Published: August 25, 2025
Chapter 223: Secret Shop and Auction
The scholar was momentarily stunned by Han Li’s words, but then he smiled and said cheerfully, “Senior, fortunately you told me this, otherwise it would have been a wasted trip! Although the Heavenly Star Sect’s formations are quite famous, that doesn’t mean the Stardust Pavilion has the best formation flags and formation arrays. Nowadays, the Stardust Pavilion does have plenty of formation flags and arrays, with many varieties! But these are just ordinary goods sold to small cultivation families and rogue cultivators. The true premium magical artifacts for formations? The Heavenly Star Sect would never let those slip out. After all, formations are the foundation of their sect. If their top-notch formation flags and arrays were leaked, outsiders could find flaws in their formations! For them, that would be a huge loss!”
While explaining this to Han Li, the scholar kept stealing glances at him. But Han Li’s face was completely hidden under his cloak, giving nothing away, which made the scholar feel frustrated and powerless.
“From the way you speak, it seems you can find what I want!” Han Li’s voice remained calm and collected, betraying no surprise or shock despite the scholar’s words.
The scholar looked around cautiously to make sure no one was nearby, then lowered his voice and whispered, “If senior trusts me, I can introduce a secret shop that few know about. The items sold there, though a small portion might have questionable origins, are absolutely rare top-quality products! I believe you’ll find the perfect formation-deploying magical artifact there.”
“A secret shop?” Although Han Li’s voice was still calm, his heart skipped a beat at the scholar’s words.
Han Li had heard rumors about secret shops over the past few years. If what the scholar said was true, this would be a rare opportunity to broaden his horizons.
“It seems senior knows a bit about secret shops. Hehe, that’s even better, so I won’t have to waste more breath. There are still two or three hours left—just in time for this secret shop’s monthly auction. If senior wants to go, you’d better decide soon. I can lead the way immediately!”
Seeing that Han Li did not show any aversion to the secret shop, the scholar was secretly delighted, knowing this client was likely the right one.
“Is it far?” Han Li suddenly asked.
“Not far, just inside this market district. Senior agrees then?” The scholar grew excited—bringing a potential customer to this secret shop meant a hefty commission in spirit stones!
“Let’s go,” Han Li said, exhaling lightly as his voice turned cold.
“I will lead the way!” The scholar smiled brightly and took the lead.
After a labyrinthine series of twists and turns led by the scholar, they arrived at a lonely, rundown little house. The door was tightly shut with no markings, looking very inconspicuous.
However, after the scholar rhythmically knocked on the wooden door a few times, it opened. A woman in her thirties stepped out. She was plain-looking, with cultivation seemingly only at the mid qi refining stage, utterly unremarkable.
“Madam Zhang, I’ve brought a new guest who wants to participate in this auction,” said Wang Ziling eagerly, stepping aside to reveal Han Li without waiting for the woman to speak.
Madam Zhang frowned slightly at the news but changed her expression to a faint smile once she saw Han Li was a foundation establishment stage cultivator.
“This guest is more respectable! A foundation establishment stage senior, unlike the previous visitors who came with all sorts of characters. Senior, please come in!” Though her cultivation was low, she showed no reverence toward Han Li, treating him like an ordinary visitor.
“I can only accompany you this far, senior. I’ll take my leave now!” Wang Ziling’s face flushed red from the woman’s brief words, and he hurriedly bade Han Li goodbye.
Han Li glanced briefly at the scholar’s disappearing figure, then stepped aside as the woman gestured him in.