Just like before, everything unfolded smoothly.
The attendant led the fox through layered corridors, formations peeling away one after another until the familiar **auction hall** revealed itself—vast and dimly lit, seats arranged in concentric arcs around a central stage.
No disturbances.
No suspicion.
The attendant stopped and gestured politely.
"Seat **number forty-six**," he said calmly.
The fox nodded once, illusion intact, and moved forward. It settled into the seat with practiced ease, posture relaxed, aura perfectly moderated.
The attendant inclined his head.
"If the guest requires anything, please summon us."
With that, he withdrew, disappearing seamlessly into the Pavilion's inner pathways.
The fox leaned back slightly, tails still, gaze fixed on the empty platform.
*Same place. Same process,* it thought.
*Good. That means the rules haven't changed.*
The auction platform remained vacant for now, formations dormant but primed. Murmurs drifted through the hall as cultivators and hidden figures took their seats, qi fluctuations brushing against one another like cautious feelers.
The fox waited.
Calm.
Patient.
This time, it wasn't here to browse.
This time—
It was here to **take back what was already its own**.
The murmurs slowly faded.
A soft **hum** rippled through the auction hall as formations activated one after another, sealing the space. Light gathered at the center of the platform, condensing into a faint glow.
Then—
A figure appeared.
Robed in pale silver, face obscured by a thin veil of spiritual light, the **auction host** stepped onto the stage. Their voice carried effortlessly—not loud, not soft, yet reaching every corner of the hall.
"Honored guests," the host said calmly, "welcome to today's auction at the **Heavenweight Exchange Pavilion**."
A brief pause.
"Without further delay—let us begin."
With a flick of the host's sleeve, the light behind them shifted. A jade pedestal rose smoothly from the stage, formations stabilizing around it.
Upon it lay the **first item**.
Encased within a transparent sealing barrier was a small, dark vial. Inside, a misty crimson liquid swirled slowly, faint pulses of qi leaking out before being drawn back in by the seal.
The host raised a hand.
"First item of the day—**Refined Blood Essence of a Fourth-Layer Demonic Beast**."
A low stir passed through the hall.
"This essence has been purified of impurities and violent intent. It may be consumed directly by beasts, or refined by cultivators to strengthen the body, enhance vitality, and accelerate blood-qi circulation."
The host's tone remained neutral, precise.
"Starting bid: **three hundred spirit stones**."
The fox's ears twitched faintly as it observed, expression unreadable.
*Opening with something decent,* it thought.
*This auction won't be small.*
A quiet snort escaped it—barely audible.
But—
*Blood essence?*
*Useless to us.*
Even if it strengthened the body, it wasn't worth the stones. The lizard could gain far more by devouring proper prey or refining demonic cores directly.
The fox remained still, gaze forward, no intention of bidding.
Around the hall, voices rose steadily.
"Three-fifty."
"Four hundred."
"Four-twenty."
The price climbed until, with a final call, the host brought the gavel down.
"Sold."
The vial vanished in a beam of light, delivered to its new owner.
Without pause, the host gestured again.
The jade pedestal sank, replaced by another as formations shifted.
This time, a **long wooden case** appeared, ancient runes etched along its surface. The seal lifted slightly, and a sharp metallic hum leaked out—cold, restrained, unmistakably dangerous.
The lid slid open.
Inside rested a **narrow saber**, its blade pale blue, frost-patterns tracing the edge. The temperature around the stage dropped a fraction; breaths turned faintly visible.
The host spoke.
"Second item—**Mid-tier Earth-grade Frost Saber**."
A ripple ran through the crowd.
"Infused with ice-aspected qi. Enhances cold-based techniques and slows an opponent's movement upon contact."
The host paused, letting interest settle.
"Starting bid: **one thousand two hundred spirit stones**."
The fox's eyes narrowed slightly.
*Earth-grade… decent. But still not what we're here for.*
It stayed silent, tails unmoving, as bidding began again—this time sharper, faster, tension rising with every call.
"Twelve-fifty."
"Thirteen hundred."
"Fourteen."
The saber's aura pulsed faintly with each bid, cold qi rippling through the air like restrained breath.
