In the upper-level private room, silence enveloped the Ice Orchid Chamber.

  Young Master Gu, still flushed from financial humiliation, suddenly trembled. His eyes widened, realizing the slapping truth. "The Black-Haired Devil... Ming Xu... he is the same person!"

  Gu had never seen Zhi Xuan's face, but he knew the name 'Black-Haired Devil' and he knew the details 'one-eyed blind' and 'Divine Wheel'. All his bottled-up anger and resentment now found a clear target. He had not just been humiliated; he had been played by a newly freed slave.

  "That rat! He intentionally bid on the Scarlet Lotus just to make me spend money!" Gu roared, rising to his feet. He almost destroyed the spiritual curtain of his room, his Consciousness Transformation aura exploding with uncontrolled fury. "Jin! Shu! Where are my guards! Capture him! Kill him now!"

  Beside him, Zhu Qinglan sat silently. Her light gray eyes, which had previously shown confusion, now shone with cold, sharp comprehension. There was no more subtle pink blush. Only analysis.

  "The Black-Haired Devil, eh?" Zhu Qinglan whispered. "He did not just challenge; he challenged with calculation. He drained you, Young Master Gu, and he invested all the wealth he gained from your Arena into an item he believes holds hidden value. He is a far more interesting troublemaker than I thought."

  Zhu Qinglan raised her hand slightly, stopping Ling'er and Mei from moving. "Do not move, Young Master Gu. Do not humiliate yourself again in public. Let him take the 'trash'."

  Meanwhile, Zhi Xuan had reached the podium. He stood beside Wei Hua, who looked slightly pale from the sudden commotion. Zhi Xuan stood next to Wei Hua, a sharp contrast between the deadly calm of the tattered Divine Wheel cultivator and the professional anxiety of the host. The commotion in the hall continued, with every whisper confirming his identity: The Black-Haired Devil.

  "Lord Ming Xu," Wei Hua whispered, her tone polite but tense. "Please confirm your items."

  Zhi Xuan nodded briefly. He took out his Jade Pouch and poured out all the remaining Spiritual Jade Coins. The glimmer of the pile of three hundred fifty thousand coins seemed embarrassing after the millions of transactions that had just occurred. However, Zhi Xuan did not care. He pushed the coins toward Wei Hua.

  "Three hundred fifty thousand," Zhi Xuan said, his voice hoarse and calm, as if he had just bought a piece of tofu, not his entire fortune.

  Wei Hua quickly counted the coins and nodded, then turned to the two guards still holding the shabby coffin and the half-body of the shattered furnace.

  "Transfer the items to Lord Ming Xu."

  As the guard released the small, mud-stained coffin, Zhi Xuan grabbed it with one hand. The coffin was light, and felt cold in his hand, but emitted no aura. Then, he took the half-body of the shattered bronze furnace.

  Zhi Xuan, emotionlessly, received the shabby coffin and the half-body of the shattered bronze furnace. As his rough fingers touched the rusted surface of the furnace, the subtle fluctuation of the Sky Clan pattern he had sensed through his primitive Divine Sense suddenly became a little clearer. Losing all his wealth was worth the confirmation of his instincts.

  Wei Hua, who had counted the coins and regained her professional composure, gave a code with her eyes to one of the guards. The guard nodded and immediately took out a conspicuous spiritual bag along with a flying artifact in the shape of a Blue Sky Sword.

  "Lord Ming Xu, because you are... surprising and your move is very bold," Wei Hua said, sighing softly before continuing. "We, the Silver Moon Auction, are offering an addition to the price you gave for these two mortal artifacts."

  Wei Hua pointed to the spiritual bag. "We know that spiritual bag cannot be opened until you reach the First Ember, but we can help you store these items. However, we acknowledge that this coffin and furnace are not worthy of the price of three hundred fifty thousand coins."

  Zhi Xuan raised an eyebrow. A gift? Or an elegant bribe to ensure the Black-Haired Devil did not ruin the auction's reputation for selling garbage?

  "And this Blue Sky Sword," Wei Hua continued, holding the flying sword that emitted a cold wind aura. "This is a low-grade flying Artifact. As compensation for the commotion in the hall."

