Eternal Emerald Dragon

Chapter 156 - 155 - Storm of Bidding

The coliseum at the heart of Cimmeria had been transformed.  Formations had been activated that changed it from an open air arena to a domed structure.  Lind was floored as the once unadorned tan stone was now layered in blues, reds, and gold decorations that made it a plush auction house.

It was genius.

The security of the lower floors was practically impregnable even for a Sky Realm cultivator.  The massive areas set aside for weapons, beasts, or other potential gladiators to battle in the usually constant fights were repurposed for the items being set up for sale.  The formations were already in place to protect the structure and lock out any unauthorized access.

He thought the exterior was a large change but the once sand filled center area was replaced with rows of seats leading up to a central dias elevated above them all.  His Eyes revealed extensive formations set up by formation plates around the raised dias with a clear corridor to the largest tunnel.

The other tunnels lead to the higher seats or outdoors.  The coliseum design was clearly intended to allow all of these changes.  Lind was in awe as he was led by Lady Su up to the highest VIP booth they had set aside.

His robes had been changed.  He no longer wore the dark gray robes of a guest elder.  He had donned the crimson base with black and gold linings of his Clan.  The dark red robes looked very good on him as the emblem of his clan was clear on his back in black highlights and with gold lining his cuffs and the outline of the edges of his robes.

His peak grade 3 elixir and peak grade 2 badge hung openly.  It was a very free feeling to wear his clan colors once more and have his badges in the open.  Any that had not seen him before now bowed as he passed and Lind bowed back as he followed Lady Su.

"You have made a lot of headaches for our attendants, Master Frey."  Lady Su made a comment in passing that made Lind frown.  She was teasing him!  They had known his reveal would drive up business, even the Heavenly Maiden Sect had been inundated but all of it had been referred to Starfire House for now.

It had only been a few days yet he knew he had work for years to come.  Decades would not be wrong either but Lind would work with Su on that later.  A few requests he had noted as he wanted to fulfill.

The Marina Adventurer's Guild had submitted only a request to set up a trade with Starfire House.  Normally, such a small organization would have no chance, but the presentation by Lind to their Sub-Leader made the experts float that submission to the top of their lists.

Heavenly Maiden Sect and Divine Sword Sect were one of the very few that did not bother him, but he knew they would use direct appeals.  Even so, they left him alone for now.

Lind finally arrived at a plush room.  Compared to the fairly large booths from before, it seemed the VIP auction booths were more personal.  Lind was stunned as he saw a very familiar face.

"Welcome honored guest."  A slim young woman with dark hair and pale skin bowed to him.  Lind could feel the change in air Qi had reached the peak of Stone Tier.  Her robes were no longer blue but pale red and yellow.  They still hugged her body much as they did before.

"IRENE!"  Lind smiled wide in happiness.  He had been feeling guilty after scaring the poor girl years ago.  She jumped at his reaction but Lady Su was shaking from laughter.  Irene's pale eyes were round as he realized she had not known he was coming.

Lind glared at Su and she broke down in laughter.

"I see Mythra is rubbing off on you."  His words made Su suddenly stiffen in indignation but she did not deny it.  Lind then realized there was another person in the room.  She had mostly dark hair but lighter strands were mixed pleasantly into her single ponytail.  Her skin was paler than Irene's but the features were very similar to her.

The other woman's robes were a dark green Lind recognized as one of the more powerful formation guild's.  He sent his memory back and was stunned.  Now he stared hard at Su.

"Unless I am terribly mistaken, this should be Irene's younger sister and she is a member of Profound Path Guild?"  Su was a little surprised but Irene looked slack jawed.  She had only met Lind at his first auction.  He rarely came after that and only usually for trades for materials.

He remembered their conversation?!

"Ahem, yes, this is Ariel.  She has worked with us for obvious reasons but the formations here are a bit beyond you."  Lind then checked and indeed saw the problem.  He was only a tier 9 Soul Realm.  The formations in front of him were near the peak of Iron Tier.

He could use his Touch to compensate but it would exhaust him and take time where an auction could be a matter of moments if he saw something he wanted.  Lind bowed to all 3 women.

"I will be in your care once again, Irene.  It is a pleasure to meet you Senior Ariel"  The young girl waved off his polite greeting as she had also realized who she was serving.  She had been there with her guild for his presentation.  Lind could feel mid Iron Tier pressure on her and was impressed.

Her elements appeared to be water and earth.

"It is my honor to help you, Master Frey."  Lind smiled and then he made a shooing motion to Su.  She had her fun and he would not entertain her any further.  She had things to do as well.  His smile was evil as she tried to plead with her eyes to stay.

"I need you to prepare reports on the requests coming in.  I trust you to work well for me."  There was no pity in his voice.  If she had not pulled off the little prank on him with Irene, he might have let her stay but he was not the same naive boy from years ago.

