C12 Auction

Early the next morning, Zhou Youqing and his companions, Zhou Xunshi, Zhou Tong, and Zhou Jibo, headed to the Glorious Martial House to attend the Myriad Treasure Auction House event.

As they reached the entrance, they were joined by Zhou Zheyan, the son of the Fourth Elder. Together, they made their way to the Medicine Merchant House. Icefair City was quite small, and since all five were young Acquired Stage Warriors, they opted to walk, chatting and laughing as they went. They arrived at the Glorious House without feeling the least bit weary.

Upon entering the Glorious House, Zhou Jibo caught sight of a familiar face—Kong Chuyang, the Great Elder's manager, who was watching him intently. When Kong Chuyang noticed Zhou Jibo looking back, he quickly averted his gaze and disappeared into the crowd.

Zhou Jibo's instincts kicked in. Kong Chuyang's scrutiny could only mean that the Great Elder himself was keeping tabs on him. The recent events, where he had influenced the Elder, Third Elder, and Fourth Elder to reconsider their stance, must have left the Great Elder restless.

Zhou Qian, the Great Elder, was gearing up for a move. If not for Zhou Jibo's recent breakthrough, which had honed his senses, he might not have noticed the surveillance.

"Have the Great Elder and Zhou Leng sought you out in the past couple of days?" Zhou Jibo inquired of Zhou Tong and the others.

They shook their heads. "No."

No? Did the Great Elder not feel the need to secure the Third and Fourth Elders' loyalty? Where was his confidence coming from?

Zhou Jibo was puzzled but pressed on, "What's the situation with the Third and Fourth Elders?"

"My father hasn't mentioned anything," replied Zhou Youqing.

Zhou Zheyan added, "The same goes for my father."

Their silence was telling. They had neither opposed nor endorsed the recent developments, signaling a shift in their stance.

"Actually," Zhou Zheyan interjected, "my father mentioned yesterday that the Great Elder's actions were not honorable. How can we justify using the Yu family's influence for our clan's internal matters?"

The Yu family? The current leading family in Icefair City?

Zhou Jibo let out a cold laugh. He now understood the source of the Great Elder's confidence—he had secured such a powerful ally.

"It seems our Zhou family has become a tempting morsel, with everyone eager to take a bite," Zhou Jibo remarked coolly, etching the matter in his memory. He then led Zhou Tong and the other three into the Glorious House.

The Glorious House had transformed since three days prior. The vendor stalls were gone, replaced by elegant decorations. Tables and chairs were arranged across the first, second, and third floors, awaiting the arrival of guests.

The first-floor hall was open to all visitors and buzzed with activity.

The second and third floors catered to those of certain standing in Icefair City. Ordinary merchants, minor families, and local officials gathered in the designated auction area.

Members of Icefair City's prominent families and affluent merchants observed the auction from the third floor. Unlike the guests below, they simply had to signal the Glorious House attendants to place their bids.

Any hesitation could mean missing out on desired items, as bids from the first and second floors were processed slower than those from the third, despite offering the same price.

The separation by floors was an accepted display of one's social rank, an unspoken understanding among the attendees.

Zhou Jibo and his companions ascended to the third floor, where they found a familiar figure seated in the Zhou family's designated area—Elder Zhou Chulang.

Zhou Chulang rose with a welcoming smile upon their arrival.

Zhou Jibo was taken aback to find him alone.

Once seated, Zhou Chulang spoke softly, "To bid in the auction, we'd need substantial funds. But our Zhou family is in disarray, and the whereabouts of our money is unknown. The patriarch, for one, has very little to his name."

"Therefore, it's best if you don't appear interested. You five youths should simply observe. As it stands, we lack the resources to acquire these prized items."

Zhou Jibo gave a nod of acknowledgment. He had his own means to acquire martial skills and didn't need to rely on the Zhou family's wealth.

Zhou Youqing, listening in, couldn't contain his curiosity. "Elder Zhou Chulang, has our Zhou family really become that impoverished?"

"We're beyond impoverished. We're weak and riddled with infighting," Zhou Chulang whispered. "Your father is stubbornly siding with Zhou Qian, challenging the patriarch. Our family is on the brink of losing access to the third floor, relegated to mingling with the lesser families on the second."

Zhou Youqing, Zhou Tong, and the others felt a chill at the thought. This was a scenario they desperately hoped to avoid.

"I'll talk to our father as soon as I return. We must put the family first," declared Zhou Tong, his voice firm.

Zhou Zheyan nodded in agreement. "I will too."

Zhou Chulang and Zhou Jibo exchanged a knowing smile, nodding in approval. Zhou Qian was now thoroughly ostracized within the Zhou family.

Just then, a man with a dark expression led ten maids, each holding items concealed by red cloth, to the group.

Surveying the third-floor crowd, he announced, "My name is Yan Yuanlu, at the second layer of the Innate Stage. I am in charge of today's Myriad Treasure Auction House proceedings here in Icefair City."

At his words, a murmur rippled through the crowd. Zhou Youqing whispered in awe, "He's an Innate Stage master."

Yan Yuanlu's declaration quickly reached the ears of those on the first and second floors, stirring up a buzz of excitement.

"An Innate Stage master!"

"We only have two Innate Stage masters in all of Icefair City!"

"Both the castellan and the Yu family patriarch are Innate Stage as well."

Yan Yuanlu looked on with a hint of scorn. To him, this place was pitifully provincial. In the capital, those of the Innate Stage were merely elite guards for the great families, ordinary disciples in the sects, and in the Holy Land, they wouldn't even qualify as ordinary disciples.

"Also present at today's auction is the esteemed Forgemaster, Elder Wang Sibo. His mastery in refining is unparalleled, capable of crafting Profound Rank weapons and other mystical items. Furthermore, he is a Soul Separation Stage expert."

Yan Yuanlu spoke once more, bowing respectfully to a particular seat before him.

A Soul Separation Stage expert! Had Icefair City ever witnessed a master of such caliber?

This time, even the distinguished individuals on the third floor found themselves unable to remain seated, their gazes collectively drawn to that figure.

Seated there was an elder in a green robe, his short beard graying, yet he made no move to rise and acknowledge the assembly.

Next to him sat a young girl in white, her face round and her eyes large, exuding liveliness and charm. She stood with a beaming smile, surveyed the room, and then settled back down to playfully tease the Forgemaster, Wang Sibo. "Grandpa, you cut such an imposing figure."

Wang Sibo simply pinched his beard and laughed in response, offering no words.

"The Castellan has arrived!"

A voice rang out from the first floor, silencing the crowd momentarily. Within moments, the bustling noise resumed, and Lang Shen made his entrance.

Yan Yuanlu and Lang Shen exchanged a customary gesture of respect. Wang Sibo rose and offered a slight nod in acknowledgment.

Once the Castellan was seated, Yan Yuanlu stepped aside. A quick-witted auctioneer took center stage, declaring the commencement of the auction.