The Lotus Lantern World Opens

The topic of the "Mysterious Bookstore owner" gradually gained traction, becoming so popular that even three-year-olds knew about it; however, what puzzled everyone was that Ma Feifei, the owner of the Mysterious Bookstore, did not offer any explanation for the matter, but instead made another trip to the Wantong Trading Market that afternoon.

Less than an hour later, Wantong Trading Market issued an announcement: Tomorrow, Mysterious Bookstore will launch a new Epic-grade- quality book, "Lotus Lantern," in the 'Mythological World' section, and release a new event. The top 1,000 users with exclusive accounts can participate in this event.

Here are the details of the event: Experience the charm of the 'Mythical World' and collect Orange Fragment.

Event Requirements: Readers entering the world of "Lotus Lantern" must abide by the rules of the Mysterious Bookstore. Cultivation points can only be used for self-defense; killing is prohibited, as is interfering with the plot development of the book.

Event Rewards: Final rewards are calculated based on points. Each person will receive one point for each day spent in the book's world. Successfully collecting a Tianshu Fragment will earn one hundred points. Interfering with the plot will deduct one hundred points, and using cultivation to damage characters in the book will deduct one hundred points.

Note: Points can be redeemed for various divine weapons, martial arts techniques, and high-level magic treasures appearing in the Epic-grade- quality book "The Lotus Lantern".

Additionally: Cultivators with negative scores will have their cultivation stripped, their property confiscated, and those with serious offenses will be thrown directly into the Underworld of "The Lotus Lantern" to suffer the tortures of the Eighteen Levels of Hell to atone for their sins.

As soon as the news broke, the topic of "the Mysterious Bookstore owner" was instantly overshadowed, and the Epic-grade- quality book "Lotus Lantern" soared to the top of the trending topics list, becoming the most discussed topic in Dubian Town.

This time is different from the past, because since the Mysterious Bookstore opened, it has only opened up 'One Book Multiple Travels worlds' three times, and all of them were the same book, namely the Yellow Quality book "Pokémon".

The benefit that Pokémon book brought to everyone was Pokémon, a large number of Pokémon, and various rare and even Sacred Beast Pokémon.

This time, the Mysterious Bookstore is launching its second book, a "One Book Multiple Travels worlds" story, and it's an Epic-grade- quality book called "Lotus Lantern."

The name might not suggest anything, but the rewards are clearly stated: divine weapons, martial arts techniques, and high-level magic treasures.

If cultivators merely Covet to possess small spirits, then high-level spiritual artifacts, cultivation techniques, and martial arts skills are simply objects of greed for them.

While the former may provide them with additional protection or assistance, the latter is the true foundation for enhancing their own strength; if forced to choose between the two, everyone would choose the latter.

As soon as the news came out, the price of exclusive phone numbers on the trading market skyrocketed.

"We are buying up all exclusive phone numbers registered between June 8th and June 15th, 2013. The price is a flat 300,000 Spirit Crystal. We'll buy as many as you have."

Looking to purchase a dedicated phone number for the period from June 8th to June 15th. Price negotiable.

"Anyone selling exclusive phone numbers? Buying in bulk, price 350,000 per number!"

"..."

And so, the trading market was filled with requests to buy exclusive phone numbers.

Surprisingly, not a single exclusive phone number was being sold!

This made the cultivators who wanted to buy the exclusive numbers extremely anxious, and they raised the price again and again, eventually reaching an astronomical price of 500,000 Spirit Crystal per number.

But still, no one is selling their exclusive phone number.

"Gentlemen, the prices are already so high. Even profiteering should have its limits. As the saying goes, leave a way out for others, so you can meet again in the future. I hope you can all know when to stop and act when the time is right." A big shot had specially set up a stall with a special number for buying and selling, and looked at the group of cultivators gathered in front of his stall, and said in a deep voice.

The price offered by this important figure is currently the highest in the trading market, reaching 550,000 Spirit Crystal for a single exclusive number. To be honest, his price is already a bit inflated. Although this time they are entering Epic-grade- quality book world, it doesn't mean they will make a profit. There have been many who returned empty-handed in the Pokémon world before. Moreover, death in a book world is a true death. Therefore, entering a book world is actually a mixture of profit and risk, and the possibility of losing everything.

If you use 550,000 Spirit Crystal for cultivation or to buy spirit weapons, you can buy a very good sixth-tier spirit weapon. If you collect some yourself, you can even buy a seventh-tier spirit weapon, which is already quite good.

"Your Spirit Emperor, do you really think what we lack is these 550,000 Spirit Crystal?" one of the onlookers couldn't help but ask.

"What do you mean by that? You think it's too little? How about adding another 50,000, making it 600,000 per sheet?" The Spirit Emperor frowned and said.

If he weren't short on time and too lazy to bother with these people, he would have killed them on the spot for taking advantage of the chaos.

