Chapter 135 Looting Treasures
The light in the small secret room was bright and soft. Xiao Ling walked into the room with steady steps. An old man with slightly gray hair immediately cast an inquiring look at him.
However, since Xiao Ling was completely covered by the wide black robe, the old man naturally did not notice anything.
Seeing the appraiser's expectant eyes, Xiao Ling calmly took out an exquisite jade bottle from his ring and placed it steadily on the table in front of the appraiser.
Xiao Ling's face was as calm as water, and he said to the appraiser in a cold tone: "This is an Imperial Pill. Don't waste my time. Call out the person in charge here."
As early as after entering the auction house, Xiao Ling keenly discovered a Douhuang aura in it. Its strength was comparable to that of Yun Yun whom he had met before. If nothing unexpected happened, it should be Yuan Yi, the leader of the Eight Gates.
Hearing Xiao Ling's urging, the appraiser, who had been listless and tired, suddenly became focused and ardent. He hurriedly held the jade bottle carefully in his hand, then quickly opened the stopper and could not wait to look inside.
In the jade bottle, there lies a beautiful pill quietly. This pill is extremely round and smooth, with bright and eye-catching color, just like a pearl, emitting a soft and mysterious luster, which is fascinating. Gently open the jade bottle, and a quiet and pleasant, refreshing fragrance instantly overflows like a tide. Its surface is flawless, which can be called perfect.
With the rich experience gained over the years, the appraiser recognized at a glance that this pill was an Imperial Pill, and it was of excellent quality, definitely the best among the Imperial Pills.
Upon learning that the mysterious man had taken out the Huangji Pill, the appraiser was immediately shocked. He quickly bowed deeply to Xiao Ling, and his eyes instantly became extremely respectful.
"Sir, I'm really sorry. I didn't recognize your talent. I didn't expect you to come up with such a precious elixir." The appraiser's voice was filled with deep awe, and beads of sweat quickly appeared on his forehead.
In the Black Horn Region, except for the Lord of Fengcheng, the "Emperor of Medicine" Han Feng, no one else could refine the sixth-grade elixir. This mysterious man could produce a sixth-grade Huangji Pill, so he might be a sixth-grade alchemist. He must not offend such a big shot.
Xiao Ling narrowed his eyes slightly, and said calmly, "Since you have determined the value of this pill, why don't you go and call your manager over."
The appraiser nodded repeatedly, and replied tremblingly, "Please wait a moment, sir. I will go and ask our sect leader to come. With his rich experience, he will definitely give a fair price for this medicine."
After saying this, he turned around hurriedly and ran towards the inner hall with slightly panicked steps.
After a while, an old man dressed in luxurious clothes and with extraordinary temperament came quickly under the guidance of the appraiser.
He exuded the powerful aura of a two-star Douhuang, and it was none other than Yuan Yi, the leader of the Eight Gates.
Yuan Yi quickly glanced at the pill, a sharp gleam flashed in his eyes, and then he bowed to Xiao Ling and said, "My friend, I am Yuan Yi, the leader of the Eight Gates. This pill is of excellent quality and is rare. Is it made by you personally? We are willing to buy it at a high price. What do you think?"
Although Yuan Yi maintained a seemingly sincere smile on his face, he was already very shocked in his heart. In his keen perception, the cultivation level of this mysterious man in front of him was unfathomable, giving him a feeling of extreme danger.
This person's strength is definitely above Dou Huang level. He is able to produce a sixth-grade Huangji Pill. Maybe he is a sixth-grade alchemist.
Xiao Ling's mouth corners slightly raised, and he responded calmly and leisurely: "This sixth-grade Huangji Pill was indeed refined by me personally. As for whether it can be traded, it depends on your sincerity."
Hearing this, Yuan Yi's mind suddenly became active.
A sixth-grade alchemist who can refine the Huangji Pill may also be able to refine the Pozong Pill.
If such a person could be recruited into the Eight Gates, the strength of the force would definitely be enhanced quickly.
In the Black Horn Region, the influence of a sixth-rank alchemist is not just something that can be said casually.
To take a step back, even if he cannot be won over to the Eight Gates, making friends with such a person will be beneficial to him in every way, and he can also ask for help when he needs to refine pills in the future.
With a shrewd plan in mind, Yuan Yi smiled even more, "My friend, can we discuss this somewhere else? Let's drink tea while we discuss how to exchange this Huangji Pill."
