Clothed in purple battle armor, the intricate patterns on it emanated a terrifying presence, signaling that this was an immensely powerful set of armor. Those bright, spirited tiger-like eyes, when closed, seemed to burst with lightning, while his broad and robust chest conveyed a solid and reassuring feeling.

A familiar aura, a familiar appearance, and that familiar smile.

Man Qian!

It was the Man Qian that Brother Qin Yu and his brothers had encountered in that tavern back in the day!

"At the time, I had a feeling that this Man Qian was an expert warrior, and I thought he might be a super independent demon from the Primordial Wilderness Demon Clan, but who would have expected he’s actually an envoy from the Demon World," Brother Qin Yu admired inwardly. "There’s truth in the ancient adage ’clothing makes the man.’ Clad in such tyrannical battle armor, Man Qian’s aura is obviously distinguished."

Qin Yu stood behind Sword Immortal Lan Feng and Zong Jue, watching Man Qian in the distance.

Behind Man Qian stood a lean man dressed in black combat clothes—it was the Primordial Wilderness Controller, Yu Liang. Beside Yu Liang was the Primordial Wilderness’s three giant demons—Kong Cao, Xing Shou, and Wushan. Now, each of these four formidable experts possessed treasures from the Demon World.

"Hua Yan, the Immortal Realm’s Emperor Yu actually sent you. It seems you are still highly valued by Emperor Yu," Man Qian said with a slight smile.

Sword Immortal Hua Yan returned the smile: "Among all the first-level golden immortals, Emperor Yu chose to send me as a testament to my strength. Since Emperor Yu has appointed me, naturally, I will not fail to uphold his prestige, nor will I let him down."

Hua Yan’s demeanor was in no way inferior.

"However, I am quite puzzled as to what those Demon Emperors of the Demon World are thinking, to be willing to send you. I truly do not know what upheaval would occur within the Beast Clan of the Demon World should you lose your life in the Ni Yang Realm," Hua Yan said with a sigh.

The corners of Man Qian’s mouth slightly curled upward: "That’s none of your concern."

"It’s not that I’m concerned," Hua Yan continued, "but surely you must also be aware that the Ni Yang Realm is the lair of Immortal Emperor Ni Yang. You should know the legends surrounding Immortal Emperor Ni Yang, right? If you’re not careful in his lair, even a Profound Immortal would face certain death."

Qin Yu’s eyelids twitched at these words.

Even a Profound Immortal would face certain death?

Indeed, the Ni Yang Realm is fraught with peril—my decision back then was the right one.

Although Qin Yu possessed the map to the Ni Yang Realm, he had never ventured into it. Because... were the three brothers to go alone, they had no certainty of surpassing the numerous perils within the Ni Yang Realm, and they might even endanger each other.

Following the envoys from various domains, they would likely have prepared some secret treasures to cope with all eventualities. Entering with these significant figures would be much safer.

"I am well aware of the dangers of the Ni Yang Realm, Hua Yan. Don’t you know that crisis and opportunity go hand in hand?" Man Qian’s eyes glinted with a shrewd light. "You should also know about the treasures within the Ni Yang Realm. If they weren’t enough to drive Emperor Yu mad, would he have expended so much effort to open the passageway between two worlds?"

Hua Yan smiled slightly: "Same goes for you."

What Hua Yan meant was clear—aren’t your Demon Emperors just as covetous of those treasures?

Qin Yu listened intently to every word they said.

"The legends of Immortal Emperor Ni Yang? A treasure that excites all the significant figures of the Three Realms like Emperor Yu?" Having heard this, Qin Yu had already made some speculations, "This Immortal Emperor Ni Yang must have also encountered incredible opportunities in the Upper Realm, possessing top treasures that would drive all the super immortal emperors, demon emperors, and demon emperors crazy."

Even if Immortal Emperor Ni Yang had perished, he would never let his treasures fall into the hands of others so easily.

There were already so many dangerous restrictions placed around just three blocks of the Sky-breaking Map hidden within the Nine Sword Immortal Mansion.

What about the Ni Yang Realm, then?

"And who might this be?" Man Qian suddenly turned towards Sword Immortal Lan Feng, looking puzzled.

Despite the bafflement on his face, Brother Man Qian was extremely shocked at heart because... he could not fathom the true strength of this mysterious Sword Immortal before him. It must be noted that Brother Man Qian was a Super Divine Beast, and he had his unique methods to gauge others’ strengths.

Sword Immortal Hua Yan introduced, "Man Qian, this is the initiator of this auction – Sword Immortal Lan Feng, and this Sky-breaking Map is his. Brother Lan Feng has an extraordinary level of strength; even I am not confident I could prevail against him. However, Brother Man Qian, with your exceptional abilities, do you think you stand a chance against Brother Lan Feng?"

Qin Yu knitted his brows from behind.

Is Hua Yan not inciting conflict between Lan Feng and Man Qian?

