69: Chapter 69 Hostile surveillance, undercurrents surging

The closing bell of the auction echoed within the Treasure Gathering Pavilion, but the air in the hall was even more heavy than at the start.

The transaction volume of 2.6 million Spirit Stones was like a massive boulder thrown into a deep pool; the ripples it stirred in the deep waters of the God City were far more turbulent than they appeared on the surface. Guests began to leave one after another. Some were glowing with joy, having won their desired items; some had dark expressions, having failed their bids or been forced to pay an excessive price; more people had complex expressions, their gazes shifting between the auction stage, the backstage, and the VIP boxes, seemingly weighing their options.

Lin Ye stepped down from the observation deck and entered the backstage area.

The place was already a hive of activity. Zhao Wuji was directing over ten members of the Heavenly Court to retrieve the sold items from specialized storage cabinets, verifying ID numbers in preparation for the handover to the buyers. The leader of the Iron Blood Mercenary Group—a nine-foot-tall, middle-aged brute with a face full of scars—held a giant axe as wide as a door plank. He and eight elite mercenaries guarded the only passage to the handover room. His gaze scanned everyone who approached like a hawk, radiating the pressure of the Dao Palace Third Layer.

“Brother Lin.” Seeing Lin Ye, Zhao Wuji walked over quickly. Although he tried his best to remain calm, the fine sweat on his forehead betrayed his tension. “The handover has begun. The Ji Family, Jiang Family, Yao Family, and Ying Family were all very law-abiding; they left after the payment and goods were cleared. After the Head Manager of the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower took delivery of the cold marrow crystal, he specifically left a message saying he wanted to find a time to ‘chat about cooperation.’”

“What about Olympus and the Zongheng Alliance?” Lin Ye asked.

“Ares and Athena of Olympus just finished the handover for the purple thunder essence gold and that set of High-Grade Spirit Stone Formation; 850,000 Spirit Stones have already been credited.” Zhao Wuji lowered his voice. “But their guard detail didn't leave immediately. Instead, they are gathering outside the Treasure Gathering Pavilion, seemingly waiting for something.”

“The Zongheng Alliance...” Zhao Wuji's expression darkened slightly. “Zhao Zheng took delivery of the last batch of Medium Grade Spirit Stones, but of the eight people he brought, four did not leave with him after the handover. Instead, they blended into the crowd of Loose Cultivators and are still loitering in the first-floor hall.”

Lin Ye nodded; this was all within expectations.

He walked to the monitoring Formation in the backstage—this was a 'Water Mirror Formation' that Zhao Wuji had rented at a high price from the Formation Master Guild. It could monitor twelve key locations inside and outside the Treasure Gathering Pavilion in real-time.

Among the twelve mirror surfaces of the Water Mirror Formation, three were displaying the situation around the perimeter of the Treasure Gathering Pavilion:

At the east alley entrance, six Cultivators dressed in black tight-fitting clothes and wearing evil ghost masks stood silently in the shadows. Their aura was restrained, but their killing intent was faint yet present. Blood-colored tokens—the symbol of the Blood Fiend Alliance—hung from their waists.

On the west roof, over ten Cultivators dressed as players were either sitting or standing. They looked casual, but in reality, they occupied all the best sniping and ambush positions. The leader was a burly man carrying a giant blade as wide as a door plank on his back; he was the Vice President of the Overlord Pavilion, 'Barbarian King.'

At the south street corner, four Cultivators from the Zongheng Alliance pretended to pick out items at a vendor's stall, but their eyes frequently glanced toward the back door of the Treasure Gathering Pavilion.

The north side... Lin Ye's eyes narrowed slightly. The narrow alley on the north side was empty, but the spiritual waves of the Water Mirror Formation showed that there were at least five invisible units there. Their aura was cold and eerie, exactly the same as the methods of the Shadow Kill Tower.

“An ambush on all sides,” Lin Ye sneered.

“It’s more than just that,” a cold female voice came from behind him.

Lin Ye turned around and saw that Qin Ruoxue had arrived backstage at some point. She was still in a plain white dress with a veil over her face, but today a thin sword hung at her waist, and the spiritual light of Talismans faintly flowed in her sleeves.

