Rise of a Lunar Legend

With only a few minutes left before the auction began, an elegant attendant entered Tang Chun Xi and Tang Wei's private box. Dressed in an immaculate uniform, he bowed respectfully before handing over two translucent jade slips, containing the list of items to be auctioned that evening.

— "Ladies and gentlemen, this is the list of items for tonight's auction. I hope you enjoy and have a pleasant stay," — the attendant said before silently taking his leave.

Tang Wei examined the jade slip carefully, his gaze lingering on the last item listed. He furrowed his brow slightly before commenting:

— "I see this auction has some unusual items... No wonder representatives of the great families are here."

Tang Chun Xi followed her father's gaze to the highlighted item: a second-level, low-grade spiritual whip. For many warriors, owning a reliable weapon could mean the difference between life and death in battle.

— "It seems we'll have quite the spectacle tonight," — remarked Tang Chun Xi, entertained by the anticipation.

The building's lights abruptly dimmed, plunging the room into profound silence. A single spotlight illuminated the center of the stage, revealing a graceful and confident figure. The auctioneer, a strikingly beautiful woman, wore attire deliberately chosen to draw attention, while her melodious and smooth voice echoed throughout the hall:

— "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen! My name is Rin Bao, and I'll be your host tonight. Without further ado, let us begin the auction!"

Her greeting was met with murmurs and covetous glances from the lower floor. Rin Bao maintained her professional smile, ignoring the malicious comments and focusing on what truly mattered: the bids.

— "The first item of the evening is a vial containing nine Minor Recovery Pills of medium quality. These pills, crafted from rare spiritual herbs, can restore vast amounts of Qi instantly. The starting bid is 50 spiritual stones."

Tang Chun Xi watched the fierce bidding for the pills as the room buzzed with increasingly higher offers. The atmosphere was charged with tension and excitement, reflecting the importance of the Minor Recovery Pills in critical situations. Their potential to save lives in battles where seconds were vital was evident to everyone present.

Tang Chun Xi leaned forward slightly, her eyes fixed on the stage as she pondered the difference between these pills and the common Qi Pills widely used by cultivators of all levels.

Qi Pills, she thought, were reliable and versatile tools. They gradually replenished small amounts of spiritual energy, stabilizing the Qi flow in the body without significant risks. Affordable, accessible, and efficient, they were the go-to resource for daily training and less intense combat. Their usage didn't demand much caution, making them the standard choice for most cultivators.

In contrast, Minor Recovery Pills were entirely different. Their effects were nearly instantaneous, restoring vast amounts of Qi within seconds. In desperate situations where every moment was critical, these pills could turn the tide of a battle. However, this power came at a cost: excessive use could overload a cultivator's meridians, causing severe collapses and even permanent physical damage. Moreover, producing these pills required rare spiritual herbs and advanced skills, making them expensive and less accessible.

This contrast explained why, despite their efficacy, Minor Recovery Pills hadn't replaced Qi Pills as the primary resource for cultivators. They were a trump card for emergencies, not a frequent-use item.

Tang Chun Xi smiled faintly as these thoughts crossed her mind. The battle for the pills eventually ended, with the item selling for a substantial amount. However, her true curiosity was still to come.

Item after item, the excitement in the room grew. Yet, none of the private box occupants made a move until one of the most anticipated items was presented: the Spiritual Iron Thorn Essence, a material ideal for crafting robust and highly durable armor.

— "500 spiritual stones!" — declared an aged voice from the Shang family's private box.

Murmurs immediately arose from the lower floor.

— "That's Elder Shang Zhi!" — whispered one cultivator.

— "Yes, and he's accompanied by Shang Hua-Yen, the direct daughter of the Patriarch."

Others quickly chimed in.

— "Hua-Yen is known for her arrogance. She treats everyone like dirt and uses her sister's name to do as she pleases."

— "Her sister, Shang Hua-Ren, is entirely different. A genius and disciple of the Valley of Spiritual Herbs. But her only flaw is being too indulgent with Hua-Yen."

Tang Chun Xi listened to the gossip with a discreet smile, savoring a snack and using her keen hearing to catch every word.

The Amber Natal Milk

At last, the item Tang Chun Xi had been waiting for was announced:

— "Ladies and gentlemen, the next item is the rare Amber Natal Milk! This substance allows for a smooth spiritual or physical advancement without any side effects. The starting bid is 300 spiritual stones, with minimum increments of 10 stones."

The announcement caused an immediate commotion. Tang Chun Xi remained silent, watching as the first bids were placed. Sensing her tension, her father spoke calmly:

— "Don't worry, daughter. My people are already taking care of it."

Before she could respond, a feminine, arrogant voice echoed through the hall:

— "600 spiritual stones! Let's see who dares to compete with me."

It was Shang Hua-Yen. Her defiant tone silenced many bidders, who feared clashing with the Patriarch Shang's vindictive daughter.

But, to everyone's surprise, a new voice emerged:

— "800 spiritual stones."

Hua-Yen narrowed her eyes, visibly annoyed.

— "You dare compete with me? Very well, let's see how far you'll go!"

A fierce bidding war ensued, quickly driving the price to exorbitant levels. When it reached 2,000 spiritual stones, Elder Shang Zhi intervened:

— "Don't forget our primary goal."

Reluctantly, Hua-Yen withdrew, but not without issuing a thinly veiled threat:

— "Congratulations on your treasure, but remember, you must stay alive to use it."

The auctioneer, relieved at the high price achieved, announced the winner: a mysterious man in a black cloak.

All eyes turned to the enigmatic buyer. Many considered him easy prey, already scheming ways to ambush him after the auction. Others, more cautious, pondered who he really was.

To everyone's astonishment, the man headed for the upper floor, seemingly towards the private boxes.

Tang Chun Xi, watching closely, felt a wave of curiosity. Who was this man?