The main auction hall of Winter City stood as a marvel of craftsmanship and wealth—a vast circular coliseum carved from dark ice-glass and reinforced crystal, capable of seating over a thousand. Frost clung to the walls like natural etchings, while soul lamps suspended from the arched ceiling bathed the chamber in a soft, golden glow. Their warmth refracted through the chilled air, giving the illusion of a hall suspended between flame and frost.
Above the central seating, veiled in mist and enchantment, were the private viewing boxes were reserved only for nobles, sect elders, and truly powerful cultivators. Tonight, they were all occupied.
Representatives from major merchant guilds, cloaked envoys of spirit clans, noble families, and even rogue Soul Masters had arrived in force. The air buzzed with excitement and quiet tension.
On the grand stage stood an aged auctioneer clad in violet robes, his every movement brimming with practiced flair.
"This year!" his voice rang out, amplified by soul-powered acoustics, "We are privileged to host a collection the likes of which I have not seen in my thirty years of service!"
Whispers erupted among the audience.Everyone knew what he referred to.
Three days ago, a mysterious guest had entrusted a thousand-year-old soul bone to the Winter City auction house. Although it paled before the legendary 10,000-year versions, items that had once sparked wars leaving rivers of blood across the continent, it was still a rare treasure.
Soul bones were called Blood River Relics for good reason.
Even the mere information of one could ignite clan feuds and destabilize empires.
Tonight, such a spark would be lit.
...
In the highest private rooms sat the most dangerous guests.
From the cold and austere Bing Clan, one Soul Douluo veiled in pale blue cloak observed silently.
The city's lord himself, Nalan Yan, reclined in his box, his presence fierce even at rest. His martial soul, Ice-Fire White Flames, was a rare and volatile element, able to freeze spiritual energy into solid force. Normally for a person of such cultivation, just being a city lord is low position. The main reason the person of his calibre is stationed in Winter City , because it is the frontier city of the empire against any beast swarm from the north.
But amidst these powers sat a new figure, unannounced, alone and unguarded.
He wore a plain dark robe, and his seat was modest. Yet there was something unsettling about him. His gaze swept the hall with calculating precision, missing no detail.
....
The first major item appeared: a Frost Crystal Core, refined from deep glacial caves. An excellent catalyst for Ice-type Spirit Masters.
Before any bidding began, a deep voice resonated from one of the private rooms:
"Nalan Yan of Winter City bids 20,000 gold spirit coins."
A show of dominance.
Many murmured respectfully. As city lord, who would challenge him openly?
But just as the auctioneer raised the gavel—
"Thirty thousand," a calm, casual voice echoed from the outer tier.
All heads turned.
It came from the noble youth in the private section.
The auctioneer blinked. "Booth Forty-Seven bids thirty thousand!"
Gasps.
To bid over the city lord without even acknowledging his name?
Nalan Yan's expression darkened. His fingers tapped slowly on his jade seat. But he made no counter.
The Frost Crystal Core was sold.
...
A few items passed in routine. Spirit tools, herbs, and relics were mere appetizers.
Then came the rumored highlight, which was previously the last item but now replaced.
"The next item, an Ice Lotus!"
The crowd erupted.
Said to bloom once every three centuries, the Ice Lotus could amplify an Ice-type Spirit Master's soul power and even awaken hidden potential. For families that specialized in ice cultivation, this was a sacred object. This herb though not reaching level of immortal herbs can be considered a high grade one.
A new war of bidding began.
"Fifty thousand! Bing Clan!"
"Seventy thousand! Winter City Lord!"
The atmosphere thickened like the prelude to a thunderstorm. Even the casual bidders fell silent. Everyone knew what was at stake, this was no longer just a bid; it was a battle .
The Ice Lotus floated gently within a crystal sphere at the center of the stage, its silvery-white petals pulsing with a soft inner glow. An aura of spiritual coldness radiated from it, even making the auctioneer's breath visible.
A voice came from one of the private rooms. It was the Bing Clan elder whose name was Bing Lan with a soul power cultivation of 81, his tone dignified and firm.
"This Ice Lotus is of vital importance to our clan's cultivation path. I ask all fellow cultivators to give us this face, for the sake of harmony."
The crowd murmured, many nodding in agreement. The Bing Clan had guarded Winter City's northern frontier for generations, they were not to be trifled with.
A moment later, Nalan Yan's voice followed, calm but laced with warning:
"Likewise, my Ice-Fire White Flames have entered a critical bottleneck. This lotus may be the key. As the City Lord, I make the same request. Please allow this one to take it home."
He flared his soul power which made everyone realize his cultivation level 83.
For a moment, the hall fell into a respectful hush.
Many shifted in their seats, unwilling to offend either power. Some bidders who had considered jumping in quietly withdrew. The auctioneer glanced around, his heart already singing with profit. At worst, one of them would win it. At best, he could push the price a little higher—
Then came a voice, smooth and casual:
"Two hundred thousand."
Gasps echoed like firecrackers.
All heads turned.
It was the young man again.
The plain-robed young man seemed as if he was some noble, but he never said his family name.
And he did not give any face to the local forces.
He lounged in his seat as if he were merely watching a play, toppling two major power's pride in front of hundreds of witnesses.
The Bing Lan elder's face darkened beneath his hood. Even Nalan Yan narrowed his eyes behind his folding fan.
"Fellow Soul Master," came the elder's composed voice, "you are unfamiliar to us. Perhaps you hail from far away. But I advise you to consider the balance of this city. Giving face is a form of wisdom."
The young man didn't reply. He simply lifted one hand lazily and gestured for the auctioneer to continue.
His silence was louder than words.
"Sold!" the auctioneer declared before anyone could speak again, slamming the gavel with thinly veiled glee. "
The Ice Lotus was his.
Whispers surged through the crowd like a rising tide.
Who was this boy, where did he get such terrifying wealth?
He had just offended the two greatest powers of Winter City.