Chapter 12: Frozen Lake Inn
-FROZEN LAKE SECT'S AUCTION HOUSE-
Grand Elder Tunyan's power sure is on a different level, his aura alone causes so much pressure but thanks to my cloak, I'm not fazed by it.
"Who is that guy?"
"Did a fit of beggar anger the Grand Elder?"
"He's dead for sure."
Crowds from below are whispering to each other. It seems that the Grand Elder really made a scene.
"Is that a threat? Are you willing to offend me for a brat like him?" I have to maintain the conversation before he leaps at me and kill me on the spot.
"You better be careful of what you say, my disciple. Even I can't save you here against a void realm. If you die here, it's all for nothing." I know that, master. But if I get scared of him, then how am I to handle more powerful enemies in the future?
"We've welcomed you here and even offered you gifts! I'll give you a chance to apologize or you won't only be fighting the Bo family but the entire Frozen Lake Sect!" I'm about to die in 6 months anyway, what's the difference if I die now?
"I'm inside your sect now. Your defensive runes won't help you. Do you think that a small sect like this can withstand one attack from me?" Somehow, the Grand Elder started to think straight and get worried. Even for him, he couldn't gauge my strength giving him second thoughts of attacking me.
"Since we've come to this, I just better leave your sect and visit another." I turned around and... "And I was even planning to reinforce your Sect's Formation Array to Tier 2..." Somehow... all the elder's eyes suddenly got bigger. Even their jaws dropped to the ground. I knew this would happen.
"Hey kiddo, I know you can create a tier 2 runes with a low chance but saying something like that... do you even know how long would it take to make a formation array in a city? Not to mention, you will be needing lots of tier 2 runes. It would take months alone." I know that but I'm not promising them that I will do it. I just want to let them know that I could do it but since they have offended me, this is a good opportunity to kiss my ass.
"Sneaky brat..." I got that from you, master. Bluffing, right?
"Aheem, Grand Elder Tunyan seemed to be overreacted a little bit, you know... probably because of old age. I think it was just a small misunderstanding between honorable people." Elder Yu is the only rational person here. He knew that having a tier 2 rune formation array would even stop the strongest sect here in the eastern continent.
"Aren't you full of yourself? Do you have any proof that you could even do that?" Grand Elder sure is doubtful but I know Elder Yu already saw my tier 2 energy gathering enhancement rune.
Then Elder Yu suddenly approached him and whispered something to him. I'm sure this time that the grand elder is seriously worried about disrespecting me.
"Since you're so doubtful about me, I'll let you take a look at my creation. Here." I slightly slid my cloak and bright blue aura shined towards them.
"A red armor emitting a blue aura! Is that a Spirit Treasure?!" People were surprised once again. The blue aura alone is enough for them to know that it's a spirit treasure.
Elder Blacksmith Chuizi suddenly rushed towards me that I have to close the gap between my cloak. If I let him close to me while the cloak is open, he might sense my cultivation realm with a little leak. "That material! It's from a Fire Dragon! I've seen a scale of a fire dragon before but not like this. This scale is from an even larger fire dragon!" Though, he has good eyes.
"Yes, it's from a 2500-year-old fire dragon. I've slain it myself and crafted this armor." Take that, you blacksmith nerd!
"Hey, it was me who made that armor." Of course, you did, master. But it's mine now, remember?
"Alright alright..." Now now, don't feel bad.
The Elder Blacksmith couldn't help but restrain himself after seeing the armor. He saw a masterpiece after all. Still, I'm quite sure he wants to know more how it was crafted but he needs to stay respectable in front of the others.
I can somewhat hear whispers from the other elders too.
Elder Yu and Grand Elder approached me once again, "On behalf of Frozen Lake Sect, we are all here to offer you an apology. Please let our Sect know what to do to gain your favor once again." While both of them bows towards me. I think this is a good enough lesson... I don't want to offend them much longer.
"I may be old but I don't know any better. Please forgive this old man and I sincerely thank you because I've learned a great lesson today. Age is making my mind foggy sometimes." At least you can show respect. About that annoying brat, I might as well leave him be. We'll meet soon at the tournament.
"I think we've interrupted the auction longer than I expected. Let bygones be bygones. But if this happens again, I will not hesitate to leave. Now, let the auction continue." I saw Elder Yu smile. It seems they finally calmed down. I have to keep an eye to the Grand Elder though. He seems suspicious of me.
"Still, it was a great job showing them who's boss. After the auction, make sure you leave this place as soon as possible. We don't want them tailing after you." Of course, master. I also have to continue to cultivate.
...
The auction lasted longer. There were a couple more treasures and pills sold but mostly at magical-grade and mid-grade which are not gonna help me. The Ice boost and Ice resistance runes sold for quite a lot of gold for 9000 gold each. But...
"29000!"
"31000! Stop bidding you assholes!" It's the young master of the Bo family again making a scene. He's really rich to have that kind of gold.
I'M RICH! The competition is going so well.
"35000! Go to hell!" But someone is also bidding higher. He must be his rival or something.
I can hear Elder Yu and Elder Fen Nu having conversations as well. "How about you give this one to my son, Elder Yu?" It looks like the other young master is Elder Yu's son.
"Would it be fun if my son could catch up to your son? That would be fun to watch when the tournament comes since my son is always stuck at 2nd rank, right?" Every father wants his child to excel. I can't blame him.
"36000! Fuck you, Dier!" More more!
/Chitang Dier
Ranked 2 Inner Disciple of Frozen Lake Sect
6th Layer of Body Refining Realm
4th Layer of Pristine Core Realm/
"Your son must have been used to it by now. We don't have to spend this much gold on it." Are we having trouble keeping up with the price, old man?
