The Long Journey to Immortality

Han Lu and the other two were quite lucky; the two golden pills they retrieved were one bright and one dark.

The Golden Core of the Thousand-Eyebrow Taoist still possesses spirituality, and can be refined by True Spirit Beasts in an attempt to advance their level.

The red-haired Taoist's golden core had become an ordinary spherical object, which, apart from being a bit sturdy, was too small even to be used for playing marbles.

With a flick of his finger, he simultaneously released the spiritual energy binding Thousand Eyebrows and Red Hair's bodies.

The dull, ineffective golden pill fell freely into the water along with the two corpses, where they would likely become a feast for some fish.

He carefully collected the Golden Elixir of the Thousand-Eyebrowed Taoist and used the freezing technique again to imprison the White-Bearded Hermit and put him into the Spirit-Absorbing Heavenly Bag.

Having accomplished all this, Han Lu took the initiative to bid farewell to the two cultivators from the Three Immortal Mountains.

The three sisters composed themselves, put aside the bloodshed, and continued their journey in the East China Sea.

Chapter 826 Dragon Head Islands

The Core Formation site that Fan Anxiang and his junior brother Mo Yang were looking for was less than half a day's journey from here.

Before parting, with Han Lu's guidance, the two found the beautiful but deserted island.

They rested on the island for half a day before continuing their journey.

This time, the two kept a low profile, afraid of causing trouble again.

After all, it's not always possible to be so lucky as to have kind-hearted cultivators from the Central Plains like Han Lu, Wen Erya, and Yi Qiyan by your side to lend a helping hand.

However, Han Lu and the other two did not change much after this battle.

They continued to chat and laugh, able to enjoy this journey, which had just encountered some setbacks, with a relatively relaxed attitude.

Especially Wen Erya.

After this battle, she felt that her state of mind had changed.

Although their strength has not improved at all compared to the previous few days.

But she had a feeling that her combat strength had increased by one or two points after this battle.

If they were to fight against the cultivators from the East Sea again, they would certainly perform even better.

The three did not rush to the Dragon Head Islands, but instead proceeded slowly along the original route.

When the three arrived at the main island of the Dragon Head Islands, there were still three days before the auction, which was held once every twenty-five years, was about to begin.

Looking out over the Dragon Head Islands, the three cultivators from the Central Plains were slightly disappointed.

"It doesn't look much different from any other ordinary city," Yi Qiyan commented first.

Indeed, from the outside, the small cluster of cities on the Dragon Head Islands is nothing special, and in terms of prosperity, it is far inferior to many of the major cities of the Southern Dynasties.

"Don't rush to judgment," Han Lu felt that this place was not so simple. "It is said that there are 300,000 cultivators in the East Sea, and 70,000 of them live near the Dragon Head Islands on weekdays. It is definitely not as simple as it seems on the surface."

"Let's go to the Immortal Pavilion here first, hand over the White-Bearded Hermit, and then wander around and see how this place is different from ordinary mortal cities."

With numerous cultivators in the archipelago, the Immortal Pavilion, which naturally has the largest business, has established three merchant guilds on the archipelago to accommodate customers who come to purchase materials.

One big and two small.

Han Lu and her two companions felt that the business they were working on was a big deal, so without thinking twice, they went to visit the largest immortal pavilion located in the center of the main island of the Dragon Head Islands.

Go there to earn rewards and find out the details of the auction three days from now.

A major auction is held every twenty-five years, a "rule" established when the Immortal Pavilion was first founded.

It is held once every twenty-five years and is jointly organized by the Immortal Pavilion and two other invited chambers of commerce.

This auction, for example, was jointly organized by Xiange, Dongweng Shop, and a small but promising young business association.

As the saying goes, fortunes change. The two chambers of commerce that are most powerful and have the largest businesses in the Dragon Head Islands will be able to get the opportunity to co-organize and be won over by the Immortal Pavilion, making a fortune together in this sure-fire deal.

Such a grand auction, including the goods consigned by cultivators, involves at least ten million spirit stones in and out at a time. Even if only a three percent commission is taken, it would be enough for the participating merchant guilds to make a fortune.

