After two days of travelling, Cole and his group finally saw the towering walls of Heavenly Fire City, the capital of Heavenly Fire Empire. They have arrived at their destination.
The towering walls of the city are very impressive as besides being looking sturdy, it also looks exquisite. It could be easily seen that the city are very prosperous. But this already expected since besides being the ruler of the empire, the Imperial Family are known to be rich.
While they were at the road, Cole learn some informations about the Imperial Family.
The Imperial Family are known as Aflame Family. Aflame Family originates from Vermillion Territory, the territory of Divine Beast Vermillion Bird.
If the Azure Territory is a continent full of green forests and vegetation, basically the territory of Wood, the Vermillion Territory, on the other hand, is the place of volcanoes and fire. Due to it's special characteristic, most of the people of Vermillion Territory born to be talented with Fire-Energy. In addition, with the place's special characteristics, there were many people, sect or families that excell with professions related with fire, which is Alchemy, Forging and Cook.
Aflame Family was a clan of Alchemist. One of the most basic fact about Alchemist was they were filthy rich. Since Aflame Family was a clan full of Alchemist, the wealth they have can't be underestimated. In fact, Aflame Family could even be said more richer than most of the inferior family and sects from Middle Continent.
Alchemist is known to be weak when it comes to their offensive ability, however, despite this fact, the Aflame Family could still continue on ruling an empire. This was not because the Aflame Imperial Family is very powerful but the reason why the Aflame Family could still rule an empire until now was because of their network.
Pills is a must on cultivation, after all, not everyone is the same as Cole. There were even many cultivators who practically slave themselves to the Alchemist just to have a continuous flow of resources.
With the continuous cycle, an Alchesmist like Aflame caliber, their connection was very scary. There were many sects and families who is ready to die just to protect the Aflame Family, not to say that they also have an empire below them.
In the Azure Territory, the Aflame Family is invincible. Even the powerhouses from Middle and Western Continent won't casually attack the Aflame Family.
This was also the reason why Grand Elder Caira inform him personally lest he provoke a member of Aflame Family. Though, with Cole's temperament, he was not the one who provoke other party with petty reasons, it was still better to inform him first.
When Cole and the others travel towards the Heavenly Flame City, they have travelled using a Heaven-Rank Carriage. Since the carriage also have the seal of Five Element Sect, they just flew straight towards inside the city.
Flying in the city is prohibited, however, this rule was only those who were weak. Someone like Five Element Sect that originates from Middle Continent is exempted from this certain rule. This was one of the prestige enjoyed of powerful factions and individuals.
However, despite that, their group didn't cause any other commotion. They found the area intended for flying vehicles for landing and landed their. The flying carriage was immediately put inside back to Grand Elder Caira's storage ring.
The moment they landed, a fat man approach their group. "Welcome esteem guest from Five Element Sect!" He greeted with very enthusiastic voice.
Grand Elder Caira and the others just remain indifferent, not even bothering to reply to the man.
It was Ryan who nodded his head as acknowledgement then move forward and ask him, "We are here to attend the Aflame Family's Annual Auction, please guide us there."
Despite the indifferent attitude of the others, the fat man still show a very wide smile and answered politely, "Fortunately, you have arrived in time. The Aflame Family's Annual Auction will commence one hour from now." He pause as a very sophisticated carriage mounted on snow white horse approach. "Please board the carriage and it will bring you directly to the auction house."
Ryan nodded his head again and enter the carriage after the others got inside.
When all of them boarded, the carriage immediately run.
When Cole's carriage disappear from his sight, the fatty took out a communication talisman and inform the auction house about the group of guest from Middle Continent. They don't dare to slight those bigshots.
With the fast vehicle, it wasn't long before Cole and his group arrived at the front of very big and beautiful five-story building. This building sort the vivid color of fire as though it was set on it. Just this tower was enough indication just how powerful and rich the owner was, which is the Imperial Family.
When Cole and his party enter the door, an elderly man approach them and ask them politely, "Are these group of guest here for the auction?"
It was Cole who step up and answered, "Yes."
The elder nodded his head and said, "Follow me," then he started to walk towards the second floor.
Cole and his group follow the elder. After moments of walking, the elder stop in front of a door and open it, "This is private room number 5." He inform after all the people enter the room.
The room was quite large that even with Cole's party's number, there's still a very spacious area. It could be easily seen that only those with high status could use this kind of private room.
Only a second past after they enter, a number of servants enter the room and serve some snacks and teas.
Grand Elder Caira nodded her head after she check the private room. She's greatly satisfied with it. Although everything looks inferior to her eyes, but knowing the standards of this place, this private room is definitely reserve for powerful and honorable guest.
With a happy mood, she face the elder man and a high-quality jade bottle appear in her hand then said, "I wonder if you could still add this to the item for the auction."
There were only less than half an hour before the auction, supposedly, adding another item is not allowed anymore unless it was very rare or special. However, knowing the prestigious background of the party, he can't deny them instantly. Besides, the pill could be something extraordinary, or atleast for the people of this lands.