Xiao Ling raised his eyebrows, and a faint smile appeared on his face. "In that case, please lead the way."
Following Yuan Yi's footsteps, the two came to a luxuriously decorated room.
After Yuan Yi and Xiao Ling sat down one after another, the maid beside them gently poured tea for them.
Afterwards, the maids quietly left the room, leaving Yuan Yi and Xiao Ling alone.
Yuan Yi took a sip of the fragrant tea and looked at the figure covered by the black robe opposite him. "My friend, I guess you are not from the Black Horn Region before. I, Yuan Yi, have been in the Black Horn Region for many years and am quite famous. If you need any help, you can come to the Eight Gates to find me."
Hearing this, Xiao Ling smiled faintly and responded with interest, "Since Sect Master Yuan is so generous, I really have a favor to do you."
As he spoke, Xiao Ling quietly released a mysterious soul barrier, which covered the room tightly. No matter what happened next, the guards outside the door would be completely unaware.
Yuan Yi was not aware of this at all. His eyes lit up and he quickly asked, "As long as it is within my ability, I will do my best to help! Just say it, my friend."
Yuan Yi kept thinking in his heart that this mysterious man was unfathomable. If what he asked for could bring enough benefits, it would be reasonable for him to help.
Yuan Yi had been through a lot in the Black Horn Region and knew the pros and cons. If this matter could help the Eight Gates increase their strength and wealth, then he would definitely go all out.
But if the crisis is too great and far beyond what I can bear, I will not do such a thankless task.
Xiao Ling smiled faintly and spoke slowly: "Master Yuan, actually my elixir..." He paused halfway through his words, his eyes wandering, as if he was thinking about something, which made Yuan Yi curious, and his attention was distracted, and his vigilance was unconsciously reduced.
Seeing that Yuan Yi had relaxed his vigilance, Xiao Ling seized the opportunity, concentrated his mind, and quickly formed seals with his hands.
His powerful soul force that had reached the spiritual realm surged instantly, and faint light patterns suddenly appeared around him.
Almost in an instant, the power of "Phantom Dream Shadow" exploded, and before Yuan Yi could react, he was easily controlled and fell into the confused state of the intermediate stage of "Phantom Dream Shadow".
Yuan Yi's eyes were confused and lifeless, his gaze was dull and empty, and he had lost his former shrewdness, as if his entire soul had been taken away, leaving only an empty shell. Seeing Yuan Yi's state, Xiao Ling smiled faintly, "This "Illusionary Dream Spirit Shadow" is really effective, and my training during this period of time has not been in vain."
The atmosphere in the room became unusually quiet, with only Xiao Ling's steady breathing clearly audible.
Xiao stared at Yuan Yi and spoke slowly, his voice low and penetrating: "Master Yuan, the Eight Gates have been entrenched in the Black Horn Region for so many years, and they must have collected a lot of treasures. Tell me the specific locations of those treasures."
Hearing Xiao Ling's words, Yuan Yi was slightly stunned, then he slowly walked into the room, triggered a few mechanisms, and ate a few storage rings of different styles. He then stretched out his right hand, took off the storage ring on his left hand, and handed all the storage rings to Xiao Ling.
Reaching out to take the rings, Xiao Ling invaded their soul perception into them and began to explore the various items inside.
Seeing the dazzling array of precious materials inside, Xiao Ling couldn't help but reveal a satisfied smile.
Although Yuan Yi's strength is only that of a two-star Dou Huang, and he is not considered a top powerhouse in the Black Horn Region, but with his identity as the leader of the Eight Gates, Yuan Yi's wealth is definitely not comparable to that of an ordinary Dou Huang. He has countless rare medicinal herbs and many scrolls of martial arts and fighting skills.
"Millennial Purple Ginseng, Nine Yang Ganoderma Lucidum, Linglong Flower, Earth Core Fire Ganoderma, Earth-grade low-level martial arts technique 'Starry Soul Control Art', Earth-grade low-level fighting skill 'Wind Blade Breaking Sky Slash'..." Looking at the various precious treasures in the ring, Xiao Ling couldn't help but reveal a faint smile on his face.
Xiao Ling stretched out his hand and a scroll emitting traces of lightning power appeared out of thin air in his palm.
Gently unfolding the scroll, one could see blue light flashing on it, arcs of electricity jumping and flickering, as if there were three blue figures flashing back and forth in it at an extremely fast speed, and faint sounds of wind and thunder could be heard.
