"As previously mentioned, these elixirs are verified by my superiors at grade 4. We are only fortunate enough to have a single vial of each but each vial has 4 doses." Lind was glad that Younger Twin shared these vials with him. Unlike pill vials, elixir vials came with marks on them that could be tapped with any Qi to divide a vial into 4 equal doses. This was done for several reasons, but chiefly to make sure a cultivator did not poison themselves or overtax their meridians with a powerful elixir.
"The first vial up, is a water tempering vial. It should be noted this is not restricted to mono-elementals, but anyone with a water core or font can use this. Please note that you must still cultivate your other elements normally as it will not help them." Old Ye was being firm so no one misunderstood what they were getting. The effect on the crowd was instant as communication jades seemed to materialize enmasse. Neither Old Ye nor Mythra made any move to start the bidding.
Lind found it odd they did not post the bidding without restriction like before but the rules already outlined that stones were the chosen commodity. It could also be that after the storm at grade 1 that old Ye had decided to put a minimum on it to start.
Once the excitement calmed down, Mythra once more stepped forward.
"Like grade 1, there are no restrictions, but due to the unusual nature of these elixirs there is an exception being made for this and the other mid grade 2 elixir. Should a storage ring be offered, it will be considered as acceptable to buy this item." Lind was confused but Irene actually stumbled in shock. Lind did not understand, what was the big deal of a storage treasure that was a ring? He had never seen one but he did not know the details of how any storage treasure was made.
He knew dark Qi was a large part of the puzzle he had in his room, but there were signs of light and earth as well. The items usually took the shape, though, of something as small as a bracelet from what he had seen. There might be a necklace but Lind suspected it was too likely to be ripped off a cultivator by a weapon or attack. A pouch or bracelet can be easily protected but something that could pop out of a robe or shirt would be too easy to lose.
Still, the principle should be the same regardless should it not?
"H-honored guest, a storage ring can only ever be found in an Inheritance or a Ruin." Lind heard the trembling voice of Irene and turned back to her in confusion. Why were rings different? "They are made in some way unknown but have far greater capacity than even a grade 4 treasure!"
Lind was stunned. Were his elixirs really worth that much? He doubted it but was glad old Ye had thought to try. The bidding started but was not as chaotic as before, afterall, a tempering elixir was only useful at Soul Realm and above. With it further being restricted by element, not all needed it. Water was also fairly easy to temper unless fire was thrown into the dantian.
Even so, it quickly surpassed 150 World Stones. The bidding slowed down after 200 World Stones and settled at 215 World Stone from someone on Lind's floor. The tension suddenly returned once the water elixir was gone.
Lind then saw the gold and green elixir come forth and could feel an intensity from the crowd that was not present during the first one but he knew they were bound to lose once Old Ye revealed the restriction on this one.
"Honored guests, we have a truly rare combination of elements here, air and light! Unfortunately, unlike the previous elixir, this can only be used by a dual elemental that matches up with it." As Lind expected, the intensity dropped down but neither old Ye nor Mythra seemed surprised. They made no further announcement and started the bidding.
"1 Sky Stone!" Stunned silence filled the theater as a top floor VIP's distorted voice thundered in the room. It had rocketed far past the other elixirs in just the opening bid. Lind was floored but it was only the beginning. It quickly passed 5 Sky Stones and did not seem to slow down!
It was all a battle of the elites but it only finally slowed down after 15 Sky Stones were offered. There was a long stretch of silence before one of the opaque windows cleared and revealed what looked like a fairly young sandy haired pale skinned man. He was robust in shape and the sword on his hip looked like it was a part of him even at a glance.
"I, Vale of the Broken Sword Sect, offer up a storage ring." Dead silence filled the room and Lind quickly turned to Irene but she shrugged at his obvious question. How much was a ring worth? It was not long before another window revealed a veiled young woman in crimson robes that hugged her well endowed body, stood forth.
"I, Mistress of the Secrets of Shadow Valley, offer a storage ring and 20 Sky Stones." Vale looked green as he clearly had lost this bet but it was not over. A third window fell away, but this time it had an added effect. As soon as a middle aged man with graying hair mixed with black was revealed, all bowed to him.
The pressure he had could not be contained with the restrictions lifted. Lind had never felt it before but it was weakening only to the Immortal Will he had encountered thus far and stronger than any World Realm formation he had seen in this building. Sky Realm!
"I do not mean to pick on the younger generation, but I offer 2 storage rings." This time no one spoke up, and the veiled woman with Vale bowed to the Sky Realm man. Mythra knew no one could top that price! Lind was completely boneless sitting on the couch. While he had not gotten stones, the use of the storage rings was far more beneficial right now.
"Honored guest, are you ok?" Irene was actually concerned as the elixirs were clearly from Lind due to what he gave her and he had just made a fortune on top of an incredible lucky chance. No one in the Soul Realm had storage rings unless they were at the level of Darkmoor to her knowledge. This young man now had 2. It also helped that storage rings, unlike most storage treasures, were usually very subdued in design.