What kind of cultivation is this? What is his status? How dare he try to scheme against a powerful figure like me, a Spirit Emperor? He's really asking for trouble.

The cultivator immediately realized that the Spirit Emperor had misunderstood, and quickly waved his hand, saying, "Spirit Emperor, you've misunderstood. What I meant was that we don't lack the 550,000 Spirit Crystal; we lack a special number."

Just as everyone Analytic, entering the world of the book is a mix of gains, dangers, and the risk of losing everything. So, when faced with a choice, such as these 550,000 Spirit Crystal, many people would actually choose the 550,000 Spirit Crystal.

After all, not everyone is so wealthy. The world of cultivation consumes a lot of Spirit Crystal every day. This is what is meant by the saying "the cultivator is like iron, but the Spirit Crystal are like flowing water".

Personalized phone numbers are only for wealthy people.

The Spirit Emperor figure, understanding everyone's meaning, couldn't help but ask, "Is it possible that not a single one of these thousand people is willing to sell their exclusive phone number?"

It has been half a year since the Wantong Trading Market released the exclusive numbers. Those who spent ten Spirit Crystal to buy the exclusive numbers at the beginning should be among the first group to arrive in Dubian Town, according to the queue order.

Most of these people don't actually have very high cultivation levels, so there's no reason they wouldn't be tempted by such a high price for Spirit Crystal.

Upon hearing this, everyone shook their heads.

In fact, it wasn't just him; the entire Wantong Trading Market was in this situation—no one was selling exclusive phone numbers for June 8th to 15th.

In various corners of Dubian Town.

A disciple from a minor sect overheard that the Wantong Trading Market was buying up exclusive phone numbers at high prices. He glanced at his own number, which was dated June 12th. He had bought it for ten Spirit Crystal when his sect first sent him to inquire about the Mysterious Bookstore, and he had kept it ever since.

He had originally planned to take it to Bookstore in a few days to see if he could find any good fortune, but now that he heard the price had exceeded 500,000, he couldn't sit still any longer. He rushed to the Wantong Trading Market to sell his exclusive number, but he was stopped by his own sect leader as soon as he stepped out the door.

"Lin Fan, where are you going?" The sect leader grabbed Lin Fan's arm and said kindly.

This was the first time Lin Fan had ever been so close to the sect leader, and he was so excited that he stammered and couldn't speak.

"Don't rush, don't rush. Calm down first. Let me guess if you're going to the Wantong Trading Market?" The sect leader patted Lin Fan on the back to help him calm down and said with concern.

Upon hearing this, Lin Fan nodded in surprise and asked, "Sect Leader, how did you know?"

Upon hearing this, the sect leader smiled mysteriously and said, "I calculated it with my fingers."

"The sect leader is truly a divine being!" Lin Fan said with a look of admiration.

The sect leader waved his hand, then suddenly shook his head and sighed.

Lin Fan was taken aback. Everything was fine just a moment ago. How did things suddenly change like this?

"Sect Leader, what's wrong with you?" Lin Fan asked worriedly.

The sect leader wiped his eyes with his sleeve, seemingly with tears in them, and a sorrowful expression appeared on his face as he said, "Lin Fan, do you know how old I am?"

Lin Fan was taken aback, and subconsciously said, "I remember at the last sect gathering, you said you were over two hundred and thirty years old, right?"

The sect leader shook his head and said, "That was all a lie I told you. In fact, I am already a full thousand years old this year!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Fan's face showed surprise, and he pointed at the sect leader, saying, "Then... then sect leader, aren't you nearing the end of your life?"

The maximum lifespan for a cultivator who reaches the Spirit Venerable realm is one thousand years, with possible fluctuations, but not significant ones.

The sect leader of Lin Fan's sect is said to be at the Peak Ninth Stage Spirit Venerable. According to this calculation, the sect leader's lifespan is almost over.

The sect leader nodded, gave a bitter laugh, and said, "Yes, my days are numbered."

Upon hearing this, Lin Fan's face initially showed sadness, but then a hint of excitement appeared on his face. He silently thought to himself: Could it be that the sect leader knows his time is coming to an end and has specifically sought me out to inherit his mantle?

'I, Lin Fan, am going to be the sect leader!'

Thinking of this, Lin Fan couldn't contain his excitement, and his face flushed, leaving the sect leader looking completely bewildered.

"Sect Leader, is there anything I can do for Lin Fan? Rest assured, as an outer disciple of the Hidden Sword Sect, Lin Fan will do my utmost to live up to your expectations." Lin Fan couldn't help but take the initiative, clasping his hands in a solemn manner.

Upon hearing this, the sect leader patted Lin Fan on the shoulder with satisfaction and said, "I do have a favor to ask of you, Lin Fan. I hope you can help me out. In the future, my Hidden Sword Sect will surely have a place for Lin Fan!"

