Gateway of Immortality
Chapter 415: Tianyou Stronghold

Chapter 415: Tianyou Stronghold

Tianyou Stronghold.

It was one of the two major strongholds controlled by the demonic sect, and it lay not far from Yinshan Stronghold, with a terrain that bore some resemblance. The difference was that Tianyou Stronghold had been built on an island in a marsh rather than upon an ancient tree.

Tianyou Stronghold had attracted countless immortal cultivators, especially under the unusual circumstances of the time, when many dared not leave its confines. Naturally, auctions of all sizes were plentiful.

In the southeast corner of Tianyou Stronghold, within a vast courtyard, the gate had been flung open. Two masked figures stood guard at its sides, while, from time to time, a figure clad in a black robe entered the courtyard.

Strangely, instead of proceeding to the rooms at the back, that figure walked toward an octagonal pavilion in the center of the courtyard.

The moment the figure stepped into the pavilion, it vanished without a trace.

Those with profound cultivation had been able, in that split second, to catch a glimpse of fine, threadlike silver light flickering within the pavilion—a fluctuation of a barrier—which revealed that the pavilion concealed an entirely different realm.

As deep night approached, fewer and fewer people entered the courtyard.

Just as the two guards were about to close the gate, a figure hurried toward the courtyard.

The newcomer was dressed in a black robe that concealed his face—an artifact capable of blocking spiritual consciousness. By the naked eye, one could not discern his gender, nor could anyone sense his level of cultivation.

The two guards exchanged a glance, and one stepped forward, raising his hand to stop the newcomer. "Daoist, please hold your step!"

The newcomer halted, glanced around, and in a puzzled tone asked, "Isn’t the auction scheduled for today?"

Clearing his throat lightly, the guard explained, "The auction indeed was set for today... For your information, our master has decreed that guests must undergo a qualification check to participate. I wonder if you have the token?"

"Token?"

The newcomer replied with displeasure, "I had long heard of Mr. Kan’s auction and revered his reputation, yet I had never heard that an auction required a token! Do all those who entered before possess tokens? Are you trying to give me a hard time?"

Waving his hand in dismissal, the guard continued, "No, no... Daoist, please do not misunderstand. We ask because our master did issue tokens, and everyone possessing one was deemed a distinguished guest of our household."

"Of course, one could participate even without a token, but as our master’s fame spread far and wide, more and more Daoists had come to attend. Our master was overwhelmed by the honor, yet due to spatial limitations, he could not accommodate every visitor. Especially for this auction—which was of great importance, featuring only priceless treasures—even many illustrious elders, as elusive as divine dragons, had been drawn here."

"Reluctantly, our master had set a rule: any Daoist wishing to join the auction must either present one thousand low-grade spirit stones or have achieved a breakthrough to the tenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm."

"Of course, the treasures at the auction would not disappoint you; we kindly ask for your understanding."

After hearing the explanation, the newcomer’s tone softened. He revealed his cultivation, and quietly inquired, "Would that suffice?"

"The late stage of the Foundation Building Realm!"

The guards’ expressions altered as they both bowed respectfully, their voices filled with utmost reverence. "Your venerable presence has graced us, and our humble establishment now shines with brilliance! As a distinguished guest, you are automatically accorded VIP status. Please follow me to the VIP chamber, and if you require anything further, we shall do our utmost to comply."

"Not necessary!" The newcomer dismissed with a wave of his hand. "I am accustomed to sitting in the main hall to watch the excitement. Secluding myself in a private room holds no appeal. Just take me directly to the main hall. I heard that the auction is set to begin at midnight, and the time is nearly upon us—do not delay my important affairs."

"Uhh..."

Faced with his resolute tone, the guards exchanged helpless looks, and one of them had no choice but to lead the way, guiding the newcomer into the pavilion.

As he stepped into the pavilion, the scene before his eyes suddenly transformed, and he found himself in a beautifully decorated main hall.

The hall was divided into three levels. The first level consisted of rows of seats, and at that moment, the hall buzzed with voices. Most of the seats were occupied by immortal cultivators whose cultivation had reached at least the tenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm.

The second and third levels were exceedingly quiet, forming individual private rooms, each shrouded by a veil of gray mist that obscured their fronts. Looking up from the main hall, one could see nothing but a jumble of chaos, with no hint of who sat within.

Those mists were one of the functions of the spiritual array within the hall.

Moreover, the surrounding walls flickered with sharp, golden divine light, exuding an aura of grim severity that constantly warned the auction’s attendees.

Just as the guard was about to lead the newcomer to a seat at the front, the newcomer swept his gaze across the hall, waved dismissively at the guard, and directly settled in an inconspicuous corner at the back.

"Be off now; inform Mr. Kan that no special favor is necessary for me. As long as the auction satisfies me, I will return in the future—without any token."

Resigned, the guard could only attribute this to the eccentricities of the elder and withdrew.

Little did anyone know that the spot where he sat afforded him an unobstructed view of the entire auction.

He sat there quietly, engaging with no one, exuding an aura that kept others at bay. His gaze silently swept over each cultivator in the hall, as if he were searching for something.

Finally, he leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes to cultivate his spirit, and patiently awaited the commencement of the auction.

At the stroke of midnight, the auction began.

Mr. Kan was a refined, cultured middle-aged man whose few words felt as refreshing as a spring breeze, prompting onlookers to marvel at how he had earned such renown at Tianyou Stronghold.

With seasoned competence, Mr. Kan had swiftly addressed the trivial matters with just a few words before directly announcing the commencement of the auction.

Soon, one precious treasure after another was whisked away like a flowing stream.

Under Mr. Kan’s unruffled guidance, the atmosphere in the auction hall grew ever more fervent. Bidding voices rose and fell in a continuous cadence, and the treasures were consecutively sold at lofty prices.

Strangely, from the very moment the auction had begun, the man seated in the corner had remained slouched against his chair, as if he were still half asleep, with none of the treasures capturing his interest.

While keeping a watchful eye on the proceedings, Mr. Kan casually let his gaze drift toward the man, a flicker of doubt crossing the depths of his eyes.

He had already received word from his subordinates that this man wielded cultivation power at the late stage of the Foundation Building Realm.

In the realm of immortal cultivation, reaching the late stage of the Foundation Building Realm meant one was among the masters. Establishing a rapport with such an adept cultivator promised considerable benefits for the auction house, and Mr. Kan naturally did not wish to let the opportunity slip away.

He was adept at appealing to others’ preferences, especially in an auction setting where even the most calculating individuals found it hard to conceal their excitement when encountering something they admired.

Yet this man had not even stirred; he remained utterly indifferent.

"Are these treasures too mediocre? Is he a man of such extraordinary background that he finds not a single one of them worthy?" Mr. Kan said silently.

Maintaining his composure, he continued the auction in an orderly fashion, his thoughts swirling as he secretly sneered.

In the past, he would have been at a loss when dealing with someone like him.

But this time was different. Among the upcoming items were a few true masterpieces—treasures he had painstakingly accumulated over the years, waiting for a moment to astonish the world.

"I want to see just how long you can hide your desire!"

With that, Mr. Kan withdrew his gaze and ceased to focus on the mysterious man. At that precise moment, a treasure crown fetched a high price, and Mr. Kan raised his voice to further elevate the hall’s already electrifying atmosphere.