Her shoulders slumped but she stuck her tongue out at him where the 2 other women could not see.  He nearly broke his stern look and shook his head.  It was clear being so close to Mythra had changed her or more likely she was more relaxed around him after nearly a year in his company.

He smirked as plans to encourage Mythra to confess sooner after several 'accidents' occurred.

Once they were alone, Lind smiled warmly and bowed to Irene once more.

"I wanted to apologize for a long time.  I do not know what you have heard about me since, but I remember your honest help and frankness that helped me progress more than you can imagine.  Thank you and sorry"  Irene was waving her hands wildly but her sister was shaking from laughter.

"MASTER FREY, PLEASE STOP!!"  Lind smiled and then noticed there was no kitchen this time but there were storage items set up on a shelf.  He pointed at them with a questioning look on his face.  "They have drinks and food inside ready to be consumed.  I can serve–"

Lind moved before she was done speaking and examined the interior.  He was floored at the quality but he was appreciative that all were compatible with him.  World Realm food would be too much but peak Soul Realm was fine.

He summoned several plates and filled them with food before setting them on the table.  Both Ariel and Irene were still standing where they were when he entered before he waved them over.

"We have some time.  Come, sit and enjoy some with me."  Lind never stood on ceremony whenever he could.  He suspected such chances would become less as time passed.  Both looked at each other in such an identical manner that he would know they were related from that alone if not for their similar features.

Ariel smiled and hopped forward before diving in and Irene only sighed as she joined them.  They chatted and caught up.  Lind's history was essentially gossip throughout Cimmeria for the last few months.

Lind learned Irene had stayed in the Lotus Empire until her sister had a massive breakthrough in formations and cultivation.  There was a chance to present her work and the Profound Path Guild snapped her up immediately as she had the backing of the Sapphire Auction House.

It was the most relaxed conversation Lind had had in a long time.  The flickering of the lighting drew his eye as Ariel manipulated the formations to reveal the presenter of the current auction.

It was a handsome man with silver hair and broad shoulders.  His eyes were very dark but Lind thought they were only dark gray and not onyx.  His tanned face broke into a gentle smile as he raised his hands.

The murmur of the lower crowds settled as Lind noticed that even in those lower seats he saw fine silken robes and the lowest cultivation was Stone Tier.  He was amazed as the few auctions he had attended in Cimmeria looking for elixir materials were similar to the Lotus Empire.

Now, all the men and women were held in thrall by the fine gentleman on the stage.

"Welcome all to our once in a century auction.  You have all enjoyed the display of our old masters and the treat of Master Frey!"  A roar went up from the crowd at his mention and Lind was floored at the response.  Both women smiled at him as the host continued.

"My name is Clemens.  I am your host this time but I have many assistants.  Some are supplied by Starfire House for helping me but some are representing the creator behind the item offered.  Please note their faces and names as you will collect your item from them after the auction."  Lind understood the need for this rule.

It controlled the flow of no doubt fervent winners afterward.  It also allowed security to be allocated effectively without having to run everywhere.  The many windows for betting would no doubt be put to that use.

"Now some rules to cover for those that have not been here before.  All decisions are final.  Anyone that attempts to incite violence or pressure on their competitors will be removed and banned forever."  A common rule that Starfire House could more than enforce but their reputation would hold more sway than direct action.

"If an alternative payment is offered, it must first be accepted by the creator.  If you plan on doing that, please wave over one of our helpers in the audience or that has been assigned to you.  Messages will be relayed to resolve the worth of items offered and if they were approved."  That rule was very different but Lind understood why it existed.

There were some old masters here that were the same as him.  They were looking for items or materials that were hard to find.  It may be possible that they had rare items they were only willing to trade rather than put up for auction.  It made it interesting.

Irene's jade slip lit up nearly a breath after the host spoke the rule.  She began to take notes as Lind waited for the auction to begin.  None of his items were in the first few rounds and nothing of interest was there for him either.  He could review it then.

"Finally, each item is authentic, but if the origin is challenged, we will hold it if there is a true concern.  Please keep in mind that we have researched any natural treasures but ownership is strictly related to who gave to Starfire House.  Created items have histories that can be traced and Qi imprints can be compared.  Do not attempt to start a riot unless you are ready to pay the price."  Lind felt the pressure from the host at last.  To no surprise, it was a Sky Realm.

"If you initiate combate or make a false claim, you will be banned and possibly crippled if the accusation is severe enough."  Silence filled the coliseum but Lind knew these rules before it started.  Still, reading it and hearing it with that aura made a vast difference.

Lind was about to settle back when a knock came at the door.  Ariel went to it as she only had to manipulate the formations to Lind's commands.  They were stunned to see several men and women arrive with lists.

Irene looked worn out already and her jade slip was still glowing.  The auction had yet to put an item up but the storm of bidding had already begun!