Regressor Sect Master

The main auction hall was a large, octagonal stadium located at one of the few remaining mountaintops of Forgestone Peak. A structure made from steel, stone and wood, and made to easily fit and feed tens of thousands, it was a monument to trade and commerce. There were subordinate sects and merchant guilds that assisted with Flaming Phoenix with such a momentous annual event. Specialized guilds ensured each of the tables were stocked with food, sects and guilds procured entertainment for the masses, some ensured the carpets were cleaned, the dirty plates removed, and their wines refilled with selections from all over the continent. 

Their entire entourage was granted a section, among many others, along the main floor of the auction hall. The actual auction would be held on a suspended platform, complete with a gigantic crystal holder. 

“It’s crowded.” Marin said. “But most seem to be in groups.” There were many things to see, an auction was a wonderful place to people-watch, and many come to such events to be seen. There was usually an afterparty after such auctions, though fights were so common that these days the afterparty was separated into smaller events. There were not really that many actual participants, but as Tundra looked around, it did feel like everyone brought an entire army along just to witness the auction process. 

“Did you girls have fun shopping?” Tundra asked as he took the seat next to Severian. The night before he had just submitted his pills to the Flaming Phoenix’s trading house, and was issued a larger than expected 420,000 flaming tokens. Historically, the smallest ships went on auction at prices between 120,000 to 300,000 tokens, so he felt fairly confident that he had enough. He took 5,000 tokens, and distributed it to his entourage, for them to just buy something for themselves. 

They clearly have done something, because they came back looking a little different. Marin, particularly, was dressed in a top that was more commonly seen in men. Somehow, Tundra felt it suited her disposition.

“The female fashion of the Flaming Phoenix is a little boyish.” Elly said. It was expected, the Flaming Phoenix was a female-majority crafting sect, naturally, they were not wearing gowns and dresses when they worked in the workshops. “But it was quite fun. I bought some clothes that I thought I could use for gardening.” 

Tundra smiled. “Anything cultivation related?” 

“Some trinkets here and there, but not much. Anything worth buying is too expensive.” Elly sighed. 

“Such is life.” Severian laughed. “Things can be really expensive here because there are disciples from the great sects throwing their money around.” 

“That is true, that is true.” Tundra said, as he settled in. A waiter came over and asked whether they’d like some wine. “Have they started the briefing? They would normally come over just to tell us how things go.”

“Not yet.” Severian answered. “They were waiting for you.”

“Ah.” 

***

The same elder came over, accompanied by two beautiful attendants, to brief them on how the auction would happen. Essentially, there would be an announcer in front that would start off the bid by naming a price, and each person who wishes to raise it would have to raise a steel rod. The rod would shine a light that would let the attendants know that they wish to raise. 

It was fairly typical auction conduct, not different from how Tundra knew it to be. Auctions have been a staple feature of the merchant trade since the primordial era. Some tools and equipment would have changed, such as the lighted steel rod, but the core conduct remains the same. 

The attendants also distributed a set of glasses to every single person present. The glasses were linked to a formation that connected to the central formation on the stage. It would allow anyone to see the exact details of what’s being auctioned. 

Again, incremental innovations. Tundra recalled later they would even introduce pricing screens to show how much it was priced for during prior auctions, and the current bid prices. Some of these innovations have not yet appeared on today’s market. 

The auction would normally start with some of the lower tier wares, such as some weapons and equipment produced by the Flaming Phoenix’s vassal sects, while the bigger items would be all at the end. 

After every twenty items, there would be a short break where people were free to move around and mingle, though Tundra could feel the watchful presence of at least ten elders, and about two grand elders. 

***

Edison looked about, thoroughly trying his best to be comfortable. It wasn’t easy. He once heard that in the higher levels, such ceremonies and events were common. A powerful cultivator had many friends, and many allies, thus, there was a need to ‘entertain’, so to speak. 

He sat next to Anna, and though the two of them shared the same table as their father, they were clearly creatures of different worlds. 

There were men and women he did not recognize that came over to speak to their father, and he noticed how dismissive many of them were. It was brief, but these visitors were only paying attention to their father, and Elder Severian.

