Chongming Xianzong

Chapter 608 Returning to the Sect with Satisfaction

Wanbao Trading Company's auctions are held only a few times a year. Fortunately, Master Kang had already calculated the date before summoning Jiang Qing, and the news was received in just half a month.

During this two-week period, Kang and Jiang did not waste any time.

The Grand Master Kang visited many high-ranking officials in the Duke's mansion, ostensibly to inquire about the current situation in Qingxian and Yunzhou, but in reality, he was there to seek personal gain.

Perhaps because he had taken many lives, he now held considerable influence, and his sudden, unannounced arrival meant that even the high-ranking officials stationed in Fengming Prefecture had to treat him with respect.

After all, judging solely by titles, in the current Qin State Duke's Mansion, apart from Kuang Liuting and Fei Tianqin (one man and one bird), no one dares to claim to be more honorable or noble than this Marquis of Wuning.

Of course, Kang Dabao also knew his limits, and he never put on airs of a nobleman or relative, even when facing his subordinates. This was quite rare for a nobleman of the Immortal Dynasty who had tainted the lives of those who had reached the peak of cultivation.

Moreover, he was sensible enough to know that the tips that Master Kang could slip through his fingers when doing things were much more generous than the few pennies that the poor scholars below him would sweat over.

In this way, as long as it is within the authority of the various departments of these government offices, they will always do you some favors.

The sect leader Kang distributed a bunch of rare treasures, and the heads of various departments returned with a stack of approval slips, most of which were for in-demand items. The result was naturally a happy one for everyone.

Kang Dabao was not worried that this matter would be investigated, after all, the accounting skills of the various department heads were probably more well-preserved than those of many Nascent Soul sects.

Kuang Liuting's methods were so ruthless that there was no need for Headmaster Kang to remind them. Therefore, since they dared to give, Kang Dabao dared to take.

Kang Dabao had all these sought-after items checked and verified in the government treasury, affixing his own seal to ensure no one would take them. After he and Jiang Qing purchased the Core Formation spiritual items from Wanbao Trading Company, they could hire some large merchant caravans to transport them back to Xianzhou by flying boat.

To be fair, Kang Xiangyi was quite capable of managing caravans, but the caravans passed down by He Degong were only roughly as good as those under the jurisdiction of an ordinary Golden Core sect.

Therefore, it is estimated that Kang Xiangyi should use his life to the fullest, but Chongmingzong is not yet able to do this cross-border business, and still needs to spend a lot of spirit stones to invite outsiders to do it.

As the master of the northern mountain route, Wu Lao Mountain's power has been gradually shrinking in recent years. However, it has distributed a lot of profits from transactions such as valuable goods that are not related to the survival of the sect, in order to appease the top Golden Core sects within its jurisdiction.

Master Kang naturally scoffed at Master Yueyin's actions. In his view, the declining prestige of Wumu Mountain in recent years was certainly related to the lack of capable successors within the sect.

However, Master Yueyin, the leader, is prone to excessive compassion and indulgence, and does not know how to use ruthless methods, which is also one of the reasons for the deterioration of the situation in Shanbeidao.

The Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, a Golden Core sect, has intervened in most of the trade routes in and out of the Northern Mountain Road. Kang Dabao has no acquaintances in this sect, but Master Qi, who came with him to do business, said that Chu Yanran has some connections with many upper-level cultivators in the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect.

Master Qi was not exaggerating. He didn't even need Headmaster Kang to step in; he negotiated a very favorable price for the latter, which shows he has some skill.

Kang Dabao and Jiang Qing then treated Master Qi to a top-notch meal at a restaurant. When they parted, they ran into an acquaintance.

"How have you been lately, senior?!"

Just as Master Kang chuckled and was about to clasp his hands in greeting, but before he could even close them, the Venerable Sanyan hurriedly stopped, clearly feeling that he could not accept the former's greeting.

Unlike those self-important nobles, Master Sanyan, a rootless and wandering cultivator, did not think he could compare to the Golden Core cultivator who had perished at the hands of Kang Dabao.

It's clear that since Gu Hongzi was hired by the Fei family as a tutor, the old cultivator's life hasn't been as comfortable as before.

His business of recruiting people to listen to his sermons would indeed be difficult to sustain without a capable partner.

