Chapter 422: Open the Door to a Surprise

"Wow, that's amazing!" Chen Ling opened his mouth wide, feigning shock.

"This is a rare item our chairman had transported from the South Sea Realm," the staff member sighed. "He's getting old and his health isn't great. None of his subordinates are particularly outstanding, so he's trying to get in good with the Special Envoy to solidify the Beidou Consortium's position in the main city."

"I see," Chen Ling mused. "By the way, how old is your chairman this year?"

"He's already forty-nine."

Chen Ling: ?

Before Chen Ling could express his surprise at the chairman's "advanced age," the staff member quickly departed to choose the most suitable display location for the precious "Zitan Peace Buddha."

They had initially wanted to place the item in the center of the banquet hall, but immediately, representatives from the other four major consortia jumped out to object. They then began hotly debating and deciding on their respective consortiums' areas and their proximity to the Special Envoy.

"It's really lively..." Chen Ling couldn't help but sigh.

Finally, his gaze returned to the tall, white "gift" in the center. He extended his hand, gesturing in the air as if confirming its size and outline.

He turned and walked towards the second floor above the venue.

Audience Expectation: 3

"It's dark."

The last hint of twilight sank into the earth, and night gradually enveloped the bustling main city.

By the side of the bustling street, two disheveled figures sat on the curb, covered in dust, their leather jackets dull and lusterless. They looked like street beggars.

"Yes, it's dark," Red Heart 9 said, staring intently at the auction house not far away. "The time is almost right..."

"When do we make our move?"

"Wait for the Special Envoy to come out."

As the two focused intently on the auction house, Gu Kaixian also ascended the steps, arriving at the door of the highest-tier VIP room in the auction house.

He extended his hand and lightly knocked on the door.

"Special Envoy, it's time."

His voice was very soft, as if he feared disturbing the Special Envoy's rest. After speaking, he waited silently by the door like a statue, with no intention of repeating himself... because he knew the Special Envoy must have heard him, and if there was no reply, it likely just meant the Special Envoy didn't want to acknowledge him.

After he had waited like this for half a minute, the door slowly opened, and an ancient golden mask peered out at him from the dim room, speaking faintly:

"Lead the way."

"Yes."

Gu Kaixian led Chen Ling out of the auction house. A car had been waiting at the entrance for some time. He quickly walked forward to open the car door for Chen Ling, who then casually got in...

From start to finish, Chen Ling's feet remained suspended three centimeters above the ground, as if he disdained the dirty earth tainting his soles.

As the vehicle slowly started, his figure, under the gaze of many eyes, disappeared down the street... The next moment, around the auction house, figures dropped their disguises and began transmitting messages to their respective factions.

Jian Changsheng, squatting on the main road, was suddenly stunned to see so many people emerge from every corner of the street.

"What the hell, where did all these people come from??"

"They're all here to keep an eye on the Special Envoy; they've been here since last night," Red Heart 9 said calmly, as if he had seen through their disguises long ago.

"Then why are we still squatting so openly on the road? That's too stupid!"

"What do you know? So many people are watching the Special Envoy. The more openly we squat, the less likely we are to arouse suspicion... They probably think we're just spies sent by some minor faction."

"...So what now?"

"Their attention is drawn to the Special Envoy. This is our chance to act," Red Heart 9 said, turning to Jian Changsheng. "Let's go!"

Under the cover of night, the two quickly began to infiltrate the auction house.

With the Special Envoy and Gu Kaixian gone, there were few guards on the first floor of the auction house. Coupled with Jian Changsheng's Blood Dripping Orb, the two smoothly passed through the lobby and boarded the steam elevator leading to the upper floors.

"This is almost too easy," Jian Changsheng couldn't help but say.

"The truly heavily guarded part of this auction house is underground," Red Heart 9 said, his gaze falling on the elevator buttons, where there were no buttons for basement floors. "The first floor is where the auction takes place, and the upper floors are VIP rooms. The real auction items must be sealed away underground... In addition to strict security, there should also be Divine Path wielders stationed there."

"How come I feel like there are so many Divine Path wielders in the Red Dust main city? Especially those consortium bodyguards, they all look tougher than me."

"What? Do you think this is the Aurora Realm?" Red Heart 9 glanced at him.

"The Aurora Realm is located in the northernmost part of the Human Realm, a notorious land of bitter cold. Even traveling from other realms by realm train takes half a day to reach... Coupled with the nearly hegemonic law enforcement agencies there, few people are willing to go to such a place.

But the Red Dust Realm is different. It's prosperous, lively, full of money and opportunities, naturally attracting more people... The consortia regularly tour other realms, and if they discover promising first-tier newcomers, they immediately sign contracts with them. The consortia use resources to cultivate them, making them serve the consortium for ten years;

As you know, most first-tier newcomers have just embarked on the Divine Path. Their previous lives might have been quite impoverished, so it's hard for them to refuse the immense benefits offered by the consortia.

As for after ten years, their ranks will have risen. Some will disdain the worldly wealth offered by the consortia and choose to leave, in which case they part ways; others will choose to stay and renew their contracts... In short, the Red Dust Realm never lacks talent, not to mention it has an ancient Qing Dao treasury."

"No wonder," Jian Changsheng said, suddenly feeling like a country bumpkin seeing the world for the first time.

As the elevator reached the ninth floor, the two stepped out directly, facing the highest-tier VIP room where Chen Ling was staying.

"I'd like to see just who this Special Envoy is," Red Heart 9 said, his eyes narrowed slightly, as he forcefully broke open the door.

The two were about to step inside to search, but before they could move, they both froze.

Inside the dimly lit VIP room, a small figure was sitting in an expensive leather office chair. With a forceful push off the desk, the entire chair, along with the figure, spun rapidly.

He spread his arms, his short legs dangling in the air. He seemed to find all of this very novel, giggling and babbling.

Suddenly, his gaze fell upon Red Heart 9 and the other person at the doorway, and his body stiffened!

He was like a child caught secretly playing by a parent, his face first showing panic and surprise, then slowly transitioning to anger and accusation.

He clenched his small fists, and a terrifying aura rapidly spread throughout the room!

"Eee... eeya!!!"