In the case of the Heaven-Swaying Sword theft, Yan Qing held the highest Thief Points at the event with 30 points, while Pharmacist’s Wish came second with 20 points, and the gap between them was already quite small.

In this task, although Yan Qing killed the three constables from the Divine Marquis Mansion, Pharmacist’s Wish also killed Duke Wei Chu Luoyan, a task of comparable difficulty. However, Pharmacist’s Wish was responsible for the most crucial part of the task: retrieving Exotic Iron from the Magma Pool.

Safeguarding the task’s items is already the largest bonus, especially when the retrieval difficulty is as high as this, with no one other than Pharmacist’s Wish willing to take it on, securing her a significant score boost. Later, she even pushed Yan Qing aside to protect her teammates, resulting in herself getting entangled by the Golden Lock. She participated in every aspect of the task: disguise, battle, retrieval, protection. Little by little, she accumulated a score of 100 points, which is not surprising.

In theory, since they have the same points, it represents that both of them qualify to compete for the Legendary Token reward of this task.

But at this moment, the atmosphere in the Thief Hall was rather peculiar, with Ying Rushi and Shang Xinlei’s gazes sweeping back and forth between the two, hesitant to speak.

If only considering this task’s merits, Pharmacist’s Wish undoubtedly leads with 80 points; considering past accumulations, Pharmacist’s Wish never slacked off; considering strength, Pharmacist’s Wish has absorbed the Third-Turn Celestial Spirits and Earthly Fiends, being the closest to Foundation Establishment in the Thief’s House; considering gear, Pharmacist’s Wish lacks a suitable weapon token.

In any other task, Pharmacist’s Wish bidding for the Legendary Token would be justified beyond question... But this time is somewhat different.

Because the Thief’s House only needs to calculate points, and the thieves consider much more.

Even though Pharmacist’s Wish boldly scored 80 points in the task, everyone knows Yan Qing sacrificed the most in this task: he crushed his last Return Order to deceive the True Man of Locking Dragon.

It could be said, without Yan Qing’s decisive action, not only would the task remain incomplete, but even Ying Rushi and Pharmacist’s Wish would have been left in the angry city of Chang’an, awaiting the thunderous wrath of the True Man of Locking Dragon.

How should the value of a Return Order be measured? As long as it can be activated first, no one under the heavens can stop you, not even a Foundation Establishment Messenger, who could only watch you escape... At least Ying Rushi couldn’t measure it, because in her understanding, nothing compares to the Return Order. If someone were willing to sell it, the three major Royal Family Foundation Establishments might gladly exchange an entire nation for one Return Order, right?

Moreover, Yan Qing used up his last Return Order, meaning from now on he would no longer have this life-saving measure... This is not just a Return Order; it’s virtually his only retreat!

While the Thief’s House operates on a bidding system, where the capable acquire, there exists in people’s hearts a scale that measures who is wronged and who should be rewarded. Everyone is aware. If Yan Qing were the sole point leader, he would undoubtedly receive the highest reward in this task.

However, everyone is also aware that Pharmacist’s Wish needs this custom token more than he does.

Yan Qing already possesses the Bingzi Pepper Forest, fortified to Second-Turned Legendary by Red Furnace Fire Essence. This long knife remains the most formidable weapon in the Thief’s House, even the Heaven-Swaying Sword pales in comparison. Adding another Third-Turned Legendary weapon would merely be a bonus for him, yet for Pharmacist’s Wish, it signifies a qualitative transformation in strength.

Whoever receives the custom token would be rightfully deserved, yet whomever receives it would owe the other.

Within the unspeakable silence, the luminous disc on the Thief Hall’s ceiling opened, and four tokens descended, placed alongside the Exotic Iron.

"Based on the completion of tasks by the thieves, the Thief’s House selected four items from its treasury, alongside a Legendary Token custom-made of Exotic Iron as a reward."

"Exotic Iron"

"Grade: Sixth-Turn Strange Object"

"Usage: Custom-made exclusive Legendary Token based on the messenger’s capabilities"

/

"Earth Vein Evil Qi"

"Usage Condition: None"

"Effect: Transform into the user’s designated Earth Evil Spirit Object."

"Evaluation: An Immortal extracted and refined the unique object containing seventy-two transformations."

/

"Red Furnace Fire Essence"

"Usage Condition: Restricted to Legendary Tokens"

"Effect: Elevate the grade of a Legendary Tier token by one turn, but will permanently reduce the token’s durability. The higher the Legendary Token grade, the more durability it loses."

"Evaluation: True gold fears no Red Furnace Fire, neither does Red Furnace Fire fear true gold."

/

"Master of Supreme Secret Techniques"

"Usage Condition: Must have mastery of any advanced skill"

"Effect: Instantly comprehend and master a Supreme Secret Technique you have not yet mastered based on your skill situation."

"Evaluation: The best must be suitable for oneself, and what is suitable must also be the strongest!"

/

"Other Shore Flower"

"Usage Condition: None"

"Effect: When a living being dies around you, the Other Shore Flower absorbs the overflowing life force. The higher the level, the more life force absorbed. According to the bloom level of the Other Shore Flower, your Qi Blood and soul will increase accordingly. The more total life absorbed, the greater the Other Shore Flower benefits, without limit."

"Evaluation: On the Yellow Springs Road in the Underworld, large patches of Other Shore Flowers bloom, and this is the only withering one, perhaps containing a secret path to the Underworld."

Everyone took a deep breath of fried stuffed green peppers.

Almost everyone subconsciously leaned forward, their eyes filled with desire as they looked at the rewards.

Indeed worthy of completing such a highly challenging task; the quality of the rewards this time is too good, even the Comprehension Pill is not qualified to enter the pool.

