Three months after Aksai entered White Mountain City.
Aksai strolled through the bustling streets of White Mountain City, his destination clear in mind: the renowned Jade Pavilion Auction House.
It was his first time visiting this establishment, and the excitement bubbled within him.
He had heard countless stories about the treasures that passed through its doors, and today, he hoped to find something that could aid him in his quest for a breakthrough.
The Jade Pavilion was easy to spot, even amidst the architectural splendor of the outer city’s opulent region. Its towering facade, adorned with intricate jade carvings and shimmering gold inlays, stood out like a beacon.
“Welcome to the Jade Pavilion, honored guest,” a courteous attendant greeted Aksai at the entrance. “Are you here for the auction or to browse our private collections?”
“I’m here for the auction,” Aksai replied, his eyes scanning the lavish interior. The entrance hall was spacious, with chandeliers made from spirit crystals casting a soft, inviting glow.
The air was scented with a subtle incense that promoted clarity of mind and relaxation—an ideal atmosphere for high-stakes bidding.
“Very well. Please follow me,” the attendant said, leading Aksai through the grand hall.
“Would you prefer a private chamber for today’s auction? It ensures complete anonymity.”
Aksai nodded, appreciating the option. “Yes, that would be ideal.”
The attendant led him through several corridors until they reached a secluded area. “This way, please.” They stopped at a luxurious private chamber, complete with plush seating and an array of refreshments.
A large, enchanted screen dominated one wall, allowing a clear view of the auction stage.
“Please sign here to confirm your participation,” the attendant said, handing Aksai a form. After completing the formalities and paying an extra fee, Aksai received a bidding token linked to his private chamber number.
“Your bids will be placed anonymously on behalf of your chamber,” the attendant explained. “Enjoy the auction.”
As Aksai settled into his chamber, he marveled at the comfort and privacy it offered. He could see and hear everything happening on stage without revealing his identity to the other bidders. The enchanted screen flickered to life, showing a detailed view of the auction hall.
An elderly man in elegant robes took the stage. “Welcome, esteemed guests, to today’s auction at the Jade Pavilion. We have a magnificent array of items for you today, so without further ado, let’s begin.”
The first item was brought out—a rare 3rd-order herb known for its potent healing properties. Aksai watched as the bidding quickly escalated, the herb eventually going to a Foundation Building expert seated a few rows ahead.
“Impressive start,” Aksai mused, noting the intensity of the bids. This was his first time seeing a 3rd-order cultivation resource getting sold so casually after all.
He was here for more than just observing, though. He had his eye on a few specific items listed in the catalog, including some rare alchemical ingredients and a set of alchemic talismans.
As the auction progressed, Aksai participated in a few bids from his chamber, winning a couple of minor items that caught his interest. The excitement was palpable with each new item presented, the atmosphere a mix of greed, need, jealousy, and competition.
Finally, the moment Aksai had been waiting for arrived. The auction for the Base Building objects.
The auctioneer introduced a set of rare spirit herbs, perfect for concocting the Foundation Establishment Pill—a crucial ingredient for his upcoming breakthrough.
“The bidding for this set starts at 5000 spirit stones,” the auctioneer announced.
‘Bloody hell. 5000 spirit stones right from the start! This… this is going to be a bit heavy on my pockets,’ Aksai thought to himself.
“5,200 spirit stones,” cried out one cultivator sitting at the front of the stage.
“6,000 spirit stones,” a masked voice rang out from a private chamber, declaring its intentions to buy the stalk.
Aksai’s heart raced as he raised his token. The bids came fast and fierce, each one pushing the price higher. He stayed focused, determined not to let this opportunity slip away.
“8,000 spirit stones,” Aksai called out, raising his token once more.
Aksai had raised the price of stalks purposefully to discourage the other buyers. The ones who bought these materials instead of buying the Foundation Establishment Pill were alchemists like Aksai. They had enough wealth but they weren’t ready to spend it on cultivation resources they could get from other channels at relatively cheaper rates.
Most of the wealthy Spirit cultivators who attended the auction were interested in buying the premium-grade Base Building Items and the Foundation Establishment Pill. what would they do with raw ingredients? As such Aksai didn’t have much competition when it came to buying the raw ingredients.
There was a brief silence before the auctioneer’s gavel came down.
“Sold! To the private chamber number 9.”
Aksai let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. He had secured the spirit herbs—one step closer to his goal.
After finishing his bids, Aksai made his way to the collection counter. As he retrieved his items, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief. The Jade Pavilion had lived up to its reputation, providing not only rare and valuable resources but also a secure way for him to collect the items he bought.
With his newfound treasures safely stored in his spatial ring, Aksai left the Jade Pavilion, his mind already racing with plans for his next steps. He didn’t even wait for the auction to conclude.
The last round of auction was obviously about the three low-quality Foundation Establishment Pills. Aksai obviously had no interest in swimming with the so-called sharks and injuring himself in the process. As such, he quietly left.
“Time. All I need is time.”
As he disappeared into the sea of people, Aksai couldn’t help but smile.
***
Aksai sat cross-legged in his rented villa’s alchemy chamber, a room specially designed and equipped for concocting high-grade pills.
The chamber was lined with intricate Array Formations that not only stabilized the ambient Spirit essence but also enhanced the effectiveness of alchemical processes. The room was dimly lit, with a gentle glow emanating from the various formations inscribed on the walls and floor.
In front of him lay a variety of rare ingredients, each carefully selected and prepared for the arduous task of concocting the Foundation Establishment Pill.
Among them were a hundred-year-old ginseng, a two-hundred-year-old Silver Jade Ganoderma Lucidum, and several other auxiliary materials, some over three hundred years old. There were also some ingredients from Aksai’s own Everwood farm.
“Here goes nothing.”
Aksai took a deep breath and began the process.