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Slavery wasn't a very prominent thing in the Dragon Scale Continent. However, Duncan had heard that it was very prevalent in the Central Continent. Seeing such a scene happening to someone he knew was a little jarring to Duncan.

Duncan knew that there were different kinds of slavery practiced by cultivators in the cultivation world. Some cultivation clans often raised cultivators who would later become slave warriors who performed very dangerous tasks for the clan. Some demonic sects bought mortals as slaves for various cultivation purposes. Some young masters of powerful factions raised beautiful women as their slaves and cauldrons. 

While this wasn't anything surprising, such unsavory business was always kept on the low end of public visibility. However, this being the Dark Star City, such things were not taken into consideration.

Moreover, with the auction for the Millenium Spirit Milk coming up, Duncan realized that some enterprising individuals had taken up this chance to sell slaves of various varieties to the visiting bigshots. Still, seeing a person he had interacted with just a year prior end up in such a situation made Duncan a little conflicted.

Watching the familiar figure being led into the interior regions of the black market where the slaves were sold, Duncan was a little hesitant about what to do. He didn't know why he felt a sudden urge to follow them and take a look. 

He knew that with his puny strength trying to create a ruckus in the black market is akin to seeking death. Even if he wanted to help, Duncan didn't think he would be able to do it. The only way he could help was to buy the slave at an auction and later set them free.

Duncan didn't even know if he wanted to do that. However, that familiar figure struck a chord inside him. Once he had seen the familiar figure bubbling with energy and liveliness. Seeing the same person downtrodden and very despondent, Duncan felt a little unhappy.

Duncan debated for a few moments before turning around and heading towards the interior regions of the black market where the slave auctions were held.

Following the familiar figure, Duncan soon saw them enter an auction house. Looking at the signboard near the entrance, Duncan realized that an auction would be held two days later for interested parties. 

Duncan stared at the auction house for a long moment and turned away. 

*****

"Welcome esteemed customer, how can we be of help to you?" 

An attendant enquired in an ingratiating tone looking at the cultivator who was wearing a plain mask. The cultivator in plain mask nodded slightly and spoke in a brisk manner.

"Get me a courtyard," Duncan spoke his intentions directly.

"Sure. We have different kinds of courtyards that can be rented out. What kind of courtyard is the customer interested in?" the attendant asked with a smile.

"Nothing extravagant, something plain where I can retreat to," Duncan spoke before pausing slightly. "It is better if it is able to house two people."

"If the customer wants to seclude himself, I suggest renting one of our earth-grade courtyards. While they aren't that different from yellow-grade ones, they have an additional Qi Gathering formation along with the usual defensive formation. The amenities present there are also good enough if you prefer to live plainly," the attendant replied with a smile. 

Even though earth-grade courtyards aren't big business, the attendant didn't lose his smile. Many cultivators shunned extravagance once they stepped into the path of cultivation. So a hidden expert residing in plain but useful courtyards is very common in the Dark Star City.

Especially now that the city was filled with visitors who were there for the auction that was going to take place next week. With the influx of visitors, most of the heaven-grade and immortal-grade courtyards were already booked in advance. Most cultivators preferred to save up their money to participate in the auction. So, the attendant didn't dare to slight Duncan because of his request.

Hearing the attendant's words, Duncan paused considering. He was of two minds. Ideally, he should have left the Dark Star City before his identity was exposed. However, after running into the familiar figure, he wanted to see if he could help that person out. So, Duncan decided to stay for two days and check out the situation first.

It was not that he wanted to meddle. But, he was really curious about the circumstances that led his acquaintance to end up here. After his recent epiphany, he had some basic understanding of karma. So, he was a little curious about this particular bit of karma he had with his acquaintance. 

But, that didn't mean that Duncan had become a busybody and muddleheaded all of a sudden. Duncan was sober enough to realize that he couldn't do anything to prevent his acquaintance from being auctioned as a slave. 

What he wanted to do was to see if he could buy his acquaintance without much trouble. If there was some big trouble, Duncan would decisively walk away. He wasn't that familiar with this acquaintance of his. He would try to help. But, if it was beyond his abilities, he would walk away without much guilt. 

Now, after hearing the presence of the Qi Gathering formation, Duncan was slightly moved to breakthrough within the Dark Star City itself. He wasn't yet sure about the amount of spirit qi needed to break through and establish a legendary foundation. Having additional insurance will always be worth it. 

Moreover, the security in the city was really tight currently. Absolutely, no mishaps were allowed. Duncan didn't need to be worried about someone disturbing his breakthrough if he established the foundation in the city. Such a thing could come in handy as well.

Now that he was being hunted, the best option was to retreat into a safe place and increase his strength first. Duncan figured that he might as well go to retreat in the Dark Sea City now that safety was guaranteed due to the upcoming auction.

"Fine. Give me an earth-grade courtyard. I am going into retreat. I do not want to be disturbed if there is no important matter," Duncan instructed.

"How long is the customer planning to rent the courtyard?" the attendant asked consideringly.

"Let me first rent it for a week. If I rent for more time, I will pay later," Duncan stated after thinking about it for a bit.

"As the customer wishes," the attendant bowed and took out a small map. "These two earth-grade courtyards can accommodate up to three people. The formations in these two places are two of the best present in our hotel."

Duncan looked at the two locations pointed out by the attendant and nodded inwardly. After thinking for a bit, he chose the courtyard that was a little remote among the two. 

"Book this one for a week," Duncan said gruffly and tossed the required spirit stones to the attendant.

"Thank you, customer," the attendant smiled. "If you will follow me, I will lead the way."

Duncan nodded and followed the attendant towards his temporary residence.

***** 

After sending away the attendant, Duncan sat in a meditative position and started recalling his interactions with the familiar figure he had seen recently.

It was clear to Duncan that bad luck had befallen his acquaintance in the past year. What was once used to be a vibrant and energetic face was now dull and devoid of any joy. From the looks of it, it was clear that his acquaintance had lost the will to live completely.

Duncan knew that ordinary hardships were not enough to drive away the energy of his acquaintance. What his acquaintance must have experienced should have been a very harrowing incident. If not for that, how can the will to live be extinguished so easily?

From a vibrant figure to such a despondent husk of the former self, the transformation his acquaintance had was really drastic. Even then, Duncan didn't believe that everything was fine with the situation. He was confident that his acquaintance must have offended someone very badly to end up as a slave that was going to be auctioned. 

This was yet another indicator to Duncan about the way this world functioned. Those who were strong dictated the lives of those weaker than them. Even mortals weren't immune to such things in this world. Let alone cultivators who are in the thick of things.

If Duncan had sufficient strength, he could waltz into the auction house and come to an arrangement with them easily. But, he wasn't strong enough. And the auction house wouldn't even entertain him if he came to the door now. 

This reiterated to Duncan the importance of strength. His desire to break through only grew stronger. Taking a deep breath, Duncan took out the accumulated spirit stones from his storage ring. 

Since there were two days left for the auction to occur, Duncan decided to break through before going and checking out the situation. Even if he found a way to help his acquaintance, if his strength wasn't enough, it would only invite further trouble.

"Hang in there, Leia. I will see you in two days," Duncan mumbled and closed his eyes decisively.

It was time he established the foundational pillars. 

*****

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