The man opened a pair of doors for them and stood to one side as they entered.

Opposite them, sat another man. This one was dressed even more richly than the one who'd led them to the room. Bands of precious-looking metals filled with glittering gems decorated his arms. But Jie sensed that at least some of the man's jewelry wasn't just for decoration as even the items had auras and power to them. And so did the menacing statues that decorated the walls of the office.

The man stood and gestured to the four chairs in front of his desk. Jie restrained herself from scoffing at the sight. As though they just happened to have the exact number of chairs for them. Had they been preparing everything while they walked up? Jie hadn't felt any eyes on her though... and that worried her.

Pan Keai and the Pan siblings didn't seem bothered in the slightest though and took their seats. Jie followed suit.

"A pleasure to see you, Lady of the Pan family. Young master. Young ladies. What can I do for you today?" asked the man behind the desk. His words were smooth, but they didn't come across as fake or oiled like the man who'd led them here. It made Jie all the more alert.

"We'll get to the business between us in a moment, but before then, I thought I might introduce you to Liu Jie," Pan Keai said.

The man raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Our illustrious winner of the Crimson Academy's younger generation tournament?" he asked.

Jie narrowed her eyes. Was someone feeding him information somehow, did he know in advance, or had he actually kept up on the results of such a tournament? Did it really matter so much to these people?

Noticing that nobody was going to say anything further, Jie finally spoke. "Yes," she said.

"So, how can our auction house be of service to you?" the man pressed.

Jie watched him carefully, but she knew she was out of her league. Not only was he so much stronger than her cultivation-wise, but he was smooth and practiced to the point where his words were effortless and graceful.

Not so long ago, Jie had thought she wouldn't ever speak to another human again. She felt dwarfed by his power and the fact that he and this whole auction house had probably spent lifetimes scheming about how to separate people from their money and, more importantly, power. This was likely another part of a game, and she didn't even know the rules. She hated the idea of speaking to people like this man, but what choice did she have? Ming didn't say anything, but he didn't seem to be getting any better.

And, from the way he'd spoken, it sounded like he wasn't even sure he would. This was something she could never allow.

"I'm looking for healers, alchemists, or anyone capable of healing other cultivators," Jie said.

The man nodded, but not in a patronizing way as she half-expected. No, everything about him down to his most subtle movements made her feel like her problems were his problems. Like he cared and empathized with her. It grated on Jie's nerves that he could make her feel that way.

"Is there anything more you can tell me? The more I know, the easier it'll be to help you," the man said.

His words made sense, but Jie saw it as him fishing for more information. Like a fisherman casting out a hook. And his eyes... his eyes bored into her soul in a way that Pan Keai's just didn't. Jie had the sickening suspicion that even her half-truths would be seen through. But that didn't mean she had to come out and be fully truthful. Let him wonder.

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"I'm looking for powerful items, or people capable of healing gods. Either is fine," Jie said.

The man's eyes widened ever so slightly, but he quickly regained control.

"To heal a god... that is no small feat. Could you tell me why you need something so powerful?" he said.

Jie hated how reasonable that question was. And, was once again amazed that he didn't try to argue with her desires. Part of her thought that might be a key thing for any salesman.

"I want to learn how to heal one day, but my family won't have me apprenticed to someone weak. They must be able to heal a god, or there's no point," Jie said.

The man nodded again. "But, in that case... why are you okay with items of that power?" he said.

Jie shrugged and did her best to make it look natural. "My family would quickly find who made it," she said.

The man knit his fingers together and placed them on the table. "Your family must be extremely powerful to be capable of such," the man said, "it is with my deepest regret, that I must say even we don't have items or people of such incredible power. If you'd like, I can send for someone who might know of such things. Someone far beyond myself."

Pan Keai looked shocked at the man's words but said nothing. If anything, she looked almost proud of herself for some reason.

"Please do so," Jie said.

The man nodded once more, and somehow with that single motion, he continued to make Jie feel like she was the center of the universe. He pressed his hand against a red orb on his desk. It was no bigger than a computer mouse, and it glowed at his touch.

"There," he said, "someone will be along shortly. I gave them all my knowledge regarding your particular needs and status."

Not three seconds after those words left his lips, the doors opened. It was another man, but he didn't wear as many gaudy decorations. His robes were sleek, and he held himself with a regal air, like a king among kings.

His eyes fixated on Jie the instant he appeared, and it seemed boundless knowledge lurked within their depths. His power was great too. She couldn't quite tell, but she got the feeling he was probably at least as strong as the Headmaster of the Crimson Academy. Perhaps even stronger.

Still nowhere near as strong as Ming though.

"Please come with me, Lady Liu Jie," he said, "it is of course your choice to share what we discuss with whoever you wish, but it's our policy to ensure privacy on our end."

Jie glanced at Pan Keai, feeling an irrational fear that she was about to be murdered, but she and the Pan siblings both nodded as though this was to be expected.

Jie returned her attention to the man. "Very well," she said.

She followed him out of the chamber and the doors closed behind them as though by themselves. "This way please," he said. His words were smooth, even, and measured. Almost musical. He led Jie up to what looked like a large, polished pillar. He pressed his hand against the surface and the pillar opened up to reveal a chamber within. Jie followed the man inside and the door closed behind them almost seamlessly.

Jie felt them skyrocket upward and couldn't restrain a smirk. So they had elevators in this world too? But, they looked so secret here... were elevators something these people prided themselves over? The thought almost made her burst out laughing, but she restrained herself. The fact she was fairly sure they'd just moved faster and smoother than any lift she'd ever been in made it easier.

The doors opened to reveal only a single pair of massive doors on this floor and the man led her straight to them. He opened the gigantic hunks of metal as though they weighed nothing and gestured for her to enter.

She did so and he closed the doors with a soft click before taking a seat behind a desk not unlike the one the last man used. Only, Jie felt that it wasn't... gaudy. She wondered why she felt that way when it too was adorned with many valuable-looking objects, but then she realized why. It wasn't trying to look rich and important. Neither was the man. He didn't have to. He radiated it effortlessly.

The man drew a dagger and before Jie had time to react to it, the man pricked his finger with it and blood welled up from the wound. "This room is specially prepared for your privacy. Anything we discuss here has been protected, and I shall not share it with anyone unless given express permission by you. Under pain of death," said the man.

The world shimmered red for a moment before returning to normal.

Jie blinked. A blood oath? That... was certainly impressive. So, how you were treated depended entirely on who they thought you were. Asking about people and items that could heal gods must've made them think she was important. That, and probably a hundred other things she couldn't even guess at right now. But, as long as it served her purposes, who cared?

"Please have a seat," said the man.