FRGNM -Chapter 271 The Trading Hall

In just a few months, they had already found three purple bamboos. In another two or three months, they would have all of them. Once they found someone capable of forging the Purple Bamboo Divine Needle, they could finally return.

“Let’s go!”

The four figures shot forward like lightning, disappearing into the sky. Behind them, the snow cave collapsed instantly, vanishing from the world. The white figure, like an ethereal spirit, passed across the sky, her familiar aura spreading across the land. She approached with a gentle smile, watching the statue standing in the lake. White light entered the statue, dormant for millennia.

Faith remained, stronger than before.

The Sword Pavilion was famed for its invincibility. Its towering peaks were unmatched, and at the foot of the mountain lay a hundred-year-old maze array. With natural formations aiding its defenses, it was said that even one man could block ten thousand. Even a million soldiers would struggle to capture the fortress.

Zi-Feng Country was small, yet economically developed. Even great nations were wary of it and maintained peaceful relations to avoid hampering their own growth. Here, theft and crime were rare; the policies were excellent, creating a society of equality, without laziness or idleness.

Inside the Sword Pavilion, everything was extravagant. Dou Qi practitioners gathered here; medicines, magical beasts, weapons—endless varieties dazzled the eyes. Prices, however, were astronomical. Medicines that cost a few thousand silver coins outside were marked up to hundreds of thousands here, even millions.

Ling Ruoxi felt as if countless silver coins were beckoning her, making her itch to brew potions and sell them—profits guaranteed.

“Calm down,” Silver Wolf warned, sweat dripping from his forehead. “These people are rich elites. If you want to sell potions, you need to go to the trading hall. There, a single potion can be sold for hundreds of thousands, even millions, or maybe tens of millions, if it’s worth it.”

Silver Wolf wiped his forehead, watching the others eagerly explore.

“Good stuff… really good stuff…” Ling Ruoxi’s eyes sparkled, a mischievous grin on her face. She wandered casually among the crowd, dragging her chin with one hand.

Though the Pavilion’s items weren’t the absolute best, the variety was incredible. Rare herbs that took centuries or millennia to cultivate elsewhere could be harvested here in just a few years, thanks to the maze array and dense spiritual energy. Words couldn’t capture its richness.

“Okay, okay… if you want it, I’ll have someone return it to you later. But now, follow me to my good friend—I’ll let him—”

Before she could finish, a speeding carriage cut through the crowd. Silver Wolf quickly let go and leapt back. By the time he moved forward again, the group was gone.

Nearly choking on his own saliva, Silver Wolf stared at the crowd. Had he lost just himself, or the other three as well? He was supposed to be the guide—where had they gone?!

“Mingyu, come here. Do you like this?” Ling Ruoxi handed Luo Mingyu a beautifully embroidered sachet, smiling softly.

A nearby vendor nodded eagerly. “Yes, yes! Sir, madam, this is our finest sachet—perfect as a gift! Your choice shows remarkable taste. Just amazing. And it’s only three thousand silver coins!”

“Three… three thousand silver coins?!” Even for handcrafted sachets, this was robbery! Maybe their home region was extremely poor.

Luo Mingyu ignored the price, tossing the sachet aside. “I only want the one you embroidered yourself. Even if it’s ugly, I want it. We already have yours—no others are needed.”

“That… that’s a sachet? Looks like a pile of poop!” The vendor glanced at Luo Mingyu’s pouch—it was a crudely made sachet. The embroidery was terrible, the worst he’d ever seen.

Ling Ruoxi raised an eyebrow and grabbed Luo Mingyu’s wrist. “If you don’t like it, forget it. Who would pay that much? Let’s head to the trading hall—I’ll sell a few potions for fun.”

“Hah, you can’t even pay three thousand, and you want to go to the trading hall? There, if your potions aren’t top-quality, no one will buy them. Do you think it’s like a street stall?” The vendor snorted.

