The hype reignites, Che'erluo

After instructing a maid to escort Zhou Changqing out.

Ya Fei picked up the list and studied it, her lovely eyes flickering and her expression shifting, giving no hint of what she was thinking.

"Metal materials, Formation Crafting, a Medicine Cauldron... what an interesting young fellow."

Although she did not know what Young Master Zhou wanted these things for, Ya Fei had a vague feeling that this young man was no ordinary person.

It was a merchant's intuition.

At that moment, the middle-aged Appraiser stepped forward and asked quietly, "Miss, should we investigate his background?"

Ya Fei narrowed her eyes and shook her head slightly. "No. We handle auctions and purchases, nothing more. Don't meddle in other matters. That wouldn't serve the auction house's interests."

"Besides, judging by Young Master Zhou's attitude, he doesn't seem to care much about weapons like these Iron-Cleaving Treasure Weapons. Perhaps he'll bring me an even greater surprise in the future."

"You may go. Arrange for these three Treasure Weapons to be sold at the next auction, but make sure to publicize them properly beforehand."

"Understood. I'll see to it right away."

The middle-aged man nodded, then withdrew.

Once Ya Fei was alone in the room, she went over to sit by the window. Resting her delicate cheek on one hand, she lazily watched the varied stream of people passing along the street outside.

"Hehe, Wutan City is becoming more and more interesting. First came the Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid that speeds up Dou Qi cultivation, and now there are Iron-Cleaving Treasure Weapons that greatly enhance a Dou Shi's combat strength."

"Perhaps I can exceed my assigned target before my training is over. When that happens, that position won't be quite so far beyond my reach..."

After returning home, Zhou Changqing resumed his regular routine.

He needed to refine and nurture more Iron-Cleaving Mortal Weapons to earn enough money to purchase resources, so naturally, he would not slack off.

The sun rose and set, and time slowly passed.

As Zhou Changqing became increasingly proficient at refining and nurturing Iron-Cleaving Mortal Weapons, the time he needed continued to decrease.

Over the course of a month, he refined and nurtured a full four Iron-Cleaving Mortal Weapons.

Moreover, the quality of these four Iron-Cleaving Mortal Weapons was nearly twenty percent better than that of his previous ones.

This was undoubtedly a significant breakthrough.

Meanwhile, Wutan City had been bustling as well.

The reason was simple: Wang Zhi had caused another considerable stir, once again because of an Iron-Cleaving Treasure Weapon.

After the previous clash between mercenary groups, he had accomplished another astonishing feat.

It was said that during one of his mercenary group's hunting trips into the Magical Beast Mountain Range, the entire group accidentally encountered two peak rank-two tiger magical beasts.

One had to remember that magical beasts were generally stronger than humans of the same level.

That was even more true of fierce tiger magical beasts—and there were two of them.

The situation had been extremely dangerous. The group's nine-star Dou Shi leader and eight-star Dou Shi deputy leader had barely managed to hold off one beast by joining forces.

The remaining mercenaries had been left to keep the other one occupied.

Unfortunately, faced with the tiger magical beast's iron paws that could sever metal and shatter stone, its sharp fangs, its powerful bite, and its terrifying defenses, these mercenaries could not withstand it at all.

Casualties quickly mounted.

At that moment, Wang Zhi stepped forward with his treasure weapon in hand. Despite being only a three-star Dou Shi, he successfully held off the tiger magical beast with the other mercenaries' assistance.

In the end, Wang Zhi even risked grievous injury to cut it down through sheer determination.

The pressure on the mercenary group instantly eased.

As for the other tiger magical beast, it died at the group leader's hands after Wang Zhi lent him the Treasure Weapon.

That was not all.

Although the mercenary group had suffered considerable losses, its gains were tremendous as well: they dug two peak rank-two magic cores out of the beasts' bodies.

As soon as the news spread.

The excitement surrounding Iron-Cleaving Treasure Weapons, which had begun to settle, boiled over once again!

