Immortal Road.

Oh no, what's this?
The moment they met, the spiritual energy within his body went berserk and became unbalanced, causing the clone of the Desolate One to tremble and almost lose consciousness.

The people inside were in no better shape; they were also caught off guard and their expressions changed drastically!

Lie Yunsheng's sudden outburst almost startled the two of them.

"Come, let me introduce you two."

“Lord Jixuan, Fellow Daoist Jiemie, I felt a connection between you two when I first heard your Daoist names. Perhaps you cultivate the same technique, or maybe your ancestors even belonged to the same sect!”

"What a coincidence that we met like this. Would you consider it helping someone find happiness?"

Seeing this guy's smug face, even thinking he had done a good deed and as if they owed him a huge favor, both of them showed an embarrassed expression at the same time.

The annihilation clone looked over and saw a tall, thin man with a square face sitting behind the opposite table. He had a small tuft of black beard under his nose, dark circles under his eyes, and a deep gaze, giving him an unapproachable air.

At that moment, when he met the gaze of the Annihilation Avatar, he unconsciously looked away, which was very suspicious.

The three of them took their seats.

Seeing that the two were avoiding each other and there was no immediate connection as he had expected, Lie Yunsheng realized that he had done something embarrassing. He could only laugh it off to cover up his embarrassment and stopped talking about the cultivation technique. Instead, he steered the conversation toward the large trade fair.

“A few days ago, Ji Xuanjun told me that he wanted to reserve a certain type of treasure for this trade fair and obtain some internal channels in advance. So I immediately had someone compile a partial transaction list overnight, thinking of sending it to a client with whom I have a good relationship.”

Internal channels, transaction list?
Upon hearing this, the Annihilation Avatar was suddenly struck by a thought: "There's such a thing?"

Ji Xuanjun, on the other side, couldn't wait to ask:

"Where is the list? May I take a look?"

"Don't rush."

Lie Yunsheng first gave them a rundown of the trade fair process, explaining it in detail from the very beginning.

"This large-scale trade fair is the highest-level trade fair in Nankaido. It is a grand event hosted by Rakukayama Qiyunling and jointly operated by all the major chambers of commerce in 33 towns and cities."

"It is divided into trading venues, auction venues, and limited edition venues."

"The trading arena, as the name suggests, is a place where cultivators gather in groups and trade their unused items with others. It's a small-scale exchange within the same circle."

"The auction is a large-scale collective event. The minimum cultivation level for attendees is the Nascent Soul stage. The organizers handle all consignment auctions, and the highest bidder wins. It is also the most anticipated event of this event."

"Limited-edition events will release a batch of rare and precious items that are hard to find on the market at fixed times every day. The price is fixed, and it's first come, first served. You have to be quick to grab them."

"Among the three transaction models, as one of the co-organizers, Yibaolou can provide its VIPs with inside information, namely the daily list of limited-time offers."

Ultimately, it's just a large-scale trade fair that lasts for a month.

During this month, there will be a daily hourly order-grabbing event, with first come, first served, as a gimmick to attract everyone to participate.

The hype may be hype, but the treasures they've released are genuine!
Moreover, there is no auction bidding; the items are sold at a flat price to those who bid, as a daily bonus.

But as we all know, where there is trading, there is insider information. Not everyone can get the benefits. If you have connections, you'll have a better chance of getting them than a retail investor like you.

If you know in advance which treasures will be released on which day and in what order, you can save your funds and invest them precisely at the right time to get what you want. This will prevent you from spending a lot of money on the trade fairs and auctions in the previous days and then being unable to get the items you want!

The advantages are far greater than imagined.

"Think about it, while others are still hesitating and anticipating what treasures will be released that day, and even feeling surprised and hesitant at the moment the treasures are revealed, you have already calculated the time and order. As soon as the items appear, you can place your orders instantly! Who can beat you? Wouldn't they all be yours to keep?"

Upon hearing this, the Nirvana Avatar and the Nirvana Lord immediately understood its profound meaning.

However, they also knew that there is no such thing as free help, and the other party must also have a need for their help.

Lie Yunsheng grinned, making no attempt to hide his request.

"For everyone, the trade fair is like finding a bargain at Taobao, and for our chamber of commerce, it's also an opportunity for exposure!"

"In order to make a name for ourselves at this trade fair, surpass many chambers of commerce, and expand our influence and ranking, we need more transaction volume and positive reviews."

"The Nascent Soul and Divine Spirit stages are separate fields, which you two need not worry about. However, at the Void Refinement stage, we need outsiders to repeatedly trade and spread public opinion to improve our chamber of commerce's overall ranking."

"Simply put, it's about fake orders and positive reviews!"

