Wu Qing offered a subtle smile, saying nothing, his countenance betraying neither pleasure nor displeasure.

The two objects presented by the wizened, black-robed elder seized the assembly’s attention. Within his heart, Wang Lin sighed. He, too, felt a stirring of desire for the twelfth-order savage beast, yet its worth must surely be exorbitant. The very fact that it existed in a semi-mist state only multiplied its value. As such, countless whispers arose, haggling for its acquisition. However, the elder remained unyielding, his silence drawing frowns from the surrounding cultivators.

Cang Songzi fixed his gaze upon the shimmering bubble, his eyes heavy with contemplation. After a long while, he withdrew his stare and engaged the black-robed elder in whispered parley. The elder’s expression shifted for the first time, a thoughtful frown furrowing his brow before he shook his head ever so slightly. Cang Songzi sighed, abandoning his pursuit.

Just then, the ancient crone, garbed in emerald robes and hitherto unmoved by any treasure, flicked her right hand. A jade slip soared towards the black-robed elder, who caught it deftly. His spiritual sense swept over the artifact, and his eyes widened abruptly. Closing them, he pondered for an age, yet still, he did not nod in agreement.

“This old one shall add a star chart of the Sixth Order Starfield!” the crone rasped, her voice like dry leaves skittering across stone. “I have gathered it over countless years. While I dare not claim it complete, it contains at least a third of the Sixth Order Starfield, upon which lie several primordial continents known only to me.”

“Star charts I have no need of,” the black-robed elder declared, his voice sharp as shattered ice. “Add ten thousand immortal jades!”

The crone’s brow furrowed. “Immortal jades I do not possess, only this star chart remains!” Her gaze drifted to the captive beast soul, a yearning flickering within her ancient eyes. She had offered a fair trade, yet the elder stubbornly refused.

Wang Lin’s eyes glinted with shrewdness. After a moment of quiet contemplation, he spoke softly, “This star chart, I shall take. Ten thousand immortal jades.” His gaze met the crone’s. She studied him intently before offering a slight nod. She produced a jade slip and tossed it to Wang Lin, completing the exchange. Wang Lin stowed the slip safely away.

The crone and the black-robed elder then finalized their agreement, a smile gracing the elder’s weathered face as he nodded towards Wang Lin.

Wang Lin’s expenditure of ten thousand immortal jades drew the attention of the Nirvana Shatterer cultivators present, though such a sum, while substantial, was not enough to elicit astonishment. A cursory glance was cast his way before their gazes returned to the feather.

“The Vermillion Bird of yore has perished, its feathers consumed by fire at the moment of its passing,” declared a wizened elder with a pockmarked face, idly stroking the ring upon his finger. “This feather, therefore, cannot be genuine. I offer three thousand immortal jades.”

“Five thousand immortal jades,” Wu Qing interjected, a subtle smile playing upon his lips.

“This feather is undeniably beautiful,” a stunning young woman chuckled, her voice a melodious caress. “I shall offer eight thousand immortal jades.”

“Ten thousand immortal jades,” Wang Lin countered, his expression serene, his gaze fixed upon the feather. This feather, he was determined to possess.

Hearing Wang Lin’s offer of ten thousand immortal jades, even the refined scholar among them betrayed a hint of surprise, studying Wang Lin with renewed interest.

The comely woman’s gaze hardened. “Young friend,” she purred, “you possess a considerable fortune in immortal jades. To relinquish this feather would be a shame, indeed.”

The pockmarked elder cast a sidelong glance at Wang Lin, a mirthless grin twisting his features. “Ten thousand and three thousand immortal jades,” he offered.

Wu Qing remained impassive. “Ten thousand and five thousand immortal jades.” He glanced at Wang Lin, his initial disinterest in the feather forgotten. He was now driven by a desire to test the extent of Wang Lin’s wealth, heedless of the earlier warning from the inn’s proprietor to avoid provoking him. The beautiful woman chuckled softly before engaging the black-robed elder, the feather’s owner, in a whispered conversation.

