hen the Crimson-Gold Black Bird descended from the sky, its arrival was nothing short of awe-inspiring.
Its majestic wings stirred violent gales, and its screech echoed like thunder through the heavens.
Flanking it were Murong Haitang and Ying Wuji, the insignias on their robes unmistakable—symbols of Soaring Cloud Academy.
Even the most impulsive cultivators among the crowd knew better than to provoke those from such a revered institution.
The prestige of Soaring Ckoud Academy was not a matter of reputation alone—it was power, history, and influence woven into one.
"Teacher, what are they doing over there?" Jiang Wanshang asked curiously, her gaze drifting toward the bustling crowd of cultivators.
Ying Wuji replied flatly, without turning his head, "An auction."
"Auction?"
The students exchanged puzzled looks.
Gu Yunxi thought for a moment. "Could someone have stumbled upon a treasure from the ancient ruins already?"
"But… the ruins haven't even opened yet!" Jiang Wanshang pointed out, frowning.
Murong Haitang chuckled lightly. "Don't worry. You'll understand soon enough."
In the distance, among the growing crowd of cultivators, the auction was reaching a fever pitch.
"Two million spirit crystals! The current bid is two million!"
"Any more offers?"
"This treasure can enhance your cultivation aptitude—its effects have been personally verified!"
"There's only one! Don't let this once-in-a-century chance slip by!"
"I'll pay three million!"
"Three million spirit crystals! We have three million!"
The auctioneer's voice rose higher with each bid, fueled by greed and frenzy.
Xiao Cheng and the others were caught in the cacophony, stunned by the noise and chaos that seemed to fill every inch of space.
"…Is this really… an auction?" Xiao Cheng finally asked, trying to make sense of the scene.
"Looks like it," someone next to him murmured.
Just then, a nearby cultivator leaned over, curiosity piqued.
"You from Soaring Cloud Academy?"
"That's right," Xiao Cheng replied politely. "Brother, could you tell us more about this auction?"
The cultivator's eyes lit up with excitement. Clearly, he'd been waiting to share.
"Ever heard of mineral water?" he asked, voice lowering like he was sharing a secret. "It can improve your spiritual aptitude!"
The students blinked.
"It's true!" he insisted. "Someone bought a bottle from the Origin Mall, realized how valuable it was, and decided to auction it off for spirit crystals!"
"Wait… you don't know what the Origin Mall is, do you?"
He didn't wait for a response.
"Let me tell you…"
Ten minutes later
The group from Soaring Cloud Academy walked away with dazed expressions.
"How was it?" Gu Yunxi asked, seeing their faces.
Xiao Cheng looked like he was still processing everything.
He and the others began relaying what they'd learned about the auction and the mysterious Origin Mall.
The students were baffled.
Murong Haitang sighed softly, her eyes reflecting a flicker of understanding. "So… the Boss is here too."
"Perhaps," Ying Wuji murmured, "something within the ancient ruins caught his interest."
BOOM.
A muffled roar shook the land.
The sky dimmed.
In the distance, a column of light erupted, connecting heaven and earth. It shot up into the sky, piercing through clouds like a divine sword.
Within that light—
A phantom image began to solidify.
It was vast, stretching across time and space—
The ancient ruins had appeared.
The junction between the ruins and the real world looked like two ancient scrolls being stitched together at the seams—blurring reality and illusion.
"The ruins are open!"
Excited voices echoed across the plain.
The once-disciplined cultivators were now charging toward the light without hesitation.
"Go!" Ying Wuji barked.
Everyone from Soaring Cloud Academy leapt back onto the Crimson-Gold Black Bird.
With a piercing screech, it took flight once more—wings beating like thunder as it soared toward the ruins.
Below and behind them, thousands of cultivators and beast clans surged forward in a mad dash.
This was it.
A once-in-a-lifetime chance—
To uncover lost secrets.
To seize ancient power.
To challenge fate.
The dangers within—the rumored slaughter, the ominous aura of death—
Were all ignored.
They were blinded by opportunity.
By desire.
By greed.
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