Lan Feng glanced at Hua Yan and then smiled, "While I am indeed interested in the Ni Yang Realm, my interest isn’t overwhelming, otherwise... I wouldn’t auction the Sky-breaking Map. When we enter the Ni Yang Realm, it will still be several of you competing for the treasures there. As for Brother Man Qian, with your superior strength, I certainly admit I’m no match."

"Brother Lan Feng is too modest," Man Qian said with a slight smile.

Although Man Qian, relying on his status as a Super Divine Beast, could win against Second-level Golden Immortals, he wasn’t at all confident given that he couldn’t discern the depths of Lan Feng’s strength.

"Everyone, we should first settle into the manor. After we’ve settled, we can continue our conversation," Zong Jue spoke up.

Man Qian glanced at Zong Jue, and his eyes lit up. "Oh, you must be Zong Jue, indeed sharing the surname Zong."

"Brother Qin Yu."

Man Qian suddenly noticed Qin Yu and his two companions standing behind Zong Jue and burst into laughter, "Qin Yu, Hou Fei, and Hei Yu, haha... Who would have thought? After parting at the restaurant in Hidden Dragon Continent, we’d meet here again. I felt you were no ordinary people back then, and here we are today."

Qin Yu and the others smiled and nodded in greeting.

"Brother Man Qian, you also know my nephew? Haha... Brother Man Qian, make sure to get on good terms with him. The upcoming auction of the Sky-breaking Map will be managed by my nephew. He can give the map to whomever he wishes; I have entrusted the entire authority to him," Sword Immortal Lan Feng laughed.

Man Qian’s eyes sparkled.

"Oh, does Brother Lan Feng mean that... if Qin Yu wishes, even if the bid of Top-Grade Elemental Spirit Stones is low, he could still give the Sky-breaking Map to that person?" Man Qian asked in return.

"Right," Lan Feng nodded.

Hua Yan and the others had a change in expression.

Qin Yu smiled and said, "Senior uncle, you’ve entrusted this enormous auction right to me, how can I be so arbitrary? Since it’s an auction, of course it goes to whoever offers the most Top-Grade Elemental Spirit Stones. No matter what, I cannot misuse the authority that casually."

"Good," Man Qian clapped Qin Yu on the shoulder, "Well said. When the time comes, whoever offers the most Top-Grade Elemental Spirit Stones, the Sky-breaking Map will belong to them."

Hua Yan also heaved a sigh of relief inwardly.

×

In the following days, Blood Demon Du Zhongjun also led his troops to Xue Yu Island, with the Dragon Clan being the last to arrive.

In the southern manor.

"Get out! This place is for the Dragon Clan to reside. How dare you Independent Demons occupy our space? You’re looking for death!"

A roar echoed, and several figures were thrown out like sandbags.

Several burly men emerged, coldly watching the dozens of independent demons.

The southern manor was divided into four smaller areas, allocated for Independent Immortals, Independent Demons, Primordial Wilderness Demon Clan, and Dragon Clan respectively. Each area was only big enough to accommodate fifty to sixty people, but each major power had brought at least several hundred followers.

How could such a large place accommodate everyone?

The Independent Immortals behaved quite appropriately, settling in just their small allocated territory. Those without a place within had no choice but to build themselves small courtyards outside.

The Primordial Wilderness Demon Clan, on the other hand, was arrogantly aggressive, overtaking half of the four small quarters for themselves.

Moreover, this action was backed by Man Qian, the domineering Man Qian. Blood Demon Du Zhongjun even felt a headache upon seeing this, as he had no desire to confront Man Qian head-on, which led him to have his top experts settle in the remaining area.

The Southern Manor comprised four quarters: one for the Independent Immortals, two for the Primordial Wilderness Demon Clan, and one for the Blood Demons.

The Dragon Clan arrived to find that there was no place for them to stay.

How could the Dragon Clan not be furious?

Top experts of the Dragon Clan who had transcended the Tenth and Eleventh Tribulations joined hands immediately and threw out the top experts from the Independent Demon faction. Keep in mind that several of the Independent Demon’s top experts resided within the Central Manor with the Blood Demon, leaving only those who had transcended the Tenth Tribulation as the most powerful within the Southern Manor.

Naturally, the Independent Demon faction was trounced.

...

Inside the Central Manor, where only the top experts and leaders of each faction resided.

Several individuals such as the Blood Demon from the Independent Demon faction, a few people including Hua Yan from the Independent Immortals, a few from the Primordial Wilderness Demon Clan led by Man Qian, several of the Dragon Clan’s top experts, as well as the mansion’s owners, Zong Jue, Lan Feng, and Qin Yu. Surprisingly, the largest Central Manor had the fewest people living there.

Within Lan Feng’s courtyard.

"Brother Lan Feng, a fight has broken out over there, it’s started, haha..." Zong Jue walked in, "Ah, young brother Qin Yu is also here, haha, I must tell you this funny story."

Qin Yu and Lan Feng exchanged glances, and Lan Feng spoke up, "Tell us, Brother Zong, what’s so funny?"