“Pavilion Master Qin, what is the intelligence?” Lin Ye asked.

Qin Ruoxue took out a Jade Slip and pressed it to her forehead. The Jade Slip lit up with a faint glow, and a large amount of information was transmitted directly into Lin Ye's mind in the form of Divine Thought:

[Intelligence Summary · Within one incense stick's time after the auction ended]

I. Confirmed Hostile Force Movements:

1. Overlord Pavilion: 27 participants, including 6 in the Dao Palace Realm (Vice President Barbarian King at Dao Palace Third Layer, others at First and Second Layers), and 21 at the Wheel Sea Peak. Equipment: 20 sets of high-quality standard battle armor, 6 rare-grade weapons; the team Formation 'Overlord Battle Array' has been practiced.

2. Blood Fiend Alliance: 18 participants, all in the Dao Palace Realm (the Six Blood Fiends are all at the Dao Palace Second and Third Layers, the rest at First and Second Layers). Equipment: 6 sets of Blood-Colored Suits (Rare), 3 Blood Fiend Banners (Special Magical Artifacts), suspected to be carrying 'Blood Fiend Grand Array' Formation Flags.

3. Zongheng Alliance (Zhao Zheng's Faction): 12 participants, 4 in the Dao Palace Realm (including the 4 who did not leave), 8 in the Wheel Sea Realm. Equipment: Standard equipment, nothing special.

4. Shadow Kill Tower Remnants: 9 participants, all in the Dao Palace Realm (cultivation unknown, specialized in stealth assassination). Equipment: Unknown, suspected to have standard assassin gear like Law-Breaking Daggers, poison darts, and smoke bombs.

5. Unknown Forces: At least three unidentified forces are watching from the East District, suspected to be other player guilds or Loose Cultivator Alliances; intentions unknown.

II. Enemy Alliance Situation:

1. Overlord Pavilion and Blood Fiend Alliance have reached a temporary Alliance, led by the Blood Fiend Alliance. Alliance conditions: Blood Fiend Alliance takes 60% of the spoils, Overlord Pavilion takes 40%; Blood Fiend Alliance is responsible for breaking Formations and the main assault, while Overlord Pavilion is responsible for containment and interception.

2. Zhao Zheng of the Zongheng Alliance has had secret contact with the Overlord Pavilion but has not officially joined the Alliance. Suspected agreement: Zongheng Alliance creates chaos, Overlord Pavilion seizes the opportunity to snatch items, and the Zongheng Alliance gets 10% of the spoils afterward.

3. Shadow Kill Tower is acting independently with a clear goal: assassinate Lin Ye and seize the genuine Dragon Pattern Black Gold Sword Embryo. However, they may clash or cooperate with other forces.

III. Enemy Action Plan (Based on informant intelligence and behavioral pattern analysis):

Phase 1 (Auction End - Handover Completion): All parties remain in hiding, observing the Heavenly Court's movements and confirming the storage location of the spoils.

Phase 2 (Handover Completion - Heavenly Court Departure): Create chaos (suspected arson, explosions, crowd riots) and launch a surprise attack during the confusion.

Phase 3 (Assault Begins): Blood Fiend Alliance leads the main attack on the Treasure Gathering Pavilion's backstage, Overlord Pavilion intercepts reinforcements and blockades the streets, Zongheng Alliance creates secondary chaos, and Shadow Kill Tower lies in wait for assassination.

Phase 4 (After Success): Disperse and retreat, with an agreement to divide the loot at 'Black Wind Canyon' outside the city.

IV. Known Enemy Weaknesses:

1. The temporary Alliance between Overlord Pavilion and Blood Fiend Alliance lacks coordination and mutual trust.

2. The Blood Fiend Alliance's Cultivation Techniques lean toward the sinister and evil, fearing Thunder, Fire, and Light-type Dao techniques.

3. Zhao Zheng of the Zongheng Alliance is greedy for merit and impulsive, easily provoked.

4. Although the nine members of the Shadow Kill Tower are strong, they have lost organizational support, so their supplies and intelligence are limited.

