C11 Chapter 113

The Vault of Wonders was situated just a stone's throw from East Deld, in a bustling district where even the most influential powers struggled to gain any foothold.

It wasn't an extravagant palace, but rather a building that exuded a regal aura. Its walls were coated in vermilion, and a gleaming golden banner emblazoned with 'Vault of Wonders' caught the eye.

Upon seeing two visitors approach, the attendant at the entrance of the Vault of Wonders promptly stepped forward with a welcoming gesture and greeted them warmly, "Please, come inside!"

Once inside, they bypassed an array of various weapons and pills. The attendant escorted Wang Mingzhu and Wang Feng directly to the second floor, which housed pills designed to heal injuries inflicted by overwhelming force. However, Wang Feng had no interest in these pills; after all, his own Lee was the Sage of the Hidden Jade Mountain, capable of concocting any pill imaginable.

"Just pick one that's suitable for a Blademaster," Wang Mingzhu suggested to the attendant with a mischievous smile.

"Right away!" the attendant replied, heading to the medicine cabinet to retrieve a pill.

"There's really no need to buy any. I have a friend who's an alchemist! He can refine pills for me," Wang Feng mentioned casually.

"Really? You're not pulling my leg?" Wang Mingzhu couldn't hide her skepticism.

Since she had known Wang Feng, she had never seen him with friends, especially not one with a rare profession like an alchemist. Convinced he was fibbing, Wang Mingzhu teased, "Who are you trying to fool? I've never seen an alchemist among your friends. You can count all your friends on one hand, and I'm well aware of that." She nudged her chin toward Wang Feng in a playful manner.

Wang Feng found himself caught between amusement and embarrassment. Clearly, trying to deceive someone who knew him inside out wasn't the smartest move.

"Come on, Wang Mingzhu, let's check out the latest exotic treasures at the Vault of Wonders. Maybe we'll find something that could be of use to us," she said, leading the way with enthusiasm.

Wang Feng trailed behind her, looking every bit the loyal sidekick.

Once they reached a special section on the second floor, Wang Mingzhu shared a rumor she had heard: "They say the Vault of Wonders spans nine floors, each representing a different level of mastery. The higher you go, the rarer and more powerful the treasures become. I wonder how much truth there is to that."

The server responded, "Miss Wang, the Vault of Wonders indeed boasts nine levels, each symbolizing a distinct realm. The Vault also enforces its own regulations: each level is accessible only to those who have attained that specific realm. If one wishes to ascend but lacks the requisite realm, they must purchase 30% of the treasures on their current level."

Wang Feng chuckled, "Now that's a fascinating rule."

Wang Mingzhu gazed at the splendid array of treasures neatly arranged on the shelves and mused, "Indeed, it makes one wonder how many people have racked their brains to buy up 30% of the treasures on one level just to advance to the next."

While strolling, Wang Feng spotted a familiar face not too far ahead. On closer inspection, he realized it was Chen Ren!

It would be awkward to ignore him now that they had crossed paths.

Chen Ren was at a loss for words, thinking to himself, "What's happening today? Why did I have to run into this irritating fellow again? Sigh."

Seeing his crush demurely trailing behind someone else like a well-behaved young lady, Chen Ren felt a sharp pang in his heart, as if an invisible dagger had been thrust into his chest.

"Wang Mingzhu: Chen Ren, you're here too?"

"Chen Ren: Yeah, I heard the Vault of Wonders received a new shipment today. I came to check out these unique items and see if there's anything fun to take home."

"Wang Mingzhu: Oh, I see."

"You go ahead and pick. I'll just browse around."

After saying this, Chen Ren, accompanied by Liu Wenying, moved toward a nearby display where another server was ready to guide them through the items.

The server presented three items to Chen Ren at the booth: a small green cauldron for alchemy, which would reveal its full potential in the hands of an alchemist; a short black sword; and a multicolored stone.

"Server: These are the latest acquisitions of our establishment. Do any of these catch your eye?"

"The latest acquisitions? I'll have a look."

Upon hearing the server, Wang Mingzhu and Wang Feng also approached to inspect the treasures closely.

Wang Feng discreetly engaged the Creation System, dialoguing with it in his thoughts.

"Creation System, could you help me examine these treasures?"

"Creation System: Affirmative, host."

Wang Feng: "Then please, give me an overview of these three treasures."

"The first is a small cauldron with a three-star value, refined from Cloud Wild Stone found in the Northwest Desolate Mountain.

The second is a small greenish-black sword, valued at one star, made from the Green Crow Iron that is a specialty of Centipede Ridge.

