Dancheol Fortress
After crawling through the underbrush for about two hours, he spotted a massive hollow tree ahead. No flocks of Ice Azure Sparrows had appeared so far, so he slipped inside, sat cross-legged, and circulated his energy to meditate. Once he'd recovered half his magical power, he cast the Silver Sleep Spell again and moved on quietly.
A full day passed without encountering any Ice Azure Sparrow flocks, confirming he'd finally shaken them off. These flying demon beasts traveled in massive swarms and pursued relentlessly—if you got caught, you became their next meal. Wasting time dodging the flock had set him back, so from then on, he hopped onto his flying treasure and shot straight toward Dancheol Fortress's market.
Another day later, the black walls of Dancheol Fortress loomed in the distance. Home to the Gaun Mountains' finest artifact refiners and formation masters, its walls were towering and impregnable, guarded for ages by grand formations. When outside forces invaded the Gaun Mountains, the Black Iron City of Dancheol Fortress had never once fallen—an unbreakable bastion.
He approached the overwhelmingly majestic black gates. Core Formation initial-stage disciples of Dancheol Fortress stood guard.
"State your affiliation."
Pulling out his identity token from his storage ring, he replied, "Senior Brother, I'm Yuseong of Unkak Sect. I've come to visit Dancheol Fortress's market."
The Dancheol Fortress disciple checked the token and handed it back. "A disciple of Unkak Sect, eh? Go on in. But just so you know, even Unkak Sect disciples get punished for causing trouble inside the walls—watch yourself."
"I'll stay quiet and trouble-free, then head back."
Inside Black Iron City, splendid towering halls lined the streets, with cultivators zipping overhead. So this is Dancheol Fortress, he thought. Cultivators and mortals mingled freely, filling the streets with people, yet perfect order reigned—no brawlers or troublemakers in sight. Of course, no bold disciple would pick a fight here. And mortals revered cultivators like immortals, so they posed no issue.
Visiting Dancheol Fortress for the first time, he wandered around, taking it all in. Unkak Sect was quiet, inhabited solely by cultivators, but here mortals lived alongside them, their districts buzzing with noise. Feeling the mortal world's vibe for the first time in ages, he concealed his energy and headed to the mortal areas, grabbing food and drink.
Ever since entering the cultivation world, he'd been on constant edge, like walking a blade's edge. Mingling with mortals eased his mind. He ducked into a random tavern run by mortals and ordered unfamiliar dishes.
Thanks to the Yin-Yang Art, his once-average looks had improved noticeably, drawing women who threw flirtatious glances his way. But intercourse with mortals held no appeal, so he smiled and turned them down. Had they known he was a cultivator, they wouldn't have approached.
Chatting and drinking with the mortals, he asked about the market for cultivators. "This is the outer city—you'll need to head to the inner city for the cultivators' market," a young man drinking with him answered politely. He'd probably just realized Yuseong was a cultivator.
"I don't have much to offer, but I can ensure you live long and healthy." He placed a hand on the young man's back and burned away all the turbid energy in his body with a surge of magical power. With all accumulated impurities purged, the man should enjoy a life free of illness.
"Thank you so much. How can I ever repay this kindness...?" The young man bowed deeply in gratitude.
With a wave, Yuseong gestured for him to rise, then left the tavern. Occasional breaks mingling with mortals aren't so bad, he mused.
Leaving the mortal districts, he headed to the inner city for Dancheol Fortress's market. No mortals here—only cultivators roamed the streets. Deeper in, grand halls stretched in rows, unmistakably shops for cultivators, bustling with disciples coming and going.
To find a refiner for his formation treasure, he asked around the shops. After checking several, he struck gold. A middle-aged man, seemingly Core Formation mid-stage, spoke up. "You want a formation treasure made from Black Ironwood?"
"Yes."
"Black Ironwood's fine material. Let me see it."
He pulled the Black Ironwood from his storage ring and showed it.
"Hm, good enough for a solid formation treasure. What's your payment?"
