Feng Shui Chapter 138: A Worthwhile Opportunity

Although the auction was hosted by this particular shop, it was clear that the Shen royal family was backing it from behind the scenes. In the recent chaos, countless aristocratic families had been wiped out, their estates seized and looted. Magical artifacts, enchanted equipment, rare pills, and top-grade materials were piled up like mountains. Han Yuanchun, who suppressed the rebellion with an iron fist, distributed these spoils generously among his vassals. But the newly established Shen dynasty lacked the means, or the will, to be as generous. Instead, they opted for this more subtle method of converting loot into massive wealth. With the public execution of demon cultivators drawing numerous influential families into the capital, the shop seized the opportunity to hold several days of high-end auctions.

Fortunately, Tong Nuonuo happened to overhear a bit of gossip. Otherwise, Chen Xiao and his companions would have missed out on this rare gathering. With over a dozen families participating, each with centuries or even millennia of heritage, there was no doubt that every one of them had treasures worthy of dominating a stage. The latter half of the catalog was filled with premium-grade spiritual pills, magical tools, enchanted garments, and even a few mechanical devices crafted by master artisans of the Dongyu Sect.

Even Xi Yunqing admitted this was an unusually complete and impressive showcase. After browsing for a long while, he paused at a page and pushed the booklet toward Chen Xiao.

“Brother Xiao, I think this weapon would suit you very well," he said.

The page featured a weapon that, at first glance, looked quite similar to the steel saber Chen Xiao had previously used, though it was much flashier in design. The blade was three feet and three inches long, slightly curved, slim and narrow, with intricate layered patterns etched along its edge. It was called Dragon-Subduing Bone, a top-grade artifact forged at the peak of a master smith’s career centuries ago. Since its creation, the blade had passed into the hands of a collector and had never seen blood, making it practically brand new.

Chen Xiao had noticed the weapon earlier but hadn’t given it much thought. Compared to his old saber, this one was longer and slimmer, and he doubted he could wield it effectively.

He looked up at Xi Yunqing and asked, “Why do you recommend this blade for me, Brother Xi?”

Xi Yunqing replied, “Dragon-Subduing Bone is a genuine magical artifact imbued with sharp metal energy. When attacking, it inflicts innate metallic damage. Its previous owner never used it in battle, but he nourished it diligently for centuries. If you wield it, it will be the easiest to control. Once drawn, it will respond to your will like an extension of your arm.”

Chen Xiao felt a surge of interest, though he hesitated. He’d never used a blade like this before and worried about adapting to it quickly.

“If you’re interested in Dragon-Subduing Bone." Xi Yunqing added, “I can help you train with it. When we were handling the Crimson-Scaled Serpent, I saw the wounds it left. I believe your swordsmanship could use significant improvement. That old blade of yours isn’t worth sticking to, there’s not much difference in giving it up.”

Chen Xiao had never really learned any proper swordsmanship, just a few moves he’d picked up from Du Rong. He hadn’t experienced Xi Yunqing’s knack for ending conversations in his typically blunt fashion in a while, and now that he had, he felt a bit emotionally overwhelmed.

“Thank you, Brother Xi." Chen Xiao replied, swallowing his frustration and accepting the gesture in good faith. He’d already been thinking about improving his close-combat abilities, and since Xi Yunqing was offering to help, and Chen Xiao had already benefited greatly from his footwork training, he wasn’t about to say no.

His agreement softened Xi Yunqing’s expression. “There’s no need to thank me, Brother Xiao.”

Xi Yunqing had genuinely chosen this weapon with Chen Xiao’s needs in mind. As a true magical artifact, it could be marked with spiritual energy, allowing Chen Xiao to unleash attacks with innate elemental effects without consuming his own energy. It was practically made for him. And while it was longer than his previous saber, there was truth in the saying: an extra inch of reach is an extra inch of strength. With Dragon-Subduing Bone, Chen Xiao would be able to strike from a slightly safer distance, crucial in close combat. If he had wielded Dragon-Subduing Bone against the Crimson-Scaled Serpent, he might have been able to aim for its vital points without risking its venomous fangs.

At precisely the hour of Shen (3 to 5 p.m.), the auction officially began. Chen Xiao and his two companions were invited out of their private room and into a small hall with a raised ceiling. At the front of the room was a low platform, and in front of it were several rows of seats. Chen Xiao swept his gaze over the hall and estimated there were just over forty seats in total.

They were led by a female attendant to seats in the fourth row, toward the left, not exactly prime spots, but Brother Chen Xiao don't mind. At this kind of event, the best seats naturally went to powerful families and individuals the shop couldn’t afford to offend.

Guests trickled in over the next quarter of an hour, guided to their places by attendants. The room remained quiet, with conversations whispered in hushed tones. Yet because everyone present had sharp ears and acute senses, even the softest voice could be heard clearly in such a confined space. Chen Xiao figured it would’ve been better if everyone just spoke normally, the mixed chatter would be harder to decipher that way.

Once nearly all the guests had been seated, a man stepped onto the platform. He introduced himself as a manager of the shop. Dressed in fine robes, he smiled before he spoke and had a way with words that quickly livened the mood in the room. The oppressive silence from earlier melted away under his charisma.

After warming up the audience, he stepped down, replaced by a dedicated auctioneer. It was immediately clear that the man was experienced and well-prepared. Despite the fact that many of the guests held cultivation levels and statuses far above his own, he remained calm and composed as he took charge of the auction.

