The Programmer Cultivator

The Female Cultivator took the card and swiped it gently, and the door to the private room opened.

She then led Zhang Deming inside. Only after they were in the room did she hand the VIP card to him, saying,

”Senior, this is your private room. The auction will be starting soon, but it will enter a warm-up phase first. There’s still some time before it truly begins. In the meantime, Senior, you can take a look at our auction house’s internal shop.”

At this, she walked over to a row of soft chairs in the room and pointed to the small table in front of them. ”Place the VIP card on this surface, and you’ll be able to see our internal shop.

”These items were all prepared for this auction. While some may not be quite up to auction-grade, they were specially selected for the joint auction, so there are still quite a few fine products among them.”

Zhang Deming surveyed the room’s layout. Overall, it was a standard private room setup for an auction.

The row of soft chairs faced the auction floor below. He seemed to be on the second floor of the building, and the view was decent.

In front of the chairs was a small, long table that looked as if it were made of glass.

Following the Female Cultivator’s instructions, Zhang Deming walked over, sat down, and gently placed the VIP card on the table.

On the glass-like surface of the table, a display screen resembling a tablet appeared.

Zhang Deming made a grabbing motion at the screen, and the entire display lifted up, hovering in the air as a three-dimensional, virtual Mirror Image.

Then, Zhang Deming leaned back into the soft chair and began casually browsing through it.

’There’s quite a lot of stuff here. It’s almost like an online store,’ he thought. ’I have to say, the owner of this auction house is a shrewd businessman, and incredibly up-to-date.’

”Senior, if there is nothing else, I will take my leave for now,” the Female Cultivator said. ”I’ll be right outside during this time. If you need anything, Senior, you can call for me at any time. For any need at all.”

Zhang Deming’s movements paused slightly, and he looked up at the Female Cultivator.

’Your ”any need” is a bit interesting. Am I just overthinking things, or are you really that innocent?’

’Or are you trying to send me a signal? Suggesting some form of... entertainment while I wait for the auction to officially begin?’

’I’ve already reached Tai Chi, so preserving my Primordial Yang is no longer a concern. Still, this new body is... a first-timer, so to speak. I think I’ll pass on ”applauding” with you.’

Being watched by Zhang Deming, the Female Cultivator showed no reaction, merely lowering her head bashfully, awaiting his instructions.

After a moment, Zhang Deming nodded. ”Alright. You’re dismissed.”

The Female Cultivator paused for a beat upon hearing his words. Without any further ado, she gave a slight bow and turned to leave the private room.

Zhang Deming collected himself and glanced around before looking down at the main hall below, which was filled with many seats.

In front of every seat was a virtual Light Screen, and right now, many of them were displaying the so-called internal shop.

’For an auction like this, forget the commission from consigned items. Just the peripheral business before and after, and all the markets it stimulates, is enough for the organizers to make a killing.’

’It’s practically a whole industrial chain... Quite the operation...’

After observing for a moment, Zhang Deming’s focus returned to the virtual screen in front of him, and he resumed scrolling through the items with swipes of his hand.

It was clear that these items had been carefully selected. The variety was considerable, with a wide range of goods that would likely appeal to many different Cultivators.

Zhang Deming continued scrolling casually, just browsing.

A moment later, his expression shifted, and his scrolling hand paused.

’This is...?’

Zhang Deming reached out and tapped the Light Screen. The object within the display materialized in 3D before him.

It was a flight pack with a strong sci-fi aesthetic, featuring two long, cylindrical tubes on the back.

Seeing this, Zhang Deming was visibly stunned.

’Huayue City really has some tricks up its sleeve. They can even get their hands on things from the Celestial Universe Federation. And by the looks of it, they have quite a few. That’s impressive.’

He knew that the Three Sects—Celestial Spirit, Hua Shui, and Bai Shu—were all considered mid-tier or lower-mid-tier among the Four-Nine Upper Sects.

Because of this, within the sphere of influence of the Three Sects, their only connection to the Celestial Universe Federation was something akin to an embassy; none of the Federation’s religious churches had been established here.

Under these circumstances, obtaining a significant number of items from the Federation required some serious connections. As expected of the land of the Three Sects, the first place to answer the call to make contact with the Outer Realm.

Zhang Deming looked at the price, and his teeth began to ache.

Item: Outer Realm Flying Artifact

Grade: One-Star

Price: Three hundred twenty-five Spirit Stones.

Note: Although this is a One-Star Magical Artifact, it is an item from the Outer Realm and is difficult to acquire. It also possesses a Flying function typically found only in Two-Star Flying Artifacts. Therefore, its price is set at the level of a mid-tier Two-Star Magical Artifact Level.

Special Note: This item can be powered by Spirit Stones and does not consume the user’s Spiritual Power, although it can also be self-powered. Thus, this item can be used regardless of one’s Cultivation level. It is the perfect gift for a Sect’s Disciples or younger-generation members.

Zhang Deming was speechless as he read the description. Over three hundred Spirit Stones was already on the expensive side for a Two-Star Artifact.

For a mere flight pack to fetch such a price... Zhang Deming really didn’t know what to say.

While his thoughts were still swirling, the auction below slowly began.

”Friends, welcome! The time has come once again for the decennial Huayue United Auction.”