153: Thunder Poison Penetrates to the Bone and the Heavenly Star Auction Order

Yun Zhu Courtyard, Front Hall.

Under the dim yellow light, the tattered beast-skin map lay quietly on the table.

The thin, small Cultivator covered in burns stared intently at Zhou Wannian (Old Man Han), his eyes filled with both hope and despair. His hands trembled slightly beneath his sleeves, and an occasional arc of black electricity flickered from beneath his ulcerated skin, bringing with it a scorched smell.

"I do not lack Spirit Stones."

The Cultivator's voice was as hoarse as if he were swallowing charcoal. "I only want to live."

"This 'Yin Fiend Lightning Poison' has already entered my bones. Every time it rains with thunder, I feel as if countless blunt knives are scraping my bones. If Boss Han can save me, this map... I will offer it with both hands, free of charge."

"Yin Fiend Lightning Poison?"

Zhou Wannian extended a finger, a speck of pure starlight lighting up at the tip, and lightly tapped the pulse point on the Cultivator's wrist.

Zizizi!

The black arcs of electricity seemed provoked, suddenly lunging back along Zhou Wannian's finger with an extremely insidious corrosive power.

"Hmph."

Zhou Wannian gave a cold snort, the First-Grade Golden Core within his body vibrating slightly.

Boom!

A domineering purple-gold Pill Fire surged from his fingertip, instantly devouring and refining that surge of black electricity.

Pfft!

The Cultivator spat out a mouthful of black blood and slumped into the chair, but his previously pained and distorted face relaxed significantly.

"This poison can be cured."

Zhou Wannian withdrew his hand, his tone flat. "You were scratched by a 'Double-Headed Thunder Pigeon' on the outskirts of the Thunderstorm Sea Region, weren't you? That thing is a mutated Yao Beast; its lightning attribute is mixed with corpse qi."

"Divine doctor! Truly a divine doctor!"

The Cultivator was so excited he was about to kneel. "It was indeed that beast! I beg the boss to save me!"

"I can save you."

Zhou Wannian picked up the map and examined it closely.

"But this map... is a bit of a hot potato."

"This Thunderstorm Sea Region is a Forbidden Ground of the Chaotic Star Sea, filled with ten-thousand-year accumulated lightning. Even if I have the map, without special means to ward off lightning, going in would be seeking death."

"And..."

Zhou Wannian looked at the Cultivator with a faint smile.

"If I'm not mistaken, you've probably told more than just me about the news of this map, haven't you?"

The Cultivator's face turned pale, and his eyes flickered.

"I... I went to several large merchant guilds before to raise money for treatment. But they all said it was a fake map and even sent people to follow me, wanting to kill me and seize the treasure. I had no choice but to flee to the slums here on the fiftieth floor..."

"That explains it."

Zhou Wannian sighed and tucked the map into his sleeve.

"This map is a Treasure Trove, but it's also a death warrant."

"What is your name?"

"Lei San."

"Good, Lei San. From today on, you will stay in my shop as an assistant."

Zhou Wannian took out a bottle of specially made Medicinal Pills from behind the counter and threw it to him.

"This is 'Clear Spirit Powder.' Apply it externally and take it internally daily, and the root of the poison can be extracted in half a month. Additionally, I will teach you a set of 'Breath Concealment Techniques.' As long as you don't leave this courtyard, no one will be able to find you."

"Thank you, Boss! Lei San's life is yours from now on!"

Lei San went to the backyard with a thousand thanks... After Lei San left, Zhou Wannian returned to the underground secret room.

He spread the tattered beast-skin map on the table and took out the Heavenly Secret Dao Disk again.

"I seek the heavenly secret."

"In the place indicated by this map, is there truly 'golden thunder divine wood'? What is the fortune or misfortune?"

Buzz—

The dao disk rotated, and the needle stopped.

[Deduction Result: Great fortune accompanied by danger (wealth sought amidst peril).]

[Treasure Confirmed: golden thunder divine wood (Growth stage, thirty thousand years old). Associated spiritual item: tribulation thunder fruit (three pieces).]

[Danger: This area is covered by a natural 'Ten Thousand Lightning Void-Locking Formation,' and is guarded by a half-step transformed 'Thunder Flood Dragon.']

[Hint: Must possess a 'Lightning-Attracting Object' to enter safely.]

"Lightning-Attracting Object?"

Zhou Wannian rubbed his chin.

Ordinary lightning rods definitely wouldn't work. In a sea of lightning of this level, they would be melted instantly upon entry.

He needed a top-tier lightning-attribute Magic Treasure, or... some kind of special material that could absorb and store lightning.

Just then.

"Buzz."

The "Eavesdropping Mother Talisman" placed aside suddenly vibrated.

It wasn't from Ling Yuling, but from... the Restriction in the front hall.

Someone had triggered the shop's visiting Formation.

"Who is it this late?"

Zhou Wannian put away the map and the dao disk, and with a flash of his body, he returned to the front hall... Outside the door stood two Cultivators wearing the white robes of Star Palace Deacons.

Seeing Zhou Wannian come out, the two were very respectful, even humble.

"May I ask if you are Mr. Han Li?"

"It is indeed this old man." Zhou Wannian returned to his half-dead appearance.

"We are here by the order of the Young Palace Master (Ling Yuling) to deliver an invitation."

One of the deacons presented a gold-stamped red invitation with both hands.

