Sanctuary Trial Chapter Thirty: Mistress Wu Yue

For a moment, faced with the simultaneous presence of four Void-Breaking experts, Luo Chen could not help but choke up. He watched as Hua Ling slowly lifted the red silk cloth, revealing a ring placed in the center of the tray held by the woman. Hua Ling then placed her hand atop the ring, and after a breath, a shimmering light projected forth. Only then did Luo Chen realize it was the image of the great hammer he had previously consigned for auction. However, what appeared now must be a projection from within the ring.

“This item is the grand finale of our auction tonight. Its name is unknown, its materials are unknown, but it is unquestionably a treasure of the Heaven rank,” Hua Ling announced.

At her words, the atmosphere in the entire hall reached a fever pitch. Even those who had never shown themselves in the surrounding private rooms now stepped out one after another. Luo Chen glanced around and did the same, wearing a look of astonishment. The reason he acted thus was because of what Qing Xuanyu had mentioned earlier—no one could remain unmoved by a Heaven-rank treasure. If he appeared too calm, it might arouse suspicion. Luo Chen’s gaze swept across the crowd.

“The starting price for this treasure is forty million spirit stones, with each bid to increase by no less than five hundred thousand.”

“Forty-five million!”

“Fifty million!”

“Fifty-five million!”

…

As bidding erupted from all sides, Luo Chen’s expression grew somewhat frantic. He tried several times to raise his hand to bid, but was outpaced each time. Though he was only pretending, Luo Chen hadn’t expected that he wouldn’t even get a chance to bid. Within mere seconds, the price had already soared to ninety million, and the competition showed no sign of slowing. Cold sweat began to bead on Luo Chen’s back. While he’d anticipated that a Heaven-rank item might fetch a sky-high price, he’d never imagined it would be this astronomical.

As the bidding surpassed one hundred million spirit stones, about half the guests in the private rooms could only give up with a sigh and return inside. Seeing this, Luo Chen shook his head helplessly, his eyes fixed on the projected image of the hammer. He slapped the railing with both hands, then turned away in disappointment, heading back into the room.

Qing Xuanyu, noticing Luo Chen’s crestfallen look, quickly rose and walked to his side, taking his arm and laughing. “Brother Chen, your item has reached such a price—are you still not satisfied?”

Luo Chen looked at Qing Xuanyu. In an instant, his expression brightened, but then became solemn again. He glanced at her and whispered, “Stay calm. Don’t let anyone know that we consigned the item for auction.”

At that, Qing Xuanyu’s manner became serious as well, though she couldn’t help but secretly laugh at Luo Chen’s performance. The two said no more, intending to return to their seats, when a veiled woman entered the room.

“Young master, my mistress invites you.”

After the woman bowed, Luo Chen and Qing Xuanyu exchanged a glance, nodded, and followed her out. Leaving the auction hall, they walked with her through several small courtyards before arriving at a spacious garden, covering several hundred square meters. Apart from the corridors on either side, the center was occupied by a large pond, its surface blanketed with a myriad of flowers.

In the middle of the pond stood a grand pavilion, connected by a single corridor. Within sat a woman with hair flowing to her waist. As she motioned for them to approach, Luo Chen, though puzzled, took Qing Xuanyu’s hand and walked toward the pavilion. The woman, seeing them arrive hand in hand, smiled slightly as she poured tea.

“To think that the first Heaven-rank treasure in the Jubao Pavilion’s century-long history should come from the hands of such a young man as yourself—no one would believe it if I told them. Please, both of you, be seated.”

The woman’s playful, teasing tone made Luo Chen frown slightly. He exchanged glances with Qing Xuanyu, then the two sat opposite her.

“Lady Pavilion Master, you flatter me. I never imagined the master of Jubao Pavilion would be such a peerless beauty! May I ask your esteemed name?”

The woman was briefly stunned by Luo Chen’s equally teasing reply, and her expression wavered. She hadn’t expected the youth before her to match her own presence so effortlessly. While it would make sense for a peer or elder to show such composure, this young man was only at the Earth Spirit stage—he hardly seemed someone who could produce a Heaven-rank treasure. What’s more, she’d learned from Steward Wang that the consignor had been utterly indifferent, treating the Heaven-rank item as if it were nothing but common earth. Could he truly be a scion of some reclusive clan?

