(Author: Hello! Surprise double chapter release. This story is getting fun to write. Agemo has successfully passed the second trial. However, he only has more questions about his past. If only he didn't lose memories as he scoured the galaxy to find a fresh body to house his soul. His memories are returning, but is it a good or bad thing? Both the Keeper of the Dead and the scientist who taught him both said he had done an unspeakable evil. Agemo and the participants are given a day's reprieve to recover from the first two trials and meet with their guardians. Agemo has many questions. Will Meng Ce be able to help sort them all out? What else did he find among the loot he took from the others? Enjoy.)

--------------Chapter 14: Korgar Auction House--------------------

"Congratulations to all who have passed," Julio announced, smiling as the trail ended after a half hour more.

"Seven hundred of you have successfully cleared the second trial. There are guest rooms in the northern complex behind the stadium where you will stay with your guardians. You have one day's reprieve to rest and recover the spirit energy you have lost while undergoing the trials," Julio nodded and gestured to the north. "From the third trial onward, you will participate alongside the one thousand mages who have passed out of the five thousand who initially started. How fun."

"I'll tell it to you straight. The fourth trial will take place in the royal family's personal hunting grounds. It will be a contest for obtaining demonic cores," Julio smiled and laughed.

"The fourth trial? What is the third trial?" one person asked, causing Julio to laugh again.

"Uncle?" Juliet asked, causing him to chuckle once more.

"Oh come now, princess. Don't make me spoil the fun," Julio smirked. "Your day of reprieve is the third trial. You see, the fourth trial is very dangerous. Your third trial will be....HAHAHAHA! It will be....HAHAHAHAHA! Reaching the second stage of Spirit Shaman cultivation. You see, of the seven hundred of you, there are about six hundred, give a few or dozen, who are still at the first stage. I don't like that. Not at all," Julio said darkly. "I made a bet with my dear sister. I will not allow the thirty two spots that represent the Practitioners be someone who could easily be defeated by a mage. The mages will lose. They have to. She also set a ridiculous trial and ordered all mages the rest of today and all of tomorrow to visit the various mage guilds and pick a profession or specialization. I will not lose! If you are of the second stage already, you really do have a day's reprieve and the rest of today. If not, don't expect to participate at the trials at dawn the day after tomorrow! The second stage is the first and easiest bottleneck, or lack thereof, to surpass. I expect results and accept only results. Get out and get to it!"

As Agemo was about to leave, Julio said, "You there, boy, wait a moment."

Agemo turned back and asked, "Did you need something, Spirit Master?"

"Of course I do, Shu of the Lu Clan and imperial family of the Yan Empire," Julio smiled mischievously as Agemo reached for his sword thought otherwise. "Yes, I know who you are. I visited your father's halls once and have seen Meng Ce before. Most of all, I recognize that ring. I have been alive for over three hundred years and I remember your twice great grandfather used to wear that same ring. He saved my life once. Worry not, for I will not reveal your identity here. Our nations have close ties after all and we both have more Spirit Knights and Masters under our command than any other nation, even the top ten nations of the entire world."

"May I ask what you want of me?" Agemo asked.

"Your ancestor once helped me, so I can return the favor. Do not just cultivate, blindly to the third stage. Meng Ce should also know this. There are is than one type of Archon body. The boy you beat in the first trial is of the norm among third stage Practitioners. Just a hint. Meng Ce should tell you more," Julio answered. "You should also know that what you have in the depths of your soul lake is a spirit reactor. How you formed it is unknown to me. Do not cultivate and make a breakthrough in front of others. It allows them to temporarily see a glimpse of your soul lake as I did when you transformed before the first trial."

"That demonic core and wings are a spirit reactor?" Agemo asked.

"Yes. Many ancient clans have their lineage create a spirit reactor. It always requires a rare demonic core about a foot long. It does not come from a magical beast or a demon. Its origins, I don't know. Only someone from the ancient Practitioner families would know," Julio nodded. "You have dual spirits, which means you must have used a death ritual to obtain it or suffered a state of death or close to it. You're not bad kid. You have a small chance, but a chance still, to oppose one of the ancient clans. They are far more talented than any human on the planet. Some are even born as Archons, Spirit Shamans of the third stage. Never cross one. Never cross one. I cannot stress that enough."

