Chương 44: Chapter 43 – Face Slapping at the Auction

The hall was filled with an excited susurrus of anticipation as the waiting crowd went to take their seats. Ren was pulled along with the crowd toward the common seats with Mei Ling and Bao Hua. In the private balconies above would be seated the most honored guests. This definitely wasn't his first time at an auction, and as the Young Master of the Zhao family, he had been invited to those private chambers many times. He had gotten used to being treated with the deference his 'title' deserved.

He was familiar with auction hall practices, but all that had been in the mortal world. Here, in this hall, Zhao Ren was but an ant in a room of elephants. A bystander witnessing a clash amongst giants. If Ren was intimidated by the splendor of the room, Bao Hua was absolutely stunned. Ren and Ling had to drag the frozen young man to their seats. Once the hall was filled, a young woman stepped up on the stage. A pedestal with a covered item awaited.

It just so happened that Ren recognized the pretty sister who was going to conduct the auction. It was Sister Chu'Huan, whom he had met at the frontlines of the beast tides. She was the one with an ice-and-fire temperament who had introduced Ren and Hua to the workings of the camp on the frontlines. She seemed to be in fine form today as she greeted everyone enthusiastically.

"Greetings one and all! Welcome to our little auction! Everyone here has a chance to obtain a treasure that might just change your fate. So loosen your purse strings and seize the opportunity!"

"For the first item, we have…. A rare 1000 year Heart Soothing Grass! A precious herb known to eradicate heart devils and reduce the impact of ascending a realm! Dear guests, you all know that its potency only grows with age. So don't let it slip from your grasp! The bidding begins at 3 mid-grade spirit stones!" The very first item for sale threw Ren out of balance! He had known that herbs with such miraculous properties existed, but to see it with his own eyes?! Already his gut twisted with longing and envy.

None in the common area uttered a sound, shocked into silence by the initial price. Naturally the calls began from the balconies above. Ren thought he recognized some of the voices but couldn't be certain. The price rose quickly and settled at 11 mid-grade spirit stones. A jaw-dropping price that was thrown out in a calm and collected voice. Ren thought he picked up the speaking cadences of monks. It made sense because from what Sabo had told him, this herb would be of particular use to them as heart cultivators.

From then on, the items presented, while not nearly as impressive as the first, sold in the range of 5-9 mid-grade spirit stones. Occasionally a voice would rise from the common area where someone used all of their savings to buy a particular item. There were members of other sects present amongst those numbers. Ren extended his senses to memorize as many items as he could. That was his purpose for coming today after all.

The exotic herbs, pills, cores, and other such items were all rare, and Ren recognized but a scant few of them. He found the experience was broadening his horizons with every display. The ones he did know were from the two days he spent trying to identify his own earnings. The one exception was one blood crystal like the one he found, which sold for 8 mid-grade spirit stones. It brought a smile to his face, knowing that he possessed such a valuable treasure. At the same time, he didn't regret not selling it.

It was an important piece of the foundation he was trying to build. If his endeavor with the formation were successful, then its value would far outstrip a handful of mid-grade spirit stones. Occasionally those in the private balconies would compete for an item, and the air would grow charged until one backed down. The proceedings were downright civil compared to his mortal experiences. Yet the underlying spirit of competition was undeniable. The tangible pressure was something he had heard about.

He suspected it was from the clashing of spiritual senses of the cultivators present. It was called killing intent, usually because in most cases, these conflicts were resolved through violence. Even if no one would dare stir up trouble here, it didn't stop the competing buyers from baring their fangs. Still, for the audience it was an entertaining show. Someone would say, "I need this item, brothers and sisters! Please give me face and don't fight me over this!"

A classic method to prevent the price rising too high. If they didn't have the right backing yet acted outrageously like this, then inevitably they would be ignored and outbid. They would sit back down, burning with shame and anger at their lost face while others laughed. Others would bid desperately for an item yet be forced to give up when the price crossed their limit. Some would offer a trade, which was a common practice, and the item's owner could make the final decision. It was a lot of fun.

Most of the audience was as busy discussing the participants as the items. Halfway through the event, Chu'Huan announced a short recess. They would be bringing out the best items next for a grand conclusion. This was also the time when backroom deals were made. As the three of them discussed the auctioned items, a short disciple appeared and gave a short bow.

"Zhao Ren, you and your companions are invited to the private viewing area by Senior Xi Yao." Ren was taken aback, but he recognized the name. It was Xi Yuan's elder brother! The last he had heard of him was when he went to visit Uncle Tao about the potential conflict with Jian Feng when he had first joined the sect. But why would he call upon Ren now? Nevertheless, this was not an invitation that he could refuse. Ling and Hua looked curious about the whole thing but willingly followed.

Ren was glad for the company. They were guided to one of the private rooms where the attendant knocked on the door. When the trio entered, Ren's suspicions were confirmed as he was enthusiastically greeted by a smiling Xi Yuan. There were two others with her. One who was reclined regally on a chair and a servant who stood respectfully behind him. This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it"Brother Ren! Are you well? I knew you would make it through the trial!"

Ren clasped his hands in a formal greeting to the siblings.

"I am. Greetings, Senior and Sister Xi Yuan. I hope that your own experience in the trial was fruitful." Senior Xi Yao interrupted his sister before she could start what was surely a lengthy and detailed retelling of her adventures.

