Nightshade and Kaevryn moved toward the lift that would take them to the upper levels of the venue. They did not hurry, nor did they display any urgency. Instead, they advanced at a slow, deliberate pace, their auras pressing down upon every cultivator around them as they walked, making their presence impossible to ignore.
Before Nightshade could even reach the lift, the ambient mana within the venue shifted violently. Three distinct and equally terrifying Peak Rule Stage auras erupted from different entrances at the same time, refusing to allow Nightshade to claim undisputed dominance over the venue.
Nightshade's steps came to a halt as he turned his gaze toward one of the entrances.
There stood Ignis, the sect leader of the Ashen Vortex Sect. The divine concept emanating from him radiated an extreme, oppressive heat that seemed capable of reducing a mortal to ash simply by proximity. The temperature in the venue spiked noticeably, causing some disciples to activate defensive techniques instinctively. Ignis met Nightshade's gaze with a scoff, his presence burning outward without restraint.
"Still pretending shadows make you untouchable, Nightshade?"
Nightshade's aura responded instantly, spreading outward like a creeping shadow. It extended toward Ignis, colliding with the blazing pressure of heat.
The moment their auras met, the space between them distorted slightly under the clash. Faint ripples spread outward, visible to those with sufficient perception.
But before either could gain ground, an unnatural chill swept across the venue from another entrance.
Both Nightshade and Ignis turned simultaneously. From another entrance, a third figure stepped into the venue. Sect Leader Morwenna of the Grave-Sky Sect.
Her appearance was striking: pale skin, silver hair that fell past her shoulders, and eyes that carried no warmth. Her presence was silent, almost eerily so, yet it carried a suffocating pressure that caused every cultivator nearby to feel as though their very life force was being slowly drained away. Unlike the oppressive heat of Ignis or the darkness of Nightshade, Morwenna's aura was subtle and insidious, creeping into the senses and unsettling the mind.
She did not speak. She simply looked at both of them, her expression unreadable.
Ignis's scoff deepened into a low growl. Nightshade's shadows coiled tighter, condensing around him like living armour.
At that exact moment, the entire floor trembled. Despite being reinforced with Void Alloy and many other materials, the floor reacted to the sheer pressure of another presence. Cracks did not form, but the vibration was unmistakable, resonating through the bones of every cultivator seated.
Sect Leader Balthazar of the Ironbound Path Sect entered, his divine concept manifesting as overwhelming gravity. The moment he stepped forward, the gravitational field within the venue intensified, distorting the flow of mana and destabilizing the already clashing auras of the other three leaders.
He was a massive figure, broad-shouldered and imposing, his robes reinforced with metallic threading that gleamed faintly under the venue's lighting. His expression was stern, his gaze fixed forward as though the other three sect leaders were beneath his notice.
For a brief moment, the entire venue became a battlefield without physical movement. Direct combat was strictly prohibited by the UNI-Sect within the UNI-Hub, so the four sect leaders engaged in a silent war through their auras alone. Their divine concepts collided, each attempting to dominate the others without crossing the line into open conflict.
The pressure was immense. Even seasoned Rule Stage cultivators struggled to remain steady under the combined force of four Peak Rule Stage auras clashing simultaneously.
After several seconds of silent confrontation, all four sect leaders withdrew their auras almost at the same time, as if an unspoken agreement had been reached. The oppressive weight lifted suddenly, leaving the venue in an almost startling silence. Everyone exhaled shakily, their hands trembling as they released techniques they had activated defensively.
Without another word or glance, the four sect leaders turned and proceeded toward their respective lifts, ascending to their assigned VIP suites.
The crowd remained quiet, the tension still thick despite the withdrawal.
…
From his elevated vantage point, Adrian observed the entire exchange. The strength of their divine auras was undeniable. Each one was formidable, far beyond the level most cultivators could endure. Even Nightshade's aura, which Adrian had already witnessed during their previous encounter, now felt more intense than before.
Adrian turned his head slightly and noticed that Hestia was not watching the events unfolding below. Instead, her gaze was fixed across the venue, directed toward a VIP suite positioned directly opposite theirs.
Adrian followed her line of sight. There, he saw a humanoid woman with long, deep azure-blue hair, her presence calm yet imposing as she looked directly toward them.
Yselia.
Adrian recognized her immediately as the sect leader of the Everlasting Pill Sect. Beside her stood a bony humanoid figure, Elder Casmir, whose appearance Adrian also recognized. Casmir's expression was cold, his eyes sharp as he stood slightly behind his sect leader, hands clasped behind his back.
