Chapter 423: A Surprise at the Door

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

"This is a rare treasure our chairman transported all the way from the South Sea Domain. Giving it to the Special Envoy this time is a huge investment," the staff member sighed. "The old man is getting on in years and his health isn't great, and the people below him aren't particularly outstanding... He has no choice but to try and grab onto the Special Envoy's thick thigh to consolidate the Big Dipper Consortium's position in the Main City."

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

"He's already forty-nine."

Chen Ling: ?

Without waiting for Chen Ling to be shocked by the chairman's "advanced age," the staff member hurried away to find the most suitable spot to display this precious "Sandalwood Peace Buddha."

They originally wanted to place it in the center of the banquet hall, but the next moment, the heads of the other four major consortiums jumped out, rejecting his idea, and began arguing heatedly about their respective consortiums' areas and their distance from the Special Envoy.

"It's so lively..." Chen Ling couldn't help but remark.

Finally, his gaze fell back on the tall white "gift" in the center. He reached out and gestured in the air, as if confirming its size and outline.

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

[Audience Expectation +3]

……

"It's dark."

The last glimmer of twilight sank into the earth, and night gradually enveloped the bustling Main City.

On the side of the crowded street, two disheveled figures sat on the curb. They were covered in dust, and even their leather jackets had lost their luster, making them look like street beggars.

"Yeah, it's dark," Heart 9 said, his eyes fixed on the auction house not far away. "It's about time..."

"When do we act?"

"Wait for that Special Envoy to come out."

Just as the two were focused on the auction venue, Gu Kaixian stepped up the stairs to the door of the highest-spec VIP room in the auction house.

He reached out and knocked on the door gently.

"Special Envoy, the time has come."

His voice was very soft, as if afraid of disturbing the Special Envoy's rest. After saying this, he waited quietly at the door like a statue, with no intention of repeating himself... because he knew the Special Envoy must have heard him. If there was no answer, it might simply be that he didn't want to be bothered.

After waiting for half a minute, the door slowly opened. An ancient golden mask stared at him from the dim room, and a calm voice spoke:

"Lead the way."

"Yes."

Gu Kaixian led Chen Ling out of the auction venue. A car had been waiting at the entrance for a long time. He hurried forward to open the door for Chen Ling, who sat in casually...

From beginning to end, Chen Ling's feet remained hovering three centimeters above the ground, as if he loathed the dirty earth contaminating his soles.

As the car slowly started, his figure disappeared at the end of the street under the gaze of many eyes... The next moment, around the auction venue, one figure after another abandoned their disguises and began to pass messages to their respective factions.

Jian Changsheng, squatting on the main road, was stunned to see so many people suddenly popping out from the streets and alleys.

"Holy crap, where did all these people come from??"

"They're all here to watch that Special Envoy. They've been here since last night," Heart 9 said leisurely, as if he had seen through their disguises all along.

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

"What do you know? With so many people watching the Special Envoy, the more openly we squat, the less likely we are to arouse suspicion... They probably think we're scouts sent by some small faction."

"...Then what now?"

"Their attention has been drawn away by the Special Envoy. This is our chance to act," Heart 9 turned to Jian Changsheng. "Let's go!"

Taking advantage of the night, the two quickly began to infiltrate the auction venue.

With the Special Envoy and Gu Kaixian gone, there were basically no guards on the first floor of the auction house. Coupled with Jian Changsheng's [Blood-Dripping Buddha], the two successfully passed through the lobby and boarded the steam elevator to the upper floors.

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

"The truly heavily guarded part of this auction house is underground," Heart 9's gaze fell on the elevator buttons, which had no buttons for any underground floors. "The first floor is where the auction is held, the upper floors are VIP rooms, and the real auction items should all be sealed underground... Besides tight security, there should be Divine Path practitioners stationed there."

"Why does it feel like there are so many Divine Path practitioners in Red Dust Main City? Especially those consortium bodyguards; they all look tougher than me."

"What? Did you think this was the Aurora Domain?" Heart 9 glanced at him.

"The Aurora Domain is located at the northernmost part of the human domain and is a well-known land of bitter cold. Even taking the domain train from other domains takes half a day to arrive... Coupled with the near-hegemonic Law Enforcement agency there, few people are willing to go to such a place.

But the Red Dust Domain is different. It's prosperous, lively, and full of money and opportunities, naturally attracting more people... Those consortiums regularly tour other domains. If they discover a first-tier newcomer with potential, they will sign a contract with them directly. The consortium uses resources to cultivate them, and they work for the consortium for ten years.

You also know that most first-tier newcomers have just stepped onto the Divine Path and may have lived in poverty before. Suddenly facing the huge benefits thrown out by the consortiums, it's hard to refuse.

As for after ten years, their rank is higher. Some look down on the worldly money given by the consortium and choose to leave, then everyone goes their separate ways; others choose to stay, then they renew the contract... In short, the Red Dust Domain has never lacked talent, not to mention it also has a Green Path Ancient Treasury."

"No wonder," Jian Changsheng suddenly felt like a country bumpkin entering the city and seeing the world.

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

"I want to see what kind of background this Special Envoy has," Heart 9 narrowed his eyes and broke open the door directly.

The two were about to walk in and search, but before they could take a step, they froze in place.

In the dim VIP room, a small figure was sitting on an expensive leather office chair, pushing the desk hard, spinning around with the chair.

He opened his arms, his short legs dangling in the air, seemingly very curious about all this, laughing and babbling.

Suddenly, his eyes saw Heart 9 and his companion at the door, and his body shook violently!

He was like a child caught playing secretly by his parents. His face first showed panic and astonishment, then gradually turned into anger and questioning.

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

"Yi... Yiya!!!"