As tradition dictated, the first item on the block was always a solid piece, one guaranteed to sell and set a good tone for the rest of the event. While everyone had already seen the catalog, the order of the auction was unknown, which only heightened the anticipation in the air.

The first auction item did not disappoint. A graceful female attendant walked up with a tray in hand and displayed its contents to the crowd. It was a floral hairpin-shaped magical artifact. Delicate pink blossoms bloomed beautifully in a cluster, nestled above golden vine-like branches and leaves, all twined around a translucent dark green spirit stone hairpin.

Chen Xiao had briefly scanned this floral hairpin in the auction catalog earlier. The artifact carried both water and wood attributes and was inscribed with a rune formation. Worn daily, it helped regulate a cultivator's body and stimulated vital energy. In combat, it transformed into a powerful healing tool, capable of rapidly restoring the wearer’s injuries.

As soon as the artifact appeared, a stir rippled through the hall. Even Chen Xiao couldn’t help but think the shopkeeper was cunning, kicking off the auction with such a practical yet elegant piece, perfect both as a gift and for personal use. The noble families present were bound to fight over it.

Sure enough, the moment the starting price was announced, bidding erupted from all directions. Chen Xiao and his two companions weren’t interested in the hairpin, so they simply watched as the price climbed higher and higher. The hall was filled with cultivators of all genders, and it wasn’t just the female ones bidding, many of the men were equally aggressive with their offers.

Chen Xiao shook his head in mild disbelief, while beside him, Xi Yunqing wore a thoughtful expression, as if gaining some insight.

But no matter how lively the show, it eventually had to end. In the end, the hairpin was sold to a male cultivator at a price several dozen times its original bid. The female attendant walked over and respectfully presented it to him. Unlike the auction customs of Chen Xiao’s previous life, the artifact was handed over right on the spot. The buyer, clearly proud of his acquisition, admired it for a moment before putting it away, drawing the gaze of everyone in the room, especially quite a few women who looked on enviously.

The second item up for auction was crafting material. The room settled back into order, and the atmosphere became calmer and more composed. The auction proceeded steadily, although a few items went unsold, most transactions went smoothly. After all, not every item could match someone’s interests perfectly.

Sensing that the mood was cooling off, the auctioneer brought out magical tools, enchanted gear, and medicinal pills to stir up enthusiasm. Sure enough, the crowd's lethargy vanished, and spirits lifted once more.

After another five or six items, it was finally time for the weapon Chen Xiao had been eyeing, Dragon-Subduing Bone. The starting price was five thousand spirit pearls, with a minimum bid increment of one hundred.

This weapon was of excellent quality, quite rare in a place like Gengsheng Minor Heaven Realm. The auction quickly turned fierce, with the price shooting up to eight thousand in no time.

Once the bidding crossed eight thousand, half the room gave up. When it climbed to ten thousand, only two or three contenders remained.

It was at this point that Chen Xiao, who had been silent all along, finally made his move, raising the bid straight to eleven thousand. His confident posture and air of wealth made the remaining bidders pause. One of them hesitated and raised it by two hundred, but Chen Xiao immediately countered with a bid of twelve thousand.

To the others, Dragon-Subduing Bone was just a backup weapon, a temporary treasure to keep at home. Chen Xiao's price had far exceeded their valuation, and they chose to withdraw from the competition. In the end, Chen Xiao successfully secured the weapon.

When the female attendant came down with the tray and saw how young and handsome Chen Xiao was, she blushed and gazed at him with sparkling eyes. Unfortunately, Chen Xiao was completely focused on the weapon, admiring it with such intensity that the beauty’s flirtatious glances were wasted on him. Tong Nuonuo leaned in to examine Dragon-Subduing Bone with him, while only Xi Yunqing noticed the attendant’s attempt to catch Chen Xiao’s attention.

Still hoping to start a conversation, the female attendant lingered for a moment, until a chill suddenly crept over her, making the hairs on her neck stand on end. She turned her head and saw a strikingly handsome man sitting nearby, watching her with a cold, unfriendly gaze. It was as if she had been struck by an ice-element spell, frozen to the core, both body and soul. Her face paled, and her steps became unsteady as she retreated in fright.

Chen Xiao, completely enamored with Dragon-Subduing Bone, hadn’t noticed any of this. His successful bid left him in high spirits, and Tong Nuonuo was now getting eager to bid as well. This was the wealthiest Chen Xiao had ever been, and for once, he didn’t have to pinch every coin.

Tong Nuonuo had already been interested in two mechanical devices listed in the catalog, both crafted by master engineers. Winning them would greatly aid his studies in mechanism arts.

At first, he had been reluctant to spend so much on finished products, preferring to save for materials. But now, he changed his mind. Some things were worth the cost, being stingy at the wrong time would only hold him back.

The two devices he had his eye on were being held back as finale pieces. They were impressive, self-operating constructs capable of setting up defensive barriers, intercepting, and even countering magical attacks, all without any need for a cultivator’s manual control.

When Tong Nuonuo explained this in a low voice, Chen Xiao couldn’t help but think, Isn’t this basically the cultivation-world version of a guided missile defense system? Fully automated, too!

He’d thought only Tong Nuonuo’s mind worked in such wild directions, but it turned out the entire mechanism sect was on a different level of brilliance.

Such powerful constructs had to be won, not just for practical use, but even if it was only to further Tong Nuonuo’s knowledge, helping him advance toward the rank of master engineer would be more than worth it. Chen Xiao fully supported him, and even resolved to lend him money if needed to make sure those artifacts ended up in their hands.