The black-robed elder glanced at the woman before announcing, “Since this is an auction, there is no need for clandestine offers. The item shall go to the highest bidder.”

“Two thousand immortal jades,” the beautiful woman declared, unfazed by the elder’s pronouncement.

Wang Lin remained composed, pausing for a moment before stating, “Three thousand.”

Silence descended upon the gathering. The beautiful woman turned to Wang Lin, her expression hardening. One who could offer three thousand immortal jades, even without attaining the Nirvana Shatterer realm, must possess considerable influence. Furthermore, his presence at Cang Songzi’s private gathering indicated he was no ordinary being. She could not judge him by his cultivation alone. After a moment of deliberation, she shook her head, withdrawing from the bidding.

Not only she, but the pockmarked elder also turned to regard Wang Lin, shaking his head after a long moment. They were here to engage in genuine commerce, not to engage in petty vexation without cause.

The scholarly youth observed Wang Lin with even greater curiosity. He had noticed upon Wang Lin’s arrival that the newcomer had displayed remarkable composure in the presence of Nirvana Shatterer cultivators, betraying not a hint of discomfort.

Any other Ethereal Nirvana cultivator would have been quaking in their boots, certainly not vying for treasures with beings of such power. This, alone, spoke volumes. He possessed the resources and the standing to act with such ease. The emerald-clad crone who had secured the beast soul cast a furtive glance at Wang Lin, her mind awhirl with speculation.

Cang Songzi remained smiling, observing the unfolding drama. He was not surprised by Wang Lin’s vast wealth; the initial deposit given to Ouyang Long had been several thousand immortal jades, proof enough of the man’s decisiveness and wealth.

The black-robed elder chuckled, about to declare a winner, when Wu Qing interjected with a smile. “Three thousand and five hundred immortal jades, friend Lü. It is not that I seek to deny you this item, but rather that I have a great need for it.”

“Four thousand,” Wang Lin countered, a frown beginning to crease his brow.

“Four thousand and five hundred immortal jades,” Wu Qing replied, his smile unchanging. He wished to discover the true extent of Wang Lin’s resources, to see if the man would continue to bid.

“Five thousand!” Wang Lin declared, his expression growing cold.

“Five thousand and five hundred immortal jades!” Wu Qing responded, his smile unwavering. His intent to taunt and provoke was apparent to all, for the others present were ancient and seasoned cultivators, capable of discerning such malicious intent at a glance.

The beautiful woman frowned, as did several other elders. They had come to trade in good faith, and such deliberate obstruction, barring an ancient feud, was generally met with disdain. Even Cang Songzi’s expression grew clouded with displeasure.

“It seems that friend Wu is determined to wrest this treasure from my grasp,” Wang Lin said, a smile playing upon his lips. He cast a knowing glance at Wu Qing. “Then, I shall concede. I have no need of it.” With that, Wang Lin closed his eyes, concealing the murderous intent that smoldered within.
A glint flashed in Wu Qing’s eye. “My humble thanks,” he chuckled, extending his right hand as if to grasp something from the air. He retrieved the Yabuji from its confines, exchanging it with the black-robed elder.

Distracted by Wu Qing’s earlier display, the remaining trades proceeded in a subdued manner. When all others had presented their wares and completed their exchanges, Wang Lin, too, revealed several items of his own.

Before long, the gathering drew to a close, and the participants departed one by one. The outcome of the beast-fighting wager would have to wait, though haste was of no concern. “The fellow carries a considerable sum of immortal jade…” Wu Qing muttered, a lingering smile upon his face, as he cast a glance towards Wang Lin before exiting the room.

Now, only Wang Lin and Cang Songzi remained within the chamber. Ouyang Long had accompanied the other elders as they departed. “Wu Qing is newly invited by I, your humble host, and I was mistaken to judge his true nature. I fear this may bring trouble to you in the days to come, friend,” Cang Songzi lamented, shaking his head with evident displeasure at Wu Qing’s earlier actions. “It is of no consequence,” Wang Lin replied, his expression serene.

