Time flies, and two months passed in the blink of an eye.

The Desolate Ancient City was more bustling than usual, as the auction at the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion was about to commence. Heroes from all directions gathered, flocking here just to attend this grand auction feast.

At the Ten Thousand Flowers Manor, Lin Baoqing visited again, presenting a Bidding Order to Li Mu, inviting him to attend the auction.

"Take a look! I’ll go if I’m free," Li Mu said with a smile as he accepted the Bidding Order.

"Master Li, this auction is different from previous ones. The Profound Celestial Sword Sect and the Taiyi Sect have also brought out many valuable Spiritual Objects to auction,..." Lin Baoqing enthusiastically recommended to Li Mu.

"Yes, yes. Recently, several esteemed guests have sent in some Spiritual Objects that Master Li might need. Here is the catalog, please take a look!" Lin Baoqing nodded happily, respectfully offering a white Jade Scroll. This Jade Scroll was no ordinary piece, containing the complete list of auction items at the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion, with detailed records of the names, attributes, levels, and current bids of various items.

Li Mu took the Jade Scroll, his Divine Sense lightly scanned it, and immediately his heart stirred with slight fluctuations. Unexpectedly, this auction included Tier Six Spirit Medicine—the Nine Yang Spirit Grass, Tier Six Spirit Plants—the Purple Void Spirit Bamboo, Tier Seven Spiritual Materials—the Gilded Boundary Crystal... These High-tier Spiritual Objects appeared, indeed surprising him.

"How is it? Do they catch Master Li’s eye?" Lin Baoqing asked with concern while looking at Li Mu.

"Hmm! There are a few Spiritual Objects I want. Shopkeeper Lin, could you possibly communicate with the consigners for private transactions?" Li Mu nodded, signaling to Lin Baoqing.

Private transactions before an auction were not uncommon. Often, to protect certain special items from falling into outsiders’ hands or to save some trouble during the auction process, the parties involved would communicate and choose to deal privately.

"Rest assured, Master Li, I will communicate with the consigners as soon as possible, striving to secure these Spiritual Objects for you, but..." Lin Baoqing paused slightly, showing a hesitant look.

"But what?" Li Mu asked, looking at Lin Baoqing.

"These Spiritual Objects are rare treasures, and those consigning them won’t easily sell. Moreover, this auction involves major factions, competition will inevitably be fierce," Lin Baoqing slowly expressed his concerns while looking at Li Mu.

"I understand what you mean." Li Mu nodded and said, "Just do your best. In terms of pricing, you can be more flexible. If it really doesn’t work out, we’ll find another way!"

"Understood!" Lin Baoqing breathed a sigh of relief, nodding happily.

"Master Li, if there’s nothing else, I won’t disturb you any longer," Lin Baoqing said as he bid farewell to Li Mu.

"Shopkeeper Lin, wait a moment!" Li Mu thought of something and called out to him.

Lin Baoqing turned his head, looking at Li Mu with confusion, waiting for the next words.

"How did the investigation by that ’Elder Zhuang’ go?" Li Mu asked with a smile while looking at Lin Baoqing.

Upon hearing this, Lin Baoqing frowned tightly, showing a peculiar expression, shaking his head helplessly, "This person acts low-key. I’ve had people tail him and investigated him for two months but haven’t obtained any useful information. I can’t figure out the intention behind his powder move last time!"

Li Mu nodded understandingly and said calmly, "If my guess is right, this person should have intricate connections with the Nine Demons Sect. Let’s call off the plan to ride your pavilion’s merchant ship to the Central State Spirit Realm we discussed with Shopkeeper Lin last time. Could Shopkeeper Lin provide me with a Sea Chart to the Central State Domain, and I’ll think of another way."

Upon hearing this, Lin Baoqing was taken aback, asking in amazement, "Master Li, do you mean the Nine Demons Sect will attack our pavilion’s merchant ship?"

Li Mu nodded slightly and said, "If I’m not mistaken, this person should be targeting me. If I continue to ride your pavilion’s merchant ship, the Nine Demons Sect attacking your pavilion’s merchant ship to deal with me wouldn’t be surprising!"

"This, how is this possible? The guards of our pavilion are no pushovers!" Lin Baoqing said incredulously.

"Shopkeeper Lin, don’t forget, the Nine Demons Sect doesn’t even place the Profound Celestial Sword Sect and the Taiyi Sect in its eyes. How could the Nine Demons Sect dare not provoke a commercial organization like the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion?" Li Mu said with a light laugh. "Moreover, hasn’t your pavilion provided few resources to the two Great Immortal Sects! I’m afraid the Nine Demons Sect is just waiting for this chance to make trouble for the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion!"

At these words, Lin Baoqing was momentarily speechless, his heart suddenly in turmoil. Li Mu’s words were like a sharp sword, piercing his fantasies. Only then did he realize that the situation facing the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion was more dangerous than he imagined.

Lin Baoqing took a deep breath, calmed his emotions, and looked at Li Mu, "Master Li is absolutely right. I will quickly prepare a Sea Chart for you to the Central State Domain. In the meantime, do you need any assistance from me?"

Li Mu smiled and shook his head, saying, "There’s nothing else. Once this auction ends, I’ll find another way to reach the Central State. Whether or not the Nine Demons Sect will continue to target the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion’s merchant ship remains uncertain, Shopkeeper Lin, you must prepare for all scenarios."

Lin Baoqing nodded and replied, "Thank you for the enlightenment, Master Li. I will inform the Pavilion Master of this, preparing to counter any threat from the Nine Demons Sect."

Li Mu smiled and said no more, watching Lin Baoqing leave.

Time flew by, and three days passed, the auction at the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion came as scheduled,

During these three days, Li Mu stayed home mostly, practicing Alchemy in the Painting Realm Treasure Mansion Space until the auction at the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion officially began, at which point he attended with Xue’Er.

"Lord Li, I was once auctioned on stage, this Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion is too detestable!"

In the VIP room, Xue’Er was touched and recalled her past when she was imprisoned in a cage, remembering her time at the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion auction.