71: Chapter 71 Fierce Bidding, Spirit Stones at Sky-High Prices

The one-stick-of-incense break felt exceptionally long in the tense atmosphere.

Inside the main hall of Treasure Gathering Pavilion, the six hundred seats were nearly full, yet it was surprisingly quiet. Only occasional whispers, the clinking of teacups, and the rustling of fabric could be heard. Everyone's gaze was focused on the auction stage, specifically on the display stand covered once again with red silk.

Inside the VIP boxes, the atmosphere was even more solemn.

In Box No. 2 on the third floor, Ji Family's Third Elder Ji Xuanfeng sat with his eyes closed to rest, his fingers tapping the armrest rhythmically. Behind him, two Ji Family Juniors held their breath, not daring to disturb him.

"Third Elder." Finally, the young Ji Family disciple Ji Yun couldn't help but speak in a low voice, "We are determined to get the cold marrow crystal, but if the price exceeds our budget..."

"There is no 'if'." Ji Xuanfeng didn't open his eyes. "The Family needs the cold marrow crystal to forge the 'Ice Soul Cold Light Sword'; this was personally ordered by the Old Ancestor. The budget limit is two hundred thousand, but if necessary... we can use the emergency funds."

Ji Yun gasped. Two hundred thousand! That was already more than double the market price for cold marrow crystal! And they were even going to use emergency funds...

"But the other families..."

"The Jiang Family primarily Cultivates fire-attribute Cultivation Techniques; the cold marrow crystal isn't very useful to them, at most for collection or resale. The Yao Family needs the starlight dew, and the Ying Family is more interested in the purple thunder essence gold. The true opponent is the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower—they want to hoard it for speculation." Ji Xuanfeng said indifferently, "But the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower won't dare to fall out with us. They can't afford to offend the four great clans of the Divine City."

In Box No. 4 on the third floor, the middle-aged beauty of the Jiang Family, Jiang Yuehua, was carefully examining a Jade Slip. The Jade Slip recorded detailed information on all the auction items, as well as the intentions and budgets of various factions analyzed by the Jiang Family's think tank.

"Auntie." A maid behind her spoke softly, "The Family only gave a budget of one hundred and fifty thousand for the cold marrow crystal. If it exceeds this amount..."

"I know." Jiang Yuehua put down the Jade Slip, her beautiful eyes shimmering. "But the Ji Family's Old Ancestor needs the cold marrow crystal to practice sword-forging; everyone knows this. Although we don't need it, we can drive up the price."

A hint of a smile curled at the corners of her mouth. "The Ji Family has become increasingly aggressive these years; it's time to make them bleed a little. Within one hundred and fifty thousand, we'll bid normally; once it exceeds that... every time we raise the price, the Ji Family has to spend a few thousand more Spirit Stones. Why not?"

In Box No. 5 on the third floor, the young scholar of the Yao Family, Yao Wenxuan, was communicating via sound transmission with the Head Shopkeeper of the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower.

"Shopkeeper Li, my Yao Family is determined to have the starlight dew." Yao Wenxuan's voice rang directly in the Head Shopkeeper's mind. "If your Ten Thousand Treasures Tower doesn't compete, my Yao Family will surely reward you handsomely afterward."

The Head Shopkeeper's reply came quickly: "Young Master Yao, the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower is open for business, and we go by the rule of the highest bidder. However... if the Yao Family is willing to compensate our Ten Thousand Treasures Tower with an additional ten percent 'hardship fee' on top of the final price, we can appropriately control the bidding increments."

A cold glint flashed in Yao Wenxuan's eyes, but his tone remained unchanged: "Ten percent is too much. Five percent."

"Deal."

In the second-floor box area, the atmosphere among the player factions was more direct.

In Box No. 5, Ares had already stood up and was pacing back and forth: "purple thunder essence gold! Something Lord Zeus specifically asked for! Athena, how much money did we bring?"

Athena sat calmly at the table, playing with a golden die in her hand. "Two hundred thousand Spirit Stones. But if the price of the purple thunder essence gold exceeds one hundred and fifty thousand, we must give up on the High-Grade Spirit Stone Formation."

"Give up? Why?" Ares's eyes widened. "That Formation is a huge help for Cultivation!"

