Hearing Li Chuan's words, Chen Qiu showed a smile on her face, "Alright, I'll get someone to prepare for the auction immediately. Such a treasure is sure to become the finale of this auction."
Li Chuan waved his hand, "No need for it to be the finale; let it be the second to last to appear."
"Alright, it's up to you." Chen Qiu immediately understood Li Chuan's intention. It seemed he was aiming for the alchemy furnace that was to be the finale, which was a treasure. Only after auctioning the amulet could he have more money to bid for the final treasure.
However, she was overthinking it. Li Chuan's current wealth was quite substantial, and he chose the second-to-last appearance purely to keep a low profile.
"Mr. Wan, I'll leave the auction preparations to you. Please go ahead and prepare," Chen Qiu said respectfully to the old man.
After the old man left, Chen Qiu walked to the side of the sofa, personally picking up the teapot to pour tea for Li Chuan and Nangong Chunshui.
Nangong Chunshui had a playful look, "Miss Qiu, this is the first time you've ever poured me tea."
Li Chuan's gaze fell on Chen Qiu's chest. Because the qipao she was wearing had a hollowed-out design at the chest, he could clearly see a beautiful view as she leaned over to pour tea.
Li Chuan loved this kind of scenery, unable to look away.
No matter what, women were his fatal weakness.
"Ahem~"
It wasn't until Nangong Chunshui coughed twice and patted his thigh that Li Chuan came back to his senses, then shot a white glance at Nangong Chunshui.
"I was just praying to the Dao Ancestor. Why did you interrupt me?"
Nangong Chunshui: "..."
She used to think her junior was a shy young man, but she didn't expect him to be so thick-skinned, fabricating such a barefaced lie.
Looking at Chen Qiu again, sure enough, she took out a white jade pendant depicting the Primordial Lord of Heaven: "It seems Mr. Li is also a Taoist disciple."
"Yes, I am indeed a Taoist disciple." Li Chuan's Lingxi Mutual Sensitivity Technique, to put it plainly, was also a Taoist cultivation technique.
Chen Qiu nodded, "In fact, our auction house also has such white jade pendants, all offered with fruit incense on Wudang Mountain, blessed. If Mr. Li is interested, I'd be willing to gift you one."
Li Chuan asked, "Is the incense at Wudang Mountain very effective?"
Chen Qiu was taken aback, "Sincerity brings about spiritual efficacy."
Li Chuan said with a smile, "Sometimes, I trust myself a bit more."
Chen Qiu smiled slightly, "Mr. Li, may I boldly ask one more question? Do you have more of these amulets? If so, we are willing to buy them at a high price."
Li Chuan replied, "I do have another one, but I haven't planned to sell it yet. Oh, if you can provide me with some rare herbs, I might be willing to trade it."
These amulets, for him, were as plentiful as he wished, but he couldn't say that. Scarcity adds value; if there were too many, it would ruin the market, then the fun would be gone.
Occasionally drawing one or two, taking two or three to auction, was enough.
After all, cultivating requires an enormous amount of resources. He was just beginning; his expenses would only grow.
Hearing Li Chuan's words, Chen Qiu's eyes lit up, "Our auction house has many connections in Jianghu, even grandmasters often come to us for rare herbs. You have come to the right place."
"As long as the herbs Mr. Li mentions truly exist, we can find them."
Li Chuan, hearing such confidence, was not surprised they became original shareholders of cloud stock. He immediately said, "Alright, get some paper and pen; I'll write down what I need. If you can find them, I am willing to trade."
Chen Qiu, full of excitement, quickly had someone fetch paper and pen.
Li Chuan thought for a moment, then listed dozens of herbs he needed, including those for Cyan Wood Ointment and Power Pill.
Of course, both were improved versions.
"The herbs I've written on this paper, provide me with 500 portions of each, and I'll give you this amulet. Plus, any future amulets will only be traded with you."
Chen Qiu felt a wave of excitement and immediately picked up the paper to read. Just one glance made her feel frustrated.
These herbs were incredibly rare and precious; this guy was audacious, demanding 500 portions?
Even getting 5 portions would be difficult.
Chen Qiu showed a look of helplessness, "Mr. Li, this quantity is too much; these are truly very rare herbs. Even if I agree, my superior would not."
Li Chuan remained calm, "No rush; you can take your time to discuss. Get back to me once you've reached a decision."
Chen Qiu agreed, "Alright! Let's leave it at that."
Actually, Chen Qiu also wanted to see what kind of price an amulet capable of withstanding a grandmaster's full-force strike could fetch.
If it fetched a very ideal price, then Li Chuan's terms were acceptable.
After small talk and some tea, the auction was about to begin.
Nangong Chunshui and Li Chuan were led by Chen Qiu to the auction venue, where many Jianghu figures had already taken their seats.
Of course, aside from Jianghu figures, there were also some aristocratic family descendants.
The auction was set up like a theater.
It's usually used for dramas, but for auctions, it's just right.
In the hall, instead of rows, there were dozens of scattered round tables made of golden nanmu, topped with snacks.
The front row featured about a dozen special round tables, with more lavish chairs compared to the ones behind them. These tables were reserved for grandmasters.
A grandmaster is like a dragon.
A grandmaster is like a heavenly dragon.
However, amid everyone's puzzlement, Chen Qiu had another table set up, placed right at the center of the first row.
This table was prepared for Li Chuan and Nangong Chunshui.
Chen Qiu truly regarded Li Chuan highly.
So, when Li Chuan and Nangong Chunshui took their seats, a small commotion arose in the venue.
Many were curious about Li Chuan's identity.
How could such a young guy sit at the most central position in the first row?
However, though they were curious, no one dared to cause trouble.
Anyone seated there must have grandmaster-level strength.
Plus, the auction house wasn't foolish; whoever they valued so highly must have abilities.
Not ordinary Jianghu people or common aristocratic families could provoke him.
That didn't mean everyone thought this way, though.
Just as Li Chuan picked up a peanut to eat.
A strikingly handsome young man walked up.
Behind him were several followers.
"Kid, who do you think you are? Daring to sit in the same row as us. Get lost if you know what's good for you! What standard is this?"
The young man looked at Li Chuan with disdain, his eyes full of contempt!