by Wong, Tao
Wu Ying felt the slight vibrations in the air, the way the old man had sent his chi into the environment to carry his words to everyone in equal measure. Another chi projection trick, one that Wu Ying had yet to learn. Useful though…
“I am Hall Master Li, of the Most Auspicious Grey Heavens Auction House. Any issues with the auction and the way we run the proceedings can be brought to myself at the end of the auction. Any violence will see the participants rejected. All bids must be paid immediately or as otherwise arranged with the magistrate and myself.” He paused, sweeping his gaze over the crowd. “Are there any questions?”
When the crowd only returned silence, the old man smiled. “Then let us begin. We start this auction with the very first lot, a trio of Tiger Blood Amber. The contents of the amber have been verified to contain the blood of a primeval Metal Tiger, caught in the prime of his life. Mixed with the right alchemical potions, the Tiger Blood Amber can enhance the physical robustness of an individual and his reflexes. Obviously it is best suited for a metal cultivator, with those in adjoining elements able to gain some degree of benefit.”
A susurration of sound grew from below as Elders and cultivators stared at the three amber blocks. Wu Ying wondered how droplets of such blood could occur, what events had led to the spirit beast’s death. How long those droplets had been suspended. A primeval creature was one from the times of the Yellow Emperor at the very least, or maybe even older. That would make it thousands of years old, with blood and potency greater than any present-day animal.
“Bidding on a single amber will begin at fifteen spirit stones at the Core cultivation stage.” The old man declared the opening bid casually, but the sudden hisses and exclamations from the crowd told Wu Ying exactly how high the opening bid was.
He definitely could not even hope to join the initial bidding, no matter how much he had earned through their machinations and betting. Before they had arrived at the auction hall, Yu Kun had provided Wu Ying his share of their earnings, more than quadrupling his current wealth. But compared to the asking price for a single amber piece, he was but a penniless vagrant.
“Fifteen,” the elder opposite Wu Ying, from the Heavenly Jade Lake Sect, cried out his bid.
Even before the echoes of his words had ended, another voice called from the back of the hall, “Sixteen.”
Bids erupted then, as if a dam had broken. The price rose at an intemperate rate. Wu Ying’s eyes continually widened as fortunes that could buy and sell his village—including the people within—were offered. A hand landed on his before withdrawing.
“Breathe.” Fa Yuan said, her lips turning up into a sardonic smile. “And lean back. We are not bidding on any of these.”
Wu Ying could only comply stiffly before whispering, “Is it that good?”
“With the right apothecarist? Yes,” Lei Hui replied, his lips curled up in a sneer at Wu Ying’s ignorance. The apothecarist kept darting glances at the stage where the box of amber stood open, held by one of the female stage attendants. “A single amber could improve the strength of a Core cultivator. If all three were taken together, maybe even a Nascent Soul Elder.”
Wu Ying sighed and fell silent as the numbers kept climbing. In the end, it was the Elder of the Heavenly Lake Sect who won two of the three ambers and a wandering cultivator the third. The moment he had won the third amber, the wandering cultivator made his way to the corner, where he paid for and received his prize, before exiting the building.
“He looks worried,” Tou Hei muttered, inclining his head at the wandering cultivator who had left.
“It is not common, but banditry and theft do happen at such events,” Fa Yuan said. “If he only came here for this, he is better to leave now. That forces potential assailants to choose to attack him and leave the auction now or wait to see what else might turn up.”
Wu Ying nodded. Most of the auction items had been made known to the general public, but the magistrate and the Auction Hall leader had made sure to keep some of the contents of the auction—the most powerful, the most expensive, or the most in demand—hidden to build anticipation and reduce issues. It was why being provided the list in full earlier was both a sign of trust and respect.
Wu Ying watched the man leave until his attention was drawn to the stage again when the auctioneer announced the next item, the attendant walking back and forth with the sword resting across her arms, the scabbard set beside it.
“The Wavering Water Sword was made by the famed Blacksmith ‘Iron Foot’ Teoh during the sixth year of his mastership of the flame. Made using water steel, the blade was further enchanted using metal chi during its processing, and an additional, unrecorded alloy was added,” Hall Master Li announced.
