Chapter 36:
Meteorfall Stone
THE VENUE WAS SHAPED like a semicircle, completed with a large stage on the first floor. Since cultivators had excellent eyesight, the treasures were laid out flat on the stage, so those on the fourth floor actually had the best view of the items.
The auction hadn’t begun yet, so musicians were performing on the stage in the interim. These low-level cultivators posed no threat and were average in appearance, but their music was pleasant to the ear.
The seven-stringed qin rang out, at times stirring and impassioned like the shattering of a silver vase, at others gentle and melodious like a murmuring stream. The flute’s notes were slow and lingering, joined by the occasional tinkling of bells, as if narrating an ancient tale. Listening intently with eyes closed, the audience could visualize a beauty with tiny silver bells around their fair ankles strolling barefoot across a boundless ancient desert, walking across yellow sands toward the lake in the far distance. Spring waters suddenly gushed forth, engulfing the desert and transforming the barren landscape into one teeming with life.
Mo Tianliao opened his eyes and frowned. The music had a sort of bewitching power—not enough to harm, because the performers were low-level cultivators, but sufficient to rouse latent desires within the listeners, ensuring the bidding later would be lively. Beauty, ankles, bells—these had been the most vivid images in his mind earlier, which meant… He slowly turned to see that his master had already taken off his shoes and was stepping barefoot on the tiger’s head, his fair feet buried in the thick fur. Mo Tianliao felt his nose itch a little. He had always carried Pawpaw around, since the cat was too lazy to walk, so the paws had always been soft and pink…
His hand had only just touched his master’s calf when the fair foot gave him a light kick in return. Fighting the impulse to grab Qingtong’s foot, Mo Tianliao tucked his hands into his sleeves and looked at him.
“Tea.” Qingtong, reclining against a cushion, tilted his head at Mo Tianliao.
By default this room came with an attendant, but he had withdrawn on seeing that this zhenren had brought his own attendants along. Menghu was currently serving as a footrest, so naturally it was Mo Tianliao’s turn to be ordered around.
Resigned to his duty, Mo Tianliao stood up and poured tea for his master. The teapot on the table came with brewed aromatic tea that was kept warm with fire crystals, so it was always hot whenever they needed a drink. Mo Tianliao glanced down at the hall as he poured the tea. The venue was quickly filling up. The cultivators on the various floors couldn’t see each other, but they could view the main hall. The cultivators at the foundation establishment stage and below in the main hall didn’t have divine souls, so if they wanted to bid, they had to shout out their offer. For that reason, they couldn’t buy any valuable items. After all, everyone was watching—and listening—and if everyone knew what they’d bought they might get robbed once they stepped out of the auction house with their treasures.
After about half an hour, the music finally stopped. The illumination stones were covered with dark veils, and the curtain fell, revealing a stage inlaid with sunstones that shone so brightly it was impossible to look away. A core formation cultivator with an honest face stood in the center of the stage, smiling amicably as he cupped his hands at the audience. “Greetings to my fellow cultivators and seniors. I’m Liuhecai. It’s my honor to be here with all of you for today’s auction…”