Daily life of a cultivation judge Chapter 1457: How many faces will remain?

Elder Jia Ming, representing the Seven Lotus Stream Sect, emerged victorious from the bidding war, securing a hard-earned win. This triumph came after his sect's financial struggles and significant debt were brought to light earlier during the auction for the sea green jade ladle. Despite Elder Jia Ming's successful bid for the dew, the individual from Maple Leaf Manor, who had previously taunted their sect about its debts and the necessity for outer sect disciples to provide their own robes, couldn't resist another jab. Even with Elder Jia Ming's victory, the Maple Leaf Manor representative implied that his success was only possible because the item wasn't being traded for lesser dragon jade crystals or spirit stones, suggesting that their sect would have been eliminated in the initial bidding rounds due to their notorious lack of spirit stones.

Perhaps fueled by his win, Elder Jia Ming launched a witty retort, a stark contrast to his previous silent, tight-lipped demeanor. His response this time was delivered with considerably more panache.

Yang Qing found the exchange highly amusing, as did many others within the auction hall.

Yang Qing felt a surprising sense of camaraderie with Elder Jia Ming of the Seven Lotus Stream Sect, recognizing the parallels in their predicaments. Both were short on spirit stones yet exhibited a reckless determination and desperation, willing to employ whatever assets they possessed to secure their desired items at the auction, despite their financial constraints. Yang Qing had utilized the sap of the Green Flame Tree, while Elder Jia Ming had won his bid by offering two mature Floating Reedwood Trees, albeit of the lower monarch grade.

As if fearing this offering might be insufficient, or perhaps to avoid being outbid, or maybe driven by the looming threat of Elder Feng of the Jade Sand Dune Sect's reprimand should he fail, Elder Jia Ming sweetened his bid further. He added the heartwood of a Thundervein Camphor, of the same grade as the reedwood. He presented two such items outright, and further pledged to have crown leaves from the Soaring Cloud Cypress delivered from his sect by the end of the day if the two initial items proved inadequate.

Whether moved by the evident desperation Elder Jia Ming displayed in his pursuit of the heart quenching mulberry dew, or perhaps out of pity for his sect's millions in debt, which prevented them from even supplying robes to new disciples, or simply because a number of attendees harbored no particular fondness for Elder Feng, no competing bids materialized for the dew. Consequently, the elder secured his prize without further complication.

Considering Elder Jia Ming's prior tiff with Elder Feng, Yang Qing had half-anticipated a counter-bid from Elder Feng just as victory seemed within Elder Jia Ming's grasp. However, no such bid came. Yang Qing strongly suspected this was less due to a benevolent decision to follow a trend of compassion and sympathy towards Elder Jia Ming, allowing him to claim the dew, and more likely because Elder Feng lacked the necessary assets to make a competitive offer.

"Seven Lotus Stream Sect," Yang Qing murmured with a touch of amusement, mentally noting the name to investigate later, as he had been unaware of their existence until this day. Feeling a newfound kinship with the sect due to their shared circumstances, he felt obligated to learn more. Given its status as a rank three sect, the Order's records on them were likely comprehensive, though perhaps not to the extent of detailing the sect master's preferred beverage or their more clandestine eccentricities. Nevertheless, the information would likely go deep enough to offer insights into the origins of their substantial debt.

Substantial debts were precisely the kind of intriguing details that piqued the investigative and curious nature of the Flying Shadow Hawks. And perhaps Mao Mao as well, though her curiosity was easily ignited by virtually anything.

Yang Qing cheekily mused, a chuckle escaping him as he envisioned Mao Yunru ensconced in a room piled high with scrolls, meticulously engrossed in one. He imagined her reading with such grave intensity as if deciphering an arcane cultivation manual requiring her utmost focus, when in reality, the text was filled with juicy gossip about some distant clan she had no connection to, yet was as deeply invested in as Elder Feng was with the Seven Lotus Stream Sect.

As Yang Qing became lost in his playful contemplation of the 'Dao of Gossip' and how Mao Yunru might achieve immortality through such a path if it were to exist, the atmosphere on the platform and in the hall below transitioned from its prior tense silence to a more relaxed disposition. Even Li Gang appeared more at ease, his smile gentler and his movements consequently lighter and more casual.

"With the final item having found its destined owner, I want to express my sincere gratitude to all of you from the Vast Blue Merchant Company, not only for dedicating your time to grace us with your presence but also for making this a truly fruitful and memorable auction," he stated, eliciting nods and smiles from the crowd, with some exchanging knowing glances at specific points Li Gang had made.