"How about thirty low-grade spirit stones?"
The man shook his head. "Not enough for a formation treasure. Is thirty all you've got?"
Yuseong retrieved a Three-Eyed White Tiger's claw from his ring. "Thirty low-grade spirit stones plus this Three-Eyed White Tiger claw?"
The man examined the claw. "Ho, did you hunt a rank-3 Three-Eyed White Tiger yourself?"
"Yeah, nearly died doing it."
"The claw's in excellent condition. Deal."
He handed over the stones and claw. "When will it be ready?"
"Come back in a week. I'll make you a proper one."
"Got it. I'm ignorant of this—any idea what it is?" He pulled out the blood-red ore attached to the Three-Eyed White Tiger's heart.
"This! It's Blood Light Stone."
"Blood Light Stone?"
"Blood Light Stones are special spirit stones that absorb demon beast blood, refined over time in that blood. This one's naturally formed—rarer and more potent. Demonic path cultivators snap them up; perfect for their arts."
"Any good place to sell it for full value?"
The man pointed to a grand hall outside. "Dancheol Fortress hosts an auction once a year—tomorrow at Hwapyeong Pavilion. You'll get top price there. Even disciples from the Gaun Mountains' demonic sects like Blood Shadow Sect and Black Dark Sect will bid, so it'll sell for sure."
"Thanks for the tip. See you in a week."
"Safe travels."
With a cupped-fist salute, he left the shop and headed to Hwapyeong Pavilion. Its entrance screamed prestige, almost intimidating. But as a proud Unkak Sect disciple, he squared his shoulders and strode in confidently.
A servant guided him to a private room, where he sipped tea while awaiting the person the servant summoned. The room's opulent decor put his cave to shame—but no room could match his cave's cozy comfort.
About fifteen minutes later, a scholarly middle-aged man entered, radiating Core Formation late-stage aura. Yuseong stood and bowed. "Senior Brother, I'm Yuseong of Unkak Sect."
"Pleased to meet you. I'm the deputy pavilion master of Hwapyeong Pavilion. To business: you're here for tomorrow's auction?"
"Yes. I have an item to consign."
"The auction's open to Qi Refining through Core Formation. Items must be submitted in advance."
He had the Six-Armed Ghost's carapace and Three-Eyed White Tiger trophies. Sell the Blood Light Stone for spirit stones, then commission Baek Gong with the tiger hide for armor. From his storage ring, he produced the palm-sized Blood Light Stone and showed it to the deputy master.
Examining it closely, the man said, "Naturally formed Blood Light Stone—prime auction material. Got any spirit herbs or treasures to add?"
"No, just the stone."
The deputy master looked disappointed but pulled a full-face mask from his ring and handed it over. "This has a concealment spell. Wear it tomorrow in the underground auction hall."
"Understood. See you then."
"Don't forget to return it after."
Leaving Hwapyeong Pavilion, he spent the remaining time exploring unseen spots in the outer and inner cities, broadening his horizons. Satisfied, he checked into an inn nearby and meditated until morning.
Auction day arrived. At Hwapyeong Pavilion, crowds of cultivators had already gathered. Seeing them in masks, he donned his from the ring. With the concealment spell, even close acquaintances wouldn't recognize him.
A servant led him underground to a vast semicircular arena. A high stage held a long table center, with tiered seating for hundreds below—no obstructed views. Qi Refining disciples filled the first floor, Core Formation the second, divided by realm.
He grabbed a secluded seat on the first floor and observed the others. Probing with divine sense risked offending someone, so he just watched. All wore concealment masks and hid their auras—impossible to guess affiliations visually.
Bored, he ogled passing female disciples' fine figures. Some met his gaze with contempt, others sniffed and walked on, while a few brazen ones thrust out their chests invitingly.
About two hours in, seats nearly full, the Hwapyeong Pavilion deputy master took the stage. "First, thanks to all who've come. On behalf of Dancheol Fortress, we're grateful for your participation in this auction. Let us begin."