NOVEL NEXT Chapter 140: Miraculous Artifacts
Lynn browsed the chaotic scene, his sharp eyes darting around, discreetly activating [Spiritual Vision] now and then. It allowed him to notice energy traces around certain objects that would normally be invisible.
Most goods being peddled were mundane items or obvious counterfeits, lacking any extraordinary properties, but some registered a faint flicker of an aura — just small fragments hinting at nothing substantial.
Still, it was an encouraging sign. Strolling through the network of stalls and displays, he finally stopped in front of an aged blanket laid out on the ground displaying an assortment of plants.
His gaze swept over the various medicinal herbs presented. Thanks to his medical knowledge, he could identify most - ginseng, astragalus, licorice root, and more, some bundled while others separated into portions.
However, what really caught his attention was an unfamiliar red flower in the corner of the display. The vivid crimson color of its petals contrasted sharply against the faded brown blanket.
Faint wisps of spiritual energy swirled around them, subtle yet unmistakable to his enhanced senses. This made the unidentified item stand out, hinting at extraordinary properties lurking within.
Suppressing the growing excitement, Lynn immediately used the [Evaluation] skill, focusing his intent on analyzing this treasure. Instantly, information flooded his mind as the ability took effect.
[Blood-Burning Lily]
[Grade: Uncommon]
[Evaluation: A flower that thrives in soil rich with blood and spirituality. Its petals can temporarily stimulate the body's vitality, granting a surge in physical strength and power. Direct consumption can cause weakness afterward.]
After understanding the details, the increasing emotion quickly disappeared, replaced by a slight frown on his face, disappointed. It turned out to be a simple consumable, and even the effect seemed dull compared to his other extraordinary objects.
Letting out a small sigh, he decided to buy it anyway. After all, it could still prove useful, especially in dire situations. Having an item on hand capable of providing a temporary boost of power wasn't worthless.
Moreover, considering it was placed among other ordinary lily flowers, the seller was likely unaware of its true value and should be willing to part with it for a reasonable price.
When he reached for the pouch tucked into his cloak containing a stash of Federation dollars, he paused. A thought suddenly crossed his mind - the name [Blood-Burning Lily] seemed familiar somehow.
Then it hit him.
"That's right, it was mentioned in the monster whispering manual," Lynn quickly realized, remembering that he had encountered this name multiple times before reading that book.
It played a pivotal role in many important rituals and concoctions associated with the taming path. This ingredient's versatility and uses extended far beyond what was mentioned in the description.
His eyes lit up with enthusiasm as ideas began swirling through his mind. However, he maintained his composure on the exterior, not wanting to arouse the seller's suspicions.
Bundling the Blood-Burning Lily with some of the other medicinal herbs he had identified, he hid the extraordinary flower among the mundane ones. Calmly meeting the vendor's gaze, he inquired, "How much for these?"
The scrawny, unkempt man looked up from the coin he was scratching at with a grimy fingernail. His eyes narrowed suspiciously for a moment, glancing between Lynn and the bundled assortment, but in the end, he grunted and said, "600 dollars for the lot."
"600?" Lynn replied with deliberate hesitation. "That seems quite expensive for these. Ginseng can be found growing in the wild, and licorice is cultivated on farms across the country."
The vendor regarded him expressionlessly for a long moment. Then his lips curled faintly downwards, clearly unhappy. "Business is slow these days. 500 and not a dollar lower."
Lynn observed the man calmly, neither accepting nor rejecting the counteroffer right away. After a prolonged silence, he gave a small nod, indicating his agreement, and quickly completed the transaction.
In reality, he was willing and prepared to pay a sum surpassing the initial asking price of 600 dollars. The value of the [Blood-Burning Lily] far exceeded such a paltry amount in his eyes
But he understood appearances were important when buying something in a place like this. Appearing too eager or rich could easily raise suspicions and draw unwanted attention.
Tucking away this purchase, Lynn continued navigating through the disorganized marketplace with a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. His strides now carried a new sense of purpose.
Periodically using [Evaluation], his gaze swept across the rows of stalls, sharp eyes peering closely at the assortment of goods on display. He was eager to discover more hidden treasures.
Unfortunately, his luck seemed to have quickly run dry. Except for a few other ingredients like the blood-burning lily, the rest of the objects with extraordinary properties he found were just strange common-grade items that seemed useless.
An antique iron flask able to heat the liquid inside it... A blindfold that induced vivid nightmares when worn while sleeping... A piece of cracked crystal jewelry emitting a faint glow when injected with energy…
But he bought them anyway, he didn't hesitate to spend the money from treating the old man Feng. Because the sellers never noticed their power, the prices were extremely cheap.
After an hour of searching and wandering, his shopping spree finally stopped. "Seems like there's nothing here," Lynn sighed quietly. Though he had acquired several fascinating things, his thoughts kept returning to the matter of the third and final sublimation material he required.
The chances of someone openly displaying such a precious thing in a public marketplace, readily available for direct purchase, were highly unlikely. So, he didn’t want to waste any more time.
"There's only one place left...” he pondered calmly, glancing up towards the looming auction house in the distance. Even from afar, he could sense the heavy security and imposing aura exuded.
Drawing closer, he noticed the crowds grew steadily less dense. The shoulder-to-shoulder mass of bodies pressing together and jostling for space amidst the vendor stalls gradually thinned out.
The composition of people also changed. No longer was it dominated solely by unsavory individuals of questionable backgrounds. In their place, elegantly dressed men and women appeared, radiating an air of wealth and sophistication distinctly different from the rest.
"The city elite mingling with criminals and lowlifes. What a strange gathering," Lynn muttered under his breath. This auction catered to both sides - those possessing wealth and influence as well as denizens of the underworld.
Before long, the facility emerged at the end of the main thoroughfare. The renovated factory loomed large, and the floodlights mounted along its exterior illuminated the area with a bright, white glow.
This was his destination, the true focal point of the central district. According to the information obtained from Boss Reggie, the auctions held here were the true highlight of the monthly opening.
Tonight marked the main event that drew opportunists and high-rollers from across the city and the region. For one night only, the auction house's doors would swing open, granting access to its coveted hall.
Everything could be found inside, from forbidden items and ancient relics to powerful weapons and exotic creatures, it was a treasure trove for the rich. Even some miraculous artifacts could occasionally be sold here.
When Lynn first noticed the words "miraculous artifacts" in the intel he got, he immediately made the connection with extraordinary objects. Such items would certainly fall into that category.
However, one thing deeply troubled him as he stared at the brightly lit building. In all the documents given by Boss Reggie about the central district, there was not a single mention of the "Midnight Rose Exchange."
What made the situation even more disturbing was that the cryptic invitation carved into the black card had specifically directed him to come here, to this auction house, at the specified time.
This problem bothered his mind for a while. He even tried to use the [Magnifying Lens Pendant] to uncover some hidden clues, activating its [Vestige Divination] effect. But something seemed to block his attempts.
No matter how he tried peering through the enchanted lens, all that this divination revealed were indistinct shadows and blurred pictures, devoid of meaningful details and context.
"Maybe this auction is just a cover," Lynn pondered to himself, his keen mind spinning possibilities and piecing together fragments. "The real event is the midnight rose exchange."
But one thing was certain, whether it was a conspiracy or a real extraordinary gathering, the only way to find out was to enter the auction house and see what awaited inside.