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Chapter 4: Hidden Circles, Hungry Hearts
The auction was an invitation-only event, held in a secret location known only to those who had attained a certain level of influence in the Hidden Circle. Invitations were given out with the discretion of the most powerful cultivators, often as a test of loyalty—or a demonstration of wealth. Either way, it was an event for those who sought something more than just power.
And for Tian Mo, it was an opportunity.
Anna and Yin Hua had made all the preparations, slipping into the upper echelons of society with ease. But it wasn't just the connections that intrigued him—it was the Forbidden Artifact rumored to be up for auction. An ancient jade scroll said to hold the secrets of the Void Shattering Realm, a technique lost to time but capable of accelerating a cultivator's path.
Such an artifact could easily launch Tian Mo into a higher realm, maybe even break the limits of Earth's cultivation. But there was something else—something far more intriguing.
Li Wei, a beautiful and powerful woman raised to be the perfect vessel for the world's strongest cultivators, was to be auctioned as well. Her body was the epitome of purity—her meridians untainted by sexual intercourse or chaos. She was said to have the Celestial Jade Physique, one of the rarest and most coveted forms of cultivation compatibility.
She would be the perfect addition to his empire. A flawless beauty, strong in cultivation, and desperate to escape the torment of being a "sacred" vessel for others' desires.
The night of the auction, Tian Mo arrived cloaked in charm and danger. His aura was subtle but powerful, radiating an alluring magnetism that drew people in without them understanding why. The room seemed to hold its breath as he entered.
Anna was at his side, her eyes gleaming with loyalty and desire. She had already worked her magic, setting up the perfect scenario for him to meet the key players in this game. Yin Hua was already mingling in the shadows, slipping unnoticed among the crowd, ensuring that the connections he needed would be made.
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The Auction House
The building was hidden beneath the façade of an exclusive high-end art gallery. Once inside, Tian Mo couldn't help but admire the elegance of the setting. The grand hall was bathed in golden light, a giant circular platform at the center where artifacts and individuals would be presented for bidding.
As the night wore on, various cultivators presented treasures, relics, and women. The bidding was fierce, but Tian Mo remained disinterested—until Li Wei was brought forth.
The moment she stepped onto the stage, the crowd fell silent.
Her beauty was ethereal, unnervingly perfect. Long, raven-black hair cascaded down her back, and her jade-like skin shimmered in the soft lights. Her eyes were closed, her expression serene, though there was an undeniable tension in her posture.
She was too perfect—a woman who had been trained and conditioned to be a vessel, a toy, a living relic. She was so pure, so untouched, that her very presence radiated a forbidden allure. The bidding began immediately.
"Three million!" someone shouted from the back, but the price quickly escalated, each bid more desperate than the last.
Tian Mo's gaze was fixed on her. He knew that even if he didn't want her for her body, he could use her to further his control over Earth's cultivation circles. The Celestial Jade Physique was a rare prize, one that could advance his cultivation, give him more power, and bring another weapon into his harem.
His eyes met the auctioneer's for a brief moment. A subtle nod passed between them.
This was his moment.
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The Bidding War
"Five million!" Tian Mo said smoothly, raising his paddle. His voice was calm, carrying a weight of authority that sent a ripple through the room.
The other bidders faltered, some casting wary glances at him. They had heard rumors of the new, mysterious cultivator who had been infiltrating high society. Some had even heard whispers of his unnatural speed in cultivation.
But none could underestimate him now. He was a force, and those who dared oppose him would pay the price.
"Seven million!" A high-ranking cultivator from the northern sects raised his bid, his face a mask of annoyance. He wanted Li Wei as much as Tian Mo did, if not more.
Tian Mo didn't flinch. "Ten million."
The crowd went still. Whispers spread like wildfire. The price of a human being, a living vessel, had reached astronomical heights. And yet, for Tian Mo, it was but a small investment for his growing empire.
"Fifteen million," the man from the northern sect gritted out, obviously frustrated.
Tian Mo smiled, his eyes dark with predatory intent. "Twenty million."
With that, the auction house went silent. No one dared challenge him further. He had not only outbid them—but asserted his absolute dominance. The auctioneer smiled and bowed, confirming the deal.
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Later That Night
In the private chambers of the auction house, Li Wei was brought to Tian Mo. She still had the aura of purity, but her eyes were filled with confusion and desperation. She had been raised for this moment, yet her soul yearned for something more than just a life of servitude.
Tian Mo stood before her, eyes roving over her trembling body. She had not yet been touched by another, and that innocence would be a tool he would use. He could sense her strength, her suppressed desires—soon, those would be his to command.
"Don't be afraid," he said, his voice like a velvet command.
Li Wei looked up at him, her gaze conflicted. "Who are you? What do you want with me?"
Tian Mo smirked. "I want what you've been denied. Freedom. Power. And when the time comes, I'll take what's rightfully mine."
He reached out, his fingers brushing against her skin, and Chaos Qi surged, marking her with a subtle sigil that bound her to him.
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The Aftermath
As Tian Mo left the auction house with his new acquisition, he felt the shifting tides of his power. Li Wei would be trained, molded into a powerful tool, and her beauty—her Celestial Jade Physique—would serve as a key element in his empire.
His eyes turned toward the horizon, where Earth's fate waited to be rewritten.
The Hidden Circle was just the beginning.
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