The auction concluded. Some cultivators left the Heavenly Absolute Pavilion, while others chose to stay.
On the surface, everything seemed normal.
In reality, the exposure of numerous supreme treasures created a strangely tense atmosphere.
In the private room, Zhang Ruochen sat motionless by the table.
He knew his “secret disciple of God Yan” persona had made him a prime target for Lord Shenya’s scrutiny. Though the room’s walls bore inscriptions, they couldn’t block an Earth Master’s probing.
Luo Yi, ever astute, interrupted Xiang Chunan each time he tried to speak, steering them into casual chatter and drinking.
A bronze lamp on the table cast a soft glow, illuminating the room.
The only exception was a small patch of darkness beneath the lamp.
At that moment, a tiny mosquito-like insect emerged from a crack in the floor, buzzing its wings as it flew into that shadowy spot.
No one would notice the movements of a pinhead-sized bug.
Zhang Ruochen appeared to be examining the three hundred-thousand-year-old ancient holy medicines he’d just acquired, but his attention was fixed on the insect.
A closer look would reveal its oddity.
Its head resembled a snake’s, with a neck longer than its body.
“An ancient relic species—the Snake-Necked Mosquito.”
In the unlit patch, the mosquito scratched out characters with its claws for Zhang Ruochen.
“The attack on the Eastern Domain Saint King Mansion is set for three hours from now, targeting all eighty sub-mansions and the main city simultaneously.”
This Snake-Necked Mosquito must have been sent by Jiang Yunchong to deliver the message.
An Earth Master’s spiritual power was formidable—Jiang Yunchong was clearly taking no chances.
“They’re moving so fast, leaving me no time to prepare.”
Zhang Ruochen stood abruptly, addressing the group, “This trip to the Eastern Domain Holy City has been fruitful. It’s time to return to the Heavenly Realm, buy some saint pills, and push for a higher cultivation realm. Let’s go.”
Led by Zhang Ruochen, Luo Yi, Xiang Chunan, Murong Yue, and others descended the stairs.
Jiang Yunchong stood in the first-floor hall, meeting Zhang Ruochen’s gaze with a smile, “Leaving so soon, Your Highness? Why not stay a few more days? Fairy Lanxi and Fairy Tianchu, two peerless beauties, are still our guests!”
“The allure of beauty is a hero’s downfall. No matter how lovely those fairies are, they’re flawless clouds in the heavens, never to be this mortal prince’s consort. Better to cut off longing than pine endlessly. Pavilion Master, until we meet again.”
Zhang Ruochen gave Jiang Yunchong a deep look, then exited the pavilion.
Jueyan Hu laughed, “That arrogant fool has some self-awareness. If he dared pursue Fairy Lanxi, her senior brother Shang Ziyu would teach him a harsh lesson. Right, Fairy?”
“Something’s off,” Grand Dawn King frowned slightly.
Jueyan Hu asked, “What’s wrong?”
Grand Dawn King said, “The cultivators who revealed their treasures all stayed in the pavilion, too afraid to leave and risk being targeted for ambush. Why is he departing now?”
“With his arrogance, what wouldn’t he dare?” Jueyan Hu replied.
Grand Dawn King shook her head, “He’s brash, but his extortion of Mr. Jie shows he’s shrewd. A shrewd person wouldn’t do something foolish.”
Jie Canghai suggested, “Shall I follow and test him?”
From the moment Zhang Ruochen left, Lord Shenya’s spiritual power had locked onto him.
Now, Lord Shenya frowned, “About five hundred miles from Heavenly Absolute Island, his aura vanished. Even my spiritual power struggles to track him. The cultivators coveting the ancient holy medicines and Taiyi Ancestral Stone were all shaken off.”
“He’s definitely suspicious. We can’t let him go,” Jie Canghai said.
Lord Shenya agreed it was unusual, “Go after him. But in three hours, we launch the main assault. Before then, deal with that major threat—don’t delay the plan.”
“Rest assured, they’re just insignificant juniors. I can crush them with a flick of my finger.”
Jie Canghai transformed into a streak of black demonic light, streaking out of the pavilion towards the vast sea.
Jiang Yunchong glanced at the vanishing light, a subtle smile curling his lips, as if everything was unfolding as expected.
Five hundred miles from the island, Zhang Ruochen activated the Buddha Emperor’s prayer beads to mask his aura, concealing himself on a small island.
Then, he summoned spatial rules, forming a vast spatial domain that enveloped the island, making it vanish from the sea’s surface.
“How did he just disappear?”
“He must be hiding nearby—he can’t have gone far. Let’s search together. If we find him, we’ll kill him and split his treasures.”
…
Dozens of cultivators eager to seize the ancient holy medicines and Taiyi Ancestral Stone spread out, scouring for Zhang Ruochen.
