After another turn through the Lingbao Hall, Ji Changkong was disappointed to find that the bracelet he had admired earlier had already been bought, and the counter had long since been dismantled. (This book is reprinted by Wenxue Net .6.)

He wandered until nightfall without finding any other suitable spiritual treasure for Ji Wanyun. Before dark, he reluctantly returned with Bai Qingya to the side room where they were lodging behind the Lingbao Pavilion.

The two had only planned to stay for one night, but perhaps seeing the influence of Bai Qingya's father, the Lingbao Pavilion insisted they remain until the conclusion of the Spiritual Treasure Assembly.

Holding a significant treasure, and having just exchanged four items from the Thousand-Year Purple-Gold Toad for six thousand five hundred high-grade Yuan Stones, plus the fact that his own Yuan Power had not fully recovered, Bai Qingya feared further ill intentions from others and decided they should continue resting at the Lingbao Pavilion.

That night, Ji Changkong continued to restore his Yuan Power within the State of Selflessness, while Bai Qingya kept silent vigil beside him.

...

Whoa!

A strange cry suddenly pierced the air from outside their chamber, seeming to emanate from the direction of the Grand Spiritual Treasure Hall.

As the bizarre sound arose, violent sounds of combat immediately followed, creating a significant disturbance.

Creak! Creak!

Doors to adjacent chambers opened one after another, and Heaven-Scholars from all corners of the world emerged to see what was happening.

Snapping awake from the State of Selflessness, Ji Changkong shot to his feet, his eyes glittering sharply in the darkness, and asked in a deep voice, "What is going on?"

Bai Qingya, already standing at the doorway, frowned and gently shook her head, murmuring, "I don't know yet. The fighting sounds like it's coming from the Grand Spiritual Treasure Hall. Who is so bold? To dare cause trouble at the Lingbao Pavilion at this hour?"

"Let's go look!" Ji Changkong walked to Bai Qingya's side, pushed the door open, and stepped out with her.

"Oh, young fellow, you're staying here too?" Zhou Miaoshan, accompanied by two members of the Ye family, spotted Ji Changkong and Bai Qingya outside their chamber and smiled, greeting them.

"Sister Zhou, hello."

Smiling and nodding, Ji Changkong approached the three of them, looked up toward the Grand Spiritual Treasure Hall, and casually asked, "Fighting in the Lingbao Hall in the dead of night? Sister Zhou, since you came out earlier, do you happen to know what's happening?"

Formidable figures seen earlier in the Grand Spiritual Treasure Hall—Li Daoxuan, Du Shaofeng, Qiu Yongguang, and others—were now gathered nearby, all wearing frowns, seemingly puzzled as to who possessed such audacity.

"I don't know. The Lingbao Pavilion should handle it properly... The Chen family is powerful, and the Shuiyun Kingdom has stationed expert guards within the Pavilion. There shouldn't be many people in the world daring to commit violence here at this time," Zhou Miaoshan replied amiably, a white silk ribbon tied around her neck—she must have used the Thousand-Year Purple-Gold Toad's saliva overnight to heal the scars there.

Just then, the sounds of combat abruptly ceased, and a dark silhouette shot up from the Grand Spiritual Treasure Hall, flashing across the night sky and vanishing.

...

A while later, several Chen family guards rushed over. The one leading them was the elder who had arranged lodging for Ji Changkong and Bai Qingya. Arriving at the scene, he called out loudly, "It's nothing, everyone return to rest. The spiritual treasure exhibition at the Lingbao Hall continues tomorrow; there is no need for concern."

The crowd felt some lingering doubt, but most remained silent. This was the Lingbao Pavilion, the domain of the Chen family! As guests, they needed only to follow the host's arrangements; they shouldn't meddle in extraneous affairs.

"Who dares to be so reckless as to cause trouble at the Lingbao Pavilion at this hour?"

Suddenly, Du Shaofeng snorted coldly and spoke loudly, "I clearly saw a person flee from the Grand Spiritual Treasure Hall just now. Can the Chen family not even keep one person contained? If you are unable to stop them, you might as well ask us for help; since we are staying at the Chen family residence, it is only right that we contribute what we can."

Although Du Shaofeng’s words contained an offer of assistance, the tone questioning the Chen family's competence was much heavier. Such words spoken in full view of everyone were quite inappropriate.

"Young Master Du is too kind. The Chen family will manage matters concerning the Lingbao Pavilion; there is no need for Young Master Du to trouble himself!" the Chen family elder replied without courtesy, his voice deep, then smiled toward the other observing Heaven-Scholars, "Everyone, please rest assured. The Chen family has hosted the Spiritual Treasure Assembly for many years and has never had an incident. This time will be the same!"

"We naturally trust the Chen family; otherwise, we wouldn't have traveled thousands of miles to come here," Zhou Miaoshan said with a slight smile, turning to the two Ye family members beside her. "Let's go back. The Chen family will handle everything perfectly."

Following Zhou Miaoshan’s statement, many Heaven-Scholars who had arrived nodded in agreement, each returning to their lodging rooms in the rear. Du Shaofeng, finding the situation tedious, snorted coldly and, without saying more, also led his group back.

...

The night passed without incident.

The next day, the Spiritual Treasure Assembly proceeded as scheduled, with even more spiritual treasures flooding into the Grand Spiritual Treasure Hall. Many Heaven-Scholars from all parts of the world took out collections they had amassed over the years, sparing no effort to hawk their wares or exchange them for Yuan Stones or specific, desired spiritual treasures.

The number of powerful figures present today surpassed that of yesterday. Ji Changkong and Bai Qingya moved with an air of caution, aware that a careless bump might bring them into contact with some world-renowned, formidable Heaven-Scholar.

... The events of the night were never brought up again, as if nothing had happened.

