The Blade-Wielding Legend
Chapter 279 - 188 Treasure Blinds the Eyes

Chapter 279: Chapter 188 Treasure Blinds the Eyes

The scale and variety of the treasures greatly exceeded Li Yan’s expectations.

The rear hall was spacious, brightly lit by candles, with layers upon layers of incense tables. The divine statue of the Emperor of the West loomed tall, its solemn face flickering uncertainly in the firelight.

This place had been modified for sale, with magic artifacts and spiritual materials classified according to type, each area guarded by a Daoist.

Of course, their presence was not to prevent theft.

Those present all represented the Proper Xuan Sect, either elders of the sect or holders of important positions—why would there be any petty thievery?

If caught, they would likely become the laughingstock of the entire Mystical Sect.

Their task was to register and record.

To purchase something, one would report their name and the quantity needed, pay, and then a Daoist from Chunyang Palace would deliver it to their residence.

The numerous magic artifacts and spiritual materials all had clearly marked prices; one simply had to purchase them according to the listed price.

This was a privilege accorded to the Proper Xuan Sect.

After they made their selections, it would then be the turn of the Magic Veins and the side door sects.

Further in the back, as the quantity of items decreased, competition was inevitable and it could drive up the prices.

However, for some rare and unique treasures, even members of the Proper Xuan Sect had to bid for purchase.

Of course, Li Yan was only slightly shocked, then he quickly collected himself, looked around, and searched for the items he needed.

Soon, he found a pattern.

Despite the dazzling array of treasures in the main hall, everything was neatly organized.

With the divine statue of the Emperor of the West as the divider, magic artifacts were placed on the left and spiritual materials on the right, with the spiritual materials arranged methodically from metals like gold, silver, copper, iron, tin, lead, to mercury.

The reason for this arrangement, Manager Wan had once explained.

This was the simple classification of metals by the Ministry of Industry during the Great Xuan Dynasty, originating from "Guanzi · The Chapters on Earth", known as the Six Arts of Guanzi.

Without any hesitation, Li Yan immediately headed to the copper section.

Below, rows of neatly arranged refined copper ingots were inscribed with inscriptions indicating the forging and storage times, surrounded by cloud-patterned Eight Trigrams, all of which looked quite mystical.

Above those, were some naturally formed pure copper, irregular in shape and color, each piece distinctive.

Copper, this metal, generally needs to be refined from ore.

If it was naturally formed, it was definitely extraordinary.

Li Yan looked up and soon found the Essence of Shoushan Copper.

This item resembled a meteorite, irregular and oval-shaped, slightly yellowish-black with honeycomb-like pits, and its provenance was clearly marked.

Li Yan checked the card beside it, which read:

"This copper is from Shouyang Mountain in Luoyang, reputed to be a hideout of the Grand Ancestor Daoist, with a saying that ’the first light of sunrise must first touch it’...

The mountain meanders magnificently, with rocks at its summit struck and split by Heavenly Thunder, revealing the copper essence to the world, transformed by a hundred years of thunder strikes into Heavenly Spirit Earth Treasure...

Once the treasure forms, it naturally shows signs. Local villagers say that at night, thunder tigers are often seen throughout the mountains. During the Great Xing Dynasty, Hidden Treasure Men took several months to obtain it. After the establishment of the Great Xuan Dynasty, it was stored in the spiritual acupoint of Hua Mountain to be nurtured."

What a significant origin!

This item could be examined by touch; Li Yan couldn’t help but reach out to feel it, and before even touching it, static electricity crackled, causing his hair to stand on end.

Of course, this kind of Heavenly Spirit Earth Treasure that had already been harvested carried a settled fortune, much like fruit that could only be devoured by the Daluo Dharma Body when just ripe.

After looking for a while, Li Yan reluctantly put it down.

An item like this surely had a hefty price. Looking ahead at the wooden box, several bamboo tokens had already been placed.

The Daoist nearby saw this and smiled, saying, "Daoist friend, no need to rush; this item will be auctioned in a while, just place your bamboo token in."

Since this item contained Thunder Meteor, there would definitely be many competitors, and who knew how high the price could soar. Li Yan felt anxious but still did not hesitate to place his received bamboo token inside.

Then, he looked further down and quickly found the Dian White Copper that Quan Wan Zhong needed, already refined into ingots, and looking quite similar to silver.

So-called White Copper, also known as "Xing," is a type of alloy.

The "Hua Yang National Records" from the Eastern Jin mentioned that it was famously produced in Dian State, known as Dian White Copper.

This item was also quite expensive; "Old Tang Book" mentioned that only the oxen pulling carts for first-rank court officials could be adorned with white copper decor.

Since the Qin dynasty, foreign merchants have traveled thousands of miles to purchase it, known as the Divine State Silver, and with 100 years of temple incense offerings, it has turned into spiritual materials.

The price per pound: five hundred silver.

Wow!

Though he had anticipated it, Li Yan still marveled at the price, which was many times higher than expected. Calculating it, fifty pounds would cost twenty-five thousand silver.

Quan Wan Zhong had emptied his fortune to gather thirty thousand silver. If he waited for the third batch, the price might even increase significantly, which is why the master and disciple duo were seeking favors everywhere.

It was still unclear what this item was ultimately used for...

Li Yan thought briefly, then was about to take out his bamboo token.

The nearby Daoist hurriedly stopped him, smiling and shaking his head, "Daoist friend, this item doesn’t require bidding, just clearly state how much you need."

Li Yan nodded, settled on fifty pounds, and then counted the silver notes and handed them to the Daoist.

After finishing this, he ran to the area where the zodiac coins were placed.

This opening of the treasury focused on zodiac coins, thus attracting many people with a plethora of varieties.

There were through-carved zodiac coins, coins hollowed or carved with blooming peonies, or with the designs of twin dragons playing with pearls, phoenixes singing harmoniously, and transformations of fish and dragons, among others...

Zodiac coins, representing both the twelve zodiac animals and corresponding celestial guardians and Eight Trigrams zodiac...

Treasure Money, some used to weigh down chests, others buried during the construction of palaces and temples...

Besides these, there were also longevity and prayer money, talismanic money, Evil Exorcism and Blessing Money, Horse Money, Fortune and Prosperity Coins, Eight Immortals Coins, Treasure Vault Coins, Furnace Opening Money, Roofing Money, Taoist Money, and Buddha Money...

Most of these were unfamiliar to Li Yan.