Heaven Trampling Severance

A thin mist still hung over Stone-Gloom City, but for Chen Tian, it felt colder, denser, after the brutal battle in the Northern Swamps. His body, though successfully breaking through to Martial Adept Stage 1 and absorbing a Gold Grade Essence Bead, still throbbed with deep exhaustion.

His back ached from the Poisonous Mist Serpent's tail whip, and there were deeper scratches on his arms and legs from the snake's venomous scales. Though the poison had been absorbed by Moon-Eater Howl, the marks of battle remained etched on him.

He returned to his dark, dilapidated warehouse, his temporary sanctuary. Faint moonlight pierced through holes in the roof, illuminating dust dancing in the air. Chen Tian collapsed in a corner, taking deep breaths.

Each breath felt deeper, the Qi now flowing through his meridians stronger, denser, healing his wounds with incredible speed.

The realm breakthrough had given him vitality he had never felt before, a raw power whose peak he had just tasted. He meditated briefly, focusing his mind, letting the Gold Grade Essence Bead Qi envelop every cell. The Three-Eyed Moon Wolf Martial Soul on his wrist now glowed faintly, its third eye, though still closed, pulsed with almost unbearable energy.

"Hmph. Not bad. Not bad for a lowly minion like you," Hei Xuan's voice growled within Chen Tian's mind, a hidden note of satisfaction.

"A Gold Grade Essence Bead is indeed different. Feel that Qi, boy. It's the essence of a thousand years. A solid foundation for your coming fangs."

Chen Tian opened his eyes, a cold glint radiating from them. "The auction," he mumbled, his voice hoarse. "What should I look out for?"

"The Black Mist Auction isn't just a place to buy goods, fool," Hei Xuan explained, his tone now more serious, eroding his previous sarcasm.

"It's a den. A gathering place for top predators of the underworld. You can get more than just resources there. You can get information that changes the map of power, identify hidden enemies, perhaps forge strange connections, or even sniff out hidden inheritances. It's a map to power in this Stone-Gloom City."

Chen Tian processed the information, his predatory instincts churning. He knew that physical strength alone wasn't enough; information was an invisible sword. He absorbed every word from Hei Xuan, etching them into his mind.

"But remember, in a place like this, every smile can be a hidden dagger, every whisper a trap," Hei Xuan warned. "The wolves here are far more cunning than the Iron Dragon Sect dogs you just crushed. Stay vigilant. Don't stand out too much, but don't look weak either. You're a Martial Adept now, but hide your aura. Let them underestimate you. Let them think you're just a small, lost mouse."

"Underestimate me,"

Chen Tian muttered, a thin, almost imperceptible smirk crossing his lips. It was the advantage he valued most.

He cleansed himself of the remaining swamp mud, using a bit of Qi to dry his tattered clothes. He donned a darker, unassuming black robe, letting it shroud his lean body. His blood-red hair was brushed back, and he pulled the hood of his robe a little lower to conceal part of his face. He didn't want to attract unnecessary attention; he wanted to be a shadow observing, waiting for larger prey. With his Martial Soul hidden and his aura suppressed, he would appear like an ordinary Martial Initiate, or even a Martial Disciple. A perfect trap for the untrained eye.

Night fell, enveloping Stone-Gloom City in a deeper cloak of darkness. The city sounds softened, replaced by the whisper of cold wind slithering between old buildings and the distant howl of wild dogs. In some hidden alleys, dim oil lamps still glowed, illuminating secret transactions and faces hidden beneath hoods.

Chen Tian moved like a ghost, traversing the shadows and narrow alleys he knew by heart. He avoided the main roads that might be guarded by Iron Dragon Sect patrols, who were surely now actively searching for him. The smell of wet earth and old moss dominated the air as he drew closer to the Northern District, where the ancient temple ruins lay.

The ruins themselves were a grim yet magnificent sight. Cracked stone pillars loomed high into the sky, crumbling towers leaned against each other, and long-forgotten statues of deities were now merely headless effigies covered in vines. Yet, amidst the ruin, a mysterious aura emanated from faint spiritual Qi, as if the ruins themselves were hidden living beings. This was the perfect place for dark transactions, a paradox between destruction and wealth.