The third is a five-colored divine stone, with a value of four stars, sourced from the Cloud Sky Palace on the Five-Colored Divine Mountain."

Wang Feng mumbled to himself, "Specialty, huh? Does that mean they're mass-produced?"

Wang Mingzhu turned to Wang Feng: "What's this about mass-produced?"

Wang Feng waved his hand dismissively, "Oh, nothing, just thinking out loud."

Wang Mingzhu: "Alright, Wang Feng, which one do you fancy? I'll buy it for you." She was aware that Wang Feng didn't have many coins to his name.

Wang Feng noticed Chen Ren's gaze fixed on him and feigned indifference.

But his eyes lingered on the small green sword. Chen Ren thought to himself, "So, you're after the small green sword! Well, I won't let you have your way. That'll frustrate you."

Before Wang Feng could speak up, Chen Ren quickly interjected, "I'll take that small greenish-black sword. Could you fetch it for me?"

"Wait a minute! Who do you think you are, claiming the small greenish-black sword before I've even spoken?" Wang Feng said with feigned irritation.

Chen Ren retorted, "Hey, it's first come, first served. I spoke up before you did."

Wang Feng turned to the server, "I'm interested in it too. What now?"

The server hesitated, "Well... perhaps, Master Feng, you could consider another item?"

Wang Feng glared at the server, putting on an angry front, "Fetch your Vice Pavilion Master for me!"

The server recognized the individuals before him: the young master of the Chen family, the treasured daughter of the Wang family, and the recently renowned Wang Feng. He dared not offend any of them.

"Waiter: Alright, I'll go fetch our Vice Pavilion Master. Please wait a moment."

In less than a moment, the waiter returned with the Vice Pavilion Master of the Vault of Wonders. Stooping slightly, he led the way.

The Vice Pavilion Master, with his substantial belly protruding, shuffled forward to greet the group.

The Vice Pavilion Master of the Vault of Wonders stepped forward and offered a courteous bow. "Everyone present is a person of renown within the Imperial Capital; there's no need to quarrel over such a treasure. Perhaps we might resolve this in a different manner?"

"Vice Pavilion Master: Each of you can make an offer. The highest bidder will acquire the item. Does this sound agreeable?"

Chen Ren was visibly reluctant: "This…"

"Wang Mingzhu: How can you be so petty?"

Chen Ren glared at Wang Feng, his anger barely contained, and said through clenched teeth, "Fine, we'll bid for it. Whoever offers more, wins."

They all bowed in agreement and said, "We shall follow the Pavilion Master's suggestion."

"Very well, the bidding for this treasure starts at ten thousand gold coins!"

Wang Feng thought to himself, "This item is barely worth three thousand gold coins! The Vault of Wonders is really gouging us. But from another angle, they're making a fortune."

Wang Feng gave Chen Ren a challenging look, as if to say, 'Come on, let's go all out!'

"Wang Feng: I bid fifteen thousand gold coins!"

Chen Ren, fixing his gaze on Wang Feng, declared, "Thirty thousand gold coins!"

Wang Feng's face turned pale as he clenched his fists and spat out, "Fifty thousand!"

Chen Ren, sensing Wang Feng's struggle, hastily countered, "Sixty thousand!"

Wang Feng turned to Wang Mingzhu and whispered, "Mingzhu, lend me thirty thousand gold coins. I promise to make it worth your while."

Wang Mingzhu passed her gold card to Wang Feng with a reassuring smile, "There's five hundred thousand on this card."

Upon seeing this, Chen Ren's face contorted with rage as he bellowed, "One hundred thousand!"

Chen Ren had expected Wang Feng to raise the bid further, but to his surprise, the escalating offers abruptly ceased with his last bid!

The hall fell into a hushed silence, all eyes on Chen Ren, while the Vice Pavilion Master maintained his smile, looking straight ahead.

"Hmm, Mingzhu, let's head out! Pavilion Master, could you please fetch the small cauldron and the five-colored stone for me? I'd like to purchase them."

"Wang Feng: What's the total?"

"Pavilion Master: That would be 50,000."

Wang Feng took out the gold card Wang Mingzhu had given him and placed it on the counter. "I'll take these two items."

The Pavilion Master smiled warmly. "Very well, have a safe journey!"

It wasn't until Wang Feng and Wang Mingzhu had walked about sixty feet away that Chen Ren snapped out of his daze. He had been swindled!

Fuming, he plunged the small greenish-black sword into the floor of the Vault of Wonders and began stomping furiously, kicking the floor to release his pent-up rage.