"This, what is this?" Upon seeing the item brought out, Zi Che Shao Hao's eyes flickered.
"It seems you recognize it. With such a fine item integrated into a flying sword, it can render the sword invisible and allow it to transform in countless ways."
He knew the person before him was tempted. What he lacked was a nine-leaf spiritual mushroom. Spiritual mushrooms were easy to find, but a nine-leaf one was incredibly rare.
The items in his hand were more than enough to exchange for a nine-leaf spiritual mushroom. However, while valuable, these items were not as rare as a nine-leaf spiritual mushroom.
Zi Che Shao Hao gazed at the item. It could be added not only to flying swords but also to other spiritual artifacts, making him determined to have it.
"Is it the nine-leaf spiritual mushroom you require?" he recalled the person mentioning a desire for one, "Do you have any preferences?"
"So, you have a nine-leaf spiritual mushroom?" his voice carried a hint of excitement.
"I do. I also need ten thousand years of Geng Metal. Name your price," Zi Che Shao Hao said generously.
"Your generosity is commendable." The person stated what they required.
Lin Yan stood beside Zi Che Shao Hao, silent.
The two had already settled on the terms of their trade. Lin Yan meticulously played the role of a quiet, dependent companion.
Zi Che Shao Hao did not have the nine-leaf spiritual mushroom on him at the moment, so he asked the person to wait and return to the auction house for the transaction the next day.
The three returned to their seats, and the trading continued. Lin Yan had no other desires, but when someone produced a particular item, the dormant "Zhou" character seal within her body vibrated.
"Hmm," Lin Yan frowned.
"What is it?" Zi Che Shao Hao asked with concern.
"Shao Hao, I want that," she transmitted her thoughts to him.
"What?" He followed Lin Yan's gaze and saw the item in that person's hand.
"This one, Shao Hao, I need this." Although Lin Yan did not know why the "Zhou" seal, which had been silent until now, desired this item, she did not want to miss it.
"Then I'll go get it for you." Zi Che Shao Hao released Lin Yan's hand and approached the person to arrange an exchange.
As soon as Zi Che Shao Hao left, Lin Yan felt many eyes scrutinizing her.
Lin Yan paid no mind to the gazes upon her, her attention remaining fixed on Zi Che Shao Hao, not even glancing at anyone else.
Lin Yan had a premonition that once she obtained that item, the "Zhou" seal would bring her even greater surprises.
Soon, Zi Che Shao Hao returned and handed the box to Lin Yan, who accepted and put it away.
"Let's leave," Lin Yan suggested. She felt there was nothing more for them to do here, and Zi Che Shao Hao's identity seemed to have been guessed by some of these people. If they didn't leave now, they might not be able to later.
"Alright." Zi Che Shao Hao agreed. After signaling to a nearby attendant, they left together.
After their departure, those who remained began to speculate about the identities of the pair. Some who had not obtained what they desired expressed regret, having previously underestimated the junior in the Transformation stage.
But after he made his move, they realized this person must hail from a powerful sect and hold a significant position within it.
He likely possessed many valuable items, and even if they didn't have what he needed, they could have exchanged other things with him.
It was a pity, however, that he had already left.
Upon returning, Lin Yan and Zi Che Shao Hao parted ways. Lin Yan prepared to open the box in her own room to discover why the "Zhou" seal had such a strong interest in this item.
Zi Che Shao Hao, sensing Lin Yan's eagerness, did not pry and granted her privacy.
As soon as Lin Yan entered her room, she activated the defensive formation that came with it, then took out the box.
The moment the box was brought out, the "Zhou" seal within her body vibrated even more intensely.
Lin Yan used her own spiritual energy to suppress the "Zhou" seal before opening the box.
As the box was opened, a golden light flashed, so bright it forced Lin Yan to close her eyes. Soon, as the golden light faded, Lin Yan saw the contents of the box clearly.
It was another small seal, identical to the "Zhou" seal within her body. However, this small seal was somewhat fragmented. As Lin Yan picked up the seal, she saw that an inscription of the character "Yu" was carved on it.
This "Yu" character, however, was incomplete, which was why the person was able to bring it out for exchange.
"The six directions are known as 'Yu', and the past and future are known as 'Zhou'."
The "Zhou" seal allowed its wielder to see potential futures and to calculate different outcomes based on the wielder's choices.
This "Yu" seal was likely no less significant, but unfortunately, it was damaged and unable to function at its full capacity.
Lin Yan extended her right hand, and the "Zhou" seal appeared in her palm. As the "Zhou" seal materialized, the "Yu" seal began to vibrate.
The two small seals, their energies linked, gradually moved closer to each other.
The term "universe" had a long history. Lin Yan did not know what changes would occur when these two seals were placed together, but since their energies were connected, it was unlikely to be detrimental.
Lin Yan used her flying sword to cut her wrist, allowing a drop of blood to fall onto the "Yu" seal. The "Yu" seal then seemed to gain a slight radiance.
After retrieving both seals and placing them back within her body, Lin Yan paid them no further mind. She would let nature take its course.
The next day, Lin Yan did not see Zi Che Shao Hao. The maid informed her that he had gone out to inspect his family's properties again. Lin Yan was unsure how many businesses in the city belonged to the Zi Che family, but his busyness indicated a significant number.
In reality, Lin Yan had misunderstood. Zi Che Shao Hao's inspection of the properties was an assigned task by his parents. He had always been deeply engrossed in cultivation and uninterested in other matters.
His parents believed this was detrimental to his growth, so they tasked him with inspecting their industries every ten years.
This served two purposes: to broaden his horizons and to expose him to more people, preventing him from being deceived.
Strangely, while he was indifferent to most things, Zi Che Shao Hao had never refused this task of inspecting properties. When the time came, he would gather his entourage and travel from city to city according to the maps.
Lin Yan was not the first cultivator he had saved, but she was indeed the first person Zi Che Shao Hao had genuinely cared about.
His current outing, ostensibly to inspect properties, was merely to meet with the head managers in the city and to settle accounts for the goods he had procured.
Because he undertook this inspection every ten years, he was entitled to a portion of the profits. However, having a share of the profits did not mean he could take things for free; at best, he received them at cost price.