"As for the spirit reactor, it is what is causing your soul lake to expand and brim with power. Remember to form a true Archon body in the future. Maybe, just maybe, you have the chance to reach the tenth stage of Spirit Shaman and go down the Archon Fiend path instead of the Spirit Sage path. It is the only way to save your life if the ancient clans find out you have a spirit reactor. They dislike anyone who has the same potential as their own. They like being on top," Julio chuckled. "I've said what I needed to say. Whether you choose to heed my words or not, is up to you. Enjoy the reprieve and remember: never trust a mage. They aren't like us. Magic is....flexible and has a scope beyond reasoning."

"Thank you for your advice," Agemo bowed his head and left to find Meng Ce.

"Agemo, you've arrived. Nice work in the maze," Meng Ce laughed after Agemo found him as a half hour passed. "I've already secured the room. No one will be able to hear or sense anything inside the room. Let's just say, I have many interesting magical items thanks to our voyage in the vault."

"What is a true Archon body?" Agemo asked.

"Hmm? You know about that already?" Meng Ce frowned. "I didn't expect to tell you until you were ready. You see, once you reach the bottleneck, your body is restructured and changed into an immortal body. A true Archon body has about seventeen different variations. All seventeen methods are available to the public, but thirteen of them require a spirit reactor. Ancient Practitioner clans safeguard their methods of producing a spirit reactor. They are the main reason the Hyperion lose against humanity and are kept in the east. In return, the ancient clans ask that any who form a spirit reactor, within the agreed empires, are to marry within their clans. They are truly the world's leading power and continue to monopolize it. Our empire is not affiliated with them as we are not near Hyperion territory. The Great Ancestor, as well as the fourteen other Spirit Sage ancestors, don't need spirit reactors as their demonic blood has purity levels of the most high. Human methods don't apply to them. Your blood has a high purity level, but not on the scale as the likes of them. Too many generations have passed. It's a miracle your Spirit Pulse is a demonic red at all."

"I have a spirit reactor," Agemo said, stunning Meng Ce. "I didn't know it, but Julio, the Spirit Master, saw my soul lake as I made a breakthrough in my cultivation. He talked about our clan and mentioned meeting you."

"I didn't think he would remember so much about the Lu Clan," Meng Ce said. "You're lucky it was one of our allies who glimpsed your soul lake. In the future, never cultivate so openly. "As you have a spirit reactor, I'll hand you the thirteen methods. Keep them in your storage bag and review them upon reaching the peak. There is a chance you can walk the Archon Fiend path. Tell me, how far has your second spirit progressed?"

"It hasn't formed an outline yet and remains a bright red sun," Agemo answered, not surprised Meng Ce found out he had two spirits.

"A sun. Then it must be an armor spirit," Meng Ce said. "However, I doubt you can use all the elements. Why? It is because you have a beast spirit. Most likely, it is a non-elemental spirit. You noticed no changes in your soul lake right? The lake represents water if waves form upon it. In your case, it is true. Lightning and the bottom of your soul lake is dark. This also proves the existence of the elements of lightning and darkness. A non-elemental spirit. So it must be."

"Is that bad?" Agemo asked.

"No. Actually, it is quite common for the second spirit to be non-elemental because it is made from death energy. Shame it is not the tiger spirit that is the second spirit, but sometimes it is better to learn less to master more," Meng Ce shrugged. "As your guardian, I was told about the third and fourth trial. It is good you are at the middle of the second stage already. You can truly rest and prepare for the fourth trial. As you have a day off, I suggest going to the auction house tomorrow and sell the stuff you don't need and browse their wares. There are always vendors, outside the main auditorium, who sell their wares and buy lesser items outright. Don't bother cultivating here."

"I can understand the auction house, but why can't I cultivate?" Agemo asked.

