Elder Jiang gave a signal to the maid, who promptly brought over an array plate.
The plate was octagonal, about two feet across, engraved with intricate runes. Beside it lay seven ring-shaped jade pendants, each shimmering faintly with circulating spiritual energy.
The maid gestured to a similar jade pendant at her waist and said gently,"Honored guests, please wear one of these pendants. You will be transported to the auction hall shortly."
Everyone picked up a pendant and put it on. The maid activated the array, aligning the runes in sequence as faint spiritual light began to flow.
Moments later, the array flashed with a soft blue glow. Lin Fei felt the pendant at his waist light up, and a gentle force enveloped them all. The space before his eyes distorted—when his vision cleared again, they were already standing in another private room.
The maid placed the array plate into a numbered cabinet, then walked to a large wardrobe and slid it open. Inside hung rows of masks and black cloaks.
"To protect your privacy during the auction, please wear a mask and cloak."
Everyone followed her instructions. Lin Fei chose a green lion mask, Li Chen picked a monkey mask, and the others selected various designs. The Qingluo Guard who accompanied them was already masked, so he only donned a cloak.
Once they were ready, the maid opened the door and led them into a dim yet spacious hall.
The hall was fan-shaped, and they entered from the side. Thick stone walls surrounded the space, with no windows—only glowing stones embedded in the walls casting a soft light.
At the center, where the lighting was brightest, stood a modest auction platform. Behind it hung a curtain, with unmasked attendants and young assistants moving in and out.
Below the stage were tiered seating rows, dimly lit, holding one to two hundred seats—many already occupied. The audience wore animal masks and black cloaks. From glimpses of their attire, some wore luxurious robes, others martial outfits, and a few appeared to be foreign guests—all carrying an air of distinction.
They followed Elder Jiang, who wore a white crane mask, and took seats near the front. Han Yue, Huang Su, and Deng Qian sat to the sides, while Li Chen, Lin Fei, and the Qingluo Guard sat in the back row.
Before long, a man stepped onto the stage.
He wore a deep blue robe and a golden mask, revealing only his eyes. Bowing deeply, he spoke in a clear, resonant voice:"Honored guests, welcome to the Yuanyang Trading House Auction. I am today's auctioneer—Jin Kui. It is my great honor to present today's items."
"There are twelve items in total—each a treasure. As always, highest bidder wins, and payment is settled immediately."
At his signal, attendants drew back the curtain. A graceful, long-haired beauty in a golden tasseled dress stepped forward, carrying a wooden box lined with red velvet. Inside lay a fist-sized deep-blue spirit stone, shimmering with star-like specks—dazzling and exquisite.
"The first item," Jin Kui announced, "is a Deep-Sea Star Stone from the depths of Tianmu Sea. It can be used to forge water-element artifacts—enhancing water techniques in weapons, or resistance in defensive gear. Starting price: 30,000 silver coins."
Bidding began immediately.
"32,000!""35,000!""38,000!"
The price climbed steadily, finally selling at 50,000 silver coins.
Lin Fei watched in amazement. He hadn't realized spirit stones could be auctioned—let alone at such prices.
"Fifty thousand could buy dozens of storage belts," Li Chen whispered.
Lin Fei nodded silently, gaining a new understanding of what "valuable" truly meant.
Several more items followed: refined crystal ores from Shenwu Kingdom, mysterious cultivation scrolls, even a pair of Frost Wolf cubs. Bidding was lively, ranging from tens to hundreds of thousands.
Elder Jiang remained still—until the sixth item appeared.
It was a long sword, gray-green in color, slender and faintly glowing with spiritual energy. A pale green spirit stone was embedded in its hilt, radiating wood-element energy.
"This 'Qinglan Sword,' forged by the Martial Refinement Hall of Shenwu Kingdom," Jin Kui introduced, "is crafted from black crystal and cold iron, with jade as its core. Light, agile, and perfectly attuned to wood-element energy—ideal for both spell enhancement and close combat. Starting price: 100,000."
Elder Jiang raised his paddle.
"110,000!""120,000!""130,000!"
The price surged past 200,000.
"210,000.""220,000."
Elder Jiang remained calm. "250,000."
"280,000.""300,000."
After that, no one else bid.
"Sold!"
The Qinglan Sword was his.
The auction continued. Elder Jiang skipped the next two items, but secured the ninth—a rare "Gold-Pattern Iron Core"—for 80,000 silver coins.
The final few items grew increasingly valuable. One ancient scroll sold for 500,000. A protective jade pendant rumored to come from the Star Palace fetched 800,000.
Lin Fei was stunned. The world held far more treasures than he had ever imagined.
Then Jin Kui's tone turned solemn.
"Honored guests, the final item—the highlight of today's auction."
Two attendants in green gauze dresses carefully presented a long sandalwood box. When opened, it revealed a slender, silver-white branch—no longer than a hand, covered in fine, ancient patterns, faintly glowing with a soft green light.
"This," Jin Kui said slowly, "is said to be a branch broken from the Sacred Tree Qingluo of the Great Wood Kingdom—before it turned to stone ten years ago."
The hall erupted.
"The Sacred Tree Qingluo?!""Didn't it petrify after the great war?""If this is real… it's priceless!"
Jin Kui raised a hand for silence."Though not fully confirmed, experts have verified its extraordinary purity of spiritual energy. Whether for cultivation, forging, or medicine—it is a rare treasure."
"Starting price: 500,000."
Gasps filled the hall.
Lin Fei stared at the branch. A strange feeling stirred within him—an inexplicable sense of familiarity, as though something deep inside him was quietly responding.
Bidding began.
"550,000!""600,000!""650,000!"
Elder Jiang hesitated, then joined.
"700,000."
The price soared—1.5 million… higher still.
Then suddenly—
A low voice spoke beside Lin Fei.
"What do you think of that branch?"
It was the Qingluo Guard.
"I… I've never seen the Sacred Tree alive," Lin Fei replied. "I can't tell."
"And how does it feel to you?"
"…Strange. Familiar."
The guard fell silent—then raised his paddle.
"Two million."
The hall fell silent.
Another bidder answered: "2.2 million!"
"2.3 million.""2.4 million.""2.5 million."
Only the two remained.
"Three million."
Silence.
"Sold!"
Lin Fei stared in shock. Three million… beyond imagination.
Elder Jiang glanced at the guard, eyes complex, but said nothing.
After the auction, they were led back and teleported again.
This time, they found themselves in a gently rocking wooden cabin—it was a ship.
"We've arrived at Lingyan Ferry," the maid said.
On deck, attendants lined both sides, bowing respectfully.
A graceful woman approached—elegant, composed, in her thirties.
"I am Ruan Mei, head of Yuanyang Trading House," she said with a smile. "Welcome."
She explained: high-value buyers are escorted directly to a private dock.
"We can also arrange your return journey."
Elder Jiang thanked her but said he would consult Principal Shen first.
Soon, the Qingluo Guard spoke quietly to Elder Jiang. The two entered the cabin with Ruan Mei.
The rest waited.
"Where did he get that kind of money?" Deng Qian whispered.
"Not his," Han Yue replied softly. "Likely the Senluo Hall."
"The Sacred Tree branch… too important."
"So he's no ordinary guard," Deng Qian murmured.
Lin Fei listened, a thought forming in his mind—one he hardly dared believe.