Chapter 83: Mirravele City
Rhain and Seris guided their Ironmane Chargers down the ridge, joining the massive influx of travelers approaching the towering iron gates.
Rhain’s Spiritual Sense casually swept over them.
In Greymist Town, these men would be revered elders commanding absolute respect.
"Halt. Entry toll is ten Aetherium Crystals per person. Mounts are free, but you are responsible for any damage they cause," a stern-faced guard declared, extending a gauntleted hand.
But Rhain didn’t even blink.
The guard weighed the crystals, gave a curt nod, and stepped aside.
Seris, riding beside him, looked a little troubled by the casual expenditure, but Rhain simply offered her a reassuring glance.
Then, they passed through the massive iron archway.
The streets were lively, paved with stones that stretched wide enough to easily fit ten carriages side-by-side.
"This place... it’s so crowded," she murmured, instinctively guiding her Ironmane Charger slightly closer to Rhain’s.
It didn’t take long for him to realize the disparity between this behemoth city and the remote Outer Frontier.
They walked the streets chatting casually.
As for the Essence Awakening Realm?
The very few Rhain did spot were young, barely in their early teens, yet having Level 7 or Level 8 cultivation bases.
And from time to time, the oppressive, heavy auras of Spirit Manifestation Realm experts drifted past them.
’A larger stage indeed,’ Rhain thought, a faint smirk appearing on his face.
Glancing through the open doors, Rhain saw Common-Grade and Uncommon-Grade artifacts, pills, and martial arts manuals displayed as casually as fresh vegetables. .
"—did you secure the entrance token? The Mirravele Auction House is hosting it in two days!"
"Fools, that’s just the appetizer. I have it on good authority that the Ashvele Clan and the Solari Clan are both liquidating assets to prepare massive funds for the finale. It’s supposed to be an Epic-Grade treasure."
’Mirravele Auction House...? An Epic-Grade treasure?’ Rhain narrowed his dark grey eyes.
He had a few of them sitting quietly in his System Inventory.
"If the Ashvele Clan and the Solari Clan are gathering massive funds for this auction, then their highest-ranking members will definitely be in attendance,’ Rhain thought inwardly.
However, as interesting as the upcoming auction sounded, Rhain was not someone who acted blindly.
Before he made any moves against a clan backed by Level 6 Core Formation experts, he needed a solid foothold.
Rhain turned his gaze toward Seris, who was still looking around the bustling plaza with wide, marveling purple eyes.
She immediately snapped out of her daze and looked at him. "Yes, Rhain."
"Okay." Seris nodded.
According to the instructions Fenwick Luo had provided back in Greymist Town, the Gilded Sparrow was located in the eastern commercial district of the city.
With the jade fox token resting safely in his spatial ring, Rhain was confident this contact would provide the leverage he needed.
They passed by massive merchant guilds, luxurious inns, and grand arenas.
After nearly an hour of riding through the sprawling metropolis, the chaotic noise of the main plaza began to gradually fade.
Up ahead, nestled between a massive pill pavilion and a luxurious silk boutique, stood an elegant, two story building.
A Copper Sparrow with golden lantern in its beak.
His eyes slowly swept over the figures moving in and out of the teahouse.
"Essence Condensation Realm...’
He was slightly bewildered by the sight.
The type who ran a modest tavern in some forgotten alleyway.
Rhain let out a quiet sigh.
"Let’s head inside," Rhain said quietly.
The moment Rhain entered the building, he felt a quiet elegance in the atmosphere.
The floors were crafted from polished jade-wood, reflecting the warm, golden light of the floating essence lanterns above.
It all felt arranged. Too neat.
She wore a tailored chenogasm of deep crimson, embroidered with subtle golden vines that curled along her cuffs and hem.
She was quite beautiful.
Her aura was also astonishingly at the fifth level of Essence Condensation Realm.
The receptionist blinked, her composure flawless.
"Welcome to the Gilded Sparrow, esteemed guests," she greeted, her voice soft and melodious. "Are you looking for a private pavilion, or perhaps to partake in our exclusive spirit tea tasting?"
"Neither," Rhain replied flatly.
"Oh?" The receptionist’s smile didn’t falter, though her eyes sharpened just a fraction. "And who might the esteemed guests be looking for?"
The smile on receptionist’s face froze for a second, and then she spoke with a harsh tone, "Sir, are you here to look for trouble?"