Spells Grinding: From Basic Sparks to Divine Arts

Chapter 271: The White Round Pearl

The auction house at the heart of the Ten Thousand Treasures Market bore a simple name: Wanbao Pavilion.

In truth, the market itself had been named after this very establishment.

As the premier auction house in the region, its architecture was a monument to excess. Colossal golden pillars supported a palatial hall that shimmered with an air of unassailable nobility, resembling a city forged from solid gold.

When Qin Lu and his three disciples arrived, the sheer scale of the structure left them breathless. Wu Zhengtian stared up at the towering facade, unable to hide his awe.

“It’s massive… surely it can seat thousands of people?”

“More than that.”

Qin Lu chuckled, pleased to show off the knowledge he had gleaned from obscure texts. “It seats at least 10,000. The Wanbao Pavilion was founded by a Golden Core True Person. They hold a grand auction every three months, and each time, it is presided over by that very same Golden Core expert.”

“A Golden Core cultivator… running an auction?”

Cao Mo and the others exchanged looks of disbelief, a sharp intake of breath hissing through their teeth. To them, a Golden Core expert was a distant, god-like figure; the idea of such a being managing commercial affairs seemed absurd.

However, the implication was clear: with a Golden Core cultivator presiding, security was absolute. No one would dare cause trouble here.

Qin Lu noted their shock with secret amusement, but as his gaze shifted to the entrance, his internal calculation turned sharp.

It’s too quiet.

The entrance to the great hall was sparse, with only a few cultivators drifting in and out. It lacked the bustling chaos one would expect from a major trade hub.

Did we get the date wrong?

“Let’s go in and take a look,” Qin Lu commanded, suppressing his doubts as he led the way.

Crossing the threshold, they found the interior just as resplendent as the exterior—a world of blinding gold and intricate craftsmanship designed to overwhelm the senses.

“Senior, are you here to consign a treasure?”

A receptionist clad in yellow robes approached the moment they entered, his eyes trained on Qin Lu’s cultivation base.

Qin Lu went straight to the point. “Greetings, Fellow Daoist. When does your esteemed establishment’s next auction begin?”

“Replying to Senior: the next small-scale auction will be held in fifteen days.”

“I see…” Qin Lu nodded slowly.

That explained the silence. He had arrived during the lull.

“However, Senior,” the young receptionist added hurriedly, sensing a business opportunity, “if you have items to sell, we can appraise them and set a reserve price now. We can ensure they fetch a premium at the upcoming event.”

He was eager. Consignments from Foundation Establishment cultivators were rare and valuable; as the intermediary, he stood to make a handsome commission.

Qin Lu fell silent, considering his inventory.

He didn’t have much in the way of standard loot. His spoils from previous battles had been liquidated in Shuntian City half a year ago. Since then, he had been secluded in the wilderness, relentlessly grinding his skill proficiency. He hadn’t fought anyone, so he hadn’t looted anyone.

His Storage Bag contained mostly daily necessities.

But as the receptionist mentioned “appraisal,” a thought struck him. He remembered two unidentified objects sitting in the corner of his storage space.

A white round pearl and a Mutton-Fat Jade Bottle.

“In that case, fetch your most skilled appraiser. I have items that require evaluation,” Qin Lu said with a faint smile.

“Right away! Senior, please follow me!”

The receptionist’s face lit up with excitement as he turned to lead the way.

Appraisers were a specialized branch of artifact refiners. They possessed an encyclopedic knowledge of materials and Magical Artifacts, capable of grading value at a glance. While all great artifact refiners were appraisers, not all appraisers could refine.

As they ventured deeper into Wanbao Pavilion, Qin Lu noticed that despite the lull, there were still other cultivators present. Most were dressed as Loose Cultivators, clutching their storage bags with vigilant expressions, eyes darting around as if expecting a robbery at any moment.

Qin Lu nodded inwardly at their paranoia.

Caution is the only way to live a long life in this world.

They passed a small, open counter area that resembled a supermarket, with shelves cluttered with various Magical Artifacts and materials. Another yellow-robed clerk stood there, barking out prices to passersby.

“Huh?” Cao Mo looked puzzled. “They sell things directly here?”

“Yes,” their guide explained. “Those are items that failed to meet the reserve price in previous auctions. They are being sold at a discount.”

Qin Lu understood immediately—the bargain bin.

“Sect Leader, I’d like to take a look,” Cao Mo requested, eyeing the shelves.

“Go ahead. You two go with him,” Qin Lu said, dismissing the disciples. “I will come find you later.”

“Understood!” The three disciples beamed and hurried over to the shelves.

Leaving the youngsters behind, Qin Lu followed the receptionist into the deeper, more exclusive corridors of the pavilion. Soon, he was ushered into an elegant private chamber shielded by a soundproofing Formation.

“Senior, please wait a moment. I will invite the appraiser.”

“Mm.”

The receptionist bowed and left. Moments later, a youthful-looking man entered the room.

Qin Lu’s spiritual sense swept over him—Mid-stage Foundation Establishment.

He relaxed slightly. A Foundation Establishment appraiser would be leagues ahead of a Qi Condensation clerk. If anyone could identify these items, it would be him.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries and names, Qin Lu produced the white round pearl and placed it on the table.

“Fellow Daoist, please take a look. What is this?”

“Oh?”

The appraiser’s eyes brightened immediately. He picked up the pearl, turning it over in his fingers. “This is… rare.”

“You should know, I obtained this from a water demon,” Qin Lu said, offering the necessary context. “That day, I was…”

He recounted the battle briefly—splitting the river and slaying the beast.

“I see…”

The appraiser nodded slowly, placing the pearl back down. “Then I believe I know what this is.”

“What is it?”

“If I am not mistaken,” the appraiser said, his voice dropping to a solemn whisper, “this is Monster Essence.”