Immortal Paladin

050 End of Book 1 - Yellow Dragon Festival

The auction had been running smoothly for a while. A few items went here and there—treasures, rare herbs, cultivation techniques—but nothing that really caught my interest. My gold coins even made an appearance, marketed as some kind of special metal that could be refined into a weapon.

The Isolation Path Sect had been aggressively bidding on all sorts of medicines, likely stocking up for the demon threat. A few wealthy merchants also participated, throwing spirit stones at artifacts and treasures that, to my untrained eyes, seemed… questionable in value.

Speaking of spirit stones—I had no idea how much they translated to Lost Legends Online gold coins or even mortal currency. The latter probably wouldn’t amount to much, but I couldn’t even begin to guess what a “high-grade” or “low-grade” spirit stone was worth. Did cultivators use them like credits? Were they a universal standard?

Old Song was doing a fantastic job as the auctioneer, though. His ability to introduce each item with just the right mix of intrigue and mystery was impressive. I could see why the Governor kept him around.

Still, something nagged at me. How exactly did Gu Jie get acquainted with this guy?

I made a mental note to ask later.

Slowly, the auction reached its climax. The air in the room shifted, the tension growing thick with anticipation.

Old Song adjusted his posture and gave a knowing smile. “And now, we move on to the final three items of the night.”

His voice took on a dramatic flair, waxing poetic about the significance of the upcoming treasures. He was clearly working the crowd, drawing out the suspense.

And then, the first of the three main items was unveiled.

I almost swore out loud.

It looked like a satellite dish.

Or maybe a radar?

The hell?

The object had a concave, metallic-like surface with faint inscriptions covering it. The moment I saw it, I had a gut feeling—it did not belong in this world. The other possibility was that… it belonged to one of those vanished civilizations.

Old Song smiled as he gestured toward the strange artifact. “This, dear guests, is a spell array of mysterious origins. It was discovered by an independent cultivator in the ruins of a forgotten kingdom. While its exact purpose remains unclear, scholars speculate that it was once part of a larger device.”

He chuckled, adding, “Now, I must be honest with you all—this artifact, in its current state, does nothing. However, its craftsmanship is extraordinary, making it an excellent antique or research piece for those interested in the arcane arts.”

The sect elders didn’t bid.

Not a single one of them even blinked at it.

But the rich folks? Oh, they were all over it.

The bids started rolling in fast, spirit stones being thrown left and right.

I sat there, fingers twitching, tempted to throw my own bid into the mix.

But I held back.

Because honestly? I had no idea how I could even use it.

I had a strong suspicion that this radar—spell array—whatever it was, had some connection to another world, maybe even my world. But that didn’t mean it would do me any good. Not unless I found the rest of whatever machine it was supposed to be a part of.

And then Old Song said something that made me pause.

“This artifact is not without precedent,” he remarked. “There are records from several vanished kingdoms that suggest they may have used similar technology.”

…Huh.

I suddenly recalled my conversation with Ren Jin. He had mentioned how the main continent had knowledge and techniques beyond anything in Riverfall. And now Old Song was casually name-dropping lost civilizations that might have wielded a level of technology that didn’t belong in a standard cultivation world?

Interesting.

I leaned back, watching as the bidding war escalated, the price climbing higher and higher.

Maybe I should’ve bid after all.

The auction continued, and eventually, the so-called spell array was won by a local aristocrat.

Not that I was surprised. The guy had been throwing spirit stones like they were pebbles in a pond.

It would’ve been fun if I could have crushed them with sheer financial power like in some of the auction tropes I knew—where the protagonist flexes their wealth and makes everyone kneel in awe.

But reality was cruel.

I had limited funds.

So I could only watch as the strange artifact slipped through my fingers.

Still, there was no point dwelling on it. The final two treasures remained.

Old Song clapped his hands. “Now, dear guests, our second-to-last item is something truly fascinating.”

A new attendant walked up, carrying a box with both hands. The moment he opened it, I felt my breath hitch.

Inside was an old, tattered tome.

…Why did that make my heart jump?

It didn’t look special at first glance. The cover was worn, its edges frayed. But something about it called to me.

Old Song stroked his beard. “This mysterious cultivation technique has baffled scholars and experts alike. No matter what method we use, the pages refuse to be pried open.”

I narrowed my eyes.

