CHAPTER 28 - The Mission, the Auction, and the Enigmatic Locket
The familiar gates of the sect loomed before Sanjeev, a stark contrast to the quiet solitude of Master Jian's shop. He had been so engrossed in the world of formations that he'd almost forgotten the rigid structure and constant pressure that defined sect life. A large notice board stood near the entrance, and Sanjeev paused to read its contents. His eyes widened in surprise. The words hit him like a physical blow. Expulsion? After everything he had achieved? The thought was unbearable. He had to complete this mission, and quickly.
He hurried through the sect grounds, the familiar sights and sounds now tinged with a sense of urgency. He reached his modest quarters, a small, sparsely furnished room that had remained untouched during his absence. He retrieved his divine disk, a conduit to his inner space, and focused his intent. The disk shimmered, and two figures materialized before him: Xiner and Arav. Sanjeev quickly explained the situation, the urgency in his voice conveying the seriousness of their predicament.
They scoured the mission postings, each scroll detailing a different task, ranging from gathering herbs to slaying beasts. Many were too time-consuming, others too dangerous for their current group. Finally, their eyes landed on one that seemed promising. "Slay the Rampaging Tuskbeast. Location: Mountain Clip. Difficulty: Rank 4-5." "A Tuskbeast," Arav muttered, his expression thoughtful. "That's a tough one. But the reward is good." "It's doable," Xiner added, her eyes gleaming with determination. "We'll need to work together." They decided to accept the mission. However, there was a catch. The mission scroll stipulated that it required a team of four cultivators. They were one person short.
They began to search the hall, their eyes scanning the faces of the other disciples. Time was of the essence, and they couldn't afford to be picky. Suddenly, Arav's attention was captured by a figure standing near a window. A young woman with flowing dark hair and an ethereal beauty that seemed to radiate an otherworldly glow. Arav was instantly smitten. He approached her hesitantly, his heart pounding in his chest. "Excuse me," he stammered, trying to appear nonchalant. "My name is Arav. We're forming a team for the Tuskbeast mission, and we're one person short." The woman turned, her eyes meeting Arav's. Her beauty was even more striking up close, her gaze both gentle and piercing. "My name is Xuner," she replied, her voice soft and melodious, like the tinkling of a bell. Arav was stunned. Her name was as beautiful as she was. He struggled to maintain his composure. "Would you be willing to join our team?" Arav asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Xuner smiled. "I would be happy to. I have been looking for a group to undertake this mission." Sanjeev and Xiner, who had been watching from a distance, approached them. They were both relieved and pleased to have found a fourth member so quickly. "Excellent!" Sanjeev said. "With you on board, we have a much better chance of success."
The decision was made. They would depart for Mountain Clip the following day. The rest of the day was spent in a flurry of activity as each member of the team prepared for the journey. Weapons were sharpened, supplies were gathered, and strategies were discussed. The next morning, they set off, leaving the sect behind. The journey to Mountain Clip was long and arduous, taking them through dense forests and rugged terrain. Four days they traveled, their determination fueled by the urgency of their mission.
Finally, they reached their destination: Main City. It was a sprawling metropolis, teeming with people from all walks of life. The sheer size and vibrancy of the city were overwhelming. "This city is huge!" Arav exclaimed, his eyes wide with wonder. "I've never seen so many people in one place." "It's quite lively," Xiner added, her gaze sweeping across the bustling streets. They approached a local resident, a middle-aged man with a friendly face, and inquired about the path to Mountain Clip. "Mountain Clip?" the man replied. "It's to the east, about a day's journey. But be careful; it's a dangerous place." Sanjeev noticed the unusually large crowd thronging the streets. "There seem to be a lot of people in the city," he remarked. "Is there a festival or something?" The local man chuckled. "Even better! There's a grand auction tonight. People come from far and wide to attend. It's a chance to see and acquire rare and powerful items." Sanjeev's eyes lit up with interest. "An auction, you say? That sounds interesting." Xiner, ever mindful of their mission, frowned slightly. "We should probably focus on the mission." Arav, however, seemed intrigued by the prospect of rare items. Xuner, surprisingly, spoke up. "It could be a good opportunity. We might find something useful for the mission." After a brief discussion, they decided to attend the auction. They could still make the journey to Mountain Clip the next day. The allure of the unknown treasures was too strong to resist.
As night fell, they made their way to the auction house. It was a grand, opulent building, brightly lit and teeming with activity. Carriages lined the streets, and elegantly dressed individuals streamed through the entrance. "This place is enormous!" Sanjeev exclaimed, his eyes wide with amazement. Inside, the scene was even more chaotic. Two lines of people stretched towards the entrance to the auction hall. One line was incredibly long and crowded, the people jostling and pushing to get closer. The other line, however, was short and practically empty, with only a few elegantly dressed individuals waiting patiently. "Why are there two lines?" Sanjeev asked, confused. "One is packed, and the other is empty." "It's probably a VIP line," Xiner suggested. Sanjeev approached a stern-looking guard standing near the VIP line. "Excuse me," he said politely, "how does one get into the VIP line?" The guard eyed him up and down. "Only fourth-level alchemists or spiritual food masters are permitted in the VIP line." Sanjeev stepped forward, a confident glint in his eyes. "I want to go to the VIP line." The guard scoffed. "And who do you think you are? You don't look like any alchemist or food master I've ever seen." Xiner, Arav, and even Xuner exchanged surprised glances. They knew Sanjeev was skilled, but a fourth-level spiritual food master? That was a high bar. "Maybe we should just go to the regular line, Sanjeev," Xiner suggested quietly. Sanjeev remained calm. He reached into his robes and retrieved a small, intricately designed badge. He held it up for the guard to see. The guard's laughter died in his throat. Xiner, Arav, and Xuner were speechless. "That… that's the badge of a fourth-level spiritual food master!" the guard stammered. "Fourth-level? Sanjeev?" Xiner exclaimed, her eyes wide with disbelief. "I can't believe it!" Arav added, equally stunned. The guard's demeanor changed instantly. He bowed deeply, his face flushed with embarrassment. "My deepest apologies, esteemed master! Please forgive my rudeness." Sanjeev waved his hand dismissively. "It's alright. Just let us through." He turned to his companions, a playful smile on his face. "Well, what are you waiting for? Let's go to the VIP section." Xiner and Arav, still reeling from the revelation, could only nod and follow him. Xuner, however, observed Sanjeev with a curious intensity, her expression thoughtful.