  The Blue Sky Sword was a very valuable item—exactly what Zhi Xuan needed for speed and escape. He needed a flying artifact because he had just witnessed the Poison Sect Emissaries buying another flying sword.

  Zhi Xuan stared at the Blue Sky Sword in Wei Hua's hand, his sapphire blue eyes radiating swift calculation. Wei Hua was not foolish. She knew the humiliated Young Master Gu would attack Zhi Xuan outside the pavilion, and the auction did not want to be involved in bloodshed right after the record Eight Million Spiritual Jade Coins transaction. Giving a Flying Sword was Wei Hua's way of buying protection for herself and the Silver Moon Auction.

  "A low-grade Flying Sword," Zhi Xuan repeated, his voice cold, but in his heart, he felt a cold relief. This was a lifesaver. He wasted no time with thanks or discussion.

  "I accept the compensation," Zhi Xuan said, taking the spiritual bag Wei Hua handed over. The bag was a sealed interspatial bag, which indeed could only be opened by a First Ember cultivator, but the bag was strong enough to store the shabby coffin and the half-body of the shattered furnace without needing to physically hold them.

  One of the guards stepped forward and channeled his spiritual essence into the spiritual bag. It looked embarrassing for a cultivator who had just shocked the auction, even needing help to store his own 'garbage' artifacts. The Spiritual Bag, although sealed for his cultivation realm, at least allowed him to store his new artifacts without needing to physically hold the unseemly items.

  However, the sight of a Divine Wheel cultivator who had just gambled all his wealth, now needing a guard's help to store his "trash" items, sparked a wave of scorn from the cultivators in the hall.

  "Look! He cannot even open the Interspatial Bag! What a Divine Wheel rat!" a Consciousness Transformation cultivator sitting in the front row exclaimed, his laughter loud and filled with contempt.

  "A madman who gambled all his money on mortal trash, but he does not even have the ability to use a Spiritual Bag! How ironic!" another chimed in.

  "This is a joke of the Silver Moon Auction! Giving a gift to trash who humiliated Young Master Gu!" a Zhu Clan guard nearby hissed, his eyes full of disgust.

  "How embarrassing! If he does not have the ability to use an Interspatial Bag, how can he fly with that Blue Sky Sword? He will surely fall from the air!"

  The mockery and contempt enveloped Zhi Xuan, drowning him in a wave of scoffing voices. This was the true face of the cultivation world; worshipping power and wealth, and despising weakness.

  Zhi Xuan ignored all the voices. His face remained calm, his sapphire blue eyes focused only on the Blue Sky Sword in his hand and the Spiritual Bag that now contained the shabby coffin and his shattered furnace. The pain in his newly reconnected ribs became dull, replaced by rock-solid focus.

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  'Let them scoff. I have drained Young Master Gu, and I got what I needed,' Zhi Xuan thought, his heart cold.

  He tightened his grip on the Blue Sky Sword, ignoring the looks of disgust and mockery. He turned to Wei Hua, nodded briefly, and without uttering a word, he turned and began to step out of the stage.

  In the Ice Orchid Chamber, Young Master Gu stood at the edge of the curtain, his anger so immense that he could no longer sit down. His eyes were red, and his Consciousness Transformation aura spun uncontrollably.

  "Do not move, Young Master Gu," Zhu Qinglan commanded, her voice cold and filled with satisfaction. "Let him go out. You have been humiliated once. Do not make yourself look like a loser twice."

  "He... he insulted my honor! He took money from my arena and spent it on two pieces of mortal trash in front of you, Holy Maiden!" Gu roared, his teeth clenched.

  "That is the honor he bought, and he paid for it with your money," Zhu Qinglan countered, her tone cynical. She looked at Zhi Xuan's retreating figure, her eyes full of calculation that showed a hint of cold interest. "He got a Flying Sword. He is not as stupid as you think. Young Master Gu, we will deal with him after the auction is over. We will ensure he never leaves this city."

  Zhu Qinglan had made a decision, Zhi Xuan was a pawn too dangerous to be left free. He was an overly cunning troublemaker. But Zhu Qinglan wanted to see how far, how far the youth who felt the need to protect her to the point of offering protection as her Dao Protector would go.