"Because the purple thunder essence gold is more important." Athena looked up at him. "The Thunder Battle Armor is the key for Lord Zeus to Breakthrough to the Four Extremities Realm. As for the Formation... it's just the icing on the cake. Don't you understand the art of trade-offs?"

Ares opened his mouth, but ultimately sat down dejectedly.

In Box No. 3, Alliance Master of Henghe Alliance's face was so gloomy it looked like it could drip water.

On the table in front of him was the asset list of the Zongheng Alliance: a total of two hundred and fifty thousand Spirit Stones in liquid capital, of which one hundred thousand was temporarily allocated by the Family, and one hundred and fifty thousand was the accumulation of the Zongheng Alliance over half a year.

"Alliance Master." A confidant whispered, "We already spent eighty thousand on the Spirit Stone gift packs and Mid-Grade Spirit Stones just now. Now only one hundred and seventy thousand is left... do we still bid for the epic Materials?"

"Bid! Why wouldn't we?" Alliance Master of Henghe Alliance gritted his teeth. "Even if we can't get them, we must drive up the price! Make Heavenly Court bleed more!"

"But... the other factions aren't fools. If malicious price-driving is discovered..."

"Then do it discreetly!" Alliance Master of Henghe Alliance growled. "Spread out the bids, don't raise the price consecutively. Also, keep a close eye on Lin Ye's location. Once the auction ends..."

He didn't finish, but the killing intent in his eyes said everything.

Time passed quietly amidst the calculations of various parties.

When the lights in the main hall of Treasure Gathering Pavilion dimmed again, leaving only a bright pillar of light on the auction stage, everyone's spirits lifted.

Zhao Wuji stepped onto the auction stage once more.

He had changed into more formal attire—a deep black base with star patterns embroidered in gold thread and silver silk flowing cloud motifs on the hem. Holding the golden auction gavel, his face was calm and his gaze sharp.

"Everyone, thank you for waiting." Zhao Wuji's voice spread throughout the venue via the amplification Formation. "Now, the finale of the Heavenly Court's first Treasure Appraisal Convention—the auction of epic Heaven And Earth Treasures, officially begins!"

Behind him, two maids in moon-white long dresses each carried a jade box and walked onto the stage gracefully.

The jade boxes were placed on the display stand. The moment the lids were opened, a dense surge of Spiritual Qi spread out like a tide!

Inside the first jade box was a fist-sized purple-gold Ore. Natural thunder patterns had formed on its surface, with faint flickers of electricity flowing within, occasionally making slight crackling sounds. Even through the jade box, one could feel the violent thunder power contained within.

In the second jade box was an ice-blue crystal the size of a pigeon egg. The crystal was transparent throughout, emitting a bone-chilling cold. Small ice crystals condensed in the air within a three-inch radius around the jade box.

"The first item, purple thunder essence gold." Zhao Wuji pointed to the first jade box. "An epic-grade thunder-attribute refining material, produced from the depths of the Thunder Marsh in the Chenxing Mountain Range, forged by a thousand years of lightning. Incorporating this into a weapon can grant a thunder-attribute attack; incorporating it into armor can significantly increase thunder resistance. More importantly, it comes with a 'Heavenly Thunder Tempering' effect; equipment forged with this material has a chance to gain the 'Thunder Strike' skill."

He paused and said loudly, "purple thunder essence gold, starting price—fifty thousand Spirit Stones! Each increment must be no less than two thousand!"

"Sixty thousand!" In Box No. 5 on the second floor, Ares was the first to bid.

"Sixty-five thousand." In Box No. 1 on the third floor, an aged voice rang out—it was the representative of the Ying Family.

"Seventy thousand." The Head Shopkeeper of the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower calmly bid.

"Eighty thousand!" Ares directly added ten thousand.

The crowd was in an uproar.

Adding ten thousand directly! This wasn't just bidding; it was a declaration of determination to win!

The Ying Family representative was silent for a moment: "Eighty-five thousand."

"Ninety thousand!" Ares did not back down.

The Head Shopkeeper of the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower frowned and finally shook his head, giving up. purple thunder essence gold was good, but it wasn't worth more than ninety thousand.

The Elder of the Ying Family seemed to hesitate, only speaking slowly after a few breaths: "Ninety-two... thousand."

"One hundred thousand!" Ares's voice was resolute.

This time, the Ying Family fell completely silent.

