Chapter 336: Five Elements Mountain

Qin Ming returned to the Lingxu Market.

In his mind, he digested the information he had just obtained from Hua Tianxiong.

"So that Elder Qian of the Brother Li Huo Palace never had good intentions; he merely used this opportunity to prop up Hua Tianxiong, using him as a front man, while Elder Qian himself is the actual greatest beneficiary of the Thousand Mechanisms Pavilion."

"All the precious items, along with the majority of the profits, have gone straight into Elder Qian's pockets."

Qin Ming felt a slight regret; just moments ago, he had been thinking of making Hua Tianxiong hand over the most valuable items within the Thousand Mechanisms Merchant House.

But those items, even the slightly better ones, were already under Elder Qian's control; Hua Tianxiong was merely left to sip a bit of the soup.

Nevertheless, having controlled Hua Tianxiong, a figure of such importance even within the Myriad Dao Alliance, would make future endeavors much more convenient.

"The methods of controlling people contained within this 'Primordial Yacha Seed Demon True Scripture' are truly incomparably sharp."

With merely a slight immersion of his divine sense, Qin Ming could sense the black talisman.

And through this black talisman, every single move and action of Hua Tianxiong at this very moment appeared clearly within Qin Ming's line of sight.

He could even sense the other party's thoughts.

This feeling of having everything completely under control was truly beyond comprehension.

Hua Tianxiong had also returned to the Thousand Mechanisms Pavilion and was now alone in his room, drinking wine in gloomy silence.

Just at that moment.

An abrupt voice rang out within his mind.

"Maintain your original state; if you expose yourself, do not blame me."

Upon hearing this, Hua Tianxiong was immediately struck with great alarm; he set down his wine cup and hurriedly replied, "I strictly obey Master's instructions!"

In his heart, he sighed endlessly.

In the eyes of the world, he, Hua Tianxiong, appeared infinitely glorious on the surface, having encountered the great benefactor Elder Qian of the Brother Li Huo Palace, with everyone envying his fortunate fate.

But who could know the bitterness within? Now, having transformed from Elder Qian's puppet into Shopkeeper Lu's human puppet, his very life was no longer under his own control.

Hua Tianxiong's heart was filled with immense bitterness and depression.

"Sigh! After all this maneuvering, how did I end up as a double agent?"

Three months passed in the blink of an eye.

Qin Ming walked out of his courtyard, entered the Jingxue Pavilion shop, and gave instructions to Jia Heyi.

"Old Jia, I am going out to attend to some matters; during my absence, I must ask you to take extra care of the shop's affairs."

Upon hearing this, Jia Heyi paused for a moment, then hurriedly said:

"Shopkeeper Lu, please rest assured; this old one will take good care of the business."

Qin Ming left the Lingxu Market and flew in the direction of the Five Elements Mountain.

At the same time, under Hua Tianxiong's leadership, the people of the Thousand Mechanisms Merchant House were also heading toward the Five Blessings Trading Fair at the Five Elements Mountain.

The Five Elements Mountain was located in the Southern Region, not too far from the Lingxu Market.

After less than half a day.

A winding mountain range stretching ten thousand li entered Qin Ming's sight; five peaks, each brimming with a different type of spiritual energy, pierced the clouds, standing tall within the vast, boundless mountain range.

Upon the central main peak, halls and pavilions stood in great numbers like Lin Li; mist and clouds swirled around, immortal cranes and birds soared across the sky, and colorful riding lights shuttled back and forth, resembling a fairyland.

"This is the Five Elements Mountain Market."

"Behind the Five Elements Mountain lies the legendary fourth-grade spiritual vein."

Qin Ming pondered with a sense of longing and fascination.

Subsequently, he descended toward the trading venue of the Myriad Dao Alliance.

Since this trading fair was hosted by the Myriad Dao Alliance, all influential powers within the Great Jin Immortal Realm, regardless of whether they belonged to the orthodox or demonic paths, had been invited.

Even the Divine Dao Mountain of the Southern Border and the Brother Li Huo Palace, these two mortal enemies, had both sent people to attend.