That… that sounded familiar.

Old Song continued, “Moreover, it is written in a strange language that no one has been able to decipher. An enigma, truly.”

I can read it.

The moment I focused, the title became as clear as day.

White Path of Paladin Legacy.

A Legacy Advancement Book.

How in the loving word of g—

I shot up from my seat.

“One hundred thousand spirit stones!”

Silence.

The entire auction house froze.

It was the highest starting bid ever made.

People turned to stare at me. Even Old Song blinked in surprise, his composure cracking for just a split second.

One hundred thousand spirit stones— that was insane. That was like the final bid for the previous treasure just a few seconds ago!

I clenched my fists. Damn it. If I let this slip through my fingers, I’d never forgive myself.

I turned to the three sect elders beside me. “I would owe you big time if you let me have this.”

Long Xieren and Lei Fen exchanged glances. They didn’t seem too opposed to the idea.

Pan Xia, though?

He looked conflicted.

Out of everyone here, he was the one who had the most awareness of my strength. I could tell he was struggling. A mysterious treasure like this—who wouldn’t want it?

But in the end, he let out a sigh and gave a reluctant nod.

I felt a little bad. It didn’t satisfy me one bit to play so unfairly.

But that Legacy Book would only have meaning in my hands.

The White Path.

I’d already unlocked it.

The White Skill Path in Lost Legends Online was entirely focused on healing magic and removing debuffs. Great Cure, Cure, Cleanse—these were staple spells, the kind that kept an entire party alive through the worst of battles.

It could also be used to keep your character alive.

If I wanted to expand my powerset and fuse it with the cultivation methods of this world, I needed this Legacy Book.

And it was mine.

No one else bid.

Not a single voice raised in competition.

Even those who might have been interested held their tongues, probably warned by their own people.

Like a tyrant, I claimed it for myself.

I exhaled slowly, forcing myself to calm down as I stored the Legacy Advancement Book inside my Item Box—but, to maintain appearances, I pretended to put it inside my storage ring.

That should throw off any prying eyes.

And I thought the surprises would end there.

Old Song clapped his hands again. "Now, honored guests, we arrive at the final item of tonight’s auction."

A large case was brought forth, adorned with intricate seals. Even before it was opened, I could feel something emanating from within—something cold, something pure.

The case was unlatched.

I stared at Long Xieren who was avoiding my gaze nervously. I remembered this dude being hyped about the weapon being a sword. I felt bad for him. Anyways, back to the case.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

Inside lay a spear.

A long, silver haft. A spearhead forged from an ice-blue metal, etched with glowing inscriptions.

The Spear of Holy Frost.

I stiffened.

That was definitely an LLO weapon.

A semi-legendary one, to be precise.

Legendary—because once per day, it could deal true damage in a single strike, bypassing all defenses.

Semi—because outside of that, its stats weren’t anywhere near an actual legendary weapon.

How the hell did it end up here?

Old Song stroked his beard. "A weapon of remarkable craftsmanship, discovered embedded in the deepest trench of the southern coasts by one of our Guild’s adventurers."

My mind raced.

This wasn’t like the Legacy Book. That had at least some excuse to exist here—maybe as an ancient, undiscovered technique.

But this?

This was a straight-up raid weapon from LLO.

What in the world was going on?

Did I want that spear or not?

Frankly, my gamer heart was screaming at me to grab it.

This was a raid-tier weapon, something that had taken entire guilds to farm back in Lost Legends Online. Even though Frost damage was a niche element, it had its moments—especially in boss fights against enemies weak to status effects like Frozen or Chilled.

But this wasn’t LLO.

This was their world.

And I wasn’t some overpowered protagonist who could just hoard every single rare item for myself.

Well… I could, but should I?

I leaned back in my seat, watching as the auction heated up.

This continent probably needed the Spear of Holy Frost more than I did. It wasn’t like I lacked powerful weapons—hell, my Item Box had enough resources to put most cultivators to shame.

So I let it go.

The bidding war started immediately.

Sword Canopy and Cloud Mist went at each other, raising the price by the thousands in spirit stones. A few aristocrats tried to throw their weight in, but they were quickly outmatched.

It was fast. Brutal. Neither side wanted to lose.

But in the end, the spear went to Pan Xia.

Probably because he still had more funds left after not being able to buy the Legacy Advancement Book.

