One point five million spirit stones? The moment this starting bid was announced, it made the vast majority gasp audibly. Even Lei Dong felt his heart skip a frantic beat. Even if the item sold at the base price, more than half of his spirit stones would vanish into thin air.

Perhaps the price was simply too high, or perhaps everyone was pausing to consider the implications. For a good ten breaths, no one dared to make the first counteroffer. Seeing the atmosphere turn somewhat frigid, Bei Jie’s voice rang out again: “Everyone, don’t hesitate because of the high starting price. As is widely known, the quotes from our Pavilion are fair and just, offering absolute value for money.

The efficacy of the Scarlet Cloak, even among top-grade spirit artifacts…” is considered a rare treasure.” “One point six million.” Soon, someone couldn't hold back and uttered the first bid. The bidder was a middle-aged Foundation Establishment cultivator, not wearing a grey cloak. He stepped out of his private box, hands clasped behind his back, standing proudly before the assembled crowd. Those who recognized him knew he was the purchasing agent for a branch of the Hell Prison Sect, specifically tasked with acquiring all manner of rare materials and resources for the Hell Prison Sect within the Heavenly Dao Alliance.

His appearance immediately caused some familiar faces to abandon their pursuit of the item. Firstly, the Hell Prison Sect was notoriously wealthy, and secondly, those who knew him were reluctant to offend him. “Two point six million.” But Lei Dong couldn't be bothered with whether someone was from the Hell Prison Sect or not. In any case, after purchasing this top-grade spirit artifact, he might never set foot in the Heavenly Dao Alliance again in his lifetime.

With a single declaration, he named a price that stunned everyone. This figure already exceeded the highest selling price for a top-grade spirit artifact that Qi Feifei had managed to uncover, surpassing the price named by the Hell Prison Sect cultivator by a full million. Furthermore, after declaring his bid, Lei Dong maintained an air of serene confidence, as if the two point six million spirit stones were merely two hundred and sixty coins. He looked utterly relaxed and at ease.

The Hell Prison Sect cultivator’s expression darkened. He hadn't expected someone to challenge him even after he had revealed his affiliation. His face immediately became unpleasant. He couldn't quite ascertain whether this person was truly determined to acquire the item or if he was merely a shill for the artifact.

He was the purchasing agent for the Purgatory Sect, but purchasing didn’t mean he could spend limitlessly. If he secured the item for under two million, it would be a contribution. If he exceeded two point five million, not only would he have failed to gain merit, but various investigations would inevitably follow, plunging him into trouble. After a long hesitation, he was forced to back down.

However, losing face in public left him deeply resentful of Lei Dong, and he shot the young man a glare filled with frustration. It was better to let this other person buy it and then… The rest of the crowd saw that even the Hell Prison Sect agent had fallen silent, and two point six million was already an impossibly high price. If they pushed the price higher, what if that mysterious youth gave up? The Myriad Treasure Pavilion was an organization steeped in mystery, not to be trifled with.

Even the Eight Great Supreme Sects held a deep apprehension toward this organization that conducted its business strictly without involving itself in disputes. Bei Jie called out three times, and finally, with no further bids, the top-grade spirit artifact, the Scarlet Cloak, was awarded to Lei Dong. Lei Dong paid the sum in full and took possession of the artifact. Without any pretense of politeness, he spent a brief moment roughly refining it on the spot, then draped it over his back.

The cloak’s strange and arrogant style immediately amplified an aura of bloodlust. It was a top-grade spirit artifact, causing onlookers to feel a surge of excitement mixed with intense jealousy. With the conclusion of the final auction item, everyone was free to leave at once. Lei Dong and Qi Feifei quickly exited the Myriad Treasure Pavilion Auction House.

Lei Dong fully extended his divine sense and detected at least ten individuals trailing them from a distance, likely seeking to ascertain their origins. Lei Dong led Qi Feifei through half an hour of winding turns and detours, successfully shaking off almost everyone, save for one person who continued to follow at a steady, unhurried pace. Lei Dong knew this follower was very likely the Hell Prison Sect cultivator, but he felt no fear whatsoever. Since he couldn’t shake him, he simply walked straight into the Heavenly Dao Alliance headquarters, bidding a bold farewell to the Alliance.

The follower, upon seeing Lei Dong boldly enter the Alliance grounds, felt a pang of frustration. This kid was indeed not some inconsequential figure without a background. Despite his slight disappointment, he waited outside for quite some time. He waited long enough.

After Lei Dong and Qi Feifei took their leave, they traveled out of Heavenly Dao City. Sure enough, barely half a day later, as Lei Dong and Qi Feifei were soaring over a vast, endless plain, three Foundation Establishment cultivators arrived swiftly aboard a small skiff. As this was something he had long anticipated and planned for, Lei Dong felt no surprise. Instead, he hovered in the air with composure, waiting for them.

The skiff flew extremely fast, covering several miles in a short time before landing softly and naturally before the pair. The leader was indeed the Hell Prison Sect cultivator. Judging by the attire and appearance of the two behind him, they didn’t seem to belong to any major prominent sect. All three cultivators possessed considerable strength, especially the Hell Prison Sect man; Lei Dong, at the third layer of Foundation Establishment, could not discern his true power.

