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. He 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 text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

“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.