Pan Xia let out a deep breath as the final bid was called. He shot me a glance—one that was half frustration, half gratitude.

I smirked.

At least someone here was having a good day.

Lei Fen looked glum.

Long Xieren? Not so much. If anything, he seemed amused—probably at how this whole auction played out. Meanwhile, Pan Xia let out a long, relieved sigh as he held onto the spear like a lifeline.

And with that, the auction came to an end.

Old Song clapped his hands together, a genial smile spreading across his face. "Ladies and gentlemen, I thank you all for participating in this fine evening. As a token of appreciation, I have arranged a feast to celebrate our esteemed guests and patrons. Please, enjoy yourselves."

At the announcement, servants immediately began preparing tables, bringing out dish after dish, each more extravagant than the last. The sect elders, however, exchanged knowing looks.

Long Xieren rose to his feet. "I’ll take my leave. This has been enlightening."

Lei Fen nodded, though he still looked sour over losing the spear. "I should return as well. Matters of the sect await."

Pan Xia hesitated for a second longer, but he, too, stood.

I wasn’t surprised. This was xianxia—eating random food was a huge no-no for serious cultivators. Some believed it tarnished their cultivation, building up impurities. Others simply saw it as unnecessary.

But me?

I loved food.

"I owe each of you a favor," I reminded them before they left. "So if there’s anything you need from me, just ask."

Long Xieren smirked, tilting his head slightly. "That’s a dangerous promise, friend. I’ll be sure to remember that." This guy really liked using the word ‘friend’ huh?

Lei Fen merely gave a stiff nod, while Pan Xia still seemed unsure about how to feel about me. Not my problem.

With that, the three elders left, leaving me to enjoy the real reward of the night—the food.

The feast was held in the same hall, but now the auction stage had been repurposed as a buffet display. Massive platters of roasted meats, fresh vegetables, and fragrant rice lined the tables. The scent alone was enough to make my mouth water.

The first thing I noticed? The seasoning.

This world had no shortage of powerful warriors, but they also had powerful flavors.

The grilled meat had a rich, smoky aroma, marinated in an herbal glaze that left a slight numbing sensation on my tongue—probably Star Anise Peppercorns or something profound sounding. There was a dish of golden-fried tofu, its surface crisp but soft within, swimming in a thick, umami-rich sauce. Pickled vegetables, fermented in some kind of brine, added a sharp contrast to the heavier dishes. And the rice? Perfectly sticky with just a hint of sweetness.

I took my time eating, savoring every bite.

Back in my past life—or rather, whatever fragmented memories I had, thank you [Corruption]—I’d been a stress eater. Even here, where my body didn’t need food in large quantities, the act of eating still brought me comfort.

Unfortunately, comfort didn’t last long when aristocrats and merchants started flocking toward me.

"So, young hero, you must have quite the discerning eye to recognize such treasures—"

"Would you be interested in a partnership? I happen to have access to—"

"Surely someone of your talents wouldn’t mind sharing a few insights into—"

I barely resisted the urge to groan.

Socializing like this was the worst.

Thankfully, I spotted Old Song standing in the corner, watching everything unfold with a knowing smile.

"Excuse me," I muttered, making a quick escape.

Old Song raised a brow as I approached. "Trouble already?"

"You have no idea," I muttered, grabbing a cup of something that smelled vaguely alcoholic. "Mind if I hide here for a bit?"

He chuckled, nodding. "Be my guest."

And just like that, Old Song became my social shield.

I took another sip from my cup, letting the warmth of the drink settle in. “By the way, Old Song, thanks for providing those mundane books for me.”

He chuckled, waving a hand dismissively. “Oh, that was no trouble at all. It’s not often I get a request for books of all things. Most young cultivators only care for weapons, techniques, or riches.”

I nodded. “Knowledge is power too. And speaking of that… what’s Gu Jie’s relationship with you?”

Old Song raised a brow, then let out a low hum, as if considering his words. “Ah, her. She’s an interesting one. Worked for the Guild for a while—freelance, like most adventurers do. No formal ties, but she took on jobs when it suited her.”

That… actually explained a lot.

“She doesn’t seem like the type to work with an organization,” I mused.

“Oh, she wasn’t,” Old Song admitted with a grin. “She never stayed long in one place, never took orders, and never let herself get too involved. But she got things done. That’s the kind of people the Guild values. The free spirits, the capable hands willing to handle the dirtier work.”

