Luo Jingtao's expression flickered with a trace of light, then dimmed again.
As the ruler of the Grand Xu Dynasty, one of the four great powers of the Southern Wilderness, he naturally knew that the auction hosted by the Great Qin Dynasty was no ordinary event.
It was said to be arranged by none other than the Primordial Commerce Pavilion, the ancient trading consortium that had existed since the Ancient Era, its branches spanning every corner of the continent.
And if such a pavilion chose to hold an auction within the borders of the Great Qin Dynasty, it could only mean one thing — that Qin was the undisputed overlord of Qingzhou.
Only a dynasty of that level could host a branch of the Primordial Commerce Pavilion.
No lesser kingdom would ever be qualified.
An auction managed by that organization was unlike any common exchange fair. Its influence stretched across domains; cultivators, sects, clans, and wandering immortals from every region would attend.
How could a declining dynasty like Grand Xu hope to compete against such forces?
A faint sigh escaped Luo Jingtao's lips.
But then—
a spark of thought flitted through his mind, lighting up his weary eyes.
"I wonder… if the Sect Master would be interested in this auction."
He murmured inwardly, a gleam of hope flashing across his face.
If Qin Wucheng—the mysterious master of the Lingxiao Sect—chose to attend, then even the mighty powers of Qingzhou would have to take notice.
If Qin Wucheng knew what Luo Jingtao was thinking right now, he would probably laugh, then call for the sect to march there immediately—just to "make some noise."
After all, Qin Wucheng had been worrying about exactly that: how to make Lingxiao's name echo through the world.
"Father," Luo Xueyao said softly, noticing her father's thoughtful expression.
"Why don't we inform the Sect Master of the auction and see if he wishes to attend?"
She had been born sharp and quick-minded. Even as a child, few could hide their thoughts from her.
Luo Jingtao looked at his daughter and chuckled, pleased.
As expected of his bloodline—clever and perceptive.
"Good idea, Xueyao. We'll speak to the Sect Master at once," he said with resolve.
He couldn't deny it: he was hoping Qin Wucheng would show interest.
If the auction truly held miraculous treasures—perhaps even a pill that could heal his ancestor's injuries—he would risk everything to obtain it.
But neither he nor his daughter yet knew that the forces attending this auction were not those that a dynasty like Grand Xu could easily face.
The Lingxiao Main Hall
Inside the vast, cloud-draped main hall of the sect, Qin Wucheng sat leisurely on the grand seat, idly spinning a jade slip between his fingers.
Across from him stood Luo Jingtao and Luo Xueyao.
"Oh?" Qin Wucheng's eyes flickered with interest. "An auction?"
For a moment, his smile deepened.
If you doze off, the heavens really will hand you a pillow.
He had been fretting about how to make the Lingxiao Sect's reputation resound throughout Qingzhou—
and now someone had delivered him an opportunity straight to his door.
"Tell me more," Qin Wucheng said, leaning forward slightly.
Luo Jingtao quickly bowed. "Sect Master, this auction is organized by the Primordial Commerce Pavilion. According to the news I've received, a Heavenly Spirit Pill will be appearing for sale!"
The old king's voice quivered with suppressed excitement.
"At that time, forces from every major state in the Southern Wilderness will gather in the Great Qin Dynasty. I wonder if Sect Master might be willing to attend this grand event?"
At the mention of the Primordial Commerce Pavilion, even Luo Xueyao was visibly shaken.
She had assumed it was a mere noble auction—but the Pavilion was another matter entirely.
And the Heavenly Spirit Pill!
That was a top-tier elixir said to grant those in the Half-Step Immortal King Realm a sixty-percent chance to break through into the Immortal King Realm.
Of course, what none of them realized was that an Immortal King who achieved enlightenment through external aid could never compare to one who attained it through pure comprehension.
Still—
in an age when true saints slumbered and emperors no longer walked the world, even a single Immortal King could overturn a continent.
"The Primordial Commerce Pavilion…" Qin Wucheng repeated, brows furrowing in mock confusion.
Luo Jingtao froze.
He couldn't believe what he was hearing.
The Sect Master doesn't know of them?
Wasn't Lingxiao Sect a hidden sect from some ancient era?
Unless—
Could it be even older than the Primordial Pavilion itself?
That would make it… a sect from the Mythic Era.
A chill ran down Luo Jingtao's spine. He dared not think further.
He had read in ancient records that after the Mythic Era—when emperors coexisted and god-kings roamed the heavens—a great ascension occurred. The emperors were summoned to the upper world by some unknown force, leaving behind only their legacies.
The Primordial Commerce Pavilion had been one of those legacies, founded by a Great Emperor of that age.
If Lingxiao truly hailed from that forgotten era…
No.
He dared not imagine it further. His knees felt weak.
If Qin Wucheng knew what was going through his mind, he would probably cough tea all over the floor.
Brother, I'm not from the Mythic Era… I'm not even from this world!
Still, Luo Jingtao composed himself quickly and continued.
"Sect Master, the Primordial Commerce Pavilion was founded by a Great Emperor during the Ancient Era and has lasted for more than a million years. Its roots are unfathomable."
