"Where are we going?" Chen Beixun asked over their mental link.
The dazzling lights and lavish sights had left him feeling a little light-headed, but he soon steadied himself. How extravagant, he thought.
"Win Pavilion."
"It's full of rare treasures. We can take a look," Qishan said over their mental link.
"Win Pavilion..." Chen Beixun looked down at the map projected above his arm. "It's pretty close."
"Wait, weren't we going to the Void Universe Auction?" Chen Beixun asked, puzzled.
"Why the rush? The plan's changed. We'll stock up on supplies first," Qishan replied calmly.
"Qishan, what's so special about the Warrior Tournament?" Chen Beixun suddenly asked. "The elimination process is so brutal."
Qishan took a deep breath, then explained, "There's a little-known rule in the Warrior Tournament. To survive the first round, you have to sign a contract with a Universe Country."
"To put it simply, the contract requires you to serve on the Outer-Domain Battlefield for ten thousand years."
"You can think of the Warrior Tournament as a massive recruitment drive."
Chen Beixun was taken aback. "Why would anyone risk so much just to fight for a spot that might not even amount to anything?"
"To break through," Qishan sighed. "You have to understand, it takes several million, even tens of millions, of World Lords to produce a single Immortal."
"People take risks for opportunities and breakthroughs. It's only natural."
It was the gambler's mentality: the bigger the investment, the bigger the potential reward—and the greater the risk.
Chen Beixun nodded slightly. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't afraid of dying. Even if I try to take it in stride, I'm still scared."
Just then, a beautiful melody drifted over, alluring and seductive. Chen Beixun followed the sound and couldn't help laughing. "What a lascivious tune."
He narrowed his eyes and asked, "How many Universe Coins would it take to buy a plot of land here?"
"Conservatively, around a hundred million Universe Coins per square kilometer on average," Qishan replied.
Chen Beixun clicked his tongue inwardly. "On average? The more prosperous districts must cost even more."
The planet had an area of 630 million square kilometers.
Some time later...
Chen Beixun looked up at the building before him, then went inside and sat down in the lounge.
"This is the reception area. Go make an appointment at the front desk, then give the receptionist the gold coin," Qishan said over their mental link. "After that, do as I tell you."
Chen Beixun nodded, rose, and walked toward the front desk.
"Hello, sir!" the receptionist greeted him.
The woman was stunning, with a face like a flower and the moon. Even Chen Beixun couldn't help being taken aback.
"Get a hold of yourself," Qishan reminded him.
Chen Beixun gave an awkward smile. "I'll take the full service package." A gold coin with a distinctive pattern appeared in his hand, and he gently set it on the counter.
The woman nodded slightly, accepted the coin, and said respectfully, "Please wait a moment."
"They have something like this?" Chen Beixun asked, puzzled.
"Don't make people think you're an idiot and embarrass your teacher," Qishan said coldly. "Just do what I tell you."
Some time later...
An attendant from Win Pavilion led Chen Beixun into a secluded room inside the building.
The room wasn't very large. It looked like a bar, with all kinds of fine liquor displayed behind the glass counter.
"Welcome, sir."
"Please, have a seat!" The attendant stood straight, and his strength had reached the eighth level of the Domain Lord level. This powerful expert was now serving Chen Beixun with the utmost respect and care. His excellent service and gentle, measured words made Chen Beixun feel as though a spring breeze were brushing over him.
Chen Beixun sat down on the sofa and said, "A close-combat weapon. A blade, at the World Lord level."
"Materials for healing, aiding cultivation, and helping a plant life-form grow through devouring. Put them in a list."
The attendant brought over a bottle of wine and poured him a glass, signaling that the transaction had begun.
The attendant smiled. "What material?"
"E6." Chen Beixun swirled his glass. "Five cubic meters of Lingjie Ore, for combat."
He set down his glass, and a projection of a blade designed for combat appeared above his arm.
"Did you get that?"
The attendant nodded, then projected a list. While Chen Beixun was making his requests, the attendant had already sent a strand of consciousness into the Virtual Universe to prepare it.
List:
Spirit-Transforming Fruit...
Thunder-Split Crystal...
And so on...
Chen Beixun stared at the ridiculously long list and asked over their mental link, "Which ones should I choose?"
"Sixteen tons of Green Jade Liquid, twelve tons of Zeshan Spring Pulp, twelve Wood Illusion Fruits, twelve cubic meters of Ice Domain Crystal, and ten cubic meters of Flame Crystal Ore," Qishan said after glancing through it.
The most precious item was the sixteen tons of Green Jade Liquid, which alone cost three Hunyuan Units.
The total cost came to 7.3 Hunyuan Units.
After making his selections, Chen Beixun said calmly, "I'm done."