"To the esteemed buyers, the valued sellers, and everyone else who is present here with us today," he continued, his gaze warmly sweeping across the entire auction house, from the bustling ground floor to the tiered gallery seating, "I offer my deepest thanks for entrusting us with your business. None of this would have been possible without your participation. The Vast Blue would not stand without you. You are indeed the lifeblood of what the Vast Blue is and always will be. Therefore, thank you, truly, for your patronage and your unwavering support."

A more genuine smile gracing his features this time, Li Gang cupped his fists and offered a bow to the assembled crowd that lasted for nearly two minutes before he finally straightened his head.

"Thank you," he articulated once more, his voice a slow, deliberate whisper that nevertheless carried clearly to every part of the expansive auction hall.

"I would also like to extend my thanks to my colleagues, both those who are here with us now and those who are not," he announced, casting a slight bow towards the back left and then repeating the gesture to the right, where the dedicated staff members of the Vast Blue mirrored their leader's action.

Yang Qing smacked his lips, a look of admiration on his face at the harmonious display from both sides. Observing their warm and unified front, one would never suspect the underlying power struggles for the leadership of the Vast Blue, nor that some among them would readily eliminate others if the suitable opportunity arose.

Following his acknowledgments to his colleagues, Li Gang expressed his gratitude to the company's founders, demonstrating a humble appreciation for being entrusted with the responsibility of hosting the day's proceedings. He concluded his expressions of thanks by acknowledging the appraisers, Chen Yu from the esteemed Jade Leaf Academy and Mo Guang representing the Gold Earth Bank, both of whom responded with a nod and a cupped fist gesture.

"And with that, I officially declare the auction concluded," Li Gang proclaimed, bringing his fists together in a slight bow as he offered a smile to the attendees who returned the gesture, Yang Qing being among them.

"For those who are not in a rush to depart, please feel free to linger and enjoy our facilities. We have serene courtyards available for your leisure over the next four days. For those wishing to leave immediately, our complimentary flying ferries stand ready to transport you. The same generous offer will be extended to anyone departing at a later time."

Should any further assistance or arrangements be required, please do not hesitate to approach myself or any of our staff members; we are entirely at your disposal," Li Gang offered with a warm sincerity. "Please enjoy yourselves," he concluded, nodding towards various staff members who, at his signal, emerged carrying trays laden with refreshing gourds, pots of fine wine, and steaming kettles of tea.

Below, as if by some unseen enchantment, the seating configurations shifted, and rectangular tables accompanied by plush cushions materialized around the guests. Simultaneously, deep orange paper screen panels gracefully ascended from the ground, constructing elegant partitions around the cushions, tables, and chairs, effectively creating what appeared to be private alcoves, effectively transforming the space. The grand auction hall, once arrayed with seats in uniform rows, now resembled a sophisticated teahouse or restaurant, with intimate partitions dotting every available area. The paper screens themselves were adorned with beautifully painted motifs of graceful birds, serene fish, majestic mountains, and flowing rivers, while the overhead canopies of these partitions were exclusively crafted from dawn cloud leaves, which suffused the entire hall with a warm, amber luminescence, making the atmosphere even more pronounced. It was a scene that evoked the simultaneous presence of both autumn and dawn.

Perhaps due to prior experience or foreknowledge of such transformations, the guests on the lower level displayed little surprise as their seats, with them still seated, began to move. The attendees circulated with a noticeably more relaxed demeanor this time, some forming small groups of two, three, or four, while others gathered in larger clusters, drifting into the private partitions. These partitions seemed to possess an adaptive quality, adjusting their size in unison with the number of occupants – remaining consistent for one or two individuals but subtly expanding to accommodate larger groups.

Yang Qing's eyes widened with a profound sense of wonder as he observed the spectacle unfolding below, a part of him deeply desirous of descending to partake in the experience. However, his gaze settled upon his outer robe, and he ultimately decided against it. Today, he occupied the gallery seating, but he resolved that on a future occasion, clad in a different outer robe, he might descend and perhaps even drag Yi Jie, Feng Xin, and the others along for this unique experience.

"If it will still be here," Yang Qing suddenly mused, a sigh escaping him as his eyes drifted towards Li Gang and the other staff members. They were smiling, busily engaged in interacting with both the guests and each other.