287: Safe evacuation

Ji Ruxue flashed back into the private room, her voice kept very low: "I just detected at least five forces watching us. The Ancient Sword Sect, Hehuan Sect, Blood Spirit Gate, and two others whose origins I can't discern. Although they don't know our identities, they will definitely follow us."

Qin Feng's brow furrowed. This was, after all, inside the auction house, so those people wouldn't dare to act openly, but once they left... Just then, there was a light knock on the private room door.

Tao Yuanyi alertly pressed his hand to his sword. Qin Feng signaled him to stay calm and asked in a deep voice, "Who is it?"

"I am Jin Wansan, the Chief Steward of the Wanbao Auction House." A gentle voice came from outside the door. "Honored guests, there is no need to be nervous; I am here to help."

Qin Feng and Ji Ruxue exchanged a glance, and he signaled Xia Ya to open the door.

The door opened, and a portly old man dressed in a brocade robe stood there with a smile. His aura was restrained, but Qin Feng could sense he was at least at the Peak Martial King cultivation level, or perhaps even a Martial Emperor.

"Steward Jin," Qin Feng said, cupping his hands.

Jin Wansan waved his hand and smiled. "No need for such formalities. Since you have just purchased the fragment of 'Sword Sweeping the Eight Desolations,' you are our most important guests today. I learned that people are keeping watch outside, so I came specifically to ease your concerns."

He took out a stack of clothing and several tokens. "These are the VIP robes and access tokens of our establishment. Please change into these and follow me. There is a secret passage within the auction house that leads directly to our VIP guest room area, which is protected by a Martial Emperor-grade Formation and is absolutely safe."

Qin Feng's heart stirred. "Thank you, Steward Jin. Your service is truly thorough."

Jin Wansan laughed. "You have spent over six million gold coins; naturally, you should enjoy the highest standard of treatment. Please, follow me."

Qin Feng no longer hesitated and signaled everyone to change into the VIP robes—they were deep purple robes with gold-embroidered edges, made of a soft material that also had the effect of masking one's aura. The word 'Wanbao' was embroidered on the chest of the robes, representing their status as auction house VIPs.

The six of them changed their robes, put on their masks, and followed Jin Wansan out of the private room.

Jin Wansan did not take the main entrance but led them through many twists and turns within the auction house, finally arriving at what appeared to be an ordinary storehouse. He took out a jade talisman and pressed it against the wall; the wall slid open silently, revealing a secret passage extending downwards.

"Please."

The secret passage was spacious and bright, with lighting crystals embedded in the walls and bluestone slabs paving the floor. After walking for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, a stone door appeared ahead.

Jin Wansan used the jade talisman again to open the stone door, and the view suddenly opened up.

This was an extremely luxurious guest room area, with carved beams and painted rafters, and a dense mist of Spiritual Qi. On both sides of the corridor were independent courtyards, each equipped with its own protective Formation.

"This is the guest room area prepared by our establishment for top-tier VIPs, equipped with a triple Formation—soundproofing, anti-peeping, and early warning. Unless a Peak Martial Emperor or stronger expert launches a direct assault, it is absolutely safe," Jin Wansan introduced. "You may stay here temporarily, free of charge. If you need anything, you can directly instruct the maids, and food will be delivered by dedicated staff."

He led everyone to the courtyard at the very end. The yard was spacious, containing a main hall, a side hall, six bedrooms, and a small cultivation room.

"Please rest well, everyone. I won't disturb you further." Jin Wansan cupped his hands in farewell. "If you need to leave, you can go quietly through the secret passage, or you can inform me, and our establishment will arrange guards to escort you."

"Thank you, Steward Jin," Qin Feng thanked him again.

Once Jin Wansan left, everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Xia Ya flopped onto a chair covered in soft animal skin and let out a long breath. "This service is too thorough! That six million was well spent!"

Xiao Chun looked around and marveled, "The Spiritual Qi here is so rich; it's even better than the Quiet Room in the City Lord's Mansion."

Qin Feng gave a bitter smile. "It's worth it, but my wallet is almost empty."

He calculated the accounts—originally they had seven million gold coins (five million from Xiao Chun and two million of his own), plus the six hundred and forty thousand from the Azure Spirit Fruit auction (after deducting the commission), and the thirty-some thousand from selling miscellaneous items earlier, totaling about eight million.

Bidding for 'Sword Sweeping the Eight Desolations' cost six and a half million. After deducting the auction house's commission, the team's total funds now stood at only about 1.8 million.