"Heh, brat. Don't tell me you also don't realize it? Almost all of the Practitioners are still at the first stage. What do you think that means? They are bound to cultivate here. This place is not thick with spirit energy. They will suck it all up and expand to more areas to cultivate spirit energy while the area recovers. I expect many will fail unless they eat a demonic core or spirit pill," Meng Ce sighed. "Sort your loot and head to the auction house tomorrow. Don't worry. The only place that allows fighting is on sanctioned ground, such as the stadium and the clearing. No one will harm you here, even if you killed their whole clan outside the city and carried their skulls in a cart carried by a donkey. Trust me, I've seen it before. The survivor was livid, but he didn't dare suffer the opportunity and risk the punishment of a whole city guard comprised of Spirit Knights. I have errands to run. Good luck Agemo."

"So you're a spirit reactor huh?" Agemo observed as he stared at the giant demonic core in his soul lake. "It appears that the wings were somehow the catalyst. According to what I heard, there are usually methods to make a spirit reactor but they require this giant demonic core. The wings must have had a similar effect as those methods. I thought I was already powerful, for my age, but it seems there are others more gifted. This world is truly dangerous. I wonder how powerful those members of the ancient clans are?"

Agemo sighed and began to sort out his loot from his storage bag. After he finished sorting out what he would sell, he drank some lion wine to recover the spirit energy he lost as he cultivated to allow the spirit energy from the lion wine to flow throughout his body. He sighed with relief as he brooded over what happened today. The tournament was not bad. He was able to fight other people and see how they would fight.

Then he glanced over the titles of the thirteen books he received from Meng Ce. Each of them contained one of the various methods to attain a true Archon body. To his annoyance, the first page always had a warning that said that only the ancient clans could master the methods. It was as if only they were allowed to cultivate down the fabled Archon Fiend path. Each book gave a similar description of the Spirit Fiend Path.

Normally, there are only nine stages of Spirit Shaman cultivation, with Spirit Knight, Master, and Sage, also requiring nine stages. The spirit reactor allows the creation of a true Archon body. With it, you can attain the tenth stage of Spirit Shaman. From then on, there are four more tiers, instead of three. However, those tiers don't have nine stages. They just have the regular three states: beginning, middle, and peak state. However, advancing through each tier is incredibly more difficult than the orthodox Spirit Sage path.

First Tier: Spirit Shaman. Ten cultivation stages. Requires a spirit reactor to form within one's Mystic Stone. Requires a true Archon body to reach the tenth stage. Most people who attain a true Archon body: members of the nine ancient clans.

Second Tier: Archon Phoenix. First tier of the deviant Archon Fiend Path. Able to become one with the spirit.

Third Tier: Archon Dragon. Form a Death God's domain within the Mystic Stone. To create a Death God's domain, one had to absorb death energy from thousands of life forms. After absorbing so many, one would be able to radiate killing intent like a weapon and paralyze others with fear. The Practitioner could also let his spirit force radiate from his body, using it as a gravitational force without expending any spirit energy. You cold literally force others to kneel on the ground and force them to call you a god. The stronger the foe, the less effective it was.

Fourth Tier: Fiend Adept. Now able to cultivate the spirit energy of the stars.

Fifth Tier: Fiend Immortal. Final tier of cultivation allowed in the Mortal Realm. Now able to choose between going to the Immortal Realms to continue cultivation, or halt progress and remain in the Mortal Realm.

"I'll have to pick one once I reach the peak of the second stage of Spirit Shaman. There is still a long way to go before I think about forming a true Archon body," Agemo sighed and put the books away and laid back to sleep.

The next day, Agemo left the participant dormitories and headed for the auction house. As he left the area, he could see several Practitioners sweating as they desperately tried to cultivate. Many of them complained and wished they had a demonic core or spirit pill. Agemo walked by and asked the guards for directions. Finally, he arrived in front a large, golden building.

This building was the very auction house Meng Ce told him about. There are three auditoriums. One auditorium housed vendors who sold various wares. Another auditorium housed vendors who sold magical beasts and alchemical materials with various guards to ensure safety. The biggest auditorium was where the auctions took place. Agemo stopped by and sold the goods he didn't need directly to the auditorium for a few hundred spirit pills. Not a bad haul already.

