179: Hope's report and Wan Jinge's invitation

Inside the Mittel Auction House, in a luxuriously and warmly decorated reception room.

High-quality snow fox fur was draped over the wide seats, and warming fire crystals burned quietly in the fireplace, dispelling the severe cold unique to the Northern Region.

Hoper personally poured two cups of steaming, fragrant "Soul Warming Tea" for Li Ao and Medusa, then stood respectfully to the side, maintaining a very humble posture.

"Have a seat, Steward Hoper," Li Ao said calmly, raising the teacup and gently blowing on the steam.

"Thank you, Young Master." Only then did Hoper cautiously perch on the edge of the chair below, his back ramrod straight, not daring to show the slightest negligence.

"Ya Fei mentioned in her letter that you are quite familiar with this place. Tell me, what do you know about 'nine nether cold iron' and 'Wanjin Pavilion'?" Li Ao skipped the pleasantries and cut straight to the chase.

Hoper's spirits lifted; knowing it was his time to shine, he quickly cleared his throat and began his clear and organized report.

"Reporting to Young Master, I have indeed received some rumors regarding 'nine nether cold iron.' This item is extremely rare. It is said to be the essence condensed from ten-thousand-year-old Profound Ice and deep-sea Evil Qi under special conditions at the Eye of the Nether Sea. It is not only indestructible but also inherently carries a chilling Evil Qi that can freeze the Soul, making it a top-tier Materials for forging ice-attributed or yin-cold attributed divine weapons."

He paused, then continued: "According to information from our Mittel Family and several collaborating mercenary groups, a piece of nine nether cold iron about the size of a human head recently flowed into Tianbei City, and the party that ultimately acquired it is very likely the 'Wanjin Pavilion.'"

Li Ao and Medusa exchanged a glance; it seemed Ya Fei's intelligence and Yao Chen's deduction both pointed here.

"Wanjin Pavilion..." Li Ao tapped his finger lightly on the armrest of his seat. "Tell me about this Wanjin Pavilion."

Upon mentioning Wanjin Pavilion, Hoper's expression grew somewhat solemn: "Young Master, Your Majesty, the Wanjin Pavilion is an extremely special existence, not just in Tianbei City but throughout the entire Northern Region."

"Ostensibly, it is a business association, but its background is unfathomably deep. Its business spans the Northern Region and even connects with the ice plain tribes further north. They not only buy and sell goods but also intelligence, and even... undertake certain shady commissions."

"The person in charge is quite mysterious and rarely appears in public. It is rumored to be a woman known as 'Madam Jin.' Her strength is unknown, but the Wanjin Pavilion definitely has a Dou Zong overseeing it, possibly more than one."

"Furthermore, just as Clan Chief Ya Fei reminded us, our multi-faceted investigation found that Wanjin Pavilion seems to have countless ties to the 'Ice River Valley.' Although we cannot confirm a subordinate relationship, their interactions are quite close."

"Ice River Valley..." Medusa snorted lightly, a trace of coldness flashing in her purple eyes. She had heard of this power; it was a hegemon of the Northern Region, acting domineeringly, and its Valley Master, Venerable Binghe, was a long-established Dou Zun.

Li Ao's expression remained unchanged, but he pondered internally. Involving the Ice River Valley certainly complicated things a bit. However, for the nine nether cold iron, he would not hesitate, even if it meant confronting the Ice River Valley.

"Is that piece of nine nether cold iron currently in the hands of Wanjin Pavilion? What do they plan to do with it?" Li Ao asked.

"Yes, Young Master," Hoper confirmed. "According to the intelligence relayed by our informants, Wanjin Pavilion does not intend to sell the item immediately after obtaining it."

"However, three days from now, Wanjin Pavilion will hold a grand quarterly auction. According to custom, auctions of this caliber often feature one or two highlight treasures. I speculate that this piece of nine nether cold iron is highly likely to appear as one of the finale items at the auction!"

An auction? Li Ao's eyes flickered. That was a relatively "standard" way to acquire it.

"Do you know the conditions required to participate in this auction? Or, are there any competitors worth noting?" Li Ao pressed.

Hoper quickly replied: "The threshold for Wanjin Pavilion's auction is not low; one needs financial vetting or a sufficiently influential referrer. With the status and strength of Young Master and Your Majesty, coupled with the guarantee of our Mittel Family, obtaining entry qualifications is absolutely no problem."

"As for competitors..." He pondered for a moment, then said: "Locally in Tianbei City, the Han Family and the Hong Family, with whom we just had a conflict, will certainly be interested in such a treasure."

"In addition, several other major powers in the Northern Region, such as the 'Profound Ice Sect' and the 'Cold Moon Sect,' will likely send representatives. The ones we need to pay closest attention to are the people from the 'Wind and Thunder Pavilion.'"

"Wind and Thunder Pavilion?" Li Ao raised an eyebrow. One of the Four Pavilions of Central Plains; he hadn't expected their influence to extend to the Northern Region as well.

"Yes, the Wind and Thunder Pavilion has a branch Pavilion in the Northern Region. It is rumored that the person coming this time is a powerful Elder from that branch, named Lei Luo, who is a Five-Star Dou Zong himself. However, he represents the Wind and Thunder Pavilion, which possesses massive wealth, making him a formidable opponent." Hoper explained.

Li Ao nodded, committing this information to memory. Although the Wind and Thunder Pavilion was strong, he was not afraid. In the end, an auction depends on who has the most chips.

"Besides the auction, are there any other ways to get access to this piece of nine nether cold iron?" Li Ao thought for a moment and asked again. He was accustomed to having multiple preparations.

Hoper looked troubled: "Wanjin Pavilion has strict rules, and it is extremely difficult to negotiate for a finale item ahead of time."

"Unless... you can produce an exchange item they cannot refuse, or complete some of the extremely difficult commissions they issue. Wanjin Pavilion has a 'Bounty Wall' inside, where various tasks are posted, and the rewards are often astonishingly high."

Li Ao seemed thoughtful. That was an idea; perhaps he could go look at the Bounty Wall.

Just then, an attendant gently knocked and entered, whispering a few words into Hoper's ear.

Hearing this, Hoper showed a hint of surprise on his face, then respectfully said to Li Ao: "Young Master, we just received an invitation sent by Wanjin Pavilion."

He presented a luxurious, gold-embossed invitation with both hands.

Li Ao took it and opened it, seeing handwriting that was delicate yet contained a hint of sharpness: "Hearing of your arrival in Tianbei, we have prepared a welcome. We specially invite Young Master and the Queen for a meeting on the top floor of Wanjin Pavilion tomorrow at noon. The signature was—Madam Jin."

Li Ao closed the invitation, a trace of amusement flashing in his eyes.

"News travels fast," Medusa's cool voice sounded; she had clearly also seen the contents of the invitation.

They had only entered the city an hour ago, and the recent conflict had ended less than half an hour ago, yet Wanjin Pavilion had accurately delivered an invitation. Its intelligence capabilities were evident.

"Very well," Li Ao placed the invitation on the table. "It's a perfect chance to personally meet this Madam Jin and see what she is plotting."

Was it simple curiosity, or did she have ulterior motives? This sudden invitation made the situation in Tianbei City even more interesting.