In the image condensed from water vapor.
From the Iron Venom Flying Ant's perspective, Madam Fei and the red-robed elder, having completed their auction assignment, entered a cramped, dark chamber within the Rising Cloud Trading Company together.
The gloomy expressions on their faces relaxed the moment they entered the narrow chamber. Madam Fei, in particular, flashed a radiant smile, satisfaction shining in her eyes.
"Just as that lord predicted, once those Void Refinement cultivators saw that a Life-Locking Stake had appeared, every last one of them was drawn to the auction to bid for it."
"After the auction ended, they even pressed you and me for the origins of the Life-Locking Stake..."
"That is only natural. This evil art of the Life-Locking Stake is as tempting to Void Refinement cultivators like us as a complete Five Essence Pill." The red-robed elder nodded slightly in agreement.
"Still, we must beware that walls have ears. Although this secret chamber has restrictions that can prevent cultivators' divine senses from spying on it, the cultivation world is full of secret arts that emerge one after another. If we are careless and fall victim to one, ruining the great undertaking, then should that lord learn of it, you and I will likely be better off dead..."
The red-robed elder cautioned Madam Fei.
When he spoke the four words "that lord," fear was plainly written across his face. It was enough to show just how deep a shadow that lord had cast over his heart.
"Fellow Daoist Deng is right. But there is no need to worry so much. Right now, the human race is at war with the allied armies of the foreign races in the Myriad-Scale Clustered Lakes region. The Integrated Body Great Talents on both sides are keeping one another in check and