However, since he is a Golden Core cultivator, we must be willing to take some risks. Whether he is sent to the Star-Picking Tower or the Duke of Qin's mansion, we should treat him with the utmost respect.

However, it is not surprising that the Venerable Sanyan had no such ambition, so it is not surprising that he lived a somewhat impoverished life.

Perhaps because of this, not long after meeting Kang Dabao, the old cultivator subtly revealed his intention to become a guest elder in the Chongming Sect.

However, he may not have known the way Master Kang behaved, and when he arrived, he didn't see the latter respond. So he could only pretend that there was no such thing, find an excuse, say that they would talk about it later, and then bid farewell to Kang Dabao and Jiang Qing.

However, after talking with the Venerable Sanyan for a while, it was already quite close to the start of the Wanbao Trading Company auction.

By this time, dusk had softened the atmosphere of Fengming Prefecture's market town. Kang Dabao and Jiang Qing walked side by side toward the back alley of Wanbao Trading Company, their steps leisurely.

The former had previously attended the auction held by Wanbao Trading Company in Tengwen Prefecture and was familiar with all the details, including the defensive array patterns in front of the mirage screen, which were exactly the same.

As soon as the two arrived in front of the screen, Su Mei, the manager of the place, and Wu Xuan Shangxiu, who had driven guests to the Huiming Cave last time, were already standing there.

At this moment, Su Mei had no right to speak. The beautiful woman only had time to smile slightly before Wu Xuan Shangxiu stepped forward and took her place.

The wrinkles on the old man's leather robe were smoother than before, and the long whip around his waist was also wrapped much more neatly than Kang Dabao remembered.

Upon seeing Master Kang again, he no longer nodded casually as before. Instead, he stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting, and spoke with a touch of warmth:
"Wu Xuan greets Marquis Wu Ning."

"I have long admired your esteemed demeanor, and it is an honor for me to be able to pay my respects to you today." Kang Dabao smiled and nodded, a flash of golden light passing through his eyes.

When I last saw this old cultivator, Sect Leader Kang had not yet formed his core, so I just regarded him as an ordinary upper cultivator.

However, upon seeing him again, he realized that he was a Golden Core Peak cultivator no less than Huang Mijia, and perhaps one of the high-ranking cultivators who would be in charge of the Wanbao Trading Company's auction. Therefore, he did not lose his manners and bowed in respect.

However, this old cultivator was, after all, a Golden Core cultivator belonging to the extraordinary power of Wanbao Trading Company. It was already rare enough that he could treat Master Kang with some special regard, so he wouldn't necessarily show any flattery on his face.

Wu Xuanshang originally only intended to exchange pleasantries with Kang Dabao for a while longer before taking his leave and entering the Huiming Cave to wait. However, when he glanced at Jiang Qing again, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

"This young friend is a disciple of the Sky-Splitting Sword Sect?!"

Jiang Qing raised his eyelids, but before he could speak, he heard the headmaster Kang beside him speak first: "Senior may have mistaken me. This is my junior brother Jiang Qing, not a disciple of the Rift Sky Sword Sect."

It's no wonder Kang Dabao was so anxious, since the Rift Sky Sword Sect is now a sect that has openly rebelled, how could it bear this connection within the jurisdiction of the Duke of Qin's mansion?

Upon hearing the sound, Third Master Jiang stepped forward, bowed, and paid his respects, which surprised Wu Xuan Shangxiu, who, while helping him up, was also slightly astonished.
"Sixty years ago, I had the opportunity to meet Hong Wenshang of the Rift Sky Sword Sect in Guandong. At that time, I discussed the Dao with him for three days and learned some of the true meaning of the sword theory from him."

Unexpectedly, upon meeting young friend Jiang today, I felt a sense of familiarity, hence my presumptuous question. I hope my brothers will not take offense.

Kang Dabao pulled Jiang Qing aside and said it was nothing, then added, "Thank you for opening the cave door, Manager Su. We won't need Senior Wu Xuan to escort us any further this time."

Su Mei smiled and agreed, extending her slender, jade-like fingertips to expertly infuse a wisp of spiritual power, causing the mirage screen in front of the cultivators to slowly separate.

