64 The Mystery Object Sale 3 (1/2)
In Van's palm was a round blue object emitting a brilliant glow. The blue light cast a weird shadow on the multitude of people in the crowd staring at it.
The crowd was flabbergasted. Their mouths gaped open as they witnessed the miraculous scene in front of them. Just its appearance was enough to show that it was definitely high quality goods worth several thousand taels.
That meant… the auctioneer had lost the bet. The auctioneer would have to give the kid a whopping 15,000 silver taels!
Delphine was even more shocked than them.
[Could Van have been telling the truth when he said all five contained treasures?]
The auctioneer fell to the ground, legs weak. He recognised that pill.
A knowledgeable person in the crowd pushed forwards and screamed hoarsely, ”The ancient Brimming Spirit pill! It really is the ancient Brimming Spirit pill!”
”It is super effective for people below the 6th level of Qi Distillation has a 25% chance of raising cultivation by one level. In today's market, it is worth 9,000 silver taels!”
There were still people who were sceptical, ”How do you know so much about an ancient pill?”
The person who spoke up before replied, ”Someone found one last year too!”
Van stowed away the Brimming Spirit pill. The strong fragrance remained in the air.
The crowd were disappointed they couldn't look at it for longer. Though they were bitter and jealous, they weren't stupid enough to try and steal it.
The people who operated the Mystery Object Sale tolerated no criminal behaviour. They had many people guarding the surrounding streets. It was of utmost importance to them that their customers felt safe – otherwise, how could they make money?
The collapsed auctioneer bitterly pulled out 15,000 taels and handed them quickly to Van. His appearance was like a defeated rooster.
The auctioneer couldn't bear to see the boy for a moment longer, ”J-just take it!”
”Thank you!” Van said brightly. He ignored the auctioneer's bitter laugh.
Whistling, Van moved on to the next chest.
Delphine followed, ”Wait, Van!”
Van stopped and turned his head.
”Do you have a talent for identifying treasures? Do you have a master who taught you? Is it the way they look or smell? How did you know?!” Her mouth did not stop spewing questions.
Van felt a headache coming on. To stop her from speaking, he nodded, ”I only discovered it just now, but I have a strange talent for identifying treasures. It is too hard to explain what I know.”
Delphine was impressed, ”Um, I'm sorry I laughed at you earlier.”
Van accepted her apology. As he moved down the street and approached the next large chest, he saw Ryan running towards him.
Earlier, the grey-eyed boy had expression his wish to go exploring on his own and Van had acquiesced.
Ryan had wanted to go and try his luck. He felt that Van had helped him so many times in the past month; he knew he should be relying on himself more, instead of burdening Van.
”Van!” Ryan shouted as he ran forwards. His grey hair was messed up and his eyes gleamed. A mystery object was clenched in his fist.
The ring in Van's mind became alert, [That treasure… it's pretty good! Interestingly, it has picked that kid and won't accept anyone else.]
Van was surprised, [Treasures can pick people?]
Jet scoffed.
[Dumbass! If I didn't choose you why am I stuck in your stinking teenage mind!?]
Van scratched his head sheepishly, [You have a point.]
The ring spun, [Damn right I do! Should have chosen a brighter fella, sheesh.]
Ryan showed Van the crusty ancient artefact, ”When I was walking around, I felt a strange tugging sensation in my navel. Before I knew it, I was already buying it. I feel like it has a strong affinity with me. Should I open it?”
Van closed Ryan's fist, ”No. If it is something that good, we don't want to attract undue attention.”
Ryan calmed down, he nodded.He cast a look around the street. There were still thousands of people milling about, making noise and exchanging coins.
”You are wise, Van. I will refrain from opening it until we return to the outer sect dorms,” Ryan said as he put the object away.
Van nodded, ”If you open it and it contains something very good, don't show anyone else.”
With the Brimming Spirit Pills, he had made a calculated risk to earn 15,000 silver taels in one shot. If the pills weren't effective only for those under the 6th level of QI Distillation, Van wouldn't have shown it for any amount of money. This was because Van had confidence, he could deal with anyone in those cultivation levels. Anything higher was risky.
Hearing Van's advice to keep his treasure secret, Ryan nodded seriously. Delphine was curious but didn't press.
The trio continued forwards. As they approached the next big chest, a new auctioneer approached them - a middle-aged man with slanted eyes.
”How can I help you, sirs and madame?”
”There is no need. We will look for ourselves,” Van said.
Unlike the other auctioneer, this one had far more sense and tact. When he saw that they were uninterested in his services, he backed off and spoke to other people.
Van walked up to the massive chest. There were already many people around it, so he had to squeeze in between a fat man and a frantic lady. Behind them, steely eyed assistants made sure no one was running off with the goods.
Van peered down; a dull mass of crusty artefacts greeted him. He began to sift through.
Ten minutes later, his eyes noticed an object in the very bottom corner of the chest.
Jet clamoured in his brain.
[A Myriad Light Dimensional Ring! You fool, pick it up before someone else does!]
Jet shouted and hollered, spinning violently around in Van's mindscape and generally being a terror.
Van's heart beat fast as he looked at the crusty object in the bottom corner. He sidled up to a thin hook-nosed man standing closest to it and squeezed himself into the right spot. His hand closed over it.
A that moment, another hand reached for it at the same time!