"Hehe, I thought Master would still be deep in meditation, refining the 'Turtle Spirit Technique' once again. How could I possibly disturb Brother Wang's quiet cultivation." The wealthy elder, clearly familiar with the silver-robed cultivator, greeted him warmly and cordially. "The 'Turtle Spirit Technique'—I've only managed to reach the seventh stage. I suspect I'll never advance to mid-Immortal Elixir stage in my lifetime. But as I heard from Zhao, a guest from the hall has arrived, possibly at the mid-Immortal Elixir stage, and is interested in purchasing our hall's celestial office, which has been housed here for hundreds of years. With Brother Fu also making this visit, how could I possibly miss the opportunity to meet him?" The silver-robed cultivator, in his fifties, glanced at Han Li and then bowed lightly with a smile. Upon hearing this, Han Li immediately recognized the man as the senior monk just mentioned—Brother Wang—and, with a brief mental scan, observed that he was an early-stage Immortal Elixir cultivator. Yet, the man's complexion appeared unusually pale, suggesting that his cultivation technique was particularly unique. "Your courtesy is truly appreciated, Master Han. I have long heard of the Tianji Pavilion's renown, which is why I have come to pay my visit." With a gentle smile, Han returned the courtesy. "Master Han wishes to exchange for the Tianji Mansion—remarkable indeed! Truly, your grasp of affairs as a cultivator from overseas is impressive. It seems the notion of overseas wealth is no mere exaggeration." The wealthy elder, upon hearing this, was somewhat surprised. "While overseas does possess some rare materials, how can it compare to the vastness and richness of the inland regions? Your remarks must surely be an exaggeration," Han replied, neither confirming nor denying. Naturally, Han's words could not convince these two Yuan Ying cultivators, yet pressing further on the matter of overseas affairs would risk being perceived as a sign of ambition or rivalry—something far from trivial. At that moment, the middle-aged man with a Zhao surname, who had been following the silver-robed cultivator, stepped forward a few paces, placed two jade boxes—one large and one small—on the table before Han, and then gracefully retreated to the side. He was quite aware that now with the Master Elder of the Hall stepping forward, there would be no need for him to say much more. "Since your interest lies in our Heavenly Intelligence Pavilion, I shall bring this item along with Fu Daojun's Lightning Spirit Stone, so that you may take a look at both of them first," said the Master Elder, gently tapping the slightly larger jade box with his hand. "Wang Brother, perhaps you could present your Heavenly Intelligence Pavilion to Han Brother later. Let us first complete the transaction between Fu and Han Brother," interjected the elder named Fu, with a bright smile. "I didn't expect Fu Brother to be so eager. Very well, then—Fu Brother may go first. I'm also very interested in seeing what kind of treasures Han Brother is willing to offer in exchange for Fu Brother's Lightning Spirit Crystal," said the Master Elder, smiling slightly. Upon hearing both of them express such sentiments, Han Li raised a serene smile, then casually tapped his storage pouch. After flipping his palm, a jade box about the size of a palm appeared in his hand, adorned with two golden and silver talismans affixed to its surface. The Fu surname elder, seeing the wooden box placed with such solemnity, could not help but brighten. As Han Li set the box down on the table and gently pushed it, it slid silently to the elder's side. With a renewed spirit, the elder firmly held the box, then swept his sleeve across the table, and the smaller jade box likewise settled steadily at Han Li's side. Han Li smiled contentedly, reached out, and took the jade box in his hand, then slightly inclined his head to open the lid. A silvery-white glow burst forth within the box. At once, a blue shimmer flashed in Han Li's pupils, and he clearly saw the object within—a silver-white stone the size of a clenched fist. After gazing at it for a while, Han Li suddenly extended one finger, with a shimmering light dancing at the tip. A faint, wavering green glow, subtly appearing and disappearing, emerged. With a quick wrist motion, the green glow flashed and pierced directly toward the silver stone inside the box. As soon as Qing Mang made contact with the object inside the box, a thunderclap suddenly erupted, and several slender silver arcs surged forth from the stone, instantly blocking Qing Mang. "Hmm, indeed, it's a Thunder Spirit Crystal. Though the quality seems only average—rather disappointing—but I can manage with it." Han Li exhaled gently and looked solemnly at the red-faced elder. "Top-tier Thunder Spirit Crystals aren't easy to come by. This one was only discovered by sheer luck inside the belly of a rare thunder-type beast—after countless hardships." The wealthy elder, having examined Han Li's box of Chijing Zhī carefully, beamed with full satisfaction, clearly delighted with Han Li's Chijing Zhī. "Yet my Chijing Zhī here has not a single trace of impure spiritual energy—undoubtedly a first-class medicinal herb." Han Li spoke calmly. Though he wouldn't let go of the Thunder Spirit Crystal without a fight, he naturally didn't want to accept the deal on such unfavorable terms. "That's true." In terms of intrinsic value, Master Li's Lei Ling Crystal is indeed slightly less valuable than Brother Han's top-grade Chi Jing Zhi. How about this—Master Li