Lin Fan was overjoyed and excitedly said, "Sect Leader, Lin Fan will swear to defend the honor of the Hidden Sword Sect to the death!"

"Cough cough, this is serious." The sect leader waved his hand, stopping Lin Fan's agitation, and began to tell his story.

"Here's the thing, the Wantong Trading Market just posted a notice saying that the Mysterious Bookstore has released a new Epic-grade- quality book, and starting tomorrow, the world within the book will select the first 1,000 people to enter according to their assigned numbers."

At this point, the sect leader glanced at Lin Fan, noticing he was listening intently, and continued, "Lin Fan, you should know very well what an Epic-grade- quality book represents. My lifespan is nearing its end; the only way to survive now is to break through my cultivation and reach the Spirit Emperor realm."

"This time, the opening of the new world of books in the Mysterious Bookstore is a perfect opportunity for me. If I can get in, I'll have a chance to gamble. If I can fully comprehend Epic-grade- quality book, I might even be able to Transcendent to Saint. But..." The sect leader sighed and shook his head.

"But what?" Lin Fan asked curiously.

"But just now, when I went to the Wantong Trading Market to buy a unique phone number at a high price, I found that there was no one selling one in the huge market!"

"Nobody's selling it?" Lin Fan asked, puzzled. Are people all holding onto this so tightly?

"Yes!" The sect leader sighed again, looking as if he had something on his mind.

Lin Fan hesitated for a moment, then said, "I wonder how many Spirit Crystal the sect leader would like to spend to acquire a unique phone number?"

He was originally going to sell the exclusive number anyway. If the sect leader offered a reasonable price, Lin Fan wouldn't mind selling it to his sect leader; it might even save the sect leader's life.

Upon hearing this, the sect leader extended one hand and said, "Five hundred thousand Spirit Crystal."

Lin Fan nodded, took out a unique number from his spatial bag, and said, "Sect Lin Fan, I happen to have one here, I can sell it to you."

The sect leader was overjoyed upon seeing it, but he didn't immediately accept Lin Fan's personal number. Instead, he looked at Lin Fan with satisfaction and said, "Lin Fan, I knew I hadn't misjudged you."

"Huh?" Lin Fan didn't understand what the sect leader meant by that.

The sect leader said earnestly, "My lifespan is coming to an end. Even if I manage to enter this time, I don't know if I will succeed. Therefore, in any case, we must first arrange the next sect leader candidate for the Hidden Sword Sect. The fact that you stepped forward when I needed this special number proves that you have the Hidden Sword Sect in your heart. I am very relieved to entrust the Hidden Sword Sect to you."

"Sect Leader, are you saying you're going to pass the position of Sect Leader of the Hidden Sword Sect to me?" Lin Fan asked incredulously.

The sect leader said matter-of-factly, "You are intelligent, kind, and devoted to the Hidden Sword Sect. Who else should I give the position of sect leader to if not you?"

"Thank you, Sect Leader Lin Fan will do his utmost to defend the dignity of the Hidden Sword Sect and live up to your expectations!" Lin Fan said that line again, and knelt on one knee with a solemn expression.

"Good boy, get up quickly." The sect leader helped Lin Fan up, a satisfied look on his face.

"Sect Leader!"

"Lin Fan!"

The new and old successors gazed at each other deeply for a full ten seconds.

"Ahem, Lin Fan, about this exclusive number..." The sect leader turned his head to the side and said leisurely.

Lin Fan held up the special number with both hands and said, "How can I, Lin Fan, ignore the sect leader's request? Please take it."

"But I don't have enough Spirit Crystal..." the sect leader said somewhat embarrassedly.

Lin Fan's face darkened with anger. He looked at the sect leader and said seriously, "Sect leader, are you trying to embarrass Lin Fan? Lin Fan am a disciple of the Hidden Sword Sect, and I will be the future Hidden Sword Sect leader. The sect leader is Lin Fan grandmaster. If my grandmaster has any needs, Lin Fan will gladly provide them. As for the matter of Spirit Crystal, please don't bring it up again, or don't blame Lin Fan throwing a tantrum."

"Excellent!" The sect leader was overjoyed, snatching the exclusive number from Lin Fan's hand and saying, "Lin Fan, rest assured, after my death, the position of sect leader of the Hidden Sword Sect will surely be passed on to you!"

"Thank you, Sect Leader!" Lin Fan bowed in gratitude.

"Shall I take my leave then?"

"Please proceed, Sect Leader!"

Then the sect leader left...

These are their thoughts when they parted ways.

Lin Fan: Trading a unique phone number for the position of sect leader—I've made a killing!

Sect Leader: These young people nowadays are so naive! They fall for my tricks with just a few words. I'm only a little over two hundred years old this year. If I break through to the Spirit Venerable realm and reach the Spirit Emperor realm this time, I'll have a lifespan of two thousand years. Who knows who will outlive whom by then...

Such things are commonplace in Dubian Town today.