Lind gathered himself and smiled at Irene. He was giddy!
Most of the auction lost its interest after that but Lind was satisfied. He had a considerable fortune and the ability to now only safely transport it but store his ever increasing amount of items! He could not ask for more at this point. He owed a favor to old Ye for sure!
The auction flowed on and Lind noticed some in the crowd left as they likely had to get back to duties or, more likely, no longer had funds to get these expensive items. Lind was about to dismiss the auction entirely until one more item came up.
"We are now in the final round of this auction, honored guests. The last round are all items that are from Ruins or Inheritances whose functions are unknown. Here we have a manual in an unknown language. Our appraisers were unable to determine its purpose but the quality is a grade 4 item." Lind nearly fell out of his seat at that mention. It was not the grade but what it was. It was not a manual, it was a book. A very familiar book to anyone from the 20th to 21st century.
"Guess someone really wanted to read it again." His own ability to recall specific details had increased with his cultivation so Lind could believe that anything he had once read would once more come back to him so long as it was in his memory. How that worked with a previous life to the current one,he had no idea, but here was proof once more that someone from Earth had lived and done quite well if they could spare grade 4 materials to recreate Tolkien's classic.
The item actually did quite well and he wondered what native cultivators would make of it if they knew it was only fantasy. Of course this was a place where people channeled elemental Qi to create fantastical effects that would not be out of place in such a story. Lind then had a strange thought. If this world exists, could that high fantasy exist as well?
Lind let the stray thought go as other miscellaneous items were put up for auction. They were all from Ruins without context or sure ideas of what they were but nothing from Earth after that book.
"Honored guest, please follow me to collect your profits." Lind followed Irene back to the elevators but this time they were not alone. Some powerful World Realms were escorted to the same hallway and Lind felt all of them staring at him but no one asked questions. A few smiled and waved at familiar faces but not a word was spoken. Lind found this very odd, but went with it.
Irene did not enter the first set of doors but waited until the 3rd elevator. Lind noticed that people left in order of their cultivation. The first 2 were likely peak Iron or low Gold Tier and the rest went down to peak Stone Tier from what he could tell at the lowest. Irene was once more the only person with Lind as they descended and went below the main floor.
Lind was then led into another group of people from all across the cultivation spectrum. Here, there was even less interest in talking but quite a few clearly recognized Lind. Their faces showed disdain but did nothing else. All were welcome at the Sapphire Auction House and the restrictions of Darkmoor were not going to stop them nevermind the Lotus Empire.
Lind was led to a waiting area that was clearly meant for VIPs as it had comfortable chairs and wait staff bringing the promised meals. Lind was the only Soul Realm in the entire VIP area from what he could see.
"Lind!" He nearly jumped out of his skin when 2 slender but well muscled arms encircled him from behind. Lind had no time to register who had come to him when a short braid of familiar dark green hair flashed in front of his eyes. The sensation of a woman hugging him from behind was nerve wracking but Lind felt relaxed at who it was now. She still liked to tease him!
"Shoti!" Lind was released and turned to see the far too seductive dress of Shoti as always but her whip weapon was now giving off more pressure even coiled up. She was also at World Realm! He could see the Qi around her was at low Sand Tier. She was already so far ahead of him! Lind saw that other VIPs were staring but there was nothing to be done. It was not as bad as after the Tri-Clan tournament anyway!
"You have grown up handsomely, but still not tempted?" She struck a pose and Lind would be lying if it was not appealing but he noticed that her skirt was more functional now and less intentionally cut to draw the eyes. His clear glance at her gear made Shoti flash annoyance but she had heard how rough Lind had been this past year.
"I am glad you are relying more on your skills but what is this made of?" Lind pointed at her whip as it was far more powerful than the last one. Shoti smirked and only held her index finger to her lips. Lind suddenly felt a very disapproving stare and turned to find a young man with dark brown hair looking at Lind as if he was a bug.
An internal sigh left Lind at the likely misunderstanding but he ignored it. It would only lead to a headache later.
"I see you finally have a weapon too. I heard you are doing well with your cultivation." Lind appreciated Shoti skirting the elephant in the room and spoke on his adventures. He also mentioned he would like to talk to her if she could spare the time. She was one of the people he meant to reach out to and since luck brought them together, why not ask?
"Lind Frey!" Irene called his name and he turned to find her looking disgruntled at him. What had he done wrong? This was a good friend and while she enjoyed teasing him, they truly had a good relationship. A sudden thought crossed his mind and he whispered his question to Irene before she used her tablet once again. A nod finally came from Irene but she seemed very annoyed.
"Actually Shoti, could you come with me? I want to show you something and the Sapphire Auction House agreed to take care of us both at once." The men in the vicinity instantly wished death on Lind and he could feel it. A cold sweat broke out but he endured it. Nothing could happen here of a lewd nature and all knew it.
Shoti broke out in her trademark smile but Lind noticed she actually seemed to be relieved too for some reason. She stood up and followed him behind Irene to one of the many rooms distributing the profits to the sellers.