The elder stretched his arms and received the bottle of pill. When he open the bottle, a very rich scent of pill immediately assaulted his nose. The elderly eyes squinted as he examine the pills with more scrutiny. But the longer he look at it, the faster his heart beats due to excitement.
[Void Breaking Pill]! This vial actually contains a very rare pill! This kind of pill, in the lower lands have a very high demand but no supply!
[Heaven Breaking Pill] was just a Heaven-Rank Pill which could be refined by Heaven-Rank Alchemist, which the Aflame Family was not short. However, despite that, no one among those Heaven-Rank Alchemist could successfully refine one! That was because among Heaven-Rank Pills, [Heaven Breaking Pill] was one of the special and hardest to refine one. Without the corresponding practice and resources, it was very hard to refine one.
Even for Aflame Family, an imperial family of fill refiners, very few could refine this kind of pill! Not even exceeding the number of fingers on one's palm.
"How is it? Can it be added to the list of item to be auction?" Grand Elder Caira ask after some time, her tone with hidden meaning.
The elder snapped out as he look back at Grand Elder Cauira. He smile as he get what she wanted to imply, which is 'you could do anything with this pill as long as you gave me some benefits'.
"This [Void Breaking Pill] will be bought by Aflame Family, in exchange," a sheet of paper appear in his palm and stretch it towards Grand Elder Caira, "I'll give you the list of items to be auctioned today. Two items could also be waived to your group."
Grand Elder Caira smile as she receive the piece of paper, signifying that she agree to his statement.
The elder man knew that he's not now needed inside. He tactfully retreat outside as he say, "Just call outside if the guest needs something."
Cole nod at the elder.
The moment the door close, Grand Elder Caira gave the list of items to Cole, "Here. I knew that you have something you want from this auction. You can use that waiver to bid two items in any price."
Cole visibly stop for a second due to shock. When he recover, he received the list and ask, "Thank you very much... But what about the others?"
Grand Elder Ciara smile and answered, "Them? Don't worry about them. You may not know this but they have a valuable item with them which makes them richer than majority of families in this lower lands. They definitely have the capacity to bid for themselves if they fancy an item later."
Cole thought for a moment before he agree to what she said. They could take out a good amount of [Void Breaking Pill] which is very valuable in this place, certainly, they have more valuable than that. When Grand Elder Caira said that they were rich, it's definitely true. After all, they were also a Core Disciple of Five Element Sect from Eastern Continent, just their montly allowance could be the same amount as annual income of some rich family in Heavenly Fire Empire.
Cole smile as he gave a glance everyone in the room before he stop in gaze at Grand Elder Caira and said very seriously and genuinely, "Thank you."
Unexpectedly, Grand Elder Caira, who received countless praise before, can't help but felt touched with his heartfelt gratitude. Don't know how she'll respond, she just nod at Cole and sat on one of the chairs inside.
With the quiet but harmonious vibe, Cole also choose one of the seat and sat down.
Since it was a private room intended for auction, any position inside gave a very clear view of the whole venue. He could even see that the space below are almost full. Without a doubt, it will be full the moment the auction starts.
Cole nodded his head in satisfaction before he gave a glance the piece of paper he was holding.
It was the list of items that will be auction today. There are a total of twenty five items on the list and the very first on it was his target, the sealer breaker.
According to the list, it was a mutated rodent beast called Shadow Rat.
Shadow Rat is known as Heaven-Rank Bloodline with affinity with Darkness-Energy. As long as it was on shadow area, it will automatically blend it the surrounding, a passive stealth ability. In addition, its speed will double in darkness, and knowing rodents are species with innate fast speed, this increase was very massive. Due to this, it was a beast born to be an assassin.
The Shadow Rat that was about to be auction was identified as mutant as it have a different shade of hide, it was not the same as pure black fur of normal Shadow Rat. The list said that when the beast was exposed to sunlight, a tinge of blue could be seen from its fur. In addition, it was also twice as fast as the Shadow Rat.
However, besides being identified as mutant one, the auction house can't specifically identify the species of the beast.
The lack of information makes Cole more happy. This just means that the others won't know the true value of the beast, greatly reducing the competition and competitors. Acquiring the beast will be more easy!
After that, he gave the other items a glance too. There were some peculiar items that have a vague evaluation like the Shadow Rats. It was those items that looks have a great value but didn't know their worth. It will be left to bidders to identify the items. If not auctioned, it will be brought back to Imperial Family's treasury. Those peculiar items numbered seven.
As for the others, it was mainly composed of rare pills, weapons, equipments and consumables.
There were also a three finale item, also the most valuables among the items identified. The first is a Heaven-Rank Sword Technique called [Wave Collision Slash]. The second is a Heaven-Rank Spatial Ring. Last but not the least is a gram of Heaven-Rank item called Blue Gold.