Chapter 28 - The Den
Fortuna City was the trade center of both Mei and many of the surrounding kingdoms as well. It was one of the only kingdoms that had proper ports and trade routes set up in the Azure ocean so a lot of powerful clans had their hubs in the city. That was also the reason for there to be so many profound realm experts here. Whosoever controlled Fortuna City, controlled the Mei kingdom.
As such, the trade market was by far the busiest place in the entire city with beings from many different species, rare treasures, beasts and other phenomena that couldn't be seen anywhere else.
Even some people from higher grade Kingdoms and empires would choose to come here for either vacation, training or to conduct business.
Hao Xuan was completely stupefied by everything he saw on the way to the Den. There were giants with full metal armors and giant axes, beautiful men and women with fairy-like wings made out of pure energy, huge muscular people with horns on their heads, half lizards, centaurs, even some metallic life forms could be seen walking around.
They walked for a good 30mins or so until a huge temple-like building came into view.
There were streams of people entering and leaving the place with the words "The Den" scratched right above the entrance. There were no guards or soldiers anywhere in sight.
Even though it was one of the biggest auction houses in the city, there were no "accidents" of any kind. Everyone knew that whoever was capable enough to have such an establishment in Fortuna City must be extremely powerful, especially since even the military and the royal clan left them alone.
Hao Xuan entered the building with First and was welcomed by a thick gust of spiritual energy. The interior was made completely out of gold and silver with beautiful engravings everywhere.
A pretty lady in a cheongsam came up to them.
"Welcome dear guests, do you need any help?" she asked when she saw Hao Xuan looking around in amazement. Obviously it was his first time here.
"Um Yes, I want to trade an ice beast core with a lightning one," Hao Xuan said pointing towards his storage ring.
"Of course, please follow me," she said politely and led them deeper into the building. After crossing many hallways and corridors they came to a desk where a middle-aged man was sitting with a book in his hands.
"Sir, these guests are here for trading," she said while pointing towards Hao Xuan and first and then left soon after.
"Ah, welcome gentlemen. How can I help you?" the man asked while twirling his mustache.
"I have a beast core that I wanna exchange with another one," Hao Xuan said once more.
"Of course, please come in, let's talk more privately," he said while gesturing towards a door to the left which opened on its own.
They entered and saw that it room was covered by formations on all sides, likely for protection, with some chairs in the middle around a small table.
"Please," the man said to the duo pointing towards the chairs.
They all sat down and introduced each other. The man's name was "Li" and he was pretty high up in the Den. He snapped his fingers and a teapot appeared out of nowhere in the middle of the table with three cups. The man filled each cup and served them before taking his own and sitting down.
"So what type of beast core is it? Can you let me see it?" he said while taking a sip.
"It's an Ice elemental one," Hao Xuan said and took out the box and placed it on the table.
Li casually bent down and picked it up, but as he opened it his eyes lit up. This was a grade 3 core and from a very strong young beast.
"Amazing. This is worth quite a lot, would you be interested in selling it? We will pay you the best price possible," Li said after contemplating for a while.
"Sorry, I'm only interested in trading it with another core of lightning element," Hao Xuan said while shaking his head.
"Are you sure? Although this really is worth a fortune its also quite dangerous. Usually cores from such strong beast bloodlines are prohibited for trade lest we anger the old monsters hiding in the oceans and forests, not to mention the beast clans," Li said while furrowing his brow.
"I'm really sorry, but I still need another core in exchange for this. I need it for cultivation," Hao Xuan said after thinking about it for a while.
"Unfortunate. Alright, you are our customer nonetheless so we will, of course, do anything we can to help you out. We can't put this in our normal auctions but a small private one will be held tonight and you can try your luck there. The transaction fee is about 500 low-grade spirit stones but since it's your first time, it will be free of charge. Only the entrance fee is 200 spirit stones," Li said while handing the box back to Hao Xuan.
"Thank you," Hao Xuan said with a smile and gave him two hundred spirit stones. Li stored them and gave him a small gold token with an inscription on it.
"The token will vibrate and guide you to the auction when its time. You can either choose to wait here or go to some of the normal auctions whenever you want.. Just show them the token and they will let you in," Li said while getting up and left through another door.