Chapter Seventy-Three: The Auction

"What nonsense is that about wandering around? A bunch of young hotheads, noisy and troublesome," Worman waved his hand dismissively, his face full of disdain.

The Realm of Artisans was a kind of federation, with an extremely systematic formal education. Unlike Tianqin, where noble clans nearly monopolized the apex of power, and unlike Great Luo Academy, which appeared to be open to all but in reality was riddled with flaws, it was a moderate blend of the two. Here, ancient noble families coexisted with dazzling dark horses rising from humble origins. Thus, many of those who had come this time were children of commoners. Even those like Zhou Xunchuan, from aristocratic backgrounds, were overwhelmed by the magnificence of Tianguan, let alone those who had clawed their way up from obscurity. For the past two days, their incessant chatter had been driving Worman to distraction.

Worman invited them to a tavern for a rest, but Zhou Yan politely declined. With Zhou Tian and the others behind him, it wasn't convenient to join, so he simply set a time to meet and parted ways.

Tianguan was a colossal city, impossible to explore in a single outing. Many who had lived here for years had yet to traverse its entirety. Even without lingering in one spot, a day’s wandering barely covered a corner of its vastness.

By the time they returned to the manor, dusk had settled in. From the warrior sent by Marquis Wen, they learned that the members of Great Luo Academy had arrived and had already sent a visiting card; they would come to call tomorrow.

Hearing this, everyone turned their gaze to Zhou Tian.

"Why are you looking at me? They're coming to pay their respects, such a courteous faction. We ought to learn from them, make more connections," Zhou Tian shrugged, feigning nonchalance.

"You really don't get it, or are you just pretending? They're clearly up to no good, definitely here for you. There’ll be a show to watch," Zhang Yi said with a schadenfreude grin. His white robes were dazzling as snow, and though he should have possessed an ethereal grace, at this moment he resembled a jubilant mouse that had stolen rice.

"If they come with soldiers, we’ll meet them with generals; if they bring water, we’ll block it with earth. If they truly manage to kill me, I’d honestly thank them," Zhou Tian replied, utterly unconcerned. Of course, he knew their intentions were hostile. He’d just killed several of their academy members in the Tianqin Imperial Capital—a scandal unheard of for years—turning Great Luo Academy into a laughingstock among the powers. There was no way they would simply come to say 'hello' and leave it at that.

"No worries, stand tall. In Tianqin, we fear no one," Zhou Yan, clad in a sky-blue robe adorned with jewels, spoke with calm authority. Though his words were plain, there was an undeniable aura of dominance about him, befitting his status as the second prince of Tianqin.

Everyone smiled. Indeed, while they all took some delight in Zhou Tian’s predicament, if conflict arose, not one would back down.

With night falling, everyone retired to their rooms. Tianguan enforced a curfew at night, so there was nothing to see. Zhou Tian yawned, looking weary, and entered his chamber.

He tossed and turned until late into the night, then rose, took a prepared piece of cloth, and teleported out of the Tianqin residence.

Perhaps it was because he had paid his way yesterday, but Zhou Tian waited a long time on the street without seeing any patrolling soldiers knock on doors.

He pondered, but could not discern what distinguished the street’s buildings. He examined yesterday's house over and over, yet failed to spot any special markings.

He could not revisit that house tonight; he’d already been once, and those who survive in these shadows must never be underestimated. Yesterday, perhaps, they had not been prepared for a newcomer, but today might be different.

You can't keep fleecing the same sheep; trouble will come sooner or later.

Sighing, Zhou Tian tied on the cloth and resorted to the tedious method: testing room after room.

His silhouette flashed through the street, undeterred by the suppression of sovereign-level arrays.

Whether it was luck or the abundance of such clandestine gathering places, he had prepared himself for a night’s search, but after only a dozen buildings, he found one.

He appeared in the corner of a room—a spot he had calculated, as he always did before teleporting inside. Unlike yesterday’s location, this place was lavishly decorated, resplendent with spiritual energy.

As before, the room was filled with black-robed figures, their focus fixed on the central platform, none noticing him.

On the platform squirmed a mass of black liquid, occasionally sprouting tendrils, upon which countless fierce spirits manifested, yet unable to breach the amethyst thunder barrier that crackled with dazzling lightning.

"Fifty divine crystals!" called a voice from among the black-robed crowd.

"Any higher bids?" The black-robed figure on the platform cried sharply. Receiving no answer, he raised a small purple hammer high and smashed it onto the table, sending lightning crackling.

"This evil spirit, forged from the pure souls of tens of thousands of infants, now belongs to this friend!" Another black-robed figure approached, carrying away the black liquid, replacing it with a crystal resembling a divine core, but blood-red and shimmering with mesmerizing brilliance.

"This is the divine core of a demon god from the Land Forsaken by the Gods. Tianguan forbids demon god cores—by law they must be surrendered. Obtaining this is no easy feat, and for those on demonic paths, it has miraculous effects. Starting bid: ten spirit crystals!"

Zhou Tian soon realized this was an auction, trading forbidden items from Tianguan.

"Fifteen divine crystals!"

"Sixteen divine crystals!"

"..."

The item attracted frequent bids, the market brisk.

"One hundred divine crystals!" A sky-high offer drew every gaze to Zhou Tian, whose face was obscured only by a piece of cloth. Faces hidden beneath hoods showed varying degrees of astonishment.

The auctioneer froze as well. The previous highest bid had been twenty-six. How had it suddenly leapt to one hundred?

No one challenged Zhou Tian’s bid. The demon god core was “acquired” by him—payment was not made on the spot, but settled after the auction concluded.

Then came Zhou Tian’s performance.

"This is thunder—"

"One hundred divine crystals!"

"This comes from—"

"One hundred divine crystals!"

"..."

He offered a flat price for every item, leaving no room for competition. All eyes shifted from the stage to Zhou Tian. No one present was a fool; gradually, they realized he was here to cause trouble. In a short while, he had bid nearly a thousand divine crystals.

The auctioneer suffered in silence. He, too, suspected Zhou Tian, but the auction was still ongoing; he couldn’t very well interrupt now and demand proof of funds—that would ruin his reputation.