offers an additional thirty thousand灵stones as compensation?" The red-faced elder was quite prompt, not attempting to conceal the difference, and immediately proposed his own terms. "My good friend, there's no need to rush. Please take a look at the list I have here. Perhaps we can supply some of the other materials or at least provide information about certain ones. Should I happen to find anything of value, then Master Han may well waive these thirty thousand灵stones altogether." Brother Han smiled calmly, placed the jade box back on the table, and then reached for the jade scroll detailing the required materials, which he tossed to the elder. "Brother Han still needs additional materials?" The wealthy elder looked slightly surprised but accepted the scroll without hesitation, scanning it quickly. At this moment, Elder Wang, standing by, glanced at the Chi Jing Zhi in the elder's hands, his eyes flickering several times before he began to ponder thoughtfully. A moment later, the elderly man named Fu, having finished reading the jade scroll, glanced at Han Li with a look of puzzlement, his eyes betraying a hint of hesitation. "I'm afraid I may have to disappoint my friend. These materials are exceedingly rare—none of them are in my possession. However, I might be able to suggest a simple way for you to obtain them," he said after a brief pause, finally making up his mind. "Are you referring to the major auction event a few days from now?" Han Li's eyes twinkled, with a smile that was both amused and thoughtful. "Indeed, the auction hall can provide ordinary materials. But for the kind of materials you're seeking—those of such high rank—the chances of finding them are quite slim. After all, fellow practitioners who possess such rare materials, just like ourselves, generally prefer to trade them for other goods." The red-faced elder chuckled, then added with a touch of condescension. "Oh," Han Li exclaimed, startled, yet his heart filled with growing excitement. "Do you mean there might be some private trading event as well?" Could not help but ask. The wealthy elder looked slightly strange, his lips slightly parted yet no sound came out, while suddenly, Han Li heard the elder's voice clearly in his ears. "Han brother truly is a clever man. However, this is not exactly a private arrangement. For many years now, the annual imperial capital auction has naturally evolved into two distinct streams—one open and one hidden. The open one, naturally, is the trading fair organized by the orthodox sects, which most cultivators are familiar with. The hidden one is the underground trading fair hosted by the demonic and heretical sects. In the underground fair, most items are still auctioned using spiritual stones, but materials of the rank required by your friend are typically exchanged directly for goods. However, since many of the items sold at the underground fair are explicitly prohibited by the cultivation world, they remain somewhat less visible. Therefore, only cultivators with deep roots and strong connections are generally invited to attend. As a scattered cultivator from overseas, your friend may find it somewhat inconvenient. But if my esteemed friend agrees to this current arrangement, I would be honored to serve as your introducer. I am certain you will reap great benefits at the underground trade fair. The elder spoke a long stream of words, then settled his expression, gazing steadily at Han Li, waiting for his response. Han Li was also a decisive person, agreeing immediately without further hesitation. "Good, I knew from the start that Brother Han is a man of prompt action. On the final day of the grand auction, kindly come back to the Tianji Pavilion to meet me." The wealthy elder, delighted that he could save tens of thousands of spiritual stones so swiftly, spoke with great enthusiasm. However, this conversation was not conveyed through inner voice, which caused a subtle stir in the silver-robed cultivator observing the two exchange their private words. Yet, he maintained a cheerful expression, showing no outward signs of surprise. Only after Han Li and the elder had each secured their respective items—the Lei Ling Crystals and the Chi Jing Zhī—did he smile gently and speak: "Congratulations to both of you for your successful acquisitions. Brother Han, would you like to visit our Tianji Mansion next? However, the item we offer in exchange for the Tianji Mansion requires more than just one thousand-year-old Chi Jing Zhī—far more than that." Though his tone remained exceedingly courteous, his words subtly revealed the approximate value of the Tianji Mansion. "No matter. As long as this item truly satisfies Brother Han, I will not hesitate to offer more. Han Li smiled calmly and said indifferently. "Since you've stated it so confidently, I'm certain that, with your considerable standing, securing the Tianji Pavilion will surely be within your reach. Please follow me to our specially crafted jizi space, where you can witness the restored Tianji Pavilion firsthand." Upon hearing Han Li's confident tone, the Senior Monks' smile grew even more radiant. "A jizi space?" Han Li was startled, his face showing a touch of surprise. "Indeed, have you never heard of the sumi space? Oh, I almost forgot—this secret technique, which transforms spatial rifts into personal spaces, was only recently developed and studied in the Great Jin Dynasty over the past thousand years. Given that you come from overseas, it's no surprise that you're unfamiliar with it." The Senior Monks tapped his back with a sense of sudden realization.