Mysterious Treasure Pearl

[In the 289th year, through the Heavenly Mechanism Chessboard, you predicted that going out today would bring good fortune. It just so happened that you hadn't wandered around Jiancheng in a long time—decades spent cultivating in the clan grounds. Your children knew the city far better than you did.]

[Since you had the time to go out, you invited your wife to join you for some fun. Jiang Wen, hearing your invitation, asked with some surprise: "Husband, it's rare for you to have time off from cultivation. Is there anywhere you want to go?"

Hearing your wife Jiang Wen's words, you felt a pang of guilt and rubbed your nose, then embraced her and said warmly: "I'll set aside more time to be with you from now on. Today, you choose the place—wherever you want to go, I'll go with you."

Looking at your handsome, guilt-ridden face, Jiang Wen kissed your forehead, then pulled you along to the largest garden in Jiancheng. Along the way, many women gazed at you with eager eyes. Realizing what was happening, you took out an Earth Grade Treasure Artifact that Jiang Wen had given you years ago, making it so others couldn't see you clearly.]

[And so, you accompanied your wife from noon all the way until evening. As the sun set, you happened to pass by Jiancheng's Auction House. Seeing the sign outside, you realized today was the city's once-in-decades grand auction. Remembering the Heavenly Mechanism Chessboard's hint, you sensed something and led your wife inside.]

[You handed the auction jade token to the guard, who immediately entered the Auction House. Soon, the manager came out and warmly invited you into the VIP room.

Once inside, you watched the items being presented on stage one after another, but none caught your interest. As time passed, item after item was sold off, yet you still hadn't seen what the Heavenly Mechanism Chessboard had indicated.

Two hours later, dozens of items had been auctioned off. After an Earth Grade Treasure Box was sold, a red cloth-covered item was brought onto the stage. As everyone eagerly awaited what lay beneath, the auctioneer pulled off the cloth, revealing a box. Opening it, a crystal-clear, fist-sized pearl was revealed.]

[Then the auction staff announced: "This is an unknown treasure pearl, obtained by a Great Power of the Void God Realm in a Secret Realm. Although this pearl emits no detectable aura and its grade cannot be determined, the other items the Great Power acquired in that Secret Realm were at least Mysterious Grade, with many Earth Grade Treasure Materials as well.

Therefore, we have decided to auction this mysterious pearl at the price of a Profound Grade High Rank material. While it is highly likely to be a Mysterious Grade Treasure Material, there is a small chance it is Earth Grade. If the honored guest who wins it can verify it as Earth Grade, they will make a substantial profit." The staff then named a standard price for a Profound Grade High Rank material.]

[After the staff finished speaking, the hall fell silent. No one was willing to bid. Items like this—unidentifiable in grade and unrecorded—were usually just Mortal Grade, with the owner simply unwilling to accept it. If the same person had consigned many items to the Auction House, adding one as a throw-in, the Auction House would usually accept it. Whether it sold or not wasn't their concern; they collected their fee regardless.]

[In truth, the moment the pearl appeared, you reacted. Though you couldn't discern its grade, anything the Heavenly Mechanism Chessboard deemed good couldn't be too shabby. Besides, the price was practically a giveaway to you—a Mysterious Grade Treasure Material's cost was nothing in your eyes.

Seeing no one else speak up, you named the minimum bid.

As you spoke, the crowd grew curious about which fool would try to snatch a bargain. In this world, true treasures were usually obvious at a glance; there was no chance of stumbling onto a hidden gem.

But when they turned and saw you, they quickly lowered their heads, swallowing whatever they'd been about to say.

Though the artifact obscured your face and identity, your clothing clearly marked you as at least a Direct Lineage member of the Ye Family. And the Ye Family's strength made them the most powerful force in Jiancheng aside from the official authorities.]

[Those sent by their families to the Auction House were no fools, nor would they fall for clichéd acts of hiding one's strength. Martial Artists lived long lives, and without sharp eyes, such families or forces would have been wiped out long ago.

You paid no heed to the others' gazes, continuing to watch the next item on stage. Though the pearl had piqued your interest, you weren't certain it was what you sought today. You planned to stay for the entire auction.

As item after item appeared, the atmosphere grew more heated. But since none of the subsequent items were of high value, you never bid again. Only when the auction ended did you leave with your wife.]

[In a small alley outside the Auction House, a gray-clad man with a sharp mouth and a sullen face watched your retreating figure and muttered: "Boss, should we make a move? Those two don't look very strong, and they're from a big family—they've got to be loaded. We off them, skip town for a while like before, and no one'll notice small fry like us."

Beside him, a tall, blue-clad man punched him on the head and snapped: "Do you have any damn sense? Do you know who they are? That's a member of the Ye Family, a major power in Jiancheng." The Blue-Clad Man paused, proud of his recognition, then continued: "This isn't the same league as our last target. If you touch someone like that, forget escaping—even if we ran, we'd be dragged back and killed." As if still unsatisfied, he hit the Sharp-Mouthed Man's head again.

"You're driving me crazy with your stupidity. Is your head full of nothing? If you keep being this clueless, I'll report back to the Great Chieftain and make sure he never takes you out again!"

Hearing this, the Sharp-Mouthed Man didn't dare talk back. He just raised his hand to block the blows raining down on his head, unable to figure out what he'd done wrong.]