Starlight flowed across the surface of the invitation, which bore several bold and powerful characters:

[Heavenly Star Grand Ceremony · Top-Tier Auction].

"In three days, at the 'Star-Plucking Hall' on the top floor of Tianxing City, a decennial top-tier auction will be held."

The deacon said respectfully, "The Young Palace Master said that at this auction, there will be several grand finale treasures that Mr. Han would be interested in. One of them is called 'Heavenly Thunder Bamboo Leaf'."

"Heavenly Thunder Bamboo Leaf?"

Zhou Wannian's originally cloudy old eyes instantly brightened.

Although it was just a leaf, it meant that the Star Palace definitely had clues about Heavenly Thunder Bamboo, or perhaps even a finished Magic Treasure!

"The Young Palace Master also said she heard you have been collecting lightning-attribute Materials lately. If you would grace us with your presence, she has prepared some modest wine in 'Heaven-Grade Box No. 1' and awaits your arrival."

"Heh, Young Master Wen is quite thoughtful."

Zhou Wannian took the invitation and casually rewarded each of them with a Mid-Grade Spirit Stone.

"Go back and tell Young Master Wen that this old man will definitely be there."

...After seeing off the deacons.

Ling Yunxiao leaned in from behind, looking at the gold-stamped invitation with a face full of envy.

"Old Man Han, this is an auction at the 'Star-Plucking Hall'! It's said that only Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators and the heads of various major forces can attend. Are we... really going?"

"We're going. Why wouldn't we?"

Zhou Wannian opened the invitation and looked at the list of auction items.

Besides the "Heavenly Thunder Bamboo Leaf," there was also "Ten-Thousand-Year Gengmetal," "Sixth-Tier Yao Core," and even a Pill Formula for... the [Face-Preserving Pill].

"This Star Palace is using treasures to bait me."

Zhou Wannian closed the invitation, a cold smile appearing at the corners of his mouth.

He knew, of course, that Ling Yuling truly wanted to win him over.

But besides Ling Yuling, there were likely others in Tianxing City waiting for him to show his face.

"That Lei San said he had shown his wealth at the large merchant guilds."

"And behind those large merchant guilds, there is mostly the shadow of the Reverse Star Alliance."

"If I stay huddled on the fiftieth floor, with the Star Palace Law Enforcement Team protecting me, it's not easy for them to make a move."

"But if I go to the auction, I will inevitably pass through the chaotic middle zones..."

Zhou Wannian turned to look at Li Feiyu and Tie Zhu standing in the shadows.

"Fei Yu, sharpen your blade."

"Tie Zhu, fill up your energy."

"In three days, we'll go to the top floor to see the world."

"And while we're at it..."

A grim Killing Intent flashed in Zhou Wannian's eyes.

"Let's see which reckless ghosts and monsters dare to stir up trouble on the Grand Duke's head."

...Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

On this day, Tianxing City was extraordinarily bustling. Countless streaks of light converged from all directions, their target being the Star-Plucking Hall at the mountain peak.

The doors of the Qingyun Recycling Station were tightly shut.

Three figures silently left through the back door and blended into the crowd heading for the top floor.

Zhou Wannian had changed into an unremarkable green robe and wore a bamboo hat that could block Divine Sense.

Ling Yunxiao and Li Feiyu also disguised themselves as attendants.

The journey was unimpeded.

Relying on that gold-stamped invitation, they directly used the "Starlight Teleportation Array" reserved for distinguished guests, instantly teleporting from the fiftieth floor to the ninetieth floor.

"So this is the core area..."

As soon as they stepped out of the teleportation array, Ling Yunxiao was stunned by the scene before him.

This was no longer a place of crowded pavilions, but a celestial wonderland above the clouds. Flowing white clouds were beneath their feet, and the starry sky was within reach overhead. Grand palaces floated in the sea of clouds, each emitting the aura of an ancient treasure.

"Stop staring, you bumpkin."

Zhou Wannian knocked him on the head. "Someone is watching us."

Although the surroundings appeared calm, filled with high-level Cultivators arriving for the auction.

But Zhou Wannian's Divine Sense (comparable to the late Golden Core stage and bolstered by the Star Master) keenly captured several extremely subtle traces of Killing Intent.

That Killing Intent did not come from any specific person.

Instead, it melted into the surrounding air, as if a group of invisible shadows were moving right at their heels.

[Netherworld Assassins].

An assassination unit specially trained by the Reverse Star Alliance, skilled in shadow melding and combined attacks.

"Interesting."

Zhou Wannian did not stop, still walking unhurriedly toward the distant Star-Plucking Hall.

"Old Man Han, should we strike?" Li Feiyu's hand had already touched his hilt, his muscles tensed like a leopard ready to pounce.

"No rush."

Zhou Wannian transmitted his voice.

"This is the core area of the Star Palace; they won't dare to act openly."

"They are waiting."

"Waiting for the auction to end, waiting for the moment we leave the Star-Plucking Hall and enter the teleportation array."

"That is when the defenses are most relaxed and the spatial fluctuations are most intense."

A cruel smile curled at the corner of Zhou Wannian's mouth.

"Since they want to play at assassination..."

"Then I'll prepare a grand gift for them."

"Come, let's enter first."

"For today's auction, I've brought plenty of 'chips'."

He patted the Storage Pouch at his waist.

There, besides the enormous wealth he had scavenged in the Outer Sea.

Also lay that figure already gripping the star heavy ruler, ready to erupt and kill at any moment—

The Soul Transformation Clone.