“Look around, Edison.” Anna said suddenly, and for a change, he listened. He looked around, and whispered.

“What do you want me to look at?” 

“We’re not the only ones being lost little sheep here.” Anna said, as their eyes tracked the surroundings. The main floor was large, and was where all the ‘lower’ valued sects were seated. Special guests of the Flaming Phoenix would get the special balcony seats, and private rooms. Edison did give a passing glance at the floor, but guided by Anna’s voice, he began to notice others who looked just like them. 

People who are in the 3rd, 4th realm. Mostly in awe, and they were staring at all the opulence on display like they were all other village bumpkins. “We look like that to them, too.”

“We do.” Anna said.

Edison’s glances darted over to the next table, where the Core Disciples and a few inner disciples were talking. They were mostly in their own world, and from what he could hear, their conversations were about what they saw in the markets earlier that day. A few of them were trying to beg Disciple Julia to buy some cultivation materials, since Julia received a higher share of the Flaming Tokens, due to her work on the pills. 

There was a third and fourth table, occupied by more Core Disciples. Disciple Yavin wasn’t here.

Edison didn’t like Core Disciple Yavin much, and a large part of it came from a sense of inadequacy. Disciple Yavin’s conduct was proper, polite, and yet he was so skilled. And ever since he heard about Yavin’s involvement with the two ladies from Blackshore, somehow, his inadequacy only grew.

He still remembered Lady Gale’s words. You either shape up, or you will grow old, die, and a better heir will be appointed in your place.

He knew she was right.

But his emotions and feelings were strong. 

And everytime he tried to cultivate, to do the right thing, it was so hard.

He couldn’t. He tried. But his mind couldn’t focus for that long. 

His thoughts were clouded. And it was a spiral in the wrong direction in his mind. 

“Edison.” Anna repeated, and Edison snapped back to reality. He didn’t know how he suddenly thought about that when he noticed Disciple Yavin Redaxe’s absence. “Look, that’s an elder.”

Edison looked up and saw a woman she recognized. 

***

“It truly is a small world, Master Fox.” Zuri Blackpetals landed on the carpeted floor, and walked to greet him.

“Oh? A pleasure to see you again, Lady Blackpetals.” Celestia, Marin and Elly all turned to look at the woman that was now speaking to their husband. Tundra clasped his hand respectfully, as Celestia whispered some words to both Marin and Elly. The two nodded. “I didn’t expect to see you again so soon.” 

“Is anything of interest?” 

“Oh? Does the Crimson Spire have some preferential rights to the auction?”

Lady Blackpetals chuckled. “We are an allied sect of the Flaming Phoenix. Naturally, there are some privileges. Such as a private balcony.” 

Allies implied they were equals. Tundra knew it was more of a relationship of a senior brother with that of a lower ranked junior. But it was a good opportunity, so he didn’t hesitate to tap on it. “Oh. Wonderful. Then you came at the most opportune moment! If you could help us with one of the sixth realm flying ships, we would be most grateful.” 

Tundra’s request made everyone present speechless for a few seconds, before Zuri Blackpetals chuckled at his brazenness. They certainly were not close, and not close enough that he could so quickly tap on some imaginary connection. 

Yet, Zuri decided to humor him. “Oh? Which one, the sixth realm 70-man ships, or the 100-man ships?” 

“There are 100-man ships in the sixth realm?” Tundra asked. 

“There are. People carriers. Slower, but not much of a difference.”

“Ah. Our initial goal is to procure one of the 70-man ships. We have been fairly limited in our travel options. If the Crimson Spire could help us get ahead of the queue-” 

Zuri squinted, and then chuckled. “Master Fox, we’re merely recently acquainted. What you ask is quite the favor, and we’ve not known each other long enough to be worth it. But, you may try and procure one through the bids, but should you fail to buy any of the 20 sixth realm ships on offer, I’ll go through my network and check whether there are any other ships we can release to you, through a private bid.” 

Tundra laughed heartily, he wasn’t expecting much, but an insurance offer should they fail was much better than nothing. “Lady Blackpetals, you truly give me face with such an offer. Very well, we will try our best during the auctions to procure one.” 

