Chapter 715: The Priceless Four Treasures

Night had fallen.

Dark clouds veiled the bright moon, casting a hazy veil over the sky.

Under the dim moonlight, Dongtian Wangcheng appeared unusually quiet tonight.

The disciples from various major factions and powerful conglomerates, who normally lived vibrant night lives, seemed to have vanished all at once.

These heirs of true great powers had gathered in one place.

Nancheng District.

At the entrance of a serene tavern with its signboard removed.

Two black-clad figures wearing beast-shaped masks stood guard, their auras alone sufficient to reveal them as genuine Wangzuo warriors to any passerby.

And the only event tonight that would warrant Wangzuo guards was undoubtedly the Lingque Trading Conference site.

The streets were eerily deserted.

Only a few scattered pedestrians hurried past the tavern entrance, as if oblivious to the two beast-masked guards.

These individuals with weaker cultivation always felt an inexplicable sense of dread when passing by, as if their instincts were urging them: "Hurry and leave, or you'll face deadly peril."

A low hum echoed—

The domain enveloping the street trembled slightly, as if someone outside had touched it.

"Invitation."

The beast-masked guard spoke impassively, without moving.

The invited guest outside the domain presented the Lingque Trading Conference invitation, then was enveloped by the domain's power and escorted to the tavern entrance.

"Five people?" The number of arrivals seemed excessive, and the Wangzuo guard's tone carried a hint of suspicion.

Previously, most entrants had come alone or in groups of two or three.

Everyone here prioritized trading and tried to avoid bringing too many people or revealing distinctive features that could expose their identities.

Were these folks planning to sightsee with their whole entourage?

"Five." Xu Xiaoshou responded, curiously examining the two beast masks.

Even with his "perception," he could only vaguely sense the facial outlines beneath the masks, unable to discern their true appearances.

"Impressive, how are these masks made?"

Xu Xiaoshou thought of Yanwang's mask, but these were clearly different.

Yanwang's mask was far more exaggerated.

The beast-masked guards remained silent, taking the invitation to verify it before asking, "From Tian Shang First Tower?"

"Mm."

"Go on in. Someone inside will receive you."

No sooner had the words been spoken than a figure in a dog-headed mask dashed out from the tavern.

"Xu Shao, Xu Shao, you've finally arrived. I've been waiting ages for you."

The voice arrived before the person, altered by the mask to hide any distinctive traits, but the eager, hurried manner made Xu Xiaoshou recall someone.

"Liu Lu?"

"It's me, it's me."

Liu Lu removed his dog-headed mask and chuckled. "Let's head inside first. Don't linger here, or you might get recognized by the next group."

He led the way.

As he guided everyone into the tavern, he pulled five masks from his ring and handed them out one by one.

"Xu Shao, you all need to wear these. Once the trading conference starts, they'll ensure everyone's privacy."

"Are they safe?" Xu Xiaoshou asked skeptically, holding the mask.

"Probably safe, unless you, Xu Shao, reveal some distinctive feature that lets someone with ulterior motives identify you—for example..."

Liu Lu glanced at Xiao Wanfeng, dressed in luxurious brocade robes, his eyes settling on the tea tray in Xiao Wanfeng's hand. "...like him."

Xiao Wanfeng: "..."

He hadn't expected to become a "distinctive feature" beside Xu Shao.

Xu Xiaoshou had originally thought this would be an auction-style event, where bidders competed openly and checked each other's identities before deciding on bids.

That's why he had everyone dressed in opulent attire to project an air of authority.

But who knew the trading conference would emphasize secrecy?

In that case, all his carefully prepared outfits would be for nothing—they wouldn't intimidate anyone.

"Put them on!"

Without further objection, Xu Xiaoshou followed the conference rules.

He received a bull-headed beast mask, and as soon as he put it on, he felt his entire aura concealed, even his cultivation realm hidden from view.

Though his own stealth abilities made the mask less useful for him, it provided excellent privacy for Mu Zixi and the others.

"How strong of a spiritual sense can this block?" Xu Xiaoshou scanned the masks on his companions, curious. "If a Bansheng is present, could it hold up?"

Liu Lu was taken aback, then replied, "Xu Shao must be joking. If a Bansheng showed up, no mask could defend against that. But this beast mask can block a Taixu's spiritual sense—it's designed specifically for that."

"That strong?"

The mask's level far exceeded Xu Xiaoshou's expectations.