The other two were at the fourth and third layers of Foundation Establishment, respectively. Lei Dong and Qi Feifei had removed their grey robes, donning the standard Foundation Establishment disciple uniforms of their own sect, standing with hands clasped behind their backs, looking proudly at the three pursuers. Qi Feifei broke the silence with a soft, musical laugh: “Senior Brother from the Hell Prison Sect, pursuing us so relentlessly, are you perhaps intending to keep us here?” Once the Hell Prison Sect cultivator clearly saw the uniforms and demeanor of Lei Dong and Qi Feifei, his face instantly became awkward. The two behind him grew noticeably timid.

They had come out to rob them, but never expected to run into disciples from top-tier sects! “So, it’s people from the Joyous Union Sect and the Yin Sha Sect. No wonder you dared to disregard me at the auction.” The Hell Prison Sect cultivator spoke, his face none too pleasant. “It wasn't that we disregarded you, but that we never took you to heart at all.” A secret transmission reached Lei Dong’s ear.

Reassured, he let out a string of cold chuckles. “Boy, what did you say?” The Hell Prison Sect cultivator erupted in fury, blasting out: “Good heavens, young man, had I considered the ties between our sibling sects, I might have let you off. Heh heh… you are truly courting death.” “Did I say anything wrong? You’re already this old, yet instead of focusing on cultivation and breaking through to the Golden Core stage, you spend your days flaunting the power of the Hell Prison Sect’s banner.

You’ve brought utter disgrace to the top sects. At the auction, people speak based on their wealth; you couldn't best me there, so you gather underlings to ambush me halfway here. What a disgrace, a complete embarrassment. How could the venerable Hell Prison Sect assign someone like you to make such a spectacle?” Lei Dong employed every sarcasm at his disposal, enraging the Hell Prison Sect cultivator until he lost control of his temper.

Indeed, due to his status, most cultivators of the same rank showed him deference. Even people from the Heavenly Dao Alliance treated him courteously. Yet here he was, being goaded by a junior. In a fit of furious laughter, he retorted: “So what if I rob you?

Don't think you’re invincible just because you got a top-grade spirit artifact. You’re still too green, kid. Hand over that top-grade spirit artifact and your storage bracelet obediently, and I’ll grant you a complete corpse.” “A complete corpse? Tsk tsk, I’m so terrified.

Is this how the Hell Prison Sect treats its sibling sects?” Lei Dong scoffed repeatedly: “Or have you been staying in this remote place for too long and decided you’re the strongest under heaven?” “You seek death.” The Hell Prison Sect cultivator struck first. With a raised hand, he summoned a red bead. As the bead flew toward Lei Dong, it expanded rapidly in the wind, instantly transforming into a fiercely blazing fireball. Lei Dong happened to want to test the defensive capabilities of the Scarlet Cloak, so he didn't dodge, merely shifted his body slightly.

The Scarlet Cloak immediately swept forward, billowing out to shield Lei Dong within. With a loud boom, the fireball struck the cloak. The immense impact sent shockwaves rippling through the air, scattering flames everywhere. Lei Dong himself was jolted back over ten feet.

However, the Scarlet Cloak remained virtually unscathed, and the demonic flames that struck it quickly extinguished completely. Of course, some back-reverberation to the soul could not be avoided. The Scarlet Cloak’s defensive properties were exceptionally outstanding, and even the ripples that penetrated the soul were largely neutralized and dissipated. Lei Dong’s soul merely trembled slightly.

As expected, this item could withstand the full power strike of a first-level Golden Core cultivator. Seeing the battle commence, Qi Feifei suddenly let out a series of giggles, and a rosy mist permeated her body, forming a pink smoke column that shot toward the other two Foundation Establishment cultivators. The two cultivators tried desperately to evade, only to see the red mist suddenly explode. Filled with dread, they erected their defensive shields and retreated rapidly.

However, before they could fly more than a few feet, a streak of white light flashed and vanished. The two barely managed a few defensive moves before their heads were cleanly severed. “Golden Jin cultivator.” The Hell Prison Sect cultivator, who had intended to fight Lei Dong to the death, watched his pupils constrict. All will to fight vanished.

His body transformed into a raging inferno, streaking outward like a meteor. “Trying to escape?” Lei Dong let out a few cold, eerie laughs. Simultaneously, his figure morphed into a ghostly apparition, moving at a speed enhanced by several tens of percent over his previous fastest pace. Before, he was purely a black shadow; now, the black was interwoven with a rich crimson hue.

Fully prepared, Lei Dong blocked the cultivator’s path. The Nirvana Dharma Wheel transformed into a streak of azure light and shot straight toward him. The Hell Prison Sect cultivator desperately blocked the attack, but the accompanying white light clung to him like a persistent curse, while Qi Feifei’s red silk also wrapped around him in an erratic manner. With a clank, the Hell Prison Sect cultivator managed to deploy some of his remaining techniques, blocking the white light repeatedly, momentarily staving off death.

Unfortunately, Lei Dong and Qi Feifei were right beside him, hammering him with every attack they possessed, leaving him in a miserable state. As he tried to transform back into a column of raging fire to flee at high speed, he suddenly saw a vast, white ray of light flash past. The anguished scream of the Hell Prison Sect cultivator echoed through the air.