After Kang and Jiang entered the vortex of the cave, Wu Xuan, who remained beside Su Mei, finally voiced his doubts:

"Manager Su, who is this Jiang Qing? Although his sword intent is different, I am certain that he has obtained a lot of the true meaning of swordsmanship from that fellow Hong Wen."

This is something I rarely see even among his incompetent disciples. If this boy truly has no connection with Hong Wen and has made such progress solely through some sword principles circulating outside, then he truly is…

At this moment, Su Mei brought up serious matters, and the charming expression that usually graced her face softened considerably. She responded softly:

"According to the information gathered by the disciples, it is true that Jiang Qing grew up in Kang Dabao's shop. It is strange, but the disciples of Chongming Sect in this generation are indeed outstanding."

Besides Kang Dabao and Jiang Qing, their Qi cultivation master had one or two other disciples. Although their cultivation paths were only average, their combat skills were no less than those of military families' children, and they could not be considered mediocre.

Wu Xuan was satisfied that Jiang Qing was indeed not a disciple of the Rifting Heaven Sword Sect, but he had no interest in what Su Mei said afterward.

But after a moment of hesitation, he spoke:

"In my opinion, once this young man finds a suitable spiritual object, forming his core will be a natural progression. You might want to keep an eye on him. I don't think his path to enlightenment is necessarily weaker than his senior brother's." Su Mei's brows furrowed with surprise. It wasn't that she didn't believe what the old cultivator said, but she thought that if that were true, the Duke of Qin's mansion wouldn't have been forced to leave the southwest.

In the future, Chongming Sect will possess two top-tier Golden Core cultivators, and Kang Dabao is renowned for his business acumen. Therefore, Chongming Sect's status among the three sects of the Southwest should at least be no lower than that of Liangyi Sect.

If Kuang Liuting truly trusted him completely, it wouldn't be surprising if this usually willful and capricious duke handed over the entire impoverished Huangpi Road to Chongmingzong for takeover.

Su Mei, who had reached a position of power, was not someone that ordinary cultivators would take seriously. However, if cultivators like Pu Honggu, Xiang Tianxing, and Lan Xin came in person, it would be a completely different story.

The manager of Wanbao Trading Company was no fool; he knew exactly who to do business with.

Upon reading this, Su Mei immediately said, "Don't worry, senior, Su Mei knows what to do." After she finished speaking, she pointed to the book on the wall and added something to the middle:
"This item is too obscure. It even failed to sell at auction before. I was originally planning to move it to the Kanto region to sell and make a lot of money. Now I'll see if I can get a reasonable price for it."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Kang Dabao and Jiang Qing stepped into the mirage screen. The spiritual vein stones in the passage gleamed with a white luster, and the dew-covered grass in the cracks of the walls was adorned with tiny fragments of spiritual light. The two had not been there before, and their steps were familiar, so they did not stop.

The two of them entered from the entrance of Tengwen Prefecture in Shannan Road, but it is also connected to the entrances of Fengming Prefecture and Yuan Prefecture in Shanbei Road. In fact, they all entered the same place, Huiming Cave.

This arrangement is no simple matter; the array master who accomplished it must be extremely close to the fourth rank, and it would be difficult to find even one in the entire Southwest Three Paths.

As soon as the Dark and Bright Cave was opened, the intermittent thunderous energy in the void seemed to the former Grand Master Kang as having the power to destroy the world, and that Wu Xuan had to protect it by riding the auspicious unicorn chariot.

Upon seeing each other again, they simply said "normal" and walked past each other with ease, arriving at a lavishly decorated courtyard with everything one could need.

The internal alchemy, artifacts, talismans, and arrays were all arranged in a very high standard, so much so that even the already well-off Sect Leader Kang still couldn't shake the idea of ​​packing them up and taking them away.

At the same time, the courtyard was overflowing with spiritual energy.

Even though the Grand Master Kang was a Golden Core cultivator, he couldn't help but take a few more breaths, which amused the pretty maid who had come to serve him earlier to cover her mouth and chuckle.

Jiang Qing, standing to the side, then directly realized how confident Wanbao Trading Company was. If a Qi Refining cultivator were to act in front of a Golden Core cultivator in an ordinary place, he would not be surprised if he were killed on the spot.

