Deep within the Guixu.
A colossal sword, reaching from heaven to earth, descended from the sky, piercing a monstrous beast covered in bone spurs.
"Roar!"
The beast let out a mournful cry, but in the next instant, the sword was violently withdrawn. Sword energy tore through the air, and the beast's blood erupted like a fountain.
*Ching!*
The sword, like a swimming dragon, circled in the air, intelligently shaking off bloodstains before being grasped by its hilt by a young man in a blue robe.
"This ninth-order ferocious beast, I've searched for three months, and finally, it's slain!" He sheathed his sword and stood in mid-air, bathed in moonlight, his demeanor dashing and unrestrained.
Suddenly, his wristband chimed. He opened it and glanced at it.
In the next moment, white light surged around him, and streams of sword energy appeared out of nowhere.
The sword energy formed solidified giant swords, and with a series of rustling sounds, the giant swords plunged into the ground. In an instant, the area within a hundred meters was filled with solidified giant swords. From above, it resembled a forest of swords.
"How dare you bully my disciple!"
With that, his sword moved at his will, and the surrounding rocks instantly turned to dust.
In the next moment, he transformed into a streak of light and flew towards Central City.
........
Jicheng.
Auction House.
As Lin Yu entered, he was recognized by people from the Bai family.
"This way, please. Master instructed us to arrange a private room for you," the attendant said respectfully.
Lin Yu nodded and said, "Lead the way."
Upon reaching the second floor, the attendant opened Room 201 and said, "I will not disturb you further. If you need anything, just call me. I'll be waiting outside."
"Alright, you can go," Lin Yu said.
The attendant left. Lin Yu began to flip through the auction catalog on the table.
Besides the three main items, the catalog showed pictures and descriptions of twenty-seven other items up for auction.
He browsed, somewhat disappointed. While there were some valuable items, none were what he desired.
At this moment, a series of knocks sounded at the door. Lin Yu put down the catalog and said, "Come in!"
Then, a petite girl, dressed as a server and holding a tray, entered with her head bowed. "Sir, here is your fruit platter. I've placed it on the table for you."
As the fruit platter was placed on the table, Lin Yu caught a glimpse of the girl's profile and exclaimed, "It's you, Feng Xiaoyu!"
Hearing a familiar voice, Feng Xiaoyu's eyes widened in surprise as she looked up. "Wow, big brother, it's really you! Are you here for the auction too?"
*Of course! What else would I be here for? This girl is still so airheaded,* Lin Yu thought to himself.
"It's you, though, why are you working as a server?" Lin Yu asked curiously.
Feng Xiaoyu puffed out her cheeks and said, "I'm helping with household expenses. I'm in my second year of high school now. When I'm in my third year and awaken my talent, I can go out to hunt, and I'll definitely earn more."
She dreamed of the scene of her holding a large sum of money, her eyes curving into crescents.
Lin Yu found her demeanor amusing. "Then I wish you the best in awakening a high-level talent."
"Thank you for your blessing, big brother." Just as she finished speaking, her wristband chimed. She glanced at it and said apologetically, "The guests next door need a fruit platter. Big brother, please excuse me, I have to go."
"Go ahead!" Lin Yu said.
Feng Xiaoyu left. Lin Yu ate fruit while lost in thought.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside the door, interrupting Lin Yu's thoughts and causing him to frown.
He got up, pushed open the door, and looked outside. He saw two teenagers arguing while being pulled apart by attendants.
"Lu Huan, you're bullying me again! You've been bullying me since we were kids. What did I, Liu An, do to you that you keep picking on me, huh?"
Liu An's face was filled with indignant grief. The thought of how this guy always bullied him as a child made his teeth ache. Now that they were grown, not only did this guy have higher talent, but he still bullied him. It was outrageous, infuriating!
"Liu An, how dare you say that? Don't tell me the hair in my wine glass just now wasn't put there by you?"
When Liu An had awakened the trash talent of hair proliferation, Lu Huan had mocked him thoroughly. Now, finding hair in his wine and having to drink it, he instantly suspected Liu An.