"Halt. Access to today's auction requires ten gold coins for admission fee but will not be allowed to place a bid. You may pay one hundred gold coins for a seat and the right to bid for the items or upgrade with one hundred thousand for a VIP box," a guard of the Spirit Knight tier warned as he wore armor made from a magical beast the color of silver.

"I'll pay for a seat," Agemo said and handed the guard the hundred gold coins.

"Fee has been paid. You are assigned to area 3B, the seats to the right of the stage. Please be advised that all bids are final. Failure to pay with result in service to the auction house. Length dependent on the rest of the amount unpaid and the item in question," the guard warned as he scrutinized Agemo's appearance. "Mage items are expected to be the most costly. Practitioner weapons of famous individuals will be auctioned as well as a few scrolls."

"I'm not a mage. Are there any peculiar items for Practitioners being sold that are powerful techniques or rare spirit pills?" Agemo asked.

"Yes. All kinds of items are being sold today. More so than usual as the tournament is ongoing and today is a day of reprieve. We hope to sell most of our rarest commodities today," the guard nodded. "Go on in and thank you for coming to the Korgar Auction House."

"Hello. Hello. Hello to you all. Ladies and gentlemen, lords and ladies; I welcome you all to the Korgar Auction House. Today, we have a special lineup due to the ever increasing popularity of the various tournaments of our great capital. Without further ado, let us begin the bidding," a man in a shiny gold vest and long sleeved silver shirt bowed as several women with nice proportions in silver two-pieces arrived and brought the merchandise.

Many people cheered upon seeing the merchandise. Few hearts were overjoyed with their purchase. Some lamented the higher-than-expected bids they had to make. Many more hearts were broken as someone else bought what they wanted. Many nobles truly felt a rush and a sense of accomplishment by outbidding others. It just meant that they were richer than their opponents.

Some people bid for the items because they needed them. Some bid to add to their collections. Some just bid for the sake of bidding. Some people made their living through selling the auction items. Others enjoyed the auction house bidding like a sport.

"Item number 46 is bought by the lady with the ruby raccoon scarf for three hundred and fifty thousand gold coins. Congratulations," the auctioneer clapped while some people groaned as a magnificent white staff adorned with eight mana stones was taken off the stage.

"Item number 47 is three giant mana stones of the fire element. The starting bid is one hundred thousand gold coins," the auctioneer started and a final bid was made five minutes later. "Sold for seven hundred and eighty thousand gold coins."

"Item 51 is the fabled Necklace of the Panther Queen. A lost necklace recently recovered from the corpse of a Hyperion. Its effect is reducing mana consumption by half and increasing mana recovery by double the previous rate. Starting bid is at two hundred and fifty thousand gold coins.......sold for 1.2 million gold coins," the auctioneer cheered.

"Item number 77: the fabled Sentinel Bow. Once upon a time, the bow was freely used by an archer. Many magical beasts tried to assault a lost kingdom, and he wiped out each wave with his arrows. Unfortunately, very few people have the ability to shoot the arrow more than once a year. Used by an archer with abundant spirit energy, he decimated the magical beasts and saved the kingdom," the auctioneer explained, faking tears of admiration. "Apologies, the true legend more than gives it enough praise. The starting bid is five hundred thousand gold coins."

"Not a Practitioner weapon," one murmured.

"Only able to use it once? Not worth it. It's just an antique," another agreed.

"Half a million for a one-time use? I'm not paying for that," another scoffed. "So what if it is powerful? The method to shoot it more than once is lost."

"Five hundred and seven thousand," Agemo said. A bow had its uses and it was a magical itme that was sure to come in handy.

"No other takers? Sold!" the auctioneer said, nodding in thanks to Agemo as the auction continued.

"At last, we have arrived at Item 99. The last item before today's main attraction. As noted, only VIP members are allowed to bid for the last item. If you didn't know before, you know now. Experience is everything in the auction. Some of you could have bought the items at a cheaper price, but the veterans made you bid higher. If you are a VIP and a newcomer, I'm afraid it will be difficult for you to buy the last item," the auctioneer smiled.

