The night air was crisp, carrying with it a sense of foreboding. Tang Xiu sat cross-legged in his room at the inn, his hands resting on his knees, his breathing steady. The faint glow of moonlight streamed through the window, casting shadows across the floor. While Lei Xian and Xu Liang rested in the adjacent rooms, Tang Xiu prepared for what lay ahead.
His cultivation had barely begun to recover, and without spiritual energy in this world, it was a painstaking process. Yet, his body—this young, mortal shell—was slowly adapting to the techniques he once mastered as an Immortal.
As dawn broke, the three set out. The parchment from the Hidden Pavilion had provided detailed directions to the auction house, located in an abandoned temple a few miles outside Yunhe City. Tang Xiu led the way, his senses sharp and alert.
The temple loomed before them, its once-majestic structure now worn and overrun by vines. Crumbling stone steps led to a massive wooden door, which bore strange markings that glowed faintly in the dim morning light.
Xu Liang stepped forward cautiously, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "Are we sure about this place? It reeks of a setup."
Tang Xiu nodded, his gaze fixed on the glowing markings. "It's definitely a trap. But whoever set it doesn't understand the prey they're hunting."
Lei Xian frowned. "Boss, I don't mean to question you, but if we know it's a trap, why walk straight into it?"
Tang Xiu smirked. "Because traps only work when the prey is unaware. When the prey becomes the hunter, the roles are reversed."
Without waiting for a reply, Tang Xiu pushed open the heavy wooden door. The inside of the temple was dimly lit by torches lining the walls, their flickering flames casting eerie shadows. Rows of seats filled the main hall, where masked individuals sat silently. The faint murmur of voices rose as Tang Xiu and his companions entered.
At the far end of the hall stood a raised platform, where a man in a black robe was addressing the crowd. "Welcome to tonight's exclusive auction," he announced, his voice smooth and practiced. "We offer only the rarest treasures, gathered from the farthest corners of the land. Now, let us begin."
Tang Xiu and his companions took seats at the edge of the room, their presence drawing curious glances. Lei Xian leaned close to whisper, "Boss, how are we supposed to figure out who's connected to the Shadow Sect?"
Tang Xiu didn't reply immediately. Instead, his sharp eyes scanned the crowd. "Watch for reactions. The Shadow Sect isn't subtle. They'll reveal themselves the moment something valuable appears."
The first few items were unremarkable—jade ornaments, ancient scrolls, and rare herbs. The bidding was fierce, but nothing caught Tang Xiu's attention.
Then, the auctioneer unveiled a small wooden box. Inside was a black pendant shaped like a crescent moon, its surface etched with intricate runes. The moment the pendant was revealed, the atmosphere in the hall shifted.
Tang Xiu's eyes narrowed. The pendant emanated a faint, dark energy—a sign of corrupted qi. It was an artifact linked to forbidden techniques, something that should not exist in this world.
As the bidding began, a figure in the front row raised their hand. Their movements were deliberate, their mask hiding any expression. Tang Xiu observed closely, his instincts telling him this was no ordinary bidder.
The price for the pendant skyrocketed quickly, with several others joining the bidding war. The masked figure in the front row remained calm, raising the stakes each time.
Xu Liang leaned over. "Boss, that pendant—it's dangerous, isn't it?"
Tang Xiu nodded. "Very. It's infused with corrupted qi. Whoever wants it either doesn't know its true nature or knows exactly how to use it."
Before the final bid could be called, Tang Xiu stood abruptly, his voice cutting through the noise. "I'll pay double the highest bid."
The room fell silent, all eyes turning to him. The auctioneer hesitated, clearly unsure how to handle the unexpected interruption.
"Who dares disrupt the auction?" a cold voice demanded. The masked figure in the front row stood, their aura sharp and oppressive.
Tang Xiu smiled faintly. "Someone who doesn't think a petty trinket like that should fall into the wrong hands."
The masked figure stepped forward, their voice filled with menace. "You've overstepped, boy. Do you even know who you're dealing with?"
Tang Xiu's smile vanished, his tone turning icy. "Do you know who you're dealing with?"
The tension in the room snapped like a taut string. The masked figure raised their hand, and several others in the crowd leaped to their feet, drawing weapons.
"Shadow Sect agents," Xu Liang hissed, unsheathing his sword.
Tang Xiu remained calm, his gaze fixed on the masked figure. "So, you couldn't resist revealing yourselves. Good. Saves me the trouble of hunting you down."
The room erupted into chaos as the agents of the Shadow Sect attacked. Tang Xiu moved with precision, his body flowing like water as he dodged their strikes. Despite his limited cultivation, his years of experience made him a force to be reckoned with.
Lei Xian and Xu Liang fought alongside him, their teamwork honed through recent battles. The Shadow Sect agents were skilled, but Tang Xiu's leadership and strategy turned the tide in their favor.
Amid the clash, the masked figure retreated toward the back of the hall, clutching the black pendant. Tang Xiu's eyes narrowed. "You're not escaping."
He surged forward, his speed catching the figure off guard. With a sharp strike, he disarmed them, sending the pendant clattering to the floor.
The figure stumbled back, their mask slipping to reveal a scarred face twisted in fury. "You'll regret this, Tang Xiu. The Shadow Sect isn't the only enemy you've made."
Tang Xiu smirked. "Get in line."
With that, the figure vanished into the shadows, leaving their agents to be dealt with.
As the dust settled, the remaining guests fled, and the auctioneer cowered in a corner. Tang Xiu picked up the black pendant, studying it closely.
"This is only the beginning," he murmured, slipping the pendant into his robe. "The Shadow Sect won't stop here, but neither will I."
Lei Xian slumped against a wall, wiping sweat from his brow. "Boss, remind me why we keep running headfirst into danger?"
Tang Xiu chuckled softly. "Because that's the only way to stay ahead of it.