The Programmer Cultivator

An auction house as large as ours wouldn’t stoop to coveting such meager profits.”

’Is that so?’

’From what I’ve seen on my way here, it feels like your policy is that every little bit counts. If you can scrape off a chunk, you won’t leave even a sliver behind.’

’But even if you’re just nickel-and-diming people, you really do make them part with their money willingly. I can at least see that much.’

Zhang Deming complained internally, but his expression remained calm as he nodded.

He led Zhang Deming to an appraisal room. Unlike the bustling activity outside, all the appraisal rooms in this hall, regardless of their grade, were rather quiet, especially the higher-level ones.

He led Zhang Deming into an appraisal room. Inside, a young man who looked to be in his twenties, with a Cultivation around the level of Tai Chi Second Life, was engrossed in a novel.

”Ahem... Seventh Uncle, this senior requires an appraisal,” the guide said, looking at the engrossed young man.

Wu Xinzhuang looked up, a bit dazed. After a moment’s pause, he fully came to his senses. He looked at Zhang Deming and asked, ”Fellow Daoist, what do you need appraised?”

Zhang Deming smiled faintly and took out a Spirit Nurturing Bead. Inside it was a vine that looked like it was carved from jade.

Wu Xinzhuang’s expression shifted as he looked at the Spirit Nurturing Bead. When he saw the clear Vine Rune inside, a look of astonishment crossed his face. A Rune immediately surfaced between his brows, and Spiritual Light surged in his eyes.

A moment later, a line of text appeared on the Array Light Screen in front of him.

Item: Spirit Nurturing Bead

Level: Tier Three

Grade: Mastery

Technique: Jade Vine

After confirming the item’s details, he gave Zhang Deming a look of astonishment and asked with a hint of excitement, ”Fellow Daoist, do you plan to auction this item?”

Zhang Deming nodded. ”Something like that.”

”Does that mean you have more, Fellow Daoist?” Wu Xinzhuang asked, pleasantly surprised.

A single Tier Three Mastery Level Spirit Nurturing Bead, while valuable, isn’t all that special by itself.

It can’t even compare to an ordinary Two-Star Magical Artifact. Something like this might make it into a regular auction, but for this one... it’s a bit iffy.

Zhang Deming nodded. ”I do. And not just more of the same—I have a complete set.”

A sharp glint flashed in Wu Xinzhuang’s eyes. ”Fellow Daoist, you mean to auction a Glove Bead?”

Zhang Deming nodded, then shook his head. ”I’m not looking to auction it. I’m looking to trade for something that’s being auctioned.”

Wu Xinzhuang looked at Zhang Deming, confused. ”What do you mean by that, Fellow Daoist? I’m afraid I don’t quite follow.”

Zhang Deming smiled. ”I’ve taken a fancy to one of your auction items. I’m the kind of person who doesn’t like leaving things to chance.

So, I was hoping to discuss whether you could contact the consignor and arrange for us to negotiate a private trade.

Regardless of how my negotiation with the original owner turns out, I can guarantee that a Glove Bead set will take the place of the item I want in the auction.

This would only benefit your auction, not harm it.

After all, a Glove Bead set likely has a broader appeal than a raw material and is more likely to liven up the bidding, wouldn’t you say?”

Wu Xinzhuang paused for a moment, mulling over Zhang Deming’s words until he understood his intent.

”So, you’re saying you want to acquire an item from our invitation-only auction ahead of time.

And if you and the other party complete the trade, they won’t put their item up for auction, and you’ll provide a Glove Bead set to fill the slot. Is that what you mean?”

Zhang Deming nodded. ”Yes, that’s exactly it.”

”In that case, which item do you wish to trade for?” Wu Xinzhuang asked.

”The Infant Spirit Hollow Jade,” Zhang Deming answered simply.

Wu Xinzhuang paused at his words and studied Zhang Deming. ”So you’re here for the main advancement material for a Summoning Technique. That item and a Glove Bead set are both exceptionally popular.

Swapping one for the other won’t have much of an impact on the auction. Ordinarily, I’d have no problem agreeing to let you try.

However, for this particular item, I don’t have the authority to make that decision. Could you wait a moment, Fellow Daoist, while I find someone who does?”

Zhang Deming’s brow furrowed slightly at his words. ’Does that mean there’s something unusual about this particular auction item?’

Puzzled, Zhang Deming nodded.

Seeing this, Wu Xinzhuang called over a nearby disciple, gave him a few instructions, and the disciple hurried away.

After Wu Xinzhuang gave his instructions, an awkward silence fell between the two. Thankfully, a disciple arrived just then to serve tea, slightly easing the tension.

The disciple was a clever sort; seeming to sense the awkward atmosphere, he made his movements in serving the tea as formal and deliberate as possible. The whole process took a full several minutes.

By the time the disciple finished serving the tea and left, Wu Xinzhuang had already started a new topic. ”Fellow Daoist, you seem quite keen on this advancement material. Is it for your own Summoning path, or are you helping a junior?”

Zhang Deming smiled faintly. ”It’s true that I’m interested in the material, but I wouldn’t say I’m desperate. After all, any cultivator who sees an advancement material like this would surely want to pocket it for themselves.

What I do find surprising is that your esteemed house didn’t acquire it privately, but is auctioning it off instead.”

Wu Xinzhuang paused. ’He was the one trying to get information, so how did the tables turn on him after just one sentence???’

’Something feels off about this!’

”Haha, it seems you’re quite interested in how our house does business, Fellow Daoist!” Wu Xinzhuang chuckled, giving an evasive reply.

Zhang Deming glanced at the man. ’Looks like he’s just an unmotivated cog in the machine. Either he doesn’t know anything, or he’s involved and unwilling to talk.’

Zhang Deming nodded. ”Yes, I am quite interested. I’m especially impressed by the person in charge of your esteemed house.”

”Oh? To receive such high praise from a fellow Daoist, it seems our Huayue Auction House has been doing quite well these past few years.”

Before Wu Xinzhuang could reply, a resonant, powerful voice sounded from the entrance to the room.