Zong Jue nodded, "Do you remember? Initially, we allocated the Southern Manor to the subordinates of various factions and divided it into four quarters. Now, one quarter is held by the Independent Immortals, two by the Primordial Wilderness Demon Clan, and one by the Independent Demons. The Dragon Clan came and just threw out the people of the Independent Demons."

"The Independent Demons were thrown out?" Qin Yu was taken aback.

Zong Jue laughed, "Right, now the envoys of the Dragon Clan, Clan Patriarch Fang Tian, and Blood Demon Du Zhongjun are all in the Central Manor, it seems they are all squabbling over living arrangements. None are willing to give way."

"The auction hasn’t even started, and the squabbles have already begun," Qin Yu said with a smile.

Zong Jue nodded, "They actually don’t care about where to live, but... they now want to dominate each other in terms of momentum, otherwise Man Qian wouldn’t have let the Primordial Wilderness Demon Clan arrogantly take up two quarters."

It was all about face.

Each of the envoys represented the heavyweights of their realms. If they showed weakness, wouldn’t they bring shame to the powerful figures backing them?

"Man Qian is indeed domineering if he took two large quarters, but he also has the strength to be domineering," Lan Feng said with a light smile, "Brother Zong, as the hosts, we can’t just watch them create chaos. If a real fight breaks out, it would be bad."

"Boom!"

A towering aura suddenly exploded.

Qin Yu, Lan Feng, and Zong Jue were all startled.

"Haha, too late, they’ve started fighting already," Zong Jue burst into laughter.

Qin Yu’s Spiritual Sense swept over and he started laughing, "Good for them. The Southern Manor has been mostly destroyed and is no longer habitable. That’s fine with me, let them all build their homes in the snowy grounds outside."

...

"Haha, good, now no one has a place to stay. Wu Kongxue, arrange for someone to build a manor in the south," Blood Demon Du Zhongjun said with a big laugh.

By now, approximately eighty to ninety percent of the Southern Manor had been destroyed beyond inhabitable condition. Though the chaos ostensibly arose from the skirmish between the Dragon Clan Envoy and the Demon World Envoy, it could very well have been intentionally exacerbated by both sides.

After all, the continued strife was beneficial to no one.

Dragon Clan Envoy Ao Feng and Clan Patriarch Fang Tian exchanged glances and simply shared a mild smile before turning to leave.

...

The auction hadn’t even started yet, but there were constant frictions between the four great powers on Xue Yu Island. Simultaneously, envoys from the Immortal Realm, Demon World, and Demon Race, as well as the Dragon Clan, were engaged in undercurrents of their own. After all, they were the ones with the majority of the Top-Grade Primordial Spirit Stones.

In the area of the Central Manor occupied by the Dragon Clan.

"May I have a word with you, Brother Ao Feng?"

Sword Immortal Hua Yan stood outside Ao Feng’s quarters and gently smiled. Ao Feng was the Dragon Clan Envoy.

At that moment, the gate of Ao Feng’s courtyard opened and Golden Dragon Elder Ao Yan came out with a smile, "Senior Hua Yan, my lord has already said, no guests."

Hua Yan’s brow furrowed.

"Brother Ao Feng, your Dragon Clan already has one Sky-breaking Map; surely you aren’t also coveting the one up for auction?" Hua Yan challenged.

Ao Feng remained silent within the house.

Golden Dragon Elder Ao Yan, with a slight smile, said, "Senior Hua Yan, didn’t my lord once say that the Sky-breaking Maps aren’t meant to be hoarded? If we have one more, others wouldn’t be able to enter. With fewer people inside, there will be less competition for the treasures."

"Haha, Senior Hua Yan, take care, I won’t see you out," Ao Yan then closed the door with a reverent gesture.

Staring at the closed door, a chill enveloped Hua Yan’s face.

"Hmph." With a cold snort, Hua Yan turned and left.

Inside the great hall of Ao Feng’s residence at that moment.

Ao Feng and Man Qian were sitting opposite each other.

"Brother Man Qian, cheers," said Ao Feng as he raised his glass.

Man Qian also raised his with a smile, "Brother Ao Feng, you are really something. Now that Hua Yan has left, please do tell, how many more Top-Grade Primordial Spirit Stones can you lend me, or how many can I exchange for?"

"Let’s talk after a drink, cheers," Ao Feng smiled.

...

Regardless of any agreements struck in secret before the auction, on the actual day of bidding, the powers would need their share of Top-Grade Primordial Spirit Stones.

After all, Qin Yu, who had full authority over the matter, had made it clear: "No matter what, I will be fair. The one who offers the most Top-Grade Primordial Spirit Stones will get the Sky-breaking Map!"

And the final day of the year, also the day of the Sky-breaking Map auction, had finally arrived amid the anticipation of all powers.

(To be continued. For the following story, please visit WWW.CMFU.COM. There are more Chapters available, support the author, and support genuine reading!)