The calm in the Lower Realms was deceptive, like the calm before a raging storm. Li Xuan stood at the helm of his auction empire, yet his thoughts never strayed from the next move—every action was meticulously calculated, every word a stepping stone for what was to come. Behind him, the Karmic Refinement Pavilion continued its hidden work, siphoning energy from every thread of fate.
Li Xuan stood on the balcony of the pavilion, gazing at the chaotic scene unfolding in the distant city of Shu'an, the heart of his auction activities. The city's skyline was a sprawl of mismatched buildings, some gilded, others in ruins. But what caught his attention were the whispers—rumors of betrayal circulating amongst the most powerful factions in the Lower Realms. Li Xuan's lips curled into a cold smile. This was his doing.
The strings of fate could be woven and cut at will. Those who tried to resist him or acted out of turn were now faced with the consequences of their choices. A few had already died in strange circumstances—an assassin missing, an envoy struck down in broad daylight, a powerful merchant poisoned from the inside out.
None of it was an accident.
It was all a part of the grand plan.
"Master," General Ruoqi's voice broke through his musings, "the preparations for the next major auction are complete. Everything is in place."
Li Xuan turned to face his general. The man's posture was perfect, yet his eyes revealed a touch of uncertainty. General Ruoqi's loyalty was unquestionable, but even the most loyal servant could be a tool in the hands of fate.
"Good. It's time," Li Xuan said coldly, his voice devoid of warmth. "Send the signal to the elites and generals. The Celestial Auction begins tomorrow."
The Celestial Auction was different from anything that had come before. It would not be limited to the Lower Realms. Li Xuan's influence now extended far beyond, his reach touching even the Upper Realms, where cultivators of far greater strength resided. The auction would be held in the Astral Chamber, a place where the powerful gathered to trade not just treasures, but secrets—secrets that could alter the fabric of reality itself.
"Master, there is another matter," General Ruoqi hesitated. "There have been some unusual movements among the Divine Dao Sect. Their sect master, Mo Heng, has begun questioning the integrity of our transactions."
Li Xuan's eyes narrowed. The Divine Dao Sect had long been one of his most influential partners, and Mo Heng had been a valuable asset. But doubt was a disease, and once it took root, it spread quickly.
"If they question me, they'll regret it," Li Xuan muttered darkly. "Contact Xue Min. Send her to handle the situation."
Xue Min, Li Xuan's most trusted elite, was known for her precision in resolving delicate matters. She could dismantle a faction from within, exposing its weaknesses, without a single soul ever suspecting the cause. She would deal with the Divine Dao Sect as she had dealt with others who had foolishly crossed him.
---
Meanwhile, in the Divine Dao Sect, Mo Heng stood at the top of his grand mountain peak, overlooking the vast expanse of his domain. Despite the towering beauty of the landscape, his mind was troubled. For weeks, strange occurrences had plagued his sect—people had gone missing, powerful artifacts vanished without a trace, and whispers of betrayal echoed through the ranks.
At first, he dismissed them as coincidence, but the sense of dread had only deepened.
He had always been a pragmatist, but even his sharp mind could not ignore the undeniable pattern.
"Master," a voice called out, snapping him from his thoughts. It was Elder Xiang, a long-time friend and confidant. "There are rumors circulating that Li Xuan's influence has grown far beyond the Lower Realms. It is said that his auctions are no longer just about wealth, but power—dangerous, unexplainable power."
Mo Heng's eyes hardened. He had heard the rumors. But there was no confirmation. Only whispers. And for someone like him, whispers were deadly.
"I will not be a pawn in someone else's game," Mo Heng said, his voice low. "We will act before we are acted upon."
---
Back in the Karmic Refinement Pavilion, Li Xuan stood in a darkened room, illuminated only by the flickering light of the black flames that burned in the heart of the ritual circle. The floor was covered in a grid of golden sigils, each one representing a piece of the world's fate—a thread in the web of existence.
As he approached the center of the circle, a surge of energy crackled around him, a silent hum vibrating through the very air. The cultivation technique he had mastered—Voidheart Enlightenment Sutra—was reaching new heights, growing more powerful with every passing day.
He closed his eyes, feeling the connection between the realms, the distant Lower Realms, and the approaching Upper Realms. He could sense the unfolding drama—the panic among the Divine Dao Sect, the undercurrents of betrayal that had begun to take shape.
Li Xuan's lips curved into a smile.
It was time to tighten his grip further.
---
Xue Min had arrived at the Divine Dao Sect by nightfall. The cold air carried an ominous silence as she passed through the gates, her presence unnoticed by the ordinary cultivators who moved about in the shadows. To them, she was a ghost—silent, swift, and deadly.
Her orders were simple: find the source of Mo Heng's growing doubts and eliminate it. Whether the source was a person, a faction, or the sect master himself, it didn't matter. Her methods were never questioned. By the time the sun rose again, Mo Heng would no longer have the luxury of uncertainty.
---
Back at the auction headquarters, Li Xuan stood alone before a massive viewing orb, the image of the Celestial Auction forming in front of him. It was an intricate maze of light and shadow, shifting continuously to display the myriad treasures that would be sold, the bids that would be placed, and the outcomes that were yet to be written.
The stage was set.
And now, it was time for the final play to begin.
Li Xuan's grip on the world was tightening, the strings of fate pulled taut, ready to snap.
Every auction, every bid, every deal—it was all part of the grand design. The world would bend to his will.
-