The auctioneer smiled and continued, "Item 99 is a stone talisman recovered in an ancient ruin to the north. It is covered with various runes. The exact nature of the runes is unknown and the stone talisman is about two inches long. It is made of a rare metal that shines and as clear as crystal. We have verified its ability to detect elemental spirit essence and transform them into elixirs. We believe it to help in spirit cultivation. Do note that you should only drink the elixirs that correspond to the element you can use. With this talisman, you don't need to be an alchemist to obtain high quality elixirs.The starting bid is one hundred and fifty thousand gold coins."

Many people, most of them nobles and mages, wondered why such a thing would be the last public item. There were more mages and the starting bid was so low. There were few Practitioners and they knew the value of such a talisman. Many started bidding immediately and the price steadily rose to over five hundred thousand.

"Six hundred thousand," Agemo said as he raised his hand.

"Six hundred and ten thousand," someone voiced from a VIP box.

"Six hundred and fifty thousand," Agemo shrugged.

"Six hundred and sixty thousand!" the voice roared, clearly agitated someone was challenging him.

"Six hundred and seventy thousand," Agemo sighed, clearly amused by the tone of his voice, causing snickers to spread in the auditorium.

"Seven hundred thousand! I dare you to bid more!" the voice roared.

"This is fun. How high can you go? I bid eight hundred thousand. Just how high will he go?This man's desperation amuses me. Perhaps his background is not so refined," Agemo grinned.

"Eight hundred and thirty thousand," the man grumbled.

"One million gold coins," Agemo chuckled, causing the auditorium to gasp.

"Why bid so high? There are plenty of other methods to detect spirit energy essence," a man asked.

"My friend, you just don't know how it works. This is the thrill of the auction. Sometimes, you bid higher, despite the actual value, for face. Sometimes, face is all that matters. Face or honor makes the man," Agemo answered, drawing some nods from the veterans. "Only a fool buys a VIP Box outright. Of course the bid will accelerate quickly if one VIP member bids and another decides to challenge."

"You! You!" the man from above roared and drew a long, black bladed spear. "You dare mess with a Spirit Knight?"

"I come from a clan of Spirit Masters. What do I care of a lone Spirit Knight who is clearly the lord of his clan already? Don't tell me you think you are the most powerful or possess more resources and connections than the other people in this room do you? Is this your first time at an auction house? Do you not know the rules?" Agemo chuckled. "Host, I believe he has drawn his weapon and violated the rules. Please tell the fool what the consequences are."

"Of course. The price of threatening a guest is mandatory ten years of servitude and revoking the bidding price to the intended victim's first price. In this case, the bid is decreased to six hundred thousand gold coins," the auctioneer smiled. "Impressive for a boy below the age of thirteen."

"Would you believe me if I told you I died as an adult and given a second chance at life?" Agemo laughed, the other bidders also laughing with him as the guards dragged the man in the VIP Box away.

"Are there no further bids? No? Sold! Item 99 goes to the young boy Practitioner. Congratulations. Honored bidders, this concludes the public bidding of our auctions. Item 100 is solely for bidders who have paid to be a VIP for today's auction. If you are not a bidder in a VIP Box, please proceed to the exit and thank you for visiting the Korgar Auction House today," the host smiled and bowed deeply as Agemo and the others left.

"Huh. I actually said face. Perhaps some memories don't require a flashback to return. Interesting," Agemo pondered aloud as a servant led him to a private area and handed him the stone talisman and the Sentinel Bow.

"Now that the main auction is done, I should go buy some magical beast meat. Nothing tastes better. I should also stock some for when I decide to hatch the dragon egg. I should also head to the other auditorium and browse their wares as well. I should buy a flying sword. It'll be more convenient to travel that way. I might even find other rare treasures," Agemo nodded and left the main auditorium area.