  'Ling'er, Mei. Ensure that boy does not die here.' Zhu Qinglan sent a spiritual consciousness that only her two maids could hear.

  Zhi Xuan, feeling the two Consciousness Transformation auras locking onto him from Young Master Gu's private room, knew he did not have much time. He had to leave immediately. He stepped out of the Falling Water Pavilion. The atmosphere outside felt colder and darker. In the distance, he saw the shadows of the patrolling Zhu Clan and Jade Star Sword Sect guards.

  Zhi Xuan stepped onto the marble gate of the Falling Water Pavilion, his feet touching the cold main road. He sensed the calm city air, and beneath that calm, there was a swirling vortex of murderous intent aimed at him. That murderous intent came from Young Master Gu's private room, trembling with rage.

  Above, on the second level, Young Master Gu could no longer restrain himself. His roar pierced the isolation formation, though his voice was muffled, his anger was so real that all the surrounding cultivators flinched.

  "Kill him! Bring his head to me! Take back the coins he stole from my auction!" Gu commanded, his voice containing the pure venom of vengeance.

  Instantly, two black figures shot down from the roof of the Falling Water Pavilion. They were Young Master Gu's personal guards, two ruthless Eclipse-level Consciousness Transformation realm cultivators. They moved like accelerated shadows, landing on the road with a barely audible sound.

  Their eyes, hidden behind the sharp gray robes of the Jade Star Sword Sect, radiated cold murderous intent.

  "Black-Haired Devil, you humiliated our Master. You must pay with your life," one of the guards snarled, his Jade Sword immediately drawn, emitting an aura of golden essence.

  Zhi Xuan did not even look back. His instincts had screamed the moment he obtained the Blue Sky Sword. He knew Young Master Gu would go insane. He only had one way out of this situation.

  He tightened his grip on the Blue Sky Sword, channeling his cold Taiyin Essence into the low-grade flying artifact. The sword immediately vibrated, emitting a dim cold blue light.

  "Run, Monkey! Now!" Ruo Xianxue hissed, her voice filled with urgency.

  Zhi Xuan clenched his jaw. Without wasting time to speak, he stomped his foot on the ground, and in an instant, the Blue Sky Sword carried him into the air. It was an awkward and sudden action, showing his lack of familiarity with flying artifacts. However, the speed he gained was far superior to his running speed.

  WHUSHH!

  He shot upward, over the rooftops, toward the vast night sky.

  The two Consciousness Transformation guards sneered. They did not expect the Black-Haired Devil to react so quickly. They immediately gave chase, channeling powerful Consciousness Transformation spiritual Essence into their feet, leaping from rooftop to rooftop, cutting off Zhi Xuan's escape path.

  "You will not run!" the second guard shouted. They channeled their essence to their fingertips, launching two balls of golden Sword Essence toward Zhi Xuan's back.

  Zhi Xuan sensed the deadly energy behind him. He forced himself to maneuver the Blue Sky Sword, tilting his body in the air. The two balls of Sword Essence shot past him, hitting the mortal buildings below.

  CRASH!

  The brick walls shattered, creating a cloud of dust and faint screams from mortals awakened by the destruction.

  Zhi Xuan ignored it. He had to focus. He used the cold Taiyin Essence to control the Blue Sky Sword, wrapping it in coldness for sharper control. The sword responded, speeding up, cutting intricate paths between the tall buildings.

  Meanwhile, on a nearby rooftop, two graceful figures in elegant Zhu Clan robes appeared—Ling'er and Mei. They watched the pursuit with cold eyes. They were Consciousness Transformation cultivators, much stronger than Young Master Gu's guards.

  "Young Master Gu is truly foolish," Mei whispered. "He destroyed his foundation for the Scarlet Lotus, and now he is wasting his assets to kill an interesting pawn."

  "The Holy Maiden does not want him to die here," Ling'er countered. "We must not let Gu's guards kill him, but we must also remain unseen."

  With an almost invisible movement, Ling'er pulled out a spiritual silver needle. The needle, shrouded in cold Wind Essence, flew into the air, passing through the shadows, and subtly disrupted the spiritual flow in the path of Gu's guards.

  SZZT!

