Upon entering the city, the trio wasted no time and immediately ducked into a restaurant to stuff their faces.

Of course, Shen Haoran hadn’t come to this restaurant just to eat. Such places were always bustling with gossip, making them the best venues for gathering intelligence. As newcomers, their first priority was naturally to collect information; eating was just a convenient excuse.

"Waiter, another order of braised pork trotters!" Shen Haoran yelled, his voice muffled by a mouthful of food. ’Since we’re here, we have to play the part. Eat first, ask questions later!’ Long Mo stared speechlessly at the ravaged tabletop and couldn’t help but complain internally, ’He’s playing the part a little *too* convincingly. Anyone who didn’t know better would think he was a starving ghost reincarnated!’

"You got it!" The waiter would never refuse a customer’s order. A moment later, another fragrant platter of braised pork trotters was served. However, just as the waiter was about to withdraw, Shen Haoran called him over.

"Excuse me, friend. Could I ask you about something?"

"Look here, young brother, this is a restaurant, not the town square. People come here to eat, not to gather news," the waiter said with a grin. But when he saw the Gold Coin Shen Haoran was casually tossing in his hand, his expression brightened instantly. He changed his tune, fawning, "However, we operate on the principle that the customer is a god, and we must serve our gods. Go ahead and ask, young master. I’ll tell you everything I know and hold nothing back!"

"Excellent." Shen Haoran lightly tossed the Gold Coin into the waiter’s hand and then asked, "Do you know about the upcoming auction in the city?"

"Of course! You must mean the major auction Black Wind Stronghold is holding at the Celestial Martial Auction House in three days. They say it’ll feature countless treasures and Martial Skills, and it’s drawn in a ton of Martial Artists. I take it you’re one of them, young master!"

"The strange thing, though, is Black Wind Stronghold’s entry requirement. They don’t require an invitation. Anyone who can provide a Spirit Core from a Tier Four Spirit Beast or higher gets to participate. That’s nothing compared to the value of the treasures they’re auctioning off. It’s a money-losing deal. I have no idea what the Village Chief of Black Wind Stronghold is thinking," the waiter added, looking just as puzzled.

Upon hearing this, Shen Haoran frowned. ’There’s definitely a catch. I just don’t know what it is yet.’

"What else do you know?" Shen Haoran pressed.

"Well..." The waiter rubbed his fingers together, looking at Shen Haoran. Without another word, Shen Haoran tossed him another Gold Coin. The waiter caught it, his face breaking into a wide grin. "Since you’re here for the auction, you must be interested in the lots. Besides the grand finale, the Thousand Illusions Spirit Potion, there’s also a Sixth Grade Elixir—the Bodhi Pill! It’s an elixir that can help a Spirit Aspect Powerhouse break through to the Spirit King Level, so as you can imagine, it’s drawn a huge crowd of them!"

"On top of that, there will be all sorts of Cultivation and Martial Skills, Spiritual Artifacts, and Elixirs. I also heard there will be a Demoness from the Demon Race. Ahem, I won’t lie to you, sir, I caught a glimpse of that slave from the Demon Race from a distance once... She was unbelievably beautiful. It’s a real shame I’m so poor, otherwise I’d sell everything I own to buy her and make her my wife!" As he spoke, the waiter actually started to drool.

"Get to the point," Shen Haoran cut in. Elder Huo had already told them most of this before they arrived. He wanted to hear something new.

"Oh, right!" The waiter snapped back to reality, wiped his mouth, and continued, "Actually, none of that is the main attraction. The Village Chief of Black Wind Stronghold has really spared no expense this time. He’s even putting up a Secret Realm Map! I just don’t know how they plan to auction it."

’A Secret Realm Map!?’ Shen Haoran was inwardly shocked and gave a wry smile. ’This auction really is more complicated than it seems. The two words "Secret Realm" alone are enough to make countless Martial Artists fight to the death over it.’

Those two words were incredibly potent. For a Martial Artist, a Secret Realm was the ultimate shortcut to power on their path of Cultivation—bar none. Most Secret Realms were formed during the Ancient Era and almost always contained something left behind by the powerhouses of old, be it a Cultivation Technique, a Martial Skill, a Spiritual Artifact, or Elixirs. If one was exceptionally lucky, they might even find a legendary figure’s entire legacy. For Martial Artists, its allure was stronger than any drug to an addict.

Of course, not every Secret Realm held the legacy of an ancient powerhouse. More often, they were filled with unknown dangers. A single moment of carelessness could mean death. It was a path to the peak, but it was also a path into the abyss.

"Young master, this is top-secret insider information. I’m making an exception just for you by telling you this," the waiter whispered, leaning close to Shen Haoran’s ear.

Shen Haoran glanced at the waiter’s greedy expression and rolled his eyes. ’Insider information, my foot. I bet every Martial Artist who’s set foot in this restaurant has already heard this.’

Shen Haoran didn’t call the waiter’s bluff. He tossed him one last Gold Coin to send him on his way, then left the restaurant with Ji Lingxuan and Long Mo.

"Brother Haoran, where are we going now?" Ji Lingxuan asked.

"Let’s head to the Celestial Martial Auction House first and find a place to stay there," Shen Haoran said. He suddenly remembered the violet-gold VIP card Luo Xiaowen had given him back in Celestial Martial City. ’If I recall correctly, that card is supposed to work across the entire continent. It should be valid at the Celestial Martial Auction House here, too.’

The trio made their way through the bustling streets until they arrived before a vast, palace-like building. On the plaque above the entrance, the four words "Celestial Martial Auction House" were calligraphed with flamboyant elegance, creating a magnificent sight.

"This is the place." Shen Haoran recognized the familiar words and started to walk inside, but several Martial Artists in black robes blocked his path.

"Halt! For the three days leading up to the auction, no unauthorized personnel are allowed to enter the auction house!" As they spoke, a piercing aura surged toward the trio, as if trying to force them back.

They were sorely mistaken, however. Shen Haoran, standing at the front, gave a slight shudder, and the sharp pressure from the two guards instantly dissipated. Behind him, Ji Lingxuan and Long Mo hadn’t felt a thing.

"Gentlemen, I’m a VIP guest of the Celestial Martial Auction House. Surely, I can go in?" Shen Haoran said with a calm smile, taking out his violet-gold VIP card. Luo Xiaowen had told him that this card would give him free rein in any Celestial Martial Auction House; as long as his requests weren’t too outrageous, they would be granted.

"A VIP?" The two Martial Artists in black frowned. "We are guards from Black Wind Stronghold. We don’t recognize guests of the Celestial Martial Auction House. Please leave."

Shen Haoran froze. ’They’re not from the Celestial Martial Auction House?’ This was awkward.

"Who dares cause trouble on Black Wind Stronghold’s territory?!" Just as Shen Haoran was pondering how to get inside, a grating voice echoed from within the Celestial Martial Auction House. A moment later, a figure appeared before the trio...