Chapter Sixty-Three: The Auction

Heavy snow blanketed the entire winter, and it seemed as if each peak of the Everlasting Ninefold Sect had grown white-haired from the snow.

In March, the ice and snow began to melt. Li Ruoyu stepped out of the small courtyard, gazing up at the blazing sun in the vault of the sky; the sunlight was somewhat blinding. He raised his hand to shield his eyes from the radiant glare, then set out toward Wind-Listening Cliff on the third peak of the Everlasting Ninefold Sect. Wind-Listening Cliff was a unique scenic spot on the third peak, perched halfway up a sheer, sky-piercing cliff—a jutting platform upon the rock face. In ages past, the ancestors of the sect had forged an iron-chain walkway to connect this platform to the mountain.

Standing upon Wind-Listening Cliff, though all things were stirring with the season, the wind here was even sharper, carrying an icy bite. Li Ruoyu understood that, after these days of cultivation—especially the enlightenment he had attained months before—he was now ready to step into the Foundation of the Dao, to condense his Dao Diagram.

Yet in condensing a Dao Diagram, there were significant differences in quality. According to the "Common Knowledge of the Cultivation World," Dao Diagrams were divided into four grades: Supreme, High, Middle, and Low, each with clear distinctions in strength.

Li Ruoyu wished to forge the most supreme Dao Diagram, which was why he had ended his cultivation and came to Wind-Listening Cliff, spending half a day there to clear his mind. His thoughts settled, and with a clear goal in heart, he walked toward Jing Hong’s residence. Since that day they had walked together in the snow, Jing Hong seemed to have changed, become gentler, as serene and warm as a pool of clear water.

Her dwelling, like her crimson robe and fiery-red hair, was tinged with red, dotting the lingering patches of unmelted snow. Jing Hong brewed a pot of tea with care for Li Ruoyu, and soon the aroma filled the whole room. She poured a cup for each of them.

Li Ruoyu lifted his cup and took a gentle sip. The tea was fragrant on the tongue, smooth down the throat, finishing with a subtle aftertaste of sweet bitterness.

“Grandma, your skill is truly something—good tea, and even better company,” Li Ruoyu said to Jing Hong with a smile.

“You do know how to talk,” Jing Hong replied, casting him a sidelong glance.

After that glance, the two fell into a comfortable silence, quietly sipping their tea.

They spent three hours together, talking about many things. Though they drank the tea slowly, eventually the pot was empty. Jing Hong walked Li Ruoyu to the door, watching him depart, her heart filled with warmth.

Li Ruoyu had intended to visit Wang Bo as well, but upon seeing the tightly shut courtyard door, he guessed Wang Bo was either in seclusion or had already gone out, which left him slightly regretful.

Li Ruoyu walked along the path, step by step, when someone approached from ahead. The face was vaguely familiar—half an acquaintance—charmingly alluring, with a hint of wildness.

“Ni Yaorao.”

This was the same person Li Ruoyu had once dueled for the qualification to enter the Fallen Demon Valley. Her “Five-Colored Sky-Cleaving Art” had once given Li Ruoyu a sense of doom, as if death itself loomed inescapable.

To meet again was a kind of fate. Ni Yaorao clearly recognized Li Ruoyu as well; after all, few had returned from the Fallen Demon Valley, and within the Everlasting Ninefold Sect, it would be difficult not to be known.

“Fellow Daoist, wait,” Ni Yaorao called out to Li Ruoyu, clearly intending to make his acquaintance.

Li Ruoyu stopped in his tracks, looking at the alluring woman before him with nothing but appreciation in his eyes. “Is there something you wish to discuss?” he asked.

“There’s a small auction being held soon at Treasure Pavilion, not far outside the Everlasting Ninefold Sect. Would you be interested in coming?”

“Auction?” Li Ruoyu’s expression remained unchanged, his tone calm as always.

“Treasure Pavilion holds an auction every seven years. It’s not surprising you don’t know—last time, you were already in the Fallen Demon Valley.” Hearing the confusion in his voice, Ni Yaorao explained.

“Then let’s go and take a look,” Li Ruoyu agreed, having considered the matter. If this enchanting Ni Yaorao truly meant to invite him in good faith to the auction, then all was well—perhaps he’d find some good fortune there. But if she harbored ill intentions, Li Ruoyu would show no mercy in dealing with her. It was not out of cruelty, but simply his habit of always preparing for the worst, considering every possibility.

The heavens were vast, and the starry sky even more so. In this world, aside from his parents, there were only two and a half people Li Ruoyu could truly trust.

Following behind Ni Yaorao, they left the Everlasting Ninefold Sect, heading north. Four hours later, the night sky was dense with stars when suddenly a brightly lit market appeared ahead, stretching for more than two kilometers. Even at night, people bustled to and fro, lanterns aglow, transforming the entire Treasure Pavilion into a city that never slept.

Upon arrival, Li Ruoyu was certain that Ni Yaorao’s words were mostly true. Entering Treasure Pavilion with her, he saw shops selling cultivation items everywhere—arms dealers, material vendors, and more. Though the market was small, it was fully equipped.

Without pause, Li Ruoyu and Ni Yaorao slipped into a narrow, pitch-black alley, arriving at a dead end. Ni Yaorao, evidently familiar with the place, produced a black token, palm-sized, bearing an ancient character for “Secret.” She pressed the token to the wall at the end of the alley, and instantly the wall turned transparent, like a thin film, revealing a hidden space within. Inside were rows of empty seats, and before them, an auction platform.

Li Ruoyu’s mind flashed with the words “formation array.” Then Ni Yaorao produced two black masks, donning one herself and tossing the other to Li Ruoyu, who put it on without hesitation before stepping into the secret space with her.

Wearing the mask, Li Ruoyu felt its unusual properties—besides obscuring his face, it seemed to block others’ spiritual senses as well. Inside, more than a dozen people were already seated. Ni Yaorao selected a spot, and Li Ruoyu sat beside her.

No one spoke. Silently, Li Ruoyu thought, “They must be waiting for the others.”

As time passed, more people arrived, filling every seat. Suddenly, a woman in a pale dress appeared behind the auction platform. As she emerged, Li Ruoyu realized he was now in an isolated space, able to see only the auction platform before him.

At once, he understood—this was the power of formation arrays. Each seat represented a separate auction space, greatly increasing the auction’s convenience and security. Li Ruoyu couldn’t help but admire the owner of this secret auction ground.

“My name is Ning Xiang, and I am honored to serve as host for this seven-year auction. I hope each of you finds something worthwhile and that your journey here is not in vain,” the woman in the pale dress announced.