Crack—crackle—pop!
A violent, bone-grinding sound kept bursting from Lin Ye's body.
It didn't stop for an entire night.
At daybreak, Lin Ye slowly opened his eyes. A deep, razor-calm glint flickered in his pupils—one that only belonged to someone who had survived hell and walked out stronger.
The Hundred-Forged Ironbone Pill wasn't something a normal cultivator could endure.
But Lin Ye wasn't normal.
He had forced it down. He had forced the pain down. And now—his body had been completely reforged.
He clenched his fist.
The air itself seemed to compress and explode under his palm.
A flash of satisfaction passed through his eyes.
"With this… my Shatter Calamity Claw should be at least thirty percent stronger."
And if he got in close?
The damage would be terrifying.
Early that morning, Summer Wei had already hired people to repair Qing Marquis Manor. With enough spirit stones, construction moved like lightning.
Last night's two battles had shaken the entire city. Rumors spread like wildfire—many were convinced Lin Ye and Summer Wei were from Tianming Sect, and no one dared provoke them.
True or not, it didn't matter.
Strength was strength.
Even Wanqing Marquis had been killed.
What kind of grudge was it? Outsiders didn't know.
But plenty of people silently applauded. Wanqing Marquis' dirty dealings weren't exactly a secret—everyone knew, yet no one could touch him.
Now he was dead.
And for many… that was justice.
At noon, the second round of bidding for the Five-Stage Beast Egg would begin.
Before, Summer Wei had pinned huge hopes on that egg. But after looting Wanqing Marquis' storage ring…
Her mindset changed.
No pressure.
Any price was fine.
Spirit stones were just numbers.
What truly mattered were spirit herbs and spirit medicines.
Still, by habit, she went to Qi Yao Tower.
The top listing was still the Five-Stage Beast Egg.
But the second spot had changed—newly added.
A Seven-Grade Spirit Herb: Redbelly Jinx Snake Crown.
Someone had paid a fortune just to push it up the rankings.
In pure value, a Seven-Grade herb could easily sell for tens of millions—sometimes even over a hundred million, if it happened to be what a powerful figure desperately needed.
Normally, people saved Seven-Grade herbs for the finale.
But this seller threw it out early.
Which meant one thing:
They were in a hurry.
And the price reflected that madness.
120 million spirit stones.
That was borderline insane. Even at auction, it'd be hard to hit that number.
Worse, the Redbelly Jinx Snake Crown wasn't like ginseng or lingzhi—things you could crush and brew into tea.
Handle it wrong…
And it turned into a lethal poison.
Summer Wei had planned to return and ask Lin Ye if it was worth buying.
But she stopped herself.
If she hesitated, she'd fall behind.
Big things required decisiveness.
So she walked straight into Qi Yao Tower.
The same receptionist from last time—Xiao Yu—recognized her instantly.
"Sister Summer Wei! You're here!"
Xiao Yu's attitude was warm and eager.
"I'll take you to the VIP room right away."
Summer Wei followed her toward the stairs—
—only to be interrupted by a furious shout.
"Are you kidding me?! I've been waiting in line for half an hour! And this woman walks in and gets served immediately?!"
A man in a tiger-hide coat glared at Summer Wei like a hungry beast.
The moment trouble started, Qi Yao Tower guards appeared.
A middle-aged manager stepped out, calm and firm.
"Sir. Qi Yao Tower has its own rules. If you're unwilling to cooperate, please leave. Do not disturb other guests."
More than ten guards surrounded the man.
The manager even gave Summer Wei a respectful nod.
Earlier that morning, Qi Yao Tower had held an emergency meeting.
Two names had been added to the "highest priority reception" list:
Summer Wei and Lin Ye.
They suspected the two were connected to Tianming Sect.
And after last night's results?
No one in their right mind would offend them.
A Star River Realm peak expert like Wanqing Marquis had died.
Who in the Yang family could stop that young man?
Even if someone could… would they dare?
With Tianming Sect behind him?
Absolutely not.
The tiger-hide man saw the guards and instantly sobered up.
"Hmph! So what if you've got more people?! I won't trade here!"
He cursed as he stormed out.
He didn't dare cause real trouble—he was the loud type that folded the moment a bigger fist appeared.
The manager snorted.
"Keep an eye on things. Don't let irrelevant trash in. Bad luck."
The guards acknowledged immediately.
Qi Yao Tower was a flagship business under Bailing Medicine Sect. Its reputation couldn't be tarnished.
Summer Wei didn't even glance back.
People like that existed everywhere—bullies in their own territory, cowards outside it.
She'd seen enough.
Then a hearty laugh came from upstairs.
"Haha! Sorry to keep you waiting, Miss Summer!"
Yang Jiuchun hurried forward, face full of apology.
"I was handling a few matters."
Summer Wei didn't waste time.
"I'm here for the Seven-Grade herb on the listing."
Yang Jiuchun frowned slightly.
"The Redbelly Jinx Snake Crown? Its price is… unusually high."
He knew the seller was desperate.
Normally he wouldn't reveal that.
But for Summer Wei, feeding a little info was a good way to build ties.
"If you wait half a day, I can negotiate. I might get the price down."
"No need."
Summer Wei placed a storage pouch on the table.
"120 million spirit stones. Direct trade."
Even Yang Jiuchun's expression tightened.
He had seen big deals before—but this kind of casual spending?
No bargaining. No hesitation. Just… paid.
"Understood," he said, finally exhaling.
"I'll have the herb brought immediately."
All listed goods were stored inside Qi Yao Tower for safekeeping.
Otherwise, people would use the tower as a stepping stone to shop prices elsewhere—breaking industry rules.
Soon, the herb arrived.
It was sealed inside a box made from millennial ice, preserving its potency flawlessly.
Yang Jiuchun smiled.
"By the way—are you two here for the Herbal Trade Conference?"
"Ordinary goods likely no longer interest you. We're hosting an internal trading event—invite-only."
"And our Bailing Medicine Sect will provide special pills during the event."
Invite-only.
Internal high-end trade.
So it begins.
Summer Wei's eyes narrowed slightly.
Only when you reached a certain level… did the world unlock new doors.
"I understand," she said.
Two invitations made of black-gold, thin as cicada wings, were placed before her.
The craftsmanship alone was worth over a hundred thousand spirit stones.
"Oh, and one more thing," Yang Jiuchun added.
"The second round of bidding is out. The highest offer right now is from Hundred Beast Sect—2.5 billion spirit stones."
"I know."
Tonight would be the third round—also the final chance to close the deal.
Tomorrow, the Herbal Trade Conference would begin.
Most major forces had already arrived.
Meanwhile…
At the inn where the Hundred Beast Sect was staying—
Sect Master Yan Shoutang had just been rejected.
Qi Yao Tower refused to reveal the seller's identity.
The room turned icy.
That beast egg had belonged to them.
And now they had to spend billions… to buy it back.
"Don't let me find out who's behind this!"
Yan Shoutang roared, veins bulging.
"Or I'll tear them apart—piece by piece!"
His subordinates trembled, not daring to breathe too loudly.