Cang Songzi pondered for a moment before speaking again. “Very well, friend. For now, remain within this main city. After the auction, I shall travel afar with several elder friends from the upper realms on a matter of some importance, and I shall see you safely from this place. With me at your side, Wu Qing would dare not harbor ill intentions towards you.”

Before Wang Lin could offer a reply, Cang Songzi’s countenance turned grave. “You seek to exchange for five thousand Yuan Crystals? Is this truly your desire?” Wang Lin nodded in assent, offering no further words.

With a flick of his wrist, Cang Songzi opened a spatial rift before him, retrieving a storage sack from within. He tossed it to Wang Lin, his gaze now sharp and piercing, betraying nothing of the thoughts that swirled within his mind.

Wang Lin accepted the sack, his divine sense sweeping through its contents. Indeed, it contained five thousand Yuan Crystals. These crystals were exceedingly rare within the Cloud Sea Starfield, and five thousand was a truly massive sum. How Cang Songzi had come to possess such wealth remained a mystery.

Storing the sack, Wang Lin opened his own spatial rift, producing the storage sack containing the immortal jade he had prepared. He tossed it to Cang Songzi, who caught it with a scrutinizing gaze, a faint smile returning to his lips.

“The Mixed Origin Pill, do you still possess any?” Wang Lin inquired, his eyes fixed upon Cang Songzi. “I, your humble host, came upon the Mixed Origin Pills by chance within an ancient ruin. Only nine were to be found, and a mere eight remain. Alas, they are of great use to myself,” Cang Songzi replied, his tone one of polite refusal. Wang Lin offered no further argument, rising to bid his farewell.

As Wang Lin departed, Cang Songzi’s smile vanished, replaced by a muttered soliloquy: “Cang Songzi’s Yuan Crystals are not so easily acquired…”

Emerging from the room, Wang Lin’s expression remained unchanged, yet a cold snort echoed within his heart. He dared to venture forth, unconcerned if his possession of the immortal jade became known. Every individual holds secrets, as did Cang Songzi himself, a mere member of the Precious Jade Sect, yet possessing such a vast quantity of Yuan Crystals. The very thought of the Yuan Crystals stirred a yearning within Wang Lin. He followed the corridor and vanished into the distance.

“Cang Songzi surely harbors ill intent, yet he knows not that Wang Lin’s malice runs even deeper! Five thousand Yuan Crystals are not enough. To nurture the mutated spirit beast, to allow the mosquito beasts to ascend by this method, to ensure my safe passage into the Wind Immortal Realm, I must possess a surfeit of these Yuan Crystals!”

Upon exiting the corridor, Wang Lin encountered Ouyang Long. With Ouyang Long’s guidance, Wang Lin returned to the pavilion. He clasped his fist in farewell to Ouyang Long and stepped outside. The sky was now nearing dawn, and the clamor of the city was beginning to subside.

Taking a few steps along the quiet street, Wang Lin paused, turning to look behind him. He saw the air shimmering, and the old crone who had exchanged the beast soul emerged, casting a cold glance at Wang Lin before flicking her wrist, tossing a jade slip towards him. “The previous star chart was false. This one is true! Beware of Wu Qing!” she croaked before fading into nothingness. Wang Lin caught the jade slip, his divine sense sweeping across its contents before storing it within his sack. As he turned, a chilling expression spread across his face.

“The realm of cultivation respects strength above all else. To cower and conceal oneself is ill-advised. Let us instead follow a reverse path, making a bold display, that others may discard their suspicions. Wu Qing… since you seek death, I shall grant it!” With a cold laugh, Wang Lin shot into the sky like a shooting star, leaving the city behind and venturing out of the eastern market of Penglai, heading straight toward the desolate western plains.

Not long after his departure, another streak of light soared forth, Wu Qing himself in hot pursuit of Wang Lin!

A storm brewed, Wu Qing’s departure attracting the attention of many powerful cultivators within the market, those connected to him or aware of his reasons for leaving. “Pity…” Within the main city, the old woman in green robes shook her head, a touch of regret in her eyes.