Through the throngs of people, the group arrived at Nine Treasures Pavilion.
A nine-story pagoda rose before them, striking and unmistakable.
Under the guidance of a hostess, they pushed open the elegant, ancient wooden doors and stepped inside. Unlike the gilded splendor of the Star Emperor Hotel, Nine Treasures Pavilion exuded refined elegance—its very atmosphere a testament to quiet sophistication.
Just as Chen Junting and Ning Tian were about to guide the group through the pavilion, a staff member hurried up to them.
"Young Master, Master Junting—the Elder is requesting your presence."
"Oh?"
Chen Junting raised an eyebrow and exchanged a glance with Ning Tian.
Not wanting to delay them, Wang Yan quickly interjected, "We'll explore Nine Treasures Pavilion on our own. Besides, Wu Feng is here—she'll do fine. You two go ahead. Don't keep Thousand Pound Douluo waiting."
Chen Junting didn't hesitate. "Then, Teacher Wang and everyone else, please forgive our rudeness. But Wu Feng isn't familiar with Nine Treasures Pavilion—allow us to assign a proper guide."
He waved over another staff member. "This gentleman and his companions are here to purchase soul guidance devices. Take them to the soul guidance devices section. And…"
He leaned in, lowering his voice to just above a whisper—only audible to the two of them—"…lead them past a few other areas too. See if anything catches their eye."
The staff member nodded eagerly. "Understood."
"Good."
Chen Junting clapped the man on the shoulder, bid farewell to Wang Yan and the others, and departed with Ning Tian toward the top floor of the pavilion.
As the staff member turned to Wang Yan, the latter seemed unfazed—already accustomed to such arrangements. He asked directly, "Could you give us a brief overview of the soul guidance devices Nine Treasures Pavilion offers?"
The staff member bowed respectfully. "Certainly. Nine Treasures Pavilion carries soul guidance devices of every grade—except for Level Nine. For your current cultivation levels, most suitable devices range from Level Three to Six. I'll take you to the appropriate floor immediately."
At that moment, Wang Dong—who had remained silent and disinterested until now—suddenly lifted his head. A strange, distant expression flickered in his eyes as he addressed the staff member: "I don't wish to use soul guidance devices, and I have no interest in viewing them. May I be shown another section of the pavilion instead?"
His sudden emotional shift startled everyone.
Before anyone could react, the staff member's professional training kicked in. "Xiao Yang—come here!"
He summoned a female attendant, and, seeing that Wang Yan offered no objection—and even gently discouraged others from interfering—arranged for Xiao Yang to escort Wang Dong elsewhere.
Meanwhile, he guided Wang Yan and the rest to the soul guidance devices wing. There, he offered detailed explanations of each type of device, subtly igniting interest—and desire—in nearly everyone.
—
Meanwhile, on the top floor.
Chen Junting and Ning Tian entered a private tea chamber. The moment the door closed, an invisible ripple of soul power spread outward from the threshold, enveloping the entire room in silence.
Neither of them reacted with surprise.
After all, any major meeting chamber of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect was equipped with such soul guidance devices—to block eavesdropping.
"Uncle Tai, did you need something from us?" Chen Junting asked, turning to Tai Yu, who sat calmly at the tea table.
"Have a seat," Tai Yu said, pouring tea for both of them. Only then did he speak. "The inquiry you requested a while back—we finally got results. I must say, the Star Luo Empire kept this tightly hidden."
He looked up, his tone laced with disbelief. "I don't even know what to say… the Star Luo Empire's luck is simply outrageous!"
The sudden curse left Chen Junting and Ning Tian unmoved. In fact, Chen Junting's expression brightened slightly—because the way Tai Yu spoke, it was clear: the Snow Empress embryo was almost certainly it.
As expected, Tai Yu continued: "According to our sources, the grand finale of the upcoming Starlight Auction will be the embryo of a 100,000-year beast. And it was captured by a Level Nine Soul Device Master from the Sun Moon Empire."
"A 100,000-year beast embryo?!"
Ning Tian's eyes flew wide open in shock.
This was nothing short of a divine treasure.
A 100,000-year soul ring or soul bone had long been regarded as the most precious treasures on the continent—so difficult to obtain that, since the Body Sect provoked the Great Star Dou Forest and triggered a Beast Tide, hunting such creatures had become nearly impossible.
Consider this: not a single one of the four deans of the Shrek Academy's Martial Soul and Soul Engineering faculties possessed a 100,000-year soul ring.
And this was no mere relic—it was a living embryo.
The allure was unimaginable.
But Ning Tian quickly regained her composure.
If such a treasure were in the hands of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, they would never have let it be auctioned so openly. That meant the Star Luo Empire had another motive.
"Why would they do this?" she murmured.
Chen Junting picked up the thread. "Their target isn't the embryo itself—it's the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy."
"The Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy?"
Ning Tian and Tai Yu both looked puzzled.
Why would the Star Luo Empire's plan involve them?
Chen Junting knew the truth—he had the benefit of hindsight. He asked instead: "How valuable do you think an unformed 100,000-year beast embryo is?"
"Over a hundred million gold soul coins," Tai Yu replied without hesitation.
"And who could possibly raise that sum on short notice?"
Ning Tian shook her head. She knew well—even though the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect was as wealthy as a kingdom, a hundred million gold soul coins wouldn't cripple them… but to liquidate that much so quickly, without preparation? Impossible. Such vast sums couldn't be moved overnight.
Yet his words struck her.
Exactly. Who could raise that kind of money instantly? No one. So if you wanted the embryo, you'd have to trade something of equal value.
What could be worth more than a 100,000-year beast embryo to the Star Luo Empire?
Only one thing: the soul guidance device technology of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy.
Even outdated designs would save them decades of trial and error.
"So… if we try to buy it, will they allow it?" Ning Tian asked, frowning at Chen Junting.
After all, the Star Luo Empire's goal was Sun Moon. If they interfered—
"Why wouldn't they allow it?" Chen Junting replied calmly. "It's being auctioned. That means highest bidder wins. If we outbid the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy, what can the Star Luo Empire do?"
He paused, his voice dropping to a cold whisper.
"Even if the Sun Moon Academy somehow wins…"
A flash of lethal intent pierced the air.
"Then we take it for free."
But in the next breath, the killing aura vanished—as if it had never been.
"…But if we can acquire it through proper means, we should. No need to stir up unnecessary trouble." He turned to Tai Yu. "Uncle Tai, please inform my master of this."
"Don't worry," Tai Yu said, sipping his tea with serene ease. "I notified Chief Xuanji two days ago. That embryo is yours. It won't slip away."
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