It was truly rare to see such beautiful women daring to come over with smiles and rub their ample bosoms against Master Kang to ask for a reward.

Both brothers were renowned for their refined tastes and were here on important business, so they had no interest in doing anything unnecessary.

Kang Dabao raised his hand to avoid the maid who was leaning forward, his gaze sweeping over the spiritual light book hanging in the main hall of the courtyard. He pointed with his fingertip: "When does the auction begin?"

These maids knew how to play favorites, and they all put away their playful manners. One of them stepped forward, bowed deeply, and, revealing her snow-white skin, replied softly, "Your Excellency, it will open in half an hour. We have prepared the jade tokens for you to follow."

As he spoke, he handed over two translucent white jade talismans. Upon touching them, one could feel the flow of spiritual energy, clearly indicating that they could evade the remaining thunder energy within the cave.

The two followed the maid through a carved wooden door, and the view before them suddenly opened up.

A circular auction hall floated in the void, with dozens of fist-sized moonbeams embedded around its perimeter, their spiritual light overflowing and illuminating the entire venue as bright as day.

The auction venue that Wanbao Trading Company built at great expense was indeed very expensive. The ground was paved with star marrow stones that could gather spiritual energy, and with every step, one could feel the spiritual energy seeping into the body through the soles of the feet, which was three times more mellow than that of an ordinary seclusion room.

Many cultivators were already seated in the arena. When they saw Kang Dabao and Jiang Qing approaching, many of them stood up and bowed.

Marquis Wu Ning has killed two major sect leaders, Huang Mijia of the Yunze Witchcraft Hall and Li Yun of the Liangyi Sect. This achievement is quite remarkable within the jurisdiction of the Duke's Mansion. At least apart from that overly sharp old bird, even the disciples of Nascent Soul cultivators can hardly compare.

This reputation had already spread throughout the northern mountain region, and ordinary cultivators dared not neglect it.

The maid led the two to an elegant room. The room was simply furnished, with only a pear wood table on which was a miniature image of the auction item, with the characteristics of the material and the starting price noted beside it.

"Senior Brother, look at this." Jiang Qing pointed to a dark green Ganoderma lucidum in the picture, his tone unusually enthusiastic. Headmaster Kang glanced at it seriously. "Immortal Dew Flower,"

Jiang Qing's fingertip landed on the dark green spiritual plant on the spiritual light map, his eyes shining brightly: "Immortal Dew Flower, the note next to it says 'Grows three thousand feet deep in a spiritual vein, its petals are covered with silver patterns, which can stabilize the Dao foundation pattern and harmonize the dryness of the sword intent when a sword cultivator forms their core. Senior brother, this herb is just right for me!'"

Kang Dabao bent down to examine it closely. The small characters next to the picture were densely packed: "The Immortal Dew Flower only blooms once every hundred years. Its stamen and stem are used as medicine to alleviate the problem of sword cultivators' sword intent being too sharp and to prevent the Dao foundation from collapsing when forming the core. If it is combined with the Sword Heart Grass for refining, it can increase the success rate of forming the core by 15%. It is most suitable for sword cultivators with a righteous Dao foundation."

He nodded and said, "It is indeed a fine item, more suitable for you than the sword-spine mushroom I saw before. We must acquire it today, no matter what."

Shortly after, the auction house bells rang.

Su Mei, dressed in a purple robe, stepped onto the auction stage. She lightly tapped the wooden table with her jade hammer, and the clear, melodious sound resounded throughout the hall: "The first item in this Huiming Cave Auction is 360 units of third-grade superior spiritual soil!"

As soon as she finished speaking, the maid presented a wooden box. Upon opening it, a brownish-golden clod of earth was revealed, faintly radiating spiritual energy. "This soil is taken from the core of a spiritual vein. It can improve the soil in the Spirit Plant Garden and help high-grade spiritual herbs take root. The starting bid is three hundred mid-grade spirit stones, and each bid must be at least fifty mid-grade spirit stones!"

"Rong Quan would probably jump for joy if he saw this," the sect leader Kang thought. Just then, there was a commotion below the stage. An old cultivator in green robes was the first to raise his sign: "Three hundred mid-grade spirit stones!"

Immediately afterward, the head of a Golden Core sect that Kang Dabao recognized also responded: "Three hundred and fifty mid-grade spirit stones!"

