Chapter 6: Auction (Part 2)

Qi Nanshan said, “It’s a pity that Twelve doesn’t have the potential to become a Symbol Warrior.”
Eagle Demon finally calmed down and said, “Even without the potential to be a Symbol Warrior, if Twelve trains hard, his combat skills will definitely be strong.”
Luo Zhan said, “If Twelve fought Leopard to the death, Leopard probably wouldn’t be able to block even a single strike.”
Huo Bao had already given up, but upon hearing Luo Zhan’s assessment, he became defiant again and said, “Uncle Luo, I’m not that bad!”
Qi Nanshan said, “Leopard, don’t be stubborn. Luo Zhan is right. The first time you fought, if Twelve had held a Symbol Dagger, you would have been finished. The real attack was that one strike… What followed was just Twelve teasing you.”
Guo Twelve quickly said, “It’s not that exaggerated. I was just sparring with Leopard. Hey, stop discouraging him. I believe he’ll make great progress after this fight.” He didn’t want Huo Bao to lose all confidence. Slight setbacks were fine, but he couldn’t let him lose faith completely—that wasn’t his goal.
Qi Nanshan smiled and said, “Leopard isn’t that fragile. He was just confused for a moment. He’ll soon start working hard.”
Luo Jie hesitated for a moment before saying, “Twelve, if you like Symbol Warrior skills, I’m not opposed. But… you should focus your main efforts on spells.”
Guo Twelve smiled and said, “Master, don’t worry. I just have some ideas about becoming a Symbol Warrior. Hehe, besides, I want to train my body. As for direct combat, I still have two master-level experts with me.”
Qi Nanshan asked, “What ideas do you have? Tell us.”
Guo Twelve didn’t dare show off in front of a great Symbol Warrior. A master-level expert was someone who had fought thousands of battles and had extremely rich combat experience. He only remembered some boxing techniques from his past life. How could he show off? After all, he wasn’t a Symbol Warrior. He said, “Hehe, Grandpa Nanshan, I don’t have much to say right now. My ideas aren’t yet mature enough.”
“By the way, Master, did you come here for something?”
Guo Twelve didn’t dare continue the topic and quickly changed it. If he went on, he wouldn’t know what to say next.
Qi Nanshan said, “The trade fair of the Western Symbol Sect has started. We came to invite you all to go.”
Luo Jie said, “Everyone, get ready quickly.”
Guo Twelve asked, “A trade fair?”

Luo Jie said, “You have some unnecessary talismans that can be traded. But if you want good items, come with me to the master-level trading venue—there, you’ll find true rare treasures.” Everyone quickly packed up and followed Luo Jie outside. Guo Shier still found a carriage, while the others rode horses, and they set off toward the trading venue. Sitting in the carriage, after about half an hour, Guo Shier heard increasingly loud noises outside—horse hooves and noisy crowds. He knew they were nearing their destination. At this trade fair, in addition to people from the West Talisman Sect and the North Talisman Sect, there were also a very few from the South Talisman Sect. Major transactions were organized by the sects’ merchant associations, mainly dealing in local specialties, including daily necessities and luxury goods, without involving exchanges among professionals. Professionals had their own dedicated exchange areas, and for master-level trades, the West Talisman Sect had set aside a special venue as well. Guo Shier still didn’t realize how famous he had become in the West Talisman Sect after defeating the Great Beast Sorcerer Ou Chu, so his name was also on the list for the master-level trades. Guo Shier got off the carriage. Luo Jie said, “Let’s go to the master trading venue first. Hehe, the items there are quite interesting. We’ll take a look first, and then go to the outside market afterward.” By rule, only master-level individuals could enter the master-level trading venue, regardless of their status or profession—only masters were allowed. Each master could bring two people in. Luo Jie said, “We have enough spots; everyone can go in.” He had three master-level followers, Guo Shier had two, and each master could bring two people, so together they had seven masters and could bring fourteen people—far more than enough spots. “Shier! Guo Shier!” Guo Shier turned around in surprise and saw two people pushing their way through the crowd. He recognized them and smiled, “You’re An… An Bilan… and you’re An Biyun. What brings you to me?” An Bilan, holding her sister An Biyun’s hand, came over to Guo Shier. She said, “Shier, could you help us?” Guo Shier asked curiously, “What’s the matter? Please tell me.” He then introduced, “This is my master…” Unexpectedly, Luo Jie recognized them and said, “Xiao Lan, Xiao Yun, why aren’t you with your master?” An Bilan quickly greeted him, “Hello, Grandpa Luo! Um, Grandpa Luo, my master took two merchants from our family in and told me to figure out my own way to get in… Can you spare any extra spots, Shier?” Guo Shier nodded. “Yes, I can.”

