Chapter 25: Merchant's gamble

Jin Ye sat in his courtyard, the flickering lantern casting long shadows over the piles of gold taels and valuables spread across the table. Over seven thousand gold, his winnings from the underground tournament, but wealth alone wasn't enough.

Dawnroot City had many paths to power, but none favored those who lacked connections, reputation, or leverage. The Golden Crane Pavilion's auction was an opportunity not just to acquire resources, but to test his presence among the city's elite.

He had no intention of simply bidding. He would also be selling.

With measured precision, he spread out several blank scrolls and began writing. The knowledge from his past life surged through his mind, but he chose carefully—techniques that were useful, but not too powerful.

The first was Cloud-Step Lightness Art, a movement technique that allowed for mid-air repositioning and enhanced agility, but without true phase-shifting like his own.

The second was Iron Fist Tempering Method, a Qi-body refinement technique, useful for hardening the skin and reinforcing muscle strength, but nothing that could compare to true body-tempering arts.

The last was Phantom Sword Stroke, a basic sword technique that created an afterimage during attacks, deceptive in battle but nothing close to his Shadow Phantom Step.

Each technique was something he could afford to part with. With these scrolls, he could exchange knowledge for resources, and no one would be able to trace them back to him.

The night passed with the quiet rustle of parchment and the scratch of his brush against the scrolls.

By dawn, his preparations were complete.

The Golden Crane Pavilion stood at the heart of the Merchant Quarter, a towering structure adorned with golden lanterns and flowing banners, it was one of the most prestigious auction houses in Dawnroot City.

Jin Ye arrived at the registration desk, dressed in low-profile but well-tailored robes, blending into the mix of noble cultivators, rogue warriors, and underground merchants. He approached a well-dressed steward, who regarded him with a polite but measured expression.

"You have something to sell?" the steward asked, his eyes flickering briefly toward the storage ring on Jin Ye's hand.

Jin Ye placed the three scrolls onto the counter. "Uncommon techniques. Useful, but not irreplaceable."

The steward unrolled one of the scrolls, scanning its contents before nodding. "We'll authenticate them. If approved, they will be auctioned under anonymous listings. The house takes 20% of the final sale price."

Jin Ye expected as much. "And I want the payout in spirit stones or storage rings, if available."

The steward's interest sharpened slightly. "A storage ring? We do have some in stock."

Jin Ye's current ring was too small, only able to hold basic supplies. If he wanted to accumulate rare materials, he needed a larger space.

Jin Ye stood at the counter of the Golden Crane Pavilion's auction office, his expression calm as he watched the steward inspect the three scrolls he had submitted. The man's fingers traced the elegant strokes of the script, his practiced eye scanning the cultivation techniques Jin Ye had transcribed.

"These are well-structured," the steward mused. "Not groundbreaking, but solid enough to fetch a decent price." He set the scrolls down and looked up. "As per standard terms, we take twenty percent of the final sale. Payment will be processed after the auction ends."

Jin Ye didn't reply immediately. Instead, he reached into his sleeve and retrieved a small, unmarked ring, placing it on the counter between them.

"I want a trade," he said smoothly.

The steward glanced at the ring, then back at Jin Ye. His expression remained neutral, but there was a slight shift in his posture. "We don't deal in exchanges. Sales are final."

Jin Ye tilted his head slightly, tapping the counter with a single finger. "Gold is just a number," he said. "What I need is storage."

The steward's lips curled into a slight smirk. "Ah. I see." He sat back, rubbing his chin. "And what exactly are you asking for?"

"A storage ring," Jin Ye replied. "A larger one."

The steward exhaled through his nose, pulling out a ledger. "We do carry them, but the sizes and prices vary." He flipped through the pages before stopping at a listing. "A standard 10x10-meter ring goes for 2,000 gold taels. A 20x20-meter ring—which I assume is what you're after—costs 5,000 gold."

Jin Ye tapped the scrolls lightly. "These will sell well. Probably close to that price."

The steward chuckled. "Confident, aren't you?"

"I wouldn't have brought them otherwise."

The steward studied him for a moment before shaking his head. "Fine. If the techniques sell for less than five thousand, you pay the difference."

"They won't," Jin Ye said simply.

The steward smirked, standing and motioning to an assistant. Within moments, a sleek black storage ring was placed onto the counter, its inscriptions faint but pulsing with a stable Qi signature.

"Twenty by twenty meters, spatial integrity reinforced. No refunds, no modifications," the steward said. "Once the auction ends, we'll settle the numbers. If your techniques overperform, you'll receive the extra in gold."

Jin Ye picked up the ring, sliding it onto his finger. The moment it settled, he felt the vast space open before him—an empty void ready to be filled. A true storage space, capable of holding dozens of weapons, materials, or even a portable forge if necessary.

This would do.

Without another word, he turned and stepped toward the main auction hall.

The first items auctioned were common-tier cultivation manuals, Qi-infused weapons, and alchemical ingredients. Jin Ye remained silent, observing from the back as nobles and sect hopefuls made their bids.

Then, an item caught his attention.

A box of Spirit-Infused Ore was placed on the stage, the auctioneer's voice carrying over the hushed murmurs of the audience. "Refined ore, infused with natural Qi. Ideal for weapon forging."

Jin Ye's fingers lightly tapped against the armrest of his chair. Perfect.