That got my interest. “So, tell me about the Adventurer’s Guild. What’s it really like?”

Old Song didn’t hesitate to answer. “It’s a relatively new organization, been around for at least five centuries. The guild operates under a simple philosophy—uncover the world, chart its lands, and protect the people from threats like demonic beasts, monsters, and whatever horrors lurk in the dark.”

That sounded noble, but something in his tone suggested there was more to it.

I tilted my head. “And yet, you guys seem to have a… flexible sense of morality.”

He grinned. “You catch on fast. The Guild isn’t just some righteous order of heroes. We deal in the grey areas—places most sects, clans, or noble houses won’t touch. We regulate the begging networks, maintain order among the criminal elements, and even set up ways to build legal connections with local governments.”

I blinked. “Wait, you regulate begging?”

Old Song shrugged. “You think those street beggars are just random folks down on their luck? No, lad. In many places, there’s an entire system behind them. Some are spies, some are informants, some are even runners for underground markets. The Guild ensures that system doesn’t collapse into pure chaos.”

I took a moment to process that. “That’s… disturbingly efficient.”

“The Guild has to be,” Old Song said simply. “We operate in the shadows just as much as we do in the light. And if you’re wondering why sects or noble families tolerate us, it’s because we keep things manageable. We provide information, handle threats, and make sure no one gets too powerful without someone knowing about it. Hopefully, Governor Ren Jin sees value in our work.”

That was a little too close to how things worked in LLO. Adventurers there had their own systems—reputation, ranks, an economy dictated by supply and demand. But here, it seemed more… integrated. Less of a guild, more of a shadow government in some places.

“And you?” I asked, narrowing my eyes. “How long have you been part of all this?”

Old Song laughed. “Not long at all! I’m just an old man who happened to be in the right place at the right time. I know little about the Guild, but if you are interested in our story, feel free to ask. For example, how they started with just a small tavern.”

I leaned back in my chair, staring at him with newfound appreciation.

“Tavern?” I asked, recalling LLO again.

“Aye,” Old Song said with a nostalgic sigh. “Down south, in the archipelago. Just a humble little place where mercenaries, explorers, and wanderers gathered. Over time, it grew—spreading to different lands, adapting to different cultures. Now? It’s on multiple continents, operating in ways even I don’t fully understand.”

That was… fascinating. A small tavern turning into a continent-spanning organization? That kind of progression reminded me of how LLO’s guilds worked—except this was xianxia.

I grinned. “Well, Old Song, that’s one hell of a story.”

He raised his cup. “And it’s far from over, lad.”

Old Song and I continued our conversation, letting the sounds of the feast fade into the background. The food was great, the company was tolerable, and most importantly, I was getting information.

"So, Gu Jie," I started, rolling my cup between my fingers. "What else can you tell me about her?"

Old Song hummed thoughtfully. "What, you interested in her?"

I scoffed. "Not in that way. Just trying to understand her a bit more."

"Fair enough," he said, stroking his short silver hair. "She’s always been a loner, but that doesn’t mean she’s without allies. She has connections. Powerful ones. Not just within the Guild but also among rogue cultivators and even some unorthodox sects. She’s the kind of person who can disappear one day and resurface years later with a whole different identity if she wanted to."

That tracked with what I knew of her. "She ever mention anything about her past?"

"Not much," Old Song admitted. "But from what little I gathered, she was once part of something bigger. Something that collapsed."

I frowned. "Like a sect?"

"Maybe. Or a clan. Or something else entirely," he mused. "All I know is, whatever it was, it left her wary of organizations that demand loyalty."

That explained her independent streak. Still, I filed that information away for later.

After a while, the conversation shifted to something more practical. "How long would it take to reach the main continent?" I asked.

Old Song sipped his drink before answering. "Depends on your method of travel. At a mortal’s pace? Years. If you had a good ship and favorable winds? Maybe half a year. But if you're flying on a sword, like a proper cultivator? About a month."

A month? That was much faster than I expected, but still, a month was a long time. It made me wonder…

"Why a hundred sunrises?" I muttered.

Old Song raised a brow. "Hmm?"

"The Emperor’s invitation," I clarified. "I was given a hundred days before I was expected to meet him. That’s a lot more than what’s necessary for travel. Why give me so much time?"