"One hundred thousand for the first time... one hundred thousand for the second time..." Zhao Wuji raised the auction gavel.

"One hundred and ten thousand." A cold female voice suddenly rang out.

Everyone looked toward the source: Box No. 7 on the second floor—the representative of "Leiyin Pavilion," who hadn't made a move until now. This was a player guild specializing in Thunder Arts. Although not as large as the top ten guilds, they were always willing to spend money on thunder-attribute resources.

Ares's expression changed, and he gritted his teeth, "One hundred and twenty thousand!"

"One hundred and thirty thousand." The representative of Leiyin Pavilion didn't hesitate.

"One hundred and forty thousand!"

"One hundred and fifty thousand."

Ares's fists tightened, veins popping. He looked at Athena, questioning her with his eyes.

Athena nodded slightly.

"One hundred and sixty thousand!" Ares almost roared it out.

This time, Leiyin Pavilion fell silent. One hundred and sixty thousand had already exceeded their budget.

"One hundred and sixty thousand for the first time... one hundred and sixty thousand for the second time... one hundred and sixty thousand for the third time—Sold!"

The golden gavel fell.

The purple thunder essence gold was sold for the astronomical price of one hundred and sixty thousand, won by Olympus!

Gasps of amazement echoed through the hall. One hundred and sixty thousand! This had already set the record for the highest transaction price for a single epic-grade material in the Divine City in the last three years!

"Congratulations to Olympus." Zhao Wuji smiled. "Next is the second item—cold marrow crystal."

He pointed to the second jade box. "An epic-grade ice-attribute material, produced from beneath ten thousand feet of ice in the Far North Ice Plain, requiring a thousand years to condense a single piece. This item can be used directly to forge ice-attribute Magic Treasures, or as a primary ingredient for cold-attribute Medicinal Pills. For special Physiques such as the Vast Cold Spirit Body and Ice Spirit Body, it provides an additional bonus effect."

"The starting price is also fifty thousand Spirit Stones, with each increment no less than two thousand!"

"Sixty thousand." Ji Xuanfeng was the first to speak.

"Sixty-five thousand." Jiang Yuehua followed closely.

"Seventy thousand." The Head Shopkeeper of the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower made his move again.

"Eighty thousand." Ji Xuanfeng directly added ten thousand.

A hint of a smile flashed in Jiang Yuehua's eyes. "Eighty-five thousand."

"Ninety thousand."

"Ninety-five thousand."

"One hundred thousand."

The price climbed back and forth between the Ji Family and the Jiang Family. When the bid reached one hundred and ten thousand, the Head Shopkeeper of the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower shook his head and withdrew—he knew these two families were locking horns.

"One hundred and twenty thousand." Ji Xuanfeng's voice remained calm.

"One hundred and twenty-five thousand." Jiang Yuehua was unhurried.

"One hundred and thirty thousand."

"One hundred and thirty-five thousand."

Ji Xuanfeng finally frowned. He looked toward the Jiang Family's box, his gaze turning slightly cold. "Madam Jiang, the cold marrow crystal is of no great use to the Jiang Family. Why be so persistent?"

Jiang Yuehua's laughter drifted out through the box's Formation. "Elder Ji, you're mistaken. Treasures belong to those who are destined for them. Although my Jiang Family doesn't Cultivate ice-attribute arts, it's still good for collection and appreciation."

These words were clearly meant to provoke.

Ji Xuanfeng was silent for a moment before slowly speaking, "One hundred and fifty thousand."

As soon as this price was announced, the hall was in an uproar once again!

One hundred and fifty thousand! It had already reached three times the market price for cold marrow crystal!

Jiang Yuehua seemed to have achieved her goal and chuckled, "Elder Ji is truly generous. Then this little sister won't compete further."

"One hundred and fifty thousand for the first time... one hundred and fifty thousand for the second time... one hundred and fifty thousand for the third time—Sold!"

The cold marrow crystal was sold for one hundred and fifty thousand, falling into the Ji Family's hands.

But Ji Xuanfeng's expression was not pleasant. Spending at least fifty thousand extra Spirit Stones would make anyone unhappy.

"Next is the third item—starlight dew." Zhao Wuji timely shifted everyone's attention.

The third jade box opened, revealing a small bottle of silver liquid. The liquid flowed slowly inside the transparent crystal bottle, with starlight shimmering on its surface, looking exquisite.