Fake orders? Positive reviews?
Do merchant guilds in the cultivation world also play this game?

Only then did the Annihilation Avatar realize that this phenomenon would occur anywhere in the business competition. It turned out that the two of them had become shills, doing shady things for the Chamber of Commerce!

But if you ask whether you'll do it or not, the answer is definitely yes!

Without hesitation, Ji Xuanjun agreed, and his Ji Mie clone followed closely behind.

Lie Yunsheng nodded in satisfaction. This was also why he wanted to win over rogue cultivators. Not only those in the Void Transformation stage, but also a large number of Nascent Soul and Infant stages were being recruited secretly and intensively.

Just kidding, this is a business war! Every trade fair is a great opportunity to compete with your peers for customers and market share; there's no turning back for anyone.

Then they gave each of them a bag, which made a clattering sound inside. When they took it out, they found it contained specially made round magical artifacts.

"These are the trading chips. For others, one grade seven spirit stone can only be exchanged for one purple chip. Other grade seven spirit items will be converted according to the market price. After the trade fair starts, all transactions will be quoted according to the chips, including barter, and this will also serve as the benchmark!"

The annihilation clone held the round tablet and examined it closely, discovering its unique crafting technique, which outsiders could not learn at all, and even if they wanted to forge it, they would not have the ability.

Lie Yunsheng then took out another list and pushed it in front of them.

"On the first day of the trade fair, you will purchase items according to this list until you have used up all your chips. No new items will be issued; it's essentially a virtual transaction, where money and goods are exchanged. Afterward, I will issue you the trading list and chips for the second day. Remember, the chips I issue can only be used to purchase the items I specify. Other items cannot be traded or redeemed."

Fake transaction records!

The two immediately understood that this kind of transaction did not generate any value; it was merely to inflate trading volume. What they valued was their trading qualifications at the Void Transformation stage, which they were simply using to their advantage.

It's even possible that they contacted other cultivators outside the arena; it's highly unlikely that it was just the two of them.

"Don't worry, even if it's a fake transaction, Yibaolou will still pay the official commission that the organizer takes, not a penny less, so there's no risk."

They call it a cut or tax, but behind the scenes there might be bribes. Anyway, the road is already paved, and it's something that's tacitly approved by the higher-ups. They're just hired guns. Every trade fair has this step, it's just that the guns are replaced one after another.

After explaining it to them, Lie Yunsheng took out a piece of paper.

"I understand your requests. You both urgently need treasures related to your respective fields. On the first and seventh days of the trade fair, at the hour of Si (9-11 AM), Yi Bao Lou will release such treasures for sale. They will be the eleventh item in the list, priced at five purple chips. You can reserve your spots in advance to grab them."

The two clones of the Annihilation Avatar and the Annihilation Lord exchanged a glance, surprised that the other also needed this item!
They've become competitors?

"Fellow Daoist, I urgently need a domain treasure. I wonder if you could part with it and give me these two opportunities? I can help you during the auction?"

Ji Xuanjun's expression was sincere, hoping the other party would give him all the opportunities. The Ji Mie clone immediately rolled its eyes!
Why would I pay a high price to compete with others at an auction when there are perfectly good, affordable benefits available? Am I crazy?

"Brother Dao, you really don't know, but I'm also determined to get this item. When the time comes, we'll each rely on our speed."

It's all about bidding. You know the specific time, order, and price, so you just grab it on the hour. There's no question of giving way or not.

Ji Xuanjun's face darkened, and when he failed to get what he wanted, he became sarcastic and cryptic.

"I wonder which senior brother this is, a disciple of which master? Before the Great Tide of Annihilation arrives, are you confident you can pass the Smoke Trial? Don't end up drowning and having no one to save you, crying and begging me for help."

A primordial tide of annihilation, a trial of blazing smoke?
What the hell is this?

The Nirvana Avatar felt bewildered and couldn't understand what the other party was saying, but the Yin-Yang Nirvana Scripture circulating within its body was faintly boiling. Perhaps it had been mistaken for a member of some organization.

It seems this cultivation technique has quite a history in the Immortal Realm; I'm probably in trouble now.

He remained calm and guessed that this person had always been hostile to him, perhaps because of some other reason related to his identity. So he didn't reveal his secret and just gave a cold snort.

You should take care of yourself!

The two were at odds, which was all observed by Lie Yunsheng. The young master seemed thoughtful, but did not get involved in their feud.

Anyway, the tasks and benefits have been clearly explained, so how the internal strife unfolds is none of his business.

The meeting has now concluded.

After the annihilation clone went downstairs alone, he encountered Lin Shan, who was waiting for him. He then went through the backyard to the Independent Appraisal Center.

Since there were no outsiders present, he reported what he knew.