At his gesture, the young lady walked to a small stand where multiple bars of iron had been placed. Wu Ying watched with interest as she pushed a small amount of chi through the blade she held one-handed. It hummed, and the wave-like marks on the blade glowed. Even from his seat, Wu Ying could feel the metal chi that the blade now emanated. He unconsciously licked his lips as the woman swung at the iron bars and sliced through them as though they were tofu.
“Good blade,” Wu Ying whispered, staring at the simple straight jian. He wished he could hold it, see if it suited itself to him. But with his Sense of the Sword, he could make it work even if it was marginally longer or shorter than his preference. It was part of the benefits of understanding a weapon to that degree.
When Hall Master Li judged the silence was ripe, he spoke again. “As you can see, this is a high Spirit level weapon. While not unique, many of the weapons created by Blacksmith Iron Foot have been lost to time. They would serve both collectors and wielders in equal measure. Bidding will begin at one Core-level spirit core.”
Wu Ying’s eyebrows flashed up, surprise catching him off guard. He found himself raising his auction paddle, as greed—and his minor flush of funds—drew him. But even before he could be acknowledged, wandering cultivators in the hall below had shouted out their bids. In short order, the bid had breached four Core-level spirit cores and Wu Ying brought his hand down, folding it in front of him.
“You were never going to win it,” Fa Yuan said in commiseration to Wu Ying. “He started the bidding low to create interest. It will be a while before weapons that fit your purse arrive.”
Wu Ying grunted, folding his hands in front of him in pique. He could not help but feel angry at having the weapon taken away so quickly. Yet it was no one’s fault but his own that he was that poor. Both Fa Yuan and his Master had warned him that his actions last year, of moving the village, would have consequences. And this was but one of them.
He sighed, dismissing the concerns and watched the auction below, idly feeling at his pouch. Perhaps if the herbs he had gathered finished selling early on in the other vending hall, he would be able to pick up something here. A brief tour of the other hall had shown most of the items in the high mortal tier of quality, meaning that they had little interest for the inner sect cultivators. Even if they did for a large number of other wandering cultivators.
Better to wait and watch. And hope that the others spent their funds fast.
***
Hours later, Wu Ying shifted on his hard rosewood seat once again. Below, the excitement had died down as hours passed and items trended toward the mundane. Among the group, Yu Kun and Lei Hui had purchased items, Yu Kun picking up a scroll of a new water cultivation exercise while Lei Hui had purchased a variety of herbs and pill materials. Of them all, it was Tou Hei who was the most bored, seating himself in the back with his legs crossed, cultivating as the drone of the auctioneer’s voice continued.
“Twenty-seven tael and three Energy Storage demon cores. Current bid,” the Hall Master called. “If there are no further bids”—a pause—“then the cultivator from the Crane Boneyard has won the Gold Flame Bone Spear.”
Scattered applause met Hall Master Li’s announcement while the inner sect cultivator jumped to his feet in excitemen
t. He rushed out from the benches, tripping on his robes and nearly face-planting, drawing laughter. However, instead of being embarrassed, the man kept moving, his eyes fixed on his prize.
With practiced eye, the Hall Master gauged the crowd’s enthusiasm before he clapped his hands. “This brings to an end the first portion of the auction. We will begin the auction again in an hour, after repast has been taken. For those who have not collected their purchases, we request that you do so now. Our attendants are awaiting your presence.”
The Hall Master nodded to the side where multiple attendants stood, their hands clasped while the magistrate’s daughter, watched over them all. The Hall Master walked to the back of the stage, where he was met by his assistants. He spoke with them while the magistrate, seated near the front of the hall, hurried onto the stage to join the conversation. Around the hall, voices rose as cultivators congratulated the winners and commiserated with the losers, all the while streaming out of the building to find lunch.
“Come. I have a room booked for us at a nearby restaurant.” Fa Yuan rose from her seat, smoothing her robes. She swept her gaze over the milling crowd below. “Let us take the side exit.”
