Nie Zheng said that the Immortal Realm would open soon, so You You didn't delay and set off with Ning Hui and Yuan Qi the next day. The soul aura was formless and invisible, perhaps only Yuan Qi's father could discern it, while Ning Hui was someone Nie Zheng had specifically instructed to go.
Upon arrival, the three realized that the so-called Yu Yu Island, though called an island, was actually a vast expanse of land independent of the Immortal Marsh Continent. Numerous towns existed on the island, all of them cities for cultivators. Cultivators from various sects who frequently ventured into the sea for training and practice would choose to stay in this area.
The place Nie Zheng had instructed them to meet was a city called Jinxing, the largest cultivator city on the island. As soon as they landed, they saw a man at the city gate, waving excitedly at them.
"Brother Ning!" Nie Zheng greeted him with a smile as bright as a sunflower. The first thing he saw was Ning Hui next to You You. He rushed over excitedly, "It's been so many years! How have you been, Brother Ning? I heard you've reached the Foundation Establishment stage! Did you receive the pills I sent you? What about the cultivation technique? The magic weapon? Is it still working? Have you encountered any difficulties in your cultivation?"
He bombarded her with questions like a firecracker, acting like a worried older brother. Ning Hui was speechless, her lips twitching uncontrollably. Her hands clenched and unclenched several times, as if desperately suppressing the urge to beat him up. After a while, she took a deep breath, took a step back, and coldly replied, "No! Stay away from me!"
Nie Zheng wasn't annoyed, seemingly used to the other's indifference. He sighed deeply, his face filled with emotion and nostalgia, and said, "Alas! So many years have passed, yet Brother Ning is still as cold on the outside but warm on the inside as ever. I understand!"
"..." *Crack* Ning Hui felt the veins on his forehead bulge! What do you know! He really wanted to punch someone! He took several deep breaths to suppress his anger, then simply ignored him and turned to You You beside him, whispering, "Master, are we going into the city?"
Nie Zheng paused for a moment, as if only then noticing You You and Yuan Qi. He turned to look at the two of them and subconsciously said, "You're here too, heavens..."
"Just call me You You!" You You spoke first, thinking it best not to be too assertive about his identity when traveling. Then he looked at the other two and said, "Let's go into the city first."
Nie Zheng understood, nodded, and quickly stepped aside to lead them into the city. Once inside, they found it even more bustling, filled entirely with cultivators; ordinary people were practically nonexistent. These cultivators mostly came from various sects and factions, with some being independent cultivators. The main streets were packed with people, and numerous stalls lined the streets, selling a dazzling array of things: pills, talismans, magical artifacts, array devices, and more.
Nie Zheng explained that this was the last large island by the sea, where cultivators who went out to sea for training would rest or resupply, and it gradually became lively. In addition, the sea was dangerous and often teeming with sea beasts. Mortals could not fly, so they naturally could not reach this place. Therefore, not to mention Jinxing City, there were hardly any mortals to be seen on the entire Yuyu Island.
"I only arrived here recently. I heard from the city folks that there's some kind of gathering today? Most of the cultivators on the island have come here to watch the excitement. So there are more people than usual," Nie Zheng casually explained, seemingly not knowing much about it himself. He led them to a large restaurant. "Why don't we rest for a bit?"
After saying that, he went straight inside and asked the person behind the counter with practiced ease, "Shopkeeper, do you have any private rooms available?"
The person inside the counter looked up, smiled politely, and replied, "Fellow Daoist, you've come at an inopportune time. Today is the day of the treasure appraisal event, and the building is already..." He seemed to want to shake his head, but then he caught sight of You You behind him, and his eyes lit up immediately. He changed his mind about to refuse, "Yes, yes, yes! Oh, Fellow Daoist, if you had said you were bringing a fairy along, I would have made room for you right away. Please wait a moment!"
He immediately turned around and gave instructions. In no time, he called someone over and led them upstairs, his attitude incredibly enthusiastic.
"..." You You was surprised to find that female guests received special treatment.
Before long, they were sitting in a room with a great view. One side of the room faced the stage in the center downstairs, where people were already setting up something. She could even see the flashes of an array, which she could only vaguely make out as a defensive formation.
"You're here for the treasure appraisal event, aren't you, Fairy?" The cultivator who led them upstairs seemed to notice her curious gaze and greeted her warmly. "Fairy, don't worry, the treasure appraisal event will start soon. This time, the Treasure Pavilion will be auctioning off many rare items, including all kinds of magical treasures and artifacts."
"An appraisal event?" You You was taken aback. What was that?
"Yes, this is a treasure appraisal event that only happens once every ten years. It's a rare opportunity." The cultivator looked excited, as if he was also looking forward to the event. Then, as if remembering something, he looked around and lowered his voice to remind her, "I've heard that the final treasure this time is even more extraordinary. Fairy, you might as well watch until the end."
"Oh, thank you!" Youyou said with a smile.
"Fairy... Fairy, you're too kind!" Seemingly surprised by the other party's amiability, the cultivator blushed slightly, looked up at her several times, and then turned and left.
"What is the Treasure Pavilion?" You You asked after the other person left.
Yuan Qi and Nie Zheng both looked blank, clearly unaware of the situation. Ning Hui, who had worked for Ling Qi for many years, immediately replied, "Sect Master, the Treasure Pavilion is a place in Xianze that specializes in selling various cultivation materials. I've heard it was opened by a rogue cultivator at the Nascent Soul stage, and its strength rivals that of top-tier immortal sects. It has branches in most cities of Xianze. Every ten years, they hold a public auction of some priceless items from their collection, called an appraisal meeting. However, the auction location is different each time; it seems this time it will be here."
Oh, it's an auction!
You You then realized what was happening, and turned to look at the nearby private rooms. She found them all full, with everyone's attention focused on the platform below. Most of the people in the rooms were female cultivators, each accompanied by several male cultivators.
She paused for a moment, then suddenly understood why the innkeeper had so readily made room for her. Women were rare in Xianze, and female cultivators even rarer; they were usually accompanied by several fellow disciples, and generally speaking, they weren't short of money. So… was she being mistaken for a rich woman?
Youyou was speechless. Thinking of her many younger brothers who were starving for food, was she the only poor female cultivator left in the world?
Seeing that the auction below seemed to be about to begin, You You turned her attention back to the auction. She wasn't particularly interested in it, since they were here to buy goods, not to spend them.
"Nie Zheng, tell us in detail about that Immortal Realm."
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