From the tone of He Qing, her words carried a profound implication.

Yu Ci estimated that, excluding Monk Yi Xin himself, among the present cultivators, there were probably only two or three who could grasp the hidden meaning in He Qing's words. Bi Chao was one, Monk Zheng Yan might be another, and the last one was Yu Ci himself.

For this reason, Yu Ci was even more surprised: had the Lichen Sect's grasp of the situation reached such a profound level?

The aftermath of the turmoil in Sky Rift Valley was still unsettled, and He Qing, in Cliff City, had taken over from Xie Yan to protect the lives and property of the city's million residents. With her status, her question was tantamount to the Lichen Sect, a giant in the Midwest, casting a suspicious gaze on Yi Xin.

At this moment, He Qing and Monk Yi Xin were only separated by a seat, a distance of at most two zhangs. Discussing under such circumstances, they must have used some means to isolate their voices.

Yu Ci wisely did not turn his head to avoid startling Monk Yi Xin. His mind was spinning rapidly. On the surface, he just pondered for a moment, then replied, "I mentioned to Taoist Yu and Master Jie Xian about an incident I encountered last autumn..."

"Was it the conflict with Monk Zheng De of the Pure Water Sect?"

Yu Ci didn't expect her to know even this and hurriedly nodded in agreement. He didn't respond directly, but through this matter, he clearly expressed his stance.

He Qing nodded slightly, still not turning her head, and simply said, "It's good that you are mindful. After the Treasure Exchange Banquet, there's no need to rush back. Spend some time interacting with Zheng Yan."

Yu Ci understood her intention.

After retrieving the Sword Ball from Gan Shi Zhen, Yu Ci returned to his seat. He still didn't understand why the Lichen Sect's grasp of the situation had suddenly made such a significant breakthrough, but he knew that he had re-entered the battlefield of the "giants". Unlike last time, he was no longer at the foot of the "giant", but had climbed onto the shoulder of one.

Interacting with Zheng Yan... this was actually in line with Yu Ci's previous thoughts. But then again, according to what He Qing just said, could this be considered a transaction?

Yu Ci didn't like this notion.

While conversing with He Qing, two more treasures were traded at the Treasure Exchange Banquet, which was now drawing to a close. Yu Ci came back to reality from Yi Xin and Zheng Yan's questions, and was immediately faced with a more pressing issue: The Treasure Exchange Banquet was about to end, but where was the Life-Prologing Treasure? Could it be that Shen Wan would trade with him privately after the banquet?

After some thought, Yu Ci shook his head inwardly. If Zhou Youde were still around, perhaps there might be a possibility. However, Shen Wan, this woman, clearly harbored resentment towards him and all the sects of Cliff City. It was unlikely she would show him any special favor.

As he was pondering this, he heard Shen Wan's voice: "This is the last treasure our pavilion is presenting today."

Yu Ci's heart skipped a beat, and he looked up.

At this moment, all kinds of treasures exchanged by Shen Wan were dazzlingly displayed on the table, radiating a brilliant light. These treasures would symbolically rotate through the three lower levels after the banquet. If a Cultivator took a fancy to an item, they would exchange it again, stopping only when it was completely out of circulation. This was done to achieve the purpose of mutual exchange. However, at this moment, Shen Wan casually cleared away a few small and precious Magical Instruments, Elixirs, and Pills, making room on the table.

Next, she took out a dark metal box from her Storage Ring and placed it squarely on the table.

Perhaps the object inside wasn't fragile to such an extent, but Shen Wan's action successfully piqued everyone's curiosity.

Yu Ci noticed He Qing staring at the metal box on the table, her gaze intense, just like the last time with the Xuan Cang Ring. However, she glanced over at him next, her expression somewhat strange.

"This is... Deep Sea Spirit Iron, isn't it?"

Bao De squinted his eyes, looking at the natural patterns on the metal box, trying to recall the knowledge he had gained from books: "This material can only be found in the depths of the ocean, ten thousand feet deep. It's tougher than steel, and it needs Samadhi True Fire to shape it. However, its nature is sluggish and impenetrable, completely blocking the flow of Primordial Qi, making it unsuitable for crafting Magical Instruments. But it's perfect for isolating spiritual energy, making it difficult to dissipate. If you ask me, there should be a Spiritual Elixir or something inside."

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Just then, Shen Wan smiled and said, "Inside this Ocean Sinking Box, there is a Pill."

On hearing this, Yu Ci gave Bao De a thumbs-up. Bao De responded with a modest smile. Then Shen Wan added, "Because this Elixir and Pill evaporate very quickly, they must always be isolated with Deep Sea Spirit Iron. Therefore, the display time is limited to only two breaths. I hope you all understand."

The more she said this, the higher everyone's expectations were raised. What followed was an increasingly strange atmosphere. At Shen Wan's signal, the beautiful maids standing by extinguished the candles used for illumination and covered the similarly functioning Night Pearls. The light in the room suddenly dimmed, leaving only the faint, colorful glow emitted by the dozens of treasures on the table.

There was a slight stir among the attendees, but all the Cultivators present had night vision, so it quickly quieted down.

Knowing full well that this was a gimmick, it was nevertheless the most effective one. In some Cultivators' hearts, it was like a cat's scratch, and this unique prelude, coupled with Shen Wan's previous explanation, allowed some of the more worldly ones to guess a thing or two.