  Gu's guards, who were at full speed, suddenly felt a slight dislocation in the Sword Essence in their feet. It was only a fraction of a second, but enough to make them lose momentum momentarily.

  Zhi Xuan sensed the extremely subtle disturbance. He did not know where it came from, but he took advantage of the opportunity. He pushed the Taiyin Essence further into the Blue Sky Sword. Zhi Xuan's speed surged, pulling him away from the angry pursuers.

  "He is using a flying artifact! We must report it to Young Master Gu!" the first guard snarled.

  "No need! He will not run far! We will chase him!" the second guard countered, unwilling to admit their failure.

  Zhi Xuan did not stop. Shoutuo City now lay beneath him, long shadows under the silver moonlight. He flew over the bustling commercial district, heading toward the south city gate—the gate closest to the plains and the primordial forest.

  In a few minutes, he reached the towering city wall. Zhi Xuan did not slow down. He glided at full speed, the Blue Sky Sword cutting through the night wind.

  As he passed the city gate, Zhi Xuan caught a glimpse of several surprised Consciousness Transformation cultivators seeing him escaping on a flying sword. However, they did not dare to interfere, fearing involvement in the affairs of the Jade Star Sword Sect.

  Once he was outside the city, he no longer flew low over the rooftops, but ascended to altitude. Shoutuo City disappeared behind him, replaced by the vast, dark expanse of the forest of the Southern Continent. Zhi Xuan slowed down, taking a deep breath. His ribs felt strained, and his Taiyin Essence was nearly depleted from the sudden and brutal use.

  'Damn it. That was close, Monkey,' Ruo Xianxue said. 'They will keep chasing. Gu is a humiliated madman.'

  "I know," Zhi Xuan countered, his voice hoarse. He held the Spiritual Bag wrapped in his tattered cloth. Inside were the small coffin and the shattered half-body of the furnace. He wasted no time regretting his financial ruin.

  "I must reach the location the old man mentioned. I must find the Nine Lotus Blood Flower," Zhi Xuan mumbled.

  He took out the Ancient Map Scroll he had bought at a high price. Under the moonlight, the map emitted a faint aura.

  Strange lines and ancient symbols drawn on it showed a path through the vast primordial forest.

  'This map leads southeast, to the area known as the Demon Mist Swamp. There, in the center, grows the Nine Lotus Blood Flower—the ingredient I need for the First Ember,' Zhi Xuan explained, focusing his mind. 'And in the middle of that swamp, I will also have time to analyze the shattered furnace.'

  He stored the map scroll and then steered the Blue Sky Sword southeast. The cold night wind hit his face, but Zhi Xuan did not feel it. His pale face, with a sapphire blue eye and a left eye radiating pale jade, was now adorned with rock-solid determination.

  Zhi Xuan flew into the deeper darkness, disappearing among the ancient trees of the Southern Continent. The Silver Moon Auction was over, but Zhi Xuan's game of life and death had just begun.

  He had thrown away all his wealth, and now he had to rely on instinct, survival skills, and the low-grade Flying Sword he got from Wei Hua to reach his goal, away from Young Master Gu, whose vengeance had now reached a fanatical level.

  In the Falling Water Pavilion, in the Ice Orchid Chamber, Zhu Qinglan smiled slightly. "He managed to escape two Consciousness Transformation cultivators with a low-grade flying artifact. He indeed did not disappoint," Zhu Qinglan whispered, her eyes shining.

  Gu, standing trembling, could only snarl. "I will find him! I will kill him with my own hands!"

  "Young Master Gu, focus. The Five Elements Scroll is in our hands. Use that energy to cultivate power, not to chase a humiliated rat," Zhu Qinglan countered coldly. However, in her mind, she knew she had made the right decision not to let Gu kill him.

  'It is time for me to deal with this disgusting poison,' Zhu Qinglan pulled the teacup in front of her. 'You owe me a lot, Black-Haired Devil.'

  Zhu Qinglan smiled faintly behind her pearl face covering, her true mission was about to begin, and who would have thought. In just a few days, she had paid too much attention to a young man she could have easily killed.

  Zhi Xuan, flying far away, felt the coldness of the Blue Sky Sword in his hand. He survived, but he knew he had become the main target in Shoutuo City.