The positioning of the VIP suites felt intentional, as though the UNI-Auction had deliberately placed the two sects opposite each other. Through the transparent barriers and the venue below separating the suites, Hestia and Yselia locked eyes. The hostility between them was palpable.
Even without words, Adrian could sense their enmity. The rivalry between the two alchemy sects was not something shallow; it was deep, long-standing, and unresolved.
For several seconds, neither of them looked away.
Then, a calm and resonant voice spread across the entire venue, "Welcome."
The single word carried effortlessly through the massive venue, suppressing the lingering tension between the gathered cultivators. Conversations that had begun to stir fell silent immediately. All attention shifted toward the central stage.
At the center of the stage, space distorted slightly as a humanoid figure materialized. The man appeared middle-aged, dressed in flowing robes inscribed with faint golden patterns. Although he did not release his aura openly like the sect leaders had, the subtle pressure surrounding him made it clear that he was far from ordinary.
"I am Edmund, your auctioneer for today's event," he said, his gaze sweeping across the venue from the lowest seats to the highest VIP suites. "On behalf of UNI-Auction, I welcome all esteemed guests."
Only then did Hestia and Yselia withdraw their gazes from one another and turn their attention toward the stage below.
Edmund did not waste any time, "With the presence of so many distinguished sects and cultivators, we will proceed directly to the auction."
A holographic projection expanded above the stage.
"The first item is the Null-Sense Boundary Formation Token."
A small, dark token appeared within the projection, its intricate runic patterns visible even from a distance.
"This formation token has been constructed using a High-tier Divine Concept. Upon activation, it expands into a fifty-meter boundary."
The projection shifted to display a demonstration.
"Within this boundary, chaotic ambient energies, such as those found within unstable relics, are filtered and stabilized. Additionally, all mana signatures within the formation are completely masked. For those exploring dangerous environments or requiring temporary concealment, this is an invaluable tool. The embedded divine crystals can sustain the formation for two full days. The starting price is one million UNI-Coins."
A murmur spread through the audience.
Across the entire venue, countless holographic panels activated simultaneously before each seat. Every cultivator had access to a personal bidding interface, allowing them to place bids instantly without disrupting the flow of the auction. Within the VIP suites, similar but more refined interfaces hovered before each faction.
The first bids appeared almost immediately.
"1.2 million."
"1.5 million."
"2 million."
The price climbed rapidly, surpassing five million within seconds. Although such tokens were typically single-use within the Andromeda Galaxy due to the difficulty of acquiring compatible divine crystals, they still remained highly valuable. Even a two-day lifespan could mean survival within dangerous relics.
The bidding continued. Adrian noticed patterns emerging, certain sects bid aggressively early, attempting to intimidate competitors, whilst others waited patiently for the pace to slow.
"6.8 million."
"7.3 million."
Eventually, the pace slowed. The remaining bidders were calculating maximum value, weighing the token's utility against their available funds.
"7.5 million."
A pause stretched across several seconds.
"7.7 million."
No further bids followed. The number held steady, unchallenged.
"7.7 million UNI-Coins. First call…" Edmund's voice carried perfect timing, allowing sufficient space for last-moment decisions. "Second call… Third call."
"Sold."
The token was secured by a lesser minor sect seated in the lower sections.
Edmund continued without pause, "The next item is a Willforce Recovery Pill, refined from the Crimson Will Lotus."
The projection shifted, revealing a small crimson pill glowing faintly.
"Upon consumption, this pill significantly accelerates the recovery of willforce, restoring mental clarity. While the effect is temporary and single-use, its value in prolonged battles or high-risk situations is undeniable. The starting price is ten million UNI-Coins."
The atmosphere changed instantly. Many cultivators had come specifically for this item. While most knew they had no chance of acquiring the main event artifact, this pill offered a similar effect, even if it could be used only once.
The bidding surged immediately.
"12 million."
"15 million."
"18 million."
The numbers flashed across the central display faster than before. Adrian observed the desperation underlying each bid, cultivators who had depleted their willforce in critical moments understood exactly what this pill represented.
The bidding escalated far more rapidly than before. Many participants who had remained silent during the previous item now entered the competition. Most of them were from lesser minor sects, fully aware that they had no chance of obtaining the main event artifact. For them, this pill represented the closest alternative.
"20 million."
"22 million."
"23.5 million."
The pace slowed as the price climbed higher. The remaining bidders were reaching their limits.
"25 million."
"26 million."
Another pause, longer this time.
"28 million."
