"Father, why did you let that kid Qin Ya go?" In the study, Qin Yuncheng's expression was grim.
"Hmph. A man who's been a waste for ten years suddenly becomes a Human Element Fourth Grade Martial Artist. Don't you find that strange?" A peculiar light flickered in Qin Hai's eyes as he seemed lost in thought.
"So what? He's just a Human Element Fourth Grade. I could crush him with one hand." Qin Yuncheng lifted his chin, his face full of arrogance.
Qin Hai shook his head, scolding him in disappointment, "How can you be so dense? I saw Qin Ya just three days ago. Back then, he hadn't even reached the Second Grade. But in just three days, he's a Fourth Grade. There must be a secret."
Qin Yuncheng's eyes lit up, and he said with excitement, "Father, do you think he might have suddenly obtained some kind of treasure? That would explain his rapid progress."
"Yes, that's right. I had the same suspicion, which is why I placated him for now. Find some time to investigate him."
"Alright."
............
"Xiaoya, you can cultivate now. Take these two vials of Essence Pills. You must work hard." Qin Yuxiang took out two small green vials and handed them to Qin Ya.
Taking the Essence Pills, Qin Ya's heart felt heavy. He knew that although Qin Yuxiang was an Elder in the family, she only received two vials of Essence Pills per month.
"Aunt, I won't let you down." Qin Ya didn't refuse. He accepted the Essence Pills and spoke with great solemnity.
"That's good." Qin Yuxiang's face was filled with relief.
Before she could have any children of her own, her husband had died in a battle protecting the clan. It was during that period of grief that her sister sent Qin Ya to her.
She protected him with all her might, truly treating Qin Ya as her own son.
After seeing Qin Yuxiang off, Qin Ya began his cultivation.
Two days later, Qin Ya's cultivation broke through to the Human Element Realm Fifth Grade. At his terrifying absorption rate, the two vials of Essence Pills were already used up.
For a Martial Artist's cultivation, resources were the most important thing besides aptitude. Without resources, no matter how talented you were, you would still fall behind the disciples of major powers in the early stages.
'Right, how could I have been so dense? My mind is a treasure trove.'
Qin Ya's eyes lit up. The cultivation techniques and pill formulas in his memory... any one of them would sell for an astronomical price.
Naturally, a world-shaking Martial Art like the Nine Heavens Shocking God Record couldn't be sold. However, even some lower-level Martial Arts would be enough to cause a stir in Anxing City.
As far as he knew, the most powerful Cultivation and Martial Skill in all of Anxing City were merely the Profound-Level Lower-Class Clan Martial Arts of the three great families.
But in Qin Ya's memory, any Cultivation and Martial Skill he could produce would be superior, never inferior, to these so-called Clan Martial Arts.
Qin Ya immediately found a brush and paper and wrote down a Profound-Level Lower-Class Martial Skill called the Wind and Rain Sword Technique.
'A Profound-Level Lower-Class Martial Skill is definitely a Top-Level Secret Technique in Anxing City. Even in the vast Qingyu County, it would be considered extraordinary. Based on current market prices, it should auction for at least five hundred thousand Silver Coins.'
Throughout the entire Yunxiao Empire, many Martial Artists never had the chance to cultivate a Martial Skill. Sometimes, even a single Yellow-Level Martial Skill would cause countless Martial Artists to fight to the death over it.
'If I were to auction off the Wind and Rain Sword Technique, I'm afraid even the Clan Leaders of Anxing's three great families would be tempted.' Looking at the Sword Manual in his hand, a playful smile touched the corners of Qin Ya's lips.
To a family, a good Martial Skill was far more significant than it was to Loose Cultivators. It was enough to strengthen the family's foundation by a large margin.
After nightfall, Qin Ya draped a black cloak over himself and prepared to leave the Qin Family estate. As he passed through the main gate, he was stopped by two guards. "Qin Ya, it's already late. Where are you going?"
"What? I wasn't aware the Qin Family had a curfew. Do you need to manage my whereabouts as well?" Qin Ya snorted coldly.