V. Recommended Response Strategy:

1. Beat them at their own game by setting up a pre-emptive ambush.

2. Divide and conquer by exploiting the conflicts between the enemies.

3. Break them one by one, starting with the weak enemy (Zongheng Alliance) before breaking the strong enemy (Blood Fiend Alliance).

4. Keep a trump card in reserve to prevent accidents.

After receiving the intelligence, Lin Ye opened his eyes, a cold light flickering within them.

“Pavilion Master Qin's intelligence network truly lives up to its reputation,” he praised sincerely. The detail of this information, even including the specific number of enemies, their equipment, and action plans, was not something a normal intelligence organization could achieve; there must be internal moles or high-level reconnaissance methods.

Qin Ruoxue nodded slightly. “Since the Heavenly Secret Pavilion is cooperating with the Heavenly Court, we naturally must show our sincerity. However, Leader Lin, we are outnumbered, and the situation is not optimistic. The Overlord Pavilion and Blood Fiend Alliance combined have forty-five people, including twelve in the Dao Palace Realm; the Zongheng Alliance has twelve people, with four in the Dao Palace Realm; the Shadow Kill Tower has nine people whose cultivation is unknown but at least at the Dao Palace level. Whereas we...”

She glanced at the backstage area. “The core combat power of the Heavenly Court in the God City, plus the Iron Blood Mercenary Group, consists of no more than ten in the Dao Palace Realm and over thirty in the Wheel Sea Realm. We are at a disadvantage in both quantity and quality.”

“Quantity does not represent everything,” Lin Ye said calmly. “Besides... why should we fight them head-on?”

He walked to the Water Mirror Formation and tapped on several mirror surfaces. “Pavilion Master Qin, look. The Overlord Pavilion occupies the west roof; it's a high point suitable for long-range suppression, but the terrain is narrow. Once approached, it will be difficult for them to maneuver. The Blood Fiend Alliance is at the east alley entrance; the alley is only one zhang wide, suitable for an ambush, but it also means—it will be difficult for them to retreat quickly.”

“The Zongheng Alliance is at the south street corner, which is a major intersection with many people passing by. Blending into the crowd is indeed stealthy, but it also means... once the battle starts, they will be the first to affect innocents, which will trigger intervention from the City Guard.”

“The Shadow Kill Tower is in the narrow north alley, lurking in stealth, which is the most dangerous. But with nine of them squeezed into a dead end...” A cold sneer curled at the corner of Lin Ye's mouth. “It's the perfect chance to wipe them all out at once.”

A brilliant light flashed in Qin Ruoxue's eyes. “Does Leader Lin already have a countermeasure?”

“I've had a countermeasure for a long time.” Lin Ye took out a roll of Formation diagrams from his robe—it was the transcript of that 'Incomplete Formation Diagram Notebook.' “Three days before the auction, I laid down triple Formations around the Treasure Gathering Pavilion. It was originally just a precaution, but now it seems they will come in handy.”

He unfolded the Formation diagram, which had twelve nodes marked with cinnabar.

“The first layer, the outermost, is the 'Mist Illusion Array.' It covers a hundred-zhang radius around the Treasure Gathering Pavilion and can distort light, sound, and low-level Divine Sense detection. Enemies entering this array will lose their sense of direction, see illusions, and find it difficult to communicate with each other.”

“The second layer, the middle ring, is the 'Five Elements Trapping Formation.' Centered on the Treasure Gathering Pavilion with a radius of fifty zhang, I have buried five Formation bases corresponding to the elements. Once activated, it can form a Five Elements binding of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth, which those below the Dao Palace Third Layer will find hard to escape.”

“The third layer, the inner ring, is the 'Thunderbolt Slaying Evil Formation.' This is specifically prepared for the Blood Fiend Alliance. I have buried twelve 'Heavenly Thunder Talismans' at twelve positions on the outer walls of the Treasure Gathering Pavilion. The Blood Fiend Alliance's techniques are sinister, and they fear thunder most of all. Once this array is out, their combat power will be weakened by at least thirty percent.”

