The moon rose above the treetops, and the night deepened.
Outside Treasure-Gathering Tower in Protectorate Immortal City, streaks of Escape Light flashed and figures thronged as cultivators continued to arrive.
Dressed in a dark black Daoist robe, Li Quan quietly blended into a group of low-level cultivators, exchanging rumors about the auction in hushed voices.
At the same time, his eyes kept drifting toward Treasure-Gathering Tower, a yearning look in them.
"All right, stop looking around. That's not a place people like us can enter."
A Qi Refining cultivator patted Li Quan, his tone helpless.
The auction being held in Protectorate City this time was of an exceptionally high standard. Rare items such as Foundation Establishment Pills and Liquid-Transition Golden Core Elixirs were among the lots, keeping invitation prices sky-high and making even a single ticket hard to obtain.
At this very moment, even Foundation Establishment cultivators of some standing near Protectorate City could not secure invitations to the gathering, let alone Qi Refining cultivators like them, whose cultivation was low and who had yet to escape their status as captives.
"There's nothing wrong with broadening our horizons," Li Quan said longingly.
He could not attain Foundation Establishment or Golden Core, but surely he could at least take this opportunity to witness the bearing of Foundation Establishment and Golden Core cultivators?
"Enough, an honored guest is here. Hurry up and greet them!" Another cultivator hurried forward.
As captive servants of Protectorate City, their task today was simple: receive the guests and arrange places for the attending cultivators' spirit beasts and carriages, so that congestion would not develop outside Treasure-Gathering Tower.
Suddenly, a veiled figure in black robes paused, quickly stepping aside to let the Azure Jade Carriage sweep past. *Sure enough, Yun Chuyao's injuries are far worse than the rumors