Xue Ye's Second Spring, Tang Hao's Little Scheme

"Powerful factions like the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Spirit Hall attended the auction and successfully won precious treasures."

"I imagine even more factions will attend the second auction. If our Elephant Armored Sect does not participate, we will only grow weaker and weaker."

Hu Yan Li stared at the elder who had insulted him earlier and retorted, "Or do you have some better idea? Why not say it for everyone to hear?"

"You little brat, you dare question me?" the elder from before cursed furiously.

Smack.

With a smack, the First Elder slammed his hand on the table and roared, "Enough!!"

"I think Li'er has a point. Compared to the rise and fall of the sect, personal grudges are insignificant."

"I will personally attend the second auction!"

Heaven Dou Empire, Imperial Palace.

"Is this Myriad Realms Auction House truly so miraculous?"

After hearing Prince Xue Xing's account, hope shone from Xue Ye's eyes.

Over the years, as his health had steadily worsened, Xue Ye had sought out renowned physicians.

He had spent enormous sums hiring many Healing Soul Masters, hoping to cure his ailments, but without exception, they had all failed.

Xue Ye's body was like a candle guttering in the wind. In recent years, he had only managed to hold on through various Pills and the aid of Healing Soul Masters.

Yet this was merely prolonging his last breaths. Xue Ye could clearly feel his body growing weaker by the day.

What emperor lacked grand ambitions?

Prince Xue Xing's introduction had undoubtedly set his long-dormant heart beating once more.

If he could cure his ailments and regain his vitality, what would it matter if he emptied the entire Heaven Dou Empire's treasury?

"I truly wish to see it with my own eyes."

Before his words had even faded, a series of thuds echoed through the great hall as people dropped to their knees and kowtowed.

"This minister begs Your Majesty to reconsider."

"This minister begs Your Majesty to reconsider."

When they heard that Xue Ye actually intended to personally travel to Spirit City, the civil and military officials were so frightened that they all fell to their knees, desperately trying to dissuade him.

Xue Ye, who had just found hope after hearing the intelligence Prince Xue Xing brought back, looked at the officials kneeling before him and trying to stop him, then gave Prince Xue Xing a meaningful look.

Prince Xue Xing immediately understood. "Your Majesty, Spirit City is far away, and your health is not suited for such a long journey."

"Furthermore, Spirit Hall and our Heaven Dou Empire have been openly and secretly contending against one another for many years. If Your Majesty personally goes to Spirit City, then if anything were to happen..."

Prince Xue Xing did not voice the rest, but everyone understood.

This isn't how the script was supposed to go, is it? Xue Ye only wanted to curse. He had clearly asked Prince Xue Xing to help him deal with the ministers.

How had it turned around like this? It was as though a bucket of cold water had been poured over his heart.

"Father, you possess a body worth ten thousand gold. Spirit City is controlled by Spirit Hall, and this son also believes you must not take such a risk."

Xue Qinghe stepped forward and said, "This son is willing to go to the Myriad Realms Auction Pavilion in Father's stead, bid for a Heaven Restoring Pill for Father, and cure Father's illness."

"Your Majesty, I am also willing to go to the Myriad Realms Auction Pavilion. Moreover, I have already attended once before, so I imagine I have more experience than His Highness the Crown Prince."

Prince Xue Xing hurriedly volunteered as well, his eyes fixed tightly on Xue Qinghe.

According to his investigation, the deaths of the two Princes all pointed to the Crown Prince.

Finding a Miraculous Elixir for His Majesty was also meant to prolong His Majesty's life, giving him more time to prepare additional trump cards and assist Xue Beng in ascending the throne.

Over the years, he had used up most of his treasures to win over the ministers. He feared that the second auction would bring another embarrassment like the first.

That was why he had reported the matter to Xue Ye today: entirely to obtain Xue Ye's support.

But this matter absolutely could not be entrusted to His Highness the Crown Prince.

Seeing the current situation, Xue Ye understood that he likely could not go to Spirit City after all.

Still, having someone go in his stead would do.

"One of you is a pillar of the Heaven Dou Empire, while the other is the Empire's Crown Prince. Whoever goes, I will naturally be at ease."

"But there is no need for both of you to go together."

After considering it, Xue Ye said, "Since Prince Xue Xing has already attended once, let him attend this second auction as well."

Upon hearing Xue Ye's arrangement, Prince Xue Xing was overjoyed. He cupped his hands and said, "This younger brother will certainly not disappoint Your Majesty."

Heaven Dou City, Moonlight Pavilion.

This was the Heaven Dou Empire's court etiquette academy, a place devoted to teaching noble etiquette of every kind. Those who came and went were all from prominent noble families.

At the entrance, a young man stopped a tall, burly middle-aged man dressed in a tattered robe without even a single patch, exposing the bronze skin beneath. The man reeked of alcohol.

He said, "Sorry, please stop. Moonlight Pavilion does not receive those who are improperly dressed."

The disheveled man wearing a conical hat merely said blandly, "Tell your Xuan Master that an old friend has come to visit."

"May I ask who you are?"

"You only need to tell her: when the full moon wanes, an old friend arrives in a hazy blur. Then she will know who I am."

Before long, slightly noisy footsteps came from upstairs. The young man from before said to the person behind him, "Steward, it's that man. Dressed like that, yet he still has the nerve to demand an audience with the Xuan Master."

"They are nothing but stray cats and dogs. Moonlight Pavilion is not somewhere just anyone can enter." The man addressed as steward ordered the thugs behind him, "Throw him out."

"Then I'll help Yuehua teach these ignorant servants a lesson." The disheveled man clenched his right hand into a fist and gave it a light swing. The chest of the first thug instantly caved in, and he spat blood before collapsing to the ground.

Just as the disheveled man was about to throw a second punch, a somewhat cool voice suddenly rang out. "Stop."

Everyone looked toward the stairs and saw a noble, elegant beauty slowly descending, followed by two lovely young women.

The silver palace gown she wore fit her perfectly, making her breathtakingly beautiful.

She was Moonlight Pavilion's Xuan Master—Tang Yuehua.

"Steward Aode, carry him away and bury him afterward. Send that silver to his family, understood?" Tang Yuehua ordered.

"Yes, Madam." Steward Aode glared at the disheveled man and said angrily, "Madam, in broad daylight, this man actually dared to commit murder in public. I will report this to the authorities at once."

"All of you leave. I will handle this matter." Tang Yuehua spoke in a tone that brooked no doubt.

Once everyone had left, Tang Yuehua quickly walked up to the disheveled man, her eyes filled with excitement. "Brother, is it really you?"

Looking at Tang Yuehua, the disheveled man let out a soft sigh. "It's me, Yuehua. Long time no see."

Tang Yuehua's lips trembled as she suddenly threw herself into Tang Hao's arms and burst into tears. Her hands tightly wrapped around Tang Hao's waist, as if she wished to merge her body into his. Elegant as she was, she no longer cared about her appearance at this moment.

"Brother, what exactly have you gone through all these years?"

Tang Yuehua recalled, "Back then, Tang Hao had been so spirited, handsome, and dashing. Now, he was no different from a drunkard."

"Yuehua, let's keep it short." Tang Hao gently patted Tang Yuehua's back. "I heard the sect asked you to attend the Myriad Realms Auction House in Spirit City?"