Wanxiang Tower was the largest merchant guild in Yongjiang City.
A grand structure rising a full sixteen stories high stood in the most prominent location in the city, its appointments opulent yet restrained in their extravagance.
Every floor was inlaid with sparkling, multicolored gems, yet the design never felt gaudy or vulgar in flaunting wealth.
The greeting maidens at the entrance were properly attired, sweet-faced, and greeted visitors with gentle smiles.
Although Li Guanqi was not dressed extravagantly, his otherworldly presence stood out among the crowd like a crane amid a flock of chickens.
A maidservant quickly stepped forward to usher him inside. As soon as he entered the main hall, Li Guanqi was dazzled by the dizzying array of goods on display.
What caught his eye most of all was a stone pillar sealed under an enchantment in the center of the grand hall.
Resting upon it was an arm-thick wisp of thunder that instantly seized his gaze!
As if drawn by an invisible pull, Li Guanqi unconsciously walked over.
Gleaming characters inscribed beneath provided a simple explanation:
*“Thunder birthed from a ten-thousand-year thunder pool.”*
A tremor ran through Li Guanqi's heart. The power contained within this wisp of thunder was terrifying.
Even across the barrier of the enchantment, he could sense the horrifying might residing within it.
The lightning hissed and crackled as if sensing Li Guanqi's presence!
That wisp of a thunder seed actually began battering frantically against the enchantment!
Once, twice, thrice!
*Crack!*
The maidservant staggered back in shock, stumbling and nearly tumbling to the ground.
The lightning, having lain dormant for so long, now rampaged like a crazed beast, hurling itself violently against the barrier.
Fractures soon spiderwebbed across the heavy golden enchantment.
The commotion swiftly drew the attention of many people around them.
Cultivators turned their eyes toward Li Guanqi in droves.
The white-clad figure merely stood quietly before the enchantment, gazing up at the thunder sealed upon the pillar.
“Do you want to come with me?”
The lightning answered Li Guanqi with its most violent crash yet.
In no time at all, the stewards of Wanxiang Tower flashed into the hall!
Three figures joined forces to form hand seals. Bolstered by their immense power, the cracks in the barrier quickly vanished.
Once the enchantment was fully stabilized, two of the stewards cupped their hands to the surrounding crowd in apology.
The middle-aged man leading them cast a deep, searching look at Li Guanqi, then bowed with a smile.
“My apologies. We have disturbed our esteemed guest.”
Li Guanqi did not look at him, asking in a soft voice, “How many immortal crystals for this lightning?”
A sharp glint flickered in the man's eyes. Though he doubted Li Guanqi had the means to purchase it, he still answered politely, “Honored guest, this lightning has rested in Wanxiang Tower for over two thousand years. The listed price is... two million immortal crystals. If you are interested, I can request a discount from higher-ups on your behalf.”
Li Guanqi's expression remained calm, though his heart was racing.
In that brief moment earlier, he had sensed the formidable power held within the thunder seed.
This was no ordinary lightning at all, but a cluster of a thunder seed!
*Two million...*
Li Guanqi said softly, “Take me to a private room. Go inquire whether that price can be lowered. Furthermore, I have a few items to sell.”
The steward's eyes widened instantly upon hearing this, his demeanor growing far more deferential.
Bowing, he gestured Li Guanqi forward and said politely, “Very well. Young Master, please follow me this way. I will summon an appraiser at once. Please rest a moment in our private salon.”
Li Guanqi gave a slight nod and walked alongside the man.
Along the way, the man could not help stealing glances at Pengluo perched upon Li Guanqi's shoulder.
He could sense the terrifying strength within Pengluo, which only strengthened his conviction that Li Guanqi was a scion of some great clan.
Inside a luxurious private chamber, Li Guanqi sat in a plush chair with his eyes half-closed.
In merely the time it took to finish a cup of tea, the steward returned accompanied by a white-haired elder.
Li Guanqi cut straight to the chase. “Did you ask? What is the lowest price they'll accept in immortal crystals?”
The man's expression turned solemn as he stated frankly, “One million seven hundred thousand! The absolute lowest price!”
Li Guanqi nodded. Instead of paying immediately, he casually tossed over a storage ring and said mildly, “Tally up everything inside here.”
The white-haired elder was a Heavenly Immortal realm cultivator. Slipping on a white glove woven from celestial silkworm silk, he took the storage ring.
The moment he swept his divine sense through it, his expression changed drastically!
The hand holding the storage ring even began to tremble slightly!
Seeing this, the steward frowned almost imperceptibly. “Elder Chen, what is it?”
The elder took a deep breath. Instead of answering the man, he turned toward Li Guanqi and asked in a low voice, “Young Master... are you certain you wish to sell these outright rather than putting them up for auction?”
Li Guanqi frowned slightly, contemplating for a long moment before asking softly, “How much of a price difference would there be?”
The elder replied without beating around the bush, “Several of these ores are simply too rare... Whether they are auctioned could swing the price by nearly thirty percent, or perhaps even more!”
Li Guanqi considered it. The rank and size of the immortal ores he had harvested from the secret realm were indeed extraordinary.
“In that case, pick a few of the rarer ones to put on auction, and buy the rest back at standard market rates. As for the other miscellaneous items, total up their approximate value.”
Upon hearing this, the elder beamed with excitement and hastily said, “Very well, very well, no problem at all! Wanxiang Tower's next auction is in three days, so it won't take much of your time. There are quite a few items here, so if you don't mind, I would like to call another person to help appraise and inventory them.”
Li Guanqi waved a hand dismissively and picked up his teacup, taking a small sip.
The steward who had led Li Guanqi in now understood completely.
Li Guanqi was a rare and valuable client of the highest order!
He immediately called for maidservants to serve spirit fruits and spiritual wine, every delicacy being a treasure rarely seen in the outside world.
All the while, he introduced the details of the Wanxiang Tower auction taking place three days later.
Li Guanqi, however, had little interest in such auctions. If anything, they made it far too easy to clash with others.
When things boiled over, it was always either someone wanting to murder him for his goods, or him needing to kill them for theirs.
He listened with little enthusiasm.
Then a thought struck Li Guanqi. Pulling out a blank jade slip, he carved into it a list of rare materials he was currently missing.
He handed it to the bowing man before him.
“Take a look and see if your Wanxiang Tower has any of these items.”
The man took the jade slip and swept his divine sense through it, his brow furrowing slightly.
The items Li Guanqi sought were exceptionally rare, and every single one was precious beyond measure.
“Young Master, among these... Wanxiang Tower currently only has a single stalk of thousand-year Heavenly Origin Mind-Centering Bamboo remaining. It is about two and a half cun in length. Would that suit your needs?”
Li Guanqi nodded impassively.
“A thousand years... A bit young, but it will do. Bring it over for me.”
Hearing this, the man hurried to give instructions. Watching the two appraisers working with glowing faces, a sharp glint flashed through his eyes.
“Honored guest, if you have time to spare, you might consider taking a trip to Anting Ferry once night falls!”
Li Guanqi raised an eyebrow.
“Oh? A black market?”
The man smiled without replying, but pointed toward Li Guanqi's shoulder.
“If you intend to go, Young Master, you had best keep your spirit pet tucked away. That place... doesn't have many rules.”
Li Guanqi gave a slight nod as the two appraisers finally finished their inventory.
Chapter 1664