He stepped among the ruins, his eyes scanning every shadow, every crevice. He searched for clues, a "hidden gate" or "special mark" mentioned by the drunk gambler. His eyes were sharp, missing no detail.

Under the largest and most damaged deity statue, Chen Tian saw it: a symbol faintly carved into the stone—three intertwining spirals, forming a single eye. It was the same symbol he had seen in documents seized from bandits affiliated with the underworld. A distinctive mark.

He touched the symbol. The Qi from his Three-Eyed Moon Wolf Martial Soul pulsed slightly in response, as if recognizing the same frequency. He channeled a small amount of Qi into it. Suddenly, a faint tremor ran through the ground, and a section of the ruin wall shifted, revealing a dark passage previously unseen. Cold, damp air flowed out of the opening, carrying with it the scent of rare herbs and something sharper—the faint smell of blood.

"The shadow gate," Chen Tian mumbled, a thin smile playing on his lips.

The passage was pitch black, but Chen Tian could see clearly thanks to his enhanced night vision. He stepped forward, his feet making not the slightest sound. The passage twisted, descending underground.

At the end of the passage, there was a small room lit by a dim oil lantern. Two figures stood there, keeping watch. They appeared ordinary, wearing simple robes that covered their bodies. One looked like a frail old beggar, the other like a sickly cultivator. However, their auras... they were strong, cold, and emotionless. They were both high-level Martial Masters, perhaps even Martial Grandmasters concealing their true realms. Their eyes were like ice, scanning every inch of Chen Tian's body.

"Identification," one of the guards, the old beggar, hissed, his voice flat as stone.

Chen Tian raised his hand, between his fingers clasped the Gold Grade Beast Essence Bead he had obtained from the Poisonous Mist Serpent. The bright golden light from the bead illuminated his half-hidden face.

The eyes of the two guards, which had been emotionless, widened slightly. A brief shock flashed across their faces, but quickly returned to neutral. They had seen many Essence Beads in this place, but a Gold Grade, especially from an ordinary-looking youth, was still a rare sight worth suspicion.

"Genuine," the other guard, who looked sickly, mumbled, his tone flat. "You have the right to enter."

He extended a hand, offering a small token made of black jade. Carved on it was the same single-eye symbol.

"This is your token. Don't lose it. No fighting inside. Anyone who violates will be dealt with by the Auction Enforcers. Every bid is a commitment. No cheating. Understand?"

Chen Tian nodded, taking the black jade token. It felt cold in his hand, yet emitted a faint aura of authority. "Understood."

The guard gestured to a thick wooden door behind them. The door opened, revealing a brighter passage, emanating low whispers and more complex scents.

"Good luck inside," the beggar guard said, his voice remaining flat, emotionless, as if the words were merely a formality.

Chen Tian stepped in. The transition was striking. From a dirty, damp passage, he entered a magnificent auction hall. Its walls were adorned with dark tapestries and intricate carvings. Dim light from spiritual lanterns hanging from the ceiling illuminated the room, giving it a mysterious and luxurious aura. Rows of comfortable, dark velvet chairs filled the room, facing a grand auction stage at the front.

The atmosphere inside felt like a blend of tense tranquility and hidden energy waves. Low whispers filled the air, mixed with the clinking of glasses and faint laughter. Chen Tian could sense the diverse auras of cultivators: from Martial Masters who dominated most of the crowd, Martial Grandmasters more hidden in corners, to several much stronger Martial Lord auras, disguising themselves behind robes or illusions. The scent of rare herbs, expensive alcohol, and a faint aroma of blood (perhaps from auctioned artifacts, or from the participants' auras themselves) filled his senses.

He chose a seat in a dark corner, behind a large pillar that gave him a wide view of the entire hall without being too conspicuous. He sank into the chair, feeling the soft velvet supporting his body. From here, he could observe freely, a hunter in a crowd of prey and predators.

