Li Wei decided to take a cautious approach to selling his pills. He knew that revealing too much about his abilities and resources could attract unwanted attention. So, he devised a plan to keep his identity hidden. He purchased a simple yet effective mask from a street vendor, one that covered the upper half of his face and obscured his features.
Wearing the mask, he made his way to the local auction house, a grand building with ornate carvings and bustling activity. He approached the receptionist, a young woman who looked up with a professional smile.
“Good day. How can I assist you?” she asked.
Li Wei cleared his throat, speaking in a slightly altered voice. “I am a rogue alchemist, and I have some cultivation pills I would like to have examined and possibly sold at auction.”
The receptionist’s eyes widened slightly at the mention of a rogue alchemist, but she maintained her composure. “Of course. Please follow me, and I’ll take you to our appraiser.”
The receptionist led Li Wei through a series of hallways to a small, well-lit room where an elderly man sat behind a large desk cluttered with various alchemical tools and manuscripts. The appraiser looked up as they entered, his eyes sharp and inquisitive.
“Master Zhou, this gentleman has some cultivation pills he wishes to have appraised,” the receptionist explained.
Master Zhou nodded, motioning for Li Wei to approach. “Let me see what you have.”
Li Wei placed one of the bottles on the desk, its glass glistening under the light. Master Zhou carefully opened it, his eyes narrowing as he examined the pills inside. He picked one up, rolling it between his fingers before sniffing it and then tasting a tiny fragment.
After a few moments, Master Zhou’s eyes widened in surprise. “These pills are extraordinary. The Qi within them is remarkably pure and potent. I’ve never seen anything quite like this. What is your asking price?”
Li Wei hesitated, knowing that too high a price might raise suspicions, but too low would undervalue his work. “I trust your expertise, Master Zhou. What do you think they are worth?”
Master Zhou considered for a moment. “Given their quality, I would estimate these pills could start at a minimum bid of fifty gold pieces per bottle. But they might fetch much more in an auction setting, especially if the right buyers are present.”
Li Wei nodded, satisfied with the appraisal. “I would like to auction off five bottles. Can you arrange that?”
Master Zhou smiled. “Certainly. We have an auction scheduled for tomorrow evening. I will ensure your pills are included.”
The following evening, Li Wei returned to the auction house, his mask securely in place. The atmosphere inside was electric, with wealthy merchants, cultivators, and other bidders filling the hall. Li Wei found a seat at the back, wanting to remain inconspicuous.
The auction began with various items, each fetching impressive prices. Li Wei watched intently as the bidding wars unfolded, gauging the crowd’s interest and the value of the items sold. Finally, the auctioneer announced the next lot.
“Our next item is a set of five bottles of rare cultivation pills, crafted by an anonymous rogue alchemist. These pills are of exceptional quality, capable of significantly enhancing one’s Qi. We will start the bidding at fifty gold pieces per bottle.”
There was a murmur of excitement in the crowd as the bidding began. Hands shot up, and the price quickly escalated. Li Wei watched as the bids climbed higher and higher, the energy in the room intensifying with each increment.
“One hundred gold pieces per bottle,” the auctioneer called out. “One hundred and fifty. Two hundred. Do I hear two fifty?”
The bids continued to rise, the competition fierce. Finally, after a heated exchange, the hammer fell at a staggering three hundred gold pieces per bottle. The crowd erupted in applause, and the auctioneer beamed with satisfaction.
“Sold! Five bottles of cultivation pills for three hundred gold pieces each. Congratulations to the winning bidder.”
Li Wei waited until the auction concluded before making his way to the office to collect his earnings. The receptionist from before greeted him, her eyes wide with awe.
“Your pills fetched an incredible price. Here is your payment,” she said, handing him a heavy pouch filled with gold.
Li Wei thanked her and quickly made his way out of the auction house, his mind racing with the possibilities that this newfound wealth opened up. The success of the auction confirmed the value of his alchemical skills and the unique power of his Dream Qi.
Returning to the inn, Li Wei carefully counted his earnings and set aside a portion to reinvest in his cultivation. He then made his way to Su Mei’s shop, where she greeted him with a smile.
“How did it go?” she asked, her eyes twinkling with curiosity.
Li Wei handed her a small pouch of gold. “The pills were a success. This is your share for helping me with the auction.”
Su Mei’s eyes widened as she accepted the pouch. “Thank you, Li Wei. This is more than generous.”
“I couldn’t have done it without your guidance,” Li Wei replied. “Consider it an investment in our future endeavors.”
They spent the next hour discussing potential business ventures and how they could leverage their resources to further their goals. Su Mei’s knowledge and connections proved invaluable, and Li Wei felt a growing sense of camaraderie with her.
With the auction behind him, Li Wei returned to his room at the inn and began to plan his next steps. The success of his cultivation pills had provided him with the funds and confidence to continue his journey. He meditated, feeling the Dream Qi flow through his meridians, stronger and more vibrant than ever.
The Myriad Dreams Scripture had guided him well so far, and he was eager to see where it would lead next. He knew that the path of cultivation was long and filled with challenges, but he was ready to face them head-on.