The next day, we went to the auction with Xu Zhaotin. In total, I had about twenty-six million, not counting the two that were in the bank until next year as a safety net for a rainy day. However, I had already planned where to spend five of them, leaving just under twenty-one million yuan, with which I wanted to buy a good defensive artifact capable of protecting against all magic below the high level, as well as from the attacks of most pack leaders. I think I might have enough if I slightly lower my standards.
Arriving at the familiar hall, we sat closer to the stage where the lots were presented, in the middle rows. We weren't allowed to sit closer. Soon, the second day of the auction began. Xu Zhaotin wanted a specialized magical instrument that only helps in cultivating the lightning element. They are divided into two classes, ordinary and spiritual, just like standard ones, but they are cheaper. For example, a spiritual specialized instrument can cost as much as an ordinary standard one, but the cultivation acceleration of the spiritual instrument remains unchanged.
First came the ordinary standard instruments of various qualities, shapes, and sizes. We didn't linger on them for long and almost immediately moved on to the specialized ones, which were already dazzling. There were instruments for accelerating the cultivation of wind, fire, light, and water, and even one for shadow. I thought about buying one for Mo Fan as a gift, but then decided he would manage on his own. His development should now slightly exceed the original, considering how much easier it was for him to break through to the intermediate level. But I'm afraid it won't change the time to break through to the high level, but it could accelerate the breakthrough to the highest level, which would significantly strengthen him.
The lots kept coming, one after another, but the lightning instrument was nowhere to be seen. And then, finally, Xu Zhaotin's luck smiled on him. The penultimate lot in this category was the exact lightning instrument he needed, of medium quality. However, we had to fight for it. The starting price was only a million, and we managed to buy it for four! My partner had to empty his wallet considerably and was left almost penniless. Well, soon I would meet the same fate.
Even before the break, artifacts started to be brought out. Mostly, they were weak shields for me, which could at best save me from low-level pack leaders. However, Xu Zhaotin, an initial level mage, was drooling over them. After all, his magical shield was already quite worn out and would barely protect him where we were going.
After lunch, more valuable lots began to appear, but I was very picky about my equipment. I'd rather leave with nothing than take something unsuitable for my cultivation. Mostly, there were three types of shields: shields of light, water, and earth. It was understandable, these three elements had proven themselves as good defensive ones.
Shields of ice, fire, and lightning were encountered even less frequently, and the rarest shield was the wind shield. Only one was put up, but I didn't like it; it was too weak. I waited and hoped to snag a paired shield based on two elements, wind and lightning. Even if it was weak, I would refine it myself. Thanks to the books from Pin Zhoulun, this didn't seem impossible. However, they kept not appearing, and I was starting to despair and decided to reconsider one of the following lightning shields, or at least a light-water one, of which there were quite a few. But then a new lot pulled me out of despair.
"Next lot, a magical shield made by an unknown master, crafted from the bones of an aerial Qing-Lin panda. It can increase its durability by condensing air currents around itself and the wearer. Its basic durability can only protect against a high-level servant; pack leaders can break it in a couple of hits. However, thanks to the condensation of air currents, depending on the owner's strength, it can withstand the onslaught of a weak pack leader, or even higher. Additional modification of the shield to the owner's needs is possible. Starting price, ten million." The auctioneer announced the lot, and a round, protective shield was brought onto the stage, similar to Captain America's, only made of fused bones and slightly more massive. The shield was about a meter in diameter, covering most of the wearer's body. I knew at first glance that it had to be mine.
But I wasn't the only one with such thoughts. Of course, compared to Xu Zhaotin's shield, which had slightly less defense, the price of ten million might seem quite high compared to his one and a half million. But here, the facts come into play: first, it's stronger and can withstand a couple of hits from low-level pack leaders, and if the owner has strength, it can fully protect against them. Second, and most importantly, at least for me, is the possibility of its modification at the owner's discretion! I had to get it.
As I said, not only I thought so, but also a couple of fat cats. However, unlike them, I was ready to fight to the end! Even if I didn't have enough to buy the information, I would get this shield! We fought for the shield for quite a long time. One of them absolutely refused to back down. The final price was a little over twenty million. I was inwardly exulting with joy. I was the only one who managed to raise the price from eighteen to twenty million! And most importantly, I had enough to buy the information from the dealer tonight!
Immediately after my purchase, I took my shield and placed a spiritual seal on it, after which it disappeared into my spiritual world. Leaving the auction, Xu Zhaotin and I parted ways. He went to pick up our things and buy tickets to Shanghai, while I, after calling the dealer, went to the meeting place, changed, and put on my glasses and cap. The meeting took place in one of Guangzhou's many back alleys. The dealer was again wearing a floor-length black cloak and a black hat.
"Where's the money?" he asked as soon as he saw me.
"Here, on the card, exactly five million, as agreed," I said, handing him the card I received after selling souls at the auction. "So, what about the guardians?"
"Alright, here's everything," he said, handing me a folder with documents. "In short, it's an ancient Russian lineage of mages, and it includes many branches, all of whom call themselves guardians, but they practically don't communicate with each other, don't help, and in fact, they engage in fierce competition among themselves." With that, the dealer left. I, on the other hand, headed to the train station, where I resumed my usual appearance and boarded the night train to Shanghai with Xu Zhaotin. We were scheduled to arrive only tomorrow morning.
