Meeting the Elders Once Again

-FROZEN LAKE AUCTION HOUSE-

"Did you finally calm down, Elder Yu?" Elder Jin asked while he's giving him some water. Isn't he overreacting a little bit?

"In this realm, a tier 2 rune should be extremely rare as not enough people have powerful soul realms to produce it. That is why I told you, you're heavenly lucky to have a middle shapeless soul form." Now, I finally realize what you meant at that time...

"Yes, yes... I'm fine. I didn't know that we've met an incredible man today who could create a tier 2 rune. How do you want us to address an expert like you?" So they want to know more about me huh... but then Elder Jin right now became the statue after hearing the word "tier 2".

"You can just call me An Hei." I couldn't think of a name so...

"Family name of An, it seems I haven't heard of the family name of An so you shouldn't be from the eastern continent?" Oh... that's right.

"You don't need to know about the details. Just know that I enjoy staying in this sect and I am thinking of staying longer." This would mean they will value me even more.

"Then, we'll do our best to make sure you enjoy your stay." Then that's good.

"Aheem, snap out of it, Elder Jin. You need to inform your people that we are selling tier 1 runes tonight. Invite the other major families as they would greatly benefit from the runes." Inviting the major families would make the profit soar higher.

Elder Jin suddenly ran around, panicking.

"Please, for now, you can stay on the second floor of the special viewing room. Kindly wait for a bit while we prepare the auction." I heard that the second floor of the viewing room is only for those who are renowned and the most important people of the sect.

"Thank you." And so, one of the auction personnel guides me towards the viewing area.

...

I waited for a bit and people started to flock inside. There are lots of people gathering. Most of them are from major families.

"Hmmm?" Some people finally entered the same room as me. The elders from the main hall are here.

"Venerable An Hei, please meet the elders from the major families of Frozen Lake Sect." I know all of them...

"Here are Grand Elder Bo Tunyan, Elder Alchemist Bo Ci Bozi, Elder Blacksmith Bo Chuizi, and Army Elder Bo Fen Nu from the Bo Family." Four elders from one family. they are indeed powerful. And this is the first time that I heard that Elder Fen Nu is the army elder... he has more influence than I thought.

/Bo Ci Bozi 61

Elder Alchemist of Frozen Lake Sect

5th Layer of Body Refining Realm

6th Layer of Spirit Core Realm/

/Bo Chuizi 112

Elder Blacksmith of Frozen Lake Sect

2nd Layer, Peak, of Advanced Body Refining Realm

5th Layer of Spirit Core Realm/

"It's our privilege to meet a venerable expert like sir An Hei. Please, kindly receive our family's little gift for you." The grand elder handed me a small chest. I opened it and shit... too much light!

"That's a Monster Core. Base on its light, it should be from a 100-year-old beast equivalent to the first layer of a core spirit realm. You could either use it to create a magical gear or use it to cultivate." Master already knew what it was from a single sight but... Wow! This family sure is wealthy to even give a gift of this kind!

"Thank you for this gift. Once I visit again the auction house, I'll leave a gift for your family as well." I should give them something in return, something bigger so they would know their place.

"Thank you, Venerable Expert An Hei. Your words alone are good enough for us." They only want an expert on their side.

Elder Yu let me first meet the Bo family showing that this family holds a great influence on the city and they want to make sure that the Bo family gets the attention of the expert.

"This way please, venerable expert." This time, Elder Yu lead me to the Chitang Family.

"Since you've already met me and Elder Treasurer Jin, here are Elder Stable Master Chitang Ma, and Elder Pavilion Master Chitang Tushu." Four elders as well but not as powerful as the Bo family. I've also met them before. Jeez, it's quite awkward to be all in the same room again.

/Chitang Ma 87

Elder Stable Master of Frozen Lake Sect

8th Layer of Body Refining Realm

7th Layer of Spirit Core Realm/

/Chitang Tushu 90

Elder Pavillion Master of Frozen Lake Sect

6th Layer of Body Refining Realm

10th Layer of Spirit Core Realm/

"Since we don't have much to offer on short notice, today, we can offer you one item from the auction. Whatever you desire, it's yours." Isn't that a great gift, master?

"It could be, but since this sect is poor, you won't be seeing that much today. But let's see." There must be something good that benefit me later on.

"Thank you so much, I will also be giving you a gift once I get back." I need to develop a good relationship with them to trust me.

"You're presence here in our sect is already a miracle. Please, enjoy your stay." Is that it? How about the Liu Family?

"I've heard there are 3 major families in this sect?" Elder Yu deliberately ignored the Liu family. It seems the two families wanted the support of the expert...

"Oh... right. Unfortunately, they are on the lower viewing area together with the others. The second floor is already crowded-" Disrespectful!

"I don't mind. Please, I want to meet them as well." His expression suddenly has changed. He looks worried as the Bo family is looking at our way. Somehow, the Bo family is hateful towards the Liu Family.

"Maybe your elder tried to protect you? They just didn't have the power to support you." It would be better if I meet them in person, I could get more information from them, master.

"Here they are. Elder Slave Quartermaster Liu Xia and Elder Trade Master Liu Zun Yan." Only two elders and one of them is even young. Elder Zun Yan is the youngest and the only female elder as well.

