The host's voice rang out—smooth, deliberate, perfectly measured.
"Next item—an exceptionally rare beast core. This one is a **Duo-Element Wind and Light** core, fifth-layer cultivation. The core is intact and stable. It is capable of enhancing elemental affinity and aiding cultivation breakthroughs for Foundation Establishment practitioners."
A ripple of excitement swept through the hall. Even restrained behind formation lights, the aura of a fifth-layer beast core radiated faintly—strong enough to make seasoned cultivators shift in their seats.
The fox's eyes glimmered, its tail twitching lightly.
*Wind and Light… duo-element… fifth-layer.*
It didn't hesitate.
"I bid."
The fox's voice cut cleanly through the murmurs—calm, sharp, unmistakable.
"Two thousand spirit stones," the host acknowledged smoothly.
Immediately, hands shot up across the hall.
"Two thousand five hundred!"
"Three thousand!"
"Three thousand five hundred!"
The fox's gaze narrowed, unflinching, fully locked onto the core.
*No hesitation. I need this.*
"Four thousand," the fox said.
The words carried a quiet authority. A few bidders faltered.
"Four thousand five hundred!" someone shouted—but there was doubt in the voice now.
"Five thousand," the fox replied, crisp and firm.
A hush fell.
The determination radiating from seat forty-six was impossible to miss.
The host swept his gaze across the hall. "Any higher bids?"
Silence.
The gavel fell.
"Sold! Fifth-layer Duo-Element Wind and Light Bird Demon Core—seat forty-six!"
The fox leaned back slightly, eyes gleaming with satisfaction.
*Perfect. This will strengthen you… and expand my options.*
Above it, unseen, the lizard remained perched invisibly, head tilting as it sensed the immense energy condensed within the core. Its claws flexed faintly.
The fox allowed itself a small, satisfied smile.
*The auction is going my way today.*
Already, its mind was calculating—what to pursue next, what to pass, and how to maintain its advantage in the hall.
The host's voice cut through the renewed murmurs, crisp and deliberate.
"Next, our penultimate item."
Two attendants carefully wheeled forward a **large obsidian chest**, its surface etched with protective runes that shimmered faintly beneath the hall's lights. Even at a distance, a subtle aura of oppression pressed down on the crowd.
The fox's ears twitched.
*Rune-sealed… this isn't ordinary.*
The host continued, "Inside lies a set of **Advanced Defensive Formation Tools**—crafted for mid- to high-level Foundation Establishment cultivators. Designed for barrier arrays and automated countermeasures. Suitable for individual use or small-group deployment."
Excitement rippled through the hall. Whispers spread. Several gazes flicked toward seat forty-six.
*A defensive set…* the fox thought. *Can't let that slip away.*
"Starting bid—three thousand spirit stones."
The bids came fast.
"Three thousand five hundred!"
"Four thousand!"
The fox watched calmly, calculating.
*Not essential… but extremely useful.*
It waited.
"Four thousand five hundred!"
"Five thousand!"
After a brief pause, it spoke.
"Five thousand five hundred."
A few bidders hesitated. One or two considered pushing higher—but the fox's unwavering composure caused uncertainty to ripple outward.
The gavel struck.
"Sold! Advanced Defensive Formation Tools—seat forty-six!"
The fox leaned back, satisfied—but its attention had already shifted.
The host's tone dropped, carrying unmistakable weight.
"And now… our final item."
A single **long, black box** was carried forward. Even from its seat, the fox felt a faint hum of spiritual energy vibrating through the air.
The hall fell silent.
Whispers spread like wind through tall grass.
"Top-tier Earth-grade?"
"A rare core?"
"No… that aura's different."
The host slowly opened the box.
Inside rested a **crystallized claw**, jagged and sharp, streaked with faint threads of blue lightning. Even motionless, it pulsed with raw, violent power.
"This," the host said, voice lowered, "is the **Stormlash Claw**—the preserved extremity of a sixth-layer Thunderbeak Drake. Rare beyond comprehension. It can be used to augment lightning-based tools or cultivation. Handle with care—untrained users risk electrocution upon contact."
A hush swept through the hall.
The fox's tail flicked once, eyes gleaming.
*Sixth-layer… lightning…*
"I bid," it said.
The tension in the hall spiked instantly.
The host nodded. "Starting bid for the Stormlash Claw—five thousand spirit stones."
Several cultivators inhaled sharply. A sixth-layer remnant was something most Foundation Establishment cultivators couldn't even *touch*, let alone afford.
"Five thousand five hundred!" a voice called from the left.
"Six thousand!" another followed immediately.
The fox's ears flattened slightly.
*As expected. This won't be cheap.*
"Six thousand five hundred," it said without pause.
A cultivator near the front clenched his jaw. "Seven thousand!"
The hall buzzed. At this point, no one was bidding for profit—they were bidding for future dominance.
"Eight thousand," the fox said coldly.
Silence—then an eruption.
"Eight thousand five hundred!"
"Nine thousand!"
The fox didn't blink.
"Ten thousand."
The number hit the hall like a hammer.
Several bidders stiffened. A few cursed under their breath. One hesitated—fingers tightening around the armrest—then slowly lowered their hand.
The host scanned the room. "Ten thousand spirit stones—going once…"
Above the fox, the lizard tensed faintly, sensing the violent lightning affinity sealed within the claw.
*If we get this…*
"…going twice…"
A strained voice broke the silence. "Ten thousand… two hundred!"
The fox turned its head slightly, gaze locking onto the speaker's direction through the illusion.
"Eleven thousand."
No hesitation.
No flourish.
Certainty.
The hall went deathly quiet.
The host waited a breath longer—then brought the gavel down sharply.
"Sold! **Stormlash Claw**—seat forty-six!"
A low wave of whispers rolled through the hall.
"That bidder again…"
"How many stones does he even have?"
"Who *is* that kid?"
The fox leaned back slowly, exhaling through its nose.
*Worth it.*
It sent a brief voice transmission upward.
> *Wind. Light. Space. Lightning. We're building options.*
The lizard crouched invisibly atop its head, staring blankly ahead.
The host cleared his throat, reclaiming control of the room.
"That concludes today's auction. Thank you, honored guests."
As attendants began clearing the stage, the fox's eyes gleamed faintly.
*Two items left… turned into two treasures secured.*
*If this is what the heavens call luck—*
*then I'll take it.*