injury should be interested.”

Hao Nhien nodded slightly.

This appraisal felt believable.

A good bottle of medicinal liquid.

Valuable.

But not valuable enough for Heavenly Treasure Pavilion to treat it as a treasure.

“Then consign it.”

Hao Nhien paused.

“But I don’t want the seller’s name made public.”

Luu Van nodded naturally.

“No problem.”

“Heavenly Treasure Pavilion can register the consignment anonymously.”

“You only need to keep the transaction jade token.”

He took out a small jade token and placed it on the table.

“After the auction ends, use this token at the counter to collect your spirit stones.”

“Heavenly Treasure Pavilion will deduct the standard commission.”

He then placed two thin tickets on the table.

“Today’s auction begins in one shichen.”

“If the two of you wish to watch, you may enter the hall early.”

“Since you have an item consigned for sale, I can arrange two seats for you in the first few rows.”

Hao Nhien accepted the jade token and the two tickets.

“Thank you.”

Luu Van nodded slightly.

Not overly enthusiastic.

Not cold either.

Exactly appropriate for an ordinary transaction.

Not long afterward, a female cultivator led them through the corridor beside the main hall.

At the end of the corridor was a large door leading into the auction hall.

The interior was larger than Hao Nhien had expected.

Hundreds of seats were arranged in rising rows facing a stone platform at the center.

A large jade screen hung behind the platform.

Higher above were several private rooms with closed, misted jade doors.

Clearly, those were reserved for guests with truly significant status.

Hao Nhien and Tieu Lan were seated in the third row.

The seats were quite close to the auction platform.

Hao Nhien sat down.

Tieu Lan sat beside him and looked around curiously.

“Hao Nhien… this place is really big too.”

Hao Nhien smiled slightly.

“For our first time, this is enough.”

He glanced once at the private rooms above.

Then withdrew his gaze.

There was no hurry.

He had only just arrived in Thanh Van City.

One step at a time.

There was still almost one shichen before the auction began.

With nothing else to do, the two remained seated and observed the hall.

Today did not seem to be one of Heavenly Treasure Pavilion’s more important auction days.

There were still many empty seats in the hall.

The crowd was not especially large.

Most people sat in small groups.

Three cultivators wearing the same style of gray robe sat toward the front left, speaking quietly among themselves. Each wore an emblem shaped like a mountain on the chest.

A little farther away sat two female cultivators dressed in pale blue.

One was still very young.

The other appeared middle aged and had barely spoken since arriving, simply sitting with her eyes closed.

On the other side, several people dressed like merchants were quietly calculating something, with paper, brushes, and a small abacus placed on the table before them.

There were also several cultivators sitting alone.

Some remained silent.

Some drank tea.

Some occasionally looked toward the auction platform before lowering their heads to check the item lists in their hands.

Hao Nhien did not try to guess everyone’s identity.

He simply observed quietly.

Their clothing.

The way they spoke.

Where they sat.

The attitude of Heavenly Treasure Pavilion’s staff toward each group.

Sometimes, those details were more useful than trying to guess cultivation realms.

Tieu Lan also began paying attention to the people around them.

After a while, she leaned closer to Hao Nhien.

“Those people in gray probably belong to the same force.”

Hao Nhien nodded slightly.

“Probably.”

“But don’t stare for too long.”

Tieu Lan immediately withdrew her gaze.

“All right.”

Time slowly passed.

More people gradually entered the hall.

But even as the auction drew close to starting, almost one third of the seats remained empty.

It seemed that today truly was only a regular auction.

For Hao Nhien, that was even better.

It was his first time here.

He only wanted to observe how Heavenly Treasure Pavilion operated, learn the actual prices of items in Thanh Van City, and see how much one bottle of Clearheart Liquid could truly sell for.

There was no need to attract too much attention.

Tieu Lan asked softly:

“Hao Nhien, when will our bottle be brought out?”

“I don’t know.”

Hao Nhien replied.

“We’ll just wait.”

Tieu Lan nodded.

Her hands rested neatly on her knees.

But Hao Nhien could still tell that she was slightly nervous.

He smiled.

“Don’t be nervous.”

“Even if it only sells at the starting price, we still won’t lose anything.”

Tieu Lan turned to look at him.

Then she smiled as well.

“I know.”

Just then.

Clang.

A clear bell rang out.

The conversations throughout the hall quickly quieted.

On the stone platform ahead, the jade screen slowly lit up.