Chapter 54: The Ji Clan Auction

Across the city, in the heart of the bustling commerce district, the Ji Clan prepared for one of their most anticipated events of the year: the Grand Auction. The Ji Clan estate was a stark contrast to the imposing grandeur of the Zhen Clan. Where the Zhen Clan exuded a sense of reserved, ancient power, the Ji Clan's headquarters buzzed with vibrant energy, reflecting their dominance in trade and commerce.

Their sprawling auction house, the Golden Exchange Pavilion, was a masterpiece of modern design, crafted from translucent spiritual crystals that refracted light into a dazzling array of colors. The pavilion's main hall could accommodate thousands of bidders, with tiered seating that provided a perfect view of the central stage, where treasures would be displayed.

Outside the pavilion, merchants, nobles, and cultivators of all ranks gathered in excited clusters, their hushed conversations hinting at the wonders to be auctioned. The Ji Clan's extensive network of suppliers ensured that their auctions were unrivaled. Tonight's offerings were no exception:

• Rare cultivation resources, including Phoenix Flame Lillies and three Headed Lion Essence, items so rare that they were considered myths by some.

• Techniques and martial arts scrolls, some said to have been retrieved from ancient ruins.

• Spiritual weapons and armor, each a masterpiece forged by the finest artisans in the land.

Inside, the Ji Clan elders finalized preparations. Ji Tianyu, the head of the clan, stood at the center of the planning chamber, a tall man with sharp features and an aura of authority. His voice carried over the room, crisp and commanding.

"Ensure our guests from the Azure Spirit Hall and the Silver Sword Sect receive priority seating. Their patronage is vital for our long-term agreements. Also ensure that the other four powers are taken care of to the best of your abilities"

A steward stepped forward, bowing slightly. "Yes, Clan Leader. We've also received confirmation that representatives from the Zhen Clan will attend. They've expressed interest in the ancient Nine-Seals Forging Technique that will be up for bidding."

Ji Tianyu's lips curled into a shrewd smile. "Good. Let them bid. Their resources are deep pockets we'll happily drain."

The Ji Clan had mastered the art of maintaining powerful alliances while profiting from their rivals. Their influence stretched across every major city in the region, their connections a web that ensnared cultivators, sects, and even royal houses. The Silver Sword Sect was one such example, they were the sole leader of the Silver Sword City, which didn't lose out in size to Norther Moon.

As the auction's start time approached, the energy in the pavilion grew electric. Cultivators from all corners of the land filed in, each eyeing the competition warily, their minds already calculating how much wealth they could part with to secure the treasures on display.

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Jiang Feng awoke to the faint light of dawn filtering through the curtains of his modest room. His body felt strangely light, as though a tremendous burden had been lifted. Stretching, he felt the power coursing through his veins, raw and untamed. Memories of the previous day flashed through his mind: Zhen Chen's unexpected gift, the pills that would assist his cultivation was a much needed resource. With a deep breath, he pushed himself off the bed, his curiosity driving him to the training room to assess the changes.

The training room was a simple but functional space, its walls reinforced with spirit-imbued stone to withstand the outbursts of cultivation energy and hundred of formation lines that absorbed shock evening. Jiang Feng seated himself in the center on the praying mat, his legs crossed and his breathing steady as he entered a meditative state. His focus shifted inward. The Skyforge Flame that dwelled within him flickered to life, its azure glow illuminating the dark recesses of his mind.

The flame burned stronger than ever, its heat tempered but more intense, as though it had been refined alongside him. He guided it carefully, testing its responsiveness. With a flick of his will, the flame leaped higher, wrapping around his hand in a spiraling coil. The energy was smoother, more obedient—almost eager to answer his commands.

Satisfied, Jiang Feng turned his attention to his heart, where the coiling dragon resided. The ethereal beast stirred as his consciousness brushed against it, its golden scales shimmering faintly. It had grown larger, its form more defined and life like. Each pulse of his heart sent a surge of energy through his body, accompanied by a faint draconic roar that resonated with his soul. He could sense the dragon's hunger, an insatiable need for power, for growth.

"What are you, really?" he muttered, his voice barely audible. But the dragon gave no answer, only coiling tighter around his heart as if to protect its secrets. Jiang Feng sighed, shaking his head. Whatever it was, he knew he needed to grow stronger to understand it fully.

Rising to his feet, he rolled his shoulders and clenched his fists, testing the newfound strength in his limbs. His movements were sharper, more precise, and his aura exuded a confidence he hadn't felt before. Then, as he stretched once more, a sudden realization struck him.

"The blacksmith shop!" he exclaimed.

He had completely forgotten about the Embersteel Blacksmith Shop—the place he was supposed to apprentice at. Grabbing his outer robe, Jiang Feng hurried out of the training room, guilt and anticipation warring within him. The shop had been his first hope after arriving here, a chance to earn a living while honing his craft. After everything that had happened, he couldn't afford to neglect his responsibilities.

As he stepped outside, the cool morning air filled his lungs, and the faint clanging of metal in the distance reminded him of the path he had chosen. Determined, Jiang Feng quickened his pace, the Embersteel Blacksmith Shop awaiting his arrival.

As Jiang Feng stepped out onto the bustling streets, the city was already alive with activity. Merchants shouted their wares, carts rattled over cobblestone roads, and the scent of fresh bread mingled with the metallic tang of smithing fires. He wove through the crowd, his mind flickering between thoughts of his newfound power and his duties at the Embersteel Blacksmith Shop.

Approaching the shop, the clang of hammer striking metal rang out in rhythmic precision. The sound was familiar, comforting even, and yet it carried an edge of urgency this morning. The shop itself was modest but not every well-maintained, its wooden sign emblazoned with a glowing embersteel logo that shimmered faintly under the sunlight. Jiang Feng took a deep breath as he pushed open the heavy door.

"You're late" behind a large furnace, the voice of the young blacksmith echoed, his voice cutting through the din like a hammer blow.

Jiang Feng bowed deeply, his voice steady despite the scolding. "Apologies, it won't happen again."

"Good. Get to work. There's a backlog of orders, and we've no time to waste. Start with the blade molds; they need refinement before the next pour."

Jiang Feng nodded and moved to the workbench, his hands instinctively reaching for the tools. The familiar feel of the hammer in his grip brought a sense of grounding, even as his mind wandered. The Skyforge Flame stirred faintly within him, and he suppressed the urge to experiment with its power here. This was a place of hard-earned skill, not reckless experimentation.

As the hours passed, Jiang Feng fell into the rhythm of the forge, each strike of his hammer blending with the chorus of clanging metal around him. Yet, a part of his mind remained distant, preoccupied with the changes to his body and the looming mystery of the dragon coiled around his heart. He glanced out the window at the rising sun, its light spilling over the rooftops of the city.

"Focus," he muttered to himself. The forge demanded his full attention, and for now, he would give it. But even as he worked, the thought lingered: his life had shifted in ways he couldn't yet understand, and the path ahead was anything but ordinary, with each pound of the hammer, his five meridians glowed as if being hammered themselves, his body unbeknownst to him, improved with his tool or piece he forged. Such was the bloodline of a true Blacksmith.