A single bell tone rang—clear, crystalline—echoing across the velvet-draped hall like the beginning of a ceremony. All eyes snapped toward the stage.
The woman raised one hand in greeting, her fingers adorned only with a slender jade ring, and her lips curved into a smile that seemed both practiced and genuine.
"Esteemed guests," she began, her voice smooth as flowing wine, "we thank you for your patience."
A wink followed—playful, deliberate—as if she were addressing each person individually.
"The auction is about to begin," she said, letting the words hang for a moment before continuing. "But for those of you hoping to glimpse the extremely rare technique whispered about in the back halls and wine parlors of this city… you'll have to wait until the final item of the evening."
A murmur swept the crowd—frustration mixed with anticipation.
She held up a hand, and quiet returned like a tide pulled by the moon.
Below, the auction mistress tilted her head slightly as if recalling something mid-sentence. Her smile widened, playful and warm, like moonlight slipping past silk.
Beside Yanwei, the woman he'd summoned glanced at him sideways.
He had murmured something—interesting, he'd said—his voice soft, but not quite under his breath.
Her brow furrowed ever so slightly.
What's interesting? That old man? His ability? She didn't get it.
But she didn't ask. She didn't speak.
Instead, she simply reached for the plate, selected a slice of spiritfruit, and began feeding him in silence, as instructed. Obedient. Graceful. Detached.
Whatever strange thoughts occupied this guest's mind… they were none of her concern.
…
"Oh—wait!" she said with a soft laugh. "I might've forgotten to introduce myself!"
She placed a hand gently over her chest, her posture relaxed but purposeful, voice lifting with practiced grace.
"While many of you have joined us in the past auctions hosted by our Pavilion, some of you may be new… so allow me to correct that."
She gave a slight bow—elegant without being humble.
"My name is Xu Lanyue, and I will be accompanying you all throughout tonight's event."
As she straightened, a faint aura seemed to shimmer around her. Not spiritual pressure—just sheer presence. The kind that needed no cultivation level to be felt. Enchanting in tone, confident in bearing, and timed to perfection.
The reaction was immediate.
"She said her name! She actually said it—!"
"Why the hell is she so damn graceful even just standing there?!"
"She didn't even use a technique, and I still feel like I'm dreaming…"
"Bro, focus—we're here to bid, not fall in love."
"You focus! I'm willing to go broke tonight!"
Laughter and cheers broke out—messy, loud, and sincere. The atmosphere swelled, and Xu Lanyue let it ride just long enough before pressing forward with a gentle clap of her hands.
"Well then," she said with a lilting tone, "since everyone's spirits are high…"
She turned slightly, one hand extended toward the side of the stage.
"Our first item is this."
Her voice lowered, teasing—measured and deliberate.
"Someone brought this to us. Let's see if it's truly worth your stones."
The crowd waited, breath held and spirits tense.
All eyes turned as the silk-draped object was brought forward—not by servants, but by the old man himself.
He moved slowly, without theatrics. No flaring sleeves or flashy footwork. Just quiet, purposeful steps. He carried the item in both hands, its weight clear, but not beyond him. When he reached the center of the stage, he placed it down atop a low stone pedestal with steady precision.
Then, with one hand, he pulled the silk covering away.
A shield.
Murmurs immediately filled the hall.
"…A shield?"
"Huh. Didn't expect that."
"Looks heavy."
The item before them was broad and solid, its form tapering toward the bottom with a subtle curve—almost like a curling leaf or a beast's claw. Its surface shimmered in dark moss-green and smoky bronze, with faint, shell-like ridges rippling across it. It was clearly no ordinary metalwork.
The old man didn't speak immediately.
He stepped forward, his palm brushing lightly against the shield's surface.
A moment passed.
Then another.
He let his hand rest there—not pressing, not channeling Qi. Just feeling.
Then he spoke, voice quiet but firm enough to carry.
"This shield was forged from the carapace of a Rank 2 spiritual beast—Blackridge Turtle," he said.
A few people nodded in recognition, though many simply listened, curious.
"It's not a famous beast… but its shell is dense. Weighty. Difficult to shape without ruining the flow inside."
His fingers tapped the center of the shield with a dull metallic thok.
"The blacksmith who made this… definitely someone with more than a decade of experience. Maybe two. Each ridge was reinforced slowly. I can feel the layering. This wasn't rushed—it was forged over the course of a year."
He paused.
"You can use it even at Rank 1… but don't expect to unlock its full strength. At most, you'll manage forty to sixty percent of its potential. Not unless you're Rank 2."
A beat.
"If you are… this shield can withstand a strike from a Rank 2 middle-stage weapon."
That got their attention.
Sharp inhales. Low whistles. A sudden spike in spiritual sense as a few cultiv
A sharp wave of noise rippled across the room.
"Wait—is that true?! Isn't that too overpowered for a shield?"
"Yeah! Even some offensive artifacts don't go that far!"
Another voice cut in, more measured but equally surprised.
"Indeed. Most Rank 2 weapons can only be used by Rank 2 cultivators. And even if a Rank 1 managed to get ahold of one… they wouldn't even be able to wield twenty percent of its power."
Heads began to nod, the murmur growing louder.
Someone else chimed in, half-suspicious.
"And now they're saying this thing can block a Rank 2 middle-stage weapon? Seriously? That old man might be bluffing—it could be a scam."
But a voice from further back responded sharply, firm in tone.
"I don't think so. This is the Moonlit Pavilion. Their reputation's on the line—no way they'd let someone peddle junk up there."
That struck a chord.
The noise didn't die down, but it shifted—less doubt, more awe.
Because while not everyone in the room trusted the old man's words, they all understood something else:
The Pavilion wouldn't dare lie.
And if what he said was even mostly true…
Then this shield was worth far more than just its material weight.
Cultivators leaned forward, hungry now.
Most of them were still Rank 1—and many didn't even own a properly refined weapon, let alone a full artifact. Something like this… even if they couldn't use its full strength yet, just owning it could be life-changing.
The air grew hot with tension.
Hands twitched near pouches.
The auction hadn't even truly started, and already, hearts were racing.
And above them all, Xu Lanyue stood smiling.
Exactly as planned.