Blood-Tide City was a place where the weak were devoured, where the strong grew fat on the misery of the former. It was a city of shadows, of whispers and hidden agendas. Its streets pulsed with the rhythm of life—and death—each alleyway and backroom filled with secrets that could either elevate or destroy anyone who dared to seek power.
Lin Ze and Yue Qing'er entered the depths of the city the next morning, guided by the faint whisper of the system. The air smelled of salt, dust, and the faint, acrid tang of blood that lingered in the streets—a constant reminder of the city's lawlessness.
Their destination was clear.
The Moonlit Pavilion, a notorious underground auction house, hosted dealings that reached into the very heart of the cultivation world. The items traded here were not for the faint of heart: forbidden cultivation techniques, priceless artifacts, ancient treasures—anything that promised power could be found within its walls.
Lin Ze's mind was set. He had already made up his mind to acquire something to further his growth. The auctions were not just places for the exchange of wealth; they were breeding grounds for power, where alliances and rivalries were forged in the crucible of greed.
"Keep your head low and your coin purse close," Lin Ze muttered to Yue Qing'er as they passed through the crowded streets, keeping to the shadows of alleyways where danger was most likely to lurk.
Yue Qing'er nodded, her expression tight. The remnants of last night's dual cultivation still lingered between them, an unspoken bond that buzzed faintly in the air. Her eyes occasionally flickered toward Lin Ze, studying him, as if she were trying to understand the depths of his intentions.
In many ways, she knew nothing about him. But that was fine. She didn't need to know everything. All she needed was a chance to gain the strength to take back what was hers.
The Moonlit Pavilion stood like a fortress in the heart of the city, hidden behind layers of intrigue. Its walls were adorned with intricate carvings, and its entrance was veiled by a series of delicate silk curtains, concealing the true nature of the place.
"State your business," a tall man in black armor said, standing at the entrance, his voice cold and impassive.
Lin Ze's eyes narrowed. He could feel the man's cultivation—Flesh Refinement Fourth Stage, at least. The guards in this city were never ordinary.
"I'm here to participate in the auction," Lin Ze said, his tone unyielding.
The guard's eyes flickered to Yue Qing'er, and then back to Lin Ze. His gaze lingered on them for a moment, measuring them up, before he nodded.
"Follow me."
They passed through a labyrinth of corridors, each more opulent and secretive than the last, until they arrived at a large, dimly lit chamber. The atmosphere inside the Pavilion was unlike anything Lin Ze had experienced before—charged with anticipation, the air thick with the scent of expensive incense and the soft murmurs of the wealthy elite who gathered here.
There were no ordinary merchants in this place. No commoners. Only the most influential figures of Blood-Tide City and beyond. Cultivators, nobles, and power brokers from every corner of the continent. Their wealth was not just measured in gold but in influence and ruthlessness.
"Take a seat," the guard said, gesturing toward a row of plush velvet chairs, before vanishing into the crowd.
Lin Ze and Yue Qing'er settled into their seats, their eyes scanning the room. There were many faces, but few of them seemed familiar. These were people who operated in the shadows, people whose names were spoken only in hushed tones, if at all.
As the auction began, the lights dimmed further, and a soft voice echoed through the room. The host was a woman, her presence commanding and elegant, her voice sweet and lethal.
"Welcome to the Moonlit Pavilion, honored guests. Tonight, we present treasures that have been locked away for centuries. Artifacts of immeasurable value, techniques that could change the very fabric of your cultivation. Prepare yourselves for an unforgettable evening."
The first item was a crystal sphere, its surface shimmering with faint, otherworldly light. The host's voice took on an air of reverence.
"This is the Phoenix Heartstone, an ancient artifact said to contain the essence of the legendary Phoenix. A single touch is said to enhance one's spiritual energy beyond the limits of the mortal realm."
The bidding began immediately, the price escalating rapidly. Lin Ze didn't even flinch. The artifact was valuable, but it wasn't what he was here for. His eyes, however, did catch something—or rather, someone—across the room.
A man sitting in a secluded corner, his face half-hidden beneath the hood of a dark cloak. His aura was unsettling—cold, like the deepest depths of the ocean. There was something ancient about him, a feeling that sent a ripple of unease through Lin Ze's chest.
That man had power.
More power than anyone here.
But Lin Ze wasn't interested in playing games with shadows. He had his own agenda.
After a few more items were sold, the auctioneer's voice rose again, this time with a note of excitement.
"Next, we have something truly special," she said, her voice turning more seductive. "A fragment of the Void Dragon Technique, an art so ancient that even the greatest sects have lost all knowledge of it. This fragment is enough to allow a cultivator to break through the barriers of the Flesh Refinement stage with ease."
Lin Ze's eyes flickered, the hunger in his chest tightening.
That was exactly what he needed.
But the bidding would be fierce. Even the lowliest of cultivators would kill for a chance to learn such a technique.
The auctioneer's eyes scanned the crowd, and Lin Ze could feel her gaze land on him.
Her lips curled into a knowing smile.
"Starting bid: 500 spirit stones."
A murmur ran through the crowd.
Lin Ze reached into his pouch and pulled out a handful of spirit stones, more than enough to begin the bidding. He felt Yue Qing'er's curious gaze on him, but he didn't acknowledge her. His focus was fixed entirely on the auction.
The bidding began, and Lin Ze stayed silent, watching the others raise their offers with careful deliberation.
"600 spirit stones," a voice called out from across the room. A tall woman with silvery hair and eyes like ice.
"700," Lin Ze said calmly, raising his bid.
The woman's eyes narrowed as she looked at him, assessing him for a long moment.
"800," she countered.
The tension in the room thickened.
"900," Lin Ze replied, his voice unwavering.
The woman hesitated, clearly weighing the risk of going higher. But she eventually shrugged and looked away, as if conceding the fight.
"1000 spirit stones," she called out reluctantly.
There was a pause, the room holding its collective breath.
"1500," Lin Ze said, his voice slicing through the silence like a blade.
The woman's eyes flashed with annoyance, but she finally gave up.
"Going once. Going twice…"
"Sold!"
The auctioneer's hammer came down with a resounding thud, signaling the end of the bid. Lin Ze leaned back in his seat, feeling the thrill of the acquisition surge through him.
But as he rose to claim the fragment of the Void Dragon Technique, his instincts screamed a warning.
The man in the corner. The one with the hood.
He was watching Lin Ze.
With cold, calculating eyes.
Lin Ze didn't flinch. Instead, he met the man's gaze with an equally steady stare.
And for a long moment, neither moved.
As the auction continued, Lin Ze couldn't shake the feeling that he had just stepped into something far bigger than himself.
There were dangerous forces at play here—more dangerous than he had initially anticipated.
The auction ended soon after, and Lin Ze made his way out of the Pavilion with the Void Dragon Technique fragment safely in hand. Yue Qing'er followed quietly, her eyes scanning the room, watching for any signs of danger.
But the danger had already found them.
Outside, the city seemed quieter than before. The neon lights flickered, and the sounds of the marketplace were muffled in the distance.
Suddenly, a shadow stepped out from the alleyway.
The hooded figure from the auction.
"Impressive," the man said, his voice low and rich with power. "But you've made a grave mistake."
Lin Ze's eyes narrowed.
And with a smirk, he spoke.
"Who said I was finished?"
End of Chapter 7