But Ling Ruoxi thought differently—three thousand for a sachet was expensive, but she wasn’t foolish enough to fall for traps.

Pouting slightly, she tightened her hold on Luo Mingyu’s arm and headed toward the trading hall.

When she laid out the dozen or so potions, the hall’s manager was stunned. Within moments, an elder physician appeared and quickly accepted all the potions.

“Two of you, we want all these potions. We offer one hundred million gold. Is that acceptable?” the elder said, smiling. He had never seen such pure and refined potions; if they were marketed, they could fetch at least a billion.

Ling Ruoxi frowned, lightly tapping the counter. “Only one hundred million?”

The elder gritted his teeth. “Then… five hundred million. No more.”

“Five hundred million?!” Ling Ruoxi was stunned. Not incremental bidding—he jumped straight to five hundred million!

Seeing her hesitation, the elder added, “Maximum, seven hundred million. Beyond that, we can’t pay.”

“Fine. Seven hundred million. But besides these, I want to auction one more potion.” She revealed a white jade bottle, smiling faintly. “Sacred Realm Pill—it allows one to break through Purple Sovereign level to Purple Sovereign. Take a look.”

“Pfft!” The elder nearly spat blood in shock. Trembling, he opened the bottle, inhaling the pure fragrance. “Amazing… Sacred Realm Pill. Starting bid, one billion gold. If sold, we take a 5% commission. Is that acceptable?”

“Of course,” Ling Ruoxi nodded. Even prepared, she was still stunned. Ten billion gold… it was as if the entire continent’s gold had been gathered.

Luo Mingyu smiled faintly, patting Ling Ruoxi’s head. “Of course, it won’t be given in gold. There’s a universal card—you can withdraw local currency anywhere. The gold retains its value and can be used across the continent. Outside here, gold is even more valuable.”

“I see.” Ling Ruoxi smiled softly, hugging his waist. “It’s been a long time since I saw Yizhui and Yimeng… I wonder how they are on Qiongyu Immortal Island.”

“You miss them?” Luo Mingyu smiled. Those two kids had once prevented him from being fully with Ling Ruoxi, but now… he did miss them. A year had passed; surely they missed them too.

“Qiongyu Island isn’t far from Duanyun Country. After this, we can return and visit—it’s been a long time since mother saw us,” Luo Mingyu said.

Yet the familiar scene flashed in his mind like a movie. His heart trembled—he didn’t want to feel this, but reality left him no choice. Even with the purple bamboo and the divine needle, there were limits…

Sighing softly, he held Ling Ruoxi and headed to the second floor.

The noisy trading hall quieted down. A tall figure ascended the stage with treasures, her snow-white legs exposed. Looking down at the group, she nodded and smiled.

“Welcome to the trading hall. The rules are the same as before. Today’s items are special. One potion can directly enhance your strength, allowing you to cross realms swiftly. But first, we’ll auction other items.”

“Wow!”

A potion that directly increased strength! It seemed to beckon to everyone. Eyes sparkled with gold light—they couldn’t wait to see it.

The initial auction featured basic magical beasts and potions, selling for just a few thousand silver coins. Later, rare spiritual herbs appeared, opening Ling Ruoxi’s eyes to a whole new world.

“Excuse me, your drinks have arrived.” The room’s door opened abruptly. A man with a wicked smile carried a tray of drinks. His sharp-featured face grinned as he placed them on the table. “No need for any special… services?”

“Pfft!” Ling Ruoxi sprayed her drink all over him, her eyes wide. Wait… even the trading hall had these ‘services’?!

Luo Mingyu’s handsome face darkened. “Get out.”

“Don’t be so cruel. You scared the little lady. Here, let me wipe your sweat.” The man reached for a towel to wipe Luo Mingyu’s cheek.

The seated Luo Mingyu tensed, dodging, but the man fell against him, landing on his thigh and clutching it. Smiling, he said, “Oh? Such a strange master… not enjoying such services? I only have eyes for you. Look, even the little lady is blushing.”