Old Song leaned back in his chair, considering my words. "That is interesting. The invitation wasn’t exactly private either. The whole city heard it."

"Exactly," I said. "Which means you must have heard it too. So what do you think? Why so much time?"

Old Song exhaled through his nose, rubbing his chin. "If I had to guess? The time frame is for you, not them."

I frowned. "For me?"

"A choice," he said. "Or maybe a buffer."

I narrowed my eyes. "A buffer? Why would I need a buffer?"

Old Song shrugged. "That, I can’t say. The Guild’s influence only reaches so far, and the Imperial Court? That’s way beyond our usual reach. However, if I had to hazard a guess…" He tapped a finger against the table. "The demon attacks might not just be happening here in Riverfall. Maybe they are expecting ‘accidents’ on your travel."

I stiffened.

That… made too much sense.

After the feast, I made my way back to the Governor’s manor, my mind heavy with everything I had learned. The streets of Yellow Dragon City were quieter now, the excitement of the auction settling into the night air. I wasn’t sure how I felt about any of it. The Legacy Advancement Book, the strange artifacts, the Adventurer’s Guild, and now the possibility of a greater demon threat beyond Riverfall… It was a lot to take in.

By the time I reached the Golden Sun Pavilion, I found Gu Jie and Jiang Zhen deep in conversation, their voices low but animated. They were seated at a table, tea between them, with Jiang Zhen gesturing as he spoke.

“Refining your Qi is a delicate process,” Jiang Zhen was saying. “You don’t just absorb energy. You must guide it, temper it, refine it.”

Gu Jie scoffed. “And yet half the time, cultivators just sit and breathe, hoping for a breakthrough.”

Jiang Zhen sighed. “It’s more than just breathing.”

I smiled to myself as I stepped into the room. “You two are still at it?”

Both of them turned to look at me. Gu Jie raised a brow. “You’re back.”

Jiang Zhen nodded. “How was the auction?”

I walked over and pulled up a chair. “Interesting. Informative.” I leaned back. “Also, expensive.”

Jiang Zhen chuckled. “Did you buy anything?”

I tapped the storage ring on my finger. “A book. A very, very important book.”

Gu Jie studied me for a moment before speaking. “And?”

“And I owe some people a favor now,” I admitted. “Big ones.”

She smirked. “That’s how it starts, Master.”

I let out a breath and glanced around the room. It had been a week since I arrived in this world. Seven days. That wasn’t a lot of time in the grand scheme of things, but so much had happened already that it felt longer. I had a direction now—things I needed to do, questions I needed answered.

Still, I couldn’t help but wonder.

“In ten years…” I murmured, more to myself than anyone else. “Where will I be?”

Gu Jie tilted her head. “What?”

I shook my head. “Nothing.”

Because honestly? I had no idea what to make of everything just yet.

As I sat with Gu Jie and Jiang Zhen, a distant rumble shook the night. It wasn’t thunder. The sky was too clear, the stars scattered across the heavens like specks of silver dust. Then, a sharp crack split the air, followed by an explosion of golden light.

I stood and stepped toward the window. Outside, fireworks bloomed in the night sky, their dazzling bursts illuminating the city in waves of vibrant color. Reds, blues, and greens flickered like embers before fading into smoke. The people of Yellow Dragon City cheered in the distance, their voices echoing through the streets.

Then, amidst the cascading sparks, something moved.

A serpentine figure slithered through the sky, coiling between the bursts of light. It shimmered like molten gold, its scales catching the glow of the fireworks. A dragon. No, the dragon—the Yellow Dragon itself. Its long body undulated, trailing ribbons of golden mist as it wove through the night.

I stared, barely blinking. “Is that…?”

Jiang Zhen stepped up beside me, following my gaze. “The city’s namesake,” he said. “A manifestation of its spirit.”

Gu Jie scoffed. “A trick. An illusion.”

“Perhaps,” Jiang Zhen mused. “But does it matter?”

The dragon roared, a deep, resonant sound that rippled through my chest. It wasn’t just a beast of light and mist. It felt real. And for a moment, I wondered—was this a construct of Qi? A guardian spirit? Or something else entirely?

Whatever it was, it soared above the city, a beacon of majesty and power, watching over its people as the fireworks continued to paint the sky.