The eight powerful saint-level strong men silently retreated, leaving everyone puzzled about the significance of the token that had made even these proud saints change their colors. The crowd, filled with endless speculation, gradually dispersed. Raditz and his companions, under the angry gaze of the eight saints, left in a state of defeat.
The blow Yehan dealt them today was tremendous. He fought the trio with ease, even rescued Lans and his companions, and openly challenged the authority of the saint-level strong men. All of this dealt a heavy blow to them.
They had always seen themselves as the best among the younger generation, but Yehan's performance today made them deeply question this belief. Why was the gap so large? They couldn't even breathe freely in front of the saint-level strong men, while Yehan faced the entire continent's siege with such dominance.
"Get out!" A roar emanated from Dolores's room at the temporary residence of the Magic Guild. The waiter, trembling with fear, quickly left with the food. Ever since returning to the inn, Dolores had been seething with anger. Every year, the Magic Guild trained numerous talented young men and women.
Among over three thousand peers with excellent talents, Dolores had stood out through his own efforts and innate abilities, earning a place among the strong of the younger generation. The hardships he endured, the joys of childhood he sacrificed, the loneliness and pain he withstood — all for advancement. Yet, within a few short months in Miyat City, his confidence and sense of achievement were shattered by Yehan's ruthless onslaught.
"Why? Why is this happening?" Dolores howled in his room, his voice echoing throughout the inn. Everyone inside remained silent, not daring to make a sound.
"Ten years of hard cultivation, sacrificing the joys of childhood, enduring loneliness and pain that others couldn't bear, reaching the late stage of a ninth-rank mage before twenty, and yet I'm still no match for someone who's been cultivating for less than five years?" Dolores stood at the window, shouting his questions to the heavens.
The sky was silent, the clouds drifting aimlessly, offering no answers. Dolores collapsed on the floor, dazed. His pride and arrogance were thoroughly defeated by Yehan's display of strength.
"Ah," a sigh of resignation came from the doorway, seemingly lamenting the unfairness of fate and feeling pity for Dolores. Such a blow to the spirit was something no one else could help with. One must rely on oneself to stand up and advance or remain fallen.
Meanwhile, at the Swordsman Guild's temporary residence, Raditz's reaction was entirely different from Dolores's. He was filled with fervor. Yehan's few sword moves had revealed Raditz's own deficiencies and gave him new insights into the use of the sword and energy.
"Elder, I wish to return to the Guild," Raditz declared confidently before an elderly man, no longer with fear but with respect. The elder observed Raditz's demeanor and nodded slightly but remained silent.
"I want to go back for secluded cultivation, to prepare for the final sprint in next year's competition," Raditz spoke assertively.
"Are you certain?" the elder asked calmly.
"Yes."
"Consider well what you will face upon your return. Everything you have now might be lost."
"What do I have now? Nothing," Raditz chuckled bitterly. "What more can I be afraid of losing?"
The elder gazed deeply at Raditz, then nodded heavily. "Alright, I'll speak for you. At least, you won't lose your life."
"Thud,"
Raditz knelt heavily before the elder. "Thank you, Elder."
"Hehe, rise," the elder said, then turned away, standing by the window, no longer paying attention to Raditz. Sensing this, Raditz tactfully left. After hearing the door close, the elder sighed, "Yehan, oh Yehan, I don't know whether to thank you or to blame you."
"Minister, why?" Xiseduo asked the minister of the Light Church with a hint of anger.
"Don't ask. I won't tell you," the minister dismissed Xiseduo's question outright.
Xiseduo's face twitched slightly, and he left abruptly, slamming the door behind him. "Hmph, wait until I become the Pope, you'll see," he muttered to himself.
Back in his room, Xiseduo commanded a guard at the door, "Call Kade here."
Moments later, a knight of the Light Church entered, respectfully addressing Xiseduo, "Holy Son, you called for me?"
"Go, contact the Assassins Guild. I want those two women captured."
Kade looked puzzled at Xiseduo's order.
"Remember to keep it discreet. Agree to whatever price they ask. Just make sure they capture the people I want unharmed."
"Yes, I'll see to it immediately," Kade hurried out of the inn.
The Assassins Guild was a secretive organization on the Qingming Continent, with few knowing the location of their headquarters. They specialized in handling delicate matters for nobles and powerful factions, operating strictly for money. The price varied depending on the target's strength and status, so all major families and powers had a special way to contact the Assassins Guild.
"The things I want, no one can stop me," Xiseduo declared with burning desire.
In a luxurious mansion to the west of the city, Ya and the masked girl played joyfully in the garden, while Lans and Yehan stood quietly to one side. After the street battle, Yehan no longer wore a mask. His snow-white hair fluttered in the wind.
"Why challenge a saint-level strong man?" Lans asked somberly, not smiling.
"I need such a battle."
"You'll die."
"What's there to fear in death?" A surge of heroism emanated from Yehan's slender frame. Lans's eyes flickered slightly.
"Is it worth dying for nothing like this?"
"Below the saint-level, too weak, too weak," Yehan's arrogant words stunned Lans, but then a smile returned to his face.
"The Imperial border, where soldiers engaged in fierce battles. Although not highly skilled, they kill like madmen, perfectly fitting your needs. The only issue is..."
"It's too far, not enough time."
"Hehe, don't worry about that. Every year, there are soldiers who leave the army. Knowing only how to kill and nothing else, many voluntarily go to auction houses to sell themselves. They attract the attention of major families because they demand little, content with just being in the midst of slaughter."
"We have those here too?"
"Of course. Being close to the border of the Frost Empire, we certainly have them."
"Camilla Auction House."
After saying this, Yehan called for Xiaoya, who was playing, and headed towards the Camilla Auction House. Lans shook his head helplessly at Yehan's decisive actions and followed with his sister.
"Summon Penelope to meet me."
Yehan's actions and the group's arrival at the auction house quickly became the talk of Miyat City. Yehan's ruthless and murderous reputation spread rapidly. So, when Yehan and his group entered the Camilla Auction House, everyone in the hall retreated in fear, keeping their distance from this bloodthirsty figure.
Yehan ignored them and led Xiaoya and the others towards the fifth VIP room.
"Young brother," Penelope hurried to the fifth VIP room, fearfully eyeing the white-haired Yehan. As a shrewd businessman, upon hearing the rumors, he immediately guessed Yehan's identity – the man in the black robe who had auctioned a saint-level magic core at his auction house.
"Whoosh," a flash of purple light streaked by, and a shining amethyst card embedded itself firmly on the table. "Here's fifty million. Sell me an equivalent number of people."
Hearing Yehan mention that the amethyst card contained a staggering fifty million, greed flashed in Penelope's terrified eyes. "What kind of people do you want?" Although he was eager to pick up the card, Penelope dared not reach out his hand.
Yehan then specified the kind of people he wanted to purchase. Penelope listened and rejoiced, "Yes, we have them. Fifty million can get you five thousand such people. Please, come with me."
Penelope was naturally delighted. In the past few months, so many powerful forces had come to Miyat City, but hardly any sales had been made. The accumulation of people over these months had been a source of great concern for Penelope.
Following Penelope, they headed towards the underground section of the Camilla Auction House. A putrid, rotten smell immediately hit them, causing Xiaoya and Sherry to stand still, unwilling to take another step forward.