"Starting bid, one thousand gold taels."

"One thousand two hundred," a noble from a blacksmithing clan called out immediately.

"One thousand four hundred," another voice countered.

Jin Ye raised his hand. "One thousand six hundred."

The noble cultivator from the blacksmithing clan turned his head slightly, his gaze flickering toward Jin Ye. He clearly had no idea who he was, but he recognized a competitor.

"One thousand eight hundred," the noble raised.

Jin Ye remained patient, waiting for the first sign of hesitation.

"One thousand nine hundred."

The noble cultivator hesitated.

Jin Ye lifted his hand once more. "Two thousand."

A silence stretched across the hall for a moment before the noble finally withdrew.

"Two thousand gold, sold!"

The box of Spirit-Infused Ore was his.

Jin Ye leaned back slightly.

A hush fell over the auction hall as the next item was unveiled. A small jade bottle, its surface etched with golden inscriptions, was carefully placed on a silk-lined pedestal. The auctioneer's voice carried through the chamber with clear reverence.

"Next, we present Starfire Essence—a rare material known to purify Qi and enhance breakthroughs. A single vial has helped countless cultivators cross bottlenecks and stabilize their foundations. A must-have for those seeking a true edge in cultivation."

The tension in the room spiked instantly.

Jin Ye leaned forward slightly. This was exactly what he needed to refine the stolen energy within him and push himself toward the 8th-stage of Qi Refinement before the sect entrance exam.

The first bid came before the auctioneer could even finish speaking.

"Two thousand gold taels!" A burly rogue cultivator shouted from the side, his Qi flaring as if to intimidate weaker bidders.

"Two thousand five hundred," a well-dressed merchant countered.

"Three thousand."

Jin Ye remained silent, watching the pattern unfold. Bidding wars weren't won by recklessly bidding, they required a cunning mind playing on others.

"Three thousand five hundred," came a soft but firm voice from the upper-level balcony.

Jin Ye's gaze lifted slightly.

Bai Xueqing.

Seated in a private box, her violet eyes glimmered with amusement, her posture relaxed as if this was all a game. But her bid was a clear challenge.

Jin Ye lifted his hand. "Four thousand."

A flicker of something passed through her gaze—not frustration, but interest. She tapped a finger lightly against the armrest of her chair, as if debating whether to push further.

Then, after a pause, she withdrew.

"Four thousand gold going once. Twice… Sold!"

The jade bottle was carefully placed in a secured case, ready for transfer to Jin Ye at the end of the auction.

Bai Xueqing, still watching from above, gave a small, knowing smile before turning away.

Jin Ye exhaled slightly. He had won the bid but was surprised Bai Xueqing just gave up on the bid just like that.

Jin Ye stood at the payout desk of the Golden Crane Pavilion, the weight of his earnings resting in a sealed pouch on the counter. The steward, a middle-aged man with sharp eyes and an air of quiet authority, tallied the final numbers with practiced efficiency.

"One thousand five hundred gold taels," the steward said smoothly. "Your techniques sold well, and the house took its standard twenty percent as commission. A fair trade."

Jin Ye didn't move to take the pouch. Instead, his silver eyes locked onto the steward with quiet intensity.

"Twenty percent is a tax for the desperate," he said, voice even. "I'm no desperate seller."

The steward raised an eyebrow, though there was no irritation. "A first-time seller demanding better terms? Bold."

Jin Ye reached into his sleeve and pulled out a small scroll, unrolling it just enough for the steward to see the precise, elegant script of a cultivation technique. Not one of the ones he had sold earlier—a different one, slightly better, more refined.

"You've seen my work," Jin Ye continued. "You know the quality. I can provide more." He rolled the scroll back up. "But not for twenty percent."

The steward's fingers tapped idly against the wooden counter. He was no fool—he had seen countless merchants, cultivators, and scholars try to negotiate for better rates. But he had to admit this was a good strategy.

"A contract for future techniques, then?" The steward leaned forward slightly, intrigued. "What are you proposing?"

"Ten percent," Jin Ye replied smoothly. "For all future sales."

The steward exhaled through his nose, weighing the offer. "Fifteen."

Jin Ye tapped the scroll against his palm, his expression unreadable. "I can go to another house with this."

The steward chuckled, shaking his head. "You're good. Ten percent. But only if your future techniques match the same quality—or better."

Jin Ye nodded. "They will."

The steward extended his hand, and Jin Ye clasped it briefly, sealing the deal. The next time he sold, he would take home ninety percent instead of eighty.

As he slipped the gold into his sleeve, he considered the true victory of the night.

Wealth was power, but only when used to increase his strength.

The steward then handed him a sealed pouch but then leaned in slightly. "There's a message for you."

Jin Ye tensed subtly. "From whom?"

The steward smirked. "Unsigned. Just said you'd know what it meant."

A small letter was discreetly placed into his palm, the wax seal unmarked, yet the quality of the paper was too refined for just anyone to afford.

Jin Ye broke the seal, scanning the contents.

A private gathering.

An invitation to a hidden auction beyond the public eye, where rare cultivation materials, restricted artifacts, and underground dealings took place. A place where only those with power or influence were invited.

The location? Disclosed upon acceptance.

His name had caught someone's attention.

Jin Ye tucked the letter away, stepping into the night.

He had secured resources. He had increased his wealth. But now, the real game was about to begin.