Even though he had mentally prepared himself, Wang Yu's breath still grew heavy.
"What's the asking price?"
Branch Master Qian didn't answer directly. Instead, he began his pitch:
"The [Everliving Spirit Branch] is a tender shoot fallen from the legendary Tree of Life. For cultivators who practice wood-element techniques, it's considered an ultimate-grade Core Formation treasure—virtually guaranteed to succeed. Even if you offered three top-grade Core Condensation Pills, no one would trade for it."
This was standard practice. Whether exaggerated or not, sellers always tried to inflate the value of a treasure before naming the price.
To be honest, this item exceeded Wang Yu's expectations.
One million spirit stones was only the base price. That amount wouldn't be nearly enough. He'd have to bid at auction-level prices to stand a chance.
As for killing and robbing for it… unless he'd gone mad.
Goldfull Pavilion's Nascent Soul cultivators weren't pushovers. These were people bold enough to offer spirit stone loans in Crimson Kite Territory. They had ten thousand ways to track him down.
Taking a deep breath, Wang Yu said solemnly:
"Two million low-grade spirit stones. I'll take it."
Branch Master Qian shook his head.
"This is an ultimate treasure. Five million."
"Three million."
"Five million."
"…"
The room fell silent.
Three million was Wang Yu's absolute limit. The two ice-element materials already cost 500,000. To afford this, he'd have to liquidate a large portion of the City Lord's Manor's artifact inventory.
Five million… he'd have to pre-sell the high-grade spirit stones from the upcoming vein harvest. That was nearly impossible.
Staring at the radiant branch, pulsing with vibrant life energy, Wang Yu's expression darkened. He sneered:
"Branch Master Qian, are you trying to swindle me? A mere peak Foundation Establishment branch master, and you claim to have access to a treasure of this caliber? I might believe it if it were a standard Core Formation item."
Qian didn't mind that Wang Yu had dropped the more familiar "Brother."
He calmly explained:
"You misunderstand. My Dao companion is a direct descendant of the Jin Clan. This treasure came through her connections—not mine."
Wang Yu still shook his head.
"That logic doesn't hold. If your Dao companion truly had such status, why would she choose you? No offense, but you don't match the Jin Clan's pedigree."
Now Qian looked genuinely irritated.
"Can't it be for love?"
"Love?"
Wang Yu raised an eyebrow, his expression clearly saying, "Do you believe that?"
Forget love—this was like burnt rice crust being served as gourmet. No way this shoe fit.
Just as the tension peaked—
Clap clap clap—
Applause echoed from behind the copper coin screen. Wang Yu's brow furrowed. This scene felt eerily familiar.
His spiritual sense rivaled late Foundation Establishment, yet he hadn't detected anything unusual.
"City Lord of Spiritridge, truly impressive. If not for Qian Zhong's greed, you might've uncovered the truth earlier."
From behind the screen stepped a striking beauty—tall and voluptuous, her makeup sharp and commanding. She wore a qipao-style gold-thread inner robe, draped in a fox-fur cloak.
Her snow-white legs peeked through sheer silk stockings, making her skin appear even more luminous.
Wang Yu didn't bother with pleasantries. He snorted coldly:
"So this is how Goldfull Pavilion does business? Trying to cheat a small-city lord out of his hard-earned fortune?"
"You misunderstand. Even Nascent Soul cultivators can't break the rules of this establishment—let alone a woman like me."
She turned her gaze to Qian Zhong, her eyes filled with icy killing intent.
Qian Zhong dropped to his knees, forehead to the floor, sobbing:
"Miss! This wasn't my idea! Young Master Jinlin forced me! He made me bring the [Everliving Spirit Branch] to Spiritridge…"
"Silence! You dare speak in front of Lord Wang?"
Wang Yu frowned, unsure what kind of drama they were performing.
Soon—
Two elderly men ascended from below. Their auras were terrifying—even among Core Formation cultivators, they were not to be trifled with. Without a word, they dragged Qian Zhong away.
That snapped Wang Yu to attention. Goldfull Pavilion had never housed Core Formation cultivators before.
Once the room was empty, the woman stowed away the [Everliving Spirit Branch] and finally spoke:
"Forgive the spectacle, Lord Wang. I am Jin Miaoshan, one of the current generation's candidates to inherit the Tianchi Jin Clan."
Wang Yu paused, then asked:
"Regarding today's events, does Lady Jin have nothing more to say?"
Jin Miaoshan smiled and shook her head.
"Family matters shouldn't be aired publicly. The two third-tier materials can still be sold to you as agreed. As for the branch—forget it. Qian Zhong had no authority."
"I've learned something today. So this is how Goldfull Pavilion does business.
"Ten years of effort wasted—for this pile of junk. No wonder younger cultivators prefer Tianbao Pavilion. Hmph."
Wang Yu refused the materials as well and turned to leave.
Whoosh—
Just as Jin Miaoshan hesitated, one of the Core Formation elders appeared at the stairwell, blocking Wang Yu's path.
His voice was raspy, his eyes murky and filled with malice.