"Earth Vein Evil Qi" goes without saying, apart from Pharmacist’s Wish who has already absorbed Celestial Spirits and Earthly Fiends, all messengers wanting Foundation Establishment found it hard to look away. Specifying Earth Fiend means that as long as you find any Celestial Spirits, you can definitely combine to form a Dao Foundation!

"Red Furnace Fire Essence" is an old face, but unlike the Comprehension Pill which is just a filler, this item, even if it stays in the reward pool, nobody would find it strange. After all, it can directly upgrade the token to a large realm at a very low cost, it’s something everyone needs.

"Master of Supreme Secret Techniques" is also urgently needed by these mortals, even after the third turn, they still rely on secret techniques to level up until their strength can no longer advance. Understanding and mastering the secret techniques can immediately raise their level significantly, saving an immeasurable amount of time... and what they lack most is time.

Furthermore, this isn’t just any ordinary Secret Technique but a Supreme Secret Technique. Though its supremacy is unknown, it’s enough to make everyone itch with desire.

"Other Shore Flower" is the most unfamiliar reward, but just the introduction of ’no limit’ is sufficient to elevate its value beyond measure. Besides, unlike the previous three, Other Shore Flower can still be useful post-Foundation Establishment, equating to a long-term investment that won’t incur losses.

But even with all these great items, they pale in comparison to "Exotic Iron."

Custom tailored legendary token based on messenger’s ability!

"All rewards for this task are as follows: Exotic Iron, Earth Evil Spirit Qi, Red Furnace Fire Essence, Master of Supreme Secret Techniques, Other Shore Flower."

"Now is the auction phase, you can bid on items using Thief Points, with a minimum starting price of 15 points, and each increase must be at least 5 points. Thieves who have already bid on an item enjoy priority bidding in the next round."

"The first item is Exotic Iron, thieves please bid."

At the moment when the auction was announced in the Thief Hall, both Ying Rushi and Shang Xinlei held their breath, listening carefully to see who would be the first to bid.

One second passed, and the Thief Hall remained silent.

Everyone looked bewildered at Yan Qing and Pharmacist’s Wish; they were also surprised, gazing at each other, seeing the same thought in each other’s eyes—waiting for the other to bid first, pretending to be slow, and then letting the legendary token go naturally.

Pharmacist’s Wish conceding here was expected.

Though she indeed needs a legendary token, even others can see Yan Qing’s sacrifice, how could she possibly ignore it? Despite completing the task being partly his responsibility, with the credit for the Return Order already settled with Thief’s House, if it weren’t for the Celestial Spirits organization’s Unity Lock, Pharmacist’s Wish would have long turned into charcoal in the Magma Pool.

No matter how important the legendary token is, it can’t surpass her life.

This is not even including the matter of the Rabbit Heroine... But Yan Qing never asked about the Rabbit Heroine once, even knowing Yan Qing could communicate with the Rabbit Heroine, Pharmacist’s Wish was still displeased, so this credit is not mentioned for the time being.

With all these reasons, not to mention they have the same Thief Points, even if Pharmacist’s Wish had more, she would willingly let the custom token go.

But why is he doing this?

Aren’t you the cold and emotionless mysterious leader? The selfish and ruthless mastermind behind the scenes? Why would you voluntarily give away the richest reward in Thief’s House? Pharmacist’s Wish stared at Yan Qing’s dog head mask, as if trying to see through his thoughts through his eyes.

However, Yan Qing pretended not to see her, his eyes fixed on the Exotic Iron hovering above the stone table, not making eye contact whatsoever, as if the mineral was really something fascinating. Pharmacist’s Wish felt amused and annoyed, you weren’t tough in the task just now, why have you turned soft now?

Do you need me to say outright that I’m letting you have it? You bastard...

"I bid 50 Points!"

Shang Xinlei’s voice broke the unprecedented silence in the Thief Hall, and Thief’s House promptly responded: "50 Points, first time."

Everyone looked at Shang Xinlei in surprise, Shang Xinlei blinked: "Since none of you want it, I’ll gladly accept it. Although I’m currently using a legendary token, the custom token from Thief’s House must surely suit me more."

Pharmacist’s Wish stared directly at Yan Qing, using her gaze to urge him to bid. Yan Qing’s eyes flickered, looking at her and then at Shang Xinlei.

Thief’s House leisurely said: "50 Points, second time."

Are you really going to let Red Snake have it!?

Pharmacist’s Wish is indeed willing to let Yan Qing have the Exotic Iron, but why should Red Snake get it? Even if Yan Qing wants to let Red Snake have it, she can’t allow it... It simply can’t be allowed! If even I’m unqualified to take it, Red Snake is even less so! This is Thief’s House, not a playground for the both of you! If you’re going to play like this, then next time you bid, I’ll compete with you to the end, not letting you off easily!

Just then, a slow voice sounded: "I bid 56 Points."

Facing everyone’s gaze, Ying Rushi crossed his arms and smiled slightly: "Although the Heaven-Swaying Sword is indeed good, who would refuse a custom-made third-turned legendary? If Red Snake can bid, then naturally, I can too."

"56 Points, first time." Thief Hall immediately responded to Ying Rushi’s request.

This time even Yan Qing couldn’t hold back, though White Fox is indeed a good teammate, their relationship isn’t good enough to allow such a large share of benefit to be passed. Furthermore, Ying Rushi’s Heaven-Swaying Sword is functionally superior to Bingzi Pepper Forest, Yan Qing can’t watch her also take the custom token, but he didn’t bid, instead he stared at Pharmacist’s Wish.

You should bid now!

The two stared wide-eyed, but Thief Hall wouldn’t pause for their personal thoughts, continuing: "56 Points, second time."

"56 Points, third—"

"I bid 96 Points! ×2"