"starlight dew, a rare spiritual liquid produced in places with dense astral power. It can be consumed directly to permanently increase Divine Sense strength by 5-10 points; it can also be used as a primary ingredient to refine 'Starry Pills,' which significantly enhance Divine Sense cultivation." Zhao Wuji introduced, "Starting price sixty thousand Spirit Stones, with each increment no less than two thousand!"

"Seventy thousand!" Yao Wenxuan was the first to bid.

"Seventy-five thousand." The Head Shopkeeper of the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower bid.

[part:gemini-3.1-flash-lite]

"Eighty thousand." A strange voice came from Box No. 10 on the second floor—that was the representative of the Star Sea Sect, a small Sect that specialized in star-related Cultivation Techniques.

"Ninety thousand!" Yao Wenxuan was determined to win.

"Ninety-five thousand." The Star Sea Sect gritted their teeth and followed suit.

"One hundred thousand!"

"One hundred... five thousand."

"One hundred twenty thousand!" Yao Wenxuan directly added fifteen thousand!

This price made the Star Sea Sect fall completely silent. One hundred twenty thousand exceeded their limit of endurance.

The Grand Manager of the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower looked at Yao Wenxuan, then at the Jade Slip in his hand, and finally shook his head and gave up. He had already promised the Yao Family beforehand; there was no need to tear apart their relationship.

"One hundred twenty thousand, going once... One hundred twenty thousand, going twice... One hundred twenty thousand, going three times—sold!"

The Star Dew was sold for one hundred twenty thousand and fell into the hands of the Yao Family.

With the three Epic-Grade Materials auctioned off, the total transaction amount reached four hundred thirty thousand!

Adding the previous amounts, the total transaction amount of the auction had already exceeded one million nine hundred thousand!

This figure made the atmosphere in the entire main hall become scorching hot.

"Thank you all for your enthusiasm." Zhao Wuji's face also revealed an excited flush. "Now, we enter the final segment of this appreciation event—the auction of High-Grade Spirit Stones!"

He clapped his hands.

Four guards carried a specially made crystal cabinet onto the stage. Inside the cabinet, five High-Grade Spirit Stones were placed side by side. Each was the size of an adult's fist, a perfect polyhedron, pale gold throughout, with spiritual light flowing inside like liquid.

Even more astonishingly, these five Spirit Stones spontaneously formed a miniature pentagram array inside the cabinet, with tiny threads of spiritual light connecting them, their Spiritual Qi circulating endlessly and ceaselessly!

"Five High-Grade Spirit Stones, all with a purity of over 99%." Zhao Wuji's voice trembled slightly with excitement. "Moreover, these five Spirit Stones naturally form a 'Five-Spirit Circulation Array'. Cultivating within the array can increase Cultivation speed by 50% and increase the success rate of breaking through a Bottleneck by 10%!"

"This item will not be sold separately; it is a set of five. The starting price—two hundred thousand Spirit Stones! Each bid increment must be no less than ten thousand!"

The entire venue fell silent.

A starting price of two hundred thousand! This had already surpassed the transaction price of any previous auction item!

But after a brief silence, a bidding storm suddenly erupted!

"Two hundred fifty thousand!" Athena of Olympus spoke first, directly adding fifty thousand!

"Three hundred thousand!" The Elder of the Ying Family said in a deep voice.

"Three hundred fifty thousand!" The Grand Manager of the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower also joined the battle.

"Four hundred thousand!" Ji Xuanfeng's voice rang out—the cold marrow crystal was already in his hands, and he now had sufficient funds to compete for this set of Spirit Stones.

"Four hundred fifty thousand!" Yao Wenxuan followed closely behind. Having spent one hundred twenty thousand on the Star Dew, the Yao Family still had the capacity.

"Five hundred thousand!" Athena increased the bid again, her voice cold.

This price caused the Ying Family and the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower to withdraw simultaneously.

"Five hundred fifty thousand." Ji Xuanfeng said slowly.

"Six hundred thousand." Yao Wenxuan gritted his teeth and followed.

"Six hundred fifty thousand." Athena did not back down at all.

"Seven hundred thousand!" A trace of fluctuation finally appeared in Ji Xuanfeng's voice.

Yao Wenxuan fell silent. Seven hundred thousand exceeded the Yao Family's budget.

