181: Consignment Details and the Prelude to the Auction

Li Ao accepted the commission decisively and efficiently, deepening the appreciation in Madam Jin's phoenix-like eyes. She liked dealing with people who were both intelligent and decisive.

"Young Master Li is indeed straightforward." Madam Jin showed a genuine smile, then her expression turned serious again. "Since that is the case, there are some details I need to clarify with the two of you."

She lightly waved her jade hand, and a light golden energy barrier enveloped the entire reception hall, isolating it from all outside prying.

"First, there is the 'ancient ice spirit talisman'." Madam Jin flipped her palm, and a talisman seal, roughly the size of a palm, deep blue throughout, and shaped like an irregular ice crystal, appeared in her hand. The surface of the seal was covered with dense, ancient runes resembling natural ice patterns. A wave of extremely pure and ancient ice-attributed energy spread out, causing the temperature of the entire room to plummet, and even the light from the fire crystal in the fireplace seemed to dim slightly.

"This talisman is of great significance. It is the sole key to unlocking the Ice Spirit Clan's 'Ancestral Ice Secret Realm'. Within the Secret Realm, there are not only the supreme treasures passed down through generations of the Ice Spirit Clan, but it also concerns a certain secret related to the continuation of their Bloodline. The Hall of Souls coveting this item this time means their intentions are far from simple," Madam Jin said solemnly, then put away the ice spirit talisman.

"Secondly, there is my little girl." A touch of maternal worry entered Madam Jin's voice. "She just turned eighteen this year, and her cultivation is at the Peak of Dou Wang. She possesses half of the Ice Spirit Clan Bloodline, which makes her Physique inherently cold. She needs to regularly return to the Ice Spirit Clan's Holy Land, utilizing the environment and the Legacy there to balance and Awaken her Bloodline. This mission to escort her back is not just about delivering the talisman; it is about saving her. She... cannot suffer any mishap."

Li Ao could sense the gravity in Madam Jin's words and nodded: "Madam, rest assured. Since I have accepted the commission, I will naturally do my utmost to ensure her safety."

"With the Young Master's word, I feel relieved." Madam Jin sighed and continued, "As for the Hall of Souls... according to the intelligence we have gathered, those coming this time include at least one Heavenly Venerate level figure, as well as several Protectors with considerable strength. Their movements are secretive, and we do not yet know exactly when or where they will make their move. However, the time when the auction ends, treasures change hands, and personnel are moving, is certainly the best opportunity in their eyes."

Heavenly Venerate level—that meant a Dou Zun expert. Li Ao's eyes narrowed slightly, but he showed no fear. He was currently a Peak Five-Star Dou Zun, his Blade Silence was nascent, and he possessed the "silent ruin." Even against a high-tier Dou Zun, he had the power to fight. Medusa's strength had also long since recovered and improved, comparable to a Three-Star Dou Zun. Working together, the two of them were enough to handle most crises.

"I understand," Li Ao said deeply. "When will we depart after the auction ends?"

"The auction will be held tomorrow night. After it concludes, you will rest for one night, and depart the morning after. I will arrange a small merchant caravan to serve as a cover, and the two of you and my daughter will blend in with them. I will inform you of the route separately; it is a relatively secret ancient trade route, but we cannot entirely rule out the possibility of being discovered," Madam Jin explained.

"That works," Li Ao replied, having no objections.

"In that case, this piece of 'nine nether cold iron' will serve as a deposit for the Young Master," Madam Jin said grandly, taking out an icy jade box and pushing it toward Li Ao.

Li Ao opened the jade box, and immediately, a chilling Evil Qi that seemed capable of freezing the Soul rushed out. Inside the box, a piece of metal, roughly the size of a human head, pitch black and covered with natural Ice Crack patterns, lay quietly. It was precisely the nine nether cold iron he needed! Its quality far exceeded his expectations.

"Madam, aren't you worried that I might take the item and not put my heart into the task?" Li Ao closed the jade box and asked half-jokingly.

Madam Jin smiled sweetly, but a shrewd light flashed in her phoenix eyes: "I, Jin Furong, have operated in this Northern Region for many years, and I have some insight into judging people. Young Master Li is a trustworthy person. Moreover, being able to forge a good relationship with a future Peak expert, this piece of nine nether cold iron is worth the price."

Li Ao looked at her deeply. This Madam Jin was truly extraordinary. What she valued was not just this escort mission, but Li Ao's future potential.

"Since that is the case, I will accept it without being overly polite." Li Ao put away the jade box. With this piece of nine nether cold iron, he had secured one of the main Materials for reforging the "silent ruin," setting his mind at ease.

"If the two of you are interested, you are welcome to attend the auction tomorrow night. Besides this nine nether cold iron, there are several other excellent treasures. At that time, I will also introduce my daughter to you," Madam Jin said with a smile.

After discussing a few more details, Li Ao and Medusa rose to take their leave.

They left the Wanjin Pavilion and returned to the Mittel Auction House.

Hoper had already prepared a quiet, independent courtyard for the two of them to stay in. The courtyard was equipped with a barrier and was quite elegant.

Inside the room, Li Ao placed the jade box containing the nine nether cold iron on the table and said to Medusa: "I didn't expect to obtain one of the main Materials so quickly, although the process turned out to be a bit more complicated than anticipated."

Medusa looked at the jade box and said coolly: "Getting involved with the Hall of Souls is unexpected, yet reasonable. You are now a mortal enemy of the Hall of Souls; this trip is a perfect opportunity to teach them a lesson."

Li Ao nodded, a cold light flashing in his eyes: "Indeed. The Hall of Souls has stretched its reach too far. If they dare to come this time, I will certainly make them pay the price."

He pondered for a moment, then added: "However, what Madam Jin said is probably not the whole story. The ice spirit talisman and the Ice Spirit Clan likely conceal an even greater secret, otherwise, it wouldn't provoke such a large mobilization from the Hall of Souls. We must be extra careful on this journey."

Medusa nodded slightly in agreement.

"We will attend the auction tomorrow night," Li Ao decided. "Firstly, to witness the scale of the auction in this Northern Region, and secondly, to see if there are any other Materials we need, or to observe potential competitors, especially people from the Wind and Thunder Pavilion and the Hall of Souls."

Although the main target, the nine nether cold iron, was already in hand, other forging Materials, such as the void crystal stone and solar essence gold, were still scarce, and they might find some at the auction.

Night fell, and the lights of Tianbei City came on, adding a touch more prosperity and mystery than during the day. News of the Wanjin Pavilion's quarterly auction tomorrow had long since spread like wildfire, and various forces were rubbing their fists, with undercurrents surging.

Li Ao and Medusa meditated quietly in the courtyard, adjusting their condition, preparing to welcome the potential turmoil that might arise tomorrow night, as well as the more perilous escort journey that followed.