After a moment of thought, Li Qingshan realised that he had underestimated the value of the daemon core slightly. Originally, he thought that it was roughly equivalent to a high grade spiritual artifact, but a high grade spiritual artifact was clearly not enough to make the two of them behave like this.
Li Qingshan had only estimated the value of the daemon core based on the spiritual qi it contained, but he did not know that daemon cores were crucial to refining certain precious pills as well, which could be used to increase the amount of true qi and spiritual qi for a certain element.
The millenniums of peace between humans and daemons had directly resulted in a scarce supply of resources like this. When Qi Practitioners ventured underground, it was not just for collecting spiritual herbs. Otherwise, all they needed to do was demonstrate sufficient strength, and the daemons would basically all choose to flee.
However, most Qi Practitioners would cast down formations and trap daemons in their dens. Obviously, it was not because they had nothing better to do and wanted to purge evil in the name of justice. They did it for the daemon core.
Li Qingshan said after a moment of thought, “Fine then. I’ll wait here.”
Liu Ruping moved her hips and left in a hurry. Before long, she returned with a plump, old madam. Her true qi had actually reached the ninth layer already, and her face was creased with wrinkles from smiles. She lacked the strange arrogance of the grannies from the Sect of Clouds and Rain, and she did not possess the degrading lowliness of the procuress. Instead, she was noble, receiving all people with a smile.
“I’m Shi Peipei. Are you the fellow who wants to sell the daemon core?”
Li Qingshan said, “I am!”
Shi Peipei said, “Could you take it out and show me?”
Li Qingshan hesitated before handing the daemon core over to Shi Peipei. Since the school of Miscellany could set up such a large town with so many businesses, they would never stoop so low as to tarnish their reputation over a single daemon core.
Shi Peipei studied it carefully; Liu Ruping was nervous. A while later, Shi Peipei said, “Sir, the quality of your earth element daemon core is very impressive!”
Li Qingshan said, “May I ask how much it’s worth?”
Shi Peipei said, “About that. I have a recommendation. I hope that you can hear me out. Before the Herb Gathering ceremony, my humble store will hold an auction. If the daemon core is sold through the auction, you’ll definitely get many more spiritual stones than what we can offer. We’ll only take five percent of the earnings.”
Even Foundation Establishment cultivators could appear for the auction of the school of Miscellany, so if the school did not offer a few items of value, they would be looked down on. And, a person who could casually pull out a daemon core was definitely well-off. If they joined in on the auction, they would be able to raise the prices even higher, making the whole auction better. It was killing two birds with one stone.
Li Qingshan hesitated. “But I’m in urgent need of spiritual stones right now.” And, he was not particularly willing to hand a precious daemon core to someone else.
Shi Peipei waved her hand dramatically and said to Liu Ruping, “As long as this fellow’s expenditure today doesn’t exceed two thousand spiritual stones, feel free to just hand him the item. If your daemon core doesn’t fetch this price in the auction, it’ll just be on us.”
Liu Ruping bowed happily. “Yes, head manager!”
Li Qingshan hid his surprise. The value of the daemon core had truly surpassed his expectations. However, he seemed to think of something and his face sank slightly.
Shi Peipei frowned. “Is there anything that dissatisfies you, sir?”
Liu Ruping said, “Little Zhang promised him a discount for this high grade spiritual artifact!”
Little Zhang rubbed his nose as Shi Peipei probed into the matter a little. “Then knock off the extra fifty-two and make it a round eight hundred spiritual stones!”
Li Qingshan said, “If that’s the case, I’ll go with the auction then!” This was not what he had been thinking about. Instead, he had been thinking about how humans and daemons were probably unable to maintain their peace forever, and when that day arrived, he would also happen to possess a treasure worth two thousand spiritual stones on his body.
Wealth begets trouble!
Chapter 225: Sword Qi Calligraphy | Legend of the Great Sage
Shi Peipei’s wrinkles seemed to ripple. “Then I’ll write up an agreement for you right now, sir.” They had obtained another valuable item for the auction this time. They could attract even more Qi Practitioners now.
“Sir, it’s best if you hold onto some spiritual stones. I will prepare a private box for you. Quite a lot of wondrous treasures will appear in this auction. If something catches your eye but you miss out on it due to insufficient funds, that’ll be quite the pity.”
Li Qingshan’s heart stirred. “May I ask what treasures will there be? Is there a catalogue?” Perhaps he could find the second half of the Arts of the Boundless Ocean. Although he knew the chances were very slim, it still piqued his interest.
Shi Peipei said, “It’s inconvenient for us to reveal the exact lineup to you, but we will soon advertise a few items of great value, including the daemon core. You can ask Ruping about this.”
“Feel free to ask me, sir.” Liu Ruping smiled gently and gracefully. Her gaze towards Li Qingshan was very much affectionate.
If it were not for the fact that Li Qingshan had seen how quickly she could turn hostile, he would have almost been fooled by her.
Shi Peipei passed a jade token to Li Qingshan. “Please be careful, sir. You must not lose this. We only look at the token and not the person. If someone else comes to us with this token, we’ll give the spiritual stones to them.”
Li Qingshan focused on the token, and an agreement immediately appeared. “I’ll take good care of it!” Afterwards, he extended his hand towards little Zhang.
Little Zhang placed the Whale’s Ingestion of Water into Li Qingshan’s palm in a hurry. Coldness pierced his body, but it was extremely comfortable as well. As true qi flowed into the spiritual artifact, he immediately experienced a sensation like his blood vessels were connected to it. However, it was slightly sluggish, as if something blocked his blood flow.
Little Zhang said, “If you want to achieve the most optimal effects with high grade spiritual artifacts, you’ll need some time. Only when you refine it with true qi can you truly wield it freely as a part of your own body.”
Li Qingshan nodded. He did not stow it away into his hundred treasures pouch. Instead, he held and played around with it, seeping it with strands of true qi. The transparent, crystal ice whale was as exquisite as a piece of art. No one would have believed it was a weapon.
Shi Peipei took her leave, while Liu Ruping said gently, “If there’s anything else you require, sir, feel free to tell me.”
Li Qingshan asked casually, “What if I said I required you?”
Liu Ruping blushed in embarrassment. “Oh my, how can you say that, sir? And, what’s so good about me?”
Little Zhang chuckled to one side. He had clearly seen this plenty of times in the past. He was extremely happy after selling a high grade spiritual artifact as well, so he joked, “With how much you’ve spent today, how can our Ruping decline if you want her to do something for you?”
“Old man Zhang, if you keep babbling nonsense, I’ll rip off your mouth!” Liu Ruping shot a glare at little Zhang, but she was not annoyed at all.
When Li Qingshan and Liu Ruping returned to the lobby, the other women downstairs had already heard everything that had happened. They all raised their heads at the same time.
Legend of the Great Sage (Chapter 201-Chapter 300)
Dream Teller's books
- Legend of the Great Sage (Chapter 1-Chapter 100)
- Legend of the Great Sage (Chapter 101-Chapter 200)
- Legend of the Great Sage (Chapter 301-Chapter 400)
- Legend of the Great Sage (Chapter 401-Chapter 500)
- Legend of the Great Sage (Chapter 501-Chapter 600)
- Legend of the Great Sage (Chapter 601-Chapter 700)
- Legend of the Great Sage (Chapter 701-Chapter 833)