Sea green jade was produced from the natal qi of a high-grade spirit vein, along with the energy of Dao evolution present in that qi as the vein grew closer to evolving into a lesser dragon vein.
Those conditions were what made it so rare. If soone absorbed even a single wisp, the sea green jade would never form, because the natal qi of that spirit vein disappears upon any absorption taking place within its grounds, no matter how small.
Then there was also the fact that even if all conditions were t, there was a chance it would not form, since, as with most things in life, a little bit of luck and timing was also needed.
But if one did form, it proved well worth the effort, because sea green jade had the natural ability to harmonize all energies around it. No matter how conflicting their nature, it possessed a natural lulling ability. In addition, it both purified and condensed said energies, expelling impurities. Not to ntion that spiritual qi was naturally drawn to it, like a moth to a fla.
Walking around with a piece of sea green jade was like carrying a spirit qi-gathering array, a spiritual qi-purifying array, a spirit qi-sieving array, and a spiritual qi-harmonization array all wrapped into one. Not to ntion its other passive effects like nourishing the soul, quelling the rupture of ntal demons to a point, and, in certain cases, not only allowing one to enter deep ditation but also offering a chance to induce enlightennt through its harmonizing nature and the traces of Dao suffusing its body.
It was gentle and nurturing, which was why most who found a sea green jade would fashion it into a jade cultivation platform, similar to the mats cultivators used to aid their cultivation. As such, most would place it in their secluded chambers atop lotus cultivating platforms.
If Yang Qing did not have Yang Shitong’s nest, he would probably have tried to acquire a sea green jade and fashion a jade lotus platform from it, just like Luo ili had, who greatly needed its soothing abilities to counter the backlash of her natural physique.
As for those interested in using it for alchemy, it was obvious why one would fashion a ladle from it. Its harmonizing ability made it excellent for handling volatile ingredients.
Its ability to harmonize and suppress, or rather, quell violent reactions ant an increased chance of a successful brew. And in cases where it could not completely eliminate those reactions, its harmonizing and quelling effects would still give alchemists ample ti to study them and figure out better ways to rge and mix their ingredients. That ti for study, in turn, ant that with such a ladle on hand, one could afford to be more experintal and daring. Not to ntion, its soul-nourishing effects would allow an alchemist to push their limits before spiritual exhaustion set in, especially when refining delicate or complicated potions that demanded intense concentration across countless variables.
That being said, Yang Qing felt it was highly probable that so of the guests (especially those without an alchemy background) would likely convert it into a jade lotus platform rather than let it remain a ladle.
But chances of that happening are low, he thought, smiling wryly. After all, few could match an alchemist’s wealth.
Three minutes passed without anyone noticing. So only beca aware of the ti when Li Gang made the announcent, which moved the auction to its next phase.
"I believe you’re all satisfied and have verified the nature of the item and its state," he said, as his gentlemanly smile began adopting a more rcantile charm. His smile now held every bit of the anticipatory greed that the guests themselves displayed.
Flowing back to his elegant side, Li Gang smiled as his gaze swept across the house.
"As you all may have noticed, the ladle is made of sea green jade," Li Gang said smoothly, slowly stirring the atmosphere like the proper alchemist of greed that he was.
"I am sure every one of our extrely knowledgeable guests knows the uses and value of such an item," Li Gang continued, pausing briefly to build anticipation. "My master has often criticized for being needlessly wordy, suggesting I would be better suited as a bard than a rchant." He paused to look around before smiling slightly wider.
"He may have a point," he said, laughing, with the guests joining in.
"And in that spirit, I hope you’ll allow to share my shallow understanding of sea green jade with all of you," he continued. For soone who described himself as wordy and shallow in understanding, his description was anything but. It was concise, remarkably thorough, and rich in detail, covering a wide breadth of knowledge. It struck a masterful balance of brevity and depth, capturing the attention of everyone present as it fed them more understanding of the item while stoking the flas of their greed ever higher.
It was a masterful performance. Yang Qing could not help but sigh in admiration, watching Li Gang at work. No wonder he had been entrusted with the auction. He had the face, the deanor, and the silver tongue for it.
"Now here it cos," Yang Qing murmured, with equal parts anticipation and dread.
"Thank you for your understanding and accommodation," Li Gang said, once he was done with the little introduction, smiling politely at the guests as he bowed slightly.
"Now, for the price," he continued smoothly, bringing the room to a boil.
"The starting price is forty thousand high-grade spirit stones, with a two-thousand incrent on every successive bid," he announced.
"Figures," Yang Qing said, smiling bitterly as his posture slumped and he sank into his futon, with the scary repressed mory from his first auction surfacing in his mind.
Given the value of sea green jade, he had expected a staggering starting number like that, but hearing it still shook his soul.
Forty thousand was his entire month’s salary, and yet that was just the starting bid. Yi Jie would have to continue using whatever ladle he had for brewing wine. Yang Qing did not see any sea green jade ladle in his future—at least, not from his hands. Not when he had the cost of guarding his ho against a dangerous predator hanging over his head.
"Let the bids comnce," Li Gang declared passionately.
"Sixty thousand," ca the imdiate response from one of the guests.
Yang Qing’s jelly-like backbone, which had been slowly straightening, instantly went limp as he coiled back into his futon the mont that first bid reached his ears. He pushed his wine cup aside, feeling it would only slow him down, and moved to drink straight from the gourd, averting his eyes from the podium as he did so.
"What beautiful clouds," he murmured, sighing appreciatively like an old elder enjoying life’s small joys, knowing his ti was soon approaching.
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