Qin Ruoxue was shocked as she listened. Triple Formations, each interlocking with the next—how much investment and foresight did this require? And from Lin Ye's tone, these Formations weren't temporary setups but had been prepared before the auction even began!

“Leader Lin... did you expect today long ago?” she couldn't help but ask.

“It’s not expectation; it was a certainty.” Lin Ye put away the Formation diagram. “Possessing a treasure brings its own trouble. With the Heavenly Court putting up so many treasures for auction, it would be strange if no one had ill intentions. I simply made the worst-case preparations in advance.”

He turned to Zhao Wuji. “How much longer until the handover is complete?”

"At most half an hour," Zhao Wuji said, checking the list. "There are still three small-to-medium forces and a dozen or so individual transactions with Loose Cultivators left."

"Speed it up, but don't panic," Lin Ye ordered. "Notify all Heavenly Court members to move into their combat positions as planned. Have the Iron Blood Mercenary Group hold the first-floor hall and all entrances and exits. Chen Hao and Wang Iron Pillar, take ten people to the basement; there's a secret passage there to escort non-combatants out if necessary."

"What about Su Qingyue?"

"Qingyue is already in position." Lin Ye looked at a certain screen on the Water Mirror Formation—it was a window on the third floor of the Treasure Gathering Pavilion, where a slender figure stood quietly holding a round ice-crystal mirror that reflected the entire West District. "Her 'Broad Cold Ice Mirror' can monitor spiritual energy fluctuations within a three-mile radius; any anomaly will not escape her eyes."

"And Shi Potian?"

"He's snuck out." Lin Ye pointed to the screen showing the narrow alley to the north in the Water Mirror Formation. "Don't the people from Shadow Kill Tower like to hide? I sent Potian to give them a little 'extra spice'."

Qin Ruoxue followed his finger and saw, in the water mirror image of the northern narrow alley, an almost invisible shadow moving along the base of the wall. That shadow was like ink blending into the darkness; if not for the spiritual wave display function of the Water Mirror Formation, it would be impossible to detect with the naked eye.

"Shi Potian's 'Shadow Stealth Technique' is already close to Major Achievement," Qin Ruoxue marveled.

"It's still not enough," Lin Ye shook his head. "The real test comes later."

He walked to a corner backstage where several large crates were stacked. Opening them, he revealed neatly arranged equipment, Medicinal Pills, and Talismans.

"Distribute these," Lin Ye said to Zhao Wuji. "Every combatant gets one 'Heavenly Court Standard Armor' (Excellent grade, Defense +200, Health +1000), two bottles of 'Fifth-Grade Heaven-Returning Pills', three 'Vajra Talismans', and five 'Gale Talismans'. Dao Palace Realm members are additionally equipped with one 'Random Teleportation Talisman'—this is for saving lives and must not be used unless in a desperate situation."

"Also..." Lin Ye took three items out of his Storage Pouch.

The first was a palm-sized bronze mirror with a blurred surface and the big dipper engraved on the back.

[Big Dipper Light-Fixing Mirror (Epic)]

Quality: Purple

Effect: Injecting Star Power can trigger the "Light-Fixing" effect, causing all invisibility, stealth, and illusion skills within range to fail. Duration: 30 seconds. Cooldown: 5 minutes.

Range: Thirty Zhang in diameter

Description: Mass anti-stealth equipment Lin Ye exchanged for with contribution points at the Yaoguang Holy Land, specifically designed to counter assassin-type classes.

The second item was a stack of twelve purple Talismans, each drawn with a thunder dragon pattern.

[Heavenly Thunder Evil-Suppressing Talisman ×12]

Quality: Rare

Effect: Upon activation, summons a bolt of heavenly thunder to attack a target, dealing 300% extra damage to targets with yin-evil attributes and inflicting a 3-second paralysis.

Usage Requirements: Dao Palace Realm or above, Thunder Affinity ≥ 10

Description: Talismans Lin Ye had an Artifact Refiner rush-produce using scraps of purple thunder essence gold, specifically targeting the Blood Fiend Alliance.

The third item was a set of seven palm-sized Formation Flags in red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and purple.

