Translator: CinderTL
"Of course we accept such items," the attendant replied with a smile. "Moreover, our shop never inquires about the origins of the treasures we purchase, ensuring Senior's complete peace of mind. May I ask what treasure Senior wishes to sell? Would it be convenient to show it to me?"
Song Wen said, "This item is quite valuable. Please summon your steward."
"Senior, please wait a moment. I'll fetch the steward right away," the attendant replied.
Soon after, the attendant emerged from a side door within the shop, following a woman.
The woman's appearance was unremarkable, appearing to be in her forties. She carried the shrewdness characteristic of a merchant and possessed a mid-stage nascent soul cultivation.
"I apologize for keeping you waiting, Fellow Daoist," the woman said with a slight apologetic expression. "May I ask what item you wish to sell?"
Song Wen didn't answer immediately but instead glanced around the shop.
Besides himself, the woman, and the attendant, there were other customers and attendants present.
The woman immediately understood Song Wen's meaning, her expression turning apologetic.
"My oversight. This isn't a suitable place to discuss such matters. Please allow me to invite you elsewhere, Fellow Daoist."
Guided by the woman, Song Wen passed through a side door in the Treasure Origin Hall and entered the courtyard behind the shop, where they stepped into a tea room.
Inviting Song Wen to sit, the woman began brewing tea while making small talk.
Through their conversation, Song Wen learned that her name was Ye Xuan. This confirmed his long-held suspicion: the Treasure Origin Hall, and perhaps the entire ghost market, were deeply connected to the Ye Family.
"Fellow Daoist Ye Hua, what do you wish to sell?" Ye Xuan asked.
'Ye Hua' was the alias Song Wen had given her.
"The Chi Family's Teleportation Array Token," Song Wen replied.
Ye Xuan paused, a flicker of surprise crossing her face before a faint smile appeared.
"Fellow Daoist, are you perhaps teasing me?" Her tone carried a hint of skepticism, as if she doubted Song Wen truly possessed the Teleportation Array Token.
With a casual flick of his wrist, Song Wen produced the token and tossed it to her.
Ye Xuan caught the token and examined it closely.
Her composed demeanor vanished, replaced first by a slight frown, then by a flash of delight.
"This is actually the Chi Family's Teleportation Array Token!"
Ye Xuan was astonished not only by the token's authenticity but also by Song Wen's casual manner of handing it over.
Doesn't he fear I might seize this opportunity to steal the teleportation token? she wondered inwardly.
Unbeknownst to Ye Xuan, Song Wen's seemingly nonchalant demeanor concealed his constant vigilance, his eyes tracking her every move. Had she attempted any treachery, he was fully confident he could eliminate her swiftly and silently before she could transmit any messages.
"Fellow Daoist," Song Wen said, "now that you've verified the token's authenticity, perhaps you should return it to me."
Ye Xuan hesitated for a moment before reluctantly handing the token back.
"Fellow Daoist Ye Hua," she asked, "are you truly willing to sell this teleportation token?"
"Of course!" Song Wen replied. "However, that depends on whether your establishment can offer a price that satisfies me."
"What price are you asking for, Fellow Daoist?" Ye Xuan inquired.
"From what I know," Song Wen said, "teleportation tokens have appeared in Shangchu City's black market, with final sale prices consistently exceeding ten thousand high-grade spirit stones. Therefore, I'm valuing this teleportation token at ten thousand high-grade spirit stones."
Ye Xuan shook her head slightly. "Fellow Daoist, your asking price isn't unreasonable. However, merchants seek profit. At this price, Treasure Origin Hall would make no profit."
After a moment's thought, she held up three fingers.
"Three thousand high-grade spirit stones. What do you think, Fellow Daoist Ye Hua?"
Song Wen replied, "No. That's far too low."
Ye Xuan countered, "Then I'll add another five hundred spirit stones."
Song Wen refused again, even lowering his price to nine thousand five hundred high-grade spirit stones.
After several rounds of negotiation, Ye Xuan raised her offer to five thousand high-grade spirit stones.
This price finally met Song Wen's psychological expectations.
"Fellow Daoist Ye Xuan, this price is still too low. Given your sincerity, I'll lower it further—seven thousand high-grade spirit stones."
Ye Xuan replied, "Fellow Daoist Ye Hua, five thousand high-grade spirit stones is the highest I can offer. It's not that I'm unwilling to pay more, but the teleportation window is approaching. After acquiring the token, it would be difficult to sell it for a higher price in such a short time. If I miss the teleportation date and fail to sell it, the token will be stuck in my hands. If you truly refuse to lower your price, I have another proposal."
"Please speak plainly, fellow daoist," Song Wen urged.
Ye Xuan replied, "To be frank, I am a member of the Ye Family. In two months, Clear Leaf City will host a grand auction organized by our family. Your teleportation token would undoubtedly be one of the auction's most prized treasures, fetching a price that would satisfy you. Regardless of the final sale price, the Ye Family will only take a thirty percent commission."
Song Wen pondered for a moment, then raised his gaze to meet Ye Xuan's. "There's no need for the auction," he said. "I'll accept the price you offered earlier."
Ye Xuan asked in disbelief, "Fellow daoist, are you truly willing to sell the teleportation token to our shop for five thousand high-grade spirit stones?"
Song Wen waved the token in his hand. "If you can produce five thousand high-grade spirit stones right now, the token is yours."
A troubled expression immediately crossed Ye Xuan's face, and she replied hesitantly.
"Fellow Daoist Ye Hua, our establishment currently lacks the five thousand high-grade spirit stones required," Ye Xuan said, her expression troubled.
Song Wen's face turned cold. "Fellow Daoist, are you mocking me?"
"Fellow Daoist, please don't misunderstand," Ye Xuan replied. "While we may not have sufficient spirit stones on hand, five thousand high-grade spirit stones is a mere pittance to the Ye Family. Please wait a moment while I send a message to our elders in Clear Leaf City. The spirit stones will arrive within the time it takes an incense stick to burn."
"No," Song Wen refused flatly, rising to his feet and striding toward the door. "If your establishment cannot produce the spirit stones, then this transaction is off."
The Ye Family had a limited number of Void Refinement Stage cultivators and couldn't afford to station one permanently in this ghost market.
Song Wen's sudden appearance caught Ye Xuan off guard. Even if she intended to seize the token by force, she couldn't immediately summon a Void Refinement Stage cultivator.
However, if she were given the opportunity to send a message, the situation could quickly change.
Within a few breaths, a Void Refinement Stage cultivator from the Ye Family might appear in the Treasure Origin Hall.
This was precisely why Song Wen had avoided participating in the auction.
"Fellow Daoist Ye Hua, please wait!" Ye Xuan hurriedly stood up and took a few quick steps to block Song Wen's path. "I can compensate for the missing spirit stones with spiritual materials. Moreover, all spiritual materials will be valued at eighty percent of their market price."
(End of the Chapter)
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