Chapter 97: The Celestial Pavilion

After some inquiries, Yi Tian and his companions received some good news. The Tianfeng Gorge was open to adventurers, though each entry required a payment of one hundred superior-grade elemental stones to the Tianfeng Kingdom. One hundred superior-grade stones equated to a million lower-grade stones—a sum that would make even a martial artist of the Human Stage wince.

So that was the way of it!

Yi Tian, Yi Li, and the others were all pleased. Since treasures such as Wind Spirit Wood grew within Tianfeng Gorge, it was well worth their while to venture inside. Even though they were not without means, once their elemental crystals were spent, nothing was left. Thus, most Human Stage martial artists frequently formed teams to enter the Tianfeng Gorge and seek out resources to further their cultivation.

Without relentless effort to acquire resources, normal cultivation would leave one far behind the others, with limited potential. Even though Yi Tian still possessed thirty-three elemental crystals, at his rate of cultivation, reaching the peak of the Yuan Gang stage would consume at least five or six. As for Yi Feng, Yi Shan, and the others, their own elemental crystals were almost depleted. Even if Yi Tian distributed his remaining crystals among them, it would only allow them to reach the Yuan Gang peak. Beyond that, the resources required would multiply exponentially.

Moreover, Yi Tian had other uses for the thirty-three elemental crystals he had left. Every few years, the capital of the Tianfeng Kingdom hosted a grand auction, gathering rare natural treasures, fragments of cultivation arts, ancient relics, magical items, talismans, and spirit pills from every region of the kingdom. These events drew the attention of powerful figures from every corner. That year, a grand auction was scheduled to take place.

This particular auction would be held by the Tianfang Pavilion, promising far greater spectacle than previous years. Even the Marquis of Zhenshan had taken the opportunity of his official duties to return for the Tianfang Auction.

Tianfang Pavilion was a vast organization with branches not only in the capital of Tianfeng Kingdom but also in the imperial cities of the Great Barbarian Empire, the Demon Dragon Kingdom, and the Heavenly Fire Dynasty. Even the royal family of Tianfeng Kingdom was wary of provoking Tianfang Pavilion, for behind it stood a powerful and ancient sect—the Moonlit Sect.

The Moonlit Sect was shrouded in mystery, with few of its true disciples ever seen in the outside world. Tianfang Pavilion served only as its external arm. The Tianfang Auction, held once every five years, could rival the joint royal auction of the kingdom, making it one of the two most prestigious events of its kind.

This year, the Tianfang Auction would be held in a month and a half. When the time came, powerful clans from all the kingdom’s provinces, ancient noble houses, and hidden families would send their representatives. Even mighty figures from outside the Tianfeng Kingdom would arrive. Had Yi Tian’s party not come early, every estate would have already been rented out.

For a month and a half, Yi Tian and his companions remained indoors, consolidating their cultivation.

To reach the peak of the Yuan Gang stage was an arduous task for them. Without the aid of elemental crystals, it would take at least ten to twenty years. The true energy cultivated through Heavenly Arts was far more potent than that produced by other techniques, demanding vast amounts of elemental energy and years of tempering.

A month and a half slipped by in the blink of an eye.

Now, the main gates of Tianfang Pavilion in the eastern part of the city stood wide open. Countless carriages and conveyances filled the square outside in an impressive display.

Yi Tian and his party of six approached the pavilion. Yi Feng, Yi Shan, and Yi Kuang looked around in awe, their eyes darting everywhere, overwhelmed by the spectacle. Though Yi Tian was not easily surprised, seeing the true grandeur of this world stirred a unique feeling within him.

“So this is the Tianfang Pavilion?” Yi Tian gazed at the sprawling estate before him, where glimpses of pavilions and towers appeared amid lush greenery, exquisitely designed and elegant—a classical garden rather than a mere auction house. Compared with the Gathering Moon Hall of the Black Dragon City auction, it was the difference between a Suzhou garden and a rustic farmhouse.

“Country bumpkins!”

Suddenly, a scornful voice rang out.

Turning, Yi Tian and his companions saw an arrogant, pampered young man glance at them with disdain before following an elder inside, trailed by two attendants—both ninth-rank martial artists. The group quickly disappeared into the Tianfang Pavilion.

“Hmph!” Yi Kuang could not suppress his irritation. For a mere sixth-rank martial artist to speak to them so brazenly—were it not for the inappropriate setting, he would have taught the fellow a lesson on proper conduct.

“What kind of seating would you like, gentlemen? Our Tianfang Pavilion offers twelve private towers, thirty-six pavilions, one hundred and eight floating boats, as well as gold, silver, and bronze seats.”

Upon entering, a serving maiden guided them, introducing the options. The twelve towers and thirty-six pavilions were reserved for those with great power or status and required a hefty outlay: a tower demanded ten thousand superior-grade elemental stones, a pavilion one thousand, and a floating boat, one hundred.

As for the gold, silver, and bronze seats, they required ten, eight, and five superior-grade stones, respectively.

Yi Tian and his companions could not help but gasp.

Had their tribe not discovered a major elemental vein, they would never have been able to afford entry to the Tianfang Pavilion. Ten or eight superior-grade stones represented the accumulated wealth of major powers in Black Dragon City over centuries—there was simply no comparison. In the imperial capital, the powers of Black Dragon City were insignificant as ants—the gap was astonishing.

Only their ignorance of the pavilion’s situation had led them to plunge in so boldly. Anyone who dared set foot here was a figure of consequence, or at least from a top clan of a thousand years’ standing—a secondary power of a province at worst.

The maiden led them directly toward the gold, silver, and bronze seating area.

From a distance, Yi Tian saw that even these seats were extravagantly appointed: jade cups, silver chopsticks, dishes of rare and exotic delicacies, each exquisite and tempting.

Yet Yi Tian frowned. It was unwise for them to reveal their identities too soon, and these seats offered little privacy. Should they acquire any treasures at the auction, others would surely take notice. Disguises would be useless if trouble came.

“We’d like a floating boat,” Yi Tian said to the serving maiden.

“Ah?” She looked at them in surprise, not expecting such a request from a group of young men. A floating boat cost over a hundred superior-grade stones—a sum only a Human Stage martial artist could afford.

Yi Feng and the others were unfazed; to them, a hundred stones was not much, for each of them carried at least several tens of thousands—a sizable fortune.

Once confirmed, the maiden was delighted, never having imagined these unremarkable youths would spend so freely.

She led them to the area of floating boats, where they boarded a finely crafted vessel with tables, chairs, platters of fruit and snacks, and soft curtains billowing. A musician played the zither on deck. With a gentle push, the boat glided as if through the air, smooth as silk, skimming across the mirrored surface of the lake.

Before long, the boat reached the center of the lake. More boats arrived from all directions, drifting to a halt, while twelve elegant towers and thirty-six pavilions stood on islets in the lake’s heart.

Around the thousand-acre lake, gold, silver, and bronze tables were set out in every direction.

At the very center, a jade platform—so large that dozens could have encircled it—stood resplendent.

Once all the guests had arrived, a graceful figure floated down from the sky, alighting gently upon the jade platform.