Wang Yu was now certain: the Purplegold Chamber of Commerce had been a planted force from the very beginning—an extension of Young Master Jinlin's influence in Spiritridge.
They might have even been connected to Qian Zhong back then.
Now that Qingyang had secretly subdued their leader, the entire intricate web of schemes had fallen into Wang Yu's hands.
He realized something else.
Whether it was the Sword Sect's envoy Changxi or Goldfull Pavilion's heir Jinlin, they all loved weaving elaborate, multi-layered conspiracies.
These plans were precise and ambitious. But without sufficient strength, they were fragile—easily derailed by a single misstep.
This obsession with control, this arrogance…
It really did match their elite backgrounds. Far too conceited.
"City Lord," Qingyang reminded him, "this auction has many Core and even Nascent Soul cultivators. For weaklings like us… it's best not to bid."
"I understand."
Wang Yu had always been cautious. He wasn't naïve enough to believe the Ghost Market's rules were absolute.
Besides, he was broke. He couldn't afford high-end items even if he wanted to. Most tier-three items were within reach and relatively safe.
As for tier-four treasures—even if he had the spirit stones, he wouldn't dare.
This trip was about gaining experience—and turning Jinlin's scheme against him. Wang Yu was eager to see the look on his enemy's face when the plan unraveled.
He and Qingyang arrived at the central tower of the Ghost Market. Passing through a curtain of shadowy ripples, the world opened up.
They stood in a spacious private booth, facing a transparent wall like a floor-to-ceiling window. Around them were dozens of similar black cubicles.
There were thirty-two levels in total. Their booth was on the eighth floor. Below, a floating jade platform hovered in the center.
The hall was silent. It felt as if they were the only ones present.
Then—
Ghostly mist surged from the floor. A pale, beautiful female ghost in a slit maid's dress emerged. Her eyes wept blood, but her demeanor was impeccably polite.
"Honored guests, welcome to the 136th Nascent Soul-tier auction of the Yanluo Ghost Market. The event will begin in half an hour. Here is your preview catalog.
"When the auction begins, I will assist you with bidding and item delivery. Until then—enjoy."
She sank back into the floor.
Wang Yu and Qingyang exchanged glances. The Ghost Market's secrecy was impressive.
The catalog listed only rare tier-two and most tier-three items. They had no access to tier-four listings.
Even so, the sheer number—over 1,600 rare items—left Wang Yu speechless. That a single black market could gather such inventory…
He couldn't imagine how vast the Blood Reversal Sect's resources truly were.
"Only out here do people like me have a chance. Inside the sect, the hierarchy is suffocating. Just look at Steward Xu's pill shop—like a lamb waiting for slaughter."
Wang Yu reminded himself to stay vigilant.
He spent the half-hour meditating on the Prajñā Heart Sutra, calming his mind.
Then—
"DONG—"
With a resonant chime, two black-robed figures appeared on the floating jade platform. The man was handsome, the woman stunning. They released their auras without restraint.
Peak Nascent Soul, sixth layer.
Just one step from becoming late-stage grandmasters. These were Yanluo and Yanfeng, the Ghost Market's rulers.
In Crimson Kite Territory, most active Nascent Soul cultivators were early-stage. Mid-stage was already formidable. Late-stage were near-invincible.
That these two held sway on the border of two hegemonic sects spoke volumes. Judging by their synchronized auras, they likely cultivated a dual-path technique.
Their presence alone was oppressive.
"Let's not waste time," Yanluo said. "The 136th auction begins now."
He tossed an item into the air. It radiated potent spiritual energy.
"This is Thunderburst Spirit Elixir, a tier-three lightning-element Core Formation treasure. Acquired from a slain disciple of Thunderfire Temple in Lakeheart Domain. Starting bid: one million spirit stones."
Wang Yu raised an eyebrow.
The message was clear: this was looted from a dead elite. Bid if you dare.
Only peak Foundation cultivators would need such an item. Some might buy it for their juniors.
He expected a pause—but bids came fast, relayed by Yanfeng.
"1.3 million."
"1.6 million."
"2.3 million!"
"2.4 million…"
The price soared. This wasn't just a high-grade item—it rivaled the Everliving Branch in value, though it lacked regenerative properties.
It finally sold for four million spirit stones. No one knew which booth had won.
After ten items, the hosts withdrew. Two ghostly auctioneers took over—both tier-three peak beauties with exaggerated, almost artificial figures.
The auction continued.
Skyflame Saber, Hungry Ghost King's Soul Mark, rare herb Zhi Horse, pure-blood flood dragon core, ancient incomplete legacies…
The variety and volume were staggering.
Then came an item that caught Wang Yu's attention.
"Next, a legacy from the ancient Heavenly Soul Sect—a soul-scouring secret art: Soul-Gouging Black Boat Curse. Starting bid: 200,000 spirit stones."
Soul-scouring arts were common in Crimson Kite. There were even generic versions.
But they required tier-three divine sense to use. If the target's soul was too strong, the backlash could cripple the caster.
For demonic cultivators, soul-scouring was essential. But most already had one. And Foundation cultivators couldn't use them.
So this was a niche item.
Its value lay in its origin—an ancient legacy. Rare, hard to counter, and likely more effective.
Wang Yu didn't hesitate. He had the ghost maid bid 210,000—one of the few things he could afford and actually needed.
With this, intelligence gathering would become much easier.
After mild competition, he won it for 280,000. The ghost maid delivered it promptly.
He skimmed the technique.
The curse condensed divine sense into black paper boats that could pierce matter and invade the Niwan Palace—forcefully scouring the soul.
It could also form defensive boats in one's own Niwan Palace to block intrusions. Offense and defense in one.
Other techniques had similar features.
But its true value lay in its perfected form: the black boats could pierce soul barriers and read memories directly.
"Perfected, huh…"
Soul arts were notoriously hard to master—more so than regular techniques. Most cultivators would need a lifetime.
But Wang Yu thrived on challenge.
[Placement Slot 6: Soul-Gouging Black Boat Curse]
"(0/100): 96 sessions per day. 40 years to perfection."
"Not bad—"
He tested it. As the slot activated, his divine sense began forming a black paper boat.
It collapsed at 20%—but the process had begun. His mind filled with insights and comprehension.
The placement slot was truly miraculous.
Meanwhile—
The auction escalated. The first tier-four item appeared, and bidding surged.
"Tier-four high-grade artifact: Bloodskull Demon Sword. Starting bid: 50 supreme-grade spirit stones!"
Silence.
Supreme-grade stones couldn't be crafted. They were the purest essence of heaven and earth—self-replenishing over centuries.
With formations, that recovery could be accelerated.
Supreme-grade stones were the foundation of Nascent Soul cultivation and sect power. They were rarely spent.
Fifty was no small number. But for a Nascent Soul artifact, it was fair.
The sword ignited a bidding frenzy.
Then came the penultimate item—stunning all.
A high-grade Core Ascension Pill, boosting the chance of breaking through to Nascent Soul by 50%.
Also from Lakeheart Domain—spoils from another unfortunate soul.
It sold for three million high-grade stones and ten supreme-grade stones.
The final item was no less shocking.
A fragmented Soul Formation-era poison legacy. It had a complete cultivation method—but lacked artifacts, techniques, and poison recipes.
For other paths, that might be fine. But poison arts required full systems. So it was sold as a Nascent Soul-tier item.
Still, it fetched a sky-high price—
Two hundred supreme-grade spirit stones.
(End of Chapter)
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