[Lesser Five Elements Formation Flags (Incomplete)]

Quality: Rare (Set)

Effect: Deploys a simplified version of the Lesser Five Elements Formation covering a twenty-zhang diameter. Allies within the Formation gain +10% to all attributes, while enemies suffer -10%. Duration: 15 minutes.

Usage Requirements: Formation Knowledge ≥ 50, requires seven people to control simultaneously.

Description: An experimental product Lin Ye had a Formation Master create based on the theories in the "Incomplete Formation Diagram Notebook." While not as powerful as the complete Formation, it has the advantage of being portable and quick to deploy.

"Give the Big Dipper Light-Fixing Mirror to Qingyue. She's at the high point with the best view and can provide the widest range of anti-stealth. Distribute the Heavenly Thunder Evil-Suppressing Talismans to all members who know thunder-based Dao arts, focusing on the Blood Fiend Alliance. As for the Lesser Five Elements Formation Flags..." Lin Ye looked at Qin Ruoxue. "Pavilion Master Qin, I heard you have seven sisters under your command who are skilled in combined attack techniques?"

Qin Ruoxue nodded. "The Heavenly Secret Pavilion's 'Seven Star Guards' are all at the Peak of the Wheel Sea Realm and have practiced combined attack Formations since childhood."

"Then give it to them." Lin Ye handed the Formation Flags over. "I've recorded the control methods for the Formation into a Jade Slip; have them familiarize themselves quickly. Once the battle starts, their sole task is to maintain the Lesser Five Elements Formation to provide support to the front line."

Qin Ruoxue took them solemnly. "I will not fail the mission."

With the equipment distributed, the atmosphere backstage became even more somber.

All Heavenly Court members had changed into their standard armor and were checking their weapons and pills. The mercenaries of the Iron Blood Mercenary Group silently wiped their blades; they were veterans who lived on the edge and knew exactly what the calm before a great battle meant.

Lin Ye walked to the window and looked out at the darkening sky.

Dusk had arrived, and twilight was closing in. The lights of the Divine City lit up one by one, but the West District was even quieter than usual because the auction had just ended—smart people knew this place was about to become a zone of conflict and had avoided it early on.

"It's about time," Lin Ye said softly.

He took out a transmission Talisman, which was a direct line to Su Qingyue.

"Qingyue, what do you see?"

A moment later, Su Qingyue's voice came back with a hint of chilliness: "On the west roof, the people from Overlord Pavilion have started moving; six people have come down from the roof and blended into the tavern opposite. At the east alley entrance, two of the Six Blood Fiends from the Blood Fiend Alliance have left for parts unknown, possibly to set up the nodes for a Blood Fiend Grand Formation. At the south street corner, the Zongheng Alliance people have split into three groups of four and are approaching the three side doors of the Treasure Gathering Pavilion. In the north narrow alley... Shi Potian is already in position, and the Shadow Kill Tower people haven't noticed yet."

"Continue monitoring." Lin Ye put away the transmission Talisman.

He walked to the Water Mirror Formation and watched the light dots representing the enemies begin to move, disperse, and encircle.

Everything was proceeding according to the plan in Qin Ruoxue's intelligence.

In that case, it was time to trigger the traps.

Lin Ye took out three jade Talismans from his robe—these were the Formation cores to control the triple Formation.

The first was a white jade Talisman, controlling the outermost Mist Illusion Array.

Lin Ye pressed the jade Talisman into his palm and injected Chaos Divine Power.

"Buzz—"

A low hum emanated from the foundations of the Treasure Gathering Pavilion, and an invisible ripple spread out from the pavilion as the center. Within a hundred-zhang radius, the air began to warp, the light became blurred, and sounds felt as if they were filtered through a curtain of water. Pedestrians on the street suddenly felt a bit dizzy and subconsciously quickened their pace to leave the area.

On the west roof, the Barbarian King of the Overlord Pavilion frowned. "What's going on? Why did it suddenly get foggy?"

He looked toward the Treasure Gathering Pavilion; the previously clear architectural outlines were starting to blur as if seen through frosted glass. Even more bizarre, the voices of his companions became distant and distorted, as if coming from underwater.

