Spirit Ruin, Sword Coffin, Blind Swordsman

Li Guanqi glanced sideways and sent a voice transmission. “Father-in-law, you know the Gu clan?”

Meng Jiangchu nodded slightly and said softly, “He’s the son of an old friend. The Gu clan is very powerful in their own right, and their ancestor is said to be in seclusion, trying to break through to the Tribulation Realm. You should spend more time with this kid. He’s… a strange one.”

Li Guanqi nodded but said nothing. He still didn’t quite understand what Meng Jiangchu meant by “strange,” though he guessed it had something to do with Gu Li’s endless talisman-drawing. Ever since they’d met, the kid’s hands had barely stopped moving. In that short time, he’d already produced over a hundred tier-seven talismans—output more profitable than mining a spirit stone vein.

As they walked, the sheer grandeur of Qin King City left Li Guanqi shaken. Even the white jade bricks underfoot were laid over mid-grade spirit stones, and at one point, he watched the city guards tear up the pavement to replace it.

“Tsk, they really are loaded.”

The streets were at least eight zhang wide. The buildings flanking them stood at least three stories tall, with some rising more than ten or even twenty. Every structure was lavishly carved and adorned, revealing unimaginable luxury and a foundation far beyond anything found in the outside world. Each shop openly displayed its wares on shelves: spirit weapons, ancient artifacts, and countless other treasures. The prices made Li Guanqi’s mouth twitch. They were far higher than comparable goods elsewhere, but admittedly, the quality and rarity weren’t easily found in the Six Territories.

Of course, the prices made one’s mouth twitch. They were significantly more expensive than similar items outside. But the quality and rarity were not things easily found elsewhere.

Gu Li stood beside Li Guanqi, staring at him.

Li Guanqi turned his head and smiled. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

Gu Li grinned and shrugged. “Nothing. I just think you’re a bit more interesting than my brother. How should I put it… Your personality suits me better, hahaha.” Watching Gu Li laugh to himself, Li Guanqi couldn’t help but smile faintly too. The seemingly harmless Gu Li was arrogant to the core and had an explosive temper. Even Li Guanqi hadn’t seen those slaps coming earlier, let alone Zhao Bin and the others. For a moment, he found himself missing the big yellow dog back in Prosperity Village.

There weren’t many people inside Qin King City. In fact, the population flow was even less than that of any ordinary city outside. Yet everyone here had a formidable aura, and a fair number of black-robed cultivators kept their figures hidden from sight. Li Guanqi carefully reined in his own aura. In a place like this, caution was the safest bet.

What surprised him a little was that Meng Jiangchu really did have the connections he’d claimed. All along the way, many cultivators and shopkeepers went out of their way to greet him warmly. It made sense, though. As one of the foremost artifact blacksmiths in the Six Territories, he’d likely forged many of the ancient treasures and magic artifacts scattered across the Ethereal Immortal Territory.

The three of them moved on through streets crammed with dazzling goods, and the gradually grew denser. Li Guanqi began to notice Illusory Refinement Realm and Divine Transformation Realm cultivators among them, likely natives of the Ethereal Immortal Territory or the younger generation of clans long rooted there. Their auras were incredibly sturdy, to the point that even Li Guanqi was surprised by how stable their foundations were. Their spirit roots also seemed purer, even if they were mere Heavenly Spirit Roots.

He sighed inwardly at how privileged those clan disciples were. He found himself wondering whether the native disciples of the Ethereal Immortal Territory would differ at all from the ancient clan disciples.

While he was still lost in thought, the three of them arrived at the auction house. Li Guanqi looked up at the towering nineteen-story building, feeling quite shocked. The structure spanned over three hundred zhang and emitted a faint pressure. He could even sense fluctuations in the spatial domains within, suggesting the space inside was vast beyond imagination.

Meng Jiangchu said softly, “Let’s go. The auction’s about to start.”

Just as they reached the entrance, a stunning maid gracefully stepped forward and bowed respectfully to Meng Jiangchu. “Honored Five Yang Ghost Emperor, your private room is ready. Shall I take you there?”

She didn’t so much as ask Li Guanqi and Gu Li who they were, a courtesy the auction house reserved for its distinguished guests. At Meng Jiangchu’s slight nod, the maid moved to his side and led them inside.

Li Guanqi glanced at Gu Li and asked curiously, “You’re not going back?”

Gu Li shrugged and smiled. “Why would I? Whatever the family buys is no business of mine. If I want something, I’ll buy it myself. Hehe, I just want to spend a little more time with you.”

Looking at that smile, Li Guanqi had the distinct feeling Gu Li was up to something. But he liked Gu Li’s personality, so he didn’t dwell on it. It was still strange, though. He’d never have guessed Coward Li would end up befriending someone like Gu Li.

The three of them wove through several turns and soon arrived in front of a glowing light gate. Seven more identical gates stood on either side.

The maid gracefully clasped her hands and bowed. “Honored guests, your private room lies within. Should you need anything, simply send a voice transmission.”

Meng Jiangchu nodded and stepped through the light curtain, clearly familiar with the place. Li Guanqi followed. Gu Li glanced at the maid, then casually took out a talisman and slipped it to her, his hand brushing lightly against her collar. A faint blush rose to her cheeks, and her gaze turned soft and alluring as she bowed without a word, her lips pressed together. Gu Li laughed heartily and stepped through the curtain.

Once inside, Li Guanqi found himself in a small, self-contained domain. The private room was about fifty zhang wide, furnished with tables, chairs, and a couch for rest. One entire wall was a light curtain conjured with a formation, displaying the auction hall below.

The seating area down there spanned a hundred zhang and was nearly full. A faint, oppressive aura hung over the hall, and the venue was utterly silent. He noticed that the private rooms were floating above the main seating area, and theirs seemed to be among the smallest. It was modest, but none of them cared.

Gu Li leaned against the light screen and poked at it, then curled his lips. “Tch, turns out even my dad can only sit down there?”

Li Guanqi followed his gaze and saw a man in a dark gold robe seated calmly at the center of the rows. His long hair was tied back neatly, his features were sharp and well-defined, and his gaze was deep and penetrating. He exuded a powerful presence that was not to be underestimated.

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