"A Great Emperor's legacy, hm?" Qin Wucheng mused, his eyes narrowing with intrigue.
He had yet to meet such an existence, but with the system's help—and enough disciples and sect summons—he was confident that one day he could summon a Great Emperor of his own.
"This auction might be a fine chance to broaden the sect's name," Qin Wucheng decided at last, lips curling slightly. "Perhaps I might even encounter one or two geniuses worth recruiting."
Having made up his mind, he rose from his seat and said,
"Prepare yourselves. We set out for the Great Qin Dynasty tomorrow."
Luo Jingtao's face lit with joy. "Yes, Sect Master!"
His daughter bowed gracefully beside him, her eyes gleaming with excitement.
The Following Morning — Lingxiao Sect Square
A thin layer of mist clung to the mountain peaks. Disciples gathered in the wide stone square, awaiting their sect master's arrival.
Before long, a calm voice drifted through the air.
"Let's go."
Qin Wucheng appeared in the distance, dressed in white. His robe fluttered lightly as he stepped forward once—and vanished.
When he reappeared, he stood at the forefront of the gathered disciples, his presence serene yet overwhelming.
"Meet the Sect Master!"
The crowd bowed as one.
The Heavenly Qin Ancient City — Qingzhou
Far to the north, beneath drifting clouds, an ancient city of unimaginable scale stood rooted in the land.
Its towering walls were carved with runes that shimmered faintly with divine light, forming a vast protective net that could likely withstand even the assault of an Immortal King.
At the colossal gate, rows of Great Qin Imperial Guards stood in full armor, their aura sharp and oppressive.
From every direction, cultivators poured in—flying swords, spirit beasts, and golden chariots crowding the sky.
Within the flow of arrivals, prominent sects and noble families from across Qingzhou and beyond were easily spotted.
With a streak of light, several figures descended before the city gates.
It was Qin Wucheng, followed by Luo Jingtao, Luo Xueyao, Zhao Han, Wang Ming, and several other elders.
Unseen in the shadows trailed Chen Beixuan, the Half-Step Immortal King whose presence alone deterred unwanted eyes.
"Have you heard? They say the Plume Ascension Dynasty has been wiped out!"
"Shh! Are you trying to die?"
"How could that be possible? The Plume Ascension Dynasty was backed by an Immortal King!"
"If they hear you say that, you won't even know how you died!"
Two casual cultivators whispered nervously near the gate—unaware that their hushed rumor had already reached the ears of Qin Wucheng's group.
The Sect Master merely smiled faintly.
Destroyed by someone else? You're half right—it was my sect that did it.
Zhao Han's eyes gleamed with amusement, but he wisely kept silent.
"Master, this city is huge!" Zhao Han said, his face filled with genuine awe.
It was the first time he had seen such a massive city—walls towering like mountains, runes glimmering faintly, spirit beasts patrolling the skies.
He came from a small mortal family; the strongest person he had known before joining Lingxiao was only at the Spirit Sea Realm.
Even Luo Xueyao, who had grown up in the royal capital, looked awed.
Qin Wucheng's face, however, remained calm and faintly aloof, as though what they were seeing was nothing worth remarking on.
Internally, though, he had to admit—it was spectacular.
This world really knows how to build cities…
But seeing Zhao Han's expression, Qin Wucheng's lips twitched.
I swear, next time I leave the sect, I'm not bringing this kid. He's going to embarrass me to death.
Suddenly, a deep buzz rolled through the air.
"Look over there!" someone shouted.
A massive ancient warship glided across the heavens, its hull inlaid with gold and immortal jade. The deck shimmered with divine light, and ancient banners fluttered, exuding an aura of overwhelming majesty.
Gasps rippled through the crowd below.
"Which force dares to be so grand? Don't they fear offending the Great Qin Dynasty?"
"Wait—look at that emblem!"
An elderly cultivator's eyes went wide.
"That's the sigil of the Sky Martial Dynasty!"
"The Sky Martial Dynasty? You mean—"
"Yes! The ruling force of Tianzhou, a hegemon among dynasties!"
As the great warship hovered above the city, countless onlookers lowered their heads instinctively under its pressure.
Even the guards of the Great Qin gate straightened with visible caution.
Luo Jingtao's expression darkened slightly. "The Sky Martial Dynasty… I didn't expect even they would send envoys."
Beside him, Luo Xueyao whispered, "Father, does that mean this auction will draw powers from beyond the Southern Wilderness?"
Luo Jingtao nodded gravely. "Indeed. When the Primordial Commerce Pavilion hosts an event, the entire continent trembles."
Qin Wucheng's eyes, however, glimmered faintly with amusement.
"Good," he murmured under his breath. "The livelier, the better."
He clasped his hands behind his back, white sleeves fluttering in the wind.
Since we've come all this way, we might as well make Lingxiao's name echo through all of Qingzhou.
As the warship of the Sky Martial Dynasty slowly descended toward the ancient city, the stage for the greatest auction in centuries was finally set—