Staring at the surging sea of heads before him, Song Changsheng immediately knew his guess had been spot on "bystanders who love a spectacle" were never in short supply, no matter where you went.
Though the vast majority of people didn't qualify to enter the auction, that didn't stop them from crowding around to watch the excitement. After all, even in a place like Luoxia City, scenes of such grandeur were few and far between.
"There's been a lot more people in the city lately. Most of them are probably here to celebrate the Grand City Lord's birthday. The auction house knows how to pick its timing," Song Qingluo muttered as he looked at the ocean of people in front of him.
"Heh, merchants follow profit. They'd never miss such a golden opportunity," Song Changsheng replied. "Besides, they've got the strength to back it up. Whether it's Tier-3 talismans or magical artifacts, those aren't things ordinary folks can produce."
Song Changsheng had even sent people to investigate this auction house. The results, however, had come up completely blank. On the surface, it seemed like a native organization but anyone with a discerning eye knew there had to be a formidable power backing it.
"Never mind the mysterious final item that no one even knows about just that one magical artifact alone is enough to draw out countless Purple Mansion cultivators. I wonder… will that elder from Lieyang Sect show up?" A gleam flashed in Song Changsheng's eyes.
Just as he was thinking this, it was his turn to enter.
He subtly released a trace of his Foundation Establishment cultivation, and the attendant at the door instantly straightened, respectfully ushering him inside. As his follower, Song Qingluo was also granted entry.
Originally, Song Changsheng had planned to slip him in with ten thousand spirit stones if necessary, but now it seemed that wouldn't be needed.
The auction house had four floors. The first floor was the largest, filled with rows upon rows of seats enough to accommodate several thousand people. It was already half full.
Although Foundation Establishment cultivators weren't exactly rare in Luoxia City, they were still considered "honored guests." As such, Song Changsheng was led to a private booth on the second floor. These rooms not only blocked outside prying eyes but also came stocked with fruit, pastries, and elegant maids.
More importantly, the view was excellent directly facing the auction platform.
Avoiding the chaos of the first floor was naturally a welcome perk. Song Changsheng gestured for the maid to wait outside, then settled in quietly to await the start of the auction.
He was quite early there was still over an hour to go.
"Young Lord, how many Purple Mansion cultivators do you think will show up today?" Song Qingluo asked eagerly, chewing on a spirit-rich fruit.
Song Changsheng chuckled. "If you're that curious, just go upstairs and take a look."
The second floor was for Foundation Establishment cultivators so the third floor, naturally, was reserved for Purple Mansion experts. Who knew, there might already be one right above them right now.
Though teasing Song Qingluo, Song Changsheng was genuinely curious himself. I wonder if that 'whatever-you-call-me' senior will show up… Is she a rogue cultivator, or is she from one of the Two Sects or the Seven Great Clans?
The entire Qi Empire cultivation realm was divided into nineteen provinces. Two great powers dominated the East and West, known as the Two Sects.
In the west was the Golden Crow Sect, a native sect of Qi said to have a royal lineage. It was a Gold Core sect, boasting several cultivators of that level.
In the east was the Heaven Vein Sect, also a Gold Core sect. Unlike the native Golden Crow Sect, Heaven Vein was a migrant sect that had fled here thousands of years ago.
Despite being outsiders, their strength and foundation were no less impressive. Over the years, the two sects had been evenly matched, ruling over Qi together.
Ling Province and Border Province where this story unfolds were located in Qi's southwestern region and were nominally vassals of the Golden Crow Sect. But this was a relationship in name only; there was no real governance from the sect.
Beneath the two dominant sects were Qi's seven major Purple Mansion powers, collectively known as the Seven Prestige Clans: Luoxia City, Heavenly Sword Sect, Silken Wash Sect, Hundred Herb Hall, Demon-Slaying Division, Lieyang Sect, and the Rong Clan. Each was home to at least one Purple Mansion cultivator.
Of these, Luoxia City was considered the most powerful.
Back then, the Song Clan was once among their ranks too. Unfortunately, after Song Yun'gui passed, there was no worthy successor. Even Song Xianming had to give up eventually otherwise, the "Seven Prestigious Clans" would have become eight.
Between the Two Sects and the Seven Prestigious Clans, not to mention the rogue cultivators, there was no shortage of Purple Mansion cultivators in the Qi Empire's cultivation world. At least on the surface, their number was close to forty, with the majority belonging to the Two Sects.
That was why trying to guess the identity of that "Whatever-you-call-me Senior" was truly no easy task.
Just then, a sudden commotion broke out below, as if a drop of cold water had splashed into a sizzling oil pan.
Song Changsheng curiously looked down and immediately understood the cause of the crowd's astonishment. A formidable Purple Mansion cultivator had just entered tall and powerfully built, exuding a dominant, overwhelming aura. His tiger-like eyes were sharp and intimidating, making it hard for anyone to meet his gaze.
Just by standing there, he gave off the impression of a general who could face ten thousand men alone.
He wore a long black robe embroidered with a vividly lifelike golden crow spreading its wings an exclusive symbol of the Golden Crow Sect's elders, confirming that this man was one of their senior figures.
But it wasn't this cultivator who caused the uproar.
Standing beside him was a woman clad in silver-white celestial robes, the flowing fabric fluttering as if an invisible breeze circled her.
Delicate silver threads shimmered faintly like starlight, embedded throughout her robes. A silver-white sash was tied around her waist, dancing lightly with every step.
Her eyes were like pools of ink cold as ice as if they could pierce right into one's soul, making it difficult to look at her directly. Her features were exquisitely sculpted like flawless jade, and her skin was as fair as fresh snow and utterly flawless.
She had a tall, slender figure, her curves a perfect blend of grace and strength. Her aura was noble, and each step she took was as light as a feather like a fairy descending to the mortal world.
For a moment, the entire hall echoed only with the sound of people swallowing nervously. Every single gaze was locked onto her, so much so that the towering presence of the Purple Mansion cultivator beside her was completely overshadowed.
Even Song Changsheng, as composed as he usually was, found himself momentarily stunned when he saw her face. In all his years, he had never seen a woman so breathtaking.
Fortunately, his composure soon returned. Song Qingluo, on the other hand, was not so fortunate his soul looked halfway stolen.
Ahem. Song Changsheng coughed lightly twice, snapping Song Qingluo out of it. The boy flushed red and stammered, "That fairy… she's really beautiful…"
Song Changsheng rolled his eyes. Beautiful or not, she's not someone we can even dream of touching. Best just admire from afar and don't even entertain the thought.
"This kid's probably just fallen head over heels," he sighed inwardly. But it's a pity… someone like her is from a completely different world than us.
With a Purple Mansion cultivator guarding her, she was undoubtedly of high standing in the Golden Crow Sect likely the descendant or disciple of a Golden Core master.
In the eyes of people like her, the Song Clan was barely above insects. Song Changsheng had no delusions there was simply too great a gap.
And yet, despite all the attention on her, this fairy-like figure didn't stop or acknowledge the stares. Song Changsheng could detect a flicker of annoyance in her gaze, and her steps subtly quickened…
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