The Ultimate Gathering

"Holy shit!"

Pushing open the door to find someone hanging from the ceiling, Yi Feng jumped in shock.

The man's eyes were rolled back, his legs kicking wildly—clearly on the brink of death. Without hesitation, Yi Feng drew his sword and swung!

Snap!

Thud!

The rope was severed, and the man collapsed to the ground.

Yi Feng rushed forward to help him up, calling out urgently.

"Brother? Hey, brother?"

The plump, middle-aged man slowly opened his eyes, coughing with tears welling up.

"Cough, cough… Why… why did you save me…?"

Hearing that the man had been attempting suicide, Yi Feng suddenly found himself at a loss for words.

Strangely, he even felt an inexplicable flicker of envy.

But as a decent young man, he had no choice but to offer some words of encouragement. After a round of motivational pep talk, the plainly dressed man finally sat up with a resigned sigh and bowed his head in gratitude.

"Thank you for your kind words, sir. But if there were any other path left for me, I wouldn’t have chosen death."

Yi Feng frowned in confusion.

"What kind of trouble could possibly drive you to this?"

The man sighed again, struggling to his feet to bow once more.

"Thank you for your concern, benefactor."

They settled at a rickety wooden table, where the man poured tea with trembling hands, his voice heavy with sorrow.

"Benefactor, my name is Bao Congxin. This… is a long story…"

As Bao Congxin spoke, Yi Feng listened in growing disbelief.

Turns out, this unfortunate man hailed from the Southern Li Heavenly Domain. Once a dashing senior disciple, beloved by his juniors, his life had taken a brutal turn.

His second junior brother had conspired with a certain elder to murder their sect master, stealing everything that should have been Bao Congxin’s—his status, his future. Worse, they framed him for the crime. Even his childhood sweetheart, his shimei, now saw him as her father’s killer.

Overnight, Bao Congxin became a reviled outcast, hunted and despised.

Driven to the ends of the earth, he fled to the Eastern Sea, enduring humiliation and scraping by in obscurity while secretly cultivating, biding his time for revenge.

But fate had one final cruelty in store.

Recently, he learned that his shimei had married the very traitor who ruined him. With his last hope shattered and decades of suffering weighing on him, despair finally consumed him…

Hearing such a tragic tale, Yi Feng’s eyes softened with pity.

No wonder a cultivator like him had sealed his own cultivation and resorted to hanging himself.

"Brother Bao… you’ve suffered more than anyone should. After all these years of bitter training, didn’t you consider returning for vengeance earlier?"

Bao Congxin let out a quiet sigh.

"Ah…"

"Don’t laugh, brother… I never dared venture outside to hunt spirit beasts or gather treasures. My progress was pitiful. I barely scraped by as a cook in this city, enduring daily humiliation. Survival itself was a struggle."

Yi Feng blinked in surprise.

"Is it really that dangerous outside? The city seems peaceful enough—I haven’t seen much oppression."

Bao Congxin forced a bitter smile, shaking his head.

"You jest, benefactor. With your strength, no one would dare trouble you. But for someone like me, barely at the Proof Dao Realm, staying alive in this city is a miracle."

Yi Feng grew even more puzzled.

He’d only encountered a few loudmouths, but nothing truly threatening. Even this dingy shop, despite its outrageous prices, was open to bargaining.

Was it really just his own power shielding him from the harsh reality?

Scratching his head awkwardly, Yi Feng probed further.

"Brother Bao, is life here truly so hard?"

Bao Congxin’s eyes widened slightly.

"Benefactor… are you also from outside the island?"

When Yi Feng nodded, realization dawned on Bao Congxin’s face, his gaze warming with camaraderie.

"No wonder…"

"Benefactor, this city may seem unremarkable, but it’s a den of snakes and dragons. The entire Radiant Sun Island’s major factions are entrenched here. Beyond the surface rule of Sa Donglai and his Azure Sand Heavenly Sect, there are three other Heavenly Sects and countless smaller factions—all ruthless and bloodthirsty. Outsiders like us… we barely survive."

Curious, Bao Congxin studied Yi Feng.

"Might I ask… what realm you’ve reached? Surely above Proof Dao? If you plan to stay long, it’s best to join a faction for protection!"

