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The Stonegate Auction House loomed before them, a monument to wealth and power. Wu Ken, Elder Huan, Old Man Li, Brother Tian, and Sister Lei pushed through the bustling crowd, a stark contrast to the elegantly robed cultivators and richly dressed merchants who glided past.
As they approached the grand archway, two stern-faced guards stepped forward. Their postures were rigid, and their Qi signatures—though faint—were just strong enough for Wu Ken to sense. He instinctively focused, trying to gauge their cultivation.
"Tickets?" one guard demanded, his voice flat, his gaze sweeping over their rustic attire with a hint of disdain.
Elder Huan, ever prepared, produced a worn parchment. "We are from Sunstone Village. Here for the general auction."
The guard scrutinized the ticket, then their group. His eyes lingered on Wu Ken, who, despite his young age, carried himself with an unusual alertness.
"A child? Is he here to bid on a new toy?" the guard sneered.
"He's with us," Old Man Li grumbled, stepping forward protectively. "A strong young lad, helping with the provisions."
"Hmph. See that he causes no trouble," the second guard warned. "This is not a playground."
Wu Ken felt a flicker of unease. He spoke inwardly, through the ring's spiritual link. "Master, why can't they sense my cultivation?"
Zang Ai's voice responded smoothly in his mind. "Those two? They're cultivators, yes—but barely. Four stars in the Body Refinement Realm. Your cultivation is low, and the ring you wear dampens your presence. It wasn't made for that, but it works—barely."
Wu Ken blinked. "The ring hides my cultivation?"
"Technically," Zang Ai replied. "It was designed for storage. I added a little concealment trick when I was a child—just for fun. I never cared about it, so I didn't bother improving it. It's weak. But for someone like you, and guards like them? It's enough."
Wu Ken nodded respectfully to the guards. They were finally waved through, stepping into a vast, circular hall. Tiered seating rose around a central stage, and the air hummed with a thousand hushed conversations, the clinking of teacups, and the subtle, powerful auras of cultivators. The sheer scale and opulence were overwhelming.
They found seats in the general section, a bit further back but still offering a good view of the stage. The other Sunstone villagers looked around with wide eyes, a mix of awe and discomfort on their faces. This was a world far removed from their humble fields.
Suddenly, a gong resonated through the hall, a deep, resonant sound that silenced the murmuring crowd. All eyes turned to the stage. A figure emerged from behind a velvet curtain: a tall, impeccably dressed woman, radiating an air of refined authority. Her cultivation was unmistakable—Zang Ai whispered, "Seven stars. She's in the Body Refinement Realm."
"Esteemed guests, cultivators, and discerning patrons!" the auctioneer's voice boomed, amplified by some unseen spiritual art. "Welcome to the Stonegate Grand Auction! We have gathered for you today a collection of the rarest, most sought-after treasures from across the lands. From potent elixirs to ancient artifacts, from formidable martial skills to exotic spirit beasts—prepare to be amazed!"
A ripple of excitement went through the crowd. Wu Ken leaned forward, his heart pounding with anticipation.
"And to begin this auspicious event," the auctioneer continued, a dramatic pause hanging in the air, "we start with a truly unique item, one that has baffled even our most seasoned appraisers! An item of unknown origin, yet radiating an undeniable, ancient power!"
A hush fell over the hall. Wu Ken felt a strange prickling sensation on his left hand. The dull ring, hidden beneath his sleeve, pulsed with a sudden, intense warmth.
"Behold!" the auctioneer declared, gesturing grandly toward the stage. A silk-draped pedestal was wheeled out, and with a flourish, the cover was removed, revealing the first item of the auction.
Wu Ken gasped, his eyes widening in disbelief. It was a piece of metal. A bent, tarnished piece of bronze, covered in grime. It was the exact same shape, the exact same dull appearance, as the one he had bought from the old woman in the market just days ago.
"This, ladies and gentlemen," the auctioneer announced, a knowing smile playing on her lips, "is a fragment of what appears to be an ancient spiritual artifact! Its true purpose is unknown, its power sealed, but our experts confirm its immense age and the faint, yet profound, spiritual fluctuations it emits! We begin the bidding for this mysterious Ancient Bronze Fragment at a starting price of two hundred gold coins!"
A wave of murmurs swept through the crowd. Wu Ken stared, utterly dumbfounded. He had bought an identical piece for a single copper coin.
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