Three hundred miles away, Zhang Ruochen stood at the island’s highest point, gazing at the sea, “No matter what, we can’t let Lord Shenya’s group fully control the Eastern Domain Holy City. Since they plan to breach the eighty-one Saint King Mansions, we’ll find ways to hinder or intercept their forces.”
“Right now, they’re in the open, and we’re in the shadows. We must exploit this advantage.”
Xiang Chunan said, “If Brother wants to fight, I’m in—let’s turn the heavens upside down. Brother Luo Yi, you with us?”
Luo Yi replied, “If Lord Shenya controls the Eastern Domain Holy City, it’s against the Upper Origin Sect’s interests. Tonight, I’ll risk it all with you.”
Zhang Ruochen said solemnly, “In this battle, we fight separately. Don’t engage them head-on—just harass from the shadows. If you encounter an unbeatable foe, retreat immediately. Whether the Saint King Mansion falls or not, we regroup at Tiankun Ferry by noon tomorrow.”
Xiang Chunan, Luo Yi, Murong Yue, Xie Chengzi, Lu Huaiyu… Zhang Ruochen’s saint-level subordinates each took a Buddha Emperor prayer bead and dispersed across the sea.
Zhang Ruochen remained on the island, waiting quietly.
Moments later, a demonic light pierced the clouds, descending on the sea three hundred miles away.
It was Jie Canghai.
His saintly aura stunned every cultivator in the area, their eyes filled with dread.
“Leave now if you don’t want to die,” Jie Canghai commanded.
Who would dare challenge him?
The saint-level cultivators fled, vanishing without a trace.
Wait…
One figure remained on the sea, seated in a small boat, his blood-red hair cascading like willow strands into the water, turning it crimson.
He exuded refined elegance, his beauty striking—not a rugged handsomeness, but a delicate, almost feminine grace.
If he dressed as a woman, his allure could rival the nine fairies of the *Nine Immortals Beauty Scroll*.
Yet he was undeniably a man.
Holding a bamboo scroll, he read intently under the starlight, a vision of ethereal beauty that could captivate any woman’s heart.
Jie Canghai, an old monster with keen perception, sensed the man’s extraordinariness, “Didn’t you hear me?”
“I did. Could you keep it down? It’s quite noisy,” the blood-haired man replied, his voice magnetic and enchanting.
Jie Canghai said, “That guy’s hiding nearby—I’ll find him soon. You’re not planning to compete with me for his treasures, are you?”
“Of course not.”
The blood-haired man looked up, finally meeting Jie Canghai’s gaze, “I’m here to reclaim what’s mine.”
“Yours?” Jie Canghai frowned, puzzled.
The man’s voice turned hoarse, “The *Heavenly Demon Blood Axe Diagram*.”
That voice matched the mysterious seller’s from the pavilion perfectly.
“So it’s you.”
Jie Canghai’s eyes widened in shock.
Were it not for tonight’s pressing mission, he’d have fought this man.
But not now.
Jie Canghai’s expression shifted, then he smiled, “Unfortunately, the *Heavenly Demon Blood Axe Diagram* isn’t with me. You’ve got the wrong person.”
The blood-haired man said, “Is it? Jiang Yunchong told me it’s with you. Is he lying, or are you?”
“Jiang Yunchong…”
Jie Canghai gritted his teeth, “So you’re with the Heavenly Absolute Pavilion. Quite the scheme—fair trade on the surface, backstabbing in the dark.”
The blood-haired man shook his head, “You’re mistaken. I’m not with the pavilion—I just collaborated with them once. Otherwise, why would I auction the *Heavenly Demon Blood Axe Diagram*? Are you the fool, or am I?”
“So you intend to take the *Heavenly Demon Blood Axe Diagram* by force?” Jie Canghai asked.
“Exactly,” the blood-haired man replied.
Jie Canghai laughed, “Aren’t you afraid of the Array Earth Master backing me?”
“Pity that Earth Master’s in the pavilion, where Jiang Yunchong has measures to keep him in check,” the man countered.
Jie Canghai realised something was amiss. While they plotted against the Saint King Mansion, another force was plotting against them.
“You think I, Jie Canghai, am someone you can toy with? Cross a Domain of the Dao powerhouse, and you invite catastrophe.”
The blood-haired man shook his head, “I don’t believe it.”
“Then let strength decide—until you do.”
Jie Canghai summoned his Nine-Brilliance Ten-Thousand-Inscription Saintly Weapon, the Xuantian Battle Axe, unleashing torrents of demonic energy that blanketed hundreds of miles of sea. The thick miasma formed a pillar dozens of yards wide, piercing the sky.
Raising the axe overhead, he swung at the blood-haired man.
“Crash.”
The sea surged, waves dozens of yards high joining the axe’s phantom, roaring towards the target.
…
Hello, everyone!
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