CH-7: Auction

As we approached, the view of a giant lake full of beautiful lotus flowers came forward, but there were no signs of an auction house in sight. As we landed, Iyana asked:

"Eldest brother-in-law, are you sure we are at the right place? There is no auction house here."

"Don't worry, sister-in-law, we are at the right place. Normally, auction houses near a water source would be either on top of an island or on the shores, but this one is different. It's underwater." As he explained, a lotus leaf came near the shore and he jumped on it, leaving us to reluctantly follow him. Suddenly, the leaf dived into the lake, array runes shining on top of it.

"They use arrays to form an air bubble and to negate natural pressure. Although everyone above Early Foundation Establishment can breathe underwater for a prolonged time, it is more convenient to not make the participants do so." He continued. "We will be going four kilometres deep, our booth is there. By the way, I noticed you have a special physique, sister-in-law. As I haven't given your congratulatory gifts yet, if you need anything or want, just pull the Seventh Brother's arm and he will tell me alright?" 'Why does she have to pull my arm??'

As the leaf dived deeper, the surrounding Qi became richer and richer, till we reached a booth made of azure corals. After settling in, a servant brought tea and refreshments. She left with a bow. I've been to auctions with Elders before, so I was used to such sights.

"You too don't be shy, little seventh. You can bid on what you need."

"If I see something interesting, then I won't hold back, brother."

"Ahem, hello everyone. I'm your host today, Cang Tong, welcome to the half-annual auction of Serene Lotus Lake Auction House!" A feeble-looking old man took the stage. His voice made you feel like you were talking to your grandfather, easing your nerves and instilling trust in him. Clearly a top host.

"As always, you can use the talismans to bid, or increase it. Purposefully increasing the bids is against our policy, and when detected will be punished with a ten-year ban on all our branches. You must also have enough to pay what you bid on your person, there are no instalments. If you can't pay what you bid, it will result in a year ban and monetary fee."

"With these out of the way, let the auction begin! Our first item of today is a 3rd Rank Middle Grade chestplate, Daunting Suppression Chestplate. It is refined with a Daunting Bear beast's skin and supplemented with runes to amplify its ability. It can marginally suppress incoming damage, nothing below Late Foundation Establishment can put even a dent! The starting price is 10.000 lower-grade spiritual stones or 10 middle-grade spiritual stones, with increments of 100 lower-grade spiritual stones."

-"15.000 spiritual stones!'

-"17.500!"

-"20.000!"

.

.

.

-"78.000!"

-"..."

"Going for 78.000 once!"

"Twice!"

"And sold! I congratulate the Daoist Brother for his purchase. On to the next item we have a 2nd Rank Supreme Grade battle art, Descending Starry Palm. This technique puts the weight of starts behind your palms, slightly pulling your enemies towards your attack!" After hearing this eldest brother and I shared a look.

'There is no way this is just a 2nd Rank, touching upon a Law is not something even a 3rd Rank battle art is capable of let alone a 2nd Rank one. It must be a part of either a 4th-rank supreme grade or a 5th-rank. We can't pass this by.'

"Starting price is 500 spiritual stones with increments of 10!"

"Did you know brother, I recently picked up a whip art and lack a close-quarter technique to accompany it. I will bid on this."

"Haha don't be shy little seventh!"

P.O.V. CHANGE

'Who do these two think they are fooling? I'm not some uneducated brat, I could smell it wasn't just a 2nd rank from here!'

'But Lin Clan is indeed blessed, finding such a rare technique in such a backwater place, tch. Why I'm not that lucky!'

"3000!"

'They bid six times the price from the start, showing that they are interested in the skill from the start while giving everyone here face by offering a fair bid.'

"Going for 3000 once! Twice! Sold! Congratulations to young master for his purchase."

"Don't forget to give this to the second aunt later, she may be able to put together the whole technique."

"Of course, brother." I watched the quick interaction. 'They must have realised I knew, not even bothering to hide anymore.'

After that, there weren't many interesting items. And the auction was nearing its end.

"Next item is something we had a hard time deciding what to do with it. It is a broken 3rd rank Low-Grade artefact, Harmonic Reverberation Guqin. Its current capability is of 2 Rank Low Grade, if you have sufficient materials you may restore it to its original state. The starting price is 6000, with increments of 50!" I didn't even listen to what the host said as I pulled Axel's arm with all my power.

P.O.V. CHANGE

As the next item was shown, I was yanked off to the side, losing my balance. I looked at the petite girl who exerted such power with astonished eyes. 'What she built her body with to have such strength, even if I wasn't on guard it is just too much.'

"Brother, I heard that Miss Iyana liked musicals back at her home, how about this one?" I said trying to hide my embarrassing state.

"Sure, anything for sister-in-law! 40.000!"

-"42.000!"

"45.000!"

"Going for 45.000 once! Twice! Sold! Congratulations to the young master once again. Now, the item everyone waited for, the Cover Lot of today's auction, a 4th Rank High-Grade Soul Senerity Pill. As a high-grade pill, it retains 80% of the recipe's effectiveness, starting price is 55.000 with an increment of a medium-grade spiritual stone!

-"200.000!"

-"220.000!"

"300 middle-grade spiritual stones!

"310!" A local cultivation family joined too. 'They must have someone near breakthrough, a high-grade pill can shorten much of the early Altar Activation if you have talent. A few middle-grade spiritual stones are nothing compared to the time you save.'

One must know that Altar Activation is a barrier most cultivators cannot cross, even the Foundation Establishment is achievable if you keep hitting it with your wallet. As the Alchemy Ancestor developed the Foundation Establishment Pill, requirements for one to achieve it fell off. But it was revealed later by Divine Physician that it cut one's chances to Golden Core, which led to most of the clans using it on collateral families or recruits to have cannon fodders. The more you use it, the more it hurts your path.

'If you were to chug it like its sugar like some novels' main characters, you wouldn't even reach Altar Activation let alone Golden Core. Thats why the Institutes graduation exam is reaching Foundation Establishment.'

"350!" Eldest brother did not give up.

"360!"

"395!"

"..."

"395 middle grade spiritual stones going once! Twi-"

"420!"

"425!"

"Going for 425 middle grade spiritual stones once! Twice! Sold! Congratulations to young master and good luck with his Altar Activation!"

As the auction came to an end, waiters entered the lounge with our purchased items. After transferring the spiritual stones eldest brother took us to the surface in a haste, bringing out his eagle beast and took off. We all knew why. Although he is a top genius at the peak of Foundation Establishment, fighting while protecting two Body Building practitioners would be hard as there surely would be some who would try to rob people. There was no need to risk it.

"Today we made quite the heist huh." Eldest brother broke the silence.

"Haha I can't imagine how their faces would be if they ever knew hahaha!

"Little seventh, sister-in-law, here is your congratulary gifts."

"Thank you, eldest brother." As I was putting it in my storage ring, I felt a slight pull on my sleeve. It was Iyana who looked at my shyly and passed the Guqin to me. 'Oh right, she may not have one, how unthoughtful of-'

"My ring is full, can you take it instead?"

'Yeah, right. She is a protagonist template, how could she not have one...'

"But of course, when we go back I will ask 5th elder to give you a better one."

The banquet did not last long, as the Jiang Clan didn't participate. By the time we returned, guests had left already. Just then First Elder landed near us.

"You are back already? Good. You guys pack up, we are returning tonight." Then he turned towards Iyana. "Tomorrow we are going to have a little chat, young miss." 'Someone had to mention it eventually, it is better to get done with it first.'