Yi Feng nodded.

"I see."

"My realm… would be around the higher end of the Heavenly Rank."

The moment the words left his mouth, Bao Congxin nearly fell off his stool!

"Heavenly Rank?!"

His plump face drained of color. No longer daring to sit at the same table, he scrambled to his feet, bowing stiffly. Then his eyes fell on the severed rope—once a treasured artifact of his sect—and his pupils shrank in terror.

He stood there like a scolded schoolboy, utterly deferential.

A good man, just painfully timid.

Yi Feng sighed, offering a few reassuring words before pressing on.

"Brother Bao, we’re friends under the same roof—no need for formalities. Tell me, do you know about the auction? Which is stronger—the local sects or the auction house’s backers?"

Bao Congxin gulped, his voice trembling with awe.

"B-Benefactor…"

"I’ve heard a little."

"The auction is hosted by the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion, which operates across the Eastern Sea’s islands. Their influence dwarfs the Radiant Sun Island’s sects. Rumor has it… a priceless treasure will appear at the auction in two days. Does the benefactor… wish to witness it?"

A top-tier auction with legendary treasures? That meant experts galore—the perfect place to find death!

Yi Feng’s eyes lit up.

"Exactly! I’d love to see it for myself!"

Bao Congxin shuddered.

This man was terrifying—not just a Heavenly Rank expert, but bold enough to waltz into an auction of that caliber. Such fearlessness… he was clearly destined for greatness!

His admiration grew, but so did his fear.

Still, remembering Yi Feng’s kindness—the first dignity he’d felt in years—Bao Congxin clenched his teeth and bowed deeply.

"Benefactor!"

"If… if you’ll have me, this lowly one would be honored to guide you! I’ll serve you however I can, to repay your life-saving grace!"

Delighted at the offer, Yi Feng grinned.

"No need for formal service, Brother Bao. It was just a small favor. But if you’re willing to show me the way, that’d be perfect."

With Yi Feng’s lead, they raised their cups—tea in place of wine—both smiling.

---

Two days later.

Under Bao Congxin’s nervous guidance, Yi Feng navigated several bustling streets until a magnificent tower came into view, surrounded by a sea of people!

Guards stood in formation, while attendants ushered in lavishly dressed dignitaries. The grandeur of the event was undeniable, yet all paled before the golden characters emblazoned above the entrance:

Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion.

The calligraphy radiated an awe-inspiring majesty, drawing gasps from the crowd.

Among the throng, Yi Feng gazed at the spectacle, excitement bubbling in his chest. He turned to his companion.

"This is the auction venue, right?"

Bao Congxin bowed repeatedly, stammering.

"Y-yes! Benefactor, j-just enter through those doors!"

Yi Feng’s anticipation grew, but a glance back revealed Bao Congxin’s legs shaking violently.

In his worn-out clothes, the man stood out painfully amid the opulent crowd, his face etched with inferiority and fear.

Over the past two days, Yi Feng had learned much about the city’s underbelly. Now, with his own suicidal plans in mind, he didn’t want to drag an innocent into danger. He offered a gentle smile.

"Brother Bao, if you’re uncomfortable, you can wait nearby. I’ll go in alone."

Bao Congxin let out a long sigh of relief upon hearing the response, wiping his sweat and bowing with a slightly flushed face.

"Thank you for your understanding, kind sir."

"To be honest, I’ve been wandering around the city for years, but I’ve never witnessed such a grand occasion before. Even members of the great Heavenly Sects have appeared in numbers—truly... truly a bit overwhelming. I—I’ll just wait quietly outside."

"Please forgive my discourtesy."

"No worries, thanks for leading the way." Yi Feng waved his hand with a smile and strode forward boldly!

From Bao Congxin’s explanation, to establish oneself in the city, one either had to be ruthless or join a major faction—that was the law of survival, especially in an auction house.

Yi Feng didn’t consider himself a ruthless man, but putting on an act was no problem.

To ensure a smooth path to his death-seeking goal, he decisively marched ahead, his face twisted into a ferocious expression, transforming into a notorious villain. Sure enough, he was welcomed without obstruction into the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion!

Once he passed the greeting screen...

The great hall was already packed with guests, bustling with noise and excitement!