While we were traveling, I began studying the documents provided to me. The picture was strange, to be honest. I didn't know whether to rejoice, cry, or look for a bunker somewhere in the mountains so that no one could find me. Pyotr hadn't lied to me, but he hadn't told the whole truth, either because he didn't know himself or simply omitted it. Besides their lineage, there are at least eleven, or even twenty! Each has at least one high-level mage, one ancient relic, like my tooth, there are even examples in the report! For example, Mokashi's bracelet, Kashchei's needle, Kastroma's earring, and others! In short, one for each Slavic god and powerful monster! The exact number and their purpose could not be determined.
Also, besides the high-level mage, each lineage has a handful of high-level mages, from ten to fifty! And what am I supposed to do with this? Should I hide in Pin Zhoulun's laboratory after all? To my greatest fortune, all these lineages reluctantly cooperate with each other, trying to collect all the relics for themselves, and often engage in minor lineage wars because of this. So, if a lineage is chasing me, it's likely only one. This is encouraging.
The report also contains approximate information about all the lineages, their locations, official names, as well as approximate holdings and strengths. Based on the information I have, I identified three most likely pursuers. First, the Vladivostok Guardians, known to have two relics, names unknown, assets in the Far East and the Southern Urals. Second, the Khabarovsk Guardians, also two unknown relics, main assets in the same place. And the last, the Ufa Guardians, the same information, except that most of the assets are concentrated in the Southern Urals. Of course, Pyotr said that their lineage has three relics, but that includes my tooth, which disappeared more than eleven years ago. I don't think anyone knows about it. And there are no lineages with three relics and assets in the right place.
As for the mages, each lineage has one high-level mage, who is the head of the lineage. Only the Ufa lineage has two, but again, this proves nothing, as only members of the lineage might know about the second mage. However, this information gave me hope that I could deal with the lineage of guardians that is pursuing me. It would be enough to pit two of the three lineages I suspect against each other, as all three would be involved in this and wouldn't pay attention to me. However, this is very difficult to achieve. There is a person who can point me to the exact lineage I need, but I am too weak to do anything. Now, the main goal is to survive and become strong enough to influence the situation, and for that, money is also needed, so there is a lot to do.
The next day, we were in Shanghai again. I wanted to stimulate Mo Fan to take decisive action and develop his skills, so after talking with Xu Zhaotin, we decided to visit him together. Arriving at the Mo family's residence, we found only Jiaxing Xia, who said that Mo Fan was training outside the city. There was nothing else to do, so we headed there. Jiaxing Xia gave us a general direction, so it wasn't difficult to find him. Mo Fan was outside the city, on the border of the safe zone, and was practicing using the fire fist. We approached from behind and began to watch him. His average time to create a star map was three seconds, like mine, but the accuracy of the spell was higher.
"Hello, Mo Fan!" Xu Zhaotin called out to him, waving his hand.
"Oh, guys, how did you end up here?" he asked, turning around.
"Yeah, we're going to Lake Taihu again to earn some money. Xiao Hou and He Yu send their regards," I said, approaching him.
"I see. Are they together?" he asked in surprise. "I didn't think they had the strength for that."
"Tragedy changes everyone it touches," Zhao Tin replied seriously. After his remark, we exchanged the latest news and compared our cultivation. Of course, both Mo Fan and I hid the real situation. Only, unlike Mo Fan, I hid much more. He just didn't mention shadow magic to Xu Zhaotin. It turned out he had almost released intermediate-level lightning magic, and had also started practicing summoning.
"Mo Fan, listen to me carefully now," I said when Xu Zhaotin decided to go practice. "Focus on summoning magic, and preferably ask Tang Yue about summoning and try to summon a beast before you enroll. I'm sure you'll have a near-100% chance of admission."
"And why are you suddenly lecturing me?" he asked, frowning slightly.
"Because I'm worried that my favorite brother won't get into university because everything will be figured out at the last moment," I replied, putting my arm around his shoulder. "Aren't you afraid that Xu Zhaotin and I will become stronger than you?"
"No, you're far from me. You still have a month to master the stars to release intermediate-level wind magic, so thank you for your concern. Maybe I'll listen to your request," he replied, shrugging and shaking my hand off his shoulder. "Don't you need to go to the league before your trip?"
"Yes, exactly. Xu Zhaotin, I'll go to the league, do as we agreed, and you can knock some sense into this arrogant guy for now," I said, pushing Mo Fan.
"Alright," was his brief reply.
I, on the other hand, returned to the city and headed to the Pearl Tower, where the hunter's league was located. I wasn't afraid that Zhang Rou would see me again and try to steal the tooth as last time. It would even be better if she saw that our team was heading for a survival mission on Dongting Lake. Entering the league hall, I almost immediately found her. It was around lunchtime, most hunters had already dispersed for various missions, so her window was free.
"Hello, miss. Can I take a mission for survival on Lake Dongting?" I asked, not revealing that we already knew each other.
"Ah, yes, alright," she said after half a minute of silence. "I've been a bit absent-minded lately, for about three weeks now. Please forgive me. What's your team's name?"
"Baofeng, two members. I'm Jiaxing Yun, and my friend is Xu Zhaotin," I replied in a calm voice.
"Alright, one moment," she said, working on the computer. "Haven't we met somewhere? Would you like to discuss it over a cup of coffee tonight?" she asked in a gentle voice, looking up from the monitor.
"No, I'm seeing you for the first time. How's the mission application?" I asked in a completely calm voice, glancing slightly at the monitor screen.
"Oh, what a shame," she sighed, returning to the computer. "Here's your application. Present it at the Yueyang City League, and after completing the mission, confirm its completion there as well," she said with sadness in her voice.