He considered selling stuff for money, but he didn't hesitate for a moment before the old man. Without a single complaint or even a wince, the blacksmith pulled 40 high-grade crystals from his sleeve, earning an appreciative look from the shopkeeper.
Not only had he paid without hesitation or complained, but this customer was also clearly hiding a high-grade storage artifact. It seemed the shopkeeper had come to a decision, as he sighed, leaning in closer.
"To be completely transparent with a customer of your caliber... if you are seeking truly outstanding medicines, you will not find them on any storefront shelf in Doushi right now. The remaining grand masters are hoarding their creations. The only way to acquire the really expensive stuff is to join the Grand Auction at the center of the district tomorrow night.
Even the masters of our Nine Revolutions Pavilion would rather put their greatest successes up for auction, instead of adding them to our merchandise. Everything of earth-grade and above is being funneled there to cover the current deficits," he explained as he brought out a small jade pendant.
"Only invited guests who were referred by managers can join the auction. I would like to offer you this invitation token in commemoration of our successful business," the elderly man said kindly, although Seth knew that he was not acting without self-interest.
The bard would have bet that the shopkeeper would get a cut of the profits the auction would make through Seth, as he joined at his referral. Still, it was exactly what they were looking for, and why Seth acted as Mr. Moneybags. Moneybags with deep pockets are welcome guests to any party and underground auction.
"It sounds very tempting; we will be sure to visit," the blacksmith said with a smile and accepted the token. They bought a couple more samples of pills that could temporarily raise stats, like the Metal Spirit Pill that raised endurance and defense.
With the samples and an exclusive golden jade invitation to the Grand Auction securely stowed in Seth's inventory, the party stepped back out onto the polished white jade walkways of the high-grade commercial district.
The cool mountain breeze was refreshing after the dense, heavy medicinal aroma of the Nine Revolutions Pavilion. Following Mina's map, a real one, not her skill, the party walked along the main promenade. Around them, the daylight darkened as they were embraced by an artificial twilight, a sign of their next destination.
"It's kinda like that darkness in the demon district," Fin commented as they entered a city of eternal nightlife. Colorful lanterns and formation sigils illuminated the bustling streets. The number of restaurants and pavilions offering drinks and companionship had spiked instantly.
However, these were just a side effect of the actual attraction; they could already see it in the distance.
The Stargazing Terrace was a massive observatory deck built directly out over a sheer cliff face. It was designed for wealthy cultivators to comfortably observe the celestial movements and gather starlight, or something of the sort.
The point was that they could gaze at the stars despite it being a clear day, but that wasn't all. These were not simply the stars as they would be seen on any other ordinary night. The closest comparison Seth had when Mina and Fin told him about it was a magical observatory, as it could show individual customers their own views of the night sky. Zooms to certain parts of the firmament, celestial events of the past, or even observations that could not be made in this world or at their current location.
As they approached, the grand wooden pagodas opened up into a vast, circular plaza made of reflective obsidian stone that perfectly mirrored the sky above, creating the illusion of walking among the stars.
The main attraction here was the unique seating arrangement. Dozens of large, silk-embroidered levitation cushions floated lazily in the air, drifting at various heights above the obsidian floor. Cultivators and wealthy tourists were lounging on them, sipping 'star-infused' wine, and gently drifting through the air without needing to expend any of their own spiritual energy.
Seth knew it the moment he saw the levitation cushions; he wanted one. They looked incredibly soft and fun, like a pool float for air. His body itched for the sensation of sinking in one of these soft, cloud-like pillows.
His excitement was dulled a little as the party walked up to the attendant's pavilion to rent their own cushions, and he saw the price for just renting one. 5 medium-grade spirit stones to float among the stars. 15 for all of them. No small amount, but in the end, Seth didn't even want to resist.
As they waited for the cushions to be prepared, they looked around the room, and Seth couldn't help but notice that the smooth, magical ambiance of the terrace seemed to be struggling a little. The glowing cosmic runes etched into the obsidian floor would sometimes flicker, almost imperceptibly, and several floating cushions had a problem keeping their altitude, causing mild annoyance.
Another sign of Doushi's struggle after the disappearance of the southern Blade Sect. The blacksmith just hoped it wouldn't ruin their day any more than it already was. After all, they already had a cauldron detonation earlier today.
The clerk finally came out with their cushions when their attention was drawn somewhere else. Right at the edge of the renting platform, a sharp, loud voice cut through the ambient hum of the crowd. They were not the only ones looking.
A young, opulently dressed cultivator—sporting the pristine robes reminiscent of a sect's combat uniform—was aggressively stepping into the space of a calm, ordinary passerby who was just trying to move past the terrace toward the lower civilian zones. Their clothes was worn from travel, probably a refugee.
"Blind dog!" the young master snarled, his spiritual pressure flaring arrogantly as he blocked the refugee's path. "You dare track the mud of the refugee camps onto the Stargazing jade? Your very presence disrupts the spiritual alignment of my meditation!"
Facing an arrogant young master, most ordinary people may have panicked, but he didn't. He simply stopped, keeping his head respectfully low and his posture perfectly calm, showing a level of dignified restraint that clearly infuriated the young cultivator even more.
Before the argument could escalate into physical violence, a group of Doushi's city guards—wearing simple light armor etched with the fading crest of the dead Southern Blade Sect—marched into the plaza, their eyes instantly locking onto the situation with a predatory look.
They did not ask questions. They did not request identification. They did not even glance at the young cultivator. Moving with the practiced efficiency of a well-oiled machine, the guards completely bypassed the instigator to surround the calm mortal.
Two guards instantly pinned the mortal's arms behind his back."Disturbing public order and defacing spiritual property in the Upper Terrace," the lead guard barked. He corporate-stamped a glowing arrest talisman onto the mortal's collarbone with a brutal, heavy thud.
The young cultivator simply dusted off his silk sleeves with a smug grin, entirely ignored by the law as if he were a ghost. He turned on his heel and sauntered back toward his floating cushion, completely vindicated by his status.
Seth and others stood near the counter, watching the scene unfold in silence. The guy didn't even have a chance to fight back, not that she showed signs of wanting to. His eyes were wide with sudden terror and confusion.
He tried to speak up again, crying out that he hadn't done anything wrong, but a heavy blow from a guard's gauntlet quickly silenced him. As the lead guard turned to march the prisoner away, a thick leather ledger swung from his belt.
The guards marched the terrified mortal down the service stairs toward the lower districts, their expressions devoid of legal duty and filled entirely with a calculating, commercial coldness. They weren't protecting the peace; they were harvesting.
"Damn! They didn't even go ask what happened," Fin murmured softly beside him, not a hero of justice enough to start a fight with the city guards for a stranger.
"They look like butchers selecting a beast for slaughter. " Mina commented, about the bias shown in such wanton fashion. Seth nodded, his eyes tracking the disappearing guards down the stone stairwell. This felt suspicious. Ont he other hand, the clerk finally gave them their flotation devices.