The group followed the Elder, only to find themselves stymied in the corridor by the presence of other auction attendees. Immediately, one of the younger Elders swept forward to Fa Yuan’s side.
“Fairy Yang.” He offered a low bow. “You might not remember me. We met two nights ago? I am Elder Kho Yun Er of the Three Springs Vista Sect.”
Fa Yuan turned, offering a small bow in return. “I do remember you, Elder Kho.”
Wu Ying snorted slightly as the man flushed in pleasure at her acknowledgement. Wu Ying raked his gaze over the man, noting the long, thin limbs, pointed chin, and slightly longer than handsome nose. Still, he had beautiful pale skin and there was a fluidity to his movement that spoke of his sect’s preoccupation with water chi. Overall, a decent-looking suitor.
“Would the Elder grace us with her presence at lunch? We have a room booked in a nearby restaurant,” Elder Kho said, gesturing back to the waiting sect members.
“I’m sorry, but we have prior reservations,” Fa Yuan gracefully answered.
“Ah, it’s a pity. The Pink Pearl restaurant is well known for its twice-boiled peach wine chicken, and we ordered a triple serving of their chicken butts[24],” Elder Kho said.
Fa Yuan hesitated, and Wang Min, standing beside her, tilted her head at Elder Kho. Wu Ying had to admire the man’s shamelessness. Never mind the expensive dish; the triple serving of the delicacy—known to help make the skin smoother and paler—was a blatant ploy at Fa Yuan’s known weakness.
“Go,” Yu Kun spoke up. “We can go to the restaurant ourselves.”
Still, the Elder hesitated and Elder Kho threw out his last bait. “We did purchase the Liu Valley Yin Spring tea leaves at the auction and wanted your—and your sect member’s—opinion on its potency.” Elder Kho tilted his head toward Wang Min, offering the female cultivator an enticing smile. “It is supposedly quite effective at the Energy Storage stage.”
Fa Yuan glanced at Wu Ying one last time and he made a small gesture, shooing her off. Turning to Elder Kho, Fa Yuan acceded to his request and the pair headed down the corridor, the Elder already trying to ingratiate himself with her further as he discussed the auction.
Tou Hei looked at the departing group before grumbling, “I’m the tea practitioner here.”
“But you’re not very pretty,” Yu Kun replied.
Bemused, Wu Ying watched the group troop off. Hopefully the Yin Spring tea leaves would do as promised and help Wang Min and Fa Yuan further improve the clarity of the chi that flowed through their veins.
“So… does anyone know where this restaurant that Elder Yang booked is?” Lei Hui asked after a moment.
“Hun dan!” Wu Ying cursed and smacked himself on the forehead.
Chapter 24
“You’re late,” Elder Yang rebuked Wu Ying and his friends as they hurried back into their private auction room after lunch.
As Wu Ying slid into his seat, he glanced down at the auction hall, noting that the room itself was still as packed as the morning. That was no surprise, since Wu Ying had noted how winners from the morning who had purchased what they needed had sold their invitation tokens to those waiting outside. The auction house had turned a blind eye to those proceedings, wanting to keep the seats filled no matter what.
As Wu Ying turned his attention to the stage, he noted that the starting item of the afternoon session was once again a rather expensive item. What anyone would want with the lacquer shadow puppet box, Wu Ying did not know. Sure, it created shadow illusions that could be used to protect a building, and with enough chi it could even form shadow warriors, but the expense involved would easily pay for a half-dozen strong Body Cleansing cultivators to do the same job for the next twenty years.
“My apologies, martial sister. You forgot to inform us of which restaurant you had booked. We had to visit nearly half of those around before we found it,” Wu Ying replied.
Once they’d realized their mistake, the group had scrambled down the stairs but had been too late to catch Fa Yuan. Rather than bother her, they’d decided to visit each restaurant around the auction house to locate the reservation. Unfortunately, between the crowds and the business of the dining establishments, it had taken them longer than they had expected to find their room. Even rushing through lunch had not let them return on time.
“Ah…” Fa Yuan raised a hand to her nose, her long sleeve covering her mouth. “Well, it is good you found it. You’ll need your energy for this next part.”