When the price had climbed to five hundred mid-grade spirit stones, Kang Dabao finally spoke calmly in the elegant room: "Six hundred mid-grade spirit stones."

The plant master glanced towards the elegant room, hesitated for a moment, and finally put down the number plate. Since Marquis Wu Ning had spoken, although this item was rare, there was no need to argue over it.

Seeing this, Su Mei frowned slightly. She had underestimated the status of Sect Leader Kang in the hearts of the cultivators. After she shouted three times, the jade hammer fell: "Six hundred mid-grade spirit stones, deal!"

The next few items each had their own focus, and although Kang Dabao was interested, he was not determined to win them, and they were soon sold to others.

As the atmosphere heated up, Su Mei raised her hand to calm things down: "The next item for auction is ten 100-year-old Sword Heart Grass plants!" The maid presented a jade box containing the silvery-white grass leaves, which shimmered with a fine light.

"This herb can stabilize sword intent and prevent backlash from sword intent when forming the core. The starting bid is four hundred mid-grade spirit stones, and each bid must be at least fifty mid-grade spirit stones!"

Several Foundation Establishment cultivators in the audience, who considered themselves sword cultivators, immediately lit up. Soon, someone raised a sign: "Four hundred and fifty mid-grade spirit stones!" "Five hundred mid-grade spirit stones!"

Seeing that the price had risen to six hundred mid-grade spirit stones, Kang Dabao thought it was about right and spoke up at the opportune moment: "Seven hundred mid-grade spirit stones." The bidding stopped instantly. The rogue sword cultivator who had raised his paddle earlier smiled bitterly, realizing he didn't have enough money, and put his paddle away.

Su Mei was pleased to see that Kang Dabao was so sensible, and she smiled as she brought down the gavel: "Seven hundred mid-grade spirit stones, congratulations Marquis Wu Ning!"

After three more items were auctioned, the lights in the room suddenly turned on, and two maids slowly walked onto the stage carrying a gold-inlaid crystal cover. Inside the cover, a dark blue-green orchid stood tall, with silver patterns flowing on its petals. Spiritual energy emanated from the cover, and even Kang Dabao in the elegant room could feel a gentle sword intent.

"I've kept you all waiting," Su Mei said, raising her voice slightly. "A thousand-year-old cloud-patterned orchid." She pointed her finger at the crystal cover, and the orchid's characteristics were revealed as it shimmered with spiritual light.

"This orchid grows three thousand feet deep within the spiritual veins of Yunxiu Mountain in the East Sea. It takes a thousand years to mature. Its stamens can determine the patterns of one's Dao foundation, and its stems can harmonize the dryness of a sword cultivator's sword intent. When used together with the Sword Heart Grass, it can increase the success rate of Core Formation by another 15%! The starting bid is five thousand mid-grade spirit stones, and each bid must be at least five hundred mid-grade spirit stones!"

There was a moment of silence in the audience. This item seemed to have been prepared for someone. It was certainly precious, but those who wanted it couldn't afford it, and those who couldn't afford it might not want it. So it was easily acquired by Master Kang.

After the auction ended, Su Mei personally carried the crystal cover into the elegant room, with a maid behind her carrying a brocade box.

“My lord, this Yunxiu Dingwen Orchid has been nurtured in a warm jade box with spiritual water, and its medicinal properties will not dissipate within five years.” She handed the crystal cover to Jiang Qing, and then opened the brocade box, inside which was a black jade token engraved with the four characters “Wan Bao’s precious guest”.

The beautiful woman softly read, "This token can be used to enjoy a 10% discount at all Wanbao Trading Companies in the Immortal Dynasty. If you need rare spiritual materials, you can reserve them three days in advance with this token. This is our company's way of showing our respect to the Marquis."

This treatment was much better than what Kang Dabao had received at Tengwen Prefecture. He accepted the token with both hands, his fingertips tracing the cool, jade-like surface of the token before he smiled gently:
"Many thanks to Manager Su for your kindness. I am deeply grateful. If your business ever needs anything in the future, I will do my best to help without hesitation."

Having gained favor, Su Mei took her leave, while Headmaster Kang and Jiang Qing finally reached the time to return to Chongming Sect to form their cores.

(End of this chapter)