The two guards exchanged a look and said, "We're just curious. We mean no harm."
The news that Qin Ya had instantly defeated Qin Feiyang and shattered his energy meridians had long since spread throughout the Qin Family. Everyone was shocked. As two ordinary guards, they naturally didn't dare to offend this "Evil God," Qin Ya.
"Your curiosity is a bit much." Qin Ya gave the two a meaningful glance, then turned and left without looking back.
"Who does he think he is? Who knows when he'll turn back into a waste. How dare he be so arrogant? I'd like to see how long he can stay pleased with himself." After Qin Ya was a good distance away, one of the guards curled his lip and said disdainfully.
"Alright, you keep watch here. I'm going to report to the Second Young Master immediately." After speaking, the other guard immediately headed into the estate.
.........
The Martial Market was a place dedicated to trade and commerce among Martial Artists. It was located in the center of Anxing City and covered an area of one li.
Although it was night, the Martial Market was still bustling with activity. Some Martial Artists searched for goods they fancied, while others, like common vendors, had set up stalls and were hawking their wares.
"Twenty-year-old Celestial Spirit Grass! Get it while it's hot!"
"Inner Armor made from Black Rhino Hide! A life-saving tool in a critical moment! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"
"Quick, quick, quick! A Divine Soldier that cuts through iron like mud! Only twenty Silver Coins! It's now or never!"
Qin Ya found it all quite novel. He looked left and right, occasionally haggling with a vendor or two, only to walk away smugly when they turned red with frustration.
The Martial Market was in the center of Anxing City, and the auction house was in the center of the Martial Market. Before long, Qin Ya arrived at an antique-looking pavilion.
Above the pavilion's entrance, a plaque was inscribed with three large, gilded words: Four Seas Pavilion. The calligraphy was vigorous and powerful, grand and magnificent. That plaque alone was worth a small fortune.
The Four Seas Pavilion was an auction house with branches throughout the Azure Sky Realm. It had a branch in almost every city of the Human Race. Its financial power was immense, rivaling that of an entire nation.
Qin Ya, still in his black cloak, took out a silver mask, put it on his face, and walked inside. A beautiful attendant immediately approached him.
The attendant wasn't surprised by Qin Ya's attire. Most people who came here to auction items chose to hide their identities. She smiled politely and said, "Sir, how may I help you?"
Qin Ya altered his voice, making it sound like scraping metal, grating to the ear. "Who is in charge here?"
The attendant's brow furrowed slightly, but her excellent training compelled her to maintain her smile. "Our person in charge is Steward Yun Yushan. Sir, if you wish to auction an item, I can handle that for you."
"The item I wish to auction is very valuable. It would be best if you went and got your Steward Yun," Qin Ya said indifferently.
"Well..." The attendant looked at Qin Ya, whose face was mostly hidden by the mask. Seeing his insistence, she hesitated for a moment before saying, "Very well. Please wait a moment, Sir."
After the attendant left, Qin Ya wasn't in a hurry. He waited quietly in the main hall.
Before long, the attendant returned, leading out a short, stout old man with a ruddy complexion, dressed in a purple robe. She pointed at Qin Ya from a distance.
As a Steward of the Four Seas Pavilion, Yun Yushan's cultivation had reached the Profound Origin Fifth Grade. With a brief scan, he perceived Qin Ya's cultivation level.
'Human Element Fifth Grade.'
Yun Yushan's expression soured. He thought to himself, 'With such weak cultivation, what kind of valuable item could he possibly have to auction? Just another arrogant, conceited Martial Artist.'
But since he had already come out, there was no harm in taking a look. Of course, his attitude was far from good. Walking over, Yun Yushan asked nonchalantly, "I am Yun Yushan. And what might you be auctioning, Your Excellency?"
Qin Ya saw through Yun Yushan's thoughts at a glance, but he wasn't annoyed. He stated faintly, "A Profound-Level Lower-Class Martial Skill, the Wind and Rain Sword Technique."
Upon hearing this, the expressions of both Yun Yushan and the attendant changed involuntarily.