As they settled into the luxurious VIP section, Xiner and Arav bombarded Sanjeev with questions. "When did you become a fourth-level food master, Sanjeev?" Xiner asked, her voice filled with awe. "We had no idea!" Arav chimed in. "You've been keeping secrets from us!" Sanjeev chuckled. "It's a long story. It happened while I was with Master Jian." He then proceeded to recount his journey, from his initial interest in spiritual food to his intense training and eventual breakthrough. He described the challenges he faced, the techniques he mastered, and the dedication it took to reach the fourth level. Xiner and Arav listened intently, their eyes wide with amazement. They were both incredibly proud of Sanjeev's achievement. "That's incredible, Sanjeev," Xiner said. "You've made history! You're probably the youngest fourth-level spiritual food master ever!" Arav nodded in agreement. "You're amazing, Sanjeev! We're lucky to have you on our team." Xuner, who had been listening quietly, spoke up. "Your dedication is admirable, Sanjeev. It is rare to find someone so committed to their craft." Sanjeev blushed slightly, basking in their praise. "Thank you. But I couldn't have done it without Master Jian's guidance."
Suddenly, the lights in the auction hall dimmed, and a hush fell over the crowd. A beautiful woman with a captivating presence stepped onto the stage. She wore an elegant gown that shimmered under the soft light, and her voice was clear and melodious as she addressed the audience. "Welcome, esteemed guests, to the grand auction!" she announced. "Tonight, we have a collection of rare and extraordinary items that will surely pique your interest." The auction was about to begin. The first item was brought onto the stage: a magnificent spiritual bracelet, its surface inlaid with intricate patterns that pulsed with a soft, ethereal light. "This is a defensive spiritual bracelet," the auctioneer explained. "It can protect the wearer from a single attack from a cultivator of a higher level. A valuable item for any adventurer!" Xiner's eyes widened with desire. She had always wanted a defensive artifact. "The bidding starts at one lakh gold coins," the auctioneer continued. "And bids must be increased by at least ten thousand gold coins." The bidding began, with several cultivators vying for the bracelet. The price quickly climbed, reaching one lakh twenty thousand gold coins. Then, Sanjeev spoke up, his voice clear and confident. "Two lakh gold coins." A collective gasp swept through the auction hall. Everyone turned to stare at Sanjeev, their expressions a mixture of shock, anger, and disbelief. The sudden jump in price was audacious, to say the least. "Two lakh gold coins?" one cultivator muttered, his voice incredulous. "Is he trying to bankrupt us all?" The auctioneer, though surprised, quickly regained her composure. "Two lakh gold coins! Do I hear any higher bids?" Silence filled the hall. No one dared to challenge Sanjeev's offer. The price was simply too high. "Going once… going twice… sold! To the gentleman in the VIP section for two lakh gold coins!" The auctioneer declared, her voice ringing with finality. Sanjeev smiled and nodded. He paid for the bracelet and immediately handed it to Xiner. "Here," he said, his voice gentle. "A gift for you." Xiner's eyes sparkled with gratitude. "Thank you, Sanjeev! It's beautiful!" She carefully put on the bracelet, feeling a surge of warmth and protection.
The auction continued, with various items being presented and sold. Arav and Xuner also managed to acquire a few items, each contributing to the group's overall strength. However, Sanjeev purchased nothing more for himself. He seemed content to observe, his gaze occasionally scanning the crowd. Finally, the auctioneer announced the final item of the night. "And now, for our last and perhaps most mysterious item… a locket." A beautiful locket was brought onto the stage. It was intricately designed, with ancient symbols etched onto its surface. Sanjeev felt a strange pull towards the locket, an inexplicable sense of attraction. "This locket was discovered in ancient ruins," the auctioneer explained. "Its purpose and function are unknown. We have been unable to decipher the symbols or unlock its secrets. Therefore, the bidding will start at a mere fifty thousand gold coins." The bidding was slow, with only a few tentative offers. Most cultivators were hesitant to spend money on an item with unknown value. Sanjeev, however, felt compelled to acquire it. "Fifty-five thousand gold coins," he bid, his voice firm. There were no further bids. Sanjeev won the locket. He paid for it quickly and left the auction house with his companions.
Back in their hotel room, Sanjeev couldn't resist the urge to examine the locket more closely. He sat down at a table and carefully opened it. The inside was empty, save for more of the same ancient symbols. He tried various methods to activate it, but nothing seemed to work. Finally, on a whim, he decided to try something unconventional. He closed his eyes and focused his mental energy, attempting to send a small portion of his consciousness into the locket.