"1.8 million..." Qin Feng rubbed his brow. "It sounds like a lot, but in a place like the Imperial Capital, it probably won't last very long."

The group fell silent. Indeed, prices in the Imperial Capital were terrifyingly high; 1.8 million sounded like a lot, but it might not even be enough to buy a decent courtyard residence.

"Money can be earned again once it's gone," Tao Yuanyi comforted. "The priority right now is to comprehend the sword technique and increase our strength. As long as we are strong enough, there will be plenty of opportunities to make money."

Qin Feng nodded and took out the bronze box.

Everyone gathered around as Qin Feng slowly unfurled that scroll of dark gold animal skin.

When fully unrolled, the scroll was about three feet long and one foot wide. The material was neither skin nor silk, feeling warm to the touch, with a faint Sword Intent emanating from it. It was inscribed with the sword formula in ancient seal script, accompanied by humanoid sword movement diagrams.

However, as Qin Feng read it carefully, his brow furrowed tighter and tighter.

"Strange..." he murmured.

"What's wrong?" Xiao Chun asked.

Qin Feng pointed at the scroll. "Although this sword technique is exquisite, I feel like... something is missing. Normally, a Heaven Rank sword technique should contain a Sword Intent Legacy, but this scroll only has Move diagrams and True Essence circulation methods, without the True Essence of the Sword Intent."

He looked over it several more times and finally confirmed: "There is no Sword Intent Legacy; no wonder it was renamed 'Sword Sweeping the Eight Desolations.' The true Xuanyuan Dragon Slaying Art must contain the Dragon Slaying Sword Intent, but it's not on this scroll."

Ji Ruxue said thoughtfully, "Perhaps the Sword Intent Legacy is in another part? Or... it was intentionally erased?"

Qin Feng pondered, "Both are possible. When the Xuanyuan Family had their internal strife and the core Legacy was scattered, this fragment might only be the Moves part, with the True Essence of the Sword Intent being elsewhere."

He continued reading. The scroll recorded three sword Moves:

First Move: Start-Hand Startling Waves.

The diagram showed a straight forward thrust; it looked simple, but the True Essence circulation was extremely complex, requiring nine vibrations at the moment of the strike to form nine overlapping sword waves. Upon reaching Major Achievement, a single thrust would be like crashing waves hitting the shore, layer upon layer, with infinite power.

Second Move: Cloud Breaking Armor Piercing.

This was a defense-breaking Move that took an unconventional path, focusing entirely on a single point. The True Essence was condensed like a drill, rotating as it struck, capable of piercing through most Protective Aura and armor defenses. In the diagram, the humanoid figure held the sword in a thrust, with spiral energy marked at the sword tip.

Third Move: Swimming Body Reverse Scale.

This was a combination of movement and sword technique, using eerie footwork to maneuver and target the enemy's blind spots and weaknesses. This diagram was the most complex, with thirty-six variations of footwork. When executed with the sword Moves, it was like a Swimming Dragon's Reverse Scale, impossible to guard against.

"What an exquisite sword technique." Qin Feng was enthralled as he watched. "Even though it lacks the True Essence of the Sword Intent, just these three Moves alone are no less powerful than an Earth Rank peak-grade sword technique. If they could be empowered by the Sword Intent, they would indeed reach the Heaven Rank level."

He tried to circulate his True Essence according to the diagrams, feeling the Sword Qi surging through his Meridians as the ink plum sword let out a soft cry.

But he always felt there was a layer of separation, as if he had the form but not the spirit.

"It seems I must first comprehend the Sword Intent to truly unleash the power of this sword technique." Qin Feng put away the scroll. "But even so, these three Moves are enough for me to meditate on for a while."

He carefully stowed the scroll away and looked at everyone. "For the next few days, we will stay here. I will comprehend the sword technique, and you all should also Cultivate. Once the heat dies down, we'll leave Juyan City."

Everyone nodded.

As night deepened, the Wanbao Pavilion VIP guest rooms were brightly lit.

Qin Feng was immersed in the world of sword techniques, practicing those three sword Moves over and over, slowly integrating his Thunder-Fire True Intent.

Start-Hand Startling Waves, Thundering Shocking Mountain.

Cloud Breaking Armor Piercing, Blazing Fire Burning the Sky.

Swimming Body Reverse Scale, Wind and Thunder Following.

Although he was still far from Major Achievement, he had already found his direction.

And outside the window, the undercurrents of Juyan City continued to surge.

The Ancient Sword Sect, Blood Spirit Gate, Hehuan Sect... all forces were searching for that mysterious buyer who had spent 6.5 million.