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Chapter 57 - Auction House (拍卖行, pāimàiháng)

Auction House (拍卖行, pāimàiháng) stands as a place of both mystery and excitement, where treasures and opportunities alike await those brave or wealthy enough to claim them. Unlike the bustling marketplaces found in most cities, where everyday goods are bought and sold, the Auction House is a grand stage for the rarest and most valuable of items—artifacts from ancient times, powerful cultivation techniques, rare medicinal herbs, and even mythical weapons.

What makes the Auction House so significant is not just the items being sold but the people it draws in. It is a gathering point for the elite of the cultivation world—sect leaders, powerful elders, rich merchants, and wandering cultivators all come together to compete for the rarest treasures. Behind the scenes, each Auction House is backed by powerful organizations, such as Sects (宗门, zōngmén) or Clans (家族, jiāzú), ensuring that these establishments remain neutral and respected by all.

The Auction Process

The air inside the auction hall is charged with tension as buyers bid for items that can change the course of their cultivation journey. Each item is introduced by an auctioneer who lists its qualities, often building excitement by explaining the item's origin or potential. The items themselves are often displayed on elevated platforms for all to see, sometimes radiating auras of immense power.

Bidders signal their interest by raising their hand, using numbered cards, or sometimes through more discreet gestures if they wish to remain anonymous. In some high-level auction houses, private booths are available for those who wish to bid without being seen, often cloaked in shadows to ensure privacy.

The Types of Items Sold

The Auction House deals in a wide array of items:

Cultivation Techniques (功法, gōngfǎ): These are ancient scrolls or manuals that contain powerful techniques or secret arts, allowing cultivators to advance their cultivation or improve their skills in combat.

Medicinal Pills and Herbs (丹药, dānyào; 药材, yàocái): Rare elixirs that enhance one's cultivation, heal injuries, or even extend lifespan are often sold to the highest bidder, along with rare herbs used in alchemy.

Artifacts and Weapons (法宝, fǎbǎo; 兵器, bīngqì): Powerful items such as mystical swords, protective talismans, and ancient treasures, many imbued with their own magical properties, are frequently the highlight of an auction.

Beast Mounts or Pets (灵兽, língshòu): Rare spirit beasts, which can serve as mounts or companions in battle, are occasionally auctioned. These creatures often possess unique abilities or are highly sought after for their bloodlines.

Special Invitations (邀请函, yāoqǐnghán): Invitations to secret realms, ancient ruins, or high-level sect gatherings can sometimes be auctioned, granting the buyer access to rare opportunities for cultivation or treasure hunting.

The Mystery and Prestige of the Auction House

The reputation of an Auction House depends on the rarity and quality of the items it offers. In some cities, the auction house is the most important institution, drawing cultivators from miles around. The best auction houses are known for hosting grand events where legendary items are sold, often changing hands for astronomical sums of money, spirit stones, or rare treasures.

Auction Houses maintain a strict code of conduct. Buyers are expected to respect the rules, and any violence or disputes are quickly quelled by the powerful guards employed by the house. Because of this, the Auction House is considered a neutral ground, where even sworn enemies must hold their grudges in check for the sake of obtaining valuable goods.

Affiliations and Power

While the Auction House itself operates as a neutral entity, behind the scenes, powerful forces may influence what items are put up for auction or who gets priority access to certain treasures. Some auction houses are owned or operated by Pavilions, Sects, or wealthy Clans, and their backing allows these establishments to source the most extraordinary items.

In fact, alliances and relationships can be forged or broken over what happens inside an auction house. A successful bid might secure an alliance, while a fierce bidding war can create tension between sects or clans.

The Auction House and Cultivators

For the ordinary cultivator, visiting the Auction House is a rare and exciting opportunity. Even if they can't afford to make a bid, the chance to see priceless artifacts and observe the dealings of powerful figures in the cultivation world is an event in itself. For some, it is a source of inspiration, showing them the heights they could one day reach.

For the elite, it's a battlefield—one where wit, wealth, and strategy are just as important as strength in cultivation.

In this world of intrigue and opportunity, the Auction House remains a central hub, where destinies are altered and fortunes rise and fall with each bid.

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