Volume Two: The Map of the Nine Provinces Appears, and He Enters the Spirit Ruins Chapter 147: Appraising Rare Treasures

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Everyone in Three Suns City was talking about the Cui family’s Rare Treasures Appraisal Fair.

Although this exhibition was open to cultivators from the Lower Realms, it was no less grand for that. Many people had been eagerly awaiting it.

It was also the first time Chen Yu had seen so many cultivators gathered in one place. Most were in the One Origin Realm, but there were quite a few in the Yin-Yang Realm and the Heaven-Human Realm as well.

This was not merely the Cui family’s Rare Treasures Appraisal Fair; it was also a trading gathering for cultivators. Many had come hoping to exchange for the cultivation resources they needed.

Chen Yu had the same thought, but his purse was painfully light. He had come only to look around.

With three days remaining before the fair began, Chen Yu had planned to find somewhere to stay. Unexpectedly, because of the event, even the price of lodging had risen several times over.

He had just spent a considerable amount of silver. How could he possibly afford such prices now? Left with no choice, he had to “sleep rough” for several days, just like many others.

Still, sleeping rough had one advantage: he could hear all sorts of news from the mouths of the gathered cultivators. Most of it was not especially important, but it was enough for Chen Yu.

The three days passed peacefully, without incident or excitement.

At dusk, fireworks roared into the sky, dazzling everyone with their brilliance. Their eruption also marked the beginning of the Rare Treasures Appraisal Fair.

Everyone gathered in the square of Three Suns City. The crowd filled it in layer upon layer, packed so tightly that there was scarcely room to move.

Chen Yu sat atop a giant tree in the distance, from which he had an unobstructed view of everything within the square. His eyes brightened as he watched Cui Dashu ascend the high platform beneath the radiant fireworks. Their splendor made her appear even more breathtaking, and a wave of cheers rose from below.

After an impassioned speech by the Cui family, the Rare Treasures Appraisal Fair officially began.

A member of the Cui family carried a basin onto the platform, immediately drawing everyone’s attention. When Cui Dashu lifted the red cloth covering it, a spirit herb appeared before the crowd.

“That... is a Night-Soul Spirit Herb.” Someone recognized it at once. “Consuming it can strengthen one’s soul aura and provide tremendous assistance to cultivators of the Heaven-Human Realm.”

“Heh... I imagine quite a few fellow cultivators have recognized it already. In that case, I shall spare everyone a lengthy introduction. If anyone is interested, please make your bids.”

A bidding war began almost immediately. In the blink of an eye, the price soared to ten thousand taels of gold. In the end, it was won by an elderly Heaven-Human Realm cultivator, who paid more than forty thousand taels of gold.

Next came a piece of refining material that shimmered with starlight... followed by precious pills, talisman paper, and even magical artifacts.

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Chen Yu finally understood. What kind of treasure appraisal fair was this? It was plainly an auction. The Cui family was using the opportunity to fill its coffers to overflowing.

Chen Yu watched with such envy that he nearly drooled.

The auction itself lasted only one night. Yet that was not the end of the event. The Cui family placed the remaining treasures in the square, allowing the cultivators to bid among themselves. After three days, each item would go to the highest bidder.

As Chen Yu walked through the dazzling array of treasures, he was nearly tempted to snatch them outright. But the Cui family had already stationed heavy forces all around the area. Who would truly dare?

Though one could not simply take or sell the treasures, looking at them was perfectly harmless. Many others had come with the same idea as Chen Yu.

For several days, nothing untoward happened in the square of Three Suns City, and quite a few cultivators obtained what they needed. Even so, the crowds did not diminish. Instead, they grew larger by the day.

Over the past few days, Chen Yu had gradually seen through the situation. Perhaps this seemingly ordinary appraisal fair was not the real event at all. Perhaps it was merely a cover for something else. After the first day, he had not seen Cui Dashu appear again, nor had he caught sight of any of the Cui family’s powerful experts.

He had also heard that this treasure exhibition was far from simple. The Cui family had invited not only the various sects of Yellow Province, but people from other provinces as well.

Without exception, all of them had shown themselves only on the day the exhibition began. After that, they had vanished without a trace.

Chen Yu shook his head. He knew there were matters in which he had no business involving himself. Though he was suspicious, he did not dare investigate too deeply.

As Chen Yu strolled through the square, a man approaching from the opposite direction frowned. Disgust and displeasure were plainly written across his face.

It was Cui Ke.

“You again?” Cui Ke said, looking at Chen Yu with contempt.

“You know him?” asked the man beside Cui Ke. He could sense the hostility Cui Ke felt toward Chen Yu.

“He is from the Ling Ruins,” Cui Ke replied blandly.

“So you are a disciple of the Ling Ruins. A pleasure, a pleasure.” Upon hearing this, the two men suddenly became much more cordial.

“Greetings, fellow cultivators.” One did not strike a smiling face, and Chen Yu responded politely.

“Hmph... You came to my Cui family’s appraisal fair. Have you gained anything?” Cui Ke asked.

“Mm. It has been worthwhile.” Chen Yu answered perfunctorily.

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“Hmph... Could the treasures of the Sand River Five Tigers still not satisfy you?” Cui Ke asked with a derisive smile.

Chen Yu raised his brows inwardly.

So that was what he had been holding against him?

The two Cui family disciples had heard Cui Ke’s words, and, combined with what they had already learned about Cui Ke and the others being ambushed by the Sand River Five Tigers, they now understood the situation. Their attitudes toward Chen Yu immediately turned cold.

“So it is you. Some things do not belong to you, and no matter how carefully you guard them, you will never be able to keep them. I advise you to know your place.”

“Heh heh... You flatter me.” Chen Yu’s brilliant smile appeared to Cui Ke and the others as nothing but mockery, brimming with provocation.

There was no point in exchanging another word. The two sides soon went their separate ways.

“Are we really going to let this go?” Cui Feng asked in a low voice from beside Cui Ke.

“Since he has come to Three Suns City, this is our opportunity. How could we possibly let him off so easily?” Cui Ke replied with an evil smile.

“Oh... You mean to...” Cui Feng exchanged a glance with Cui Ke, and both understood the plan forming in the other’s mind.

Just as they were preparing to discuss the details, a sudden cry rang out from the square.

“This is bad! One of the treasures is missing!”

“What? Ah... This one is missing too!”

One voice after another rose up, and the entire scene descended into chaos. Cui Ke and the others secretly cursed, then hurried over. Sure enough, two treasures that had been placed on the display stands had vanished at the same time.

The display stands were all protected by restrictions. Who could have taken the treasures without making the slightest sound? Cui Ke’s first reaction was to seal off the area and immediately notify the powerful experts within the family.

The Cui family had no shortage of capable people. In the space of a moment, the previously noisy square had been brought under control and fallen into orderly silence.

Chen Yu, too, watched the scene with a bewildered expression.

It seemed some fool had made a move without considering the consequences.

What a nuisance.

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