During the ambiguous pause of the Cultivators, behind the long table, amidst the radiance of Bao Guang, Shen Wan suddenly let out a radiant smile. Some even marveled at her captivating beauty, and the Ocean Sinking Box in the hands of the female merchant had already been opened.

A spray of silver stars burst forth.

In front of the long table, the luster of numerous treasures was no less dazzling than these silver stars, but they lacked the latter's powerful impact. The moment the box was opened, it shot out, rushing towards the ceiling, where it exploded into a myriad of starlights. People couldn't help but look up, only to see in the dark space of the floor, the starlight had not yet extinguished, floating and sinking in the darkness, looking very much like a galaxy crossing the sky on a clear night.

Then, people smelled a medicinal fragrance, but compared to the dazzling beauty of the starlight, it was nothing.

With a click, the Ocean Sinking Box closed, and then all the candlelight and pearl light lit up, and the spectacle of starlight filling the sky also vanished. The Cultivators were taken aback for a moment, when suddenly someone exclaimed:

"Vacuum Energy Life Extension Pill!"

With a bang, that was the astonished exclamation of more than a dozen Golden Elixir cultivators, seemingly making the Sky Wing Tower sway a little. At this moment, although Shen Wan's dozens of Magical Instruments and strange treasures were still glowing brightly, they had lost all color in the eyes of the Cultivators. Only that dark metal box was the focus of their gaze, and the heat contained in their gaze seemed to want to melt this Ocean Sinking Box.

In fact, no one saw what the Elixir and Pill looked like, but that "energy rushing to the galaxy" spectacle was the best advertisement!

Those floating and sinking points were not starlight, but the pure spiritual energy sprayed out by the Elixir and Pill!

Yu Ci was also awed by the starlight spectacle, marveling that there were such Elixirs and Pills in the world. But hearing the name Vacuum Energy Life Extension Pill, he was somewhat confused. At this time, his lack of cultivation knowledge was undoubtedly evident, fortunately, he had a Senior Brother Bao De. However, Bao De was distracted at this time, and it took two calls from Yu Ci to wake him up. By this time, even He Qing and Gan Shi Zhen from the neighboring seats had turned their heads at the sound.

Yu Ci coughed and asked, "Senior Brother Bao De, this Elixir and Pill..."

Bao De understood what Yu Ci meant, but at this moment he suddenly became tongue-tied, umming and ahhing for a long time, but still couldn't explain it clearly.

Just then, a thought struck Yu Ci, and he looked up, meeting Shen Wan's direct gaze. This not-so-friendly female merchant, as usual, placed her delicate hand on the Ocean Sinking Box and said lightly:

"The Elixir and Pill stored within this box is perhaps the only one in the world that is not designed to stimulate medicinal power for the service of rulers and officials, but to seal spiritual energy and solidify form... This Elixir and Pill, is a quintessence of 'Mysterious Truth', sealed by top-tier pill masters using a Heavenly Theft method, within the Outer Realm of the Nine Heavens. It can reveal one's true nature, refine True Sha, temper True Form, and aid in Breaking Barriers to Return to Truth. It is well known that a Daoist friend who has just entered the Vacuum Walking Realm, upon taking this pill, can avoid the hardship of battling Outer Realm Sky Demons while absorbing the 'Mysterious Truth' from the Outer Realm of the Nine Heavens. It allows for a smooth and steady cultivation, and even further advancement. Naturally, taking this pill can also stabilize one's foundation, seize vitality, and extend one's lifespan."

She emphasized the last sentence, then finally shifted her gaze from Yu Ci, sweeping over the faces of the various Cultivators present, her voice turning solemn:

"Such a treasure should be publicly auctioned at the 'Heaven Ceremony' held every five years to determine its ownership. However, out of respect for the wishes of Steward Zhou, I have brought it here to be displayed at the Treasure Exchange Banquet. If anyone is interested, feel free to bid."

Yu Ci's expression shifted, and Shen Wan who had been waiting for him, turned her gaze: "Immortal Yu, you had an agreement with Steward Zhou, but the rules of our pavilion cannot be overstepped. I believe that if Steward Zhou is watching from above, he would feel the same."

At this point, everyone knew what Yu Ci had been referring to earlier, and which treasure Shen Wan held in her hand. Shen Wan erased Yu Ci's advantage with a single sentence, causing many of the Cultivators present to secretly cheer.

The situation was different from when they were exchanging the Xuan Cang Ring: the Xuan Cang Ring was of limited use, not suitable for large sects or powerful individuals, and most people didn't need to risk their luck for it; but the Vacuum Energy Life Extension Pill was something that Golden Elixir Cultivators and those on the threshold of the Vacuum Realm would fight tooth and nail for - possessing this immortal pill was almost synonymous with advancing one's cultivation level and realm, who could resist its allure?

At this moment, not to mention others, even Shi Song, who had lost an arm and was on the verge of despair, was filled with sparkling hope, his spirit visibly lifted.

Shen Wan looked around, taking in everyone's expressions, and with a slight smile, finally made her bid:

"Vacuum Energy Life Extension Pill, Ruyi Money, 120,000!"

As soon as she spoke, the whole room was in an uproar.

...