"Seven hundred fifty thousand." Athena increased the bid again.

Ji Xuanfeng closed his eyes, then opened them a moment later: "Eight hundred thousand."

"Eight hundred fifty thousand." Athena followed up almost immediately.

Ji Xuanfeng finally shook his head and gave up. Eight hundred thousand was already his psychological limit; eight hundred fifty thousand... was not worth it.

"Eight hundred fifty thousand, going once... Eight hundred fifty thousand, going twice... Eight hundred fifty thousand, going three times—sold!"

The golden gavel fell, its sound shaking the entire venue.

The Spirit Array composed of five High-Grade Spirit Stones was sold for the astronomical price of eight hundred fifty thousand and fell into the hands of Olympus!

The price of a single High-Grade Spirit Stone reached an astonishing one hundred seventy thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones! Yet the market price was usually only around one hundred thousand!

"Crazy... they're all crazy..." On the ordinary seats, a Loose Cultivator muttered to himself.

But the auction was not over yet.

"Everyone, please calm down." Zhao Wuji suppressed the clamor of the entire venue. "Next is the final auction item of this appreciation event—and also the only not-for-sale item, for display only."

He clapped his hands.

Two guards carried a long object completely covered by a black cloth onto the stage. The object was about four feet long and one foot wide, looking like a sword case.

Zhao Wuji grabbed a corner of the black cloth and took a deep breath: "This item is a Legendary-Grade Sword Embryo replica personally certified by Master Appraiser—Dragon Pattern Black Gold Sword Embryo (Replica)!"

The black cloth was lifted!

The dark golden sword embryo lay quietly in the specially made display cabinet. The sword embryo was just a rough casting, the blade unsharpened, the hilt rough, but the naturally formed dragon-shaped patterns on the surface emitted a heart-palpitating majesty. The patterns moved slowly like living things, occasionally emitting a faint golden light, and one could vaguely hear a faint dragon roar.

Even more astonishingly, the air within a three-foot radius of the sword embryo appeared slightly distorted—that was a force field naturally formed by high-concentration metal-attribute Spiritual Qi!

"This sword embryo replica simulates 30% of the appearance and 10% of the aura of the genuine article." Zhao Wuji announced loudly. "The genuine sword embryo is a Legendary-Grade Material and has already been collected by the owner; it will not be auctioned. Today's display is just to let everyone catch a glimpse of the true appearance of a Legendary-Grade Material!"

Everyone in the venue stood up, stretching their necks to see more clearly.

Legendary-Grade! This was a treasure that the vast majority of people would not see once in their entire lives!

Even if it was just a replica, that aura, that pattern, and that pressure were enough to shock people.

Inside the VIP boxes, the eyes of the representatives of various factions became scorching hot.

Ji Xuanfeng stared fixedly at the sword embryo, greed flashing in his eyes: "Legendary-Grade... If I could obtain this sword embryo, my Ji Family could forge a divine sword to suppress our clan!"

Jiang Yuehua also put away her playful expression, her expression grave: "Dragon Pattern Black Gold... This kind of material actually exists. Where did the Heavenly Court get it?"

The folding fan in Yao Wenxuan's hand stopped, and he muttered: "The genuine article is in the hands of the owner... Who is it? Lin Ye?"

In the Olympus box, Ares's breathing was heavy: "Legendary-Grade! This is the real treasure! Athena, we..."

"We can't afford it." Athena said calmly. "If the genuine article were put up for auction, the price would not be less than five million. And... do you think the Heavenly Court would sell it? A material of this level is enough to make a faction rise; who would easily let it go?"

She looked at the sword embryo replica on the display stand, a look of contemplation flashing in her eyes: "However... by displaying this, what exactly does the Heavenly Court want to do? Show off? Demonstrate? Or... fish for trouble?"

In the Zongheng Alliance box, Alliance Master of Henghe Alliance's eyes were already red.

Legendary-Grade! If he could obtain it... No, even if it was just a replica, it would be enough to make the Zongheng Alliance famous!

"Alliance Master." A confidant whispered, "This replica... can we..."

"Can what? Rob it?" Alliance Master of Henghe Alliance gritted his teeth. "Do you think Lin Ye is a fool? If he dares to bring it out for display, he must be fully prepared. And... there are others besides us eyeing this thing."

