Chapter 3978 — The North Island Auction

After a long while, Scrap King shook his head helplessly. "I'm at a loss with this thing too. It shouldn't be anything used for forging—otherwise there's no way I wouldn't recognize it. Still, even so, you can tell it's definitely something good. Brother Lin, you could take it to the auction and have them appraise it; you'll likely have your answer then."

Wei Zhao was not surprised. If even Old Ghost didn't know what it was, it was only natural that Scrap King couldn't identify it either. He had assumed it would be a forging material, but it seemed he had been mistaken.

Afterward, the two talked at length about the art of forging. The extraordinary insights Scrap King displayed on the subject truly opened Wei Zhao's eyes and broadened his knowledge considerably.

And this, according to Scrap King himself, was merely the result of a few days of casual instruction from Sun Jichuan back in the day. Wei Zhao could not help but marvel inwardly—the world of cultivation truly teemed with masters and hidden dragons and crouching tigers!

"Brother Lin, I'll leave those seven materials to you. There's not much I can do to help on that front, but I'll take this time to make thorough preparations. Forging a divine weapon is no small matter—not a single slip can be allowed. When the time comes, there must be no room for failure!" Scrap King said solemnly, cupping his hands toward Wei Zhao.

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Brother Wang. I'll take my leave now—wait for my word." Wei Zhao rose at once and took his leave.

Leaving the cave, he saw that it was still not late. Wei Zhao set off straight for the marketplace, his purpose naturally being to seek out Hong Zhong at the Hong Clan Merchant Guild and ask about the auction.

However, Wei Zhao did not go directly to the Hong Clan Merchant Guild. Instead, he made a detour to see Chen Heihu. Some time had passed since his last visit, and he wanted to see whether there was any news about the Heart-Devouring Linglong Grass.

The answer he got from Chen Heihu left Wei Zhao somewhat disappointed. Chen Heihu had already spread word of his generous offer to purchase the Heart-Devouring Linglong Grass to every contact in his network, yet to this day there had been no word at all.

Clearly, the Heart-Devouring Linglong Grass was indeed a rare thing. Being able to find it on the outskirts of the back mountain before, and to find it among the spirit-herb seeds distributed by the Lingyu Hall, had both been strokes of great fortune.

Fortunately, when one door closes, another opens. There was no news from Chen Heihu's side, but Wei Zhao had also asked Hong Zhong for help back then.

The moment Wei Zhao stepped into the Hong Clan Merchant Guild, Hong Zhong, who happened to be making his rounds downstairs, came up to greet him and led him to a private room on the second floor. Only then did he speak: "Young Hero Lin, the Heart-Devouring Linglong Grass you asked me to help purchase on your behalf—I have now obtained two plants. I'll have someone pack them up for you right away."

Wei Zhao was overjoyed at the news and said gratefully, "Many thanks indeed, Steward Hong. How much will they cost?"

"Heh heh, let's call it a hundred spirit jades per plant. What does Young Hero Lin think?" Hong Zhong said with a smile, stroking his beard.

Wei Zhao's heart stirred, knowing full well the man was doing him a favor again. For an ordinary spirit herb, a few spirit jades would usually suffice; a hundred spirit jades was already the price of a heaven-tier item. Yet rarity commands a premium—given how uncommon the Heart-Devouring Linglong Grass was, a hundred spirit jades per plant was practically selling at half price, or even giving it away. Surely his own purchase price back then had not been that low.

Wei Zhao did not rush to answer. Instead, he handed Hong Zhong the blank sheet of paper Scrap King had written for him and said, "Steward Hong, aside from the matter of the Heart-Devouring Linglong Grass, I've also come this time to inquire about purchasing the items listed on this sheet. Does the guild happen to have any in stock?"

"Oh? Young Hero Lin, please wait a moment. I'll have someone check." Hong Zhong gestured for Wei Zhao to drink his tea and gave an instruction to the serving boy at the door.

A short while later, the boy returned and reported, "Of the seven materials, our guild currently has only the Mystic Water Drop in stock, priced at six hundred and forty-nine spirit jades. The other six are all unavailable."

Just as expected! Wei Zhao had anticipated this, so he showed no sign of regret. He said at once, "Then please pack up the Mystic Water Drop and the two plants of Heart-Devouring Linglong Grass together for me. That comes to a thousand spirit jades in total—would that be acceptable, Steward Hong?"

Hong Zhong laughed at once and waved his hand. "Young Hero Lin jests. I know you mean well, but in business one speaks of business. Since I quoted a hundred spirit jades per plant of Heart-Devouring Linglong Grass, I will not take half a piece more from you. Otherwise, where would a merchant's integrity be? If word got out, who would dare do business with the Hong Clan Merchant Guild in the future?"

Wei Zhao realized he had misspoken and could only say, "Very well then. I'll use the surplus spirit jades to purchase other spirit herbs—that should be acceptable, shouldn't it?"

Wei Zhao had never liked being in anyone's debt. Since Hong Zhong refused to take the extra spirit jades, he would simply go back and refine some pills, then bring a few top-grade Foundation-Establishment Barrier-Breaking Pills to him next time. Hong Zhong would surely be eager for them and would no longer refuse so adamantly.

Hong Zhong seemed to see through Wei Zhao's intentions and said with an understanding smile, "Then I thank Young Hero Lin for his patronage. If you are not in a hurry, I can have someone keep an eye out for the remaining six materials as well. Like the Heart-Devouring Linglong Grass, given some time, there may well be results."

"Thank you, Steward Hong. But I've heard people say there will be a North Island Auction next month?" Wei Zhao asked tentatively.

Hong Zhong immediately understood his meaning and nodded. "That's right. This auction is of no low a caliber. The things you want, Young Hero Lin, should all be findable there. Do you intend to go and have a look?"

"Exactly so. I was just worrying about how to obtain admission, and I wondered whether Steward Hong might be able to help?" Wei Zhao said at once.

Hong Zhong could not help but laugh. "Young Hero Lin need not worry. Though admission to the North Island Auction is hard to come by—unless one is a mighty power of some region, ordinary folk truly cannot get in—fortunately, our Hong Clan Merchant Guild is one of the auction's sponsors, so we naturally have the right to bring additional guests. If it is convenient for you, Young Hero Lin, why not come along with me when the time comes?"

Wei Zhao was overjoyed beyond expectation. Before coming here, he had thought it would take no small effort to obtain this qualification, yet he had never imagined that Hong Zhong would resolve it effortlessly with a single sentence. Connections, indeed, were priceless treasures in times of need.

"Then I thank you here and now, Steward Hong," Wei Zhao said gratefully.

"Young Hero Lin is too polite. The quota would be wasted anyway if left unused; being able to help you is the best outcome. The auction is set for the twenty-third of next month. Since the venue is rather far from here, you may wish to come a bit early. Also, if you happen to be short on spirit jades, Young Hero Lin, you need only say the word—as the steward of this branch, I can help with a small matter like that," Hong Zhong said with a chuckle. R1152