The fox watched calmly, paws tucked beneath its illusionary sleeves.
*Mid-tier Earth-grade,* it judged. *Flashy. Effective. Overpriced.*
Especially when it already controlled multiple Earth-grade tools.
Across the hall, cultivators leaned forward, eyes bright. Ice-aspected weapons were always in demand—for suppression, control, and lethal finishes.
"Sixteen hundred!"
A brief silence followed.
"Sixteen hundred spirit stones, going once…"
Before the host could continue—
"Seventeen."
The voice came from a private booth above.
Murmurs rippled through the hall.
The fox's ears twitched. *Private room already. Someone serious.*
No counter followed.
"Seventeen hundred, going twice…"
The gavel struck.
"Sold."
The frost saber vanished in a flash of formation light, delivered upward.
The fox exhaled softly through its nose.
*Overpaid,* it thought lazily. *But spirit stones mean different things to different people.*
The pedestal sank again.
This time, when the next item rose, the atmosphere subtly shifted.
No cold.
No killing intent.
Instead—**pressure**.
A small jade box rested at the center, sealed with three crimson lines. The moment it appeared, several cultivators straightened instinctively, hearts quickening.
The host's voice grew more deliberate.
"Third item…"
A pause.
"…**Spirit Condensation Pills**."
A stir swept through the hall.
The fox's eyes gleamed faintly.
Inside the box were **three pills**, round and glossy, faint mist coiling around them like breath on winter air.
"Low-tier Earth-grade pills," the host continued, "used to condense unstable qi, strengthen foundations, and assist breakthroughs within the Foundation Establishment realm."
He scanned the room.
"Starting bid: **eight hundred spirit stones**."
The fox leaned back slightly, tail flicking once.
*Now this,* it thought, *is actually useful.*
Above its head, unseen, the lizard remained perfectly still—blind eyes half-lidded—yet its breathing slowed, attentive.
The fox didn't bid immediately.
It waited.
Watched.
Let the room reveal how badly everyone wanted them.
Its gaze lingered on the jade box, a faint curl forming at the corner of its mouth.
*Same name… not the same pill.*
Its eyes sharpened.
*The ones I found earlier were disposable—temporary human forms bought with absurd cost. This version is different.*
*Permanent stabilization. Human form at will.*
The fox snorted inwardly.
*Useless to me.*
It didn't need a human body. Its strength, methods, survival—none of it depended on appearances.
But others?
That was another matter entirely.
Any demonic beast wealthy enough to afford this already possessed a **beast core**—valuable, dangerous, hunted.
If one of them won this pill…
The fox's eyes gleamed.
*They'd become walking bait.*
Hunters. Sects. Rogue cultivators.
And beasts, desperate enough to trade their own cores in exchange—
*Which we would accept gladly.*
The fox raised a paw.
"Eight-fifty."
Bidding escalated instantly.
"Nine hundred!"
"Nine-fifty!"
"One thousand!"
The fox matched calmly—never rushing, never hesitating.
"Eleven hundred."
A pause.
"Eleven-fifty!"
"Eleven-fifty," the fox echoed smoothly.
The hall grew quieter as the price crept into uncomfortable territory.
"Twelve hundred…" someone muttered.
The fox waited.
Silence.
"Twelve hundred, going once…"
No movement.
"Going twice…"
The gavel fell.
"Sold. Twelve hundred spirit stones."
The jade box vanished into formation light.
The fox relaxed slightly, tail flicking once.
*Worth it—not for the pill, but for what it will draw.*
Above, unseen, the lizard remained motionless, expression unreadable.
The pedestal sank again.
The host straightened, voice lifting.
"Next item…"
Formation light flared.
A long object rose from the platform, wrapped in pale cloth. Even before it was fully revealed, **sharp metal qi** sliced faintly through the air.
The cloth unraveled.
A narrow blade—dark steel, etched with flowing runes—hovered silently.
"**Mid-tier Earth-grade spirit weapon**," the host announced.
"—*Gale-Cleaving Saber.*"
Wind qi stirred across the auction hall.
The fox's ears twitched.
Its eyes narrowed slightly.
*Hmph…*
Now things were getting interesting.