If you also take into account the goods sold at a premium, an auction can generate at least a million in profit.

Even if they only get 10%, it's roughly equivalent to the profits of a small chamber of commerce for one or even two years.

It's no wonder that many chambers of commerce consider their business on the Dragon Head Islands a top priority and attach great importance to their relationship with the Fairy Pavilion.

Without putting on airs, Han Lu and her two companions immediately introduced their cultivation level, identity, and purpose to the Immortal Pavilion manager who came to greet them after entering the 30-story tower building that was 200 meters high.

As expected, the Immortal Pavilion immediately treated Han Lu and her two companions as VIPs, inviting them to the tenth floor and arranging for a Foundation Establishment Realm manager to receive them privately.

As they climbed the stairs to the Immortal Pavilion's tower, the steward, knowing that Han Lu and her companions were from the Central Plains and this was their first visit to the Immortal Pavilion on the Dragon Head Islands, spoke a few extra words to them, introducing the layout and structure of the main pavilion of the Immortal Pavilion on the Dragon Head Islands.

"This tower has a total of forty floors."

"Ten underground floors and thirty floors above ground."

"The underground is the warehouse. Given my status in the Immortal Pavilion, I can only enter the first three floors to retrieve materials and magical treasures worth less than ten thousand spirit stones."

"The ground floor, the first nine floors, mainly sells low-level materials for those below the Golden Core realm."

"Floors 10 to 25 are used half for selling magic treasures and materials for those at the Golden Core Realm and above, and half for entertaining distinguished guests like the three fairies."

"As for the top five floors, they are the office area. If the three pavilion masters return to the Dragon Head Islands, they will live on those floors."

“Occasionally, when distinguished guests at the Nascent Soul Realm level visit, accommodations will be arranged for these seniors there as a sign of respect.”

……

The group arrived at a lavishly decorated room of about fifty square meters and had just sat down when, before the steward could call for servants to bring tea and water, Han Lu released the White-Bearded Hermit from the Soul-Bearing Bag.

Looking at the white-bearded hermit trapped in the ice, the manager of the Immortal Pavilion looked troubled.

"Excuse me, fairy, could you please release this cultivator so I can verify his identity?"

Han Lu nodded slightly, waved her hand, and the ice block turned into cold air and dissipated. The white-bearded hermit landed with a "plop" on the carpeted floor.

Immediately, the manager of the Immortal Pavilion took out a magic weapon in the shape of a mirror and used it on the White-Bearded Hermit.

In a short while, the messages written on the wanted poster appeared in the mirror, proving that the cultivator who looked like the White-Bearded Hermit was indeed the one on the wanted poster.

“The three fairies are incredibly powerful and have helped the East Sea rid itself of this great scourge. On behalf of the cultivators and mortals killed by this White-bearded Hermit, I thank you for your great kindness,” the manager of the Immortal Pavilion said respectfully, bowing. “Please wait a moment, fairies. I will arrange for someone to fetch the spirit stones for you.”

"No rush, take your time," Han Lu said, taking the opportunity to inquire about the situation. "Manager Li, while we wait for the payment, could you tell me about the auction in a few days?"

"It's nothing, what does the fairy wish to know?" the steward surnamed Li replied.

Han Lu pondered for a moment, then asked several questions in one breath.

"What is the auction process like?"

"How can one participate in the auction? Is an admission certificate required or is it necessary to purchase a ticket?"

"I've heard that a token called the Five Poisons Token will appear at this auction. Do you have any more specific information about this treasure?"

……

Finally, Han Lu asked, "If the three of us sisters have surplus, unused resources that we want to sell at an auction and exchange for spirit stones, what are the procedures and steps involved?"

The questions Han Lu asked were not complicated, but when put together and answered clearly, they were able to resolve all the three people's doubts about the Dragon Head Islands auction.

Chapter 827 Slimming Down the Storage Bag

“It is an honor for our Immortal Pavilion to have seniors like the three fairies, who are at the Golden Core Realm, come to participate in the auction hosted by the Immortal Pavilion,” Manager Li said with a respectful smile. “Later, I will help the three fairies get the number one token and open a private room. Then you can enjoy tea and delicacies from the East Sea while participating in the auction.”