The number held. Silence stretched across the venue as cultivators waited to see if anyone would counter.
"28 million UNI-Coins. First call… Second call… Third call."
Edmund's hand moved.
"Sold."
The winner was an elder from the Lesser Minor Iron Crest Sect. A wave of murmurs spread through the audience. Spending twenty-eight million on a single-use item was excessive, but the sect's recent aggressive expansion explained their spending. They had crushed the Silver Thorn Pavilion weeks ago and were clearly consolidating their newfound dominance.
"Wasteful," Hestia murmured, though her tone carried a hint of understanding.
Edmund allowed the noise to settle before continuing, "The next item is the Core-Reforging Lotus."
The projection shifted once more, and a lotus appeared, its crystalline petals glowing with soft gold and crimson light.
The moment the name was announced, the entire venue fell silent.
Hestia's gaze sharpened instantly. Her divine concept stirred beneath her control, a barely perceptible fluctuation that Adrian sensed immediately. Across from her, through the transparent barriers and the vast space of the venue, Yselia leaned forward slightly, her eyes fixed on the projection.
"This lotus possesses the ability to repair and stabilize damaged Rule Cores," Edmund continued, "making it invaluable for cultivators who have suffered severe backlash. The starting price is set at twenty million UNI-Coins."
Hestia's fingers moved toward her interface before Edmund had even finished speaking.
"30 million."
The bid appeared instantly, dominating the central display. The starting bid itself was set at a high price, suppressing smaller bidders who might have entertained foolish hopes.
Across the venue, Yselia's gaze turned toward their suite, sharp and cold.
"40 million."
The number flashed into existence, replacing Hestia's bid.
The bidding war escalated at once.
"45 million."
"50 million."
"60 million."
The pace left many cultivators stunned. Whispers erupted throughout the lower sections, disciples and elders alike struggling to comprehend the sums being thrown around with such casual brutality.
Adrian remained silent, observing. Hestia's strategy was transparent: she couldn't win this auction, but she could force Yselia to pay dearly for her recovery. Every million spent here was a million unavailable for the coming war.
But Yselia was no fool. The Everlasting Pill Sect leader's eyes narrowed as she saw through Hestia's pattern. This was a deliberate attempt to raise the price, just as Yselia herself had done previously during the relic key auction.
Instead of anger, a faint, cold smile appeared on Yselia's face. She decided to use this moment to publicly humiliate the Crimson Vital Sect and demonstrate the terrifying financial disparity between an Upper Minor Sect and a lesser minor sect.
Her fingers moved across her interface, inputting a number that would end this charade.
The bid appeared above the center of the stage in the large hologram, the digits massive and unmistakable:
"100 Million."
The entire venue fell into stunned silence. Even some cultivators in VIP suites showed visible reactions.
Hestia's expression froze momentarily. One hundred million was an absurd number for her, at this moment. Although the Crimson Vital Sect had accumulated significant wealth recently through the Azure Garden's resources and their entry into the healing pill market, most of the money was tied to recovery, infrastructure, and long-term development. It was not liquid capital that could be spent freely at an auction.
Hestia already knew she couldn't win this from the start; she just wanted to increase the price, but now, Yselia directly increasing the bid to one hundred million showed that this price didn't do much damage to the Everlasting Pill Sect financially.
Just how much money do they have?
Across the venue, Yselia leaned back slightly in her seat, her posture radiating satisfaction. She locked eyes with Hestia through the barrier, her smirk carrying a clear message that needed no words: You are poor, you are broken, you do not belong here.
Edmund's voice broke the silence, "100 million UNI-Coins. First call…"
Hestia's hand hovered above the interface. She wanted to continue, but she understood the consequences. UNI-Auction enforced strict verification protocols. If she placed a bid she could not support, and it was challenged, she would be forced to prove her liquidity immediately. Failure would not only invalidate her bid but also publicly humiliate the entire sect before every major power in the galaxy.
"Second call…"
Hestia clenched her fingers, forcing herself to make a decision. Even if she could not stop Yselia from getting the Core-Reforging Lotus, she had to at least make the Everlasting Pill Sect suffer financially. Every coin they spent here was a coin unavailable for hiring mercenaries, purchasing artifacts, or funding their disciples in the war.
She began to move her hand to place another bid, but before she could act, a new number appeared above the stage.
"150 million."
For a brief moment, time seemed to stop. Yselia's smirk vanished. Her eyes widened fractionally, not because of such a high amount bid, but because of where the bid had come from.
It had originated from Hestia's VIP suite.