Chapter 6 The Previous Number One Genius of Xi’An
Three days later, at the headquarters of Xi’An’s Commercial Alliance, the atmosphere was abuzz with anticipation.
The five-year auction was a big event in Xi'An city, drawing the attention of cultivators not only from Xi'An but also from other cities in Shanxi County. Naturally, it attracted many guests from outside to Xi'An.
Especially for the younger generation, many geniuses from nearby cities would visit Xi'An. This event allowed them to learn from each other, forge valuable connections, and sometimes even form grudges. However, a wise individual would understand the importance of connections. Regardless, the auction facilitated interaction among the brightest talents, fostering a network of relationships and rivalries.
For the older generation, it provided a rare opportunity to reconnect with old acquaintances and peers after many years.
For the major cultivation families, the auction was a prime opportunity to gauge each other's strengths and strategies by observing the bidding wars for valuable items.
For the cultivation resource commercial industries, the auction was a key opportunity to elevate their status and reputation. It allowed them to showcase the quality of their offerings and vie for supremacy, like Azure Cloud Pavilion competing against Black Sea Commerce in the realm of pill refining.
In private room number 20, three individuals sat observing the sea of people in the hall below, where lively discussions filled the air.
"The auction is as lively as ever. Many young geniuses are gathering. Look at who just entered—they're disciples of the Genesis Sect. The old man leading them is the 10th Elder, and the young man behind him in the lead is Zhou Mu," Old Wang said nonchalantly, sweeping his gaze over the newly arrived group.
Shangguan Yi cast a brief glance at the group, quietly memorizing their appearances.
Having noted that the Genesis Sect was one of the Three Great Sects, Shangguan Yi made sure to remember their distinctive clothing and the unique symbols of their sect.
The arrival of the Genesis Sect elicited a stir among the attendees.
“They've really made an entrance.”
“They're unmistakably from the Genesis Sect.”
“They truly live up to their reputation as a Great Sect, displaying discipline and excellence.”
“Zhou Mu is quite the heartthrob.”
“Indeed, and his cultivation has already reached the 8th level of the Foundation Establishment Realm.”
The presence of the Genesis Sect, particularly Zhou Mu, garnered admiration from many, especially the female attendees.
Zhou Mu responded to the crowd with a smile, while the 10th Elder, known as Elder Shi, cupped his hands in greeting those around him. Leading the disciples, he then guided them to private room number 25.
The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.
Old Wang had led Shangguan Yi and Shuang’er to the auction very early, making them among the first group to arrive in the private room. This afforded them ample time to observe the other attendees.
The headquarters of the Xi'An's Commercial Alliance was indeed spacious enough to accommodate millions of people, but for this auction, only 100,000 attendees were permitted.
With an hour left before the auction commenced, Old Wang intermittently introduced powerful factions and young prodigies to Shangguan Yi. He made sure to remember each of them distinctly, noting even the smallest details.
Old Wang's voice resonated from beside Shangguan Yi as he pointed out the arrival of a new group. "There comes a new group, the Liu Family. Leading them is Old Liu, and the young man there is Liu Bu, the 4th Young Master of the Liu Family."
Shangguan Yi swept his gaze towards the new arrivals while simultaneously accessing the system. The system had just released a new function upon his arrival at the Auction Hall, called the "beings" function.
This function records all the living beings he sees, providing some information about them. It's akin to having divine eyes; it feels like cheating, to say the least.
After the Liu Family entered private room 40, Shangguan Yi checked their information in the system.
Name: Liu Yong
Age:???
Cultivation: ???
Location: Liu Family, Xi’An City, Shanxi County.
This was the Old Liu’s information.
Name: Liu Bu
Age: 21
Cultivation: Foundation Establishment Realm (Level 8)
Location: Liu Family, Xi’An City, Shanxi County
Indeed, the system provided more detailed information about Liu Bu compared to Old Liu.
"This implies that I cannot discern individuals with a cultivation level surpassing mine by one significant realm. It seems the system's capabilities have their limits according to my cultivation," Shangguan pondered, affirming his deductions.
After the Liu Family, the Hong Family, the Lan Family, the Zhao Family, the Bai Family, the Lu Family, the Mu Family, the Yan Family, the Gui Family, the Violet Blossom Sect, and the Corpse Sect, came one after another.
Shangguan Yi took note of each of them.
“Young Lady Chu, Young Lady Xiao arrived.” The voice from the servants rang out.
The attentions of many young generation Cultivators were drawn to the arrival of Young Lady Chu and Young Lady Xiao as the servants announced their presence.
One was Young Lady Chu, the daughter of a City Lord, while the other was Lady Xiao, the princess of the Xiao Family.
Both of them were considered the flowers of Xi’An City, admired by many young geniuses.
To the disappointment of many, Young Lady Chu was already engaged to Xiao Yan, the brother of Young Lady Xiao.
Xiao Yan was once considered the number one prodigy of Xi’An City three years prior, hailed as the youngest Level 10 Foundation Establishment Cultivator in the city. Many believed he would achieve the Core Formation Realm within five years and become a legend of Xi’An. However, for reasons unknown, his cultivation stagnated and even regressed over time.
Despite his setbacks, Xiao Yan never wavered in his dedication to cultivation, diligently practicing every day. However, much to his dismay, his cultivation continued to decline over the course of three years, decreasing by three levels. If this trend persisted, many speculated that he would exhaust his cultivation within the next decade.
Many from both the older and younger generations sympathized with Young Lady Chu's situation and urged her to cancel the engagement. However, despite their pleas, Young Lady Chu remained resolute and steadfastly rejected any suggestion to dissolve the engagement.
The older generation could only sigh and shake their heads at her decision, recognizing that it was her prerogative, and they refrained from further involvement in the matter.
The older generation might refrain from interference, but the younger generation was not as reticent. Xiao Yan's position as the object of affection for Young Lady Chu, a fairy in Xi’An City, made him the subject of envy for many.
It would be a joke to expect Xiao Yan to live in peace. From time to time, brave individuals would challenge him, aiming to humiliate him publicly.
Xiao Yan was not an ordinary individual; he had once held the top spot. Minor characters couldn't easily challenge him. Instead, it was Xiao Yan who often humiliated them.
Until one day, while Xiao Yan was in the street markets searching for precious herbs, he encountered Liu Meng, the number one genius of the younger generation from the Liu Family. A quarrel ensued, resulting in Xiao Yan being beaten to within an inch of his life by Liu Meng, had it not been for the intervention of Young Lady Xiao in time.
From then on, whenever Xiao Yan made a public appearance, he would invariably be challenged or encounter trouble from the geniuses of numerous cultivation families. Eventually, Xiao Yan was forced to confine himself within the territory of the Xiao Family, fearing to venture beyond its bounds.
Shuang’er, seated beside him, recounted the tale of Xiao Yan to Shangguan Yi.
Shangguan Yi chuckled, finding the story quite intriguing.
Meanwhile, Young Lady Chu and Young Lady Xiao had already arrived at private room number 100.
"I wonder if this auction will have a treasure that could help Brother Xiao restore his cultivation," Xiao Xing’er said with hopeful anticipation.
While many referred to her as Young Lady Xiao, few knew that she wasn't actually a member of the Xiao Family. She had been raised there since childhood and was a close friend of Xiao Yan. Although she addressed him as "Brother," her demeanor hinted that their relationship was more than just familial.
Chu Lanlan, seated beside her, also expressed her anticipation. "I'm not sure, but if there is such a treasure, I'll acquire it at any cost," she declared determinedly.