Before coming, Qin Ming had already asked Hua Tianxiong to secure an invitation letter for him.

After passing identity verification, he entered directly into the market.

Standing within the majestic Five Elements Mountain Market, Qin Ming sighed with deep emotion.

"The Myriad Dao Alliance's scale of operation is truly extraordinary; the size of the Five Elements Mountain Market has already surpassed that of any large immortal cultivation city in the four nations of the Southern Desolation."

Qin Ming wove through the streets of the market and soon arrived at his destination for this journey—the Five Blessings Auction House.

The Five Blessings Auction House occupied a vast area, sufficient to accommodate over ten thousand cultivators, and its facilities were comprehensive and complete.

At this time, many cultivators who had traveled from afar were in the main hall communicating with the attendants of the Five Blessings Auction House regarding matters of entrusted auctions.

"Du Xue, how is it that until now, you have not even secured a single entrusted auction order?"

"The auction house begins in three days; these past two days are a rare opportunity that must be grasped firmly!"

In a corner of the venue, an old man in gray robes from the Five Blessings Auction House admonished a female cultivator whose appearance was dignified and delicate.

"I understand, Elder Zhuang," Du Xue responded repeatedly.

Yet in Du Xue's heart, there was only immense bitterness; those cultivators holding good goods had long ago been assigned to others, and as a newcomer without channels or resources, after spending more than half a day receiving guests, the items these cultivators held were all merely ordinary goods.

Placed within such a large-scale trading fair, they were simply not presentable.

Just at that moment.

Her wandering gaze fell upon a Foundation Establishment cultivator who had just entered through the venue's entrance; that person was standing there, looking inside with a face full of curiosity.

Perhaps because his attire was too plain, none of the surrounding attendants had stepped forward to speak with him.

So she steadied her mood, put on a professional smile, and went to meet him.

"Greetings, fellow Daoist! Do you perhaps have items requiring entrusted auction?"

Qin Ming was observing the situation inside the venue when he saw a dignified and delicate female cultivator approach to inquire.

He then smiled faintly, nodded, and replied, "Indeed."

"However, the items I wish to auction are numerous and not suitable for public display; might it be convenient to move to another location to discuss?"

Hearing this, Du Xue was momentarily stunned; what items could be so unsuitable for easy display?

Nevertheless, she said, "Fellow Daoist, rest assured; our establishment maintains absolute confidentiality regarding customer privacy."

"Please follow me."

Subsequently.

Qin Ming followed Du Xue into a private room.

"May I ask what items Fellow Daoist wishes to consign for auction?"

Next, under the other's astonished gaze, Qin Ming took out a large pile of items belonging to demonic cultivators and placed them on the table before them.

In any case, his current revealed identity was that of Shopkeeper Lu, so it did not matter.

"Third-grade lower-pin Yinsha Pill."

"Third-grade upper-pin demonic artifact: Black Flame Fiery Feather Fan."

"Top-grade demonic cultivation technique, along with spiritual materials."

"."

Item after item, all shrouded in demonic qi, was presented before Du Xue; she was completely immersed in shock, her small mouth open wide enough to swallow an entire egg.

So many high-grade demonic items.

She could not help but begin doubting her very existence; could it be that this unremarkable cultivator opposite her had wiped out an entire Modao Sect?

No!

The cultivator before her was only at the late Foundation Establishment stage; clearly, accomplishing such a feat was impossible.

Could it be... that the person before her is a Jin Dan True Person concealing their cultivation? Seeing the attendant opposite lost in reverie, Qin Ming had already guessed her thoughts.

Thus, he cleared his throat lightly and explained, "I am Shopkeeper Lu of the Mirror Snow Pavilion in the Spirit Ruin Market; these items were all acquired from elsewhere."

"I merely wish to take this opportunity to sell them."

Hearing this, Du Xue finally understood and retracted her wandering thoughts.

In that case, it made sense; moreover, the Fifth Auction House accepts all high-grade items without refusal.

Even demonic items are permitted to participate in the auction.

(End of Chapter)