“I heard that you had a disciple assist you during the Summons. Is she here?” Zuri asked. 

“Oh.” Tundra nodded, and led her to Julia. Julia, who was happily talking to the rest of her fellow disciples, realized something was up when everyone abruptly shut up. “Disciple Julia, meet the famed Cauldron Saintess of the Crimson Spire, Zuri Blackpetals.” 

Core Disciple Julia’s paled expression lasted only a second, before she quickly stood, clasped her hands together and bowed respectfully. “This junior greets the elder.” 

Zuri gazed at Julia, as if studying her intently. “A decent alchemy disciple. A rarity, these days. You have a good master, learn well.” 

Julia bowed. “I’ll try my best, elder.” 

Tundra shrugged. Alchemy disciples were always hard to find, though, in some sense, it was more of a matter of reach and numbers. “As it always has been. Is the Princess well?” 

That made the Crimson Spire’s alchemy elder stop, and the two glanced at each other. It was Tundra’s bait, he hoped to tease some insights of what transpired over at the palace, since news from the city of Luharlia was fairly scarce. Even till today, Tundra didn’t hear news about the Princess’s ascension, though Zuri’s presence here was a clue.

“What do you think?” Zuri countered. 

Tundra laughed. “You’re alive and well. I sense a slight increase in your cultivation, even.”

“Why ask, then?” Zuri rolled her eyes, and then paused. After she looked at him for a moment, as if judging whether to tell him. She did. “She used the pill you’ve made.”

Tundra froze, as the pieces set together. Now he understood why she came over just to look at Julia. The palace was incredibly tight-lipped about what the princess took and didn’t take, and ministers had to be bribed to reveal even a modicum of info. 

Tundra was about to ask why, then he realized how they could’ve used the two pills together. “I see. That is quite a solution. Segregation before harmony.” 

“A clean separation sets the stage for a clean reconciliation.” Zuri answered, partly impressed that he got it so quickly. “But favor has a price. A price of attention.”

Tundra felt his skin crawl, and he looked at Severian. “The royal family will have their eyes on us.”

Severian visibly gulped. He reached over to the table to pick up a cup of spirit wine, and downed it. Tundra decided to pick up his own cup too. 

“I believe we will be needing more of these tonight.” Tundra said. Opportunity. Attention. Risk. The hidden war of the royal descendants needed recruits, and now they were pulled into the game. 

The female alchemist nodded. “Enjoy the auctions, Master Fox, I’m afraid our fates are intertwined, Master Fox. For both the royal family, and for the things in the dark. They are in my sect, and beyond.” 

Tundra couldn’t remember how things went for the Crimson Spire, and cursed himself for it. He could only raise his cup of refilled rice wine. “The tribulations are inevitable, we can do nothing else but soldier on.” 

“Be prepared.” The woman walked away, and Tundra sat back on his seat. For once, he felt like he has been standing for too long.

Severian sat down next to him. “I’ll need to talk to some friends, see what they know.”

The regressor nodded, as he looked back at those that shared his table. His three wives looked visibly worried, and wanted to know what happened and why Severian looked pale. Tundra glanced at his fellow elder, and Elly quickly refilled his cup again. It was gone as soon as it was full. “It’ll be expensive.”

The regressor tried to remember who worked with who in the early parts of the royal struggles. There were no real clear lines of loyalty, every Prince was fundamentally working for themselves, and unlike most Imperial families, there was no rule against male or female Emperors, thus, even powerful princesses could make a play for the throne. 

If Princess Luharlia ascended to the seventh strongly, it’s likely she would attempt a similar push for the eighth realm. At the eighth realm, she might even be one of the prime contenders. 

Amidst the festivities and opulence of the auction halls, the Sect Master pondered the changed scales of the coming royal struggle. Things may be the same, or may not be. 

Severian shrugged. “We’d have to pay for information. We don’t know where the fault lines are.” 

Tundra sighed, as he turned to his wives, finally deciding to answer the question they’ve all wanted to know. “It seems we are now involved in royal politics. Whether we like it or not. Our actions will have to consider their interests in greater detail.”