Liu An cursed, "Nonsense! I, Liu An, act with integrity and uprightness. I would never do such a thing. You're slandering me!"
"Fine, you're tough-mouthed, then let's check the surveillance!" Lu Huan retorted, unwilling to back down.
At this moment, two elders, alerted by the commotion, arrived. Their faces were grim. One held back one of the youths while the other did the same, both scolding in unison, "Nonsense!"
The two youths were reprimanded sternly. Upon seeing who had arrived, they immediately became quiet, though it was evident they were still unconvinced.
Lin Yu felt a strange sensation upon seeing these four individuals.
The two elders were the principals of High School 1 and High School 3 respectively. Lu Huan was an SS-class awakened one from High School 1. The other, a胖子 (fatty) named Liu An, was the one who had previously bought skill crystals.
They actually knew each other, and Lu Huan had bullied Liu An since childhood. They seemed like destined rivals. From the looks of it, Liu An had used his hair proliferation talent to prank Lu Huan.
However, Lin Yu was unsure of the exact truth.
The farce ended, and Lin Yu returned to his room. But the subsequent scenes stunned him.
Because on his way to the restroom, he encountered several more familiar faces: the principal of High School 2, his defeated opponent Shi Yifeng, an SS-class awakened one. Not only that, but on his way back, he met several other acquaintances, all leaders of various prominent families.
They were slightly surprised to see Lin Yu but greeted him with polite smiles. Lin Yu returned their smiles.
As they passed each other, Lin Yu returned to his private room.
He sat on the sofa, popped a grape into his mouth, and had a feeling that the main auction item today was no ordinary object, or it wouldn't have attracted so many influential figures.
Just then, a series of *dang dang dang* sounds rang out.
In the next moment, a giant screen appeared on the auction stage downstairs.
Then, Bai Qianlang, the patriarch of the Bai family, dressed in a Tang suit and holding a folding fan, smiled and said:
"Esteemed guests, ladies and gentlemen, friends! Good evening to you all!"
He unfurled his fan, gave it a flick, and snapped it shut, continuing:
"Reaching for the clouds, standing tall against the frost, a brushstroke of ink draws butterflies, paper blooms with vibrant colors, and songs are sung. Welcome to this July evening gathering, welcome to this grand auction, to experience the ink fragrance and artistic conception, to experience the brilliant starry sky together!"
*Clap, clap, clap!* He clapped his hands, and the projection behind him suddenly changed.
Not only that, but the projection expanded, soon enveloping the entire auction hall.
Someone exclaimed upon seeing this.
"This must be holographic projection. A projection that can cover the entire auction hall, what a grand gesture."
"The Bai family lives up to its reputation as a prominent family in Jicheng. They're so rich! This equipment alone must cost tens of millions."
"Everyone, look quickly! The projection has spread, what a beautiful scene."
At this moment, the scenery before everyone's eyes had transformed.
A tall, majestic, and elegant mountain rose from the ground. An elder with an immortal-like demeanor stood with one hand behind his back, the other holding a calligraphy brush, scattering ink in the air. The ink transformed into white, signifying a sudden frost and a world covered in snow.
"This is reaching for the clouds, standing tall against the frost!" Bai Qianlang's voice boomed.
In the next moment, the scenery changed. The elder's brushstroke shifted, and the ink transformed into colorful butterflies dancing in the air. The void became paper, page after page, with vibrant colors, folded into flowers, dancing with the butterflies.
The scene was miraculous and magnificent, exquisite and powerful, leaving everyone in awe.
Even Lin Yu was deeply impressed.
"The technology in this world is truly advanced! If not for the existence of awakened ones, it would undoubtedly shine brilliantly!" Lin Yu murmured to himself.
Suddenly, all the butterflies and flowers retreated to the sides, and everyone realized they were sitting on the peak of the mountain, while Bai Qianlang stood in the clouds, holding his folding fan.
He ostentatiously declared:
"I announce, the auction officially begins!"