When the latter heard that Elder Huang had joined forces with the Law Enforcement Hall to create another big news story, he couldn't help but show a look of bewilderment.

The other party was probably desperate and grasping at straws, so desperate for the True Spirit Feather in his possession that he did such an absurd thing.

That makes sense, though. Who wouldn't be afraid to take advantage of a large trade fair to quickly convert the True Spirit Feather, such a treasure, into cultivation resources suitable for their current stage?
Unfortunately, they guessed the wrong person time and time again.

Lin Shan is currently hiding inside the Yi Bao Lou, and the outside world cannot infiltrate him or find his whereabouts, so he can rest easy.

Elder Huang could only watch helplessly, unable to do anything about it.

"I'll deal with you after the trade fair ends and I've achieved great success in this field!"

Lin Shan wasn't in a hurry at all. He'd wait and see, and the old man would get what's coming to him.

After hearing about the inside story of the trade fair, I was impressed by the scale of the event and estimated that I could probably collect everything I wanted, which made me even more excited.

However, this stake is a bit of a headache.

One seventh-tier spirit stone can be exchanged for one purple chip.

Even if I took out all my idle assets, I probably wouldn't be able to exchange them for ten, and I wouldn't even be able to afford the two kinds of domain treasures that are released as daily benefits!

"Okay, you do as Lie Yunsheng instructed, help him place orders and leave positive reviews on time, and I will find a way to gather ten chips to buy those two limited-edition treasures in one go."

Lin Shan had a clear vision and was planning how to make a big splash at this trade fair.

"As for the trading venue and the auction venue, we'll collude. You'll be responsible for bidding, and I'll pay afterwards. We'll get a 5% discount and no handling fees, which will save us a lot of money."

After discussing it, he went straight to the Yibaolou trading hall.

There are many chip exchange booths here. They have just been set up and not many people have visited yet, but I believe they will be packed with people soon.

A Nascent Soul stage appraiser nodded respectfully upon seeing him:

"Grandmaster Xiongshan".

"I want to exchange these for chips. Can you help me see how much I can get in return?"

After saying that, he placed a storage ring on the table.

It contained almost all of his collection over the years, except for his personal necessities, plus all the stolen goods that his Nirvana clone had laundered in the black market!
Without further ado, the other party summoned two more Nascent Soul stage appraisers, and the three of them began working together to determine the value of the items inside.

Finally, after careful consideration, a tray was presented to the leader.

"Grandmaster Xiongshan, your items have been cross-appraised and verified. A total of six purple chips and five hundred and eighty blue chips have been exchanged. Please check."

Lin Shan was stunned for a moment.

That's all??
Fearing he might misunderstand, the other party explained in detail.

"The two seventh-grade spirit stones from your monthly salary count as two. The quality of other seventh-grade spirit items varies. Some can be counted as one, while others are slightly damaged and can only be counted as half a stone at most. In the end, we will add them all together and count you as six."

"There are over 800 sixth-tier spiritual items in total. We will calculate the value for you based on the market price. After confirming the valuation several times, we are offering 580 blue chips. This is a friendly price."

"If you have any other treasures you'd like to redeem, you can bring them out to add to the prize pool."

Lin Shan felt quite bitter, experiencing a sense of desolation and isolation in a foreign land. Despite his hard work, he was still so poor!

The immortal realm is too difficult to navigate; I want to return to the mortal world!
I knew long ago that I would never get rich by working, and once I embarked on this path, I was destined to be poor forever.

Can't blue chips be exchanged for purple chips?

"No."

The three appraisers noticed his pale face and explained in a low voice.

"According to the rules of the trade fair, high-level chips can be exchanged for low-level chips at an equivalent exchange rate of 1:100, but low-level chips cannot be exchanged for high-level chips. The trading between the Nascent Soul stage and the Void Transformation stage cannot be disrupted, otherwise it may affect the experience of Void Transformation stage experts."

In short, the organizers took into account that there are many wealthy people in the Nascent Soul stage, and it was impossible for a large number of sixth-tier spiritual items to be exchanged for seventh-tier tokens. Otherwise, the market price of seventh-tier spiritual items would likely collapse, which would seriously disrupt the trading order. This is not without reason.

The clear distinction between each stage is actually a protective measure.

But they are extremely unfriendly to poor people like Lin Shan!
At this rate, I can't even afford the flash sale price for a limited edition, let alone dominate the trading and auction markets as I envisioned.

Just then, a familiar sigh sounded from behind.

“Master Xiongshan is no outsider. Let’s exchange those blue chips for purple chips at a ratio of 100 to 1.”

Lin Shan suddenly turned his head and realized that Lie Yunsheng had appeared behind him at some point, giving him a helpless smile. (End of Chapter)