Dragon Abyss was not what it had been at its peak, but it was nevertheless massive in size. Within the city stood a mountain, and atop that mountain was a Daoist temple where Sage Dragon Abyss reportedly cultivated. At the mountain's foot stretched an endless cluster of newly built palaces; the palace of the Demon Hunter Division stood among them.

As the date of the Dragon Abyss Auction drew near, the palace was taken over by the deputy city lord, Huo Fang. He was a truly powerful man, and one of the few ninth-stage Adepts in the Society.

Huo Fang sat in the main seat of the grand hall, listening to his subordinates' reports on the auction preparations. As time passed, more people entered the hall. At one point, a woman in a purple gown stepped inside, and the moment Huo Fang saw her, he rose to greet her. 

"Welcome, Purple Empress!"

Purple Empress smiled faintly. She looked young but mature at the same time, and the austere hall seemed to turn brighter by virtue of her simple presence. "The resources gathered by the division have arrived. They were all carefully selected; I believe you will...