The attendant straightened his clothes and said, "Please confirm your order once more."
Chen Beixun scrolled through the list a few times and nodded to the attendant. The attendant bowed, then left the room.
"Wait patiently for a while. Now, let me give you a brief explanation..."
One month later.
"Once you've signed for the supplies, leave Hehong Planet immediately!"
"Someone's got their eye on you!" Qishan said. "They probably have a World Lord backing them. Damn it!"
"You've run into the same kind of trouble your teacher did back then."
Chen Beixun's heart lurched. He looked at the spacecraft hovering in the sky, growing more and more uneasy. How did this happen? Still, he kept calm as he walked up to the person in charge and transmitted his voice.
"Y5425."
The person in charge froze. He rarely saw Universe Level visitors come to Hehong Planet. This man must be someone important, he thought in shock. I'd better be careful. If I offend him, I'm done for!
"Please!" The person in charge took out a metal plate.
Chen Beixun reached out.
(Beep beep... Transaction successful.) A voice came from the metal plate. The person in charge nodded slightly and said respectfully, "This transaction is complete."
Chen Beixun walked to the spacecraft, gave the staff the number, and picked up the silver box resting on the round table.
We need to leave, fast! Chen Beixun thought. Three Red Gold Guards followed behind him as he walked slowly down the street. He didn't want to alert the people watching him, so he'd play along and make it seem as though he was in the open when he was really in the shadows. Besides, this was Hehong Planet! Anyone who wanted to make a move would have to think twice.
"Forget about all that. Use the F-class spaceship to get away. Once you're safe, contact the Virtual Universe Company and become an external member. Then sign up for the Hero Tournament," Qishan said, as calm and unhurried as ever.
"Wouldn't we be in danger of attracting an Immortal Expert—" Chen Beixun began, but Qishan cut him off. "If you want to live, do what I say! If I tell you to act arrogant, then act arrogant!"
"All right!" Chen Beixun said through gritted teeth, his anger rising.
Hehong Planet, Docking Port 15.
"Sir—" Chen Beixun cut the worker off and handed him several dozen Universe Coins.
The worker at Docking Port 15's eyes lit up. Ten thousand Universe Coins?
The gesture caught the attention of an Immortal Expert nearby. Chen Beixun didn't avoid his gaze; he simply nodded to him. The Immortal Expert furrowed his brow, but Chen Beixun's next move would leave him stunned for a million years.
Chen Beixun waved his hand and put away the D-class spaceship. Then he took the Linkong out of his Space Ring and boarded without looking back.
An F-class spaceship? Could he be a Venerable's disciple? Or perhaps a King Rank expert's disciple! The Immortal Expert thought. Wait, the Linkong? Could he be Murong Shujia's disciple or descendant?!
"I have to get in touch with him!"
"Li Di's been trying to find out what happened to Murong Shujia!"
The Immortal Expert hurriedly transmitted his voice. "Are you a descendant of Marquis of Fate? If so, please contact FHAU..."
"You brat, I told you to act a little arrogant. I didn't expect you to take it this far!" Qishan laughed.
"That Immortal Expert sent me a message and told me to contact FHAU..." Chen Beixun said.
"Li Di?" Qishan paused, then explained, "Li Di was your teacher's friend. He's generous and honorable."
Qishan pondered for a moment, then said, "You can try contacting him."
"Li Di's title is Marquis Yuntian. He's a powerful Immortal!"
Chen Beixun nodded. "I'll decide for myself."
Then he sent a message to the Immortal Expert. "Thank you, sir."
The Immortal Expert's face lit up, and he called out, "Great!"
The two World Lords watching from the shadows were startled.
"What the hell?!"
"Quick! Tell those guys to call off the operation!"
"What are you two doing here?" The Immortal Expert appeared behind them, his expression kind. "You two are pretty lucky!"
Anyone could tell those two were up to no good. The Immortal Expert patted one of them on the shoulder and said slowly, "Be more careful in your next life."
Then he vanished.
The two World Lords were left standing there, dumbfounded.
He hadn't wanted to get involved, but Chen Beixun was Murong Shujia's disciple.
Inside the Linkong...
"Leave the Xuyu Universe Kingdom. Move out right away, taking the two inhabited planets in the star system with you," Qishan said.
Chen Beixun paused. "Move what?"
"Hey, don't ask so many questions. I have a way. I'll explain later," Qishan said.
Chen Beixun nodded.
Inside a mansion on Hehong Planet...
"Marquis Chijiao, what brings you here?" A black-robed, one-horned man rose from the sofa.
"Marquis Longda, I need your help," Marquis Chijiao said with a smile.
Marquis Chijiao was the Immortal Expert Chen Beixun had encountered on Hehong Planet.