‘It seems Nuya has been busy.
She has done an excellent job in producing Bacchus’ Blessing and establishing an exclusive distribution chain in Haan Di.
This won’t be the only auction event in which Bacchus’ Blessing will be sold. With her skills and buisness-minded approach, Emerald Cove’s revenue would soon see a steep rise.’
Aksai thought to himself and smiled. He then stopped his chain of thoughts and decided to concentrate on the auction event.
The grand hall of the auction event buzzed with anticipation. The auctioneer clapped his hands and stepped forward to introduce the next item.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” the auctioneer began, “we now present a truly unique technique—one that has survived the fall of an entire clan. The Anahat Soul Splitting technique, once the prized possession of the Solos Clan from the Kaan Kingdom.”
He paused, allowing the significance to sink in before continuing, “This technique enables Foundation Building Experts to split their souls into an ethereal fragment. This fragment can be used for various purposes, such as puppet control, will infusion into artifacts, and refined control over Array Formations from a distance.”
The auctioneer’s voice grew somber.
“Originally, this technique was related to sentient puppet creation but was refined to have many more uses. However, it’s not without its risks. The process is dangerous. In untrained hands, it can cause soul-based injuries, which are notoriously difficult to heal.
Only a handful of cultivation resources and rare concoctions can mend a damaged soul. Even if you practice the technique to its perfection, your soul is bound to get weakened for a prolonged period once you actually split your soul.
Most Foundation Building Experts can only use the technique once to actually split their souls and create a Soul Shard. Any more attempts will likely result in the user’s soul getting irreversibly damaged. The side effects include stagnation of the cultivation base and in some extreme cases the users can lose their mental faculties.”
Whispers and murmurs spread through the crowd. Many cultivators exchanged uneasy glances. The auctioneer continued.
“Anyway, I wanted to be upfront about the technique’s basics. Consider what I said before you start bidding on the technique,” the auctioneer said patiently. This was clearly not his first time bidding on a dangerous cultivation resource to his buyers.
“I have heard of this technique. But wasn’t the Solos Clan so tight-lipped about the technique’s specifics to outsiders? How did it end up in the auction?” asked a curious buyer present in the grand hall. One could tell that he was from the Kaan Kingdom as he knew about the Solos clan.
The auctioneer nodded as if he was expecting this question. He replied promptly.
“After the Solos Clan was destroyed by its rival, the Atman Clan, the surviving members decided to sell this technique to the highest bidder, hoping to secure a future for their descendants. And that’s how it has found its way to our exclusive auction event tonight.
Of course, they don’t want the technique to spread to the masses. As such, the buyer would need to enter a blood contract stating that they wouldn’t share the technique with anyone else. But one needs to worry about the blood contract only after winning the bid.”
As the details of the technique were laid out, the audience’s interest wavered. Several Foundation Building Experts shook their heads, clearly deterred by the risks.
The auctioneer, sensing the hesitation, quickly moved to the next phase.
“Even though the technique has its disadvantages, it can be used creatively in the right cultivator’s hands. It has many versatile uses for all kinds of cultivation arts. If nothing else, this technique can be studied to refine a puppet with an almost sentient consciousness.
In any case, it is said that the technique also allows one to train their souls with consistent practice. It can allow some Foundation Building Experts to get over their bottlenecks.
As such, the bidding for the Anahat Soul Splitting technique starts at 5,000 spirit stones.”
A few puppet masters and Array Formation experts showed interest. The bidding began, but it was slow, the stakes evidently too high for most.
“Five thousand five hundred!”
“Six thousand!”
The bids came in tentatively, each bidder weighing the potential gain against the perilous risks.
‘Anahant Soul Splitting Technique, huh? I… I wonder if I can make use of the technique to imbue consciousness into my Scarecrow Fiends.’
Aksai, intrigued by the technique’s potential and confident in his abilities, decided to jump in. “Eight thousand!”
The room quieted for a moment, eyes turning to Aksai. Sirina, sitting next to him, glanced over, a mixture of curiosity and admiration in her eyes.
“Didn’t you want to buy a talisman for the top-grade second barrier? Why bid on this technique?” she asked while looking at Aksai. She had already informed Aksai that the talisman he was looking for might appear in the auction event, towards its very end. However, Aksai seemed to have changed his priorities midway.
“I have my own reasons,” Aksai smiled at Sirina before resuming his gaze at the front, looking at the stage. By this point, the bid had progressed even further.
A rival puppet master raised the bid. “Nine thousand!”
Aksai didn’t hesitate. “Ten thousand!”
The rival paused, considering the cost. The auctioneer encouraged more bids, “Remember, this technique holds immense potential for those who master it!”
Another expert, an Array Formation specialist, raised his hand reluctantly. “Eleven thousand.”
Aksai pondered for a bit before raising his bid again. “Twelve thousand!”
The room fell silent. The competing bidders looked at each other, then at Aksai, before shaking their heads and lowering their hands. The auctioneer’s gavel came down with a decisive thud.
“Sold! To the gentleman for twelve thousand spirit stones!”
Aksai felt a rush of satisfaction. He had secured a technique that, while risky, promised immense benefits for someone of his skills and background. He could already envision the ways he could integrate it with his current abilities.
As the auction continued, Aksai’s mind raced with possibilities. Sirina leaned in and whispered, “Bold move, Expert Aksai. I hope it pays off.”
Aksai grinned. “You know what they say—fortune favors the bold.”