Chen Tian and Qing Ling, led by Rin Xue, arrived at an elevator. Rin Xue explained, "Grandmaster Chen, the auction is held below the hotel. This elevator is the passage to the underground, and only martial artists can use it."
Rin Xue stepped in, and immediately, beams of light shot out, touching her skin. A voice announced, "Inner strength martial artist, minor accomplishment, qualified."
Rin Xue elaborated, "This elevator is equipped with a martial arts detector that can assess a person's martial cultivation. Non-martial artists will be expelled."
Chen Tian and Qing Ling's lips twitched. Did they really need to be tested? With their strength, they might just break the elevator the moment they stepped in.
"Brother, I'll use a concealing formation to disguise our realms and power, or we won't be able to get in," Qing Ling transmitted mentally with a sigh. Chen Tian nodded. Qing Ling's palm conjured a rhombus-shaped, three-sided formation. Instantly, countless beams of light shone down on Qing Ling and Chen Tian, but this scene went unnoticed.
Chen Tian and Qing Ling, hand in hand, entered the elevator. Red light immediately bathed their skin, followed by the voice: "Dark strength martial artist, minor accomplishment, qualified!"
The elevator doors closed with a rumble, descending rapidly.
Rin Xue, standing beside them, was stunned. Dark strength, minor accomplishment. She couldn't believe it. Grandmaster Chen must have used some trick, otherwise, his realm couldn't possibly be this. Her grandfather had personally experienced Grandmaster Chen's strength. However, since Grandmaster Chen was hiding his strength and realm, she wouldn't ask or expose it. After all, he was a Grandmaster.
With a thud, the elevator seemed to have reached its destination. The doors slowly opened, and Chen Tian and the other two stepped out.
Rin Moran, impeccably dressed in a suit, stood formally before Chen Tian, accompanied by several black-suited bodyguards. Rin Moran spoke, "Young friend, welcome to the auction."
"Heh, old man, no need for pleasantries. I'm just here to look," Chen Tian replied casually. Rin Moran nodded and, leading Chen Tian and Qing Ling, walked into the auction hall.
"Well, well, isn't this the Rin family? Inviting two children to an auction. Your family's reputation is completely tarnished. Old Man Rin, you're really living backward!"
An arrogant and mocking voice rang out. Rin Moran's expression turned ice-cold. He turned to look behind him, his face etched with anger. "Li Yuan, what are you talking about?" It was clear Rin Moran was somewhat displeased. Chen Tian was an esteemed guest of the Rin family. For Li Yuan to speak like this was to imply he lacked judgment.
"Heh, Old Man Rin, our confrontation isn't here. See you later. After the auction, I'll let you experience despair."
The young man named Li Yuan had messy beard, black hair, and a perfectly tailored suit, giving him an air of sophistication. Behind Li Yuan, a white-clad youth carrying a sword sheath slowly opened his eyes. Their gazes met, and a palpable sharpness filled the air. The youth and Chen Tian spoke simultaneously: "You are strong!"
The white-clad youth then followed Li Yuan towards the auction. Chen Tian watched the departing figure of the youth, sensing a formidable aura emanating from him. This youth was a match for him, at least for now. Chen Tian had only mastered two percent of his full power.
Chen Tian transmitted to Qing Ling, "Qing Ling, was that a cultivator just now?"
"Yes, brother. Moreover, he's a Golden Core realm cultivator, likely corresponding to the fourth realm of Xuanwu," Qing Ling replied, her expression grave. She sensed the youth's desire to duel her brother, but it wasn't time yet.
"What is Xuanwu? Qing Ling, tell me!"
"Forgive me, brother, I cannot tell you. It's simply not the right time. But know this: your cultivation method belongs to Xuanwu, while cultivators practice immortal arts. They are two different systems. As for why the Xuanwu system exists, you will understand one day."
Qing Ling was reluctant to elaborate, and Chen Tian didn't press further. At least he knew his cultivation wasn't Earthly martial arts, but something called Xuanwu, and cultivators practiced immortal arts—two distinct systems.
Rin Moran then apologized, "Young friend, I apologize. The Li family has always been at odds with my Rin family, aiming to dethrone us. They constantly target us. Please don't take it to heart."
