A moment later, in a hidden rock crevice far from the Mist Valley, Bai Tian and the five disciples finally reappeared. Their faces were still pale, yet their eyes reflected relief after escaping the earlier threat.The thick-browed young man let out a long sigh, then looked at Bai Tian with a mixture of admiration and wonder.
"Junior brother… you are truly clever."
Bai Tian only gave a faint smile. He tightly closed his storage pouch, which now felt slightly heavier than before, as if it concealed a secret he was unwilling to reveal. In a calm yet steady tone, he said,
"What matters most is that we're still alive. Besides… opportunities won't stop here."
Without further explanation, Bai Tian took out four Cloud Spirit Leaves. He handed three to them with composure, as if it were nothing important. After that, without waiting for thanks or questions, he turned around and walked away.His figure quickly disappeared into the mist, leaving behind a strange feeling in the disciples' hearts—as if what they had just witnessed was the essence of life itself.
After completing his task, Bai Tian immediately left the Black Mist Forest. His steps were light, yet his mind was still filled with the previous events.Night slowly blanketed the sky. Dim moonlight seeped through the cracks in the clouds, adding a sense of silence to the journey. Bai Tian took a deep breath, then began searching for a place to rest.
After wandering quite a while along rocky paths and through several small villages, he finally found a modest inn. The lantern hanging at the door swayed in the night wind, signaling that the place was still accepting guests.
Without hesitation, Bai Tian stepped inside.
Upon entering, he immediately realized that the inn not only provided rooms but also had a simple restaurant at the front. The warm aroma of food welcomed him, mingling with the faint conversations of guests enjoying their dinner.
Without wasting time, Bai Tian walked straight to the counter at the side of the room. In a calm voice, he booked a room to rest for the night, while his gaze briefly swept across the room—observing the atmosphere, weighing who was inside.
A few hours later,
Bai Tian's stomach began to feel hungry. He returned to the inn's restaurant and ordered a few simple dishes.
The atmosphere inside was fairly lively. Some guests were already drunk, talking loudly and laughing. The aroma of food blended with laughter, creating a warm yet slightly noisy atmosphere.
Bai Tian took a seat in the corner, remaining calm while observing his surroundings. Not long after, a middle-aged man sitting at a nearby table turned and called out to his friend.
"It's really crowded today, isn't it? I heard tomorrow there'll be an auction near the entrance of the Black Mist Forest," the man said while sipping his drink.
"That's right," his friend replied. "They say many rare items will be sold. Merchants from afar have come too. It's going to be lively!"
Bai Tian lowered his gaze for a moment, calmly looking at his bowl of food. The information certainly caught his attention, yet he maintained his composure to avoid standing out. Without reacting further, he quietly finished his meal, while contemplating his next move.
The next morning,
Bai Tian woke early, washed briefly, and dressed neatly though simply. Every movement of his appeared calm, yet his eyes remained alert, watching everyone passing along the village streets near the inn.
He left the inn with light steps, carrying a small pouch that held essential tools and the remaining Cloud Spirit Leaves he possessed. Bai Tian's thoughts kept weighing possibilities: who might attend the auction, what kind of rare items would be sold, and which of them could become threats or allies.
Driven by curiosity, Bai Tian eventually decided to head to the auction. Upon reaching the forest gate, his eyes were greeted by rows of stalls selling all sorts of goods—some old and worn, others eye-catching. He walked slowly, examining each item carefully, his sharp gaze scanning details others might overlook.
Gradually, his eyes rested on an old furnace, dull and dusty. Bai Tian halted and approached, pretending to examine the other items at the stall. He brushed aside some fine dust with his fingertip, as though to confirm its true value.
After a moment, Bai Tian looked straight at the vendor, pointing his finger at the old furnace.
"Price?" he asked briefly, his tone calm yet calculated, each word carrying a subtle pressure in the air.
The vendor smiled slyly, stroking his chin.
"This old furnace? Five hundred high-grade spirit stones. An item like this is rare, and its quality… don't underestimate it," he said while patting the furnace's surface, producing a sharp metallic creak.
Bai Tian raised an eyebrow, pretending to examine the furnace from different angles.
"Five hundred? Hmm… that seems too much for an old, worn furnace," he said casually, as if unimpressed.
The vendor leaned closer, his smile widening."Oh, you recognize its value, don't you? Don't be mistaken. This furnace can withstand extremely high flames. Even some expert smiths would gladly pay more than this."
Bai Tian touched the furnace's surface with his finger, then slowly withdrew it."In that case, I'll offer… one hundred high-grade spirit stones," he said, his gaze fixed straight into the vendor's eyes, unhurried.
The vendor chuckled softly, shaking his head.
"One hundred? Ah, you undervalue it! Fine… I can lower it a little. Four hundred fifty, and that's the best I can do."
"One hundred fifty," Bai Tian countered without hesitation.
"Four hundred!"
"Two hundred high-grade spirit stones."
"Three hundred seventy-eight!"
"Two hundred fifty, that's my limit, and I'm just an outer disciple," Bai Tian said firmly, eyes sharp, before turning as if ready to leave.
Their eyes locked, each seemingly trying to read the other's intent. Silence hung briefly, broken only by the whisper of the wind between the stalls. Finally, the vendor frowned, then broke into a wide grin.
"Alright… three hundred. That's my bottom line."
Bai Tian gave a faint smile, calmly paid, and took the old furnace. The moment his hand touched its cold metal surface, a faint warmth spread through his palm—as though signaling that this was no ordinary furnace. Still, parting with three hundred spirit stones made his heart wince.
With the furnace in hand, Bai Tian left the stall and walked toward the auction hall. Along the way, his eyes caught many other cultivators bargaining, each displaying tactics and strategies. Before long, his steps finally reached the auction entrance.
Bai Tian strode steadily along the path into the auction hall. The corridors were filled with cultivators from various sects, each absorbed in staring at and bidding on rare treasures displayed. Lantern light danced across metals, spirit stones, and ancient scrolls, creating a tense yet captivating atmosphere.
At the entrance, Bai Tian stopped at the registration desk. An attendant in plain uniform observed him closely.
"Name? You may also use an alias," the attendant asked in a professional tone.
"Bai," Bai Tian replied shortly, his voice calm and steady.The attendant raised an eyebrow, giving a faint smile.
"Very well. Here is your registration seal and bidder's card. Don't lose them—without these, you cannot participate."He added seriously,
"To enter this auction, each participant must possess at least one thousand high-grade spirit stones. At the gate, everyone will be inspected."
Bai Tian gave a slight nod, accepted the card and seal, then walked firmly toward the auction entrance.
There, two guards in uniform stood tall, watching every participant closely. Bai Tian tossed them his ring and bidder's card. The guards examined them carefully, glanced at him briefly, then returned them.
"Requirement met," one guard said. "You may enter."Bai Tian drew a light breath, retrieved his ring and card, then stepped past the entrance—his feet finally treading into the grand, luxurious hall.