Ms. Diviner: The Prodigal Daughter's Return

Chapter 166: 166 needs an opportunity

Over half a month had passed since their last visit, and not only merchants but many cultivators had also come in admiration. The sound of haggling was endless inside the auction house, truly a bustling scene.

Those two young disciples stood there dumbfounded, their faces flushing with embarrassment. They wished they could take back their words, as the scene before them nearly made them bite their own tongues—the feeling of being proven wrong was indeed very unpleasant.

Qu Shanling, on the other hand, was secretly relieved. Thankfully, he hadn’t spoken out to mock them earlier. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be just the two of them feeling the embarrassment—it would have been him as well. What was more pitiful was that the people proving them wrong were none other than themselves.

”Senior Qu, this is the Nanmu Auction that the junior presides over,” Mu Nan finally had a chance to lift his spirits and proudly spoke to Qu Shanling.

”Oh, it’s quite decent,” Qu Shanling felt surprised inside, but his face still displayed an indifferent attitude as he spoke coolly.

”Senior, shall we take a look around?” Mu Nan didn’t mind and continued to speak gracefully.

A swordsman had to prove himself with strength, and it was no different for a businessman. To gain Qu Shanling’s recognition, mere words were fruitless. Only by showing him his strength could he succeed.

Qu Shanling didn’t say much; he went straight to the merchants. He was a shrewd and experienced person; he hadn’t lived through his life trusting his eyes completely.

Despite the seeming prosperity of the Nanmu Auction, could it be that they had hired shills to put on an act for him?

As Qu Shanling strolled around, he carefully observed the various cultivation items for sale. The items, from the strange flowers and herbs to the cultivation techniques and swords of various lengths, were all high-quality, rivalling those found in the county cities. Some rare treasures were even items seldom seen within those counties.

If these people were shills hired by the Nanmu Auction, how could one explain these cultivation items? If he could really provide so many high-quality cultivation items, it would have already proven the strength of the Nanmu Auction. There wouldn be no need for shills.

While browsing, Qu Shanling also chatted with the merchant patrons. During the conversations, those merchants who were also cultivators praised the Nanmu Auction to the skies, and Qu Shanling learned from them the business strategies of the auction house.

If it were someone else, they might just listen for entertainment. But Qu Shanling quickly grasped the key point—though the Nanmu Auction seemed to be making a loss on food and lodging, it earned popularity. And by taking physical items as a commission, it managed to make a good profit.

No wonder Sun Yuzhe held Mu Nan in such high regard. His vision and courage was indeed beyond the common, superior to the best of his generation.

Despite the Nanmu Auction currently being in its early stages, with this momentum, its future achievements were immeasurable. What they needed now was an opportunity.

Thinking this, Qu Shanling stroked his beard, silently making calculations in his mind.

Unconsciously, the group had wandered around a large area and arrived at a small courtyard in the back designed for the merchants to trade valuable items, which, of course, incurred a fee. It could be said that aside from the free food and lodging used to attract popularity, Mu Nan didn’t let any opportunity to make money slip by.

Of course, no one objected. With food and lodging already free, what more could they want? Didn’t want to pay? No one was forcing them to come; they could just trade outside, couldn’t they?

”Senior Qu, you have now seen the junior’s auction house. May I ask if you have any advice?” After the servants offered tea, Mu Nan inquired.