AN: I tagged this book, come and support me with a thumbs up!
A few days passed after Ye Chen's success with the pill, and though things seemed to be calming down, his mind was always focused on one thing—his cultivation. Despite his small successes, he knew he was still far from the powerful immortal he had once been. His body was weak, and modern Earth didn't have nearly the amount of spiritual energy he had grown accustomed to in his past life. He needed something more, something that would help him advance faster.
That's when he overheard a conversation at a local café. Two men, both wearing expensive suits, were talking in hushed tones, mentioning something about an underground auction. The words "rare herbs" and "artifacts" caught his attention. Ye Chen's ears perked up, and he discreetly listened to their conversation.
"The auction is tomorrow night," one of the men said, checking his watch. "It's said to have items that are impossible to find elsewhere. You can't trust the authorities, but the underground market… that's where the real treasures are."
Ye Chen's mind raced. An underground auction? If there were rare herbs and artifacts being sold, it could be exactly what he needed to jumpstart his cultivation. He couldn't pass up this opportunity. Without wasting any time, he finished his drink and left the café. The men were already gone, but Ye Chen knew where to go.
The following evening, Ye Chen followed the clues he had pieced together from the café conversation. After navigating through narrow alleyways and dark streets, he finally arrived at a large, unassuming building. There were no signs or markings, only a door guarded by two men dressed in black. Ye Chen approached, his steps silent as always. The guards eyed him suspiciously, but after a moment, they allowed him to pass.
Inside, the room was filled with a dim light, giving everything an almost surreal, eerie glow. People in extravagant clothing mingled in hushed whispers. In the center of the room was a large stage, where items would soon be displayed for the highest bidder. Ye Chen moved to the back of the room, staying out of sight. He knew how to blend in; he had done it for thousands of years.
The auction began shortly after he arrived. A man dressed in a sharp suit stepped onto the stage and raised his hands for attention. "Welcome, esteemed guests, to tonight's auction. We have many rare and valuable items up for bid, and we expect this to be a night to remember. Let the bidding begin."
The first few items were nothing special—trinkets, ancient coins, and some old-fashioned weapons—but Ye Chen didn't pay much attention. He was focused on one thing only: finding the right item for his cultivation. He kept his eyes sharp, scanning the stage for anything that might catch his interest. As the auction went on, his patience was tested, but he didn't lose focus.
Then, finally, something caught his eye.
A small jade pendant was brought to the stage. To most people in the room, it looked like a simple piece of jewelry, unremarkable and plain. But Ye Chen's senses sharpened the moment it was held up. He could feel it—the faint, yet undeniable, aura of spiritual energy radiating from the pendant. It was subtle, but to someone with his experience, it was clear. The pendant was not ordinary. It was imbued with power, a force that could be harnessed for cultivation.
Ye Chen's eyes glinted with excitement, but he kept his expression neutral, careful not to give anything away. He knew how these underground auctions worked—people would try to hide their true intentions, and anyone who acted too eager was bound to attract attention.
The auctioneer began his spiel, holding the pendant up for all to see. "Ladies and gentlemen, this pendant is a unique item, crafted from jade that was found in the deepest caves of the eastern mountains. It has been passed down through generations of cultivators, each adding their own power to it. The pendant is said to amplify a person's connection to spiritual energy, enhancing their cultivation abilities."
Ye Chen's heart skipped a beat. Amplify spiritual energy? This was exactly what he needed. The auctioneer's voice continued, but Ye Chen wasn't listening. His thoughts were already on the pendant. He needed it.
The bidding began.
"Twenty thousand," a voice called from across the room.
"Fifty thousand," another voice chimed in.
Ye Chen didn't hesitate. He raised his hand, his voice steady. "One hundred thousand."
The room went silent. The people around him turned to look, surprised by the bold bid. One hundred thousand? For a pendant? It was unheard of. Most of the guests here were used to bidding large sums for rare and powerful artifacts, but no one had expected such an early bid for something that seemed so simple. They looked at Ye Chen, sizing him up. No one knew who he was, and he hadn't drawn attention to himself before now. But one thing was clear—he wasn't a man to be taken lightly.
The auctioneer's eyes widened slightly, but he quickly regained his composure. "One hundred thousand, do I hear one hundred and fifty?"
The room was tense, but Ye Chen didn't flinch. He knew the value of this pendant, and he wasn't going to back down. His hands clenched into fists, his aura surging with determination. The other bidders exchanged uncertain glances, unsure whether they should challenge him. The item before them was rare, but was it really worth this much?
A moment of silence passed, and then, the auctioneer gave a nod. "Sold! To the gentleman in the back for one hundred thousand!"
Ye Chen's lips curled into a slight smile. It was done. The pendant was his. As he stood and made his way toward the stage to collect his prize, he felt a surge of excitement. This was just the beginning. With this pendant, his cultivation would move forward faster than ever before.