Path of the Sect Leader

Chapter 108: Moon Shadow Profound Ice Sword

"Second-tier premium flying sword—the Moon Shadow Profound Ice Sword water refinement jade slip. Trading for one second-tier pinnacle water-affiliated spirit beast inner core, or equivalent spirit stones."

The Foundation Establishment woman on stage finished, face hidden behind a plain mask like everyone else's—strict anonymity here. Laughter rippled through the crowd, muffled under identical veils.

A man's voice boomed mocking. "Dream on. Second-tier pinnacle core? That'd buy ten slips easy."

"Yeah!" Another sharp tone cut in. "We're all rushing to Lian Shui Pavilion's main auction later—don't waste our time with jokes. Get off."

The woman bristled, caught off guard by the jeers. "Hmph. This Moon Shadow Profound Ice Sword packs durability, sharpness, profound chill, and illusory moon—four attributes. Plus ice-seal and phantom skills. Flight speed rivals pinnacle second-tier. Refined materials—cheaper to forge than most mid-grade. Why not worth a core?"

"Who you fooling? Leak-pickers here, not greenhorns. Want suckers? Hit the black market."

Same sharp voice, relentless. "I know your game—tout the upsides, bury the downsides. Selling the recipe without mentioning time? Shady. Decade to forge one? Who'd buy that brick? Natal requirements? Illusory moon attribute needs matching affinity—or it's junk. Next!"

She flushed hot under the mask, pointed furious. "Four years, not ten! Gunpowder in your mouth? Name yourself—we settle outside the city."

"Cough..."

The event steward—Foundation Establishment perfection—stepped in quick. "Anonymous swap meet—talk free. Uncomfortable? Leave." Glare heavy on the woman. "Bids? Hurry it. Shop's small, auctions packing the days—cut everyone slack."

His aura pinned the room silent.

"Fifteen third-tier stones—top offer."

Sharp voice again.

The woman fumed. "Beggar's change? Pass. You nitpicked everything—why bid now?"

He chuckled lazy. "Ever hear? Buyers gripe most."

"Sixteen third-tier..."

A few stepped up—whispers, inspections. She scanned hopeful. "One fellow offers mid-second-tier flying sword, or twenty-seven third-tier. Higher?"

Quiet beat.

"Twenty-eight."

Her again—sharp bidder.

"You said no higher?"

He drawled back, unhurried. "Take my word blind? You—"

"Enough!"

Steward barked, rounding on him. "Not here for fights. Believe I'll toss you?"

"Fine—twenty-eight cap. Serious."

"Thirty."

Short Qi Refining cultivator, voice steady.

Room stilled. Woman glanced sharp bidder's way—add or fold?

He shrugged, out.

"Thirty—settle up. Next."

Steward headached from the bickering. Woman dragged feet, finalized reluctant—cut to steward—stepped down.

The Qi Refining bidder lingered, pulled twin pale red swords. "Second-tier mid-grade Peach Wood Ghost-Slaying Swords—pair. Moral and ghost-slaying attributes..."

Laughter crashed harder. "Peach wood? Moral ghost-slay? Scram! Ghosts rarer than honest deals these days. Useless—off!"

He sheathed calm, walked out straight. Hecklers blinked, deflated—own joke backfired.

"Looked decent," a late Foundation grumbled. "Cheap? Grabbed for the wives—play pretty. You lot hooting killed it."

Steward shook head weary. "Next."

Qi Xiu slipped out the modest auction house brisk, jade slip tucked secure. Curiosity dragged him here—anonymous swaps, low stakes. Luck struck blind: nailed the trip's prime target.

Moon Shadow Profound Ice Sword—tailor-fit for Mo Jianxin's Illusory Moon Spirit Sword natal. Treasure snagged cheap.

He hurried through bustling streets to Lian Shui City's grandest pavilion. Flashed jade token at entry array—golden haze enveloped, mild spin—deposited in a private booth.

Zhan Yuan couple and Wei Minniang glued to the viewing window. Yue'er alone, licking colorful pastry focused.

"Any luck?"

They startled at his voice. Wei Minniang averted eyes deliberate, scooped Yue'er closer—murmured soft. Post-spring confession nights ago? She'd kept distance. Qi Xiu let it lie.

Bai Muhan dumped a storage pouch—trinkets spilled hill-like: low-tier materials, basic water refinement slips. Deflated sigh. "Just this. Rest too steep—Zhan Yuan nixed."

Qi Xiu tossed the new slip her way, riffled the pile—mental tally. "Missing bits, plus two arrays. Days here already—grab if deals hit, else Artifact Talisman City fallback."

She scanned the slip forehead-pressed, quizzed cost. He signaled thirty.

"Not bad—similar one hammered fifty earlier."

Relief settled. Decent chunk—scam would've stung months.

They watched intense: bid smart on fits. Netted mid-second-tier Tian Yi Illusion Array, several Moon Shadow materials. Climax: frantic duel over third-tier pinnacle beast core. Done—tokens out, exited.

"Head back," Zhan Yuan said on the crowded avenue. "Long enough—missing Black River's stink already."

Bai Muhan rolled eyes. "You and your little plot."

Knelt to Yue'er. "Pigfish skewers from Uncle Weiyu back home?"

"Yes!"

Kid perked instant—auction boredom forgotten.

"Food monster..."

Wei Minniang faux-scolded. Yue'er grinned cheeky, stuck tongue.

"Settled."

Qi Xiu fretted Immortal Grove Hollow wardless too long—variables lurked. Handed Zhan Yuan list. "Water stuff—clear shops here. Done, we shuttle back. Arrays decent in Artifact Talisman—not Lian Shui exclusive."

Zhan Yuan hustled off, returned swift—eager home. No lingering. Boarded return shuttle—quiet voyage.