By coincidence, the Mittel Auction House announced at that very moment that it would be auctioning Iron-Cleaving Treasure Weapons.

The moment the news broke, Wutan City's mercenary community exploded. Countless mercenaries began scraping together money, even selling off their possessions!

All so they could win one of the few Iron-Cleaving Treasure Weapons at the auction!

On the day of the auction, the sea of people was even more impressive than the crowd at the recent auction for a high-grade Xuan-tier cultivation method.

After all, neither a high-grade Xuan-tier cultivation method nor Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid was something mere mercenaries could hope to obtain.

Iron-Cleaving Treasure Weapons were different. Major powers might not think much of them, but to these mercenaries, they were genuine treasures that could save their lives and increase their earnings!

How many people did Wutan City's major powers have altogether? How could they compare to the number of mercenaries throughout the city?

As a result, every seat at this auction was filled. Many people could not secure a spot even after practically cracking their heads open fighting for one!

In the end, the three Iron-Cleaving Treasure Weapons sold for around fourteen thousand apiece!

Even though the winning bidders had spent everything they owned, they felt no pang of regret. Instead, every one of them beamed with delight.

Money could always be earned again.

With a Treasure Weapon in hand, they were confident they could recoup their investment within a few years.

As for the mercenaries who had failed to win a treasure weapon, they kept visiting the Mittel Auction House afterward to ask questions.

Would there be any more Iron-Cleaving Treasure Weapons up for auction? If so, how long would they have to wait?

This gave the Mittel Auction House no end of headaches.

As the excitement continued to grow, the name "Iron-Cleaving Treasure Weapon" also caught the attention of Wutan City's major powers.

Previously, these major powers had paid no attention because there had only been one Iron-Cleaving Treasure Weapon. They had assumed it was merely a treasure some lucky fellow had stumbled upon.

It could not stir even the slightest ripple in Wutan City.

But things were different now.

Four such formidable weapons had already appeared!

Who knew whether more would emerge, or how many there might be?

One or two weapons like these could be ignored, but once their numbers grew, the consequences would be tremendous.

Although the strongest members of Wutan City's major powers were all Da Dou Shi, the backbone of their forces still consisted of Dou Shi.

If one major power secured the source of these Treasure Weapons and equipped all its Dou Shi with Iron-Cleaving Treasure Weapons, it would create a force that no other power could afford to overlook!

Its strength might even surpass, by an overwhelming margin, that of the other powers that had once been its equals!

And so, for a time.

Whether it was the Xiao Clan, the Jia Lie Family, the Ao Ba Family, or the other, lesser powers, all began searching for information about the Iron-Cleaving Treasure Weapons!

"Useless! A bunch of good-for-nothing rice buckets!"

"Why didn't anyone report this to me the moment the first Iron-Cleaving Treasure Weapon appeared?!"

"You ignored news this important! What the hell am I keeping you around for?!"

"Get out there and search! Even if you have to turn all of Wutan City upside down, find out where those Treasure Weapons came from!"

In western Wutan City.

Inside a lavish residence.

A slightly plump, balding middle-aged man roared in fury, relentlessly cursing the group before him!

Under the balding man's tirade, they trembled all over, cold sweat continually beading on their foreheads!

Only after the balding man finished berating them did they feel as though a great weight had been lifted. They hurriedly bowed and answered in unison, "Rest assured, boss. We'll uncover the source of the Treasure Weapons!"

"You have three days. Get out!"

"Yes!"

Only after receiving permission did the group retreat, practically fleeing with their tails between their legs.

"Hmph!"

Once everyone had left, the balding man gave a cold snort, then sat back down in his chair and sipped his tea.

After his anger had subsided somewhat, a glint of malice and greed flashed through his eyes.

"When it comes to weapons in Wutan City, I, Che'erluo, am the only king!"

"Whoever you are, if you dare meddle in the weapons trade, I'll drag you out and let everyone see what happens to anyone who crosses me!"

"Iron-Cleaving Treasure Weapon? A treasure like that can only belong to me, Che'erluo!"

(End of chapter)