Chapter 693: Redemption List

Chapter 693: Chapter 463: Redemption List

The Cultivators were disciples sent by the Qingyuan Sect to observe the auction. Their duty was to record how the sect’s items performed, then report back so the sect could learn which goods were popular and which were not.

Another part of their job was for situations just like this: to take detailed notes on any unfamiliar Golden Core Cultivators to inform the sect’s future dealings.

After the Golden Core Cultivator finished his inspection, several other Cultivators stepped forward to have a look. Of course, these were all serious bidders. The Auctioneer had already prescreened them; those who lacked sufficient wealth were not afforded such a privilege.

A moment later, the bidding began. The starting price of one hundred thirty-four Top-grade Spirit Stones was driven past three hundred within moments.

“Five hundred Top-grade Spirit Stones, going once! Five hundred Top-grade Spirit Stones, going twice…”

After a fierce bidding war, a young Cultivator from Qi Yun won the Spirit Fish. He was only a Mid-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator, but he had several Foundation Establishment Servants in his retinue, a clear sign of his high status. He was likely the scion of some great family.

The Golden Core Cultivator from earlier now looked dejected. As a Golden Core Cultivator, he couldn’t believe he’d lost a bidding war to a mere Foundation Establishment Cultivator. But the facts were the facts: a Golden Core from the Land of the Far West was simply not as rich as the young master from Qi Yun.

After the auction concluded, the Golden Core Cultivator returned to his inn. He had not been in his room for long when an attendant came to his door.

“Sir, a Steward from the Qingyuan Sect wishes to see you. Would you be willing to meet with him?”

“A Steward from the Qingyuan Sect? Here to see me?”

The Golden Core Cultivator looked surprised. As the rulers of this territory, he was certainly familiar with the name Qingyuan Sect. ‘But I’m sure I have no dealings with them,’ he thought. ‘So why would they want to see me?’

After a moment’s thought, he finally nodded. ‘I might as well see them,’ he reasoned. ‘It’s not like they can eat me, can they?’

…..

In a private tea room, the Qingyuan Sect’s Qi Wenchu took out a contract and slid it across the table.

“Elder Zhuge, this is our Qingyuan Sect’s standard contract for Guest Ministers. It’s divided into three tiers. Please, have a look and see which one you might be interested in.”

“Of course, if none of those are to your satisfaction, I also have a catalog of items you can redeem with merit points, all clearly priced. This is just a preliminary draft; more High-tier Spiritual Objects will be added in the future. While it may not compare to the Great Zhou Academy’s list of rewards, we are far more sincere. Our prices will only be lower, never higher.”

“Furthermore, we allow you to acquire items on credit. If you have an urgent need, we can deliver the item to you first, and you can simply repay it with merit points later. Of course, we would have to charge a small amount of interest during that time. I’m sure you can understand, yes?”

“We can even offer you a line of credit from the Qingyuan Sect. Based on your reputation and credibility, we can currently approve you for a limit of one thousand five hundred Top-grade Spirit Stones. What do you say, would you like to try it out?”

Zhuge Zhan watched as the Foundation Establishment Cultivator before him pulled one contractual document after another from his storage bag. A profound sense of absurdity washed over him. He had traveled far and wide, encountering sects with all sorts of different customs, but he had never seen one with such a strong mercantile air as the Qingyuan Sect.

Though it was bizarre, Zhuge Zhan mulled over Qi Wenchu’s words. He sensed that the man wasn’t trying to deceive him at all. On the contrary, he was being remarkably forthright, proactively clarifying all the points that might otherwise lead to future disputes.

This was a stark contrast to the Confucian Family’s principle of not speaking of profit. ‘Could this be the pragmatic side of the White Mountain People?’ he wondered.

Zhuge Zhan picked up the redemption catalog Qi Wenchu had offered. The third entry on the list clearly read:

“Mutated Purple Crystal Spirit Fish, Tier Three Spiritual Object, highest quality, has two horns, three feet and seven inches long, blood-purple, can increase a Golden Core Cultivator’s cultivation, can help a Golden Core Cultivator break through a bottleneck, redemption cost: fifty thousand merit points.”

Zhuge Zhan’s heart stirred. ‘This is worlds better than the Purple Crystal Spirit Fish at the auction,’ he thought. ‘It’s clearly an exclusive item of the Qingyuan Sect, something completely unobtainable on the open market.’

‘But if a Spiritual Object like this is only ranked third… then what’s number one?’

Zhuge Zhan’s gaze shifted to the top of the list. The first line clearly read:

“Profound Celestial Longevity Source Liquid, increases lifespan, Tier Four Spiritual Object, one bottle extends life by sixty years, effective for Golden Core Cultivators, redemption price: five hundred thousand points!”