Looking at the scroll, Xiao Ling muttered to himself, "A low-level earth-level fighting skill, Three Thousand Thunders. Shouldn't this fighting skill be available at the Black Seal Auction two years from now? How come it has fallen into the hands of the Eight Gates now?"
Since the timeline was still early, Xiao Ling did not hold much hope for this book "Three Thousand Thunders". Xiao Ling looked through the ring carefully, but did not find the Yin-Yang Mysterious Dragon Pill refined by Han Feng in the original book.
Thinking of this, Xiao Ling turned his gaze to Yuan Yi, "When did you get this book "Three Thousand Thunders"?"
Hearing Xiao Ling's question, Yuan Yi reacted for a while, and replied in a dull tone, "This local-level fighting skill... was entrusted to our auction by someone half a month ago."
"In order to avoid being noticed by the people in Fenglei Pavilion, that person... discussed with us that we have to wait for a while before auctioning this fighting skill. After... after our negotiation, it is decided to auction this fighting skill at the Black Seal Auction in two years."
After listening to Yuan Yi's explanation, Xiao Ling suddenly understood what was going on.
This kind of situation often happens in the Black Horn Region. Most of these people put the treasures from their own forces up for auction.
In order to prevent his own forces from discovering that the treasure was lost and tracing it back to himself, he entrusted the treasure to a reputable auction house.
This will greatly reduce the possibility of being discovered by one's own forces, and even if something goes wrong, the auction house can be blamed.
As for the fact that Yuan Yi had never personally practiced the "Three Thousand Thunders", this could only indicate to a large extent that the auctioneer was quite powerful, so that Yuan Yi did not dare to take the huge risk of offending that person and privately swallowed up the "Three Thousand Thunders".
After learning the details, Xiao Ling stopped asking any more questions. As long as he could practice smoothly, it was fine. As for the troubles Yuan Yi might encounter in the future, it had nothing to do with him at all.
After putting the ring into his robe, Xiao Ling turned his gaze to Yuan Yi and asked in a cold tone, "Do you have a fragment of a map of unknown origin in your auction house?"
After checking these storage rings, Xiao Ling did not find the remaining map of the Pure Lotus Demon Fire that appeared in the original book.
The main purpose of Xiao Ling's visit this time was to get the remaining map of the Pure Lotus Demon Fire. Compared with the remaining map, the treasures he had just obtained were not worth mentioning at all.
Hearing Xiao Ling's question, Yuan Yi's eyes were dull. After a while, he said intermittently: "That...that incomplete picture is...being auctioned."
Xiao Ling frowned and asked anxiously, "What happened? Tell me in detail."
Yuan Yi paused again, trying to organize his words: "This... this fragment of the map has always been... put up for auction. But... but, no one wants it. It... it looks too shabby, and... it doesn't seem to have any value."
Xiao Ling's eyes narrowed, and he said in a serious tone, "Then quickly tell your men to fetch the remaining map. Also, bring me those medicinal herbs that are being auctioned."
After receiving Xiao Ling's instructions, Yuan Yi walked out of the room and said a few words to a guard at the door.
The guard at the door noticed that something seemed to be wrong with Yuan Yi. Just as he was about to say something, Xiao Ling slightly activated the "Phantom Dream Shadow" and slightly altered his perception, eliminating the slight doubt that had just arisen in his mind.
After receiving Yuan Yi's instructions, the guard's doubts were cleared, but he still felt a little strange, but he still did as he was told and went to the auction house to get the remaining map and the herbs.
Not long after, the guards hurried back with the incomplete map and medicinal herbs in their hands, and respectfully delivered them to the room.
Xiao Ling first put the precious medicinal herbs into his storage ring, and then picked up the fragment of the map.
After confirming that this was indeed the remaining image of the Pure Lotus Demonic Fire, Xiao Ling put it into the system space and a satisfied smile appeared on his face.
After staring at Yuan Yi's confused eyes and hesitating for a moment, Xiao Ling decided to spare his life.
After all, although Yuan Yi has some means and can collect a lot of things, and he might be able to plunder again in the future, the body and soul of a low-level Dou Huang are of little value to him now.
"You are lucky that you didn't break through to Dou Zong."
After Xiao Ling said this, his figure flashed like a ghost and disappeared in the auction hall in an instant, leaving only silence in the room.
(End of this chapter)