He hadn't imagined that Night Cat's setup would be so elaborate, capable of thwarting even a Taixu's spiritual sense.

And they were just handing them out like that—one for each person?

"Then, based on what you're saying, does that mean a Taixu might actually attend this trading conference?" Xu Xiaoshou pressed.

"Maybe..." Liu Lu shook his head slightly, unsure. "I only know the Lingque Trading Conference is massive—this is my first time attending. It's likely, but not certain."

A flicker of surprise crossed Xu Xiaoshou's eyes, but he didn't probe further. Instead, he touched the bull-headed mask and asked, "Is this mask a gift or just a loan? Do we have to return it?"

Liu Lu stumbled mid-step.

You're Xu Shao, after all!

How could you covet even a mask? Does that suit your status?

"It's a loan."

He replied reluctantly, "But if Xu Shao likes it, I can ask Yuan Dangjia after the conference. He might..."

Liu Lu paused, then changed his tune: "Actually, consider them gifts. These five masks are a welcoming present for Xu Shao and your friends."

"Oh?" Xu Xiaoshou caught the slip. "Yuan Haisheng is watching us? Is he spying on me?"

Liu Lu: "..."

In that instant, cold sweat broke out on him. How was Xu Shao so hard to handle?

"You've received a curse effect, passive value +1."

"You've received a gaze effect, passive value +1."

"Not at all, not at all..." Liu Lu wiped sweat inside his dog-headed mask, wincing. "Spying is such a harsh word. Yuan Dangjia is overseeing the entire event—he's the one in control tonight."

Xu Xiaoshou stopped in his tracks. "Are you kidding? He's just a Wangzuo... in control? You said a Taixu might come—can he handle that? Does he even have the ability?"

"You've received an angry glare effect, passive value +1."

In the shadows, Yuan Haisheng, monitoring everything through the array, nearly jumped out in fury to smack this Xu idiot. I'm a Wangzuo, but do I not have experts around me? Haven't you met Jianlao before?

And tonight, it's not just Jianlao watching over things!

There are plenty of other Night Cat array masters managing the grand array beside me right now!

How can you, Xu, talk like that? Are you leaving any face for me, Yuan Haisheng?

Where's your manners!

Liu Lu, on site, was even closer to being done in by Xu Shao's few words. He decided to drop the topic.

"Xu Shao, this way please. Let's enter the private room first—once inside, no one outside can sense us."

Xu Xiaoshou chuckled and followed Liu Lu.

He was just teasing Yuan Haisheng a bit, but he knew when to stop.

In truth, as they walked, though he bantered verbally, his full attention was on scouting the tavern's internal escape routes—just in case something unexpected happened.

"What a powerful spiritual array..."

This place was covered by a massive spiritual array at least at the Wangzuo level or higher, Xu Xiaoshou estimated. It could even be more advanced, as he sensed the entire scene had been altered.

His "Textile Mastery" wasn't just for show—it allowed him to vaguely glimpse the obscured images hidden beyond the spiritual patterns.

This small tavern could barely accommodate a few hundred people for dining and entertainment.

But if that were all, where would the private rooms come from?

Xu Xiaoshou realized that, though they seemed to be moving forward, they were actually descending underground.

"Underground—that must be the true site of the Lingque Trading Conference," he thought.

Sure enough, after Liu Lu pushed open a hidden door, his "perception" range expanded dramatically.

They had reached the underground!

A massive subterranean trading hall, about the size of a Douluo Arena, capable of holding a battle for thousands.

The most striking feature was a high platform in the center.

On the platform stood a wooden table with a hammer.

No one was on the platform yet, but the scattered seating areas below it already had dozens of people seated at a distance.

"They sit down there?" Xu Xiaoshou asked as he walked along the aisle, curious.

The people below, also wearing beast masks, looked up at this new group entering via the private room aisle.

"You've received gaze effects, passive value +56."

"You've received speculation effects, passive value +43."

Liu Lu nodded with a sly grin, flattering, "Not everyone at the trading conference has your status, Xu Shao. Private rooms are for the distinguished."

"This way." He turned a corner, opened the door to Room 172, and bowed to usher them in.

"You're quite the smooth talker..." Xu Xiaoshou smiled brightly. "Keep it up."

"Heh, someone of your stature, Xu Shao, naturally can't mingle with those folks sitting below."

"Exactly, you're spot on."

"Heh..."

"Mm..."

"What a flatterer!"

Mu Zixi rolled her eyes from the back, then turned to Xu Xiaoshou and raised her voice. "And a horse with its rear in the air!"

