The following day, news of the auction spread throughout the city.
Gossip and rumors flew around. What astounded everyone was the exorbitant price of the Mortal Grade weapons.
The first Mortal Grade weapon, a spear, was sold for five thousand gold coins, while the second, a saber, fetched ten thousand gold coins.
The Jun aristocrat clan and the Gao aristocrat clan acquired both weapons.
Yesterday was a day the Silver Star City would remember.
While the people talked about the sky-high prices, the City Lord's mansion had a different atmosphere.
Seated on his throne, the City Lord was furious, clenching the armrest of his chair.
"Jun Wu, since you did not heed my warning, I'll make you regret it," he growled.
He couldn't bear the thought of missing such a rare Mortal Grade weapon, especially since Jun Wu refused to sell it to him.
Now, the two powerful aristocratic clans had acquired the weapons and grown even stronger.
As the leader of the medium-sized Liang clan, the City Lord was doing everything in his power to escape the suppression of the two ruling aristocratic clans in the region.
Obtaining a Mortal Grade weapon was critical for their survival.
On the surface, the Silver Star City might appear neutral, but only a fool would believe that.
"Who's there?" he called out.
Creak!
The large doors opened, and a guard rushed in.
"My Lord," the guard said, bowing deeply.
"Relay my command: no store in the city is to sell anything to Jun Wu," the City Lord ordered, his voice laced with malice.
"Yes, My Lord," the guard replied and quickly left.
Watching the guard's retreating figure, a sinister smile spread across the City Lord's face.
"Since Jun Wu decided to sell the Mortal Grade weapon, let's see how he'll spend the money now," he muttered.
Meanwhile, in the Gu clan, Patriarch Gu was seething with rage over the Juns' overbearing behavior at the auction.
However, since he couldn't confront Jun Jiahao and his entourage, he redirected his anger toward an easier target — Jun Wu.
"Keep an eye on him. I want him dead by any means necessary," he commanded ruthlessly.
"Jun Wu, my brother has pleaded on your behalf with the clan elders. Return to the clan, and you won't face any punishment," Jun Wuhan said arrogantly.
Seated in the main chair, Jun Wu looked at Jun Wuhan as if he were an idiot.
"Are you done? Then get out," Jun Wu said lazily, too disinterested to argue with the fool.
"You… humph!" Jun Wuhan fumed, but when he remembered his brother's plan, a sinister smile crept across his face.
'Keep acting high and mighty. This time, you won't survive,' he thought, chuckling inwardly.
He left the hall with a triumphant grin. An hour later, the Jun aristocrat clan released shocking news.
Anyone who associated with Jun Wu would be considered an enemy of the Jun aristocrat clan.
The announcement stunned the entire city, and many wondered who Jun Wu was to provoke such action.
The Jun clan soon released his image, plastering it on walls throughout the city.
Gao Chun stood by the window inside the largest trading pavilion, grinning maliciously.
"Since you've acted this way, how could I not help fan the flames?" he said.
"Spread the news: the Gao trading pavilion has banned Jun Wu, and anyone who associates with him will be considered an enemy of the Gao clan," Gao Chun ordered.
"Yes, My Lord," a man said from the shadows before vanishing.
With the Gao aristocrat clan joining the fray, it became clear that Jun Wu had become the city's common enemy.
When the City Lord heard the news, he was pleased. He couldn't wait for Jun Wu to come crawling to him for help.
"Young Master, what are we going to do?" Zhang Wei asked, his voice filled with concern.
Jun Wu, dressed in a black robe, didn't respond. He stared at the horizon, lost in thought.
They were trying to bully him, to force him into submission.
Mao Yun sighed and suggested, "Young Master, why don't we leave the city for another one?"
"And then what?" Jun Wu turned to him, his gaze sharp.
"Those bastards are hell-bent on killing me. If I leave the city under their suppression, I'll fall right into their trap."
Hearing this, Mao Yun and Zhang Wei were left speechless. The situation was too complicated, giving them both headaches.
"Those bastards! Why don't we fight it out with them and teach them the lesson of their lives?" Zhang Wei shouted in frustration.
Jun Wu shook his head and looked at the bright sun hanging overhead. His voice was low as he muttered, "What if I became the sun…"
"Hmm? Young Master, what did you say?" Mao Yun asked, frowning in confusion.
"I want to become the sun," Jun Wu repeated, a rare smile spreading across his face.
That was it.
If he became so bright that no one could overshadow his brilliance, who would dare to bully him?
If he became too hot, he would burn his enemies to ashes.
The thought ignited a lightbulb in his mind. He didn't have to fight this battle alone.
What he needed was a powerful force that would make his enemies tremble.
"Hahaha!" Jun Wu laughed loudly, startling Mao Yun and Zhang Wei.
The two exchanged uncertain looks.
"Young Master, are you alright?" Zhang Wei asked hesitantly.
"I've never been better. This is the greatest day of my life," Jun Wu declared, his smile radiant.
Unbeknownst to the city, their attempt to suppress Jun Wu had instead paved the way for his rise to greatness.
And now, this marked the beginning of a new era in the martial world.
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