"It's nothing. I can see that. Let's go inside and see what interesting things this auction has." Chen Tian was unperturbed. Families, power. In this world, power was always the most alluring, and countless wars had been fought over it. Chen Tian was accustomed to it, having experienced it four years ago.
Rin Moran sighed, "Young friend Chen, your magnanimity is truly beyond that of ordinary people. Any other Grandmaster would have been angered and retaliated. It's an unspoken rule that a Grandmaster cannot be insulted."
Led by Rin Moran, Chen Tian arrived at a private room. Looking down at the scene below, Chen Tian couldn't help but marvel at the scale of the underground facilities, even if he had never visited before.
Rin Moran then explained the auction rules: various items would be presented for bidding, with the highest bidder winning. There would also be items beneficial for martial arts cultivation, which was why martial artists were gathered here. The auction upstairs was for ordinary antiques, conducted by those who didn't practice martial arts.
Chen Tian nodded, took a sip of tea, and his expression faltered slightly. This tea was truly not of the same quality as his own.
"What's wrong, Grandmaster Chen? Is the tea not to your liking? I'll have someone bring a different kind," Rin Moran asked worriedly, fearing Chen Tian's dissatisfaction. This was a Grandmaster, and failing to host him properly could lead to serious consequences.
"It's nothing, it's just that this tea doesn't suit my taste. I won't drink it. It's fine," Chen Tian said, setting down the teacup. He had studied etiquette, and his movements were refined, like those of a young master from a wealthy family, perfectly standard. Rin Moran observed this, confirming his belief that Chen Tian was indeed from a prominent family; otherwise, his etiquette wouldn't be so precise and natural.
Chen Tian touched his forehead, "It's happening again. I still haven't broken the habit." Qing Ling placed her hand behind her back, opened it, and a packet of tea appeared. The silver packaging shimmered with starlight. Qing Ling approached Chen Tian and said, "Brother, this is some tea Qing Ling found. Why don't you try it?"
"Excellent!" Chen Tian was delighted. Tea, and from his own sister. He had to drink it. He then personally brewed the tea with the grace of a lady, and soon four cups were placed on the table. Chen Tian extended his left arm and said, "Elder Rin, Miss Rin Xue, please!" His etiquette was impeccable. Elder Rin didn't hesitate, as friends should not refuse such gestures.
He raised his teacup, clinked it with Chen Tian's, and took a sip. Qing Ling, seeing this, moved behind Elder Rin and placed a palm on his back. With a "poof," Elder Rin spat out the tea he had just drunk. Qing Ling's expression turned serious. "Elder Rin, Miss Rin Xue, do not drink too much of this tea. It is not ordinary. Its energy is beyond what your bodies can withstand. If you don't want to explode, drink it all at once."
Chen Tian was taken aback. Did this tea have such properties? He then downed his tea in one gulp. A cool, refreshing, and smooth sensation flowed down his throat, and he could feel the tea circulating throughout his body.
"Sister Qing Ling, but Grandmaster Chen..."
"It's fine. My brother can withstand the energy. You two cannot," Qing Ling said, waving her left hand. She then drank her tea. Even Qing Ling rarely had such tea, as it was only available from a certain person. Without her relationship with Chen Tian, she might never have tasted it in her life.
Elder Rin opened his eyes, his aura suddenly surging. Qing Ling put down her teacup and said, "Regulate your breathing. It's not time to break through yet; your foundation is unstable." Elder Rin seemed to hear Qing Ling's words and his aura stabilized. Chen Tian looked at Elder Rin curiously. Then, an aura appeared in Qing Ling's senses from the auction hall.
Qing Ling looked towards the auction, and Chen Tian followed her gaze. The aura was all too familiar to him. "Damn it," Chen Tian thought, "how did an item from the game appear here?" On the auction stage was a fragment, a crystal shard, shimmering like white jade. Chen Tian stared at the fragment. Wasn't this the very shard he needed to collect for a quest in his game? How could it be here in reality?
Qing Ling murmured in her heart, "Has the change begun? I hope it's not too fast; brother hasn't grown strong enough yet!" A white-haired elder appeared at the center of the auction. Chen Tian was surprised to see the butler. It seemed this auction was quite interesting, with even that side sending someone to officiate.