Wu Ying’s eyes narrowed in suspicion, but not being able to see behind her sleeve, dismissed his concerns. “Did you have a good meal?”
“Definitely!” Wang Min said, literally vibrating in her seat. “They were so kind to us. And the Yin Spring tea leaves were very potent.”
“I can see that,” Yu Kun said sardonically. “Though I would have thought the Yin chi would have calmed you.”
“It will,” Fa Yuan replied. “She is but expelling surplus Yang chi.”
“Ah,” Yu Kun replied, eyeing the jittery cultivator. “Well, that’s good.”
“Hush,” Lei Hui snapped as the auction below came to an end and another item was brought forth.
Wu Ying sighed, seeing it was an onyx jewel. Beautiful, but useful only to the craftsmen in the audience. Shaking his head, Wu Ying settled himself in for a long few hours.
Swords, maces, apothecarist cauldrons, rare metals and chiseled spirit stones, talismans and formation flags, even manuals and cultivation exercises all showed up, one after the other. The drone of the auctioneer’s voice became a pleasant background noise, the hubbub from below fading in Wu Ying’s consciousness as wandering cultivators warred with sect members over the items.
Anything in demand by craftsmen went for relatively high prices. Apothecarist items sold for the most, followed by metals and hammers and other instruments for blacksmiths. For secondary occupations outside of those two— such as the formation flags and talisman masters—had the materials they needed sold at a lower price. It was a clear indication of importance and wealth of the various secondary occupations. To Wu Ying’s amusement and disappointment, there wasn’t a single set of seeds or book of herbs insight. Such items were specialty purchases, unlikely to draw a bidding war in an auction.
Somewhere in the middle of the afternoon, one of the attendants arrived in their room, bringing Wu Ying’s earnings from the sale of his herbs in the other hall. He collected the purse filled with gold taels, unrolling the short parchment paper that listed his sales, and smiled. Even if he did not earn much per individual sale, the ability to gather large numbers of herbs and care for them to ensure their quality meant that he’d made up in bulk for his earnings. In time, he might sell some of his gathered herbs directly at the auction hall, but first, he’d have to level up his gathering skills. And, of course, loca
te some rarer herbs.
“Next, we have a living world spirit ring. This ring was created by famed formation master and blacksmith Er Hu and will allow the deposit of living materials within. The living world within encompasses a thirty-foot by twenty-foot area. The ground within has been thoroughly drained of nutrition, but under the care of a proficient spirit gardener, the ring will return to full functionality.”
Wu Ying frowned, turning his head and speaking to Fa Yuan. “Why would they put this on an auction? Few could make full use of this spirit ring.”
Fa Yuan gestured down to the stage, where the Hall Master had finished announcing the low starting bid for the ring. To Wu Ying’s surprise, rather than sitting in significant silence, the wandering cultivators below had begun a fierce bidding war, raising the price twice and three times over.
“Eight Energy Storage spirit stones,” a wandering cultivator snapped, turning around and glaring at a shorter individual clad in dirty rags who had been bidding against him.
“Nine,” his competitor said.
Wu Ying kept one ear on the bidding below while he ran estimates of the funds he had. The sale of the herbs had netted just over one hundred sixty taels. His portion of the demon and spirit beast cores they’d sold—animals killed while they had traveled through the wildlands—had added another thirty-three tael. Unfortunately, it had been mostly demonic beasts they’d fought, since the smarter spirit beasts had avoided their party with Fa Yuan present.
It was the won wagers that made up the bulk of his fortune, increasing his total funds to just under a thousand one hundred taels. From the various wagers, they’d managed to acquire spirit stones, manuals, and other unnecessary items, which they’d sold and converted into taels and, in a few cases, intermediate-sized spirit stones. Those intermediate-sized stones were being used as currency, with the value of an Energy Storage spirit stone considered to be between twenty-five to thirty taels. In this case, the auction house was valuing such stones at twenty-five tael. They were willing to convert stones for taels and vice versa, having already published the conversion rates for all to see.