"Well, let the kids enjoy the bidding war. I'm sure, they are having fun." They sure do but Elder Fen Nu's bitter smile is somewhat fun to see.
...
The bidding war ended with Bo Zihao's win for 43000 gold coins. Since he's an early pristine core realm, it probably would boost his cultivation speed for 3-4 years so it's a good investment on their part.
After that last item, everyone finally left. The elders paid their respect to me as well before going.
I've seen some youngsters from below that are from the inner sect. They would probably be present at the upcoming tournament as well.
I'm now back at the main office of the Auction House with Elder Yu and Elder Jin.
"I should say, it was a good night for all of us. It's been years since we had an item that reached more than 40000 gold coins. Here's a storage ring for you, venerable An Hei. There are 61000 gold coins in it for your profit today since we promised that we will not charge you for the transaction today, and there's also the mysterious jade stone you picked. I hope we pleased you today." I am sure pleased. I'M RICH! But it would make me feel bad if I don't give them something.
"Since Elder Yu helped me raised the price of the energy gathering enhancement rune, take this token of appreciation." Somehow, Elder Yu is confused... I thought he was bidding to raise the price but it looks like he really wanted it and lost fair and square!
"Of course, of course!" Of course my ass... he just realized it now...
"Wait, aren't these... High-grade healing pills?!" Yep... I heard before that high-grade healing pills are like 1 in a 10000 chance when an alchemist crafts mid-grade.
"I gave you 5 pills each. You can do whatever you want with it, either sell it or use it. Anyway, I've spent too much time here. I should call it a night." I stood up and about to leave this place.
"Before you leave, venerable. Please take this badge." A rainbow-colored one... I haven't heard of anyone having a rainbow-colored badge before. "This badge is given to the most respected entity besides the sect leader. By showing this, people would show you with the utmost respect." Then I don't think I would reject a wonderful gift like this.
"Thank you. This would let me avoid misunderstandings." This will help me bully more people.
Both of them bowed to me and showed respect. "Thank you for your great presence today! I hope we see you soon!" I'll see you soon.
Hey master... are you there? You've been quiet for a while now.
"Shhh... I'm cultivating together with your soul. You can go back to your cell now and stop bothering me." Right, due to my cloak, it helps me hide the energy being gathered by my soul and my master from the energy crystals.
It's pretty late, I should get back.
-HEI AN'S STORAGE RING-
When I came back, I've found Bei still cultivating so I decided to visit the storage ring. I found boxes of energy crystals inside the cultivation room. Master must have used most of the energy cores before he died that only energy crystals are left. But before I start cultivating, I better prepare something to eat.
Hmmm? I checked inside the but I couldn't find anything that can be eaten... Jeez, I haven't eaten anything today! My tummy roars like a dragon... I should probably check outside and visit inns. If I remember correctly, there's an inn at Flow Peak that doesn't close... I should also buy something to eat for Bei.
I grabbed my cloak and decided to leave once again.
...
I never have expected that walking at night would be this peaceful. The city is quiet and there are no people around besides the guards. Fortunately, not a single one has questioned me why I'm still out late. News travel fast, their superior must have told them not to offend me since I'm easily recognized because of my beggar looks.
"Sir, it's a little bit late. Why are you still outside?" One of the guards approached me. He seems calm, he must not know about me.
"I'm currently looking for a place to buy food, I'm going to the Flow Peak to visit an Inn there." Flow Peak won't be that far here. It would only take a couple of minutes.
"Ohh, how about I point you to a nearby inn? They sell more delicate food there. You might take a long walk if you want to visit the Flow Peak Inn." Sounds fair. I would be visiting the Flow Peak tomorrow so I might as well visit the nearby Inn.
"Sure, it would be a great help." He just smiled and pointed to the southeast of the city.
"Just go straight right there and when youl find an open building with lights, that's the inn." Such a good person.
"Thank you. Here, take this as a sign of appreciation." I handed him a couple of gold coins.
"Woah! I never have thought that someone would give me a tip for helping! Thank you so much! I might as well escort you to the inn!" It's nice to meet someone like him. He's carefree but good-hearted and honest.
"Then let me buy you food as well."
...
-FROZEN LAKE INN-
We've reached the inn and it's someone crowded with people. It seems this is a popular place for the gathering of cultivators but they're not disciples, I could tell. It's a little bit noisy too.
"Are you curious about them? They're from the Frozen Lake Sect's mercenary group. They're pretty around here." Mercenary group huh... I haven't seen an Elder who handles this group...
We found a free table, "They're not an official group, are they?"
"You're right. It's because these people don't need to be managed. They don't look like it but most of them are spirit core realms. They are paid to do their jobs, from killing monsters, escorting traders, to hunting criminals, they all do it for money. Even so, they are respected by the elders." I could tell. I'm sure that some of those jobs sometimes require their hands to be dirty.
"I guess, I know where to look when I need people who can do their job right."
We've ordered different kinds of dishes, from meat to vegetables and I also had a take-out for Bei. The guard ate to his heart's contents too.
"Thank you again for this! I'm full! If you don't mind me asking, what's your name?" We went outside after we finished eating. I paid for like a gold coin and the food was like the best food they could offer.
"You can just call me An Hei." Somehow he's confused.
"I feel like I heard of that name before..." He's really trying to think about it.
"Well, I better leave. I'll visit the inn from time to time. If you want free food and needed a break from guard duty, you better check the inn. I'll see you around." I hope he remains the same person.
While I was already away, I heard him shouting. "Wait! You're that venerable An Hei guy?! Oh my god! I've eaten on the same table with a celebrity!" Oh, god...
Weekly Power Status
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Ranking 
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