"Vice Chairman, something's wrong!" an Overlord Pavilion member shouted. "My Divine Sense detection range has been compressed to within ten zhang!"

"A Formation!" the Barbarian King realized. "The Heavenly Court has set up a Formation! Notify the Blood Fiend Alliance people; the plan is moved up, act immediately!"

But it was already too late.

The second jade Talisman, a yellow one, controlled the middle-ring Five Elements Trapping Formation.

Lin Ye injected Divine Power, and the jade Talisman lit up with five-colored light.

On the ground fifty zhang around the Treasure Gathering Pavilion, five-colored light patterns suddenly emerged! Gold, green, blue, red, and brown lights intertwined into a massive net, enveloping the entire area. The members of the Zongheng Alliance and Blood Fiend Alliance who were approaching the Treasure Gathering Pavilion felt their feet sink as if they had stepped into a quagmire, and their movement speed plummeted by 50%!

"It's a trapping Formation!" at the south street corner, a Dao Palace Cultivator from the Zongheng Alliance exclaimed. "We've been lured into a trap!"

"What's the panic!" another barked. "It's just a trapping Formation, just break it! Everyone, concentrate your attacks on one point!"

But before they could act—

The third jade Talisman, a purple one, controlled the inner-ring Thunderbolt Slaying Evil Formation.

Lin Ye injected his Chaos Divine Power with full force, and thunder light exploded on the surface of the jade Talisman!

“Boom—!!!”

From twelve positions on the outer walls of the Treasure Gathering Pavilion, blinding thunder light erupted simultaneously! Twelve bolts of purple thunder, as thick as bowls, shot into the sky and intertwined into a massive thunder net in the night sky, enveloping the entire Treasure Gathering Pavilion. Wherever the thunder light passed, yin-evil energy dissolved like melting snow!

"Ahhh—!!!"

At the east alley entrance, piercing screams rang out from the Blood Fiend Alliance camp. Those Cultivators who practiced blood-fiend techniques saw their protective blood-light dim rapidly under the suppression of the thunder power; several with weaker cultivation even spat blood and collapsed!

"Thunder arts! It's a thunder art specifically designed to counter us!" the leader of the Six Blood Fiends turned pale. "The Heavenly Court was prepared! Retreat! Retreat out of here first!"

But the Mist Illusion Array distorted their sense of direction, and the Five Elements Trapping Formation restricted their movement; they were already caught in the overlapping Domain of the triple Formation!

And at that moment, inside the Treasure Gathering Pavilion.

Lin Ye put away the three jade Talismans and turned to face all the Heavenly Court members.

His gaze swept over faces that were nervous, excited, or determined.

"Everyone," Lin Ye's voice was calm and powerful. "The enemy has entered the trap. Next, it's time for the harvest."

"Su Qingyue, prepare the Big Dipper Light-Fixing Mirror. In thirty breaths, illuminate the northern narrow alley and coordinate with Shi Potian to clear out Shadow Kill Tower."

"Pavilion Master Qin, have the Seven Star Guards in position. The Lesser Five Elements Formation will cover the front entrance area of the Treasure Gathering Pavilion to support the front-line battlefield."

"Chen Hao, Wang Iron Pillar, take your ten people out through the secret passage, circle to the back of the east alley entrance, and cut off the Blood Fiend Alliance's retreat."

"Zhao Wuji, you take the Iron Blood Mercenary Group and hold the Treasure Gathering Pavilion. Anyone who tries to break in, kill without mercy."

"The rest of you, follow me—"

Lin Ye drew his Bronze War Spear, its tip igniting with gray-white Chaos Fire.

"Face the enemy head-on!"

"Yes!!!"

Amidst the earth-shaking response, the doors of the Treasure Gathering Pavilion slammed open.

Lin Ye took the lead and stepped out.

Outside, the night was deep, and the light from the triple Formation illuminated the area like broad daylight.

And from all directions, dozens of gazes filled with killing intent focused on him simultaneously.

The great battle was on the verge of breaking out.