"Until the lady speaks, you may not leave. Otherwise… I'll kill you."
"Hah?"
Wang Yu looked as if he'd heard the world's funniest joke. He straightened, his killing intent surging toward the elder.
"Kill me? You rotten vegetable?"
Jin Miaoshan's expression changed. Just as she was about to speak, Wang Yu activated a silver talisman.
Third-tier: Void Escape Talisman!
With a flash of silver light, Wang Yu vanished from the room. The elder, poised to crush him, froze.
Wait.
Wasn't he about to fight? Why did he run?
Buzz—
Suddenly, a piercing hum rang through the sky. Every living being in Spiritridge felt their scalp tingle as Wang Yu's voice thundered across the city.
"Wang Yu, Inner Disciplinary Hall Master of the Blood Reversal Sect, acting under the authority of the Gui Clan of Ghostfang, the Yu Clan of Sacred Mountain, and the Zuo Clan of Xianyin—hereby declares:
"By decree—
"All under the Holy Sect's banner, from this day forth, are authorized to annihilate the Spiritridge branch of Goldfull Pavilion. All spoils belong to the individual. No restitution will be demanded!"
His voice echoed three times across the city.
Then, using the treasures [Image Stone] and [Echo Stone], the events inside Goldfull Pavilion were broadcast across the sky.
Family disgrace, arguments, threats… culminating in the elder's murderous intent.
"Kill you." That line was isolated and played on loop—like a demonic chant.
The [Everliving Spirit Branch], a world-class Core Formation treasure, was highlighted in radiant glory. Wang Yu's intentions were clear to all.
But so what?
This was Crimson Kite Territory. Even if bloodshed had waned over the past millennium, its essence remained brutal and twisted. Demonic cultivators were extremists by nature—greedy, violent, and addicted to shortcuts.
Now Wang Yu had invoked the Blood Reversal Sect's name, backed by three Nascent Soul clans, and issued a looting permit.
Whoever seized it—kept it.
And the target was Goldfull Pavilion, a world-renowned merchant guild.
Who wouldn't be tempted? Who wouldn't rejoice?
Even knowing Core Formation cultivators were inside, it didn't matter. With enough people rushing in, the odds of dying were low. Even a single treasure meant massive profit.
This was opportunity. A once-in-a-lifetime chance.
Most cultivators harbored such thoughts. At least 80% would act on them.
Moreover—
The ancient ruins had stirred up a frenzy. Countless cultivators were already converging on the region.
Spiritridge was the closest city to the ruins. It was the natural staging ground—for supplies, rest, and rendezvous.
At this moment, Spiritridge was a den of dragons and tigers. Hidden Core Formation cultivators and peak Foundation Establishment experts like Master Qingyang were everywhere.
All drawn by the promise of Core Formation.
Jin Miaoshan's presence at Goldfull Pavilion was likely tied to Eastern Polaris. Qian Zhong's antics were just a side plot.
But the appearance of the [Everliving Spirit Branch] had ignited every hidden adventurer's instincts.
Even if they couldn't use it, they could trade it for something they could.
Their thoughts mirrored Wang Yu's perfectly.
A feast of chaos was about to begin.
City Lord's Manor
Thanks to pre-set spatial coordinates, Wang Yu's Void Escape Talisman had teleported him directly to the formation nexus.
He had spent lavishly on survival tools. The Void Escape Talisman was something he'd heard of back in Qi Refining. Once he had money, he made sure to acquire it.
All purchased through the Purplegold Guild at Yanluo Ghost Market.
Spiritridge's Goldfull Pavilion couldn't stock third-tier treasures. And buying escape tools at the ghost market rarely drew attention.
With a full set of escape gear, who would dare rob him? Most would think twice. The risk was low. Wang Yu still had two more Void Escape Talismans in reserve.
After gritting his teeth and issuing the extermination decree, Wang Yu activated the City Lord's Manor's third-tier formation at its lowest threshold—ready to unleash full power at a moment's notice. He didn't want any delay if things escalated.
Additionally, Spiritridge City was protected by a massive second-tier formation that covered the entire city: the Spiritridge Giant Mountain Array.
Its layout was similar to the one used in Withered Leaf City in the Lakeheart Domain. It had flaws—Foundation Establishment cultivators determined to escape could still find a way out.
But it served its purpose: a declaration of intent.
Entry permitted. Exit forbidden.
As the dusky yellow spiritual light enveloped the city, the cultivators who had been hesitating erupted with excitement.
"You're serious!!"
"Hahahaha! City Lord Wang, I freaking love you! From now on, Spiritridge is my home!"
"Today's the day Han gets rich!"
"Brothers, anyone got a barrier-breaking talisman? Toss it here! Let's flatten this arrogant merchant tower!"
"Jie jie jie—"
Atop Goldfull Pavilion, Jin Miaoshan looked down at the sea of cultivators swarming the building. Most were Qi Refining, and even Foundation Establishment cultivators were considered elites.
But hidden among them… she sensed several Core Formation auras.
And that was just what she could detect. Who knew how many more lurked unseen?
Her expression darkened.
(End of Chapter)