As the woman scrutinized Luo Chen, he was doing the same. Compared to all the women he had met thus far, the Pavilion Master before him possessed a unique aura. Every gesture was like a gentle breeze slipping through a field of blossoms, all their fragrance gathered for her alone. Her long white dress seemed untouched by the dust of the mundane world.

But why would such an extraordinary woman willingly lock herself away in this secluded courtyard? Since arriving in Skywind City, he’d heard not a word about her. Did the world truly not know her face, or had she never shown herself in public?

For someone of such beauty and bearing to achieve this level of concealment—her state of mind must be unparalleled in the mortal domain. Even with his Spirit Void-level senses, Luo Chen could not discern the depth of her true cultivation. The thought brought a chill to his back. As the silent exchange stretched on, Qing Xuanyu, growing annoyed, clung possessively to Luo Chen’s arm, as if afraid the woman would steal him away. The woman seemed to notice and quickly recovered her composure, smiling apologetically.

“Forgive me. My name is Wu Yue. I was a bit rude just now; I hope you’ll both pardon me.”

Hearing her name, Luo Chen raised his teacup with a smile. “I am nameless, and this is my friend,” he said, glancing at Qing Xuanyu. Just as he was about to drink, a sudden jolt of pain shot through his waist, his face contorting as he looked at Wu Yue in confusion. Forcing down the tea, he turned to find Qing Xuanyu glaring at him, her expression clearly asking: “Are you really just friends?”

What? Is she jealous already? I haven’t even done anything, Luo Chen thought, shaking his head with a helpless smile. He reached out to gently smooth a stray lock of hair from Qing Xuanyu’s forehead. Realizing she might have been too rough, Qing Xuanyu blushed and lowered her head, fiddling with her hands.

After a short while, another veiled woman entered the pavilion, glanced at Luo Chen and Qing Xuanyu, then bowed to Wu Yue and placed a ring before her.

“Mistress, here are all the spirit stones from the young master’s auction—two hundred and forty-five million in total.”

With that, she departed. Luo Chen and Qing Xuanyu exchanged astonished looks—two hundred and forty million spirit stones! Heaven-rank items might fetch exorbitant prices, but this was truly excessive. Watching Wu Yue toy with the ring, excitement flickered on Luo Chen’s face.

Moments later, Wu Yue placed the ring on the table and slid it toward Luo Chen, who picked it up with a slight frown, then looked at the serene Wu Yue.

“Lady Wu Yue, I have a request I hope you’ll consider.”

Wu Yue swirled her teacup, then replied, “Oh? Nameless young master, please speak.”

Luo Chen drew out twenty million spirit stones from the ring and set them before Wu Yue. Both Qing Xuanyu and Wu Yue looked puzzled.

“What do you mean by this, Nameless Young Master?”

“I wonder if your esteemed Pavilion might assist me in acquiring certain items. This twenty million is merely a deposit.”

Wu Yue eyed the sum before her, curious what could warrant a deposit of such magnitude. Was it another Heaven-rank treasure? But if so, why auction off one to buy another—would that not be pointless? She glanced at Luo Chen again.

“What is it that you seek, Nameless Young Master?”

Luo Chen glanced at Qing Xuanyu, pondered for a moment, then spoke: “A Seven-Leaf Soul Devouring Flower, a Polar Ice Silkworm, a century-old Blazing Grass, a water-attribute King-level spirit beast’s crystal core, and a three-hundred-year-old Poison Mandrake.”

As Luo Chen recited his list, the previously unruffled Wu Yue began to sweat. She’d never even heard of the Seven-Leaf Soul Devouring Flower or the Polar Ice Silkworm. The Blazing Grass hadn’t been seen in decades, and the Poison Mandrake was known only from family legends—no one had ever laid eyes on it. As for a King-level spirit beast’s crystal core, especially one of water attribute, did he even understand what “King-level” implied? Spirit beasts were already rare, but anything crowned “King” was utterly untouchable in the mortal realm. What was this youth thinking?

“May I be so bold as to ask why you require such things, Young Master?”

Luo Chen smiled, gently stroking Qing Xuanyu’s cheek. “It’s merely to fulfill a promise.”

A promise? For Second Grandfather, perhaps? Feeling the warmth of Luo Chen’s hand, Qing Xuanyu’s eyes grew damp. Who is he, truly? In that moment, she realized that the boy she loved was still a mystery to her.

Luo Chen glanced at the distant sky, then rose to his feet. Qing Xuanyu swiftly followed.

“Lady Wu Yue, it grows late. Please excuse us as we take our leave.”