After touring the grounds, Ji Changkong mused, "The Spiritual Treasure Assembly truly lives up to its name. The treasures displayed today are ones I’ve never even heard of! Spiritual Stones like the Moon Heart Stone and Sun Heart Stone can only be acquired by those Eight Trigrams Heaven-Scholars capable of spiritual journeys to the sun and moon, requiring immense power to draw them from the Moon Heart and Sun Heart and spirit them across the vast cosmos—who knows how much effort that consumes!"

"Moonlight like flowing water, sunlight like fierce flames. Heaven-Scholars who cultivate the Water and Fire Five Elements powers, if they could refine the energy contained within the Moon Heart Stone and Sun Heart Stone, their strength would not only double but their power might even carry a trace of the might of the sun and moon. Truly heart-stirring spiritual treasures!"

Bai Qingya’s face was filled with longing. She cultivated Water in the Five Elements, and the Moon Heart Stone held immense allure for her. Unfortunately, the Seven Star Heaven-Scholar selling it specified that he would only trade it for Ten-Thousand-Year Eastern Sea Celestial Wood, refusing Yuan Stones entirely, leaving Bai Qingya no opportunity.

"The Soul-Devouring Demonic Brain Marrow is even more precious; it can be used to form a Second Divine Soul. For a Heaven-Scholar, an extra Divine Soul is an extra life! It's a pity that person only accepts Ice Soul Divine Crystals and will not trade for any amount of Yuan Stones. It seems truly valuable items cannot be measured by Yuan Stones!" Ji Changkong sighed.

"And the 'Carefree Roaming' secret technique—that is a speed technique famous throughout the world, trainable even by those in the Seven Star Heaven and Eight Trigrams Heaven realms. Once mastered, one’s speed surpasses lightning—truly enviable! Too bad he only wants the three eyes of the Three-Eyed Dragon Python. The Three-Eyed Dragon Python is rumored to exist in the Great Marsh of Cloud and Dream, but prying out its three eyes is no simple feat," Bai Qingya shook her head with a light sigh.

The truly world-renowned spiritual treasures were usually being sold by individuals urgently needing another specific spiritual treasure. None of the highly coveted items were being exchanged for Yuan Stones; all demanded a specific spiritual treasure of equivalent value.

After wandering for the better part of the day, Ji Changkong and Bai Qingya murmured their amazement at the power of the treasures displayed, Bai Qingya especially favoring the Moon Heart Stone but sighing helplessly, unable to act without the Ten-Thousand-Year Eastern Sea Celestial Wood in hand.

"Ji Changkong!"

A low cry suddenly came from beside him.

"Jiu Lingxue!"

Frowning, Ji Changkong looked coldly at Jiu Lingxue, who had appeared in the crowd. "I didn't expect you to be at the Spiritual Treasure Assembly either!"

Beside Jiu Lingxue was an elderly woman resembling a stewardess—plump and smiling sweetly, yet possessing the cultivation of a Seven Star Heaven realm expert! The old woman was clearly not from the Jiu family but stood respectfully beside Jiu Lingxue, attending to her with care.

Dressed in a long, plain white skirt, Jiu Lingxue stood in the crowd like a snow lotus emitting coldness—stunningly beautiful and aloof!

"I demand another battle with you!" Jiu Lingxue took a breath and hissed in a low voice.

Jiu Lingxue had originally been at the peak of the Three Talents Heaven realm. After not seeing her for several months, Ji Changkong was startled to find she had now broken through to the Four Symbols Heaven realm!

The fluctuations of Yuan Power within her were unmistakable; with just a moment of focused sensing, Ji Changkong immediately noticed Jiu Lingxue's change.

"Four Symbols Heaven!" Ji Changkong exclaimed in surprise. "I didn't think your injuries had not only healed but that you had broken through again!"

"Thanks to you!" Jiu Lingxue said coldly, stepping closer to him and whispering, "Do you dare?"

"A Four Symbols Heaven-Scholar challenging a Three Talents Heaven-Scholar—you girl, how shameless!" Before Ji Changkong could speak, Bai Qingya frowned and chastised her with annoyance, "If you want to fight, we'll fight! I am Five Elements Heaven; do you dare?"

Hearing Bai Qingya, Jiu Lingxue's face flushed slightly. She avoided looking at Bai Qingya, staring somewhat sulkily at Ji Changkong. "Very well. I will fight you when you reach the Four Symbols Heaven realm!"

"No need!" Ji Changkong cut in sharply, stating solemnly, "I will be resting at the Lingbao Pavilion for the next few days. Wait until the Spiritual Treasure Assembly is over, and then come find me. By then, I will certainly meet you to the end!"

The enmity between the Ji and Jiu families ran too deep. Jiu Lingxue had shown no mercy when she swept through three generations of the Ji family, and Ji Changkong had never held a favorable opinion of her. Now that she was being aggressive again, anger flared in Ji Changkong’s heart, and he readily accepted.

The chill from the cold pool in the Icy Cave had gathered entirely within his pupils. Ji Changkong could now control it at will. Previously, facing enemies whose realms far surpassed his own—on entirely different levels—he had no confidence in using his Silver Pupils for a surprise victory, nor did he wish to reveal that his eyes would turn silver, which might cause people to treat him as an aberration, so he had held back on using their power.

However, Jiu Lingxue was only one realm above him and seemed to have only recently broken through. If he deployed the power of his Silver Pupils during the fight, he was confident he could achieve a decisive surprise victory and defeat the newly ascended Four Symbols Heaven realm Jiu Lingxue!

"Fine! I will find you after the Spiritual Treasure Assembly concludes!"

Jiu Lingxue sneered, seemingly unwilling to linger by his side for another moment. After delivering these words, she immediately departed with the plump, stewardess-like old woman.

...