It was as expected. When a Golden Core cultivator publicly showed a biased attitude towards the demon race, the entire atmosphere of the trade fair fell into silence.
The vast trade fair was now filled only with the unrestrained laughter of a few young demon cultivators, while the other human cultivators remained silent, refraining from conversation.
Ji Yuan sat in his private room, his brows furrowed as he watched the unfolding scene. He couldn't suppress his anger; if not for his insufficient cultivation, he would have already made a move.
Zhao Yuansong and the others beside him felt the same. In their own human city, being lorded over by a group of demons made them feel extremely indignant.
The mere deterrence of a Golden Core cultivator caused even Elder Xuan Po to remain silent. What could they, as cultivators of only the first and second realms, do?
"If only my cultivation were deeper and my realm higher, I would surely slay these demons today!"
Jiang He whispered softly, his eyes filled with unwillingness.
He resented being born late and for not cultivating desperately in the past. Now, with only the first realm of cultivation, he couldn't even defeat the leading demon youth, let alone the few demon attendants.
"Then remember today's events and cultivate diligently to raise your realm. When similar incidents happen in the future, you will have the qualification to draw your sword and slay demons!"
Xu Qiqi glanced at him and said quietly.
Her words were not only heard by Jiang He but also by Ji Yuan and Zhao Yuansong and the others.
In the somber atmosphere, the trade fair of the Vast Tower finally commenced. Attendants, carrying wooden trays covered with red cloth, ascended the high platform, their postures showcasing their graceful figures.
A woman with early second-realm cultivation ascended the platform, bowed slightly, and announced the formal start of the trade fair.
However, what should have been a lively opening was met with silence from everyone except for a few demon youths, making it appear exceptionally bleak.
"The Vast Tower's move is truly unwise,"
Zhao Yuansong muttered with a frown.
Due to the Golden Core cultivator's stance, the attendees had lost their enthusiasm. Several items were auctioned off unsold at the start, with hardly anyone bidding.
"Not necessarily. The initial items were merely to warm up the crowd and boost the mood. Even if they go unsold, they can be relisted later, and someone will still be eager to buy them."
Qian Nishang shook her head. "What truly matters are the items in the middle and later stages. Each is a priceless spiritual treasure. Even if these people are unhappy, they won't harm their own interests."
While the words were somewhat unpleasant to hear, the group had to admit that when truly valuable spiritual treasures appeared, the situation would unfold as it should.
What had happened earlier would soon be selectively forgotten, and it was impossible to guess how many would truly remember it.
The Vast Tower would also not suffer any losses because of this. They would still make a fortune. As long as they presented truly good items, despite the discontent in the hearts of the cultivators present, they would still have to empty their coffers to bid.
"Where is the elder of the Nine Profound Sect?"
Ji Yuan turned to Zhao Yuansong, a feeling that today's events would not end so simply.
Upon hearing this, the latter immediately pointed to a corner of the grand hall downstairs, where an old man with white hair and a beard, exuding an air of immortal grace, was seated.
As if sensing being watched, the old man slowly turned his head. His gaze met theirs for a fleeting moment before returning to the spiritual treasures on the high platform.
"You think something else will happen?"
Zhao Yuansong asked.
As soon as he spoke, the others around him looked at him. Frankly, they had a similar feeling.
Whether it was the atmosphere of the place or the events that had just transpired, they all felt that things would not end so simply, and something else might occur later.
"Let's prepare ourselves. It's better than being caught off guard later."
Ji Yuan said slowly, glancing at Qian Nishang and Elder Chen, who was sitting not far away, sipping tea with his head bowed.
With the latter present, as long as they weren't targeted by a Golden Core cultivator, there should be no danger. Moreover, there was a third-realm elder of the Nine Profound Sect downstairs who specialized in lightning arts.
Sensing their gazes, Qian Nishang smiled gently. "No need to worry too much. Even if something happens, don't forget that this is still human territory."
Ji Yuan's eyes flashed. The first thing that came to his mind were the dozens of formations set up in the county city. If all of them were activated, even a Golden Core cultivator would have to avoid their sharp edge, risking death if not careful.
Not to mention the presence of Wang Zhenyuan, the commander of the Mingjian Division of Luoxia County, whose cultivation was comparable to a Golden Core, and whose killing power ranked among the top five in Lingyang Prefecture.
Even if something were to happen today, with these two layers of assurance, it was unlikely to cause any significant disturbance. The only thing they needed to be careful about was not getting caught up in it.
Otherwise, with their current cultivation, they would still be outmatched by truly powerful cultivators.
"By the way, as a special patron of Mingxin Xuan, I grant you a quota of three million taels of silver for today's trade fair."
Qian Nishang seemed to recall something and smiled. "After acquiring part of the Li family's assets, we now have plenty of money."
Even though it was only part of the Li family's assets and the wealth remaining in Mingxin Xuan, it was still astonishing. It was equivalent to the net profit of the Qian family at its peak over a hundred years.