Xu Xiaoshou: ???

"How do you talk like that!" He turned angrily. "If you can't speak properly, learn from Liu Lu!"

"Xu Shao, please calm down..." Liu Lu broke into a sweat again.

He knew this double-ponytailed girl was probably the only one in Wangcheng who could speak to Xu Shao like that without repercussions, so he didn't dare offend her. Quickly changing the subject, he said:

"You can all take a look at the trading conference site. When it starts, our Night Cat people will bring out the treasures first."

Once inside the private room, Liu Lu pointed to the high platform outside and continued:

"That's where the traders will display their items."

"It's worth noting that in this conference, anything valued under one hundred million Lingjing isn't worth presenting—it's just embarrassing and lowers the event's standards."

"Also, if a treasure isn't extremely rare and unique, with no market price, it won't be allowed."

"After all, if similar items are readily available outside, there's no point to our Night Cat hosting the Lingque Trading Conference."

As Liu Lu explained the details, Xiao Wanfeng and Xin Gugu listened from behind, clicking their tongues in amazement.

Without Xu Xiaoshou, even selling themselves wouldn't cover a fraction of a single bid here.

Xu Xiaoshou's heart raced with excitement. He had come for the Void Order, but now it seemed he might gain something else.

"What level of treasures are typically presented?"

"Oh, they're incredible!" Liu Lu exclaimed.

"You should know, Xu Shao, that the Lingque Trading Conference only happens every few years, and it's only held when enough treasures are gathered."

"I've heard that in previous conferences, some astonishing items appeared!"

"Oh?" Xu Xiaoshou raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"

Liu Lu swallowed hard. "Forbidden spells! Saintly martial arts! Even famous swords... they've all shown up here before!"

Famous swords...

The twenty-one renowned swords of the world, excluding the lost ones, each had an owner.

Could something like that really appear at the trading conference?

And the earlier mentioned "forbidden spells" and "saintly martial arts"...

Xu Xiaoshou had heard of these spiritual technique tiers, but only in passing.

Spiritual techniques topped out at the Wangzuo level, which included Daojing, Zhandao, and Taixu realms.

Even if people subdivided Wangzuo techniques into Zhandao or Taixu levels, they still fell under the Wangzuo category.

True techniques beyond Wangzuo were "forbidden spells"—

A power that transcended spiritual energy and attributes, relying on bizarre secret arts and invoking heavenly forces capable of world-shattering destruction, even making Taixu wary.

And "saintly martial arts"...

As the name implied, half-saintly techniques!

These were supreme skills that allowed a mortal body to unleash saintly power, hailed as the pinnacle of martial arts in this world.

They couldn't even be called spiritual techniques anymore.

Unlike moves like "White Clouds Drifting" or "Drawing Sword Style" or "West Wind Fades the Snow."

A saintly martial art was pure dimensional strike, potentially obliterating even alternate spaces in an instant.

Though the cost was enormous.

But who in this spirit-refining world wouldn't crave "forbidden spells" and "saintly martial arts"?

"Impressive, impressive..." Xu Xiaoshou murmured in a daze.

After thinking it over, he realized he didn't have many items worthy of trading.

He could try with the "Ember Origin Seed," the "Three Days of Frozen Calamity," or his ring.

Anything else, like bringing out A-Bing or A-Huo on the spot, might not even qualify.

Suddenly glancing back.

Xu Xiaoshou thought that if he really needed to bid, he might not have treasures, but the people around him could be worth a fortune.

Two ghost beast hosts (priceless), one double-ponytailed loli with a mature voice (unique and invaluable), and one genius ancient sword cultivator favored by the Seven Sword Immortals (high value)...

Upon closer inspection, his mind buzzed with ideas:

"Special mutated human, young male, fresh meat, abundant essence blood, can be stir-fried over high heat with star anise, cassia, and cooking wine to extract a rich blood soup."

"Special mutated human, young female, not suitable for eating."

"Human, female, little meat, but abundant life energy—can be cooked when mature."

"Human, ordinary person, not edible."

The four: ???

The group behind him instantly felt creeped out by Xu Xiaoshou's gaze.

Mu Zixi shivered, her pores standing on end, scalp tingling. Her big eyes widened in alarm. "Xu... Shao, what are you looking at?!"

"Oh, nothing."

Xu Xiaoshou withdrew his gaze and clicked his tongue. "I'm actually pretty wealthy, huh?"