Pride filled the heart of Ember as she added. "Even some of the Crimson Scale Tribe itself hesitated at having such a young leader which also adds to how amazing Grandfather is."
"That's right, he faced incredibly dire odds and no one had expected his resistance to being so fierce. But he was able to gather a small but elite group of trusted aides and strike before the Trade Council had. Tribe Leader Flint was able to kill off a few key members much to the shock of everyone who knew of the situation.
From stories of those who had either been a guard for one of the targets or seen the aftermath, the imposing figure of Tribe Leader Flint clashing with the Trade Council Members and guards was terrifying. There were many names he had been called back then, and even now some stories are told of the Fiery Demon that would hunt down and mercilessly kill anyone who stood in the way of his mark.
As guarded as the Council Heads were, they began to be killed off one by one. Anyone who had come across the scene afterward told of the bodies strewn on the floor would tell of a terrifying young dragonkin.
Many of the Trade Council Heads scoffed at the preposterous tales and didn't at all believe that the young Tribe Leader would be able to pull off such attacks. And soon the rumors started. How some of the dissenting Trade Council Heads had backstabbed their partners and brought them to this state where they were being hunted like dogs.
Despite how intelligent and powerful these Council Heads were, the lingering fear and doubt crept into their minds and affected their plans, and began to suspect everyone close to them.
Once the chaos had fully taken root, Tribe Leader Flint took little time to clean up the rest of the dissenting leaders and quell not only the coup but also the doubting voices from his own tribe. Many had begun to think that they would soon be under the rule of a tyrant.
Contrary to their expectations, Tribe Leader Flint announced the entire endeavor to the public and condemned those who sought to disturb their peaceful city. He would go on to have the public support him and bring new reforms to the Trade Council and forever expel the tribe that was the major contributor to the entire plot.
Even though he didn't care for it, the city enshrined Tribe Leader Flint's image as a large statue in the center of the city and overlooking the Trade Hub. For the public, it is a reminder of the heroic deeds of a righteous Tribe Leader overcoming incredible odds to safeguard their freedom but to those who really know what happened, it is a reminder to not repeat past mistakes."
Awed by the tale and shocked all the same that he was able to achieve such a feat. "So how young was he? What was his body forging level?"
"IT'S OVER 9000!?"
The group all glared as they passed by a customer screeching about the price of an artifact.
Ember took the time to chime in. "Grandpa likes to joke every time I asked him in the past, but he was around 20 years old at that point and somewhere in the muscle stage.
But what the beastkin feared wasn't Grandpa's cultivation, since there have been many strong cultivators when they are young, but rather the cunning and decisiveness that many only have after hundreds of years of experience.
This is why I look up to him so much and strive to even be a fraction of the warrior he is now."
Velnarra gazed over the vast city with renewed admiration for her Tribe Leader. "Flint certainly is one-of-a-kind. Anyway, we have arrived at our destination."
Before them was one of the largest buildings that Noxtis had ever seen in his life, grander than any single building in the Crimson Scale Tribe and certainly the most elegant. The pagoda-shaped auction house looked as if it was being wrapped by an immense red dragon. With a pair of razor-sharp claws beside the entrance, the rest of the dragon's body enveloped the building to the top of the building where it roared at the sky with the majesty of an emperor.
From each individual scale to the expression of a fierce and immovable ruler, the entire dragon gave off an aura of the most powerful creature in the world.
Enshrined not too far away from the Dragon's claws was a statue much smaller in comparison but still larger than any living beastkin Noxtis' had seen before. A spitting image of a younger version of the Flint he had met before.
Ember elbowed Noxtis in the side and chuckled. "While many still revere Grandpa Flint as a heroic and thoughtful leader and cultivator, many wouldn't know that he loves playing pranks on the Elders and going fishing in his free time. Sure, he will get work done, and diligently at that, but he is very kind and loving to those he likes."
Sighing, Elder Nancy was reminded of the goofy antics that he had pulled on herself. She had almost burned down a small warehouse when Flint had set up a fake slug to drop on her head. Despite her grossed-out state and furious rage, Flint had been rolling on the floor laughing like a teenage beastkin.
Leading the group to the entrance which was already swarmed with a long but thankfully orderly line, Elder Nancy and the rest showed their identification medals.
Two guides employed by the auction house came to their group. Elder Nancy went her separate way with one guide while the other female guide led them to a curious contraption that looked like a door with a panel beside it with several inscriptions carved into it.
Two armored guards were stationed beside the door and after the female guide talked to them and showed her identification, they allowed them to pass. Pressing one of the inscriptions, they waited for a short bit before the door opened up to a small rectangular room.
Guided inside, the group entered the room and the door closed behind them. Suddenly, to the shock of Noxtis, the room began to move upwards which didn't phase any of the other passengers. "What in the world is this?"
"Ahh, I'm terribly sorry sir, I had assumed that you had visited the Red Drake Auction House before and did not explain. This is one of the newest devices created in the last hundred years by Inscription Master Ysel, it allows for larger with many floors to travel up and down much faster than traditional walking. It is called an elevator, and it is quite a handy item the Auction House had actually ended up being renovated to accommodate elevators in a few locations across the Auction House."
Furrowing his brow, Noxtis thought it weird for them to have these...elevators...when most beastkin were at least somewhat cultivators and could walk up flights of stairs with little issue. "These seem pretty expensive, would it not be cheaper to just have kept the stairs and the like?"
"Oh, on the contrary. The elevators were not that difficult to implement and actually gave the auction house a more efficient way to transport goods and provide security in various ways. For example, only those employed by the Auction house are able to utilize the inscriptions.
The elevators themselves are guarded as you have seen before, but those are more for show than anything. It is actually safeguarded by several protective barriers, similar to those that protect the building itself.
Not all participants are high-stage beastkin and the auction house itself is extremely large to be able to house not only the auction room itself but also seating for guests and those who wish to have more secretive rooms to participate as well. The extensive kitchen, storage, and staff areas, that all contribute to just how large the Red Drake Auction House is.
Lastly, elevators are somewhat of entertainment in themselves and are quite novel to those that have not visited the auction house before."
Noxtis nodded in understanding, not realizing just how much went into such a well-respected auction house. "Thank you miss for the information."
Bowing, the guide smiled. "Of course! It is my pleasure to assist your group with anything you need."
Wurino ordered the guide to bring them some light snacks and refreshments. The guide nodded and left the room. Sitting down near the viewing area, Wurino picked up a sheet and began browsing it. "Come look honey, they have some good things this time around."
Sitting down with Ember on a comfy couch with a side table, Noxtis wondered about the list and what was on it. Ember stopped him for a moment and handed him a spatial ring. "Hold on, Elder Nancy told me to give this to you. I had it for a bit but forgot to give it to you earlier. She said it has the payment for your cultivation technique inside. Oh, and she said to keep the ring as well, it is a special one like mine that is locked by blood so make sure to drop a bit on the seal."
Holding the ring in his hand, he looked at it in surprise as he had completely forgotten about the payment with the entire shadow spider nest and all. The ring itself was carved to look like a dragon wrapped around a large jewel inscribed with a storage seal. Pricking his finger, Noxtis squeezed out a drop of blood onto the jewel.
The drop of blood was absorbed by the inscription and the ring began to glow slightly as the color of the ring began to change from shiny silver to a lustrous black color and the gem began to turn a light red.
Noxtis slipped the ring on his right pointer finger and smiled at being able to have one of the items he envied quite a lot after having seen Ember use it quite frequently. Noxtis wondered how much space was inside the ring as well as how wealthy he was now and peered inside the ring.
"WHAT IS THIS?!"