Chapter 7: Lunar Veil Powder and Unexpected Encounters
A silver-coloured dust was discovered inside the stone. "What is this dust?" Alex inquired. "Oh, you are quite lucky! This is a Grade 2 resource called Lunar Veil Powder; it is especially useful in the cultivation of light-related essence energy," the employee exclaimed. "For 10 bronze essence coins, this is definitely a catch!"
"I didn't know there would be a Grade 2 resource there. I guess the intuition ability of the Lexicon is pretty good." Alex mused to himself. "Can you pack it up for me?" he asked the employee.
As he waited, people gathered around Alex. One of them said, "Hey, young man, why don't you sell me this dust? I don't think it will be very useful for you." Suspicious at the man's offer, Alex replied, "I don't intend to sell it."
The onlookers felt it was not worth pressing the matter further and left Alex alone. However, in a corner of the floor, a young man with blue hair observed Alex with malicious intent.
The employee returned with a black vial containing the Lunar Veil Powder. "Here you go, customer," he said, handing the vial to Alex.
"Thank you; have a nice day," Alex responded, preparing to leave the floor. But as he was about to descend, a young man with blue hair and blue eyes approached him. "Hey there, I saw you won a pretty good treasure," the man said.
"Yes, I guess I got pretty lucky," Alex replied.
"My name is Jumu Highfrost, and I'm the grandson of Elder Arnulf Highfrost," Jumu introduced himself proudly. Alex thought, 'He sounds pretty important.'
"I am Alex. Nice to meet you," Alex said.
"I'll give you 1 silver essence coin for the Lunar Veil Powder you got earlier," Jumu proposed. Alex recognized the same intention as the earlier crowd. "I'm sorry, but I will not be selling that," he said firmly.
"Are you sure?" Jumu pressed, a sharp tone in his voice. Alex, taken aback, stepped back a little and shakily replied, "Please, I really don't intend to sell it."
Jumu, irritated by Alex's refusal, looked around, noticing that people were drawn to his aggressive stance. "Tch, you will regret it," he spat out before leaving Alex and ascending to the third floor of the pavilion.
After Jumu left, Alex took a short breath, pondering, 'What's up with this guy? If he is the grandson of an elder, he should have money. Why does he have to oppress others?' With these thoughts in mind, Alex made his way to the first floor.
After he arrived on the first floor, Alex spotted Hari. "Hey, Hari, what did you get?" Alex asked.
"Oh, Alex, I got a Mistvine Seed!" Hari replied.
"What are its effects?"
"After planting it and nurturing it with essence energy, it grows into a vine that enhances the cultivator's mastery over water-based spells, provides better control, and amplifies the potency of water essence in the area."
"That sounds powerful!" Alex exclaimed. "What did you get, Alex?" Hari asked.
"I got super lucky. On the second floor, there are fist-sized black stones called Obsidian Veil Stones that each cost ten bronze essence coins. Once you break open the stone, there is a chance you will find a treasure, though not every stone has something valuable inside. I got lucky and found something called Lunar Veil Powder. It is a Grade 2 resource and useful for cultivation."
"Incredible, a Grade 2 resource! I should have gone to the second floor and tried my luck," Hari said. "Do you know what's on the third floor?" Alex asked Hari.
Elder Gavum just finished exchanging the Goldenwell Herbs for the Snowflake Pearl. He overheard Alex's question and answered.
"The third floor is an auction house of the Pavilion."
"Elder Gavum!" both said in unison.
"Are we also going to the auction house, Elder Gavum?" Hari asked.
"I got the Snowflake Pearl, so we have time, we can take a look at the auction; it will be a good experience for you two," Elder Gavum said. The three headed to the third floor of the pavilion, the auction house. Upon arriving, a female employee greeted them.
"Hello, welcome to the auction house of the Highfrost Treasure Pavilion. Please take a seat; the auction will start in about five minutes."
"Thank you," Elder Gavum said, and the three of them looked for a seat. After finding a spot in the back, Elder Gavum asked, "So, Hari and Alex, what did you buy with the money I gave you?"
"I bought a Mistvine Seed from the first floor. I need it to help me practice my Tier 1 spell, Surge of Comprehension to Novice Mastery," Hari said.
"What about you, Alex?" Elder Gavum asked.
"Unlike Hari, I did not buy anything from the first floor. I went to the second floor and gambled my luck on a fist-sized Obsidian Veil Stone that costs only ten bronze essence coins. I got lucky and got a Grade 2 resource called Lunar Veil Powder!"
"You got lucky indeed. Its value is even better than the Snowflake Pearl I exchanged for. Keep it to yourself in the future, Alex; it will be helpful to you in your cultivation," Elder Gavum advised. They sat quietly until they felt someone looking at them, especially at Alex.
"Do you know him, Alex?" Elder Gavum asked.
Alex did not think that guy would still have bad intentions towards him. "Hmm, that guy wanted to buy my Lunar Veil Powder, but I refused him. He also mentioned that he is the grandson of Elder Arnulf Highfrost."
Elder Gavum said, "I see. Do not worry too much about it. I do not think this guy will cause trouble."
Two minutes moments later, the auction started. A young woman with blue hair and blue eyes went up the stage and said, "Welcome to the Highfrost Treasure Pavilion auction! If this is your first time here, we hold auctions every Wednesday at 1 p.m. And without further duo let us begin! Today, we will auction a total of five items. Let us start with the first one!"
'So far, this era looks medieval, so having weekdays and time separated is normal,' Alex thought to himself.
"And our first item is a Tier 1 spell called Aquara. From its name, you can tell it is a water-attributed spell. Anyone with water-attributed essence can use it. The Aquara spell is a gentle water spell that can heal minor wounds, purify toxins, give a boost of vitality and mental clarity, and provide a thin veil of protective barrier. Its starting price will be one silver essence coin!"
Immediately, someone from the front shouted, "5 silver essence coins!"
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"10 silver essence coins!" someone else intervened.
"15 silver essence coins!" the same guy from the front shouted.
The auctioneer then said, "15 silver once, 15 silver twice," and a 5 seconds later, "and sold! For fifteen silver essence coins."
"Now, let us move to our second item, an elixir called The Elixir of Raven's Insight. This Grade 1 potion embodies the raven's keen senses and resilience by not only healing physical injuries but also enhancing mental clarity and the user's ability to adapt and recover, very much like a raven's natural attributes. Its price starts at 10 silver essence coins!"
"Why does this one start at 10 silver essence coins and not 5?" Alex asked Elder Gavum beside him.
"Because the materials for the elixir are rare, and its effects are quite good for a Grade 1 potion," Elder Gavum explained.
'I remember that Jumu guy wanting to buy my item for one silver essence coin! He really tried to cheat me! Do I really look like a country bumpkin?' Alex wondered to himself.
The bidding on the potion continued, and one minute later, the potion was sold for thirty silver essence coins. Elder Gavum noted that this was quite expensive for such an item.
The third auction item was a garb called Ridozoc's Whispering Garb, a Grade 2 treasure. This robe enhances cultivation efficiency and elemental attunement, offering a significant boost to essence and spiritual development. The garb was for one gold essence coin.
The fourth item was a Grade 2 ring called the Elder Insight Band. This ring enhances the cultivator's perception and understanding of complex magical phenomena, aiding in the proficiency of analysing and deciphering advanced spells. The ring was sold for five gold essence coins.
"And now, for our final item that you all have been waiting for..."