The noise in the hall faded as a figure stepped onto the stage. He wore the dark blue robes of the Azure River Sect, the flowing water emblem embroidered prominently across his chest.

  His cultivation base radiated outward—ninth layer of the Qi Refining realm. The spiritual pressure was unmistakable. The conversations died completely.

  "Welcome to the Qingfeng City Biannual Auction," the elder said, his voice carrying effortlessly through the hall without needing to raise it. "I am Elder Feng Shan of the Azure River Sect, and I will be overseeing this event."

  Most of the cultivators present nodded in recognition. Elder Feng Shan was well-known in the city—fifteen years managing sect affairs, a reputation for fairness and efficiency.

  "The rules are simple," he continued. "Bids are final. Payment is required immediately upon winning an item. Disruptions will not be tolerated. The formations in this hall will suppress any attempt at violence."

  He gestured toward the walls where faint blue lines of Qi pulsed steadily. "Conduct yourselves accordingly."

  He stepped aside and a young attendant walked onto the stage carrying a small cage covered with a dark cloth. The hall stirred with curiosity. The attendant set the cage down on a raised platform and pulled the cloth away.

  Inside was a beast cub. Small, maybe the size of a large housecat, with midnight-black fur and faint red markings along its spine. Its eyes were sharp and alert, watching the crowd with a level of intelligence that felt unsettling.

  A low growl rumbled from its throat.

  A Crimson-Spine Shadow Wolf cub," Elder Feng Shan announced. Second layer Qi Refining currently but guaranteed Foundation Establishment potential upon maturity. Bidding starts at five mid-grade spirit stones."

  The crowd erupted. Foundation Establishment beasts were rare. A cub with confirmed potential? Invaluable.

  "Starting bid—five mid-grade spirit stones."

  Hands shot up immediately from the main floor. The bids climbed fast—six, then seven, then nine mid-grade stones in quick succession.

  Huo Chen sat back and watched the numbers rise, doing the math in his head. This would go well beyond what most people in the hall could afford. The bidding slowed around twelve mid-grade stones.

  A few determined voices kept pushing, but the enthusiasm was fading. Fifteen mid-grade stones seemed to be the breaking point for the main floor.

  Then a voice came from one of the VIP boxes on the second floor. "Sixteen mid-grade stones."

  Another voice responded almost immediately from a different box. "Seventeen. Didn't take you for someone interested in beast taming, Chen Rui. It requires patience."

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  Chen Rui replied smoothly. "And I didn't take you for someone who could afford this, Xu Yan. Thought you'd already blown your allowance this month. Eighteen."

  A few quiet laughs rippled through the crowd.

  "Allowance?" Xu Yan's tone sharpened slightly. "Big talk from someone who still lives in his father's compound. Twenty."

  "At least I don't introduce myself by listing which sect elders I'm related to. Twenty-one."

  "Better than introducing myself as 'that guy who got rejected by three different sects before settling for independent cultivation.' Twenty-two."

  Chen Rui didn't miss a beat. "I chose independence. You, on the other hand, failed the Azure River Sect's inner disciple exam twice. How's the outer sect treating you these days? Twenty-three."

  Laughter burst out from several spots in the crowd.

  Before Xu Yan could respond, a third voice cut in, matter-of-fact. "Twenty-five mid-grade stones."

  Zhao Lingxi.

  Both boxes went silent.

  Elder Feng Shan waited. "Twenty-five mid-grade spirit stones. Going once."

  Nothing.

  "Going twice."

  Still quiet.

  "Sold to the Zhao family."

  Zhao Lingxi's attendants appeared on the stage moments later with a pouch, and the transaction was completed smoothly.

  The Crimson-Spine Shadow Wolf cub was removed from the platform, and the hall slowly began to stir again as conversations resumed. Huo Chen leaned back in his seat, processing what he'd just witnessed.

  Twenty-five mid-grade stones— way more than everything he had currently. The Xu and Chen families willing to burn money just to one-up each other.

  Zhao Lingxi stepping in and ending it without even participating in the posturing. The auction had just started and the dynamics were already clear.

  The next item was brought out—a set of Formation Flags designed for defensive arrays. The bidding was calmer this time, more straightforward.

  Someone from the Liu family's section secured them for three mid-grade stones without much competition.

  Then came a batch of pills—Bone Refining Pills, useful for sixth and seventh layer cultivators trying to solidify their foundations before attempting breakthroughs. The main hall came alive again with this one since it was something more people could actually use and afford. The bidding went back and forth between several merchants and independent cultivators before settling at eight mid-grade stones.

  A spirit-forged sword appeared next, inscribed with enhancement formations that would hold up well in combat. Went for twelve mid-grade stones to someone Huo Chen couldn't see from his position in the back.

  Then a set of Explosive Fire Seals—five talismans that could be triggered for devastating short-range attacks. The Jin family secured those for six mid-grade stones, probably intending to arm their caravan guards with them.

  The hall maintained its energy as item after item came across the stage. Huo Chen watched it all carefully, learning the rhythm of how people bid, what they valued, and what they were willing to spend. Every transaction taught him something about the city's economy and the cultivators competing in it.

  Then the next item was carried onto the stage. A jade slip. Elder Feng Shan stepped forward again, and the hall's attention sharpened.

  "Earth-Element Defensive Technique," he announced clearly. "Stone Mantle Barrier. Requires seventh layer minimum cultivation to learn. Creates a layered stone defense capable of withstanding sustained attacks from opponents at the same cultivation level. Can hold against eighth layer strikes for a limited duration."

  Huo Chen straightened in his seat immediately, his eyes locked on the jade slip in the attendant's hands.

  Around him, several other cultivators did the same. An earth cultivator three rows ahead leaned forward.

  Someone off to the left muttered something to their companion. The technique had drawn attention across the hall.

  "Starting bid—two mid-grade spirit stones." "Three!" someone called out quickly. "Four!" another voice jumped in. The bidding started fast.