"As for Foundation Establishment cultivators like myself, unless they are members of our Immortal Pavilion, they need a spirit stone as an entry fee to participate in the auction or even just sit in the hall."

"As for consignment goods, it's a bit more complicated." Manager Li explained in detail to Han Lu and the other two, following the rules.

"The magical treasures and materials to be auctioned need to be appraised in advance, and must be worth at least a hundred spirit stones before they can be displayed on stage."

The auction is held every twenty-five years, so there are naturally certain thresholds set. Not just any old junk can be put on stage in these seven days and waste the time of all the cultivators.

"The other rules are similar to those of a regular auction, except that the fee is a little higher. The selling price is 100 spirit stones, and a fee of 3 spirit stones will be charged."

"But at auctions, good items often sell for a significant premium, so it's still a worthwhile deal when you think about it carefully."

Manager Li was eyeing the "referral fee" from within the Immortal Pavilion and was eager for Han Lu and the other two to participate in the auction through him, consigning some expensive items.

"Do the three fairies have any excellent magical treasures they wish to consign?"

Han Lu took out the magic pouch she had taken from Qian Mei a few days ago and asked, "What are the rules for using a magic pouch like this?"

Although Han Lu is not averse to cold or hot things, she can use most magical weapons fluently.

However, she still thought of selling some magical treasures at auctions at slightly higher prices to raise spirit stones, so that she wouldn't be short of money when she saw her favorite magical treasures being auctioned off and had to give them up.

"My skill in appraising magical artifacts is only average, but judging from the fairy's pocket magical artifact, it is at least a mid-grade magical artifact. It would be no problem to consign it for sale at an auction."

"However, my word is not enough. It also requires the approval of the appraisers in the pavilion before it can be registered and listed on the auction list."

Recalling Han Lu's last question, Steward Li specifically mentioned, "As for the Five Poisons Token, I have heard of it; it will appear at least for three days during the auction."

Han Lu nodded slightly, and the three of them took out the materials and magical treasures they didn't need and casually placed them on the floor and table in the private room.

Watching the three of them seemingly perform a magic trick, producing a fortune comparable to the entire wealth of three or four Golden Core cultivators, Manager Li was dumbfounded. He thought to himself, "As expected of cultivators from the Central Plains who come from the Zhengyi Sect, their wealth is indeed substantial. All these things combined would be worth at least 30,000 to 40,000 spirit stones even without going to auction. If they were to be auctioned off one by one, they could probably fetch 50,000 to 60,000 spirit stones."

He secretly rejoiced, "This referral fee alone is worth ten years of hard work."

Being quite attentive, Manager Li secured a large business deal. He immediately summoned three appraisers for Han Lu and her two companions to appraise the materials and magical artifacts.

Three appraisers were busy appraising and classifying the item, while Han Lu took the opportunity to inquire about the estimated value of the Five Poisons Token.

Manager Li was unaware of the answer to this question, but the appraiser who had just entered the private room and whose cultivation level was only at the seventh level of Qi Refining chimed in.

"The Five Poisons Token that you mentioned, senior, was handled by me," the very young-looking Qi Refining cultivator, who had probably only been cultivating for eight or nine years, answered proactively. "The estimated price is five thousand spirit stones, but based on the past prices of similar sect treasures, it will most likely be sold for eight or nine thousand."

Providing only a rough estimate, rather than information about the monks being consigned, does not violate the rules.

Upon hearing this, Han Lu and the other two understood the situation.

Yi Qiyan, in particular, completely calmed down, feeling confident that with a little help from her friend, she could easily obtain the Five Poisons Token, paving the way for her to return to the Five Poisons Sect and cultivate peacefully as soon as possible.

The three of them together brought nearly a hundred items for auction, including magical treasures, materials, and some unused pills.

Even with the combined efforts of three appraisers, it took almost half an hour to register all the auction items.

There's no way around it; according to the rules, an item must be reviewed by two people before its price can be definitively determined.

This rule, designed to protect "customers," became the culprit behind the "delays."

In the end, a total of 107 items were added to the auction list, with the cheaper ones adding up to exactly 100 spirit stones.