The auction participants were an interesting sight. There were wealthy merchants with cunning faces, calculating profits and losses with every breath. There were cold-faced cultivators with old scars, their auras sharp as swords. Some sat alone, exuding a strong aura of solitude, while others were surrounded by bodyguards or lackeys. There were also mysterious individuals whose auras were perfectly hidden, blending with the shadows, making Chen Tian wonder who they truly were.

He heard whispers about the items to be auctioned:

"...I heard there's a high-grade Soul Cleansing Pill tonight... rumors say it can help with Martial Master realm breakthroughs..."

"...Don't expect too much. Valuable items usually only appear at the end. Just focus on the High-Grade Spiritual Essence that will be auctioned, it can strengthen foundations..."

"...I need an Elite Grade Martial Weapon. My last sword broke fighting a Ghost Soul Beast in the Forbidden Forest..."

"Hah! Look at those old wolves, boy," Hei Xuan's voice sounded mocking within Chen Tian's mind, yet there was a note of seriousness there.

"They all have fangs. But you, you have something darker. They hunt Qi, essence, power... but you hunt souls. Don't be fooled by this false luxury. Remember, everyone here is a hidden snake. Some are more venomous than others."

"Over there, the man in the blood-red robe with the Grizzly Bear Martial Soul,"

Hei Xuan continued, his tone analytical.

"Martial Grandmaster. He has connections with major bandits in the south. And over there, the woman with the veil and cold aura, a top-tier Martial Master. She's a notorious assassin, with a Shadow Leopard Martial Soul. Don't underestimate her just because of her realm. She has unseen fangs."

Chen Tian observed, absorbing every detail, every clue, every aura. He felt like a small fish in a shark tank, but he was no ordinary fish. He was a fish with hidden shark teeth. His newly acquired Martial Adept Stage 1 strength gave him a grim confidence. He could hide his true aura, making these wolves underestimate him. A deadly advantage.

Suddenly, the sound of a gong echoed throughout the hall, silencing whispers and drawing everyone's attention.

A tall man in a dark golden robe with a face radiating cunning charisma stepped onto the auction stage. He had a faintly visible Golden Scale Dragon Martial Soul on his wrist, radiating a Martial Lord aura that couldn't be fully concealed—he was the chief auctioneer. His voice boomed throughout the hall, clear and full of authority.

"Welcome, esteemed Lords and Ladies, to tonight's Black Mist Auction!" his voice was deafening, yet friendly. "We promise, tonight will be a night full of unexpected treasures, rare opportunities, and, of course, the most insane prices!"

The auction began with opening items, valuable goods yet not the main attractions.

"Our first item tonight! Five bottles of Mid-Grade Qi Purifying Pills! Perfect for Martial Initiate cultivators looking to solidify their foundations. Starting bid, 50 Spirit Stones!"

Bidding commenced. Chen Tian did not bid. He merely observed, learning the auction's rhythm, watching how participants bid against each other, and gauging the value of items in this black market. He hadn't come for such trivial things. He waited for truly valuable items, perhaps something Hei Xuan would mention, something that could strengthen his fangs further.

One by one, opening items were auctioned: rare herbs, a few Elite Grade Martial Weapons, healing pills, even a pair of dried flying beast wings. Chen Tian watched it all, absorbing information, showing no interest.

"These items are just crumbs, boy," Hei Xuan snorted within his mind. "The real auction will only begin after these opening items are gone. Be patient. Valuable items, those that can change fate, will appear after they've warmed up the atmosphere."

The auctioneer smiled broadly, seeing the enthusiasm of the bidders for the initial items.

"Alright, Lords and Ladies! We've seen burning spirit tonight! However, this is just the beginning!"

He clapped his hands twice, and servants immediately brought out a long chest covered in black cloth. A mysterious aura emanated from the chest, making some more experienced cultivators lean forward slightly.

"For our next item, we have something far rarer, more valuable, and more... unsettling!"

The auctioneer let his words hang in the air, building tension.

"An item long sought after, with the potential to change your cultivation path forever! Prepare yourselves, for the next item will make you all gasp!"

Chen Tian felt a stronger energy wave from the chest. The third eye on his wrist throbbed intensely. Something significant was about to be revealed. He narrowed his eyes, ready to see what dark treasure awaited beneath the black cloth. The real game was just about to begin.