189 Golden Crow City (1/2)
”It was a pleasure to travel with you,” Wan Qiang said with a great smile on his face.
Wan Qiang was indeed the one who had enjoyed traveling with Xue Wei and the others. He had asked many questions, tried to get closer to both Xue Wei and all his friends, and he had tried to pry into their past with casual conversation.
Xue Wei and the others had stayed on high alert from the very start and divulged very little to Wan Qiang. They chose their words very carefully, as they realized that Wan Qiang was the type to catch even the tiniest hint.
He was trying to find out the backgrounds of Bai Tianyi and Wang Xiaoyun. his interest in Xue Wei and Hei Gou was almost non-existent, which made Xue Wei frown. He was convinced the man knew who he was.
When Wang Xiaoyun accidentally called Xue Wei by his real name, Wan Qiang showed no surprise or confusion. He just smiled slightly. At the end, Xue Wei was completely convinced that the elder knew of him. But why would he assist him, then?
As they traveled northwest, they found that the temperature dropped slightly. Most people would not notice it, but they were all cultivators, and every change around them was easily sensed by them.
Throughout the entire journey, they had traveled on main roads. The main road they were currently traveling on, led to a large neutral city that was placed right on the border of the Chengzi Kingdom and the Skyward Empire.
The Golden Chambers owned this city. It was a very important trade hub for the nations on both sides of the border. This was the main trade connection to exchange specialties from the two countries.
When they were a mile away from the gates, they saw the beginning of a queue that led to the entrance of the city. Merchants, caravans, independent cultivators, and even sect members were all waiting patiently in the queue.
”This is where we will say our goodbyes,” Wan Qiang said with a nod of his head. ”I have guided you towards the location that is most suitable for you on the way towards the center of the continent.”
”I wish you all the best in your endeavor and try not to get killed.” Wan Qiang smiled at them before he turned around without a second word, and flew off at a speed many times faster than what he had shown thus far.
”Let's join the queue,” Xue Wei said, looking at the mile-long queue curiously. ”I wonder if it is natural for this many people to be entering the Golden Crow City,” he questioned. The others shrugged their shoulders.
”Young ones, I take it you are not from this area?” someone standing behind them asked. Xue Wei turned around, only to face a middle-aged man on top of a carriage. ”I can tell you what is going on, but for a price,” the man said with a grin on his face.
Curious as Xue Wei was, he tossed a gold coin to the man who hurriedly caught it and his eyes shone with excitement. Xue Wei was always worried about not having enough money, but when he had earned some he found that he was rather generous with it.
”The Golden Crow City is governed by the Golden Chambers. The Golden Chambers has many neutral cities placed in the border areas of various kingdoms and empires. The Golden Crow City is known to be one of the smaller of their cities.”
”It just so happens that every city under the control of the Golden Chambers has a yearly auction, and this city's auction will happen two weeks from now.” The man grinned. He had been given a gold coin so he had no intentions to skimp on information.
”The Golden Crow City is located right between the Chengzi Kingdom and Skyward Empire, so it has the best from both sides. Usually, all the high-quality spirit fruits from the Chengzi Kingdom are sent to the center of the continent, but this time some of them will be up for sale.”
”I even heard a rumor saying that a Rebirth Pill is going to be put up for auction.”
Xue Wei jolted, and then his eyes glistened. Wang Xiaoyun was similarly shocked. ”A Rebirth Pill?” she asked hurriedly with bated breath,. The man nodded his head.
”I am mentioning it because I saw your companion's appearance,” he said seriously. ”But the three great sects have sent people here to get it for them, so it will be difficult for you to keep it for yourself.”
Xue Wei concentrated for some time before he looked at the man. ”Are there any formations up for sale?” he then asked. The man started laughing out loud. ”Formations? This is only the border between the Chengzi Kingdom and the Skyward Empire. Even if they are to deliver some treasures here, a formation is far too rare to appear in this location!”
”Although there are formation masters in the continent, they are incredibly rare and all of them guard their formation recipes with their lives. If a formation master is to appear, that will be within the center of the continent, not out here in the outskirts.”
Xue Wei smiled. Hearing the man's stern denial at the prospect of a formation master appearing here, he had a feeling that he could possibly get his hands on the Rebirth Pill if he put a few formations up for auction.
Xue Wei thanked the man for the information he was given, and looked around. There were indeed people from every single faction and a lot of independent cultivators rushing to the city.
The queue was in constant procession, and they soon reached the gate. Paying thirty silver a person was almost a highway robbery, but Xue Wei did not cause any drama and paid it right away.
As they entered into the city, they did not look for an inn but headed straight to the center of the city where a massive pagoda was located. Hundreds of small buildings were placed at the foot of the pagoda, each one being a store of its own specializing in specific things.
The auction later would be held inside the pagoda. It was also where they carried out examinations for those seeking to list an item of their own.
Xue Wei, followed by Hei Gou, Wang Xiaoyun, and Bai Tianyi, headed straight for the pagoda's front entrance. Their clothes were all of the highest quality, but they were travel-worn and dusty after being on the road for so many days.