Across the hall, in a separate soundproofed VIP box on the opposite upper tier, the second bidder — Zephyr Kane— sat motionless, his sharp gaze fixed on the Syndicate representative’s box. Zephyr Kane was a tall, lean man in his apparent mid-forties, with pale skin, midnight-black hair cropped close to his skull, and piercing silver eyes that seemed to cut through distance itself. He wore a simple but impeccably tailored dark gray robe edged with faint silver runes that pulsed faintly with restrained power. No flashy augs were visible, yet an aura of quiet, overwhelming authority radiated from him. He had been the one who calmly outbid the Syndicate earlier, refusing to yield even when threatened. Zephyr Kane had been observing the Syndicate box closely ever since the bodyguard Korrath Vex had returned in that swirl of black smoke. He had noticed the sudden appearance, the kneeling bow, the brief conversation, and then the activation of the privacy device. At first he had tried to extend his Qi senses toward the box, pushing gently to listen in on the discussion. The soundproofing of the VIP rooms blocked most ordinary eavesdropping, but Zephyr Kane was no ordinary cultivator — his perception was refined enough to pierce ordinary barriers. This time, however, something else stopped him cold. A secondary layer of interference — a compact forcefield — had snapped into place, severing all attempts to overhear or scan the conversation. The blockage was clean, professional, and deliberate.

He suspected a high-grade privacy device, the kind used by major syndicates or powerful lone operators who valued absolute secrecy. Zephyr Kane paid it no outward mind, but his posture shifted ever so slightly. His silver eyes narrowed, and his fingers rested lightly on the arm of his chair, ready to react at the slightest sign of hostility. He remained cautious, on full guard. If the Syndicate decided to turn their anger into action before the auction ended, he would be prepared. He had faced worse threats in his long wandering years, and he had no intention of being caught off guard.

Down on the main stage, the host — the refined Elyssan in flowing silver robes — clapped his hands once to regain the crowd’s full attention. The earlier tension from the bidding war and aura clash had eased, but the atmosphere remained charged with anticipation. The auction was now in full swing, and the host’s voice rang out clear and professional.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we continue with our fourth item of the evening.”

Four Veyari hostesses carried a new pedestal onto the stage, the object upon it covered by a rich black velvet cloth embroidered with faint golden runes. They set it down with ceremonial care and, at the host’s signal, pulled the cloth away in one smooth motion.

A collective murmur rippled through the hall.

Resting on the pedestal was a single, beautifully crafted cybernetic arm — an advanced aug replacement that looked both elegant and terrifyingly powerful. It was modeled after high-end combat prosthetics but far surpassed anything commonly seen on frontier worlds like Vorthex Prime. The arm was sleek and streamlined, forged from a rare black-silver alloy that seemed to drink in light while simultaneously reflecting it in subtle, shifting patterns. Intricate glowing blue runes ran along its length like living circuits, pulsing softly with contained energy. The fingers were long and articulated, ending in razor-sharp tips that could extend into claws or blades at will. The forearm housed visible ports for weapon modules, and the shoulder joint was reinforced with layered precursor plating that allowed seamless integration with almost any body type.

The host stepped forward, gesturing grandly toward the arm.

“This is the Voidfang Augment Arm — a one-of-a-kind combat prosthesis recovered from the ruins of warship. It is designed for seamless fusion with the wearer’s nervous system and Qi meridians, much like the advanced models used by elite operatives, but this one is in a league of its own. Once bonded, it becomes an extension of the body, adapting instantly to the user’s cultivation level. It is equipped with a retractable plasma edge that can slice through reinforced alloy and stone with ease, a built-in Qi disruptor that can temporarily sever an opponent’s energy flow on contact, and a high-density energy cannon embedded in the palm capable of firing concentrated blasts strong enough to punch through reinforced bunker walls. In addition, it features a self-repair function that draws ambient Qi to heal damage in seconds, an absorption matrix that can siphon small amounts of enemy Qi during close combat to bolster the wearer’s own reserves, and a stealth mode that dampens all energy signatures for silent operations. At full power, it can generate a short-range shockwave that levels everything within ten meters. This is not merely a replacement limb — it is a weapon of war, perfectly suited for those who walk dangerous paths. Its destructive potential is immense, and its compatibility makes it ideal for cultivators seeking an edge in both close-quarters and ranged combat.”

The arm itself seemed to radiate power. A faint, oppressive aura leaked from it even while deactivated — cold, sharp, and hungry. Several lower-level guests in the main hall shivered involuntarily as the aura washed over them. Even some mid-tier cultivators leaned forward, eyes wide with desire. The item was not flashy like the Mindweaver Crown, but its raw destructive capability and practical power made it instantly appealing to those who lived by the blade.

Lian watched intently through the narrow peephole from the hidden compartment, his void eyes locked on the aug arm. It reminded him strongly of Elara’s own cybernetic limbs — elegant, functional, deadly. But this one was on another level entirely. He could feel the destructive potential even from this distance. If Elara had something like that... the thought flickered through his mind before he pushed it aside. They had no money for such treasures. Still, he memorized every detail the host described, filing it away for future reference.

Elara, standing beside him, leaned closer to the peephole. Her blue cyber eyes narrowed slightly as she studied the arm. She said nothing, but Lian could sense the quiet interest in her posture — the way her alloy fingers flexed unconsciously at her side.

Zephyr Kane, still watching from his box, allowed himself a brief, calculating glance at the item before returning his attention to the Syndicate box. He noted the representative’s relaxed posture and the absence of the bodyguard. His caution did not waver. He remained on guard, ready for any sudden movement or attack.

The host continued smoothly, his voice carrying perfectly through the hall.

“Bidding will begin at eighty million credits.”

Power Scale / Cultivation Realms (Quick Reminder)

Foundation Realm (Layers 1–9): Body forging, no external Qi.

Circuit Awakening Realm (Early–Peak): First Qi loop, internal bursts.

Core Condensation Realm (Early–Peak): External Qi release, short flight.

Stellar Circuit Realm (1–9 Stars): True flight, Qi armor, energy projection.

Nebula Dominion Realm and higher: Domain control, galaxy-level power, etc

Power Scale Reminder

Lian Yu: Stellar Circuit Star 1. A new breakthrough.

Elara Voss: Core Condensation Early to Middle

Eternal Veil Syndicate: A powerful organization with higher-ups at Nebula Dominion and at least one Void Ancestor- level.

The Four Pillars: the most powerful organizations in the lower core universe — ancient, influential, and dangerous beyond measure.

Keep it as reminders