Chapter 44: Chapter 44: Reunion with the Fragmented Map; Zhang and Han Families Enter the Venue
"Ji Daoyou..."
As soon as he stepped into the Exquisite Treasure Pavilion, the steward Xue Yuling greeted him with a smile.
After the two exchanged pleasantries, Ji Haoyuan asked with a smile:
"Xue Daoyou, your Exquisite Treasure Pavilion is holding an auction this time. I wonder how many Foundation Establishment Pills will be available?
Will other related Foundation Establishment spiritual objects also be auctioned?"
Although Ji Haoyuan knew that asking these questions before the auction officially started was not quite appropriate,
the matter concerning the competition for resources tempted him to try and see if he could learn a bit of insider information beforehand.
Xue Yuling was not upset at all; instead, she answered with a smile:
"Ji Daoyou, why so anxious?
After the auction starts, Ji Daoyou will naturally find out.
However..."
At this point, Xue Yuling paused slightly before continuing with a smile:
"What I can tell Ji Daoyou is that this auction held by our Exquisite Treasure Pavilion will certainly not disappoint you, Ji Daoyou."
While Xue Yuling’s words seemed not to answer, they actually revealed quite a bit.
Firstly, she did not deny Ji Haoyuan’s two questions.
In other words, the number of Foundation Establishment Pills in this auction will certainly not be just one.
Secondly, other Foundation Establishment spiritual objects will definitely appear in this auction.
It seems this Exquisite Treasure Pavilion auction is indeed quite a grand event.
Even at the auction held in the Chixia Treasure Tower, the number of Foundation Establishment spiritual objects might not be this vast.
At this moment, Ji Haoyuan and others could almost imagine.
The shopkeeper at Chixia Treasure Tower will surely not look very happy.
But what can they do, as the auction is held by the Exquisite Treasure Pavilion.
Even though the Chixia Treasure Tower is established by the Crimson Sunset Sect, there’s simply nothing they can do against the Exquisite Treasure Pavilion.
This is the confidence of a business that spans the entire Southern Wilderness Realm, opening branches everywhere.
Even Nascent Soul level forces must give enough respect, let alone them, the Crimson Sunset Sect.
"By the way, there’s about half a day left before our Exquisite Treasure Pavilion auction officially starts, why don’t all of you rest in the private room upstairs?"
Xue Yuling suddenly smiled and suggested.
Upon hearing this, Ji Haoyuan did not refuse.
After all, they had no other matters to attend to here, familiarizing themselves with the venue first was not a bad idea.
Immediately, a beautiful young woman arrived to lead Ji Haoyuan and his entourage to the top floor of the venue.
"Respected seniors, this is the private room prepared for you by Steward Xue in this place."
Upon reaching the top floor venue, the young woman directly led them into a private room.
The room wasn’t very large, but it was exquisitely and elegantly decorated.
Additionally, there were various spirit fruits and spirit tea placed on its tea table.
Ji Haoyuan thanked the young woman with a smile.
After the young woman left, Ji Haoyuan stepped forward and picked up a jade booklet from that tea table.
In this jade booklet were recorded some of the items that would be auctioned in this particular event.
Though the content wasn’t exhaustive, it provided Ji Haoyuan and his group with many references.
"It seems that Xue Daoyou is quite considerate of you, Haoyuan."
Ji Bochang commented with a smile from the side.
Upon hearing that, Ji Haoyuan did not reply.
His gaze had fallen precisely on something within the jade booklet.
It was a map.
To be precise, it was a somewhat incomplete map.
The appearance was somewhat similar to the fragmented map he had obtained from Han Pengshan’s Storage Bag.
It seemed to be part of that fragmented map.
He wondered if obtaining the fragmented map from the jade booklet could complete the one he held.
Thinking of this, Ji Haoyuan had decided that, if possible, he must obtain the fragmented map in the jade booklet.
"Hmm... Haoyuan, look..."
At this time, next to him, Ji Bochang suddenly motioned to him.
Following Ji Bochang’s gaze, Ji Haoyuan quickly saw a group of people walking in at the venue’s entrance.
Unexpectedly, it was Zhang Mingyuan and Zhang Mingze from the Zhang Family.
And among them, Zhilong, who had been apprenticed into the Crimson Sunset Sect as a Golden Core Celestial Spirit Root disciple, was also present.
Judging by the aura they displayed, Zhang Zhilong’s cultivation was clearly not far from perfecting the Qi Refining stage.
Indeed, possessing the Celestial Spirit Root as a Golden Core disciple, such aptitude in cultivation is truly unmatched by ordinary people.
However, what additionally caught Ji Haoyuan and Ji Bochang’s attention were the two men next to the Zhang Family cultivators.
Judging by the clothing they wore, those two should be people of the Han Family in Danyang County.
Could they be the other two from the Han Family’s Foundation Establishment?
Han Penghu and Han Pengfeng?
Seeing their casual and friendly demeanor with Zhang Mingyuan and Zhang Mingze, their identities were likely correct.
Out of nowhere, Ji Haoyuan and Ji Bochang’s expressions slightly narrowed.
Since when have the Han Family and the Zhang Family gotten together?
This is certainly not good news for their Ji Family.
Especially at this critical moment.
If not careful, it might bring them considerable trouble or even threats.
Of course.
This is Ji Bochang’s current thought.
As for Ji Haoyuan, he did not mind too much.
Comparatively, it was Zhang Zhilong’s behavior that concerned him more.
It seemed the previous incident had not really caused any absolute rift between Zhang Zhilong and the Zhang Family.
Who knows what the Zhang Family did afterward to draw Zhang Zhilong back so close with his family.
It was unclear if he attended the auction with other hidden cultivators from the Crimson Sunset Sect.
Ji Haoyuan’s thoughts quickly flashed through.
For now, he did not continue paying attention to those from the Zhang Family, choosing instead to sit quietly and patiently await the auction to begin.
Time gradually passed.
Finally.
As the time approached evening, in a blue silk dress, Xue Yuling appeared in the auction venue.
She then smiled at the crowd from the high platform and said with a smile:
"Welcome, fellow Daoists, for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend the auction hosted by our Exquisite Treasure Pavilion.
I will be responsible for hosting this auction today.
Let me first briefly explain the rules of this auction to everyone."
It’s essentially all conducted by bidding, where the highest bid wins, and similar contents.
Once Xue Yuling outlined the general rules, a tray covered in embroidered cloth was brought up from below.
"Alright, without further ado, let’s begin with the first auction item."
Upon finishing, Xue Yuling reached out and unveiled the embroidered cloth on the tray, revealing a blue crystal encased in a transparent jade box.
As soon as the crowd caught sight of the blue crystal in the transparent jade box, everyone’s expressions, including Ji Haoyuan and Ji Bochang, involuntarily revealed a trace of astonishment.