He looked at the other boxes, where those greedy gazes were almost turning into substance.

The display lasted for about a quarter of an hour.

Zhao Wuji spoke at the right moment: "The display of the Dragon Pattern Black Gold Sword Embryo replica ends here. Thank you all for coming today; the first Heavenly Court appreciation event has concluded successfully!"

"Please, honored guests who have made purchases, move to the backstage to handle the transaction procedures. For honored guests who have not made purchases, we have prepared small gifts, which can be collected at the door when leaving."

The auction officially ended.

But the atmosphere in the main hall was even more solemn than at the start.

Many people did not leave immediately but sat in their original seats, their gazes shifting between the auction stage, the backstage, and those VIP boxes.

They were waiting.

Waiting for those factions that had won major treasures to complete their transactions and leave.

Waiting for the... chaos that might occur.

Backstage, Zhao Wuji walked quickly into the private lounge, closed the door, and then let out a long sigh.

His back was already soaked with sweat.

"Brother Lin." He looked at Lin Ye standing in front of the window, his voice trembling slightly. "The total transaction amount... is two million six hundred thousand Spirit Stones. After deducting the 20% commission (five hundred twenty thousand) for the Treasure Gathering Pavilion, we actually net two million eight thousand. Then, after deducting costs and expenses... the net profit is about one million eight hundred thousand."

One million eight hundred thousand!

This figure even moved Lin Ye slightly.

"However..." Zhao Wuji's face became grave. "The problem now is whether we can leave safely with this money."

Lin Ye turned around and looked at the Water Mirror Array.

In the mirror, in the streets and alleys outside the Treasure Gathering Pavilion, dozens of ill-intentioned figures had already appeared.

And in the darker places, there were even more.

"Money is a good thing." Lin Ye said softly. "But it is also the easiest thing to attract wolves."

He took out a communication talisman: "Qingyue, what do you see?"

Su Qingyue's voice quickly came through: "Within three streets around the Treasure Gathering Pavilion, there are at least seventy suspicious targets. People from the Overlord Pavilion and the Blood Fiend Alliance have already assembled; people from the Zongheng Alliance are scattered in the crowd; and Shadow Kill Tower... I perceive nine stealthed units approaching the Treasure Gathering Pavilion."

"Specific locations."

"The Overlord Pavilion and the Blood Fiend Alliance are assembled on the second floor of the 'Drunken Immortal Tower' on the east side, twenty-seven people, six of whom are in the Dao Palace Realm. Twelve people from the Zongheng Alliance are scattered at three tea stalls on the south side, four in the Dao Palace Realm. The nine people from the Shadow Kill Tower... have already infiltrated the underground drainage System of the Treasure Gathering Pavilion and are infiltrating upwards."

A cold light flashed in Lin Ye's eyes: "They really came."

He looked at Zhao Wuji: "Speed up the transactions, but don't panic. Tell the Iron Blood Mercenary Group to prepare according to the plan."

"Yes!"

Zhao Wuji left in a hurry.

Lin Ye took out another communication talisman: "Pavilion Master Qin, how is it on your side?"

Qin Ruoxue's voice was cold and steady: "The sisters from the Heavenly Secret Pavilion are already in position. All high points, intersections, and dark alleys around the Treasure Gathering Pavilion are monitored by our people. Additionally, regarding Commander Wang of the Divine City Guard... I just received news that he was urgently summoned by the City Lord's Mansion half an hour ago and has not returned yet."

Lin Ye frowned.

The Guard Commander was called away? Such a coincidence?

"It seems some people have even used their connections with the authorities." He sneered. "But it doesn't matter; we didn't count on anyone else anyway."

"Leader Lin, do you need me to do anything?"

"Continue monitoring, and report any abnormalities immediately. Also..." Lin Ye paused. "Have your people prepare 'Recording Crystals' and record everything that happens next."

"Understood."

The communication ended.

Lin Ye walked to the window, overlooking the crowd gradually dispersing below.

The sun was setting, and twilight was approaching.

The darkest moment was about to arrive.

And at this moment, outside the Treasure Gathering Pavilion, in the shadows.

Nine almost invisible shadows were silently climbing up along the walls of the drainage pipes.

Their goal was very clear—Box No. 1 on the third floor.

The genuine Legendary-Grade Sword Embryo was right there.