The days leading up to the Cloud Shadow Pavilion auction passed in a tense but calculated rhythm.
Matthew Stones spent most of his time in his small dormitory room, quietly refining the four rare roots he had already collected. The faint glow of green energy filled the dimly lit space as he worked late into the night, creating stronger stabilizing pills for Harold. The Heavenly Jade Ginseng proved particularly potent, its yang energy perfectly balancing the yin properties of the Shadowveil Lotus Root.
Kylie Kone had become a frequent visitor. She would knock softly on his door each evening, bringing updates, coffee, or simply sitting quietly while he worked. Their conversations had grown deeper, though Matthew still revealed little about his past.
On the evening before their departure f
