Entering the Lions Den

The day of the auction arrived.

Wu Chen and Li Wei stepped out of their inn, their pace unhurried despite the attention they attracted.

The city was buzzing with hidden tension.

Mercenaries, rogue cultivators, and noble heirs all gathered in the streets, their eyes drawn toward the towering Moonlight Auction House.

Li Wei whispered, "Teacher, something feels… different today."

Wu Chen Noded. "That's because today, the city is a battlefield. Just not the kind you're used to."

He could feel it—the weight of invisible eyes watching him, waiting for his next move.

In the Moonlight Auction House.

The auction hall was grand and luxurious, filled with elites from across the kingdom.

Wealthy merchants, high-ranking sect disciples, and even a few masked figures from the underworld had taken their seats.

In a private viewing box, Elder Zheng observed the guests with sharp eyes.

A subordinate whispered to him, "Wu Chen has arrived."

Elder Zheng's lips curled slightly. "Then let's see what kind of person he is."

Meanwhile, hidden among the crowd, a man in dark robes glanced toward Wu Chen's seat. His eyes gleamed with killing intent.

The Heavenly Blade Sect had already prepared their trap.

A middle-aged auctioneer stepped onto the stage, his voice calm yet commanding.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Moonlight Auction."

The first few items were rare weapons and medicinal pills, sparking heated bids.

Wu Chen remained still, uninterested.

Li Wei, however, stared wide-eyed as numbers skyrocketed to hundreds of thousands of gold coins.

"Teacher, these people are ridiculous."

Wu Chen chuckled. "This is nothing. Just wait."

And then, finally—

"The next item… an ancient scroll of unknown origin."

The hall fell silent.

Wu Chen's eyes locked onto the stage.

The auctioneer continued, "It is believed to contain knowledge from an ancient era… possibly even the legendary Trinity Palace."

Murmurs broke out.

Some bidders showed mild interest. Only a few truly understood its significance.

The bidding began.

"Ten thousand gold!"

"Fifty thousand!"

A nobleman from the Azure Sky Clan raised his hand. "Two hundred thousand gold!"

A masked cultivator smirked. "Five hundred thousand."

Wu Chen leaned back, letting them exhaust themselves.

Finally, when the hall grew tense—

He raised his hand.

"One million."

Silence.

All eyes turned to him.

The nobleman hesitated, then slowly sat back.

The masked cultivator glanced at Wu Chen, studying him.

Elder Zheng narrowed his eyes.

And in a distant private room, Lin Yufeng smirked.

"He took the bait."

Elder Huang nodded. "Now… let's see who comes for him first."

Wu Chen remained calm as his one million gold bid sealed the deal.

The auctioneer, his expression unreadable, struck the hammer.

"Sold!"

A murmur ran through the hall. Who was this young man bold enough to spend a fortune on an unknown scroll?

Many dismissed him as an arrogant fool. Others saw an opportunity.

Wu Chen leaned back, ignoring the whispers. He knew the real game was about to begin.

Inside a private chamber, Elder Zheng tapped the armrest of his chair.

"He's not hesitating to flaunt his wealth. Interesting."

A subordinate stepped forward. "Shall we intervene?"

Elder Zheng shook his head. "Not yet. Let's see how desperate others become first."

Meanwhile, in another hidden room, Lin Yufeng and Elder Huang observed everything.

Lin Yufeng chuckled. "Now that he has the scroll, every faction in the city will want to know what's in it."

Elder Huang smirked. "And they won't ask nicely."

Wu Chen walked through the grand corridors of the Moonlight Auction House, followed by Li Wei.

The hallways were quiet, but he could feel it—the weight of unseen gazes.

A staff member handed him a wooden box. "Your item, sir."

Wu Chen casually accepted it.

He didn't open it. Not here.

As he turned to leave, a voice called out.

"Friend, would you be interested in selling that scroll?"

A plump merchant in silk robes approached, flanked by two guards.

Wu Chen smiled faintly. "Not interested."

The merchant didn't back down. "I can offer you two million gold."

Li Wei's eyes widened.

But Wu Chen walked past without a word.

The merchant's expression darkened. "A foolish boy. You won't be able to keep it."

Night had fallen, Wu Chen and Li Wei walked toward their inn, but the streets were too quiet.

Li Wei whispered, "Master… we're surrounded."

Wu Chen's lips curled. "Took them long enough."

Figures stepped out from the darkness, blocking the path forward.

At least ten men, their weapons gleaming under the moonlight.

A man in a black cloak sneered. "Hand over the scroll, and we might let you live."

Wu Chen sighed. "You should have stayed in the shadows."

The man frowned. "What?"

BAM!

Before he could react, Wu Chen had already moved.

A single casual punch sent the closest attacker crashing into the wall, unconscious.

The rest barely had time to register what had happened before—

CRACK!

A swift kick shattered a second man's ribs.

The remaining attackers panicked.

But it was already too late.

Wu Chen moved like a shadow in the night, striking down each opponent effortlessly.

Within seconds, the last man collapsed, groaning in pain.

Wu Chen dusted off his sleeve. "Next time, send someone stronger."

He turned to Li Wei. "Let's go."

Li Wei gulped, following quickly.

In a secret meeting hall, Lin Yufeng slammed his fist on the table.

"Even the mercenaries failed?"

A shadowed figure spoke. "We need to move now. If he leaves the city, we may lose him."

Elder Huang grinned. "Then we make sure he doesn't leave."

His eyes gleamed. "Tomorrow, we strike directly."