The cloaked female cultivator standing before him had just taken out a pile of goods. The sheer amount alone was shocking, but what really made Lao Ge's scalp tingle was the powers tangled up behind them. Some even touched on the extremely sensitive Demon Clan…
This was way beyond ordinary "black market" goods.
Lao Ge stayed silent for a while before confirming once more. "Daoyou, are you certain you want all these items handled?"
"All of them." Xie Zhaolin's voice came muffled from beneath her hood, carrying not the slightest hesitation.
"Alright." Lao Ge said no more. His divine sense swept through the storage bag again, his mind quickly running the numbers.
A moment later, he reported a price. "These items carry no small risk and will need special channels. My firm will take thirty percent commission. The rest converts to seven hundred eighty superior-grade spirit stones. Daoyou, what do you think?"
It was much lower than market value, but given the sensitivity of the goods and the need to liquidate them quickly, the price was fair enough.
"Agreed." Xie Zhaolin answered crisply.
Lao Ge nodded. Instead of handing over spirit stones directly, he pulled a jade card from a drawer. Its material was unusual, glowing softly with a warm golden light.
On the front was an emblem of a starry auction house crest. The back held an intricate rune.
"This is our Yellow Star Card." Lao Ge pressed it to the card at his waist before passing it forward.
"Seven hundred eighty superior-grade spirit stones have been deposited into the card. With this card, you can join our intermediate auctions, receive discounts, and your transaction limit is far higher. If you need physical stones, I can withdraw them now."
She accepted the cool-to-the-touch Yellow Star Card without doubt. He wouldn't cheat her here.
After a brief pause, she said, "No need to withdraw. I need to purchase a few things."
"Daoyou, please speak."
She immediately pulled out a list she'd prepared long ago: a detailed map of the Endless Beast Plains, talismans, pills, and several magic tools.
Lao Ge glanced through it and nodded. "All these, my firm has in reserve. Please wait a moment."
He took out a jade communication slip and gave a few quiet instructions.
Not even the time for one stick of incense later, a maid walked in carrying a tray. On it sat a storage pouch, clearly filled with everything she'd requested.
"Total comes to five hundred eighteen superior-grade spirit stones. We can deduct directly from your card."
After checking each item carefully, she slid the card back to him.
With the deal complete, the card's balance adjusted. The maid who'd guided her earlier appeared again to escort her out.
As they walked the quiet corridor, the maid couldn't help sneaking glances at the Yellow Star Card twirling in Xie Zhaolin's hand. Her eyes betrayed envy and awe. She lowered her voice, half like she was speaking to herself, half like she wanted Xie Zhaolin to hear.
"Our honored guest is truly remarkable… I've worked here many years, and even when newcomers trade large sums, at most they'll only receive a White Star Card. To get a Yellow Star Card on the very first visit… you're the very first I've ever seen. Lao Ge rarely values anyone so highly."
Xie Zhaolin's pace never faltered. From under the hood, her cold gaze swept over the girl. She already understood. This was no careless slip of the tongue.
Clearly Lao Ge had instructed the maid to reveal just how rare the Yellow Star Card was. It was a deliberate show of favor, a way to let her owe the auction house a debt of goodwill, or at least soften her attitude. In the future, if she came across treasures like these again, she might think of the Tianxing Auction House first.
She gave only a faint "Mm," not bothering to reply further.
Sensing her detached attitude, the maid wisely shut her mouth. Head bowed lower, she led the way with even greater respect until they reached the auction hall's grand doors.
Inside the appraisal chamber.
Once Xie Zhaolin left, the mask of professionalism on Lao Ge's face faded, replaced with heavy seriousness. With a wave, he strengthened the restrictions in the room, then pressed a few inconspicuous runes on the wall.
The wall slid open soundlessly, revealing a hidden passage leading deeper inside, ending at a refined secret room with far stronger seals.
Inside sat a young woman in purple silk robes, lounging lazily on a couch. In her hand, she toyed with a strange spiritual herb, faint demonic qi seeping from it. It was the very item taken from the storage bag Xie Zhaolin had handed over. Such herbs existed only in the Demon Realm.
"She's gone?" the young woman asked casually.
"Yes, Young Master." Lao Ge bowed respectfully. "As ordered, I gave her the Yellow Star Card and completed the deal quickly."
She finally lifted her face. Her features were young, still carrying traces of immaturity. Her eyes were always narrowed in a smile, giving off an innocent, harmless charm. She tossed the demonic herb back on the table and picked up a vermillion spiritual fruit from a platter. With a crisp crack, she bit in, juice spilling. She narrowed her eyes with satisfaction.
"Lao Ge," she spoke lightly, mouth half full, "are you wondering why I gave her a Yellow Star Card on the very first deal? Sure, what she brought out was valuable, interesting even, but by the rules, a White Star Card would've been the limit."
Lao Ge bowed deeper, voice careful. "Young Master's actions carry their own meaning. This old servant wouldn't dare to guess. It did feel a bit unusual, though."
"Unusual?" She swallowed the fruit and chuckled, flicking the seed with perfect aim into a waste bin. "You must've already heard the news from Yuanyue Inn?"
Lao Ge stiffened, then nodded. "Yes, word just reached me. Judging by the time, place, and description, it should be that same cloaked guest."
He paused, then added his own assessment. "Her cultivation should be late Foundation Establishment, maybe even peak. Her aura's steady and condensed, clearly used to bloodshed. Her methods are ruthless and decisive, utterly indifferent to life and death.
As for her background, it's completely hidden. She deliberately covered her face and aura. She's far too skilled in trade and rules to be some country bumpkin, yet she doesn't belong to any known local or regional force."
The young woman kept smiling, her eyes still slitted pleasantly, but for an instant, a sharp glint flashed through them.
"Lao Ge, your analysis is solid. But you missed the most important thing—her method of killing."
Lao Ge blinked. "Her method?"
"Yes, her method." She sat a little straighter, tapping the table with one finger. Her lips curved in the same easy smile. "That tall skinny one, his head was taken clean off with a single sword stroke. Sharp, efficient, not the slightest hesitation, correct?"
"…Correct." Lao Ge recalled the report he'd just received. That was exactly how it went.
"This kind of execution isn't common." Her smiling tone was light, but her words sent a chill crawling up the spine.
"Most cultivators, even when fighting to the death, bombard each other with spells, clash magic tools, or destroy the dantian or heart. If they want efficiency, they strike vital points directly."
"But this kind of precise, merciless, almost ritualistic beheading… think about it. Where's that usually used?"