ONLINE: Blades of Eternity

Chapter 190 ALCHEMY AND PILLS

As Kaelen, Morris, and Ethan settled into their plush seats, the murmurs in the grand auction house grew silent as the lights dimmed slightly. A spotlight illuminated the stage, where an aged man with a long, wiry beard and mischievous eyes shuffled into view. He was dressed in a garb that seemed an odd mix of eccentricity and extravagance—a patchwork coat embroidered with golden runes that shimmered faintly under the light.

The man gave a dramatic bow, his thin frame leaning heavily on a twisted cane that looked more decorative than functional. His voice, raspy yet commanding, carried across the room.

"Welcome, esteemed guests, to the Valoria Grand Auction!" His arms spread wide as if embracing the entire audience. "I am your humble host and master of ceremonies for the evening, Osric Grindle—a humble purveyor of rare treasures and unparalleled wonders!"

Kaelen raised an eyebrow, leaning toward Morris. "This guy looks... interesting."

"Interesting is one way to put it," Morris whispered back, smirking. "He looks like the kind of guy who'd sell you a broken compass and swear it points to hidden treasure."

Ethan chuckled softly but kept his eyes on the stage.

Osric continued, his tone shifting to one of reverence. "Tonight's auction is no ordinary gathering, my dear friends. As you all know, we stand on the brink of the legendary Battle Convention—a time when the finest talents across the land gather to prove their might, their skill, and their destiny!"

A ripple of murmurs swept through the crowd at the mention of the convention.

"To commemorate this grand event," Osric went on, "we have curated an exquisite selection of items, artifacts, and relics—all of which are sure to bolster the strength and prestige of those lucky enough to claim them! From enchanted weaponry to rare elixirs, from forgotten tomes of ancient magic to treasures even the heavens would envy—tonight, fortune favors the bold!"

The audience erupted into scattered applause, though Kaelen noted that some attendees, like Kent Harrow and the mysterious moonlit lady, remained composed and unreadable in their expressions.

Osric tapped his cane twice on the stage, and a small orb of light floated to his side, projecting an image of a gleaming sword with intricate runes etched into its blade. "Let us begin with our first item: Aether's Edge! A blade forged in the heart of a falling star, infused with celestial energy. Perfect for those aiming to make their mark at the convention!"

Gasps echoed through the hall as the bidding began, the price skyrocketing almost instantly. Kaelen couldn't help but be captivated, his thoughts racing.

"Looks like this auction might be more exciting than I thought," Morris muttered, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

Kaelen nodded, his gaze fixed on the stage. As the auction progressed, Osric Grindle tapped his cane sharply against the stage, signaling a pause in the proceedings. A hushed anticipation swept through the hall as he gestured toward an ornate golden box that shimmered under the spotlight. Two assistants carefully placed it on the pedestal beside him.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Osric announced, his raspy voice dripping with excitement, "prepare yourselves, for I present to you a treasure unlike any other—a relic of unparalleled rarity and potency. Behold... The Phoenix Pills!"

The crowd erupted into gasps and murmurs of awe. Even from their seats, Kaelen could feel the shift in the atmosphere as nearly every gaze locked onto the golden box. When Osric opened it with a flourish, a faint, otherworldly light emanated from within, accompanied by a soft, almost musical hum. Inside lay three crimson pills, each glowing faintly as if imbued with a fiery essence.

"The Phoenix Pills," Osric continued, "crafted from the essence of a phoenix feather and a thousand-year flame lotus, are said to grant the user a miraculous boost in vitality, recovery, and cultivation potential. A single pill could make the difference between defeat and glory at the upcoming convention!"

The hall buzzed with excitement, and bids quickly soared, shouted from every corner of the room.

Morris leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with interest. "The Phoenix Pills... I didn't think I'd ever see one of these in person."

Kaelen, meanwhile, looked utterly baffled. "Pills? Why is everyone so worked up over... pills?"

A gasp rippled through the room as the price continued to climb.

Kent, unfazed, lazily lifted a finger. "Fifty thousand."

The tension in the hall was palpable. The crowd was riveted, watching the duel between the two young bidders.

Morris's jaw tightened as he raised the stakes. "Seventy thousand!"

Kent gave a faint chuckle and called out, "Eighty thousand."

The hall was abuzz, and Kaelen could feel the weight of the moment. He whispered to Morris, "Are you sure about this? That's a lot of gold."

"I'm not backing down," Morris replied firmly.

"One hundred thousand gold ingots!" Morris declared.

The crowd erupted into astonished murmurs, but Kent simply leaned back in his chair, clearly enjoying the spectacle.

"Hundred and fifty thousand," Kent said, his tone almost dismissive.

Ethan placed a hand on Morris's shoulder. "This is getting out of hand. Are you sure—"

Morris cut him off. "I've got this."

"Two hundred thousand gold ingots!" Morris shouted, his voice echoing through the hall.

The crowd fell into stunned silence. Even Kent raised an eyebrow, his smirk fading slightly. He didn't bid further, instead giving a slight nod of acknowledgment toward Morris before leaning back in his seat.

Osric, clearly elated by the outcome, struck his cane on the stage. "Sold! To the gentleman for two hundred thousand gold ingots!"

The hall erupted into applause and murmurs as the assistants carefully handed over the golden box to Morris's group.

Kaelen looked at Morris, a mix of awe and concern. "You really went all out for that, didn't you?"

Morris exhaled, still tense from the bidding war, but a satisfied grin spread across his face. "It's worth it. Although this just burned through half of the gold my old man gave me, these pills will give us an edge in the convention. Besides," he glanced toward Kent's section, "no way was I letting him have them."

Ethan shook his head, a small smile on his lips. "You're crazy, Morris. But... thank you."

Kaelen nodded, holding the box carefully. "Let's make sure this wasn't for nothing."

The three exchanged a determined glance, their bond strengthened by the experience.