He browsed the smaller building in the west wing and bought several tons of magical beast meat. Some people asked him why he bought so much. He merely told them that he loved meat. Which was true. Nothing is better than meat. Agemo then headed to the east wing. He could see several Practitioners from the tournament scramble to find a vendor who sold spirit pills at the lowest prices.

"Hello there. You looking to buy?" a vendor smiled.

"Do you know who might be selling a flying sword?" Agemo asked.

"Ah, you a Practitioner boy? Hm, pity. Well, so far as I know, Old Martin might still be selling some flying swords and the like," the vendor smiled.

"Thanks," Agemo said and tossed a gold coin.

"Oh? Not a silver coin? Even better. Thanks," the vendor smiled and pointed Agemo in Martin's direction.

100 coppers=1 silver. 100 silver= 1 gold. People tried to increase the currency many centuries ago, but man just loved gold too much. Auctions only accepted gold coins as well as they were the most coveted currency among the nobility who were their biggest clients. Money talks in the real world. If not money, than power. Rich clans? Imperial families? Nothing mattered in front of experts. Some couldn't be bribed and money would be wasted to buy protection.

"Old Martin?" Agemo asked a rather stout old man.

"Hm? You know me, boy? Did Craig direct you to me? Must have liked ya. I'm telling ya straight, I only sell flying magical items. The norms be flying swords. Some buy flying daggers and whatnot. So, what ya interested in boy?" Martin asked.

"I'm looking for a flying sword. One that's durable and won't break easily. Actually, make that two. One for me and one for my master. He's an adult," Agemo answered.

"Charitable lad. Good. Treat your friends good and your enemies without mercy. Mercy only pisses them off. Ya doing good kid. Wait here," Martin said and returned with two huge swords made out of stone. "This here be made from the stones of a Black-Stoned Armadillo of the seventh rank. Only useful for people below the Spirit Knight stage. They cost a thousand gold each. Cuz they be flying swords mind ye. It ain't easy to make them and damn well hard to find material suited for them. Not hard to kill them the magical beasts though. If ya know their weaknesses. I know their weaknesses."

"Thanks," Agemo smiled and stored the flying swords away as he paid the man. "Do you know any vendors who are selling anything out of the ordinary?"

"One be selling a copper mirror. Says the mirror can detect all life forms within three dozen miles. Proved it too, but it be useless to people with high spirit sensitivity. There is one that is peculiar. Yes, I remember now. Someone be selling a book," Martin said.

"A book?" Agemo asked.

"A book," Martin nodded. "I know. Sounds sketchy to me too. It be a scary book though. Real nasty piece of work. Whoever made that book not be in the right state of mind. Definitely of the charts in madness. It's a magical item though. It not be a technique or written work. The pages always empty themselves with a new owner. There be an infinite amount of pages too."

"What does it do?" Agemo asked.

"I dunno. To be honest, it just felt nasty. It sent all kinds of chills down me spine. Whew. It felt bad. Real bad," Martin said. "He also sells other stuff too. Good? Evil? Man says they're just two different points of views. Man goes by the name of Seto. He's not hard to find. Only one with a shady store all black. Man's rich and actually had a stall built along the walls of the auditorium, like me. At least, it was an auditorium until us rich merchants changed it. Good luck. STay away from that book. It's bad news, boy. Bad news."

Agemo nodded, but remained curious about the book. Martin was right, it did not take long to find the store. Many stalls were crowded, but they refused to be built within twenty feet of a large black store with three levels. Old Martin only had a single level. The guy must have paid the Korgar Auction House a lot of money to allow him to make a three-story store. Two golems with large, black swords stood in front of a large black door with a silver handle.

"Only Practitioners allowed. Once inside, a purchase must be made. Loitering not permissible. Store regulations approved by the Korgar Auction House," one of the golems stated.

"Spirit Pulse detected. Mystic Stone detected. Practitioner identity verified. You may proceed into the store. Welcome to Seto's Marvels," the other golem said as its stone eyes glowed silver before returning to stone.

"Those are nice," Agemo admired as the golems parted to let him in. "I definitely need to buy one of those when I go to a martial sect or academy."