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?"

Morris froze mid-thought and turned to Kaelen, his expression a mix of disbelief and exasperation. "Are you serious? You don’t know what pills are? But you do know that they are made through alchemy right?"

Kaelen shrugged sheepishly. "I mean, I know pills are medicine, right? But... alchemy?"

Morris covered his face with his hand, clearly at a loss for words. Ethan, however, sighed and decided to take the lead.

"Alright, Kaelen," Ethan began patiently, "alchemy is an ancient craft that combines magic, herbs, and rare ingredients to create items like pills, elixirs, and potions. These aren’t your ordinary medicines. Alchemy products can enhance cultivation, heal grave injuries, or even strengthen someone’s body or soul."

Kaelen tilted his head, intrigued. "So, it’s like magic but... focused on making stuff?"

"Exactly," Ethan nodded. "And pills, like the Phoenix Pills, are among the most sought-after creations in alchemy. They come in various types with unique effects. Some enhance strength, others accelerate healing, and rare ones, like those," he gestured to the stage, "can elevate someone’s potential dramatically."

Morris finally recovered from his shock, leaning back with a huff. "How have you gotten this far without knowing about alchemy? You’re lucky Ethan’s got the patience to teach you."

Kaelen grinned sheepishly. "Guess I’ve been too busy swinging swords to learn about magic medicine."

’And I have been constantly provided with pills from my system. But I think I shouldn’t voice this one out yet’

Ethan chuckled softly. "Well, consider this your crash course. Alchemy and its products can make or break someone’s journey in cultivation. The Phoenix Pills could push someone to heights they never imagined."

Kaelen’s eyes returned to the stage, where the bidding war was in full swing. For the first time, he began to grasp why these pills, and alchemy itself, held such importance in a world driven by power and potential.

The atmosphere in the auction house grew electric as the bidding for the Phoenix Pills reached a fever pitch. Morris leaned forward, his hand raised as he confidently called out, "Twenty-five thousand gold ingots!"

Kaelen and Ethan exchanged wide-eyed glances, realizing the seriousness of Morris’s determination. Whispers and murmurs echoed through the hall as the price soared past the initial estimates.

But just as Osric Grindle was about to call the bid, a calm yet commanding voice interrupted.

"Thirty thousand gold ingots," came the voice from the VIP section.

All heads turned toward Kent Harrow, who sat casually, a faint smirk playing on his lips. His voice carried a weight of confidence that made the hall fall silent for a moment.

Morris scowled, his displeasure evident. "That guy…" he muttered.

Kaelen quickly turned towards where the voice came from as he said. "Who’s so bold?"

"It’s must be Kent Harrow since it’s coming from the booth he went into," Ethan answered in a hushed tone. "The Affinity God. He’s from the Dawning of Magic academy."

Morris clenched his fists. "I don’t care who he is. Those pills are for us."

He raised his hand high. "Forty thousand gold ingots!"

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.

Visit frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓ for the b𝘦st novel reading experience.

"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.