/Liu Zun Yan 31

Elder Trade Master of Frozen Lake Sect

6th Layer of Body Refining Realm

2nd Layer of Spirit Core Realm/

"How can such a young and beautiful lady be called an elder?" She's the trade master which means she has more supplies than most of the people here.

"No need to flatter an insignificant elder like me but it would be great if we could visit our Liu family at Flow Peak, we could discuss a little bit more about your stay here in Frozen Lake Sect. Please..." Her expression is somehow worried. Not only that, but she's also trying to talk to me as quite as possible. It's a subtle way of asking for help...

"Sure. I'll come by tomorrow morning. I know where to find you." Since we're from the same family, I know where she lives but I haven't seen her in person since elders spend most of their time in the sect's main hall.

"Please... I will be waiting." I couldn't really tell what is wrong but if my family needs help, I will be there.

"Since when did you find this kind of courage? You do know both of us are not doing so well with our cultivation, right?" You don't have to remind me that, master... But still, I want to know what is happening inside the head of our elders.

Both of them were escorted back on the first floor. I hate how they look down on our family...

...

"LET THE AUCTION BEGIN!" It seems the announcer finally appeared. Lights were shined towards the stage showing a small table covered with cloth. It seems the first item is here.

We all decided to sit down and wait.

Everyone seems to be excited that even the elders are here. They were expecting something good since even the Treasury Elder invited them.

"Our first item is a magical sword crafted by the great elder blacksmith, Bo Chuizi! This magical weapon has the ability to increase its size by twice its size making the power of the sword doubled! The bid starts at 500 gold!" Sure, but the speed was cut in half as well. It would probably work when used by someone from a higher body refining realm.

"Good observation, Hei An. As you may know, this kind of effect is common for a magical weapon and considered a failure." So that's why they are selling it huh...

"Using the name of the elder to sell this trash, what a joke." Well, maybe to some people, it's worth having, master.

"700 gold!" It seems people are bidding.

"900 gold! 1000 gold!" I didn't expect it to go higher like this.

"..." The crowd stayed silent and "1000 sold to badge 20!" What a waste of gold coins.

"In higher realms, gold coins don't mean anything. We only use energy crystal and monster souls as currency since it's the only thing that would benefit us. So make sure to convert all your gold coins to energy crystals or monster souls too." That's my plan from the start.

"Our next item is a mysterious Jade Stone found at the top of the Icy Mountains, north of the Frozen Lake. It is said that this mysterious Jade Stone can be used to create a powerful ward to protect its owner from danger! The bid starts at 200 gold!" I have read some myths about a jade stone but is it really worth it for 200 gold?

"..." People seem to be ignoring it.

"That jade maybe is not perfect but the energy within it is good enough. If you could get your hands on it, it's a good material to use as a rune to create a more powerful accessory. This might be the best one you could get here." It looks like no one here knows its use. I'll surely get that, master.

I looked at Elder Yu and asked for his presence.

"Is there anything you need, venerable An Hei?" I pointed towards the jade. "I want that." He looked surprised. He probably thought that I would aim for something much more expensive. Even so, if I could get to see something good, I would just use the money I could get from the items I am about to auction here.

Then, one of the auction personnel went near the stage whispering to the announcer. "It seems the item has been reserved. Let's get the next item please."

"I didn't expect that the auction house would even sell junk like that in the presence of elders. I even heard that there will be special items here too." One of the youngsters from below started talking. From the looks of it, he's an inner disciple based on his uniform and the blue badge attached to it.

"Who is he?" I asked Elder Yu.

"That's Bo Zihao, currently the top inner disciple and the Son of Elder Fen Nu and grandson of Grand Elder Tunyan. Please don't mind him. He does this a lot but he's a generous buyer." No wonder I got the death penalty, the grand elder is Chong Zi's grandfather as well. He has a solid background but I feel like I need to teach this guy a lesson.

"Don't offend the elders too much. It might backfire at you." Sometimes, I feel like you underestimate me too much, master. And I even got this much self-confidence from you.

"I don't know if you're complimenting me or just deliberately showing me sarcasm." I got this, master.

I stood up, "I didn't know that the Bo family has a sass mouth young master. Are the other young masters from the Bo family like this?" I somehow got the attention of the Bo family but I could tell that I've hit the nerve.

Suddenly, Grand Elder Tunyan and Elder Fen Nu approached me. "I'm sorry about my grandson's behavior but he's not usually like this. He must be just too excited about the next item." Still not triggered yet?

"It seems that the Bo family hasn't really raised that kid well. If I have a child like that, I'd make sure he won't get away offending the auction house." I can feel it. His aura is being suppressed but he couldn't' hide it pretty well.

"I raised my grandson myself. That young boy is a genius and will lift Frozen Lake Sect's reputation! Disrespecting him is like disrespecting my family!" Now he's making a scene. A slight tremor suddenly shook the auction house. It caught everyone's attention.

"Is he really a genius? I only see a cheeky brat. He's nothing special to me." I'm getting worried about my safety but...

"The nerve of this stranger to disrespect my family?! YOU'RE SEEKING DEATH!"