"Greetings, Junior Zhao. My condolences for your uncle. He was an honorable man. Your family must be grieving his loss." His voice sounded formal yet disinterested.

"Thank you, senior. I informed them soon after the trial ended." Ren was unsure where this was going and didn't quite know what to say. Furthermore, the stiff mannerisms of Xi Yao made him quite nervous. He detested interactions like these, where he had to represent his clan rather than himself. Where a poorly framed sentence could doom the last thread of friendship between their families. Xi Yuan picked up on his discomfort and said, "I asked brother to invite you here.

So we can enjoy the second half of the auction together. It should be entertaining! There's an unexpected prize that everyone has an eye on, but Brother is determined to win it." By then Xi Yao had already turned away, occasionally throwing out a jade slip that would fly to other private rooms. Rather than being insulted, Ren felt pleased. Not being under scrutiny actually felt better for him. He sat with his friends beside Xi Yuan, who couldn't wait any longer.

She launched into a tale of discovery, action, peril, and reward. She gestured and mimed sword strikes as she spoke. Ling and Hua, who were somewhat familiar with Xi Yuan, were simply appreciating the tale. But Ren could tell they weren't entirely convinced because they didn't really understand what a heavenly genius truly meant. Despite it seeming like a young girl bragging about her deeds, knowing her, the story was surely far tamer than what really happened.

Impressively, Xi Yuan had actually made it all the way to the core regions alongside her martial brothers and sisters, fellow disciples of her master. She had just built up to the moment when the trial was about to close when Chu'huan returned to resume the auction. Xi Yuan pouted at the interruption.

"We saved the best items for the second half, so I hope you haven't spent all your wealth just yet. To start, we present a rare treasure found in the core region of the trial, a Blood Devouring Gu. This amazing bug insect can consume vast amounts of blood and produce a miraculous healing pill. A pill that can cure anything short of death! But that's not all; this guy is also extremely useful in battle. The bidding starts at 15 mid-grade spirit stones!"

Ren's mouth was open in shock from both the price and the Gu itself. It was entirely beyond his means. Beside them, Xi Yao snorted.

"Hah! Anything short of death… for mortals, not cultivators! It would still be useful, nothing that impressive." The bidding started fiercely from all sides. And this was just the first. The items from the entrance hall were all presented one after another and sold for outrageous prices. But the one that stole the show was nothing Ren could have expected. It was a fragment of a bloodstained Jian sword that let off a terrifying aura despite being contained behind a formation.

Xi Yao had clearly been waiting for it and bid with iron determination. When someone from a neighboring balcony tried to test him by raising the price intentionally, he let off a surge of killing intent that froze Ren's blood. Even though it wasn't directed at him and he was just experiencing a small portion of it, Ren felt like he was being stared at by an enraged tiger.

As though Xi Yao were ready to spill an ocean of blood without care to obtain what he had come here for, regardless of anybody who came in his way. Ren hated it. It evoked within him the same emotions from his past when he had first witnessed the callous nature of power. When Xi Yuan had destroyed a family in retaliation for his broken arm. Clearly she had learned to behave as her family taught her. To suffer no slight to their honor. Even society had sided with her, leaving the victim's family without recourse.

It was Ren who had changed. Who could look away no longer. The matter was still escalating, and the oppressive pressure was pressing down on Ren's head. It turned out it was the Celestial Instruments sect that was competing with Xi Yao and one other private balcony. However, Xi Yao's ire was completely focused on the crafter sect's representatives. Finally, a voice was heard from the monks' room.

"Amitabha. Let us not sully this gathering with bloodshed. Such sin, such sin!" With their mediation, the others backed off, allowing Xi Yao to claim victory. The entertainment from the auction had all but vanished for Ren. He barely heard the final price of 55 mid-grade stones and Xi Yuan congratulating her brother. He just wanted to leave now. He sat with clenched fists as he waited for the auction to come to an end.

Xi Yuan was chatting with Ling about how the Hidden Sea Sect had escaped in the dark of the night soon after the trial ended. Her master had shared with her that the Celestial Instruments Sect was having to pay the price for introducing the demonic sect.

"My master said that they may not even remain allies much longer. It is a real pity for the qi gathering realm disciples who will never have a chance to enter the trial that the Celestial Instruments Sect hosts. It is said to be quite beneficial in clearing meridians. It wouldn't matter to us, though, seeing as we are already beyond the limit of that trial. The other competitor should have been the Zhen family, but they are still from our own sect." Ren listened idly, his thoughts still in turmoil.

The final item of the auction was a strange rock meant for mildly enhancing earth attribute spirit roots, but the show had already been stolen by the sword fragment. The rock still sold for a decent 41 mid-grade spirit stones. The hall was still buzzing with conversation as the event concluded. As they stepped out into the evening air, Ren felt refreshed. Though it had ended on a sour note, the auction had been very informative. He was eager to continue his studies and learn more about all the things he saw today.

Tomorrow the tournament of the elites would begin. He felt like a frog in a well, having learned the sky was much larger than he had ever imagined. He still didn't know how vast it was, but now he was at least aware of the possibilities. Still, just as today had widened his horizons about the miraculous and varied nature of resources found in the cultivation world, tomorrow would bring with it a host of lessons about the martial path.

He had just as much to learn if he wanted to address the gaping holes in his fighting ability. Deciding to focus on the positives, he promised to meet up with Xi Yuan the next day and enjoy the tournament together. One final event and then he could devote his all to his personal growth!