Now, Qian Nishang no longer had to worry about tens of millions of taels of silver. The entire Qian family also didn't need to be frugal everywhere. This astonishing wealth was enough for them to spend for a long time.
Ji Yuan, while not fully understanding the Qian family's situation, had a general idea. Therefore, he did not refuse and readily accepted, not being polite at all.
As they conversed, the trade fair passed through its opening stages without any major incidents, with attendants changing in waves on the high platform.
From this moment on, all spiritual items and materials that appeared required bidding with spirit coins. If one lacked spirit coins, the Vast Tower also offered exchange services.
When the mid-stage of the trade fair began, Zhao Yuansong bid successively and successfully acquired three types of spirit herbs, almost exhausting the spirit coins pooled by the five of them.
However, for them, it was indeed worth the price. With these three spirit herbs in hand, they only needed to gather some supplementary materials to refine three furnaces of pills that would increase their cultivation and nourish their bodies.
"Ji Yuan, will you refine the pills for us later?"
Jiang He said with a smile, patting his chest. "Don't worry, you'll definitely get your due reward!"
Hearing this, Ji Yuan glared at him playfully. "If I'm refining pills for you, how can I still accept your reward?"
Back in Qianyu City, even when facing a life-or-death situation, they had not wavered. They had faced dangers together and gone through thick and thin. Now, refining a few furnaces of pills, he certainly would not accept any reward from them.
After a batch of spirit materials, five attendants walked forward on the high platform, each lifting the red cloth from their wooden trays.
Streams of spiritual light flowed, revealing magical artifacts with seven to nine restrictive formations. Even without being powered by spiritual energy, one could feel the spiritual might emanating from them.
Undoubtedly, these magical artifacts were all top-notch. Both in terms of materials and the formations contained within, they were rare and excellent items.
Even the magical artifacts produced by Tianqiao Pavilion might not be entirely superior to these.
However, although the items were excellent, their prices were also quite high. If converted to silver, the cheapest one would cost at least around a million taels.
But none of those who appeared at this trade fair were ordinary people. Even if they were not from renowned sects, they must have had illustrious families behind them. What was prohibitively expensive for ordinary cultivators was merely a common item in their eyes.
"Are these people crazy, or do they have too much spirit coin to carry?"
Seeing a magical artifact, which was worth at most one hundred and thirty to forty thousand taels of silver, being auctioned for a high price of one hundred and sixty thousand taels, the same thought crossed their minds.
That was a staggering one hundred and sixty spirit coins. If it were truly converted to pure silver, it would have a premium of twenty to thirty thousand taels, yet it was spent like flowing water.
"The next magical artifact is forged from wind-attribute spiritual materials and incorporates the core of a rare fierce wind demon beast. If nurtured and refined properly, it even has a chance to advance into a Dharma treasure!"
The female cultivator hosting the trade fair said with excitement. "The starting bid is only eighty spirit coins, and each increment must not be less than one spirit coin!"
As her voice fell, a clamor erupted in the hall, clearly stimulated by the mention of the possibility of advancing into a Dharma treasure.
Normally, the cost of forging a Dharma treasure would definitely be higher than advancing a magical artifact. Moreover, forging the former was difficult, with a very low success rate. It was considered remarkably lucky if a few sets of materials succeeded.
In fact, most Dharma treasures were advanced from magical artifacts. Both in terms of cost and success rate, it was much less than directly forging a complete Dharma treasure.
In the eyes of major powers and sects, a magical artifact with the potential to advance was already equivalent to half a Dharma treasure. With hundreds or thousands of years of heritage, they had ample time to refine it successfully at the smallest cost.
Thus, after a brief silence, voices emerged from many private rooms. In just over twenty breaths, the price of this magical artifact was raised to ninety-five spirit coins.
If converted to gold, that would be nine thousand five hundred taels, which is nine hundred and fifty thousand taels of silver!
"One hundred and twenty spirit coins!"
A cold, yet fierce voice rang out.
The hall instantly fell silent, and the previously heated atmosphere rapidly cooled down.
Streams of gazes turned towards the private room that had made the bid. Many factions and sects that had been determined to win the item now frowned and pondered.
On one hand, they were indeed shocked by this price. An increase of twenty-five spirit coins at once indicated the bidder's determination.
On the other hand, it was also because the bidder was a descendant of the Fierce Wind Demon King's bloodline, and coupled with the interlude before the trade fair began, some people had to consider the weight of a Golden Core cultivator before speaking.
Although the possibility was slim, for a magical artifact that might advance, offending a Golden Core cultivator, along with the demons' existing background and backing, was simply not worth it.
"One hundred and twenty-one spirit coins!"
While various forces hesitated, a voice suddenly sounded from the grand hall below.
Without a doubt, the only one daring to bid at this moment was that eccentric individual who, for the sake of a mortal in a village, was willing to risk his life fighting three great demons and hundreds of demons, even if it meant shattering his Golden Core once more.