Luo Jie waved his hand broadly and said, “Let’s go in together.” Just then, someone else shouted, “Twelve!” Wu Qing ran over and said, “I’ve been waiting for you, Twelve. Little brother, are there any spots left?”
Guo Shier didn’t help but smile and said, “Yes. Do you want to come in too?”
Wu Qing sighed in relief and said, “Of course I want to come in. Little brother, take me in. This is a rare opportunity.”
Guo Shier said, “Then let’s go in together.”
Wu Qing thanked him repeatedly. At Xifu Gate, countless people wanted to enter the master-level trading venue, but each master only had two spots, which limited the vast majority of people. Everyone tried their best to get in, but since the inner gate’s management was extremely strict, it was impossible to sneak in. The only way was to find a master-level figure and secure an available spot.
Luo Jie and his group entered the venue.
After thanking them, the An Bilan sisters turned to look for their master, Chen Zhizhong. Wu Qing also left after entering; he seemed to have acquaintances as well.
Outside the venue, there was a sea of people, but inside it was quite quiet. After all, master-level figures were few in number. A sect usually had no more than fifty masters, including those old guys who lived in seclusion inside the inner gate. Even fewer masters were seen outside frequently.
This master-level trading fair attracted all the masters in Xifu City, as well as many outsiders, including wandering masters from the grasslands. In total, nearly a hundred masters gathered here. With each master bringing two people, there were almost three hundred people in total. There were also over two hundred staff members from Xifu Gate’s inner gate. In addition, there were a dozen specially invited wealthy merchants who had paid a hefty price to come here in search of bargains. They could only bid on items that the masters didn’t want, and they needed the auction master’s permission to do so.
Each master had one chance to auction their items, and this right could also be transferred to others. For example, Luo Jie had one auction opportunity to sell three items. His group had seven masters, meaning they had seven opportunities to exchange twenty-one items. This kind of auction wasn’t calculated in talisman money but through the exchange of other items, as talisman money meant nothing to masters.
Guo Shier had his own goals—he wanted spiritual talismans and ancient talismans. As long as he collected more than ten spiritual talismans that could be absorbed by his life talisman sphere, it would prove that he had indeed advanced to a junior great talisman caster. Spiritual and ancient talismans were extremely rare in this world, not to mention even more precious true treasure talismans and true spirit talismans.
Luo Jie received seven numbered tickets and said with a smile, “Hehe, we have seven auction opportunities. Who wants to participate?”

Guo Shier smiled and said, “I want to!”
Luo Jie asked, “What do you want to do?”
Guo Shier replied, “I want to participate. I have something to auction!”
Luo Jie asked, “What do you have to auction?”
Guo Shier said, “I have the blood of the Earth Dragon. Hehe, I want to exchange it for spirit talismans. Of course, ancient talismans would be even better.” He had obtained quite a bit of the mutated Earth Dragon’s blood in the secret realm. That stuff even moved that mysterious Li Ran—so it should be possible to exchange it for spirit talismans. He himself didn’t yet have the ability to use that blood.
Luo Jie said with a wry smile, “You’re just wasting a precious resource.”
Qi Nanshan laughed and said, “This can also be considered a form of learning. Besides the Earth Dragon’s blood, what else do you have?”
Guo Shier grinned and said, “I plan to bring three bottles of blood: one bottle of Bear Talisman Blood, one bottle of Earth Dragon Blood, and one bottle of Blood from the Mutated Talisman Insect Green Scorpion. Three taels each. I only want to exchange them for spirit talismans and ancient talismans. Hehe.”
Luo Jie couldn’t help but laugh and scold, “You little spendthrift! Fine, do as you please. It’s not that much… Since you’ve brought them out, Master won’t bring those three items out for exchange.”
Guo Shier was overjoyed and kept saying, “Thank you, Master… I knew Master would be good to me.” Praise poured out like a tide. Luo Jie said jokingly, “Alright, rarity makes things valuable. The items you’ve brought are all very rare treasures. Be careful not to get cheated.”
Guo Shier said, “Don’t worry, Master. I know my limits.” He added, “Master, actually, we don’t know how to use many of the materials from the mutated talisman insects. Keeping them is just a waste. Let’s see if we can get in touch with someone from the South Talisman Sect this time. If there’s a Great Insect Talisman Master, hehe, that would be interesting.”
Qi Nanshan said, “Elder, look… Shier is just a little fox. He won’t get cheated.”
Luo Jie handed him a number plate—number 37—and asked, “Is there anyone else who wants a number plate? Does Eagle Demon want one?”
Eagle Demon laughed and said, “I’m a pauper. Why would I need a number plate?” He refused outright.
The trading venue was an indoor open space, quite large. Even with hundreds of people inside, it still seemed spacious. There were several rows of seating cushions on the ground: one red cushion with two black cushions behind it. It was clear which ones were for the masters and which for their attendants.
Luo Jie and the others entered the venue, and a few inner sect disciples stepped forward to guide them. Each number plate corresponded to a seating cushion, and everyone sat down according to their numbers. Guo Shier had Luo Jie on his left, Qi Nanshan on his right, Chen Hong and Huo Bao sitting behind him, while Eagle Demon and Luo Zhan sat in the back row. Gradually, more and more people filled the venue.

The great talisman master Qian Ziwang also brought people in, greeted Luo Jie, and sat down. Guo Shier saw a few acquaintances here, but far fewer than his master knew. Many masters came to greet Luo Jie, and Guo Shier noticed that the majority were great talisman martial artists and great beast martial artists, with only a small number being masters of the talisman profession.
A glamorous woman walked to the center of the venue. She clapped her hands a few times gently and said, “Please be quiet! Master-level transactions are now beginning!”
Guo Shier asked curiously, “Who is this person?”
Luo Jie narrowed his eyes and said, “This person is a master…”